Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks

Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #21

by Terrance Dicks

Landing on an apparently devastated planet, the Fourth Doctor and Romana make a horrifying discovery.

The planet is Skaro, home-world of the Daleks.

The Daleks are excavating in order to find and revive Davros, the mad, crippled, scientific genius who first created them. They hope that he will give them the scientific superiority to break the deadlock with their Movellan enemies.

Faced once more with the deadly and seemingly indestructible Daleks, the Doctor's wits and strength are stretched to their very limits ...

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Fiction, Time Travel, Childrens

110 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1979

About the author

Terrance Dicks was an English author, screenwriter, script editor, and producer best known for his extensive contributions to Doctor Who. Serving as the show's script editor from 1968 to 1974, he helped shape many core elements of the series, including the concept of regeneration, the development of the Time Lords, and the naming of the Doctor’s home planet, Gallifrey. His tenure coincided with major thematic expansions, and he worked closely with producer Barry Letts to bring a socially aware tone to the show. Dicks later wrote several Doctor Who serials, including Robot, Horror of Fang Rock, and The Five Doctors, the 20th-anniversary special.
In parallel with his television work, Dicks became one of the most prolific writers of Doctor Who novelisations for Target Books, authoring over 60 titles and serving as the de facto editor of the range. These adaptations introduced a generation of young readers to the franchise. Beyond Doctor Who, he also wrote original novels, including children’s horror and adventure series such as The Baker Street Irregulars, Star Quest, and The Adventures of Goliath.
Dicks also worked on other television programmes including The Avengers, Moonbase 3, and various BBC literary adaptations. His later work included audio dramas and novels tied to Doctor Who. Widely respected for his clarity, imagination, and dedication to storytelling, he remained a central figure in Doctor Who fandom until his death in 2019, leaving behind a vast legacy in television and children's literature.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly one of the weaker Dalek stories of the classic series and whilst the premise of a stalemate between them and the Movellans is an interesting one - it doesn't quite have the impact that The Doctor's fearsome enemies deserves.

Dicks does a decent job of turning this serial into a quick brisk read.
All the humour of scripit editor Douglas Adams is present - most notably Romana's regeneration, though Dalek creator Terry Nations last script for the show is still flawed.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novelization of the first episode of the seventeenth season of Doctor Who, which was broadcast in September of 1979. The original script was credited to Terry Nation, who had created the Daleks and written all of their episodes up to that time, though it was reportedly very heavily re-written by script editor Doulas Adams. Former script editor and most prolific writer of the series' prose versions Terrance Dicks wrote this adaptation, which appeared only a couple of months after the adventure aired. It's a very short book and has only a few differences from the filmed version. The story features the fourth iteration of The Doctor, his faithful robotic canine K-9, and introduces the second version of Time Lady Romanadvoratrelundar. There's quite a bit of humor in the story, which tends to distract from the dramatic content, and some unexplained quirks, such as Romana's multiple unexplained regenerations in the beginning before she settles on the blonde copy of a previous character, Princess Astra. Or, how does a robotic dog get laryngitis? Once it gets underway it's good enough Dalek adventure, as they attempt to revive their mad creator, Davros, but Dicks didn't really add to the story in this one. Curiously, I believe it takes the same amount of time to watch the show and read the book.

[Melissa Jacobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.75

This was another solid novelization of a classic Who episode. This just happens to be one of my favorite episodes from Doctor Who so I obviously enjoyed it. The only reason I didn't rate this higher is because, it is a novelization which means that the dialogue and action can feel a bit stilted at times but overall I had so much fun reading this.

[Brayden Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many Target novelizations I haven't seen the corresponding episodes. So I'm not sure what this would be like on screen. However this is a great short novel and does everything it needs to in a slim package. Some elaboration in a few places would have been really nice however I thought it was a fun story as it stands. Special shoutout to the Romana regeneration scene at the beginning for being quite hilarious.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks (1979) by Terrance Dicks is the novelisation of the first serial of Season seventeen of Doctor Who.

The Doctor and Romana, who has just regenerated and was then played by Lala Ward and K9 materialise on planet that is irradiated and that the Doctor feels is evil. K9 stays in the TARDIS as the Doctor and Romana encounter the Daleks who are searching the planet for something as are a strangely strong group of humanoids.

It’s not a bad novel and has a nice think piece in it toward the end.

