Another busy month for the Doctor Who universe saw the long-awaited launch of a new era as the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble arrived at Big Finish for their first volume of three adventures – which CultBox declared a triumph!
Meanwhile in Cardiff, Sgt Andy Davidson finally got his shot at being part of the Torchwood team for a ‘Ghost Mission’ and the Gallifrey series returned with a new six-part adventure for Romana, Leela and Ace.
Also on re-release this month is the Cyberman spin-off, now repackaged in a box set covering both seasons to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the metal monstrosities.
Main Range #212: ‘Vampire of the Mind’
Justin Richards continues the trilogy of stories featuring the Master with ‘Vampire of the Mind’. Last month’s fifth Doctor story, ‘And You Will Obey Me’ had the Geoffrey Beevers Master as its foe, this time it’s the turn of Big Finish’s own Master, Alex Macqueen to face off to Colin Baker.
This immediately gives a problem – Alex Macqueen first appeared a few years ago where he met the seventh Doctor who was oblivious to his identity. This conundrum isn’t ignored but to say more would be to say too much; it’s sufficient to say continuity is preserved.
As might be expected from Justin Richards the story is both familiar yet has a couple of distinctive twists. This trilogy has the Doctors without companions, for this adventure the Doctor is joined by Heather Threadstone (Kate Kennedy), the daughter of a missing scientist, Professor Threadstone (John Standing).
Along with missing scientists we have a haunted castle and a curious island home to the Dominus Institute and its elusive CEO Sir Andrew Gobernar. All standard ingredients bit enough happens to entertain and a couple of red herrings help to keep the interest. This with plenty of resonance to the Delgado era almost makes it feel like a third Master has joined the trilogy.
As the middle story it can be hard to develop a unique voice without diverging too far from the overarching narrative; Justin Richards delivers a tidy tale with enough to integrate it to its neighbours without sacrificing its own identity. Kate Kennedy is a strong contender for a future companion as her Heather Threadstone is an intelligent and resourceful character with shades of both Liz Shaw and Sarah Jane Smith for good measure,
The story ends with a hint of mysteries to come in next month’s conclusion to this set of stories. Roll on June!
4th Doctor Adventures 5.05: ‘Gallery of Ghouls’
Thanks to the so-called randomiser, the TARDIS has transported the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) to Brighton in the Alan Barnes story ‘Gallery of Ghouls’.
Sadly, they are several years too early for the opening of the Brighton Pavilion (missing this is a running joke) but not to worry, Mme Tissot (Celia Imrie) is in town with her travelling waxwork show. Thankfully waxworks are of interest to the Doctor, and it’s not long before they encounter Mme Tissot and her son, Noni (Stephen Critchlow).
Of course things don’t go well and to add to the mix there’s another show in town – Goole’s Gallery, with Nicholas Grace playing Goole. If this wasn’t enough, there’s the little matter of Marie Antoinette’s head to deal with. A solid set of ingredients for a strong story.
In style this manages to mix the dark with the comedic and most of the new characters have depth and purpose. The writing sets out a direction of travel, but a couple of times manages to use the listener’s own familiarity with the canon lead them astray.
This is not a story to second-guess, more one to listen to and enjoy. Everything is polished, yet comfortable. No webs of time were rescued, and no races were saved from a bloody extinction. Sometimes that’s all you want from a Doctor Who story – entertainment with a hint of the alien.
Celia Imrie relishes her part, but everyone is spot-on, Ken Bentley’s direction allows everyone to stay true to their character and unlike earlier episodes, Lalla Ward’s Romana is both dry, sarcastic, yet less condescending than she has been; a minor observation, but one that indicates where the focus of this story is. Tom is measured in his performance and the whole thing works a treat.
Short Trips 6.05: ‘This Sporting Life’
Novelist Una McCormack’s first foray into the Short Trips range is a tale set in rare territory that joins the worlds of Doctor Who and football.
However, like recent half-time companion announcement and the Eleventh Doctor’s antics in ‘The Lodger’, you don’t have to know anything about the beautiful game – the tale hangs on the mystery surrounding the theft and return of the sport’s most famous trophy, the ‘Jules Rimet’ – better known as the World Cup.
Landing in London, 1966, the First Doctor, with Dodo and Steven in tow, become enmeshed in the adventure when handed a ransom note and part of the trophy by a mysterious figure that disappears by means of matter transmission.
The tale spins into some enjoyable detective work and a smart conclusion which finds the Doctor gleefully preserving history with the aid of a pack of sausages.
What was your favourite Doctor Who release from Big Finish this month? Let us know below…