Big Finish 8th Doctor New Adventure 4.03, August 2010
This is a vehicle for the new companion to get comfortable in her new role and for the writers to play with the works of Edgar Allen Poe. There are some bizarre moments, as the Senior Prosecutor Uglosi goes a bit wonky in the head. It’s all a bit understandable when the true story comes out – tortured souls all around, everyone? Except for the new companion, that is. She’s definitely going to be an interesting addition to Doctor Who as she is stepping into these adventures willingly and is willing to wander off and do her own thing, which is a requirement for any companion.
This adventure centers around the works of Poe, jumping from poem to short story and back again with its references. It all works very well but the robot ravens really didn’t work for me. What’s the point? The obsession of Uglosi is all that makes it the point yet he hasn’t visited in how many years? Strange stuff. And they have to explain everything, walking us through the back story instead of letting us experience it because of the short length of the story, which is a bit disappointing. I do love the intro to the TARDIS and the little asides with the new companion, as well as the Doctor’s memory of visiting Poe. Good stuff!Paul McGann and Niki Wardley
writer: Alan Barnes
director: Nicholas Briggs