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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #87
Doctor Who: Warriors of the Deep
When the TARDIS materialises on Earth in the year 2084, the Doctor meets an old enemy – the Sea Devils. Once the masters of this planet, they are now forced to live in the murky depths of the sea. But their intention is to reclaim their position of domination...
This will entail the infiltration of Earth's defence systems and the provocation of another World War, more terrible than any yet experienced, to bring about the complete annihilation of the human race.
Not only is the first stage of the Sea Devil's attack successful, their associates in this dastardly plan are the sinister Silurians, also known to the Doctor of old.
This will entail the infiltration of Earth's defence systems and the provocation of another World War, more terrible than any yet experienced, to bring about the complete annihilation of the human race.
Not only is the first stage of the Sea Devil's attack successful, their associates in this dastardly plan are the sinister Silurians, also known to the Doctor of old.
126 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 16, 1984
2 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Terrance Dicks
327 books220 followersTerrance 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 16, 2021
This is a novelization of the first adventure of the twenty-first season of Doctor Who, which was broadcast in January of 1984. Premiere novelizer of the series Terrance Dicks adapted the original teleplay of Johnny Byrne for the book. The story includes the fifth iteration of the titular character, who is accompanied by Australian stewardess Tegan Jovanka and the anti-assistant Visior Turlough. This is one of the stories that worked much better on the page than what was realized on the screen. The production was plagued by problems such as losing two weeks of studio and rehearsal time, a low budget, disagreements among the staff (the two main stars announced they wouldn't be back for the nest season while filming this episode), terrible special effects (the paint on the "monster" didn't dry because they used it just an hour after it was "finished," so streaks of wet paint stuck to anything it brushed against), etc. Dicks does a much better job of explaining who and what the Sea Devils and the Silurians are, and what the political climate of the world is, than was in the script. (Byrne complained that his script had been changed a lot.) Set exactly a hundred years in the future (2084), it's a sometimes preachy cold-war parable with a lot of violence and loss, much bleaker than fans of the show were used to seeing. Dicks' adaptation makes it clear that there was no satisfactory solution, and that circumstances were impossible. Having the two old enemies team-up should have made for a superior episode, but the theme just didn't fit with the philosophy expected. The Doctor's last line is "There should have been another way," a fitting summation.
November 14, 2023
"There should have been another way"
January 7, 2026
I'm afraid this isn't exactly Malcolm Hulke's Silurians and Sea-Devils. While Dicks does good work here I think lately I've been a little spoiled with other books and this one pales next to them. Page turner though, blasted through in a couple hours.
May 5, 2021
Best for hardcore fans. I found it pretty hard to follow. Interview at the end was great! Interview gets five stars
December 9, 2016
A fun doctor who adventure. I enjoyed reading it.
October 27, 2025
I've always had a soft spot for "Warriors of the deep" its a fun action packed base under seige story. But it's fair to say the limitations of the budget does let it down alot.
However for the book the reader can finally see what a great adventure it is. Sure its not as deep with its messages or themes such as "The silurians" or "The Sea devils" but its an excellent base under seige story. But yet we still get a message towards the end of the story of the dr trying to find a better way but instead the dr has use the gas to kill off the silurians. There's plenty of action and the characters have enough depth to keep you interested and gives u more of an understanding with what's happening in the time period. Tensions are high, various nations have under ground bases and the silurians plan to create a war with man against himself. Its simple buy it works.
The famous dogy looking markya also is realised much better on page. Here its more like a dinosaur mixed with a dragon. There's some great moments of seeing it attack people and here it causes people to be zapped and thrown across the base. Something the orginal tv story never worked. So the deaths are much more epic in this one.
On a final note, Terrance is much better in this book. Useally he writes too much dialogue and lacks inner depth or characters heads. However here Terrance actually has alot of these moments that really help flesh out characters and messages. My personal favourites was the Dr's pain of trying to stop the war and the inner thoughts of the silurans after what happened in the original 2 stories. Overall I think this made the story much better and just shows what a good story it is.
However for the book the reader can finally see what a great adventure it is. Sure its not as deep with its messages or themes such as "The silurians" or "The Sea devils" but its an excellent base under seige story. But yet we still get a message towards the end of the story of the dr trying to find a better way but instead the dr has use the gas to kill off the silurians. There's plenty of action and the characters have enough depth to keep you interested and gives u more of an understanding with what's happening in the time period. Tensions are high, various nations have under ground bases and the silurians plan to create a war with man against himself. Its simple buy it works.
