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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #125
Doctor Who: Terror of the Vervoids
The Time Lords have brought the Sixth Doctor to trial, accusing him of gross interference in the affairs of other planets. If he is found guilty he must forfeit all his remaining regenerations.
In his defence the Doctor tells of an adventure set on board the Hyperion III space liner in his future. Answering a distress call, the Doctor and Mel arrive on the liner just as a series of grisly murders begins.
Who is behind the murders? Do the enigmatic Mogarians have anything to do with them? Who sent the distress call to the TARDIS? And what hideous menace lies waiting in the Hydroponic Centre?
In his defence the Doctor tells of an adventure set on board the Hyperion III space liner in his future. Answering a distress call, the Doctor and Mel arrive on the liner just as a series of grisly murders begins.
Who is behind the murders? Do the enigmatic Mogarians have anything to do with them? Who sent the distress call to the TARDIS? And what hideous menace lies waiting in the Hydroponic Centre?
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
166 people want to read
About the author
Pip Baker
22 books1 follower"Pip" (Philip) and Jane Baker are British television writers best known for their contributions to the long running science fiction series Doctor Who. A husband-and-wife writing team, they wrote four serials for the programme: The Mark of the Rani, Parts 9–12 and 14 of The Trial of a Time Lord (aka Terror of the Vervoids and The Ultimate Foe) and Time and the Rani. They have also written a number of novelisations of the series.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 4, 2020
Vervoids is oddly fun story that's very reminiscent of some classic Who stories, think Seeds of Doom meets Robots of Death.
The third section of Trial of a Time Lord is probably my favourite of the season, the fact that this part is set in the Doctor's future and has the unique distinction of meeting a companion that's already travelled in the TARDIS help make this story standout.
Health enthusiasts Mel is a perfect fit for Colin Bakers Sixth Doctor, its actually quite a shame that the pair didn't get to have more TV adventures together...
Bonnie Langford (Mel) is certainly an obvious choice to narrate this audiobook release and really brings the story to life.
The mystery is perfectly teased and the various locations on the ship are well explored.
The Vervoids certainly feel more sinister too, I mean just looking at the cover picture and you can see that they're not really the scariest Who monster!
Just like Season 23 itself, this has been my favourite of the set.
The third section of Trial of a Time Lord is probably my favourite of the season, the fact that this part is set in the Doctor's future and has the unique distinction of meeting a companion that's already travelled in the TARDIS help make this story standout.
Health enthusiasts Mel is a perfect fit for Colin Bakers Sixth Doctor, its actually quite a shame that the pair didn't get to have more TV adventures together...
Bonnie Langford (Mel) is certainly an obvious choice to narrate this audiobook release and really brings the story to life.
The mystery is perfectly teased and the various locations on the ship are well explored.
The Vervoids certainly feel more sinister too, I mean just looking at the cover picture and you can see that they're not really the scariest Who monster!
Just like Season 23 itself, this has been my favourite of the set.
October 6, 2014
I vividly recall the day I found the paperback release of "Terror of the Vervoids" in my local bookstore. It was the first serial from "The Trial of a Time Lord" season to be released in the Target range and I eagerly snapped it.
I then carried it around with me, stealing moments to read it and never quite realizing how strange the cover might be to someone who hadn't seen the original serial and wasn't familiar with Doctor Who.
Just look at the cover and tell me you don't think of the Seinfeld episode where no one can remember his date's name but it rhyme with a female body part.
But, I digress.
As difficult as it was to get through "Mindwarp," "Terror of the Vervoids" is no picnic either. Pip and Jane Baker bring absolutely nothing new to the printed page. In fact, this is a classic example of a straight forward script to screen adaptation as one is likely to find in the Target line. While it might make sense to streamline certain scenes, the Bakers instead are slavishly devoted to their original script and rarely deviate from it.
It's not quite as disappointing as "Mindwarp," but it certainly is not a solid example of what this range could and should do when it's at it's best.
I then carried it around with me, stealing moments to read it and never quite realizing how strange the cover might be to someone who hadn't seen the original serial and wasn't familiar with Doctor Who.
Just look at the cover and tell me you don't think of the Seinfeld episode where no one can remember his date's name but it rhyme with a female body part.
But, I digress.
As difficult as it was to get through "Mindwarp," "Terror of the Vervoids" is no picnic either. Pip and Jane Baker bring absolutely nothing new to the printed page. In fact, this is a classic example of a straight forward script to screen adaptation as one is likely to find in the Target line. While it might make sense to streamline certain scenes, the Bakers instead are slavishly devoted to their original script and rarely deviate from it.
It's not quite as disappointing as "Mindwarp," but it certainly is not a solid example of what this range could and should do when it's at it's best.
