The Masque of Mandragora

"He, the Doctor, was the unwitting cause of the death he had just witnessed. It was he who had brought this deadly menace to Earth. And at the moment he had no idea how to combat it."

Writer: Philip Hinchcliffe

Format: Novel

Released: December 1977

Series: Target 42

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sarah

Synopsis 

"I can tell your future," retorted the Doctor, "and it's likely to be very short and very unpleasant unless you listen to me..."

Forced by the Mandragora Helix to land in fifteenth-century Italy, the Doctor and Sarah find themselves at the mercy of Hieronymous, court astrologer it the province of San Martino. But Hieronymous and the other members of his star-worshipping black magic cult have also been taken over by the Mandragora energy form - they will be used as a bridgehead that will enable the Mandragora Helix to conquer the Earth and rule it through their chosen servants.

Verdict 

The Masque of Mandragora was a wonderful little read! Or should I add 'Doctor Who and...' to that title? I'm not sure as my Target reprint, as you can see from the photo the edition I have is simply named after the TV serial. It's been a long time since I watched the story on screen and having only done so on one occasion I didn't really remember the little details that were coming on the next page which was certainly beneficial. This wasn't the case in my read of Doctor Who and the Keys of Marinus, a story which I must have watched on screen at least five times so I knew pretty much everything that was going to happen and was anticipating the great moments that were to come. I didn't get that here which was good and it almost seemed like reading an original novel. I adored the setting of fifteenth century Italy in the province of San Martino, it really was effective in print with the variation of the palace and the catacombs. The pairing of the Fourth Doctor and Sarah is always brilliant and the relationship between them here was splendid. It's lovely seeing how well they get on and the comedy the Doctor brings to that relationship is outstanding. Sarah being shown around the TARDIS interior, far beyond she's been used to, was very good. The secondary control room being used was very interesting and I loved how after years of not using it, as soon as he does things go horribly wrong as the TARDIS gets pulled into the wrath of the Mandragora Helix and it hijacks the TARDIS taking it to Italy in 1492. I liked what happened upon arrival with the Doctor and Sarah being split up and that's where the story really got into action. The brethren were described excellently and I loved the mystery and enigmatic tension surrounding them! They really were just absurd. I loved the confusion they brought the Doctor as they were worshipping the mighty Demnos, a tradition that should have died out in the third century but here, twelve centuries later, is at large and planning a large movement. Their attempts at sacrificing Sarah were shocking but I just loved how the Doctor saved her in the nick of time in comedic fashion. The brethren weren't happy with that at all. I really liked the characters of Guiliano, Count Federico and Hieronymous. A tremendous trio with the Dukedom of San Martino the focal point behind the three. Guiliano had just inherited the throne after the passing of his father, as exactly prophesied by the court astrologer Hieronymous who was in league, not somewhat willingly, with Count Federico was who the uncle of Guiliano and next in line for the throne. However, with Guiliano's youth and his age, it's likely Federico would never rule the province. Unless something horrific occurred, like another death that was coincidentally prophesied.  When Guiliano found out the plans of his uncle I loved how he verbally mocked his cowardice method of attempting to gain power. I really liked Sarah's reference to The Time Warrior and how the Doctor has changed since they first met. Of course, a certain regeneration might have something to do with that! But I'm confident she meant how this incarnation had changed since Robot also. Marco was a good character and I liked how the accomplice in Guiliano also had a companion. But with that came the scar faced Rossini accompanying Federico. The mystery surrounding Hieronymous was fantastic throughout. Astrology is always an interesting subject, one I appreciate but don't think has any real value, and the prophecies that came were frightening. Having astrology as such a significant factor in a fifteenth century story was terrific because as the Doctor mentioned, man was stepping out of the Dark Ages and religion was becoming predominant across Europe. Religion is something I despise and fail to comprehend but as a big fan of History I can admire what changes it has made in developing society. The brethren though took things to the extreme! Maniacs was an understatement, and with that added to the Mandragora Helix we had quite a combination for the Doctor to combat. Their method of killing was ruthless and it was quite surprising Federico died when he did! But that set up the climax nicely. Guiliano was reestablished as the authority figure and that led the Doctor to carry out his ingenious plan, which was the destruction of the brethren in an extremely clever way. After draining Hieronymous of his power, he impersonated him behind the mask and the brethren fell into the wrath of the Helix Energy and were destroyed. The masque provided a great distraction for events and I liked the threat of all leading scientists and what have you being present. Human history was at stake, but the genius of the Doctor again saved the day. Overall, a wonderful story with an interesting reference from Sarah about how she could understand Italian. 

Rating: 9/10