The Marian Conspiracy

"I wonder if you'd mind accompanying me to my ship for a few tests?"

Writer: Jacqueline Rayner
Format: Audio
Released: March 2000
Series: Main Range 06

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Evelyn

Synopsis

Tracking a nexus point in time, the Doctor meets Dr Evelyn Smythe, a history lecturer whose own history seems to be rapidly vanishing.

The Doctor must travel back to Tudor times to stabilise the nexus and save Evelyn's life. But there he meets the Queen of England and must use all his skills of diplomacy to avoid ending up on the headman's block...

Verdict

The Marian Conspiracy is an excellent audio adventure and enjoyable from start to finish. Evelyn Smythe is immediately an intriguing character and is a loveable character almost immediately. Her love of history, particularly the Tudors, was great to hear and the fact that she had tracked her own family history back to the times of the Tudor reigns was brilliant. And of course the Doctor was interested in her - she is part of a mysterious nexus point. The humour that was inspired by the Doctor mistakenly thinking the TARDIS had arrived in the 1550s with Elizabeth on the throne, but in actual fact it was Mary, was fantastic and very enjoyable. George Crow and William Leaf were both very good characters! The plot itself though was excellent and I loved the thought that and possibility that the Doctor would end up being an ancestor of newly found companion. For a while, it seemed that was the case and was shockingly marvellous, but the way it turned out not to be true was a very good revelation. The Doctor's ease at getting close to Queen Mary and gaining her trust was exceptional and so typical of the Doctor, and it was brilliant to see this incarnation doing it. I must say, Colin Baker has been exceptional as the Doctor in audios so far and is by far my favourite audio Doctor. The many references and dangers caused by the arguments of pro or anti Protestantism added great amounts to the story. Lady Sarah was a wonderful character and once it was revealed she was pregnant and her surname to be Smith, things tied into place and with the influence and help the Doctor had given her, under his John Smith alias, she was going to name her child after him. A nice measure. The sadness of Reverend Thomas going to the stake at the climax was harsh, but the commitment he showed to his faith showed what a faithful and strong character he was. The character of Francois was great also and overall, the adventure was excellent. And now the Sixth Doctor has a new companion! Evelyn has joined the TARDIS and I now look forward to a series of audio adventures set between Peri's departure and Mel's arrival in The Trial of a Time Lord.

Rating: 9/10