February 28, 2017
I'm not a big fan of Pip and Jane Baker's Doctor Who stories, but this murder mystery style story really works well.
May 12, 2025
When I read Wally K Daly’s novelization of his un-produced serial The Ultimate Evil sometime ago, I thought it would be a long time before I came across a Doctor Who read that would be anywhere near as bad. And, indeed, I had not encountered such an example until I read Pip and Jane Baker’s novelization of Terror of the Vervoids. A story that, admittedly, I’ve only comparatively recently warmed up to on-screen but which, in prose form, could have offered the opportunity for a “writer’s cut” of a script that didn’t quite receive the treatment it might have deserved on television.
Except that the novelization of Terror of the Vervoids somehow manages to be worse than its TV counterpart. A whodunit where the actually mystery aspects are telegraphed already is made worse by the Bakers writing down to their audience as though they’re the smallest and dimmest of children. The characters manage to be all the more bland and wooden on the page with what characterization there is hampered by some of the most ham-fisted and poorly placed exposition you’re likely to come across in any book. That’s without the insistence of the Bakers upon overusing ellipsis that goes from an authorial idiosyncrasy to utter annoyance when used four times upon a single page at one point.
If you’re wanting an alternative version of Terror of the Vervoids to the original TV version, go watch the special edition version on the Blu-Ray that takes out all of the trial sequences. It’s as close to a definitive, improved version of the serial as you’re going to find. Because in prose it is very poorly represented here.
Except that the novelization of Terror of the Vervoids somehow manages to be worse than its TV counterpart. A whodunit where the actually mystery aspects are telegraphed already is made worse by the Bakers writing down to their audience as though they’re the smallest and dimmest of children. The characters manage to be all the more bland and wooden on the page with what characterization there is hampered by some of the most ham-fisted and poorly placed exposition you’re likely to come across in any book. That’s without the insistence of the Bakers upon overusing ellipsis that goes from an authorial idiosyncrasy to utter annoyance when used four times upon a single page at one point.
If you’re wanting an alternative version of Terror of the Vervoids to the original TV version, go watch the special edition version on the Blu-Ray that takes out all of the trial sequences. It’s as close to a definitive, improved version of the serial as you’re going to find. Because in prose it is very poorly represented here.
June 17, 2022
“The charge now…is GENOCIDE!”
Arguably the superior version of an already kinda insane story (which in itself is part of a truly gonzo and truncated season of television stories).
But even despite the liberal fleshing out that the Target Books allowed, Terror of the Vervoids still is kinda broken at the base level. The whole rigmarole of The Valeyard’s Twist and the “editing” of the Matrix never really gives you a proper sense of the Sixth Doctor. As we are given basically nine unreliable narrator turns throughout the core drive of the Vervoids serial.
And even the courtroom stuff doesn’t give you much purchase with him aside from knowing that he’s def sassy and won’t stand to be lectured to mostly. Mel’s whole opening sucks eggs and keeps shifting her wildly about the story (because the Bakers haven’t the slightest idea what to do with her yet).
I dunno, it’s like…this is finally the proper “director’s cut” of this episode but it’s working with such defective parts it can’t really get under itself like I want it to. It’s REALLY freaking gnarly though, so I’m sure that was a plus at the time as it is now. You never really see this level of body stacking outside of Big Finish or the older BBC ranges, so that was neat. In a weird Battle Action! sorta way.
Sixie and Mel deserved (and get) better stories (eventually). I always take solace in that.
Arguably the superior version of an already kinda insane story (which in itself is part of a truly gonzo and truncated season of television stories).
But even despite the liberal fleshing out that the Target Books allowed, Terror of the Vervoids still is kinda broken at the base level. The whole rigmarole of The Valeyard’s Twist and the “editing” of the Matrix never really gives you a proper sense of the Sixth Doctor. As we are given basically nine unreliable narrator turns throughout the core drive of the Vervoids serial.
And even the courtroom stuff doesn’t give you much purchase with him aside from knowing that he’s def sassy and won’t stand to be lectured to mostly. Mel’s whole opening sucks eggs and keeps shifting her wildly about the story (because the Bakers haven’t the slightest idea what to do with her yet).
I dunno, it’s like…this is finally the proper “director’s cut” of this episode but it’s working with such defective parts it can’t really get under itself like I want it to. It’s REALLY freaking gnarly though, so I’m sure that was a plus at the time as it is now. You never really see this level of body stacking outside of Big Finish or the older BBC ranges, so that was neat. In a weird Battle Action! sorta way.
Sixie and Mel deserved (and get) better stories (eventually). I always take solace in that.
