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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #90
Doctor Who: The Highlanders
A series of extraordinary adventures ensues when Jamie McCrimmon discovers an episode of unrecorded history in the Scottish defeat by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1746
126 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 16, 1984
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401 people want to read
About the author
Gerry Davis
34 books10 followersGerry Davis was a British television writer, best known for his contributions to the science-fiction genre. He also wrote for the soap operas Coronation Street and United!.
From 1966 until the following year, he was the script editor on the popular BBC science-fiction series Doctor Who, for which he co-created the popular cybernetic monsters known as the Cybermen, who made several appearances in the series over the following twenty-two years. His fellow co-creator of these creatures was the programme's unofficial scientific adviser Dr. Kit Pedler, and following their work on Doctor Who, the pair teamed up again in 1970 when they created a science-fiction programme of their own, Doomwatch. Doomwatch ran for three seasons on BBC One from 1970 to 1972, and also spawned a novel written by Davis and Pedler, and later a cinema film and a 1999 revival on Channel 5.
Davis briefly returned to writing Doctor Who, penning the original script for Revenge of the Cybermen, in 1975, though the transmitted version was heavily rewritten by the then script-editor Robert Holmes. He also adapted several of his scripts into novelisations for Target Books. With Kit Pedler, he wrote the science-fiction novels Mutant 59: The Plastic Eaters (1971), Brainrack (1974) and The Dynostar Menace (1975).
In the 1980s Davis worked in America both in television and on feature films such as The Final Countdown (1980). In late 1989 he and Terry Nation made a joint but unsuccessful bid to take over production of Doctor Who and reformat the series mainly for the American market. Gerry Davis died on August 31 1991.
From 1966 until the following year, he was the script editor on the popular BBC science-fiction series Doctor Who, for which he co-created the popular cybernetic monsters known as the Cybermen, who made several appearances in the series over the following twenty-two years. His fellow co-creator of these creatures was the programme's unofficial scientific adviser Dr. Kit Pedler, and following their work on Doctor Who, the pair teamed up again in 1970 when they created a science-fiction programme of their own, Doomwatch. Doomwatch ran for three seasons on BBC One from 1970 to 1972, and also spawned a novel written by Davis and Pedler, and later a cinema film and a 1999 revival on Channel 5.
Davis briefly returned to writing Doctor Who, penning the original script for Revenge of the Cybermen, in 1975, though the transmitted version was heavily rewritten by the then script-editor Robert Holmes. He also adapted several of his scripts into novelisations for Target Books. With Kit Pedler, he wrote the science-fiction novels Mutant 59: The Plastic Eaters (1971), Brainrack (1974) and The Dynostar Menace (1975).
In the 1980s Davis worked in America both in television and on feature films such as The Final Countdown (1980). In late 1989 he and Terry Nation made a joint but unsuccessful bid to take over production of Doctor Who and reformat the series mainly for the American market. Gerry Davis died on August 31 1991.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 17, 2019
It was quite clear that the general public preferred the Sci-Fi elements rather than the pure historical’s, so it was decided to phase them out during the forth season.
So it’s quite ironic that one of the shows most beloved companion was first introduced during the last of these stories in the 1960’s.
Frazier Hines as Jamie McCrimmon was such a hit, that he ended up staying throughout the whole of the Second Doctor’s tenure.
It’s not just this series that he made such an impact. Diana Gabaldon the author of popular Outlander series used he’s character as inspiration for her own Jamie Fraser.
Like most of Season Four, all of these episodes are missing from the archive.
It’s another serial that I’m not overly familiar with, but felt that Davis gave a simple and enjoyable retelling of the story.
Hopefully they will animate this adventure one day!
I found it interesting that The Doctor spends much of the story in a disguise, it’s obvious that Troughton is still trying to adapt to the role.
It gives Polly the chance to shine, I think this is one of her best stories.
It’s a nice way to round off the adventures set in the past.
So it’s quite ironic that one of the shows most beloved companion was first introduced during the last of these stories in the 1960’s.
Frazier Hines as Jamie McCrimmon was such a hit, that he ended up staying throughout the whole of the Second Doctor’s tenure.
It’s not just this series that he made such an impact. Diana Gabaldon the author of popular Outlander series used he’s character as inspiration for her own Jamie Fraser.
Like most of Season Four, all of these episodes are missing from the archive.
It’s another serial that I’m not overly familiar with, but felt that Davis gave a simple and enjoyable retelling of the story.
Hopefully they will animate this adventure one day!
I found it interesting that The Doctor spends much of the story in a disguise, it’s obvious that Troughton is still trying to adapt to the role.
