The Waters of Mars (novelisation)

The Waters of Mars was a novelisation based on the 2009 television episode The Waters of Mars. It was written by one of the original writers Phil Ford and released by Target Books on 13 July 2023.

Publisher's summary
"Water is patient... water just waits. Water always wins!"

November 21st 2059, and Bowie Base One - the first human colony on Mars - is destined for destruction in a nuclear explosion. This tragedy is a fixed point in history. The Laws of Time dictate that it cannot - must never - be changed.

The Doctor arrives just as a viral life-form escapes from the Martian ice into the base's water supply. A single drop can transform a human into a terrifying monster with the power to infect others. History records that the threat is destroyed along with the base and every human in it. But as his darkest hour comes calling, the Doctor resolves to break the rules as he never has before...

Chapter titles

 * Prologue
 * 1. Time and Space
 * 2. Bowie
 * 3. Life on Mars
 * 4. November 21st
 * 5. Garden of Horrors
 * 6. Isolation
 * 7. The Flood
 * 8. Action One
 * 9. The Woman with Starlight in Her Soul
 * 10. Ancient History
 * 11. Water Calls
 * 12. Leaving
 * 13. Airlock
 * 14. Last of the Time Lords
 * 15. The Doctor Returns
 * 16. The Flood Rises
 * 17. Gadget
 * 18. Time Lord Victorious
 * 19. The Song in the Snow

Deviations from televised story

 * The Flood's origins are further expanded on, being shown to have landed on Mars via a meteor which struck the planet.
 * The name of Bowie Base One being in tribute to David Bowie is more explicitly implied, with the Doctor wondering why "whoever was clever enough to name this place after a music god never thought about putting bikes on the cargo manifest".
 * The flashback to Adelaide's childhood during the Daleks' abduction and invasion of Earth in 2009 is expanded upon, detailing her return to London from a girl guide camping trip.
 * Adelaide takes the Doctor to a secret vault after they examine the ice field, where she shows him an artefact created by the Ice Warriors left within the ice. They had written a warning on the artefact about the Flood to any future visitors to Mars, which the Doctor translates for Adelaide.
 * Furthermore, it's explained that Mia Bennett was actually Bowie Base One's translator, who went to Mars to examine the artefact. She was instead listed as a geologist on the manifest in order to avoid any questions.
 * The moment of Adelaide's suicide sends the Doctor falling to his knees, "as if he had been thrown to the ground as time itself had shuddered".
 * As well as their romance being more explicitly shown, the later lives of Yuri and Mia are expanded on, including that they named their first-born daughter Adelaide.
 * The Doctor's defiant "No!" at the end is clarified as a vow not to go too far again.
 * It is explained that the Doctor went to Mars seeking solitude, aiming for the mid 20th century, only to arrive a century later.
 * Andy Stone's back story is elaborated upon, with it revealed his father always used to grow vegetables for the neighbours.
 * Yuri accompanies the Doctor, Adelaide and Tarak to the biodome from the start rather than being sent for. Ed is told to stay in Control rather than accompanying him and being sent back. Adelaide blaming Ed for Yuri's practical joke is also omitted.
 * A few lines cut from the finished episode, such as Maggie naming the Flood to the Doctor, and Ed commenting on the no couples rule before his sacrifice, are reinstated.

Writing and publishing notes
to be added

Continuity
to be added

Audiobook
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 13 July 2023 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Maureen O'Brien.