The Space Pirates

"Underneath a rocket at blast-off was no place to linger."

Writer: Terrance Dicks

Format: Novel

Released: March 1990

Series: Target 147

Featuring: Second Doctor, Jamie, Zoe

Synopsis

The charges detonate in a series of silent explosions, and space beacon Alpha One disintegrates into lumps of metal. The space pirates have discovered a new source of precious argonite...

General Hermack of the Space Corps diverts his V-ship to investigate – and arrives in the Pliny system in time to witness the destruction of another beacon. Determined to trap the pirates, he leaves a squad of guards on beacon Alpha Four – and shortly afterwards, in the beacon's computer bay, the incongruous shape of a blue police telephone box materialises. 

Suspected by the Space Corps of being pirates, and then pursued as spies by the pirates themselves, the Doctor, Zoe and Jamie risk asphyxiation in the vacuum of space, execution and explosion in their attempts to unmask the mastermind behind the thefts of argonite.

Verdict

The Space Pirates was an excellent novelisation of the Second Doctor serial of the same name! This story does not have the greatest of reputations amongst Doctor Who folklore and I have to say that I remembered very little from the reconstruction I watched seven years ago. I don't think this adventure is high on anyone's list of stories we would like to have completed in the BBC archives, but with this being Terrance Dicks' final contribution to the Target range, it's an important book. And it was fantastic! I absolutely flew through this one on my son Albie's nap breaks and it really was brilliant. I think the format helped with that as we could have a quick pace that really helped, and upon reflection I did think it would be a struggle for this one to reach six episodes with any real quality. But as a book this was terrific! I thought the space setting worked really well and was a little unique for the era of Season 6. The Doctor and Zoe were very good and got to showcase their scientific knowledge very well with the ships and the magnetic make up of its sections. One strength of this book was the quality of the chapter cliffhangers. I thought they were outstanding to be honest and we had the Doctor getting gassed, Jamie supposedly murdered and then the TARDIS trio falling deep below! It was all very good and whilst the resolutions were a little matter-of-fact and not pouncing on that excitement, I thought they added a lot. I was a big fan of the ruthlessness of the titular space pirates and Caven in particular made for a very strong villain. He was remorseless and only concerned with obtaining the argonite and going to any means possible, not being bothered by those who would have to forfeit their lives in the process. His relationship wit Dervish was good and I liked how he was scared of Caven because of the hold and threats he had on everyone. Hermack was a good character too and I liked the three-way storytelling with the Space Corps, the pirates, and then the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe's arrival. Their convergence on Alpha Beacon one and how everyone got mixed up was a very strong start. Jamie wanting to get physical with Caven was good and I really enjoyed his relationship with Clancey. Milo was a great character and his position as one of the old guard and outlaw that didn't exactly adhere to the law and order enforced by Space Corps was terrific. Him being mistaken as the lead of the space pirates was very good and I loved how he was true to his word in finding the Doctor, Zoe and Jamie when they went against his orders of not exploring the tunnels on Ta. Madeleine Issigri was another stellar character and her working relationship with Caven was a very strong reveal. I liked how she drew the line at death and stood by her principles, something Dervish was not able to do. I enjoyed the moment where Jamie accidentally found the audible noise to unlock their cell door, especially after him calling the whole process ridiculous. I really liked the conclusion and the tension and excitement that came from the potential blowing up of the ship and planet against the missiles striking Caven on his escape before giving the signal was excellent. It was a really fitting end and Caven met his maker to finish things off. The humour that came with Milo and the TARDIS trio heading off when they were ordered to stay for a report was a lovely conclusion to what was a brilliant read! 

Rating: 9/10