*cue internal and external squeeing*
DOCTOR WHO NEW SERIES REVIEW
THE TENTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: VOLUME 1
By Jack Ryan
BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
When we learned that Big Finish got hold of a licence to use New Series material, we all hoped that something like this would eventually happen. And whilst Sir John FREAKIN Hurt was an amazing prospect (just read my previous reviews for more on that), in truth we were all hoping for Mr Eccleston, Mr Tennant and Mr Smith to find their way to coming back to the roles that made them. Well, one down, two to go…..
1.1: TECHNOPHOBIA
London, 2011. The world is now engrossed by technology, helping to make our lives simpler, handier and more worthwhile, and at the forefront of it all, the M-Pad, a revolutionary tablet computer from Jill Meadows’ flagship company, MeadTech. But some people are claiming that the simplest computer in the world is far too complicated for the normal user. But the Doctor and Donna haven’t found anything wrong with it. So the question is; is this new technology complicated, or is the human race becoming stupid? And above all, who are the Koggnesenti?
1.2: TIME REAVER
Calibris: the largest spaceport in the universe. The breeding ground of looters, buccaneers, dealers and such of the new space age. As for why the Doctor and Donna are there, The TARDIS needs a new fluid link. But as they search, they soon discover that something terrible is happening on Calibris. People are undergoing agonising torture and evil hands. By a weapon that should never have existed. The deadliest weapon in the universe; a Time Reaver.
1.3: DEATH AND THE QUEEN
The best day of Donna Noble’s life is arriving. She’s found the man of her dreams. Again. And she’s getting married. Again. And everything’s gone wrong. Again. Well, with the Doctor involved, when does it ever go right? But the Doctor has more on his plate that this wedding. Who is Donna’s husband, the mysterious Prince Rudolph of Gorotania? Why has the Doctor never heard of this kingdom? And who is Donna really marrying, when Death rolls into town wanting his bounty?
I’m trying to find words to say about this other than ‘oh’, ‘fuck’ and ‘yes’ in that particular order. These stories have had to be worked on in secret over the last year and the end result is something to be immensely proud of. Matt Fitton’s Technophobia is a brilliant, fast-paced contemporary thriller that fits in perfectly with Russell T Davies’ modern-day London stories. James Goss’ Death And The Queen is an intriguing yet mysterious psudeo-historical that gives us much more than what we bargained for. But the highlight of this set is Jenny T Colgan’s Time Reaver, perfectly capturing sheer scale and scope of the madder wider universe the new series has shown us, and a narrative that leaves you on the edge of your seat!
As well as the writing, the acting across these three stories is phenomenal. In Technophobia, we are graced with The Crimson Horror’s Rachel Stirling as June Meadows and Tamsin Drew actress, Nikki Wardley as Bex. With Time Reaver, we’re graced with a whole host of familiar names, like John Banks, Dan Starkey, Alex Lowe and Davros himself, Terry Molloy; and Death And The Queen graces us with the talents of Alan Cox, Blake Ritson and BETH RUDDY CHALMERS!!!! But of course, the absolute scene stealers are David Tennant and Catherine Tate, slipping back into their roles after over seven years, and never feeling like they left.
With Murray Gold under helm for the television series, regular composer Howard Carter undertakes the challenge of evoking Gold’s modern series style of music. But it’s a task he not only undertakes, but absolutely succeeds at with amazing effect. Suites for each episode are given in whatever edition you buy and deserve to be listened to in their entirety. Just pure, unaltered perfection.
Since David Tennant left the role back in 2010, we have all been waiting for this day. Now that it’s here, is it worth the wait? OF COURSE IT IS, IT’S BIG FINISH!!!! After proving themselves with the War Doctor, UNIT, River Song, Churchill and Strax, this is the final piece of proof needed that Big Finish are capable of taking anything in Doctor Who’s 50+ year history and turning it into an absolute gem. Here’s to more adventures, and hopefully more Doctors!
VERDICT: 10/10 Doctor, Donna, it’s good to have you back! Allons-y!
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