The Rocket Men (#6.02)

  Big Finish, Companion Chronicles

Not much to blast about it this audio drama!  The story is told in a disjointed, back-and-forth in time method and it really, really works for this companion chronicle.  Ian, Barbara, and Susan find themselves in a cloud with large whale/manta ray-like creatures that swim around the clouds in space.  Then the Rocket Men come, looking to make a big score, steal some stuff, and make off with the loot for their one, big, last payday.  Or so they say. 

William Russell does a fabulous reading, managing to capture the tone and cadence of the other characters.  His voice has aged a bit but it’s not nearly so extreme as Deborah Watling whose voice is very odd now, though still distinctly Victoria.  There are some touching moments of internal dialog as Ian realizes how much he really does care for Barbara.  Though it’s obvious to the audience more and more throughout the series, they were “meant for each other” and do get married after they leave the series (according to http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Ian_Chesterton, at least).


William Russell (Ian Chesterton) and Gus Brown (Ashman)

Writer: John Dorney

Director: Lisa Bowerman

Release: August 2011

© Laura Vilensky 2019