July 12, 2021
Between a 4 and a 5 for me, a much better effort by the authors, and a much more interesting story. The Trial of a Time Lord arc does have some bearing on this again, but not as heavy handed as in Mindwarp, and it is clearer than in that story what is real and what isn't here.
Has an interesting introduction of a new character, inasmuch as there is no real introduction, Mel is just suddenly there, but I like Mel as a character (though I know many don't) - yes she is quite ready to scream and the slightest provocation, but at the same time that doesn't prevent her being quite proactive, and willing to go into danger to satisfy her curiosity or sense of justice, compared to Peri who towards the end seemed quite reluctant to do either.
The Doctor in good form again here, and is up against quite an interesting situation, and can see how some of the events of Mindwarp have had an impact on his outlook.
The story itself is quite an interesting one, definitely a horror bent to it, and I do like the horror themed ones, and also a bit of murder mystery going on as well, leading to some good twists and turns and a strong finish, making for a very strong story.
Has an interesting introduction of a new character, inasmuch as there is no real introduction, Mel is just suddenly there, but I like Mel as a character (though I know many don't) - yes she is quite ready to scream and the slightest provocation, but at the same time that doesn't prevent her being quite proactive, and willing to go into danger to satisfy her curiosity or sense of justice, compared to Peri who towards the end seemed quite reluctant to do either.
The Doctor in good form again here, and is up against quite an interesting situation, and can see how some of the events of Mindwarp have had an impact on his outlook.
The story itself is quite an interesting one, definitely a horror bent to it, and I do like the horror themed ones, and also a bit of murder mystery going on as well, leading to some good twists and turns and a strong finish, making for a very strong story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2023
Doctor Who : Terror of the Vervoids (1988) by Pip and Jane Baker is the novelisation of the third serial of the twenty third season of Doctor Who. It is the third part of the Trial of a Time Lord story arc.
The Doctor continues to replay what has happened from The Matrix, the store of Time Lord memories. The story that all the figures watch is one where The Doctor and his new companion Mel land on a space ship traveling to Earth and carrying some Mogarians and also a scientist and a strange group of large strange looking pods. The scientists are also guarding access to something they won’t allow other passengers near.
As can be imagined, things soon go awry. There are murders on the ship and the pods open and strange creatures appear. The Mogarians too have other motives.
The Terror of the Vervoids is quite a good story that would have worked as a Fourth Doctor appears on a spaceship. It also fits well into the Trial of a Time Lord set.
The Doctor continues to replay what has happened from The Matrix, the store of Time Lord memories. The story that all the figures watch is one where The Doctor and his new companion Mel land on a space ship traveling to Earth and carrying some Mogarians and also a scientist and a strange group of large strange looking pods. The scientists are also guarding access to something they won’t allow other passengers near.
As can be imagined, things soon go awry. There are murders on the ship and the pods open and strange creatures appear. The Mogarians too have other motives.
The Terror of the Vervoids is quite a good story that would have worked as a Fourth Doctor appears on a spaceship. It also fits well into the Trial of a Time Lord set.
March 31, 2019
This one is read by Bonnie Langford, a talented actor, and a wonderful and engaging narrator. With this third volume, the Time Lord drama continues. At this stage, Peri (played by Nicola Bryant) has left the picture and Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford's character) has come on board.
It's both a bit of horror and mystery wrapped into one, while still being evidence during the ongoing trial. This time for the Doctor's defense. It, of course, ends on a bit of a cliff hanger for the trial, but my adventure itself is not left undone. I won't say more, as I wouldn't want to spoiler it.
Up next on my list of audiobooks is going to be the final volume "The Ultimate Foe" can't wait!
It's both a bit of horror and mystery wrapped into one, while still being evidence during the ongoing trial. This time for the Doctor's defense. It, of course, ends on a bit of a cliff hanger for the trial, but my adventure itself is not left undone. I won't say more, as I wouldn't want to spoiler it.
Up next on my list of audiobooks is going to be the final volume "The Ultimate Foe" can't wait!
June 3, 2020
Pip and Jane Baker's novelization of their first script for Doctor Who shows in abundance why they were a wrong choice. It's a lame who-dunnit in which the who is obvious, the characters are all one-dimensional types, the dialogue is stilted, and the plot more riddled with holes than the golf course next to no man's land in WWI. A huge problem are the Vervoids themselves. Giant mobile plants born out of seed pods, how can they speak English, know what a space ship's "bridge" is, have eyes, and voluntarily spray poison gas from their mouths? The novelization has much ham-fisted foreshadowing, such as "For Rudge there was to be no escape." Not much more needs to be said.