The famous dogy looking markya also is realised much better on page. Here its more like a dinosaur mixed with a dragon. There's some great moments of seeing it attack people and here it causes people to be zapped and thrown across the base. Something the orginal tv story never worked. So the deaths are much more epic in this one.
On a final note, Terrance is much better in this book. Useally he writes too much dialogue and lacks inner depth or characters heads. However here Terrance actually has alot of these moments that really help flesh out characters and messages. My personal favourites was the Dr's pain of trying to stop the war and the inner thoughts of the silurans after what happened in the original 2 stories. Overall I think this made the story much better and just shows what a good story it is.
April 9, 2020
The novelisation of a Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) story featuring Tegan and Turlough.
The TARDIS is attacked in 2084 by a defence satellite and hastily rematerialises inside a military Sea Base. The Doctor and his companions soon discover that not only have they arrived amid paranoid tensions between East and West, but also at the very place where the Silurians and their Sea Devil cousins plan to begin the reconquest of Earth.
The televised version of this story is one of the most heavily-criticised of its era, with critics citing both its violent content and low production values.
Thankfully, I've never seen the screen version (I hear the monstrous Myrka is particularly awful) and my imagination has no budgetary constraints to spoil the effect. As for the violence, I can see how it was shocking at the time but the whole point of this story is to highlight the futile brutality of the potential worsening of the Cold War if peace couldn't be achieved. Honestly, the bleak tone of this story's ending is perhaps its best element.
Beyond the Cold War allegory, this is not more nor less than an old fashioned base-under-siege story. Tried and tested territory for Who but not particularly interesting as a result.
Unfortunately the Fifth Doctor is my least favourite and here's every bit as bland as my general impression of him has always been. So where a truly dynamic role for the Doctor could've elevated the staid storyline, that simply isn't the case here.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com/ *
The TARDIS is attacked in 2084 by a defence satellite and hastily rematerialises inside a military Sea Base. The Doctor and his companions soon discover that not only have they arrived amid paranoid tensions between East and West, but also at the very place where the Silurians and their Sea Devil cousins plan to begin the reconquest of Earth.
The televised version of this story is one of the most heavily-criticised of its era, with critics citing both its violent content and low production values.
Thankfully, I've never seen the screen version (I hear the monstrous Myrka is particularly awful) and my imagination has no budgetary constraints to spoil the effect. As for the violence, I can see how it was shocking at the time but the whole point of this story is to highlight the futile brutality of the potential worsening of the Cold War if peace couldn't be achieved. Honestly, the bleak tone of this story's ending is perhaps its best element.
Beyond the Cold War allegory, this is not more nor less than an old fashioned base-under-siege story. Tried and tested territory for Who but not particularly interesting as a result.
Unfortunately the Fifth Doctor is my least favourite and here's every bit as bland as my general impression of him has always been. So where a truly dynamic role for the Doctor could've elevated the staid storyline, that simply isn't the case here.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com/ *
June 13, 2020
"There should have been another way." The Doctor's morality summed up in a sentence and in a Doctor Who story that people aren't fond of. Warriors on the Cheap, as it is occasionally called. With its wobbly necked Sea Devils, its panto horse Myrka and a karate kick of glorious stupidity. But enough of the TV story (which isn't btw as bad as that imo).
This is a Terrance Dicks no-frills novelization. It takes us briskly through the story with almost no padding (or interesting divergences or new scenes.) There's a little more insight into the motivations of some of the characters, but not much. Obviously, the Myrka 'looks' better on the page than it does on the television. The Silurians and Sea Devils feel like an actual threat. And Solow's kamikaze karate kick is dialed down significantly. You feel for Maddox.
The story is pretty damn brutal. Lots of people, Silurians and Sea Devils die. The latter rather unpleasantly as the Hexachromite gas does its work. The Doctor has met the Silurians before, he's met the Sea Devils before and both times - and the book says it - he let them and humanity down. This time he has to do it again. Because he couldn't find another way. It's a dark story this, despite the TV version being lit so brightly it looks like a toothpaste commercial.
This is how I remember most of the Target novelizations being - with some exceptions - a brisk and efficient prose version of a TV story. Terrance Dicks is the master - pun unintended - of this kind of novelization.
Fine. Fun.
