DOCTOR WHO MAIN RANGE REVIEW
220: QUICKSILVER
By Jack Ryan
BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
So, if you're a fan of the Sixth Doctor era, then the twist that is in this story is immensely apparent in its cover. If it's not apparent to you, the twist is the return of a previous companion of the Sixth Doctor (who I personally LOVE TO BITS!). Whilst the reveal before release may have helped to hyped up the story, there's a part of me that wonders how people would have reacted if the twist was kept hidden until a while after the release. However, that's not the only twist present. And as said before, knowing the twists doesn't degrade this story in any way. In fact, it just makes the hype even bigger!
Leading WREN of Bletchley Park, Mrs Constance Clarke, wants a break. She wants a small trip back home, away from the madness of time and space, and to be surrounded by familiarity. But when Mrs Clarke and The Doctor return to 1940s Britain, they discover that a good bit has changed. The Doctor discovers that there are some extra visitors to the planet and Mrs Clarke discovered and unread telegram from the War Office. But that's not the only unexpected surprise, as a runaway bride makes her way beck into the Doctor's life. But not the one you're thinking of...
How good is Matt Fitton? I know I sing his praises in practically every boxset I've reviewed on this blog. But I've never really taken a look at him, by himself, at least not as far as I can remember. He got noticed by a new writer opportunity that Big Finish does every now and again and, although he didn't win, he was remembered by the heads for his excellent efforts and style of writing. This story just serves to enforce not only his excellent efforts, but his excellent track record, with excellent twists and turns and brilliant utilisation of every single character presented. I'm just left wondering how Big Finish managed to survive 12 years without Matt Fitton.
Of course, as much as I praise Mr Fitton, he is only one part of what makes this story a good one. The other parts consist of the immaculate work done by Messrs Baker, Raison and Greenwood, as well as the likes of Citizen Kahn's Matthew Cottle, Plebs' Joel Fry, Oliver Cotton, Kate Kennedy and Terrahawks' Robbie Stevens. Everyone brings their A game to the challenges with this story and make every word uttered and every relationship shared seem real. Closing of the main range for 2016, and one of the best Sixth Doctor trilogies of recent memory, director Jamie Anderson returns to the helm once more and delivers the care and attention to detail he is known for.
And another Jamie also returns as Mr Robertson takes helm of sound and music duties, and simply proves that with every release he's involved with, he merely goes from strength to strength, providing a perfectly blended mix of dramatic futuristic thriller with classical emotional pieces that accompany every scene attached to it. The sound design is also top notch, and I think it's come to the stage where I've run out of things to say about Mr Robertson without literally repeating myself.
2016 may have been a bit of a roller-coaster year (putting it mildly), but when it comes to Big Finish, they have merely gone from strength to strength over that year. Quicksilver was a fantastic end to a fantastic year for the gang and it only seems to be even better in 2017. The return of Torchwood, the arrival of H.G. Wells, a Main Range to die for, the climax of the best 8th Doctor series yet. HAMLET, THE PRISONER, there's just too much to mention. Simply put, if Quicksilver is an indication of what way they're going, then I cannot wait to see what they're ready to give us!
VERDICT: 5/5 Everyone and everything coming together for a fitting finale. ;D
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