It gives Polly the chance to shine, I think this is one of her best stories.
It’s a nice way to round off the adventures set in the past.
August 9, 2021
This is a novelization of the fourth serial of the fourth season of Doctor Who, written by Gerry Davis based on the teleplay he wrote in collaboration with Elwyn Jones. It stars the second incarnation of The Doctor, along with companions Ben Jackson and Polly (who was not gifted with a last name, though Ben habitually called her Princess.) It's one of the better (and turned out to be the last for a long time) historical adventures. The trio find themselves in 1746 on the battlefield of Culloden just after the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie by the British army. They're taken prisoner by the retreating Scottish forces, and fall in with the McLaren's to hide from the British, who are intent to enslave the Highlanders. There's an intriguing plot of subterfuge and misdirection with The Doctor disguised much of the time and Polly comes through as strong and intelligent several times, as does Jamie McCrimmon, McLaren's piper. Jamie elects to accompany the crew at the end after Polly encourages him, and he would be one of the most popular companions for many adventures to come. It's a fun historical drama, though there's really little science fiction content.
September 15, 2014
I started listening to this a week ago when I was very sick. It was lovely to have Anneke reading the story. She did a wonderful job doing all the voices. I wasn't familiar with the storyline at all I just knew this was the last of the historical adventures. As someone who loves history I thoroughly enjoyed this. There were also lots of little amusing moments. I loved how Polly was a forward thinking woman of the 60s teaching independence by action to the Scottish lass. I giggled when they made fun of someone being terribly short at 5'3 which I think was quite average for Pat's time in the Tardis when everyone was tiny! Listening to the book really gave a nice feel for the story. Definitely one I will listen to again.
December 16, 2024
This was a quick read for me. The episode this was based on has sadly been lost, so I was very enthusiastic to read this.
This story was purely historical and did not utilise any monsters or aliens the way the modern show does. It was a welcome change of pace.
The particular highlight was the introduction of Jamie. My favourite companion of them all.
This story was purely historical and did not utilise any monsters or aliens the way the modern show does. It was a welcome change of pace.
The particular highlight was the introduction of Jamie. My favourite companion of them all.
November 21, 2012
The trouble with being a fan of black and white Doctor Who, the Patrick Troughton era in particular, is that there's none of it left! Of 21 serials starring Pat, 6 are complete, leaving avid Dr Who nuts scrabbling around to find any way of experiencing these lost stories. The BBC have released audio versions of all of the missing stories, but these are now out of print and very expensive. Another option is the Target books, a series of novelising every classic Dr Who story (barring anything written by Douglas Adams and either of Eric S.'s Dalek stories, due to legal complications). These were massive in their day, and have sold millions of copies meaning they are readily available on ebay/in charity shops for very little money.
The one problem with the Target books unfortunately is their somewhat... inconsistent quality. Some are brilliant, (Fury From the Deep and The Power of the Daleks springing to mind here) but many more are instantly forgettable. The degree to which this can be blamed on a poor script or a weak story overall can be argued indefinitely, but with The Highlanders the degree to which Gerry Davis sometimes struggles to string a coherent sentence together makes you wonder what the copy editors at W.H Allen were doing the day he sent the manuscript in. The story is gripping and most of the time you can tell what's going on, but some passages are so clunkily written they stop you in your tracks and force you out of the world of the novel. Dialogue in particular is not a strong point here. You wonder if Davis has ever heard people speak. Surely he had a copy of the script in front of him, and surely the dialogue for the show as broadcast is not as bad as this. Puzzling.
The story itself is great, and makes me wonder how a 1966 Dr Who production would have managed a mutiny of Scottish soliders on a slave ship (too many 'S's? Possibly). Pity the actual writing is so bad.
The one problem with the Target books unfortunately is their somewhat... inconsistent quality. Some are brilliant, (Fury From the Deep and The Power of the Daleks springing to mind here) but many more are instantly forgettable. The degree to which this can be blamed on a poor script or a weak story overall can be argued indefinitely, but with The Highlanders the degree to which Gerry Davis sometimes struggles to string a coherent sentence together makes you wonder what the copy editors at W.H Allen were doing the day he sent the manuscript in. The story is gripping and most of the time you can tell what's going on, but some passages are so clunkily written they stop you in your tracks and force you out of the world of the novel. Dialogue in particular is not a strong point here. You wonder if Davis has ever heard people speak. Surely he had a copy of the script in front of him, and surely the dialogue for the show as broadcast is not as bad as this. Puzzling.