This is a Terrance Dicks no-frills novelization. It takes us briskly through the story with almost no padding (or interesting divergences or new scenes.) There's a little more insight into the motivations of some of the characters, but not much. Obviously, the Myrka 'looks' better on the page than it does on the television. The Silurians and Sea Devils feel like an actual threat. And Solow's kamikaze karate kick is dialed down significantly. You feel for Maddox.
The story is pretty damn brutal. Lots of people, Silurians and Sea Devils die. The latter rather unpleasantly as the Hexachromite gas does its work. The Doctor has met the Silurians before, he's met the Sea Devils before and both times - and the book says it - he let them and humanity down. This time he has to do it again. Because he couldn't find another way. It's a dark story this, despite the TV version being lit so brightly it looks like a toothpaste commercial.
This is how I remember most of the Target novelizations being - with some exceptions - a brisk and efficient prose version of a TV story. Terrance Dicks is the master - pun unintended - of this kind of novelization.
Fine. Fun.
June 21, 2021
Another good novelisation by Terrance Dicks here, and in novel form doesn't suffer from any of the special effects issues that the TV version has (going through these, it does feel like they had issues on this front in the 80s, the 60s and 70s versions didn't seem to suffer so much, but with the snake in Kinda and the Myrka here, really became more obvious).
We see the return of the Sea Devils and the Silurians here, and while similar sort of theme, is less nuanced than in prior stories, as they seem to have given up hope of peace, and so the Doctor's efforts in this regard have no chance of success, rather than little chance as prior :)
The Doctor is in good form here though I feel, able to take charge a bit more readily than at times of late, and certainly does his best. Tegan and Turlough also in pretty good form I think, Turlough showing that while a coward at heart, can be brave when needed and not fall apart, and Tegan is her normal proactive self.
The one off characters are an interesting collection, with some sad scenes, and certainly we are starting to see an increase in death count again, something more akin to the UNIT years and up to and including the horror years of the Fourth Doctor.
All round a pretty good read.
We see the return of the Sea Devils and the Silurians here, and while similar sort of theme, is less nuanced than in prior stories, as they seem to have given up hope of peace, and so the Doctor's efforts in this regard have no chance of success, rather than little chance as prior :)
The Doctor is in good form here though I feel, able to take charge a bit more readily than at times of late, and certainly does his best. Tegan and Turlough also in pretty good form I think, Turlough showing that while a coward at heart, can be brave when needed and not fall apart, and Tegan is her normal proactive self.
The one off characters are an interesting collection, with some sad scenes, and certainly we are starting to see an increase in death count again, something more akin to the UNIT years and up to and including the horror years of the Fourth Doctor.
All round a pretty good read.
July 15, 2018
The TV version of Warriors of the Deep was unnecessarily slow because of the voices of the Silurians and Sea Devils and because the said monsters' costumes were cumbersome. Terrance Dicks' novelization of this story allows one to imagine the dialogue and movement happening faster, but still cannot make up for a rather cumbersome plot. In the near future, the world is divided into East Bloc and West Bloc, each loaded down with proton missiles, which destroy life but leave the buildings intact. In a wild series of coincidences, Sea Base Four becomes the site of counter espionage, the Silurian plans to wipe out humanity, and the Doctor accidentally arriving in the middle of it all. Mostly, this is a base under siege story in which nearly everyone dies and for no real point, which is the point. Dicks steps out of his usual role as merely remove dialogue tags from the script and calling it a novelization. There are some explanations, mostly there for the younger readers.
March 23, 2023
The setting is Sea Base Four, year 2084. There is a tension in the world between the West Bloc and East Bloc. The Silurians are awake, intent to remove Earth of all humans with the help from the Sea Devils. The Fifth Doctor, with Turlough and Tegan, accidentally ends up in the middle of it.
I like the portrayal of the Doctor in this book. Not sure if this is how the Fifth Doctor is supposed to be like, as I have not seen a lot of his episodes. Both Turlough and Tegan seem to be quite a handful, in different ways.
The book packs a lot of tensions and actions, which is quite exciting. However, something stupid has to be introduced in order to create drama, which is irritating. There are a lot of casualties and many of the deaths are too tragic for my taste. There is someone who is actually trying to be nice to their fellow humans, another person who continues to make sure that there won't be more victims, etc. Also, the ending is very abrupt.
I like the portrayal of the Doctor in this book. Not sure if this is how the Fifth Doctor is supposed to be like, as I have not seen a lot of his episodes. Both Turlough and Tegan seem to be quite a handful, in different ways.
