Posted on December 4, 2008 - by MG
ICE SHOCK and Doctor Who homage
I’ve mentioned before that I’m a long-time “Doctor Who” fan. At least I think I have. Never actually wrote fanfic but I did subscribe to “Doctor Who Monthly” and the fanzine Frontier Worlds.
One of my favourite DWM covers featured this photo of Peter Davison as The Doctor, all fetching in his pierrot costume. It’s from an episode ‘Black Orchid’, which I’d characterize as being in the DW subgenre “history-mystery-romp”.
In these stories the Doctor and companions typically visit an exotic past which enables them to get into costume and generally have fun with some stereotypes whilst also solving a murder, defeating a monster, etc.
“Black Orchid” is set in the 1920s in an English country house, with more than a nod or two at Agatha Christie – there’s a costume ball and anthropological intrigue.
With TWO real-life historical characters mentioned in “The Joshua Files” (two famous Mayan archaeologists) I had always planned to bring in something like this to Joshua Files.
An old country house. Hidden papers belonging to a dead archaeologist. A costume party. How could I resist temptation like that?
I couldn’t. So it’s there…and I wonder if you guess what costumes will feature?
It’s not by accident that the hero and a certain other person appear wearing the same costume. A free signed copy of ICE SHOCK to the first person to tell me who and why…
Professional writers aren’t allowed to play, by the way!
Oh and the other Doctor Who homage in ICE SHOCK – as I’ve said before, is in the title, which was inspired by EARTHSHOCK, a classic Peter Davison/Cyberman story.
There may be one other reason why I love that issue of DWM. I believe it may be the issue in which a letter appeared from a Mexican DW fan asking for penpals. That was, as Rick tells Capt. Louis Renault in ‘Casablanca’, “the start of a ‘beautiful friendship”. (Martin – am I right?)
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The MG Harris Blog
Website of MG Harris, author of the children's book series "The Joshua Files".Information for school visits and events.
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December 4, 2008
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“It’s not by accident that the hero and a certain other person appear wearing the same costume. A free signed copy of ICE SHOCK to the first person to tell me who and why…”
Could it be Simon Madison…Josh takes up the identity of someone to go to this costume party to find information and these hidden papers, and Simon Madison does the same? It’s a long shot but that’s my guess.
I seriously can’t wait to read this book. I hope it sells as well as the first! But honestly who could resist that glowing yellow…
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December 4, 2008
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*restrains self from blabbing the answer*
Ahhh, the divine Petey Davison. He wears a very charming dressing gown in Black Orchid: much nicer than the pierrot thingy! And the girls get fabulous clothes and all. It’s quite, quite wonderful and should be compulsory viewing.
Did you ever get round to watching the Agatha Christie one of the new series? Also very lovely indeed.
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December 5, 2008
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Lukas…very clever. Just tell me WHY they wear the same costume and that signed copy is yours.
Hint – read this.
http://www.moongadget.com/origins/myth.html
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December 5, 2008
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Btw i found this bit amazingly clever “if a person believes they are being followed by a giant apple pie, it’s difficult to make sense of how to help them. But if the giant apple pie can be understood to represent that person’s shadow, the embodiment of all their fears, then the psychotherapist can help guide them through that fear,”
Now why they wear the same costume is the tricky part, but i think ” wearing the enemy’s skin” “Neo jumps into agents skin” are the clues.
In order for Josh to find what he needs he has to become his enemy, “jump” into the enemy’s skin, assume the same state of mind. Hence the same costume.
Lukas
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December 5, 2008
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Good Lukas, very clever.
One of my 10 author copies is yours, when I get them (it won’t be until publication day though – can you wait?)
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December 5, 2008
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Why of course. That is indeed very generous of you. I can’t believe i got it right. I really am looking forward to this book! It’s certainly my most anticipated book since Breaking Dawn(Breaking Dawn was passing out point) Can’t wait!
Lukas