DOCTOR WHO FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES REVIEW
BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
6.02: THE ETERNAL BATTLE
By Jack Ryan
BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
A war is raging. A war that has been going so long, no one can remember how it started, why it's being fought, or if it will ever end. However, this is not some big climactic battle between two ancient races for the safety of reality. It is instead a little conflict on a forgotten planet, where Sontarans and humans are doing battle with each other.... and themselves. And guess which set of time travelling misfits have found themselves stuck right in the middle of it? But soon, the Doctor, Romana and K-9 will discover there's a more dangerous secret to why this battle won't end.
As I have said, I appreciate it when a writer does something new with a concept I'm already aware of and the dynamic duo of Cavan Scott and Mark Wright have done so with this brilliant release. Their story showcases a new side to the Sontatrans that appears to take its cue from the aforementioned Betrothal comic (which you should go and read right now!). Scott and Wright, under the direction of audio supremo, Nicholas Ruddy Briggs, manage to not only reiterate and expand the mythos and modus operandi of the Sontarans, but also succeed, in some cases, on making them seem more human, whilst making the humans more like monsters. It's an interesting twist on the regular roles, but goes to show that conflict can bring out he best in some but the worst in most.
Rather unsurprisingly, because of the fact the story features a clone race, the cast list is small, but immensly talented. Joining the glorious Tom Baker, Lalla Ward and John Leeson for this month's tale are regular Big Finish voice actor John Banks, Coronation Street's Jane Slavin and, due to the Sontarans being present, of course Dan Starkey is in this, playing just about nearly every clone soldier in the story but managing to make every voice unique and be their own character, whilst making them sound immensily similar to each other. It's a skill that not many people can pull off and Starkey seems to be the only one I know who can pull it off perfectly. And helping the cast is the impeccable sound design and music provided by the legendary Jamie Robertson, who, as always, does a completely perfect job in evoking the mood and atmosphere needed for the story.
I hear from a lot of people that some don't listen to the Fourth Doctor Adventures due to their being only an hour long. To those people, I sympathise that they are short, but you are missing out on some great stories. And this is no exception. A cracking story and a brilliant slew of performances, many from a single actor, this is a release not to be missed.
VERDICT: 9/10 DO YOUR DUTY AND LISTEN, FOR THE GLORY OF SONTAR! ;D
Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Eternal Battle is available to purchase on CD and download from the Big Finish Website here, and available from all good stockists from April 2017 onwards.
As I have said, I appreciate it when a writer does something new with a concept I'm already aware of and the dynamic duo of Cavan Scott and Mark Wright have done so with this brilliant release. Their story showcases a new side to the Sontatrans that appears to take its cue from the aforementioned Betrothal comic (which you should go and read right now!). Scott and Wright, under the direction of audio supremo, Nicholas Ruddy Briggs, manage to not only reiterate and expand the mythos and modus operandi of the Sontarans, but also succeed, in some cases, on making them seem more human, whilst making the humans more like monsters. It's an interesting twist on the regular roles, but goes to show that conflict can bring out he best in some but the worst in most.
Rather unsurprisingly, because of the fact the story features a clone race, the cast list is small, but immensly talented. Joining the glorious Tom Baker, Lalla Ward and John Leeson for this month's tale are regular Big Finish voice actor John Banks, Coronation Street's Jane Slavin and, due to the Sontarans being present, of course Dan Starkey is in this, playing just about nearly every clone soldier in the story but managing to make every voice unique and be their own character, whilst making them sound immensily similar to each other. It's a skill that not many people can pull off and Starkey seems to be the only one I know who can pull it off perfectly. And helping the cast is the impeccable sound design and music provided by the legendary Jamie Robertson, who, as always, does a completely perfect job in evoking the mood and atmosphere needed for the story.
I hear from a lot of people that some don't listen to the Fourth Doctor Adventures due to their being only an hour long. To those people, I sympathise that they are short, but you are missing out on some great stories. And this is no exception. A cracking story and a brilliant slew of performances, many from a single actor, this is a release not to be missed.
VERDICT: 9/10 DO YOUR DUTY AND LISTEN, FOR THE GLORY OF SONTAR! ;D
Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Eternal Battle is available to purchase on CD and download from the Big Finish Website here, and available from all good stockists from April 2017 onwards.
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