Step forward India Fisher as Charlotte ‘Charley’ Pollard, an enthusiastic and quick-witted, self-styled Edwardian adventuress. She was the first companion when the Eighth came to audio in 2002 and provides an excellent foil to McGann’s energetic take on the Time Lord. In this anniversary celebration it is good to see these audio adventures represented here.
The tale itself begins on the streets of Bloomsbury, somewhere in the “less distinguished end of 1935”. Hot on the heels of a previous exploit, involving an army of granite behemoths and a Fabergé egg bomb, the Doctor is incensed to discover a blinking light on the TARDIS console.
One of his other incarnations is sending him a message and, of course, it is the now obligatory contact from the Eleventh Doctor. This time however, it is blotted out by interference leaving only a confused clue regarding ‘William Tell’.
Setting out to discover a performance of Rossini’s famous overture, a night at the theatre, a murder and a brush with the law ensure. The time travellers end up separated but both chasing up the country towards a remote Scottish inlet, with shades of The 39 Steps unmistakable. Writer Alan Barnes knows this Doctor well and plays to his strengths, casting him in the role of action hero; the Doctor both jumps from a train and gallops across country on a horse.
India Fisher, better known as the narrator of the BBC’s Masterchef, returns easily to the role of Charley. Capable and determined, with a penchant for dressing up, Charlie is at home in her own era and relishes the adventure, with the narration very much matched to her 1930’s style. While there is no romantic subplot as such, Barnes plays with the idea; aping the TV Movie, but cleverly subverting it, she dodges one of the Doctor’s enthusiastic kisses. Charley clearly adores the Doctor but realises he does not see her in that way.
The secondary character for the piece is Hilary Hammond (Michael Maloney) who comes to Charley’s aid and joins her in the pursuit of the conspiracy. Maloney, with a fist of Big Finish credits to his name, is perfectly cast as the upper class chap who is clearly enamoured with Charley. He even becomes hopeful when their journey takes them to Gretna Green.
Capturing the energetic spirit of the Eighth Doctor, but excising the camp confusion of the TV movie, ‘Enemy Aliens’ provides a clever slice of adventure and really makes us want to dig out some old Big Finish CDs to enjoy Eight and Charlie again.
Released on Thursday 1 August 2013 by AudioGO.
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