Eric Saward

Eric Saward is a British television writer and script editor best known for his work on the science fiction series Doctor Who during the 1980s. He served as the show's script editor from 1982 to 1986, spanning the tenures of both Peter Davison and Colin Baker as the Fifth and Sixth Doctors respectively. Prior to his Doctor Who work, Saward wrote radio plays for BBC Radio 4, including "The Revenge" and "The Saturday Night Theatre." His first contribution to Doctor Who was writing the television serial "The Visitation" in 1982, which led to his appointment as script editor. Saward's writing style was characterized by darker, more violent themes than were typically seen in Doctor Who, particularly evident in stories like "Resurrection of the Daleks" and "Revelation of the Daleks." His tenure as script editor ended controversially following disagreements with producer John Nathan-Turner over the direction of the series. Beyond Doctor Who, Saward authored several novelizations of Doctor Who serials for Target Books and contributed to Big Finish Productions' audio dramas. His work continues to be discussed and debated among Doctor Who fans, particularly regarding his influence on the show's tone during a pivotal period in its history.

Readers frequently note Saward's darker, more violent take on Doctor Who compared to other writers. His novelizations receive praise for adding depth to TV episodes, though some readers find his prose style difficult to follow. Liked: - Complex character development in "Resurrection of the Daleks" novelization - Detailed world-building and atmosphere - Addition of background information not shown on TV - Strong action sequences Disliked: - Overly complicated plots - Heavy focus on secondary characters over the Doctor - Dense, sometimes confusing writing style - Excessive violence in some stories Amazon ratings average 3.5/5 stars across his Doctor Who novelizations. Goodreads shows similar ratings, with "The Twin Dilemma" scoring lowest at 2.8/5 and "Revelation of the Daleks" highest at 3.7/5. One reader noted: "Saward excels at creating mood but often at the expense of clarity." Another commented: "His stories feel more adult than typical Who, but sometimes cross into grimness for its own sake."

Attack of the Cybermen - A novelization of the Doctor Who TV serial, featuring the Sixth Doctor and Peri encountering the Cybermen in London, both in 1985 and in the year 2000.

Slipback - A radio play turned novel featuring the Sixth Doctor and Peri aboard a spaceship with a malfunctioning computer and a deadly disease.

Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma - A novelization of the TV serial introducing Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor, dealing with his post-regenerative instability and a plot involving gifted twins.

Doctor Who: The Visitation - A novelization of the Fifth Doctor TV serial set in 17th century England during the Great Plague, featuring aliens who plan to wipe out humanity.

Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks - A novelization of the TV serial where the Fifth Doctor confronts Davros and the Daleks in both 1984 London and a prison space station.

Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters - A novelization of the TV serial "The Silurians," following the Third Doctor's encounter with an ancient reptilian species beneath the Earth.

Douglas Adams writes science fiction with dark humor and absurdist elements similar to Saward's Doctor Who work. His stories feature bureaucratic organizations and flawed characters navigating bizarre situations across space.

Terry Nation created the Daleks and wrote many Doctor Who stories with similar themes to Saward's work. His stories focus on post-apocalyptic settings and survival against ruthless enemies.

Robert Holmes crafted complex Doctor Who narratives with cynical views of authority and institutions. His stories contain gothic horror elements and power struggles between opposing factions.

Philip Martin writes science fiction featuring anti-heroes and morally ambiguous characters in dark scenarios. His work explores themes of corruption and violence in both Doctor Who stories and other media.

Chris Boucher developed science fiction stories mixing action with philosophical questions about humanity and artificial intelligence. His writing style combines technical details with character-driven narratives in both Doctor Who and Blake's 7.