Galaxy Four was a novelisation based on the 1965 television serial Galaxy 4.
Publisher's summary[]
Following a skirmish in deep space, two alien spacecraft have crash landed on a barren planet in Galaxy Four.
The Drahvins are a race of beautiful females, led by the imperious Maaga. The Rills are hideous tusked monstrosities, accompanied by their robotic servants, the Chumblies.
When the Doctor arrives, he discovers that the planet will explode in two days' time. The Drahvins desperately ask for his help in escaping the planet and the belligerent Rills.
But things are not always as they seem...
Chapter titles[]
- Four Hundred Dawns
- Trap of Steel
- Airlock
- The Exploding Planet
Deviations from televised story[]
- There is a new scene where the Doctor and Steven are their way back the Drahvin spaceship, when they fall into a pit and only escape by pulling a Chumbley in with them. By standing on the robot, they manage to climb out.
- The Doctor hints that he is not in his first incarnation by stating that "[...] it is hard to find a good body." This contradicts later televised stories and novelisations which explicitly identify this incarnation as his first, however it is equally possible that this discrepancy can be explained away as a general adage held among his people.
- The Doctor also mentions his second heart, something else not introduced until TV: Spearhead from Space. In the story TV: The Edge of Destruction, Ian checks the First Doctor's pulse and doesn't notice a second heart, implying he has only one. Also, in TV: The Sensorites, the Doctor mentions he was struck under his heart (singular). Other stories would suggest that the Doctor grew his second heart after regenerating for the first time. (PROSE: The Man in the Velvet Mask) However, other novels do imply the presence of a second heart during his first body. (PROSE: Salvation)[additional sources needed]
- The Rills are pacifists, only fighting when attacked and left with no other options. They generally don't need a leader, as they have so little activity and prefer to simply think, leaving robots to do any activities.
- Female Rills find a large skull sexually attractive.
- Drahvin Two, not Drahvin Three as in the televised version, bursts into the Rill centre and is hit by a Chumbley's paralyzing ray, leaving her alive but unconscious. The Rills tell Vicki they feel it is better to leave Two that way, as she would not be able to adjust to life on their home world; and they see no reason for her to perish in the disintegration of the planet.
- The final scene in the TARDIS and the lead-in to the following televised story, Mission to the Unknown, are omitted.
Writing and publishing notes[]
- The inside back cover includes colour details of Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offers!
- The cover for the original Target Books edition featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter.
- The book is a rare example of a later-period Target novelisation using a title different from that of the broadcast: the televised version uses Galaxy 4, whereas the book is called Galaxy Four. Similarly, the TV episode title is spelled "Air Lock", but "Airlock" in the book.
Additional cover images[]
British publication history[]
- Hardback
- W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Audiobook[]
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 6 July 2017 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Maureen O'Brien.
The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleeve notes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.
External links[]
to be added
