Big Finish revive a proposed Doctor Who story from the McCoy era… ‘Alixion’.
Most of Doctor Who’s “lost stories” now exist in some form, many as audio dramas; from the original plans for Season 23 to ideas the show simply couldn’t afford to do justice to when first proposed. Lately, Big Finish Productions have stretched the concept, bringing us alternate takes on familiar favourites too.
When Doctor Who went off the air in 1989, plans were already underway for Sylvester McCoy’s fourth year. Season 27 promised Ice Warriors and a new safe-cracking companion, and a number of these stories were adapted in 2011.
Another idea in the mix at the time was ‘Alixion’, from writer Robin Mukherjee, which remained at the outline stage. If fully commissioned as a three-parter, it would have been his first produced script. Instead, Mukherjee continued into a successful career with credits including Casualty, Hetty Feather and Medics, starring a certain Tom Baker. He’s also written for the stage, penned two feature films and lectures in creative writing.
Now, returning to his original ideas more than 30 years on, the story becomes an intriguing four-part tale.
Alixion
The adventure begins in media res, as the Doctor and Ace narrowly escape from a particularly slimy encounter. Evasive on what caused the previously gentle Tanweeb to mutate and turn hostile, the Doctor suggests some rest and relaxation.
Despite its bespoke rooms, the luxurious Alixion spa resort is a former abbey with a dark secret at its heart. There, they meet Larkin who is searching for his missing his daughter, last seen at the resort, and explore. But just what is in Alixion’s galaxy famous invigorating elixir, that the Doctor is keen for Ace not to drink?
With both Ace and the Doctor under the microscope, the story plays with our expectations. Dream sequences and flashback challenge the characters’ own self-belief. Ace hears accusing voices and talks of memories that she doesn’t remember, while the Doctor is oddly reluctant to get involved. She is haunted by her former misdeeds, yet the Doctor refuses to dwell on his regrets.
There’s plenty of humour too – the elixir, of which the Doctor is rightly suspicious, has a secret recipe that sounds like KFC’s infamous blend of eleven herbs and spices. Also, despite his numerous visits to 20th century Earth, the Time Lord is surprising clueless on the subject of potato crisps!
Recreating the McCoy era
Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred are on sparkling form, and the script brings them back to the characters as they were onscreen, rather than where they’ve developed to over the years. Ace is pleasingly chippy and sarcastic at times.
Director David O’Mahoney brings in a strong guest cast; Beverly Longhurst is impressive and imperious as the Queen of the Hive, and Jon Edgley Bond draws us in with Larkin’s journey. Then there’s the enigmatic Colin, played by Shri Patel (This England) who aids both time travellers throughout.
The production also recreates the McCoy era with pitch perfect music cues from composer Jamie Robertson, and creepy insect chittering from sound designer by Toby Hrycek-Robinson. Plus, there’s a terrific cover from artist Grant Kempster.
In summary
Unlike many of the Lost Stories, you have to imagine that ‘Alixion’ would have been quite different on screen. Across three parts in 1990, the tale could not have been this complex and challenging. Here, with an extra episode, the story broadens to make the most of the audio medium.
However, there’s no doubt that it’s an odd tale. After a solid establishing opener, the non-linear narrative demands your full attention as it is easy to get utterly lost. In fact, we needed a second listen to click with the story and appreciate both its intricate plotting, and the themes of guilt, regret and acceptance. In that regard, it shares a place with the likes of Season 26’s ‘Ghost Light’ which would have benefitted from an extra episode’s breathing space too. Alternatively, exploring Ace’s troubled past and those themes, it might have made a good novel.
More demanding than most Doctor Who audio stories, this is probably one for the hardcore Seventh Doctor and Ace fans, or the completists. ‘Alixion’ won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s thought-provoking and well worth the effort.
Doctor Who – The Lost Stories: Alixion is available now as a download to own, or as a download to own + collector’s edition 2-disc CD, from Big Finish.
Catch up with our reviews of other recent Doctor Who – The Lost Stories releases including ‘Genesis of the Cybermen’, ‘Operation Werewolf‘ and ‘Deathworld’.