The story itself is great, and makes me wonder how a 1966 Dr Who production would have managed a mutiny of Scottish soliders on a slave ship (too many 'S's? Possibly). Pity the actual writing is so bad.
July 8, 2024
I am conflicted by this one. This is a Dr Who story I am not too familiar with and it was a historical one rather than a sci-fi one. I have never really watched or read any of the Second Doctor adventures and was looking forward to seeing what he has to offer. I was not expecting him to spend half the book speaking with a German accent (it is in the description) and dressing up as an old lady. Also holding someone at gunpoint was a little bit different to Hartnell and the other doctors.
The companions are fun, Polly and her adventure with Kirsty is much better than Ben and the captured Highlanders. Jamie is a great addition to this TARDIS crew.
Unfortunately the story is just a little bit boring. Will try another 2nd Doctor story but this one is very forgettable.
The companions are fun, Polly and her adventure with Kirsty is much better than Ben and the captured Highlanders. Jamie is a great addition to this TARDIS crew.
Unfortunately the story is just a little bit boring. Will try another 2nd Doctor story but this one is very forgettable.
Read
April 8, 2009http://nhw.livejournal.com/1028417.html#cutid1[return][return]The best Davis novel I've read so far, though this is not especially high praise. It's one of Polly's better stories, and of course introduces Jamie as a regular; a couple of odd changes of detail from the TV version, but this is basically a narrative that hangs together on its own merits. Unfortunately there is still something of a sense of the author writing down what appears on the screen.
June 23, 2018
It's a 3.5 star read. A solid story but nothing spectacular. Two claims to fame, #1 it's the last of Doctor Who's historical stories and #2 it's the first appearance of the Second Doctor's companion Jamie McCrimmon.
March 13, 2025
Sometimes there really isn’t much done with a Target novelization. The Highlanders is one of those times. Despite being a serial that is completely missing with a full set of telesnaps and one or two existing clips, it’s never been one that’s particularly difficult to understand or follow. It’s just that Gerry Davis and Elwyn Jones’ script is one that just kind of meanders from situation to situation and falls into the trap of pure historical stories being motivated by getting the TARDIS team back to the ship so they can leave. Were it not for the introduction of Jamie McCrimmon, it would be remembered as a fairly decent though highly flawed missing serial. It was Patrick Troughton’s only pure historical and the last until 1982’s Black Orchid, but there are so many better options for exploring history. This does have some great comedic bits of Patrick Troughton that informs his early performance as the Doctor.
The novelization suffers from being almost entirely too faithful to the television script. Gerry Davis adapts it, as he was really the only one actually writing The Highlanders for television. It was his fourth novelization but his first, Doctor Who and the Cybermen, remains his best for how it played with pacing. Davis’ sense of novelization really hadn’t developed from the previous stories he has novelized: Doctor Who and the Cybermen and Doctor Who and the Tomb of the Cybermen both work off the original scripts and take out any ad-libs, The Highlanders follows suit. The book doesn’t quite drag despite the meandering pace, Davis at least spends some time in the heads of the characters especially Ben and Polly (even if Polly is slightly mischaracterized as more of a damsel in distress). The best bits of comedy are at least retained.
Overall, despite not having the same problems as Doctor Who and the Tomb of the Cybermen, The Highlanders suffers from Gerry Davis not making many choices when deciding how to adapt it to the page. The ones he does make sadly weaken Polly into quite the damsel, only too relieved when the Doctor is rescued so he can make decisions for her and then terrified when he pushes to back into thinking. It takes a story that was at best decent and just kind of brings it down to meh. 5/10.
April 22, 2018
A steady, interesting, tense read. Somehow, it manages to have a more dangerous tone than Doctor Who with a sci-fi basis. Everywhere you look, the threat of being shot, hanged, drowned, bayoneted, stabbed, or quartered. It's also refreshing to have a Doctor Who book with the English as the irrational heartless bloodthirsty monsters (seriously, a completely fair description for this and other periods of history). The images in my mind during this read were far more vivid than I imagine the film version was - but I will probably never know for sure, it being one of the many missing stories of the time.
Polly, for the second story in a row, is based on sexuality and attraction being a motivating factor. I can't entirely discredit this as invalid in the series - it's not like social norms are somehow exempt from historical depiction, but the *way* it tends to go with Polly is a little cringe-worthy, and something I don't look forward to my daughters to reading. In the end, it saved everyone's lives... so, urgh, even more complicated.
