Interference Book I

I'm quite sure--I'm not even going to bother getting up and eyeballing my bookshelf--that this is not actually the half-way point in the Eighth Doctor's adventures as produced in the long line of BBC novels. But it feels like the half-way point. It's definitely some kind of crucial nexus point (to resort to cool-sounding words, like "vortex" and "Voord"--well, okay, that's not a real word) in the Eighth Doctor's fluctuating reality...if not all the Doctors' realities. A crossroads. An intro to Book One even states firmly that the Interference novels were an attempt to set the Doctor's life on a new path. But these books--especially Interference: Book Two--feel like an ending. A Big Ending. And they carry all the emotional impact of a Big Ending. That said, Samantha Jones's exit from the Doctor's ship, and therefore his life, was not as sniffle-and-weep inducing as it was the first time 'round (I have just re-read Interference after about seven years). It had been established that she loved him, but she spends most of this adventure separated from him, in the company of people like Compassion, of the Remote, as they journey towards the Remote's incredible transmitter of mind-manipulating media. There is of course a goodbye scene later on, between Sam and the Eighth Doctor, but it is not the stark tear-jerker our systems were subjected to when Rose Tyler recently parted from the Tenth Doctor in another form of media hopefully not doctored by anyone involved with Faction Paradox (otherwise we won't know what to believe anymore!). The Eighth Doctor's reaction to Sam's reaffirmation of love for him is a classic, despite this more low-key approach to final departure mixed with unrequited...something. Then there's what happens to Fitz, a life-changing experience if ever there was one. True, this cosmic-taffy-pulling of all that is, was, and will be in the past and future the Fitz-man is largely swept under the rug in later books, other than some vague references to his bizarre transformation. But lots of what Lawrence Miles tries to do is subjected to the "Reset" button at the BBC as the books roll on; you just have to enjoy the thrill of it while it's happening, and say later "if I remember it, like in a dream, then it can't be totally erased". The Eighth Doctor's adventure in 1996 directly relates to some weird craziness that happened to the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith on a forgotten spitball of a planet called Dust--or is that a forgotten dustball of a planet called Spit? (I think it's the first one, but it's so hard to remember...)...oh, you didn't know about that Third Doctor adventure?? Well that's because it was never supposed to happen, but it is presented in these Interference books. And it clearly establishes a kind of informal contest between Lawrence Miles and the BBC, as far as who can erase more of the other's Doctor continuity. If the BBC can erase Lawrence Mile's effects on Doctor history, then it's only fair that

It's very interesting that Doctor Who has gone on for 36 years without exploring the ramifications of messing around with the Doctor's past. The introduction of Faction Paradox, a thoroughly amoral group dedicated to undermining the Time Lords and their "renegades," breathes an air of menace into this story that has been lacking for some time. We finally have a protagonist who is both more powerful than the Doctor _and_ intelligent and ruthless enough to succeed in their schemes. Other standouts in the novel include the best of use of Sarah Jane and K9 in a long time, the first wholly sympathetic and understandable version of Sam Jones, and the misadventures Fitz goes through (believe me, you won't believe it until you read it). Best of all, the events in this story set off a chain of subplots which will presumably roll through the series. Highly recommended.

Interference by Lawrence Miles is undeniably one of the most engrossing WHO novels of the BBC line.The ideas it presents are imaginative and daring, though some of them are admittedly not necessary in the context of the series' mythology. The true identity of IM Foreman is interesting but certainly not something that NEEDED to be addressed as the author has suggested. What's more, the Doctor in both forms is seen to be deliberately put into "realistic" situations where he is overwhelmed, as if the author is commenting that the character could not function in a real-life situation. True, but not necessary to illustrate; James Bond, Batman or any other fictional hero couldn't possibly cope either, that's why they exist in fantasy worlds tailored to their personalities. The concept of Faction Paradox is an excellent one, although it was handled markedly differently in the earlier novel Unnatural History by Orman and Blum. It's an idea that keeps you reading and therefore successful. The new character Compassion is clearly built in the "Seven-of-Nine" mold, but that said it's nice to see the long-running Samantha Jones step aside to allow a new dynamic in the series. There is a dramatic alteration of established WHO continuity at the end of Book Two that can be seen coming from chapters before, but is no less disturbing when it actually occurs. It was a bold thing to do, and sums up a book that in itself symbolizes the difference between earlier televised Dr. Who and where the series stands now. It's a good lesson for other authors as it demonstrates how one need not be burdened with the restrictions of established mythology. Interference should be required reading for any Who fan; it shows that after 36 years of adventure we still don't know what's lurking around the corner.

I have to tell you that the first of the two books is a great book. Nothing else. But wait until you read the second. The gaps are completely filled.

It's very interesting that Doctor Who has gone on for 36 years without exploring the ramifications of messing around with the Doctor's past. The introduction of Faction Paradox, a thoroughly amoral group dedicated to undermining the Time Lords and their "renegades," breathes an air of menace into this story that has been lacking for some time. We finally have a protagonist who is both more powerful than the Doctor _and_ intelligent and ruthless enough to succeed in their schemes. Other standouts in the novel include the best of use of Sarah Jane and K9 in a long time, the first wholly sympathetic and understandable version of Sam Jones, and the misadventures Fitz goes through (believe me, you won't believe it until you read it). Best of all, the events in this story set off a chain of subplots which will presumably roll through the series. Highly recommended.