The Fragile Yellow Arc of Fragrance

"Logically I should hate to go back to my world and yet I love Earth, I love its beauty and its ugliness, its golden heart and its insanity. Away from it I find that I love and miss everything about it. I mean you should see England, bright and shining one day, musty, damp and foreboding the next. I can't help it Rhythm, my world is an inferior one to yours and yet I still yearn for it, so I must go back."

Writer: Moris Farhi (adapted by Nigel Robinson)
Format: Audio
Released: November 2010
Series: Lost Stories 2.01b

Featuring: First Doctor, Susan, Ian, Barbara

Synopsis

Fragrance is a paradise world - a utopia that the travellers are loathe to leave after a relaxing stay. But the way of life is different here.

And so is the way of love - as Barbara discovers when the Fragile Yellow Arc is broken...

Verdict

The Fragile Yellow Arc of Fragrance is a thing of beauty. I was intrigued that the story began with the TARDIS team ready to leave the planet of Fragrance. It was obvious that the four members had been on this planet for a long time prior to the beginning of the story, somewhat similar to The Romans, and the relationships that had been developed with the planet's inhabitants and the TARDIS members was clearly in great amount; none more than Rhythm's affection for Barbara. The concept of love on the planet was undoubtedly unique and quite beautiful. Once the person reaches maturity - exiting childhood - he/she falls in love thanks to barriers being built. If these were to fall, then the person who'd been left alone would get in a boat, sail, and ultimately become comet-like and ride straight to the sun. To death. Love is a one time thing according to the fundamentals of Fragrance. And before it was established that this was the case, it was interesting why Harmony and Melody were so desperate to see Barbara stay on the planet. Once everything was understood, even Susan wanted Barbara to stay on the planet! The colourful description of Fragrance was stunning but an even more so quote was Barbara describing her love of Earth! We all know that nothing beats home, no matter how good the places you visit are. And Barbara described that perfectly. I really loved the Doctor in this story - so clearly his first incarnation and for once, he showed people his TARDIS. He invited Rhyme and Iamb in and described in great deal how his time machine worked. And it was brilliant how he continued to impress, gleaming with a grin I imagined. The Doctor also seemed to have gained an element that would fix the navigation of the TARDIS, but as we know from numerous (and there's a lot!) of future stories - it seems the Doctor will never quite fix the navigation system of the TARDIS. But would we want it any other way? With Barbara almost being forced to stay, the TARDIS foursome had made their way into the ship unaccompanied but Barbara was told of what would happen to Rhythm if she left. And it seemed for a moment like she wanted to stay. For the first time there was a sign that Ian had feelings for Barbara. He seemed gutted that Barbara was even thinking of staying and even happy that she didn't love Rhythm! However, the Doctor wasn't going to allow her to make a hasty decision and dematerialised which was very typical of the first incarnation. Obviously, he'd made the right call. Barbara though was saddened and as the TARDIS drifted away from Fragrance - she witnessed Rhythm ascend to the sun. And somehow, he told her he loved her. A heartfelt ending to a beautiful Lost Story.

Rating: 9/10