The Second Oldest Question

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"

Writer: Carrie Thompson

Format: Audio

Released: October 2019

Series: Short Trips 9.10

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Nyssa

Synopsis

The oldest question in the universe has haunted the Doctor ever since he left Gallifrey. A question that only a few know the answer to. A question that must never be answered.

This isn't the story of that question. This is the story of the second oldest question. A question that has plagued humanity for millennia. A question which determines whether someone can live or die. A question that must be answered.

Verdict

The Second Oldest Question was an incredibly unique Short Trips adventure to say the least! I don't know what I was expecting from this adventure, but it certainly wasn't what we got! It really was one of the most absurd and just downright strange audios I have ever listened to and that really was part of its charm as well. I thought the synopsis and slight play on events alluding to the oldest question and everything that pertains to the Eleventh Doctor and River Song was very good, but the way this diverted from that here with such a different story for the second oldest question was quite incredible. I mean, the whole basis of the adventure surrounded a chicken being put on trial for arson! That was the audio. It's mad and utterly ludicrous when you think about it, but somehow it just about worked in a really fun way whilst also being completely silly. I thought the fourteenth century setting of 1357 worked well and I enjoyed the location of Snittlegarth very much. It was unique and historical which I really liked and the trial taking place in court during this period was unlike anything we have come across before. I thought Sarah Sutton did a very impressive job as the narrator as she had to play a large number of characters and they really did present quite a range. As a sole actor within the story, she did a very good job with her differentiation of the different historical figures. The supposed arson that the chicken was accused of occurred at Widow Webb's house and everything that resulted from that was just barmy. Even the Doctor taking on the job of defending a chicken that was standing trial in court was bonkers, but at the same time it was right up his alley! I can imagine him revelling in the challenge. Nyssa did a good job in capturing the feel of the Fifth Doctor and I thought the author also did a good job in presenting the era. Bennett was a good character and his linking the chicken's actions to those of the Devil was a lot of fun. I thought it worked very well to have Nyssa as the companion in this story as her lack of understanding concerning why a chicken was being accused when it didn't have any concept of reason and just acted to fulfil its basic survival needs and instincts was fantastic. That aspect really worked well. Rowlf initially being revered by the people for praying for rain once the fire ensued was quite amusing, but not as much as the second oldest question being revealed. The very idea that the chicken was conjured by witchcraft to cross the road and set arson to Widow Webb's was just daft and fun. It's actually ludicrous that we now have a Doctor Who story concerning the probable origin of 'Why did the chicken cross the road?'! And the answer is witchcraft! The Doctor's stunned reaction when Rowlf was sentenced to hanging after proving the chicken's innocence was a good moment, but I don't think we needed the addition of him being from Augury 23. I think this would have been so much more fun had it remained a pure historical as everything that comes with witchcraft potentially being around at this time would have added to the audacity of what it was telling. The ending with the Doctor saving Rowlf from execution and the apparent invention of community service was a very good way to end things though. Overall, a completely bonkers story but one that was definitely fun.

Rating: 7/10