Happy to have Jamie's introduction settled. He'll have a lot of character growth to go through to become the staid second Doctor companion he's remembered as. I'm hoping that the inclusion is treated honestly, and that he and Ben end up fighting. That Ben groaning at the suggestion of Jamie's inclusion (based largely on his being a source of competition over Polly... yes, this is a soap opera at heart) was a good character moment.
It was also nice to have the strong suggestion that the second Doctor, Ben, and Polly did quite a bit of traveling between Power of the Daleks and Highlanders - - I'm not used to that treatment of time in the early stories. Maybe I'd overlooked it before. Maybe it was added by Gerry Davis. Whatever the case - Enjoyable read!
Polly, for the second story in a row, is based on sexuality and attraction being a motivating factor. I can't entirely discredit this as invalid in the series - it's not like social norms are somehow exempt from historical depiction, but the *way* it tends to go with Polly is a little cringe-worthy, and something I don't look forward to my daughters to reading. In the end, it saved everyone's lives... so, urgh, even more complicated.
Happy to have Jamie's introduction settled. He'll have a lot of character growth to go through to become the staid second Doctor companion he's remembered as. I'm hoping that the inclusion is treated honestly, and that he and Ben end up fighting. That Ben groaning at the suggestion of Jamie's inclusion (based largely on his being a source of competition over Polly... yes, this is a soap opera at heart) was a good character moment.
It was also nice to have the strong suggestion that the second Doctor, Ben, and Polly did quite a bit of traveling between Power of the Daleks and Highlanders - - I'm not used to that treatment of time in the early stories. Maybe I'd overlooked it before. Maybe it was added by Gerry Davis. Whatever the case - Enjoyable read!
November 17, 2025
Similarly to how I always wanted to know how Zoe joined the TARDIS, I equally wondered about Jamie. It's a cruel joke by fate that both episodes still remain missing. However, I didn't imagine I'd get the closest thing besides the audio for both adventures this year.
The Highlanders was slower than I expected and, as someone who is admittedly a sucker for the alien creatures and monsters, found it a bit dull. It did have it's delightfully dark moments though, such as Grey and Trask's plan for the rebels.
I found Ben and Polly a bit unbearable at the beginning of the book. I understand they're from a different period, but how they spoke to and treated Jamie and Kirsty really started to boil my blood after a while. I get the concept of culture shock but as two people who had travelled in time before I'd have thought they'd have conducted themselves with a bit more understanding towards them. Thankfully they chill out a little towards the end but good god they were nasty for a large portion of the book.
Also if Ben called me Princess when I asked him not to he'd have gotten my fist in his mouth. I get it I get it different time periods and all that but screw that. It made my hackles rise the minute he immediately ignored Polly telling him not to call her that.
But Jamie made it worth it! Jamie is my second favourite companion of them all (Ace being the first, of course) and finally getting to read how he made it to the TARDIS' doorstep made the story worth it. Let's hope in the coming years that The Highlanders, The Wheel in Space and all the other missing episodes are found and restored to our television screens. Stranger things have happened!
The Highlanders was slower than I expected and, as someone who is admittedly a sucker for the alien creatures and monsters, found it a bit dull. It did have it's delightfully dark moments though, such as Grey and Trask's plan for the rebels.
I found Ben and Polly a bit unbearable at the beginning of the book. I understand they're from a different period, but how they spoke to and treated Jamie and Kirsty really started to boil my blood after a while. I get the concept of culture shock but as two people who had travelled in time before I'd have thought they'd have conducted themselves with a bit more understanding towards them. Thankfully they chill out a little towards the end but good god they were nasty for a large portion of the book.
Also if Ben called me Princess when I asked him not to he'd have gotten my fist in his mouth. I get it I get it different time periods and all that but screw that. It made my hackles rise the minute he immediately ignored Polly telling him not to call her that.
But Jamie made it worth it! Jamie is my second favourite companion of them all (Ace being the first, of course) and finally getting to read how he made it to the TARDIS' doorstep made the story worth it. Let's hope in the coming years that The Highlanders, The Wheel in Space and all the other missing episodes are found and restored to our television screens. Stranger things have happened!
August 18, 2023
I recently resumed an old project of watching through the classic episodes of Doctor Who. I'd made it through the First Doctor, but paused while deciding what to do with the Second Doctor and all the holes that exist in his part of the series thanks to lost episodes. I don't need to see every storyline, but there are big transitions (usually when a companion joins or leaves the series) that I want to experience.
Now that many of the stories have been released as cartoons with the original audio, I'm ready to move forward again, but it doesn't look like 'The Highlanders' exists even in that format. It's the introduction of Jamie McCrimmon, a long-running companion of the Second Doctor, so I didn't want to just give up on experiencing the story in some format. Fortunately, there's not just this novelization, but also an audiobook version read by Anneke Wills.
