I wrote a book about Mawdryn Undead

 

As I was getting everything together to write this up, I saw this book listed as "announced August 2022 but delayed extensively." And friends, that is fair.

My Black Archive on Mawdryn Undead was commissioned ages ago, right in the midst of me attempting to be able to write again. That's a long story, probably one for another time. But it is a bit odd to see that people are paying attention to what I say I'll do and what I ought to be doing. Thank you, I guess?

All that aside. Yes, I have a new Black Archive coming out this month, this one on Mawdryn Undead. It's up for pre-order, or perhaps indeed for regular ordering by the time this post goes out (at which point I will be in London for a week and a half). It would be fabulous of you to pick up a copy.

So, for the people who have no idea what's going on. What's Mawdryn Undead, what's the Black Archive, why any of this?

So the Black Archive is a series of book-length studies of Doctor Who stories from all across the show's run. These are heavily researched, and the goal is always to present an in-depth look at these episodes. The angle will depend on the writer. Some write more about society and culture surrounding the series, some dive into the production, some go fully academic about themes and philosophy. As of this year, I'm an editor on the series (with Stuart Douglas, Philip Purser-Hallard, and Paul Driscoll also on board and having been on board for much longer).

Mawdryn Undead came out in 1983, and it's a fifth Doctor serial that introduces companion Turlough and kicks off the Black Guardian Trilogy. I've always had a soft spot for this serial and, after working on a Black Archive on Heaven Sent several years ago, I wanted to approach a 20th century story. The funny thing is, I don't think the version I would have written a few years ago would be the same as the one I did recently, even though I kept to the topics of my pitch. Between personal experiences and the context provided by the more recent seasons of Doctor Who, there's a lot that wouldn't have been present (or as clear) in an earlier version.

So what does get covered? Turlough's role as a companion, and indeed what the role of a companion is. The Brigadier's paradox-induced amnesia and how it parallels PTSD. The lottery of regeneration and how this episode uses that uncertainty in its story. The history of "ghost ships," including the one that inspired this story. Time paradoxes and how Mawdryn Undead added a new twist to the inherent paradox of Doctor Who. And, of course, the curse of immortality.

All that said, I'd love it if you grabbed a copy and let me know what you think. And treat yourself and go through the other Archives. As of mine, there are 80, covering every Doctor and even a few more obscure contributions. Plus, we've just had a fantastic run of pitches and have some great future Archives stacked up.

Do I have another Archive in future? I'm already working on it. I'll just leave you to guess which I'm going for next. In the meantime, keep an eye on the series, because the next few books are looking to be especially fun!