I've never really warmed to the Virgin new Adventures. To me they were overblown, pretentious and dull. As a recent convert to the new TV series I've been watching them in order from Rose. Last night I watched 'Human Nature/The Family Of Blood', which was based on the NA novel. I don't know how different the adaptation was to the book - but it was awful! Two episodes, and for the bulk of it The Doctor isn't there - he's human, and know's nothing of his Time Lord self. I was tempted to stop watching, but I'm told the the 'changing into a human' plot is used again, so I thought I would need to see it all.

I'm not sure why you think that's a bad thing. After all, that's what the story is about.

Well, it might as well be a period drama about a teacher, rather than a Sci-Fi programme about a travelling Time Lord. It was still a VERY dull episode.

Just goes to show - we all like different things!
Personally, I loved Human Nature (both book and TV version), and it's generally reckoned to be one of the strongest stories of that season. Tennant, in particular, gives a stonking performance.
But, hey, we're all different.
Out of interest, what's been your favourite story so far Ulsterguy?

One of my favourite stories from NuWho - haven't read the book but I believe it is about the 7th Doctor, with Ace in Martha's role.

Is there a romance in the book too?

I personally think Human Nature and Family of Blood are amongst the finest examples of Doctor Who you can find.

I never found them over-blown pretentious or dull

The Doctor had his reasons for being human and the novel was far better then the rewire for tv

Well, he doesn't do very much teaching, and the majority of the story is about body-snatching aliens and this teacher being told he has to adopt the mantle of said Time Lord in order to defeat them.

If anything, it has more to say about what it's like to be a time-travelling alien superhero than most stories. There's no doubt it's a far less action-oriented episode, but there's plenty of interest.

I haven't read the book, so I can't compare - I wasn't sure from your original comment if you had, because you said you couldn't compare it to the episodes either?

Are these Virgin New Adventures canon? I can't imagine these circumstances happening twice

Oh no!! You used the C Word!!
Run, everyone, run...

I'll be honest, I haven't seen a story yet that I'd want to see again, unlike Talons (rat exceprted) or Pyramids Of Mars.

You're a 'recent convert' to 21st century Who, you are now three seasons in and none of the stories so far have impressed you?
If it was me I'd give up and find something else to watch.
What was it that converted you in the first place?

I do think the stories feel rushed. They're 45 minutes long - a traditional 4 parter gave more time for character development. Nu Who is close enough to the old series to be enjoyable, I just don't feel I'd want to re-watch any yet. I might be wrong, there's another 4 series to go yet.

It was the 50th anniversery story and the whole 'War Doctor' plotline that got me back. I liked the way the new was linked to the old via McGann's mini episode.

Have you watched the same two episodes that I did, because I and many many other Who fans consider these two episodes to be some of the finest Who ever produced. What do you consider to be excellent Who, Paradise Towers, Timelash or perhaps Fear Her ?

I've never read the Paul Cornell book, but I'd like to. I've tried to find a copy of the book in charity shops, in the last year or so, but to no avail. I did manage in 2007, to download off the official DW website, the book as a pdf file. I've still got it on my memory stick.

As far as I know, the book featured the continuing adventures of the Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy), after Survival in 1989.

I may have to get the book online, secondhand off amazon. I'll have a look sometime this weekend.

As for the TV two-parter. I thought it was ok. Not brilliant, just ok. I'm not a great fan of episodes that don't feature the Doctor. I did find the scene with Timothy and his friend fighting in WW1 quite shocking and upsetting. Also the elderly Timothy at the memorial service in 2007. That was quite upsetting, too.

Don't assume you know what I like! I know I'm in a minority in preferring old Who, specifically the early 70's shows. It's unfair to compare the effects - what we have now didn't exist then, but some of the writing was, in my opinion, far superior.

I thought it was a brilliant two parter. An all time classic. Each to their own but I find it odd that anyone would criticize it for not having enough 'Doctor'. Surely time has shown us that those episodes that try something a bit different are often the best or at least admirable for their originality? There are hundreds of episodes where the Doctor is front and centre and does his typical doctor stuff. It can get quite dull unless you episodes like Human Nature and Family of Blood to shake things up. For a show that thrives on change and trying new things some fans have very 'catholic' tastes I suppose. Hence the hatred of 'Love and Monsters' to some degree.

Me? I get excited everytime an episode isn't just 'Doctor stumbles into dangerous situation, clashes with some extras, companion gets into peril, companion gets saved, sonic screwdriver does something, hooray! Doctor saves the day, flies off again'. How dull is that every week?

Well, for a start, the book didn't have Martha Jones in it, and the villains/antagonists weren't shapeshifters. Also Sylvester McCoys Seventh Doctor featured and not David's Doctor.

I think also the setup was different because they had a lot more time to tell it.

I'll add my voice to those arguing that these two episodes were possibly even the best of New Who. Criticisms that they're no good because the Doctor doesn't do Time Lord stuff are to me just like people who say that Caves of Androzani isn't a good serial because the Doctor is never really in control of events. Though if you are a fan of tick box writing then Series 8 onwards (not 7! I love it) are definitely the ones to watch.

Bernice Summerfield is the Seventh Doctor's companion in the book. He had previously parted company with Ace.

I'm aware the book featured the 7th Doctor and Summerfield. It was plot divergence I was unsure of, never having read it.

I think the TV episodes are extremely well acted but they've never been a favourite of mine because the book does it do much better. Bernice is a much stronger character than Martha and the lost love aspect works much better with the Seventh Doctor. It also develops the anti war theme much better. The basic plot is essentially the same but the book goes about it in a more interesting way.

BIB - the sort of story that kept the show going since 1963..........

And almost killed it. You can't just keep retelling the same story.

and if you think in the modern age that simplistic template will keep the show going then get prepared for disappointment. Viewers quite rightly demand alot more these days than they did thirty years ago.