Wills played Polly on the TV series, one of my favorite of the Doctor's companions who also appears in this story. She's excellent, doing lots of voices, and the overall production includes sound effects that make it also great.
'The Highlanders' is a pretty good, if standard adventure, remarkable mostly for bringing Jamie into the Doctor's world. Although I also enjoyed Polly's unlikely relationship with a foppish English officer. And there's a villainous lawyer who I enjoyed imagining as Charles Dance (a big benefit of not having onscreen images). I'm excited to have finally heard the story and am looking forward to watching some cartoons now.
Now that many of the stories have been released as cartoons with the original audio, I'm ready to move forward again, but it doesn't look like 'The Highlanders' exists even in that format. It's the introduction of Jamie McCrimmon, a long-running companion of the Second Doctor, so I didn't want to just give up on experiencing the story in some format. Fortunately, there's not just this novelization, but also an audiobook version read by Anneke Wills.
Wills played Polly on the TV series, one of my favorite of the Doctor's companions who also appears in this story. She's excellent, doing lots of voices, and the overall production includes sound effects that make it also great.
'The Highlanders' is a pretty good, if standard adventure, remarkable mostly for bringing Jamie into the Doctor's world. Although I also enjoyed Polly's unlikely relationship with a foppish English officer. And there's a villainous lawyer who I enjoyed imagining as Charles Dance (a big benefit of not having onscreen images). I'm excited to have finally heard the story and am looking forward to watching some cartoons now.
February 13, 2018
I feel the need to explain as this is out of place of my typical reading choices. I read that Diana Gabaldon was inspired to write Outlander by an episode of Doctor Who. As someone who loves both stories, I spent a fair amount of time looking for the Doctor Who episode. Only recently did I find out it is one of the episodes that was recorded over they say within months of it airing. What are the odds that Ms. Gabaldon saw it on that original airing!?! Well, barring some miracle, it isn't likely I'll be able to watch it. Fortunately, the internet search turned up a book based on the episode written by the screenwriter of the episode. I couldn't resist. It was actually really interesting to read the book but more in comparison to the Outlander show than the books. I could see how the story generated the thought for the books, but some of the language in this book seemed like it was almost identical to what is in the Outlander show. On the Doctor front, it was clearly a previous regeneration, because his behavior wasn't like the modern day peaceful (to humans at least) doctors. It is a quick read, and fun for me due to my membership in both fandoms. I shared this book with my other Outlander friends in the office.
September 21, 2024
Based on a script by himself and Elwyn Jones this is number 90 in the Target catalogue. The cover art is by Nick Spender.
This is one of the lost stories where only fragments of video exist. It’s unfortunate as I really like this story. It’s fun and doesn’t suffer from famous personages like a lot of the historical stories. Bonnie Prince Charlie is mentioned, but he never turns up.
I really like the way Gerry does his novelisations. He captures the characters extremely well and gives them internal motivations. And this is the first Jamie story. Jamie is probably my favourite companion. It’s a fun story. There’s fight scenes. Polly brings women’s lib to the 18th century. And the Doctor dresses up as an old woman, much like Pertwee in The Green Death. It’s a tragedy that bit doesn’t exist as video. I’m looking forward to reading Gerry’s Tomb of the Cyberman, which is my second favourite Doctor Who story of all time.
This is a really good rendition of a really good story.
This is one of the lost stories where only fragments of video exist. It’s unfortunate as I really like this story. It’s fun and doesn’t suffer from famous personages like a lot of the historical stories. Bonnie Prince Charlie is mentioned, but he never turns up.
I really like the way Gerry does his novelisations. He captures the characters extremely well and gives them internal motivations. And this is the first Jamie story. Jamie is probably my favourite companion. It’s a fun story. There’s fight scenes. Polly brings women’s lib to the 18th century. And the Doctor dresses up as an old woman, much like Pertwee in The Green Death. It’s a tragedy that bit doesn’t exist as video. I’m looking forward to reading Gerry’s Tomb of the Cyberman, which is my second favourite Doctor Who story of all time.
This is a really good rendition of a really good story.
February 11, 2021
Between a 4 and a 5 for me. A good historical, and unfortunately the last pure historical for quite some time, and introduces us to Jamie, the longest serving Doctor Who companion (of the classic series at least, and think still beats out the newer series ones in terms of episode count / length).
