Given the title, and perhaps surprisingly with their shape changing abilities, there is no disguising which classic villain stars this month.

The popular monsters have rarely been brought to life on audio, but thanks to the recent DVD release of ‘Terror of the Zygons’ and their role in ‘The Day of the Doctor’; it seems they may be staging a bit of a comeback.

The story begins with a hunting party of Solar Knights and the telltale pulsing sound of a Zygon homing signal. These boorish military types have leased the planet for some rest and recreation, the destination chosen as Garros offers a perfectly balanced eco-system with harmless pterodactyl-like creatures at the top of the food chain.

Yet the Solar Knights have been drawn in to hunt something much larger; Skarasen, the monstrous cyborg beasts on whom the Zygons rely for both defence and sustenance.

When the Doctor and Leela arrive in search of paradise, they promptly become prisoners of Knight Commander Gregor Saraton, famous protector of the Solar System. He fears they are assassins in the employ of an alien power, and with good cause.

As a zealous patriot to some and a war criminal to others, Saraton is the target of the Zygon plot with the title being somewhat of a tease, far from being the prey; it is the shape-changers who are doing the hunting.

Right from the outset, this is a story that employs Louise Jameson’s Leela well. The jungle environment is her natural habitat and she is keen to help a wounded animal with natural medicine. The concept of a hunting party, killing for sport rather than for food, offends her deeply and she is forthright on the subject deeming them dishonourable in their slaughter.

Tom Baker’s Doctor meanwhile takes a backseat, not interfering and happy to stay uninvolved until he catches the scent of the Zygons, or as Leela would have them, the Zy-eye-gons. He is also happy to rely on Leela’s natural instinct to navigate and protect them, while he amusingly muses on her weather forecasting abilities and tries to unravel the mystery.

The supporting cast are strong, with Michael Maloney putting in a suitably over the top turn as the larger than life Saraton, whilst able support comes from Gillian Kearney as his adjutant Mina.

Whispering Zygon voices translate well into the medium and we hope to see these desperate creatures again. Even without the visual impact of that distinctive design, there is clearly more to be done with them. Writer and director Nicholas Briggs spins his tale on a moral dilemma, questioning the nature of honour in their struggle.

Drawing this entertaining series of adventures to a close, we look forward to the added dimension of K-9 to the mix next year.

Tantalisingly, there is also a trailer for the upcoming ‘Phillip Hinchcliffe Presents’ Box Set which is due out in September and seeks to provide a further couple of tales in the style of Doctor Who’s popular producer.

Extras: There are 15 minutes of interviews with cast and crew on the making of the tale, with some consideration given to the themes of the series.

Released in August 2014 by Big Finish Productions Ltd.

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