Doctor Who’s Season 19 crew find themselves drawn into an epic mystical adventure.
The Whoniverse is often as much fantasy as it is science fiction, depending on who holds the pen. In the Ncuti Gatwa era, for example, the Doctor battles gods such as the Toymaker, Maestro, Sutekh and Lux.
In Peter Davison’s time, he twice confronted the Mara – an otherworldly force with powers that sought to possess and dominate. However, there was nothing quite like the lean into the fantastical that his latest audio adventure presents.
Hooklight is a 12-part epic from writer Tim Foley, set in the mythic realm of Morning. Alongside Peter Davison, it stars his Season 19 team of Adric (Matthew Waterhouse), Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) and Tegan (Janet Fielding).
Hooklight 1
The story sets its tone with an atmospheric pre-credit sequence warning of “A light that must never be lit.” From there, it lands the TARDIS on the planet of Rift, in a part of the universe where the stars first formed, and the regular rules of the universe don’t quite apply.
There’s a scientific explanation for this, something to do with dark matter and emergent temporal gravity, but in essence it means that the gloves are off and things are going to get magical. While Adric balks at such non-scientific nonsense, Nyssa feels the serenity of a place where time doesn’t so much pass as promenade.
However, the place has a malign effect on the TARDIS which is both darkening and shrinking inside, and the crew venture out to discover the cause. Soon, they’re experiencing the culture and they become embroiled in the tale. Inside Rift’s Hall of Antiquities they discover a lamp which provokes a surprisingly visceral reaction from the Doctor…
The Realm of Morning
Tim Foley paints Morning in fascinating detail, from Rift’s vibrant street market to the complexities of its history. And that’s before our heroes are split up across different eras, when time travel and political intrigue comes into play. The story expands into a massive quest with multiple strands.
We meet various residents of morning from the fascinating Dr Kessica Myles (Celia Imrie), to her student Triss (Theo Solomon). We also encounter the realm’s cloned ruler, the Halcyon (Alan Cox), and his robotic chancellor, as well as the mysterious sisters of the Dawn Bride with their quantum enchantments.
There’s threat too from the demonic Nighguard, and others – such as the fussy Vandeseer (David Shaw-Parker) and the swaggering Davlin Crux (Kieran Bew) – whose agendas are not so clear cut.
In Summary
Writer Tim Foley has made no bones about Hooklight drawing inspiration from The Lord of the Rings, and specifically the early 80s BBC Radio dramatization. He gleefully embraces the fantastical and paints on a broad canvas, with each member of the TARDIS crew enjoying their own path through the story’s rich narrative. This truly feels like a whole other universe and the term epic is not used unduly.
Bold and brilliant, Hooklight 1 holds surprises aplenty which we won’t dare spoil here. Suffice to say it’s well worth the ride and ends on a cliffhanger which demands that you return for more. Luckily, part 2 is out in short order!
We’re holding off on a star rating for Hooklight 1, as this is only half the story!
Doctor Who – The Fifth Doctor Adventures: Hooklight 1 is out now. It’s available to purchase on Collector’s Edition CD (+ download), or download to own, from Big Finish.
The story concludes with Hooklight 2
The TARDIS team are scattered throughout Morning. The Doctor is trapped in the past, Tegan is lost on the edge of the system, and Nyssa wrestles with the most terrible of forces. Only Adric remains to finish this quest, yet the young Alzarian will find himself sorely challenged. Can they all reach the Dark Forge in time? Who will be lost along the way?
For there is another who works in the shadows. Someone who once made a terrible mistake and will stop at nothing to put things right. The Doctor is following the plan of the Oracle, someone who knows him all too well and may try to oppose him…
Doctor Who – The Fifth Doctor Adventures: Hooklight 2 is out in May 2025.