📝9/10

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! 

This time: Professor Who?

MY SCATTERED AND TOTALLY IRRELEVANT NOTES:

Nightshade marks Mark Gatiss’ debut in the Doctor Who universe and stands out as the first standalone Virgin New Adventure (VNA). Widely regarded as Gatiss’ best contribution to the franchise, it's hard to argue otherwise. Unrestrained by overarching plotlines or extraneous arcs, the story confidently stands on its own, making it one of the strongest VNAs to date.

From the very beginning, Gatiss crafts a moody and immersive atmosphere, spinning an exciting tale from his meta-concept. The plot centers around an elderly former star of a beloved British sci-fi TV show and the residents of a small town, all of whom begin encountering monsters drawn from their memories. These haunting figures relentlessly pursue their victims until they meet agonizing ends.

There’s also a brief visit to 1644, delving into the town’s bloody history. While this scene adds some background, its relevance to the main plot is minimal.

Gatiss’ vivid writing style effortlessly draws the reader into the story. His skill in building scenes, characters, and atmospheres ensures that the narrative remains engaging, even during moments when the Doctor and Ace aren’t in the spotlight.

When it comes to the Doctor and Ace, Gatiss writes them with great care and authenticity. Their relationship flows naturally, and it’s easy to picture Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred bringing these scenes to life. Gatiss also takes the time to explore their emotional bond, which adds depth to their dynamic.

Ace, in particular, gets plenty of attention. She spearheads the investigation into the strange occurrences, takes on a growing sense of responsibility, and develops a meaningful relationship with Robin. These elements give her character a satisfying arc.

The supporting cast is equally compelling, with the townsfolk given distinct personalities and backstories. For instance, Hawthorne isn’t just a bad employer—he’s also a vile racist, making him easy to detest. Gatiss captures the social and cultural nuances of the late 1960s through his characters, dialogue, and themes, adding richness to the setting.

The horror and violence in Nightshade are often graphic, escalating as the alien entity consumes one character after another. The Entity itself is a classic Doctor Who monster—an alien that feeds on people’s dreams, desires, and memories, weaponizing nostalgia to ensnare its victims. It serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of dwelling too much on the past.

A unique addition to this VNA is the inclusion of pictures, which provide a nice touch and enhance the reading experience.

Interestingly, this story also works as a haunting Christmas tale, as Gatiss injects his own memories and nostalgia into the narrative. However, the middle section of the book slows down a bit, and the large number of minor characters can occasionally make things feel crowded.

The conclusion is particularly memorable, offering a poignant resolution for Ace. She decides to stay with Robin, only for the Doctor to manipulate her into returning to the TARDIS for “one last trip”—which ends with her being stranded on an alien planet. It’s a bleak yet unforgettable ending.

Overall, Nightshade is a standout entry in the VNA series, blending horror, nostalgia, and character-driven storytelling into a truly compelling Doctor Who adventure.

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

The prologue is fantastic, with Gatiss suggesting that the First Doctor stole the TARDIS to escape Gallifrey.

A minor nitpick: You Only Live Twice premiered in the summer of 1967. It’s unlikely it would still be in cinemas by December 1968.

Gatiss slips the word phantasmagoria into this book, a nod to his first Big Finish audio (Phantasmagoria, 1998) and his first TV script (The Unquiet Dead, 2005).