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Friday 4 January 2019

Day 5: The Fearmonger

THE YEAR OF BIG FINISH
Day 5: The Fearmonger


There are terms within the English language that can have the same meaning in a general term, but that the context behind them are different. Two such terms can be "timeless" and "ahead of time". Both can mean that whatever is described by the terms can survive the ravages of time and still be relevant or enjoyable. But the major difference between the two terms is that whist timeless is enjoyable or relevant regardless of time or situation, ahead of time only comes about if what is discussed partially or fully comes to pass in real life. And The Fearmonger certainly fits into the later category...

Britain is at a potential erupting point. The newest front-runner in extreme politics, Sherilyn Harper, is stirring up revolt in the masses. Elsewhere, her potential assassins are contemplating their next move. At the same time, Mick Thompson is doing everything he can to get listeners, even lie through his teeth. Everyone has something they want. And so too do the Doctor and Ace. They want to stop the monsters, and save the world. But with everyone about to snap, will The Doctor find out where the monster lies? Of course he will. He's the Doctor. He always makes everything right.... doesn't he?

With the Seventh Doctor finally able to get his moment in the spot light, it seems only right that Jonathan Blum give him a suitably twisted and manipulative story, that not only expertly showcases the aura of ruthlessness and manipulation that exuded from the end of Sylvester McCoy's era, but also, as mentioned earlier, expertly manages to be foreshadowing, with the political nature of it. A nation at breaking point and people ready to tear each other's throats out at the slightest inclination, as said before, it is ahead of its time, especially with the increasingly evident comparisons to the political jungle of today's world.

Helping the tale achieve its aura of timelessness, is an excellent cast and crew. alongside the impeccable talents of McCoy and Sophie Aldred as the Doctor and Ace, and the late great Jacqueline Pearce as Sherilyn Harper, we have Mark McDonnell, Vince Henderson, Jonathan Clarkson, Hugh Walters, and Jack Galagher all giving truly perfect performances that make every last character feel properly human, in both good and bad ways. Not to mention good takes from Big Finish regulars John Ainsworth, Alistair Lock and future writer and Cavan Scott co-collaborator Mark Wright (no, the other one... NO, the OTHER other one), all directed by the great Gary Russell, and topped off with some fantastic sound design and music work by Lock.

19 years ago, The Fearmonger could have just been seen as an interesting tale, with a nice little nod to Orwellian tropes, free speech and the dangers of its abusers, and takes on mob mentality. Today, it's a terrifyingly real flash-forward of what today's society is turning into. The only question now is, will we head its warnings, or look away in wilful ignorance?

Doctor Who: The Fearmonger, is available on Download for £/$/€2.99 on the Big Finish Website, and on limited CD, Cassette and Download from other stockists. 

TOMORROW: Jacqueline Rayner takes us back to the court of Mary I, and give us our FIRST ORIGINAL COMPANION!!!! SQUEE!!!!!!

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