Big Finish audio drama, May 2007
This has to be one of the best beginnings to an audio in a long time—the opening scream that turns out to be for fun but danger follows closely behind. This would be excellent but the adventure has a turning point in the middle that really makes a push towards the end and towards discovering the monster that really just takes the story down a notch. The monster isn’t that threatening but I never find the spooky alien monsters who will reshape the universe into something else that they can exist in to be very scary at all. It’s the Cybermen, for example, that are so close to humans and are more realistic or possible than the mystery alien that really scare me.
The adrenaline junkies in this story are very topical as the extreme sports nuts on another planet. The relationship between Amy and Farl adds a side story that’s not a distraction but just adds another level to the adventure somehow. The Drew-Hayd “relationship” is also given a boost by the real terror and chance for people to actually die. Fear makes the audio work but is also its downfall as I’m not sure how the Doctor actually defeats it, oddly enough. I understand what he does but I’m not sure how he’s showing/giving the monster fear by discussing the beasties he’s seen. But the dialog is sharp and the Doctor and Lucie are really starting to find their groove together. Even when she realizes that there are always monsters wherever he goes. He can blame himself for this monster but isn’t any way he could’ve prevented the problem—even not showing up would’ve just let it still escape and win, ultimately. So a four jelloid rating for good dialog, good adventure, but down a notch for the so-so “bad guy.”
Beauty and the Geek, the TV show inspired how Lucie Miller acts, according to Barnaby Edwards. Lucie doesn’t treat the Doctor as if he was the clever one so it’s a definite antagonistic relationship. The Doctor is used to inviting people into the TARDIS and Lucie’s forced on him. So things are a bit rough between the two, that’s for sure. The interviews afterwards are actually pretty interesting as they’re discussing the Lucie Miller mystery. Just why did the Time Lords ditch her on the Doctor? And just who the heck is this headhunter person, anyway? We’ll find out pretty soon!
Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith
writer: Eddie Robson
director: Barnaby Edwards