Logopolis was a novelisation based on the 1981 television serial Logopolis.
Publisher's summary
1982 Target Books edition
In theory the TARDIS should be able to change its appearance to blend in unobtrusively wherever it happens to materialise. In practice, however, because of a fault in the chameleon circuit, it always looks like a police box – a minor inconvenience the Doctor now hopes to correct.
Fixing the mechanism involves a visit to Earth and a trip to the planet Logopolis – normally a quiet little place that keeps itself to itself.
But on this occasion the meddling presence of the Doctor's archenemy, the Master, ensures the disruption of normality. And even the Master is horrified by the threat of total chaos he unintentionally precipitates – until he finds a way to turn the imminent destruction of the universe to his own advantage ...
1991 Target Books edition
TEGAN STARED IN BROAD-MINDED AUSTRALIAN DISBELIEF AT THE POLICE BOX THAT HAD MATERIALIZED IN FRONT OF HER EYES...
For as long as anyone can remember the chameleon circuit on the TARDIS has been broken - a minor inconvenience which the Doctor now finally gets around to correcting.
But fixing the mechanism involves a visit to Earth and to the planet Logopolis - a quiet little place that keeps itself to itself.
But on this occasion the meddling presence of the Doctor's arch enemy, the Master, ensures the disruption of normality. And even the Master is horrified by the threat of total chaos he unintentionally precipitates.
Logopolis was the final story to feature the fourth Doctor, as played by Tom Baker.
This is a novelization by Christopher H. Bidmead of his own original script.
Chapter titles
Titles are listed as "Chapter One" through "Chapter Twelve" in TOC, but actual chapter headings are simple numbers ("1"-"12")
Deviations from televised story
- When going through the infinite regression of police boxes, Adric picks the locks with a coat hanger.
- Instead of pretending to have had a bike accident, Adric climbs on top of the TARDIS and throws the bicycle at the police car.
- The TARDIS Cloisters, seen as a dark, gothic setting onscreen, is described as open and airy with a simulated sky.
- The Doctor receives a message from Traken about Tremas while Adric is occupied reading the poetry of Milton.
- When the Doctor attempts to sink the TARDIS in the Thames, it lands on an abandoned wooden pontoon, instead of a ship.
- After regenerating, the Fifth Doctor says a few words, in fact paraphrasing the Monty Python catchphrase, "and now for something completely different."
- Adric reads Paradise Lost.
- The Master's TCE stinks of ozone.
- The Watcher is expanded upon.
Writing and publishing notes
- This novelisation was later released as part of The Master Collection.
Additional cover images
Cover by Alister Pearson
British publication history
First publication:
- Hardback
- W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Audiobook
This Target Book was released on 4 February 2010 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by the author, Christopher H. Bidmead.
The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.