The story is bleak at times, capturing how nasty wars can / could be, and how bitter the fighting was between Bonnie Prince Charlie's army and the English Redcoats.
The characters all get their chance to shine, the Doctor getting involved in several interesting and at times humorous scenes, Ben and Jamie being quite action orientated, and Polly also taking the lead in her arc dealing with the various obstacles and enemies, influencing / changing people along the way.
Some interesting twists, and character arcs for the one off characters in here, that have a mixture of backgrounds and eventual fates, making for a strong all round story.
The story is bleak at times, capturing how nasty wars can / could be, and how bitter the fighting was between Bonnie Prince Charlie's army and the English Redcoats.
The characters all get their chance to shine, the Doctor getting involved in several interesting and at times humorous scenes, Ben and Jamie being quite action orientated, and Polly also taking the lead in her arc dealing with the various obstacles and enemies, influencing / changing people along the way.
Some interesting twists, and character arcs for the one off characters in here, that have a mixture of backgrounds and eventual fates, making for a strong all round story.
July 29, 2021
As a big fan of Doctor Who, my husband and I decided to watch the entire series from start to present. Unfortunately, there's a large number of missing episodes from the Hartnell and Troughton eras of Doctor Who. As a result, we've been reading the novelisations of the missing episodes, The Highlanders being one of these missing episodes.
The quality of the Doctor Who novelisations varies greatly. A lot of these books are also out of print and difficult to get your hands on. This was one of the Target books that could be instantly forgotten. The writing style is difficult to get to grips with and the sentence structure makes you wonder what exactly happened in the editing process.
The story itself is gripping and it's a steady read with the introduction of Jamie as a companion. I only wish better editing had happened, especially with the dialogue. I think the episode would have been amazing to watch on screen. This felt like a poor translation of the episode in print.
The quality of the Doctor Who novelisations varies greatly. A lot of these books are also out of print and difficult to get your hands on. This was one of the Target books that could be instantly forgotten. The writing style is difficult to get to grips with and the sentence structure makes you wonder what exactly happened in the editing process.
The story itself is gripping and it's a steady read with the introduction of Jamie as a companion. I only wish better editing had happened, especially with the dialogue. I think the episode would have been amazing to watch on screen. This felt like a poor translation of the episode in print.
February 18, 2024
This is a novelization of one of the lost episodes of Classic Doctor Who. This story follows the Battle of Culloden which is an event in history I know nothing about. The Doctor and his companions Ben and Polly run into some wounded members of the Jacobite Army. The Doctor attempts to help the wounded when they are discovered by the British army. They think that the Doctor and his companions are part of the Jacobite Army and are captured as war prisoners.
The rest of the story is about the Doctor and his companions using their wits to escape from being killed as war prisoners and keeping the captured members of the Jacobite Army from being illegally sold into slavery.
The story is a lot of fun and along the way, they pickup a new companion for the second Doctor Jamie. Jamie ends up being a long-time companion for the Doctor it is nice to meet a companion that unfortunately not a lot of shows exist of his stories.
The rest of the story is about the Doctor and his companions using their wits to escape from being killed as war prisoners and keeping the captured members of the Jacobite Army from being illegally sold into slavery.
The story is a lot of fun and along the way, they pickup a new companion for the second Doctor Jamie. Jamie ends up being a long-time companion for the Doctor it is nice to meet a companion that unfortunately not a lot of shows exist of his stories.
February 17, 2025
When Doctor Who's missing story, The Highlanders, is discussed, it's usually to say that Jamie McCrimmon wasn't designed to become a companion, was asked at the last minute (after a scene where he watches the TARDIS leave was shot, even), and really wasn't very important to the story. He feels much more present in Gerry Davis' Target adaptation, a full partner to Ben in their story thread, and his joining the cast feels more natural. And yet, this is really a Polly story. She is probably the most competent she's ever been, and funny too. They probably wouldn't have gotten out of 18th-Century Scotland without her. Not to say the Doctor doesn't get lots to do, they ALL do! So if this is goodbye to proper historicals, it's a good one to go out on, and reading the book inches the story to my top tier of lost stories I wish to be found.