The book packs a lot of tensions and actions, which is quite exciting. However, something stupid has to be introduced in order to create drama, which is irritating. There are a lot of casualties and many of the deaths are too tragic for my taste. There is someone who is actually trying to be nice to their fellow humans, another person who continues to make sure that there won't be more victims, etc. Also, the ending is very abrupt.
September 28, 2023
Doctor Who : Warriors of the Deep (1984) by Terrance Dicks is the novelisation of the first serial of the twenty first season of Doctor Who.
The Doctor, Turlough and Tegan materialise in the TARDIS in 2084 and they are targeted by an automated defense system before travelling to a deep sea missile base. The world at the time is divided into an Eastern and Western Block. In the base there is treachery afoot as some of the crew are planning to betray the base and depart for the other side. Meanwhile the Silurians and Sea Devils are planning to invade the base in order to trigger a war that will destroy humanity so they can return to dominate the planet. There is quite a bit of Cold War symbolism which is fair enough for 1984.
It’s an OK serial. But not one of the best ones.
The Doctor, Turlough and Tegan materialise in the TARDIS in 2084 and they are targeted by an automated defense system before travelling to a deep sea missile base. The world at the time is divided into an Eastern and Western Block. In the base there is treachery afoot as some of the crew are planning to betray the base and depart for the other side. Meanwhile the Silurians and Sea Devils are planning to invade the base in order to trigger a war that will destroy humanity so they can return to dominate the planet. There is quite a bit of Cold War symbolism which is fair enough for 1984.
It’s an OK serial. But not one of the best ones.
April 11, 2020
This is one of the better Doctor Who novels !! This one features the fifth Doctor , with his assistants Turlough and Tegan . The plot is simple , but the ending stands as an unexpected ending to be sure . The Doctor encounters some figures that he knew from a previous incarnation . I enjoyed this book , and can / will recommend it to everyone who enjoys the Doctor , or is encountering him for the first time !!
November 23, 2023
Poor retelling of an already mediocre serial. There's nothing here that elevates the source material, rather feeling more akin to a monotone play-by-play of the episode's events. Bits and pieces of perspective from the side of the Silurians and Sea Devils is nice, but it doesn't make up for just how unengaging the prose of this novel is. At least it still has the pyrrhic, melancholic ending that made Warriors of the Deep stand out all those years ago.
July 7, 2025
An absolute cracker, proving that the issues with this story stemmed from the ridiculous number of production crises that befell its creation. Characters are clearly defined and the plot moves along at a steady pace, building into an exciting climax. Unlike its on-screen counterpart, this is a great season opener.
August 12, 2020
This story gets an unfair bashing okay the Myrka isn't the best but it's got some good action and is an easy fun read
July 27, 2022
I don’t remember watching this particular episode - but it’s got a lot of twists and turns.
May 6, 2023
5th Doctor adventure and I enjoyed listening to this.
March 20, 2024
I really enjoyed Peter Davison's narration!
April 6, 2021
Novelization of a four-part "Doctor Who" story from 1984, featuring Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor. Not one of my favorite stories, and one of Dicks's poorer novelizations.
June 16, 2023
Back in my KTEH days, there were a number of stories from Peter Davison's era that were cited as his particular favorites. For some reason, my memory tells me that "Warriors of the Deep" and "Terminus" were among those cited as being among Davison's favorites.
In the case of "Warriors of the Deep," part of me find that statement difficult to believe. "Warriors" holds a place of infamy among fandom today -- the overlit sets and hastily brought to the screen Myrka were just part of the ammunition that Michael Grade used in his decision to cancel the program a year or so later.
And yet, part of me has always felt that if you take away the awful visuals, there is something more lurking beneath the surface (pun fully intended) of "Warriors of the Deep." That feeling is underscored futher listening to the Target adpatation on audio. Freed of the overlit sets and limited budgets and in the hands of Terrance Dicks, the story feels a bit more substantial. Two sides poised on the bring of war, held in check by neither wanting to make the first move toward genecide could be pushed over the brink by the Silurians and Sea Devils. Dicks does some solid world-building in the early episodes and even makes what seems like a rather unsubtle introudction of the way the Silurians and Sea Devils will be dispatched later, seem like something nicely foreshadowed instead of shoved down the audience's throat.
Dicks even tries to help the relatively questionable cliffhanger to epsiode one make a bit more sense -- exactly why Turlough is so quick to declare the Doctor dead makes a bit more sense here.
