Big Finish 8th Doctor New Adventure, April 2009
This isn’t a spectacular audio but it has some interesting ideas. The ex-rock star with money doing some experiments for the “good of mankind” that goes bad. There’s no major scary moments though Lucie and the Doctor are threatened. Though nothing comes of that adversarial relationship, which is a bit disappointing. The Doctor doesn’t remember Lucie? Bah. That could be an interesting twist but for the sake of the continuing adventures, that whole issue of contention is pretty much glossed over. A few turns of phrase and jokes made and they’re back together, thick as thieves.
The plotline is pretty standard with a few fun things happening – Lucie is undercover at the bad guy’s lair, there’s an interesting infection going on, and the bad guy is “normal” with a rather twisted motivation he devised all on his own! Standard means Lucie’s in trouble and the Doctor rushes in to save her and everyone who could be collateral damage. There is a moment where I thought there would be a great cliffhanger but it really didn’t turn out that way. Whenever Lucie’s in danger, I’m not nearly so impressed or feeling the pain. Perhaps it’s because she’s a “newer” companion not in the standard releases – I do like her a lot as the feisty companion, mind you. But sometimes I just don’t care if she’s threatened as much as if both Lucie and the Doctor are threatened. Better than the first story but not quite as fantastic as the stories can be!
Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith (with Nigel Planer and Lysette Anthony)
writer: Jonathon Morris
director: Barnaby Edwards