October 17, 2022
ジェイミーがどのようにしてドクターと出会い一緒に旅するようになったのかこれを読んでようやく知ることができた。
1746年のカロデンの戦いの最中に着地したターディス。ジャコバイト蜂起の終盤戦で反乱軍としてイギリス兵に捕まったハイランダーたちは次々と処刑されていく状況。
ドクターとベンもつかまり処刑される寸前までいく。
ターディスからどんどん離れた土地に連行され、どうやって助かるんだろうとなんだか不安しかなかった。
ジェイミーとドクターとベンはイギリス軍に捕まり、処刑寸前のところを今度は他の捕虜と一緒に奴隷として植民地に売られることになり船に乗せられる。捕虜たちはその中で労働力として売られるのは自分の意志であるという書類にサインしろと脅され、ベンは拒んだためみせしめに縛られたまま海に突き落とされる。(ベンは縛られる時に筋肉を最大限に張っておくという裏技で縄抜け)
ポリー、クリスティ、そしてドイツから来た大使のふりをして捕縛から脱出したドクターが彼らを救おうと奮闘。
最終的に王が乗ったフランスに向かうという船からおりてターディスの元に戻ろうとする3人をジェイミーが道案内をかってでてついていく。その途中でもイギリス軍に追撃されるけれどどうにか切り抜け、このままジェイミーを置いて行ったら危ないとポリーがドクターにジェイミーも一緒に旅につれて行くことはできないか提案。ドクターはバグパイプの吹き方を教えてくれるならとジェイミーをターディスに招く。
....ということはファイナルでドクターと別れたジェイミーが戻されたというのはそういう状況の中ということで...生き延びることができたのかすごく心配。
そのあたりを描いた短編とかないのかなぁ。
1746年のカロデンの戦いの最中に着地したターディス。ジャコバイト蜂起の終盤戦で反乱軍としてイギリス兵に捕まったハイランダーたちは次々と処刑されていく状況。
ドクターとベンもつかまり処刑される寸前までいく。
ターディスからどんどん離れた土地に連行され、どうやって助かるんだろうとなんだか不安しかなかった。
ジェイミーとドクターとベンはイギリス軍に捕まり、処刑寸前のところを今度は他の捕虜と一緒に奴隷として植民地に売られることになり船に乗せられる。捕虜たちはその中で労働力として売られるのは自分の意志であるという書類にサインしろと脅され、ベンは拒んだためみせしめに縛られたまま海に突き落とされる。(ベンは縛られる時に筋肉を最大限に張っておくという裏技で縄抜け)
ポリー、クリスティ、そしてドイツから来た大使のふりをして捕縛から脱出したドクターが彼らを救おうと奮闘。
最終的に王が乗ったフランスに向かうという船からおりてターディスの元に戻ろうとする3人をジェイミーが道案内をかってでてついていく。その途中でもイギリス軍に追撃されるけれどどうにか切り抜け、このままジェイミーを置いて行ったら危ないとポリーがドクターにジェイミーも一緒に旅につれて行くことはできないか提案。ドクターはバグパイプの吹き方を教えてくれるならとジェイミーをターディスに招く。
....ということはファイナルでドクターと別れたジェイミーが戻されたというのはそういう状況の中ということで...生き延びることができたのかすごく心配。
そのあたりを描いた短編とかないのかなぁ。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2020
This book is so far outside my normal reading wheelhouse I really didn't know what to expect, but since I liked the serial as a reconstruction and thought it would be great as a more fluid story, I gave it a go. And honestly like. It's not top tier prose or literary genius but it's So Fun. It's fast-paced, full of action, and has stuff that both is true to and expands on the serial version of the story. It did okay with character stuff too, which can be hard without actors' portrayal stuff and voices. Polly was especially great in this.
But yeah honestly it's like a guilty pleasure read for sure but also I was having so much fun whenever I was reading it it was great.
But yeah honestly it's like a guilty pleasure read for sure but also I was having so much fun whenever I was reading it it was great.
February 21, 2023
Doctor Who : The Highlanders (1984) by Gerry Davis is the novelisation of the fourth serial of the fourth season of Doctor Who. The Doctor’s companions are Polly and Ben.
The TARDIS lands in 1746 as the Scots are being routed. The Doctor and crew get mixed up with the rebels. They are captured, escape, get captured again in traditional Doctor Who style.
It’s quite fun actually. The serial also introduces Jamie who would go on to be a long time companion. Apparently it’s one of the last Doctor Who serials that were meant to be a little historically accurate. It’s interesting to note how the English soldiers are the bad guys too.
The TARDIS lands in 1746 as the Scots are being routed. The Doctor and crew get mixed up with the rebels. They are captured, escape, get captured again in traditional Doctor Who style.
It’s quite fun actually. The serial also introduces Jamie who would go on to be a long time companion. Apparently it’s one of the last Doctor Who serials that were meant to be a little historically accurate. It’s interesting to note how the English soldiers are the bad guys too.
