Salvation (Doctor Who Series)

Rating:
Summary: A new pantheon for modern times?
Review: Dodo Chaplet is perhaps the companion of the Doctor most in need of fleshing out. We really didn't get introduced to her (she just stumbled into the TARDIS in the final minutes of 'The Massacre') and we never really saw her go (she was bundled off to the country, never to return, halfway through 'The War Machines'). Given that she is a cut-down version of Vicki (who was herself a cut-down version of Susan), she needs some attention.

Recognising that Dodo seemed entirely at home in the TARDIS in 'The Ark' (simply disbelieving that it could travel through time), Steve Lyons undertakes a story which establishes Dodo as part of the TARDIS crew and sees some travel in space (from England to America) that still allows her scepticism to be in place.

'Salvation' is a story about mysterious beings, claiming to be gods, arriving on Earth and setting themselves up as a modern-day pantheon. They are Max, the God of Materialism; Norman, the God of Order; Jennifer, the Goddess of Free Love; Dennis, the God of War; and their leader, the Patriarch. And some amusement they caused me (gods named Norman and Dennis? Much chuckling.)

The theme of the story is largely the need to believe, and what people will do for their beliefs - and to those who have different beliefs. But it also remains a human story, even with its larger focus.

Mr Lyons is far kinder in his approach to Dodo than some other authors have been (see 'The Man in the Velvet Mask' and 'Who Killed Kennedy?'), but I really wonder why authors are so obsessed with giving Dodo a sex life.

Rating:
Summary: A new pantheon for modern times?
Review: Dodo Chaplet is perhaps the companion of the Doctor most in need of fleshing out. We really didn't get introduced to her (she just stumbled into the TARDIS in the final minutes of 'The Massacre') and we never really saw her go (she was bundled off to the country, never to return, halfway through 'The War Machines'). Given that she is a cut-down version of Vicki (who was herself a cut-down version of Susan), she needs some attention.

Recognising that Dodo seemed entirely at home in the TARDIS in 'The Ark' (simply disbelieving that it could travel through time), Steve Lyons undertakes a story which establishes Dodo as part of the TARDIS crew and sees some travel in space (from England to America) that still allows her scepticism to be in place.

'Salvation' is a story about mysterious beings, claiming to be gods, arriving on Earth and setting themselves up as a modern-day pantheon. They are Max, the God of Materialism; Norman, the God of Order; Jennifer, the Goddess of Free Love; Dennis, the God of War; and their leader, the Patriarch. And some amusement they caused me (gods named Norman and Dennis? Much chuckling.)

The theme of the story is largely the need to believe, and what people will do for their beliefs - and to those who have different beliefs. But it also remains a human story, even with its larger focus.

Mr Lyons is far kinder in his approach to Dodo than some other authors have been (see 'The Man in the Velvet Mask' and 'Who Killed Kennedy?'), but I really wonder why authors are so obsessed with giving Dodo a sex life.

Rating:
Summary: Great job as usual, Steve
Review: For originality in Dr Who books, this is up near the top. The author not only comes up with some original aliens, but develops the idea enough that that whole book is worth reading (not just part of it).

Rating:
Summary: timeline
Review: New York. A time of conflict between ideologies, races, generations and genders, when crime runs rife and an unpopular war drags on in a distant land. In the midst of this turmoil, people cry out to their gods. And now, it seems, the gods have answered their call. Walking the slums and tenements of downtown Manhattan, demonstrating extraordinary powers, five strangers are gathering a growing crowd of worshippers. Steven wants to believe in miracles, but the 1st Doctor is more sceptical. What are the strangers' real motives, and why does history make no mention of these events? As New York begins to tear itself apart, the Doctor's principles are tested to their limits. Which side should he choose to help? And what part will a London schoolgirl named Dorothea Chaplet play in the ensuing chaos? What price is humankind willing to pay for salvation?

Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: The writing is excellent. The story is interesting. The plot is just okay. The Doctor is superbly written, as are companions Steven and Dodo.

Something about this plot felt awkward. Aliens taking on the roles of gods in Central Park was just a bit hard to conceptualize. The idea itself makes sense, but it's hard to imagine such a "hoax" happening in 1965 (or any time). When Doctor Who deals with aliens on Earth, it works better when the least people know about it (such as novels: Scream of the Shalka & Human Nature). Perhaps this is why X-Files is so believable.

However, when masses of people are involved in such a grand event of gods/aliens, it makes for a far less believable, credible story.