[Aylin Houle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Doctor and Romana are off on another adventure. This time to the planet Skaro. They are on the home planet of the Daleks. Now, to find out what they're up to...

[Leo H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I remember enjoying the TV episodes, which can only be a plus. Possibly because Dicks describes the Movellans as looking more like albino Michael Sheen from that Neil Gaiman thing, rather than the Boney M rejects with dreadlock wigs we got on screen. Nice one, Tel.

[morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read overall.

Some differences I noticed with the TV version - a) Dicks explains Romana's ability to regenerate at will as she had a higher classification at the time lord academy, was a better academic, so she must know more about regeneration than the Doctor. b) in the TV version, the Movellan Commander Sharrel openly tells the Doctor the name of the planet is Skaro. In prose, they refuse, and only give a planetary number from a Movellan star chart, and while the Doctor knows about the Daleks, it's not until Tyssan mentions Skaro, that the Doctor knows where he is. c) the slave labour force workers have a bit more dialogue here with Romana than they did on TV I think, and explain how they got captured. d) daleks have anti grav disks e) the mutant kaled attacks the Doctor in the sandpit. On TV, he just plays with the piece of rubber and does a monologue and throws it.

The mutant kaled bit is an interesting scene in the prose, as it seems to suggest that the Daleks are now full robots in this chapter of their evolution, and have decided to move past the mutant operators and chucked them into the wild.

A subsequent chapter after that, the Doctor refers to the Daleks as "semi robots" and "might as well be fully robotic." So almost total robots here.

The whole book is 110 pages, and I think Day of the Daleks was around 130. Day of the Daleks, Dicks expanded the backstory of the guerrillas a bit, I wish there were 20 more pages here, where he could give a few more bits - like Movellan war back story, how it started, or just more about Tyssan and his point of view.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good story featuring the Daleks and their creator, the mad scientist Davros.
Tom Baker's Doctor and Davros always worked well together.

Nice bits of humor mixed in with lots of action.
Only let downs are we never get to see a K-9 vs Dalek fight and while the Movelions are an interesting new race, the writer doesn't seem to know what to do with them. Plus, after this story we never get to see them again.

[Jason Bleckly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a script by Terry Nation this is number 21 in the Target catalogue.

I’ve always really enjoyed this story, Daleks and Davros wrapped in a logic thought experiment. And this is a great adaptation by Terrance. I’m even inclined to put it a nudge ahead of the TV epsiodes for the extra explanations and motivations include in the book.

But nothing is ever perfect, for it includes the mocking of the Daleks for not being able to climb up the chute after the escaping Doctor. Yes, this highlights a design issue with the Daleks, but it also overlooks that they had means around the problem as early as Pertwee in Planet of the Daleks.

The Movellan zombie reference from the TV series is missing which surprised me. I thought that wa an excellent analogy in the TV episodes.

There’s also the Rock/Paper/Scisscors scene which is different in the book and the TV epsiodes. It’s been curtailed in the book. The Doctor never plays against Sharrel beating him every time like in the TV version. I think that illustrated the point more effectively than what is in the book.

The same also applies to the Nellie the elephant. A version of the scene is in the book, but I think the TV version is clearer and superior in making the point.

And the other scene which I think is better in the TV version is the exploding of the Daleks on the way to the Movellan ship. In the TV version the Doctor gets Davros to blow them up be reflex, where as in the book the Doctor simply flicks a switch.

But on the flipside the book offers greater explanation of various details which are glossed over in the TV episodes. On balance I think the book marginally slips ahead of the TV version as the better medium for telling the story.

Besides as I work in IT with AI this statement from the Doctor which only appears in the book truly resonates with me.

A race of robots fighting a race of semi-robots. I knew the Universe was done for the moment they invented the washing machine. (pg 89)

[Gareth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat torn about this story. In many respects, isn't that bad, has some good humour in it, and a good introduction for the most part to Romana II, and the central plotline to it is quite an interesting one, with the idea of two logical races getting deadlocked in a war.
What detracts a lot from the story, even though a bit downplayed in the novel against the TV story at least, is that the Daleks aren't really a good race to be part of that deadlock, as prior stories have been quite clear that they aren't robots / robotic, can be quite emotional and willing to do illogical things sometimes, or at least the less optimal thing, and instead come across as strongly xenophobic, fascist, authoritarian and straight evil race, but not at all robotic.
So I think story could have been quite a lot better, if had the Movellans facing some other robotic foe, and even perhaps the Cybermen, who do go a lot on logic, would have been better placed.
It does bring back Davros, which in some respects is better for future stories, but he isn't the most well used in this book, has one or two good scenes with the Doctor, but otherwise is over the top as a mad scientist really.
Romana to being with seems to have a lot of scenes where screaming and helpless, but later on does start showing her stronger side against the Movellans, even winning a fight at one point.
K9 pretty much absent from the story, showing the continued issues in trying to use him right throughout his time on the show.
Overall, still an enjoyable read, but with some annoying parts, and could have been much better without the Daleks.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

あらすじ

リジェネレーションしたロマーナに戸惑いながら、ランダマイザー任せにターディスを運行させたドクター。到着したのは放射線量の高いコンクリートの瓦礫が転がる荒れ果てた土地だった。爆発に巻き込まれる、柱の下敷きになったドクター。助けるためにK9を連れてこようとターディスに戻ったロマーナ。しかし、ターディスの周りに積もった瓦礫のせいで中に入ることができない。その間にドクターはモヴェラン人に助けられていた。彼らはこの星でダーレクの動向を探る密命を帯びていた。一方ロマーナはダーレクの偵察隊に捕らえられ、他の大勢の捕虜と共に地下で強制労働をさせられていた。ロマーナがダーレクの捕虜になったことを強制労働から逃げ出してきたティサンからきいたドクターは急いでロマーナを助けにいこうとティサンに案内を頼む。道中、この荒れた土地がスカロであると知り驚くドクター。その頃ロマーナは死んだふりをすることで地下から逃れ、ドクターと合流する。ドクターはダーレクがカレド・シティの最下層を目指していると推理し、記憶を頼りに先回りする。
感想
ドクターとダヴロスと再び相見えることに。ダーレク誕生から数世紀経過した未来。モヴェランというロボット種とダーレクが再びダヴロスを必要とするようになる。ダヴロスとド���ターが差し向かいで話をする場面があるのだが、有能な科学者としてお互いどこか解り合っている風なところが興味深い。ダヴロス視点からすれば要所要所で必ず自分の前に現れるドクターは自分の功績を話すことができ、さらに完全に理解できる唯一の存在であるというところで、相当特別な存在だ。どことなくマスターとの関係性に似ている気がする。まだこのころはダヴロスとここまで長い付き合いになるとは思っていなかったのだと思うけれど、これを読んで12thドクターがあの時、差し伸べた手が何かの変化をもたらしてくれますようにとついつい願わずにはいられない。

[Ezekiel Thorp · Rating 2 out of 5]

The opening story of Doctor Who's seventeenth season from 1979, Destiny of the Daleks introduced Lalla Ward as Romana, and brought back Davros and the Daleks after a four year gap.

This novelisation was rush written to get it to the shelves at the same time as the TV broadcast, and you can tell. Even for a Target novel, it's slender, and very much in the Doctor said/Romana said style of literature.

It's not unenjoyable, but it's a book you can open and close again very quickly. Probably one for completionists only.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most outrageous Dalek stories from one of the most outrageous eras of "Doctor Who". Terrance Dicks produces a very slim, brutally efficient novelization...which, by rights, should be extremely disposable. However it's an adaptation that once again rescues a shaggy-dog of an adventure and transforms it into something more enjoyable than its original TV incarnation. He can't quite rescue all of it, Mr. Dicks drags most of the story into acceptability.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story with the Daleks and Davros.
The interactions between the Doctor and Davros are always good. There is some here, but there could have been more.
I enjoy the twist on the other alien race in the story.
This was a very short story. There could have been more detail with expanded Doctor and Davros, but it was still enjoyable.

[Ivana Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably one of the shortest Target adaptations, and therefore has little (if any) embellishments . It's the usual faithful novelisation we've come to expect from Dicks, though. Unfortunately, Tom Baker's famously fluffed line of "Now spack off!" has been rewritten as "back away" - probably closer to the original script, but nowhere near as fun.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on an earlier script than made it to broadcast, so there's some interest there, and bless Terrance Dicks for trying to insert menace into at least one quite silly sequence. But there are still long stretches of just dialogue here, and for all my affection for the original story I can't quite muster any enthusiasm for this adaptation.

[Ian Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dicks takes a script that isn’t as shabby as the show would have you believe and makes it a little more interesting. This is a slim volume but there’s plenty of action just not a lot of character or depth.