January 29, 2025
Allow me to octrambulate
My review function’s inchoate
I cannot simply like or hate
The Bakers’ prose is masturbate
Past exclamations quotas gone
Mel’s hair has a mind of its own
If there’s no tune is it a song
The Bakers couldn’t tell ya son
Bad flowers never bothered me
Mongarians how can they see
I drink whenever damsels squee
The Bakers make me have to pee
Can I survive another spat
‘Twixt thesaurus, bad prose, and chat
In case I don’t, I’ll spoil this fact:
Popplewick is a dick, TAKE THAT!!
My review function’s inchoate
I cannot simply like or hate
The Bakers’ prose is masturbate
Past exclamations quotas gone
Mel’s hair has a mind of its own
If there’s no tune is it a song
The Bakers couldn’t tell ya son
Bad flowers never bothered me
Mongarians how can they see
I drink whenever damsels squee
The Bakers make me have to pee
Can I survive another spat
‘Twixt thesaurus, bad prose, and chat
In case I don’t, I’ll spoil this fact:
Popplewick is a dick, TAKE THAT!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2025
Manages to come good at the end but the road to get to that is rocky, indeed. With more foreshadowing than a giant 5 placed in bright sunlight, this also features the same repetitive phrasing used in their previous book and also features a rather unhealthy fascination with Bonnie Langford’s appearance. I hope the next couple of books manage to avoid this sort of limp over-emphasis of the drama… What?!
July 27, 2020
I think that this is the best of the season Pip and Jane's best by far especially considering the amount of time that they had and what they had to work with.
The current show runner Mr Chibnall could learn a thing or two.
The current show runner Mr Chibnall could learn a thing or two.
October 15, 2024
A straight-forward adaptation of probably the best segment of the wonderful 'Trial of a Time Lord' tv story. It's a shame they decided to go with a picture of the Vervoid's head on the cover though, as it still looks like a delicate part of the female anatomy.
October 2, 2020
Amusing
August 23, 2024
pdf; 132 pages
Not a very inspiring novelisation of the script - and being part 3 of 4 it comes to an unsatisfactory pause rather than an ending... which almost makes one think one's being short-changed. A murder 'mystery' aboard an interstellar liner - but the investigation is constantly interrupted by the trial interpolations - and the evidence (presented by/from the Matrix) is being altered as the story unfolds which is cheating, to my mind.
Not a very inspiring novelisation of the script - and being part 3 of 4 it comes to an unsatisfactory pause rather than an ending... which almost makes one think one's being short-changed. A murder 'mystery' aboard an interstellar liner - but the investigation is constantly interrupted by the trial interpolations - and the evidence (presented by/from the Matrix) is being altered as the story unfolds which is cheating, to my mind.
November 4, 2008
One of the better of the sixth Doctor episodes.
Starts out as a mystery set on a sort of cruise ship in space and ends with the traditional monster attack.
THe mystery is clever, while I was never a huge fan of Mel, the overly perky, health obsessed companion, the chemistry between her and the sixth Doctor is good in this story and the monsters are interesting .
Only problems are that is adaption was done right after the episode ran, so the authors tend to think they don't need a lot of description as everybody watched it.
Other problem is this story is part of the larger story arc 'Trial of a Time Lord' and the jumps between the story and the scenes in the courtroom are distracting and don't flow as smoothly as in other stories.
Starts out as a mystery set on a sort of cruise ship in space and ends with the traditional monster attack.
THe mystery is clever, while I was never a huge fan of Mel, the overly perky, health obsessed companion, the chemistry between her and the sixth Doctor is good in this story and the monsters are interesting .
Only problems are that is adaption was done right after the episode ran, so the authors tend to think they don't need a lot of description as everybody watched it.
Other problem is this story is part of the larger story arc 'Trial of a Time Lord' and the jumps between the story and the scenes in the courtroom are distracting and don't flow as smoothly as in other stories.
Read
April 8, 2009http://nhw.livejournal.com/1068930.html?style=mine#cutid8[return][return]This is the best of the Bakers' Sixth Doctor novelisations, though this is not saying a lot. Basically this is because the plot actually makes sense, and the novel is not cursed by the actual appearance of the Vervoids on screen. However, there is still an excess of exclamation marks.
September 21, 2011
In spite of Pip & Jane Baker and their famous (or should that say "infamous") purple prose, this is actually the most enjoyable and exciting of "The Trial of a Time Lord" novelizations. It's certainly darker and more engaging than the blandly-lit, soapish TV version...and is much appreciated. I read this before seeing the TV version...and boy-oh-boy was the TV version a complete disappointment. At the very least, the novelization spares you the atrocious musical score!
April 24, 2015
For Dr. Who fans who can't get the Colin Baker Discs, this is part of the Trial of a Timelord episode.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews