Night of the Stormcrow

"The universe rolls beneath me, too. I ride on the footplate of time."

Writer: Mark Platt
Format: Audio
Released: December 2012
Series: Bonus Release 11

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Leela

Synopsis

High atop Mount McKerry sits the observatory. For years now it's been watching the skies. Now something's watching back. Something dark and huge that blots out the stars. Something with giant wings. Something that kills.

When the TARDIS is struck mid-flight, the Doctor and Leela crash-land on the mountain to find they are not the only aliens to be visiting. Beings of nothing infest the complex, staff members are dead or mad. As the survivors argue amongst themselves and attempt to take advantage of the situation, a creature vast and terrible is coming ever closer.

A creature called... Stormcrow.

Verdict 

Night of the Stormcrow was a thoroughly enjoyable audio adventure and one that stood out for me personally as it was my first Fourth Doctor audio to feature Tom Baker reprising the infamous incarnation's role. Accompanied by Leela, who was the perfect companion for the story, added that extra touch of excellence. I thought the guest cast were all very good and I particularly liked Peggy and Erica. The eery and tense atmosphere throughout the adventure was superb and really added to the mystery behind the No Things and added suspense to the question of what is Stormcrow. The description of the sheer size of the being was brilliant and the worry put into the story by the Doctor really made the being fearful! The few references to The Face of Evil were welcomed and I liked how Leela threatened the No Things, labelling them cowards despite the fact she couldn't see them, despite it being obvious that she was scared by them. The description of the No Things was contradictory but that actually made them all the more frightful! Beings of nothing. So, in typical Doctor-like fashion, the Fourth Doctor names them. Fabulous. Professor Cazalet was another good character, I liked her role a lot. The plot itself was very good and as I mentioned about the atmosphere, it was so eery! The climax was good but not convincing sadly and would be my only criticism of the audio. The Doctor just leaves, thinking that Stormcrow won't attack - not for a while at least. The facts were pretty favourable, but does the Doctor ever take that risk? It seemed weird, but overall - a magnificent bonus release and great to hear my first Fourth Doctor-Leela story with both actors performing!

Rating: 8/10