After listening to "Arc of Infinity" a few years ago, I imagined Dicks wondering what writer Johnny Bryne was doing to one of the adversaries he helped create during his tenure as script-editor. With
"Warriors," Bryne brings back several adversaries that Dicks helped create in his tenure, but I get the impression Dicks is happier with how the creations are used here than he was in "Ark."
It all leads to a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to this story. The serial isn't exactly loved by fandom these days, but there's more to it than meets the eyes. The novel certainly underscores that and makes me feel like I should like the story more than I do when I dust off the DVD (and eventual BluRay release).
The audiobook is performed by Janet Fielding, who played Tegan in the original serial. Fielding does solid work here and helps distinguish various "cannon fodder" characters that can easily get forgotten or overlooked in the televised version.
In the case of "Warriors of the Deep," part of me find that statement difficult to believe. "Warriors" holds a place of infamy among fandom today -- the overlit sets and hastily brought to the screen Myrka were just part of the ammunition that Michael Grade used in his decision to cancel the program a year or so later.
And yet, part of me has always felt that if you take away the awful visuals, there is something more lurking beneath the surface (pun fully intended) of "Warriors of the Deep." That feeling is underscored futher listening to the Target adpatation on audio. Freed of the overlit sets and limited budgets and in the hands of Terrance Dicks, the story feels a bit more substantial. Two sides poised on the bring of war, held in check by neither wanting to make the first move toward genecide could be pushed over the brink by the Silurians and Sea Devils. Dicks does some solid world-building in the early episodes and even makes what seems like a rather unsubtle introudction of the way the Silurians and Sea Devils will be dispatched later, seem like something nicely foreshadowed instead of shoved down the audience's throat.
Dicks even tries to help the relatively questionable cliffhanger to epsiode one make a bit more sense -- exactly why Turlough is so quick to declare the Doctor dead makes a bit more sense here.
After listening to "Arc of Infinity" a few years ago, I imagined Dicks wondering what writer Johnny Bryne was doing to one of the adversaries he helped create during his tenure as script-editor. With
"Warriors," Bryne brings back several adversaries that Dicks helped create in his tenure, but I get the impression Dicks is happier with how the creations are used here than he was in "Ark."
It all leads to a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to this story. The serial isn't exactly loved by fandom these days, but there's more to it than meets the eyes. The novel certainly underscores that and makes me feel like I should like the story more than I do when I dust off the DVD (and eventual BluRay release).
The audiobook is performed by Janet Fielding, who played Tegan in the original serial. Fielding does solid work here and helps distinguish various "cannon fodder" characters that can easily get forgotten or overlooked in the televised version.
June 7, 2016
This novel is a standard retelling of a television story. What sets this one apart is Terrance Dicks substantially improves one of the most poorly executed productions in the history of the series. The plot is a bit dated with its cold war allegory, but the story as presented here is fast paced and action packed. The main monster is menacing in the novel. The same beast appeared so dodgy on television that the episode was cited by Michael Grade when he laid out the case to cancel Doctor Who in 1985. This isn't a great sci-fi novel, but it was (surprisingly) one of the better Doctor Who novels I have read (or reread) as an adult.
Read
April 8, 2009http://nhw.livejournal.com/1063804.html#cutid1[return][return]Slightly more interesting than the standard Dicks effort, with an attempt to reflect the political agenda that Malcolm Hulke brought to the original Silurians and Sea Devils. Also, of course, scores over the TV version in that the Myrka is described rather than seen. However Dicks seems to have difficulty deciding whether he is writing about the Third Doctor or the Fourth (it doesn't really seem to be the Fifth).
April 13, 2013
The cool idea of having two Doctor Who monsters teaming up in hopes of starting a war that wipes mankind off the face of the earth got turned into an only so-so Tv episode.
The book manages to flesh it out and fix some problems from the TV show.
Now, we have a nice claustrophobic story as the Tardis crew and the human soldiers and scientists are trapped with a traitor in their midst, the threat of war looming and the monsters getting closer by the minute.
The book manages to flesh it out and fix some problems from the TV show.
Now, we have a nice claustrophobic story as the Tardis crew and the human soldiers and scientists are trapped with a traitor in their midst, the threat of war looming and the monsters getting closer by the minute.
August 9, 2011
One of those Terrance Dicks novelizations, where he uses (1) a combination of efficient, succinct prose, (2) heavy knowledge of continuity, and (3) a desire to build up a less-than-well-remembered story...to produce a book that is much MUCH better than its television parent.
Read
August 23, 2008isbn,original
March 19, 2015
I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! best episode everrrr
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