[Paul Barnes · Rating 1 out of 5]

[Target] (1979). SB. 110 Pages. Purchased from Zardoz Books.

One of Terrance Dicks’ lesser efforts, amongst his 67 Target novelisations. Poorly written, flimsy nonsense. The introduction of ‘K9’ was an opening step on the road to today’s kitsch, infantile garbage.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks, Terrance Dicks.
Loved it. Fun, action-packed, great dialogue. These classic are worth reading.
"The Doctor lost patience. 'Oh, shut up, Davros! Just you sit and do a bit of silent brooding, there’s a good fellow.'" (p72)

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romana II first outing. The confusion from the Doctor when she enters the control room in her new incarnation. The return of Davros. Overall a great book.

[Olly Colluphid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much the script of the TV episodes!

Quick and easy to read.

[Rosie · Rating 2 out of 5]

need to read a real book soon or i will lose my fucking mind. what does terrance dicks have against engaging prose because he's never managed to write in it for even one page

[Cyrix Instead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite Dalek stories, it's fun, fast paced and well written. Perfect way to while away a quiet afternoon.

[Julian White · Rating 2 out of 5]

pdf; 100 pages

Quickly written - and it shows even more than usual - possibly before a video version was available. A not overly inspired by-numbers retelling of a desultory and derivative script, heavily rewritten by the script editor (Douglas Adams so most of the 'jokes' are self-referential. And unfunny). Some bizarre playing with regeneration; K9 has 'laryngitis'; Davros; Daleks... The best bits are the Movellans but they are barely described here and have none of the visual flair the costume design imbued them with, not least that wonderful hair!

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

[F.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owned dozens of novelisations of DOCTOR WHO as a child. They were a regular gift I asked for both Christmases and birthdays. The show was rarely repeated and, in the absence of VHS/DVD releases, these were the only way to experience the old stories. I can remember reading them back to back and since the now late Terrence Dicks wrote so many, it might be the case – thinking about it – that he’s the author I’ve read more books by than anyone else.

In tribute on his passing, the only novelisation I could easily lay my hands on (years ago, l let my mother give them away) was DESTINY OF THE DALEKS. This actually wasn’t a bad choice. In essence it does still remain the same off mix of the limited imagination of Terry Nation (derring-do and nothing else) and Douglas Adams (so much else). But filtered through the breezy prose style of Dicks, I have to say i enjoyed it a lot more than the TV version. The Daleks still aren’t quite the Daleks you’d want them to be, but the rougher elements have been smoothed over and this is a more coherent adventure than was broadcast on telly.

It’s The Doctor vs The Daleks vs The Movellans on a distant plant in a fast moving adventure that’s perfect for reading in a single sitting.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original Rating 3

Re read 2024 rating 3

Listened to an audio book version this time around.
This is one of the TD adaptations that are basically a concise, concentrated, straightforward retelling of the tv series. Nothing is really added to the story, no additional background for characters, locations, spaceships etc.

The story is probably one of the weaker ones featuring the Daleks . The Movellans could have been any other alien race really, they don’t have much of a presence. The mission to locate Davros would surely have rated more daleks than are shown?
If the story had been played as serious as Genesis had been I feel the story would have been much stronger and memorable. The script editor Douglas Adams I thought made the plot more flimsy than it should have been and the TD adaptation for me clearly shows that.

The audio is read by Jon culshaw which does a good job I thought. This release has less music and effects than I have heard previously.

Overall a solid read/listen nothing outstanding but worth getting.

[Duckpondwithoutducks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had already seen the Doctor Who episodes on which this novelization was based, so images sprang vividly to my mind as I was reading it. The Doctor and a newly regenerated Romana land on a devastated Skaro, where the Daleks' war with another robot race, the Movellans, is locked in a stalemate. To try to end this, the Daleks dig through the rubble to try and find Davros, in hopes that he can come up with a new strategy to end the war. Since this is an adventure of the 4th Doctor, there are a lot of funny lines, but some of them worked better in the show, with Tom Baker's facetious delivery. Sometimes they fell a little flat on the page. Terrance Dicks is my favourite of the authors who convert the old episodes into novels. He smooths over inconsistencies and explains any things that may not be clear.

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nhw.livejournal.com/1051656.html#cutid1[return][return]A pretty standard transcription of what was on the screen, including the rather threadbare justification for Romana turning into Princess Astra from The Armageddon Factor.