February 17, 2023
There’s something out of time with these old novelizations. Unadorned, simple, and yet more enjoyable than reading a script. And given these episodes are lost, this is the next best thing to seeing it.
Politically, this historical episode is beyond my scant understanding of Bonnie Prince Charlie, let alone the place of these events in the mindset of ‘60s Britain. But what it does manage to do is paint the British in a poor light, that is definitely part and parcel of the progressive nature the program has always had.
Politically, this historical episode is beyond my scant understanding of Bonnie Prince Charlie, let alone the place of these events in the mindset of ‘60s Britain. But what it does manage to do is paint the British in a poor light, that is definitely part and parcel of the progressive nature the program has always had.
June 28, 2023
This is my favorite way to enjoy the missing Episodes/Stories of Doctor is reading the Target Novelization versions of them. Parts of the story that might come off goofy or silly if I were watching it, come off Charming and fun in the novel due to the way it is written. It was great to have Jamie's first story in it's entirety! Yes one day I would still like to see it, but the detail and characters really leapt off the page and I very much appreciated the way it was done. Probably one my favorite Historical Stories at least Novelization Wise.
February 29, 2024
I listened to the audiobook version of this while cleaning and would like to read a physical version eventually, this story just like many Doctor Who serials is pretty solid and is the one I wish wasn't lost the most due to how Jamie McCrimmon is one of my all-time favorite companions from the show as a whole and it would have been nice to see how he was introduced. I also like the historical plotline, showing/describing the Battle of Culloden and how it affected Jamie and the rest of his clan. It is important to remember events such as this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
I can't believe the BBC deleted Jamie's first serial, and also deprived us of seeing Two in drag. Jail for one thousand years!
It's kind of amazing to me how firmly this story is on the side of (or at least sympathetic to) the Jacobite rebellion. All of the English characters (except, of course, for our companions Ben and Polly) are evil, or fools, or evil fools. This feels fairly radical to me for the most British of programs.
I wish we'd gotten to see more of Ben and Polly, as Polly in particular seems delightful. Truly, we were robbed.
It's kind of amazing to me how firmly this story is on the side of (or at least sympathetic to) the Jacobite rebellion. All of the English characters (except, of course, for our companions Ben and Polly) are evil, or fools, or evil fools. This feels fairly radical to me for the most British of programs.
I wish we'd gotten to see more of Ben and Polly, as Polly in particular seems delightful. Truly, we were robbed.
November 28, 2024
I remember having a copy of this as a child, and never making my way that far into. I was intrigued by it (Jamie’s first adventure; the last pure historical), but I never made it that far into it. It was frustrating, as I tried and failed more than once. Having finally listened to the story, I can’t help but wonder what my aversion was. Yes, it’s a bit stiff, but it’s a fun adventure story.
Anneke Willis, who was in the TV version narrates, and I think captures something of what must have been a very big comic performance by Patrick Troughton.
Anneke Willis, who was in the TV version narrates, and I think captures something of what must have been a very big comic performance by Patrick Troughton.
January 18, 2019
Early 2nd Doctor adventure set in the Highlands during the Jacobite Rebellion. The team are quickly in to the action, befriending Highlanders including future companion Jamie, followed by capture and Ben nearly being carted off to the West Indies as a plantation slave. The Doctor dons disguises to wend his wily way through the story and Polly employs her feminine charms to get one over on a foppish Redcoat officer who has to help the team evade capture and turn the tables. A decent romp.
March 26, 2021
Really enjoyed it. Honestly makes me sadder that the serial is missing, considering how much I loved this. Jamie's introduction is great, and I love his interactions with the rest.
The Doctor is brilliant - the scene where he's convincing Perkins to rest his eyes is so funny.
This book is wonderful, and I'm sure the serial it was based on was as well, even if we can't watch it. Here's hoping for an animation!
The Doctor is brilliant - the scene where he's convincing Perkins to rest his eyes is so funny.
This book is wonderful, and I'm sure the serial it was based on was as well, even if we can't watch it. Here's hoping for an animation!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2018
As with most of the Doctor Who novelizations, there is very little difference between what was on screen and what is presented here. But considering what was on screen for the Highlanders amounts to somewhere between jack and squat, it's nice to have this book to "set the record straight". For a more detailed review, visit www.travelingthevortex.com (episode #375)
March 18, 2019
Quite liked this book, a good representation of the adventures of the second doctor, and his recruitment of Jamie. It is good to read these series because they were broadcast much earlier (1966) and availability of the recording of the television show is hard to come by this may be the only way in which we, the reader, can encounter these in important landmarks in the Doctor Who franchise.
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