Synopsis
Why has Zoe Heriot been having nightmares about the Daleks? Who is the Doctor, a mysterious man from her past? When an evil scientist hijacks her mind to control a galaxy-conquering weapon, Zoe must stop him. First, she and the Doctor will face an enemy they had thought destroyed forever.
Review
Other negative reviews I have read are totally unwarranted or don’t hold water in my opinion. Fine narration and emotive performance (especially after episode 1) by Padbury, including interplay with multiple characters and voice-acted Daleks that are in fact the crux of the story and present.
So… my review inevitably must go full-force into defense mode as this is the perfect story and after listening to well over a hundred releases at least, I can only imagine that the negativism has gone onto to shape “old” Doctor Who into convoluted new post-classic era, post-science-fiction territory and aesthetic. I definitely had read other reviewers online who have a total disdain for anything but a re-invention of the wheel, looking for some sort of constant expansion universe, instead of inventive adventures in figuratively familiar time and space!
Clear — not boring at any point (unlike its predecessor release, which I do actually like regardless for Maureen O’Brien’s performance) and is very much in the exact vein of 2nd Doctor. I listen to Doctor Who to get clear classic stories that have integrity and embody what it means to be and reflects the classic era, as advertised on the covers. This is such a story, and excellently so. I have to question whether harsh naysayers even enjoy original Doctor Who or prefer stories that extend beyond what the show was, or want character drama or stories that seek to deviate and detach instead. In light of such harsh others reviews that seem to rehash same points, some not true, I defend this clear, digestable and unconfused straight-laced story.
Great fx and use of music, narration and a decent story, for fans of the classic series and Zoe. Classic mold Doctor Who (for kids as well as those who grew up watching the original series) and far from being a blunder (quite the opposite) that others have suggested. One reviewer called this a sad mess, which I find ridiculous and must aggressively disagree because if that were to be true, literally 95% of the entire Doctor Who TV series would also be crap and the same. Out of many Companion Chronicles, this one of the closest in feel, writing and plot to a vintage episode reflecting this team. It’s a crucial imo. File under old school. By Dalek anatomical terms, this one definitely tickled my one-eyed protuberance. (Got a problem?)
Have no fear going into this one, if you have desire and pride in classic Doctor Who… You’ll at least get a decent audioplay here, regardless of my love, and definitely not subpar. This was, refreshingly, one that I was actually happy to have picked up and issued a very rare 5/5. I read many negative reviews first, but finally buckled being of a fan of Zoe (and the stellar Padbury), got this on-the-cheap and had to give this a listen. Turns out it was opposite of “a mess” and taught me to listen for myself, and not only that, but to gauge other frequent reviewers, many of whom are apparently at odds with my tastes.
My tastes admittedly do leaning towards firm classic science-fiction territory, not totally new renderings or one-sided political partisan preachings or portraitures. I listen for fine perfomance and relaxing or solid Who stories; don’t expect masterful writing from the limited and sometimes bigoted or BBC-affiliated writers that Big Finish only commonly employs to-date and who push neo-liberal politics or worse distorted views on history at times. (Honestly, read my slamming reviews when I post them). That last harsh but true point said, and since I painted myself so ferverently old-school: Some of my favorite stories are found in all ranges from all the Doctors including some “new-school” material, however, it is my opinion that classic Doctor Who rendered adventures are largely missing – and as a longtime fan and listener/reader I just don’t have faith in the writers out there. Big Finish does not really offer much diversity (real diversity – meaning writers who can actually write science-fiction and appreciate core classic Who beyond their own agenda), and I can follow these implied associations back to BBV days forward aligned with “Doctor Who 2005” (that is what is what at first, 2005 not classic and before they decided to drop the label after the mainstream popularity explosion). Some fabric of space has been torn at this time but the oddly low ratings for this release. This is easily one of the best Big Finish, with nothing offense, but perhaps that depends if you enjoy the 2nd Doctor era and Zoe. Props to Padbury, a total gem and literally timeless in her abilities of performance and voice.
This was 5/5.
Director: Mark J Thompson
Writer: Patrick Chapman
Cast:
Wendy Padbury (Zoe)
Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks)
The Time Scales Review 