Freakshow

"The only thing that matters, my friends, is that you are ready to witness miracles."

Writer: Mark Morris

Format: Audio

Released: August 2011

Series: Companion Chronicles: The Specials 03

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Tegan, Turlough

Synopsis

The TARDIS arrives in Arizona 1905, where travelling showman Thaddeus P Winklemeyer is offering the residents of Buzzard Creek the elixir of life. Winklemeyer also owns a unique carnival, which is full of caged alien creatures. And in Turlough he has found a brand new exhibit...

Verdict

Freakshow was a really good Companion Chronicles audio to conclude the trio of Specials! From the off this was an intriguing adventure and I thought it was quite fun to hear Turlough actually recording himself telling the events of the story. It was clearly established that we were still very early on in Turlough's time in the TARDIS as his relationship with Tegan was testy to say the least. She was still incredibly cautious of him after the whole Black Guardian affair which is understandable, and the continuity from there and specifically Enlightenment was great. Turlough shuddering when that word was said in coincidence was really well done. It's a little brave to have a Companion Chronicle with Turlough as I don't think it is unfair of me to say that he isn't the most popular companion there has ever been, but Mark Strickson delivered a fine performance and I actually think this was one of his better outings in the role. I mean, if I was a subscriber back when DWM issue 419 was released, I would have been more than delighted with a free adventure! Turlough's dismay at the TARDIS going back to Earth once again was amusing and having the setting of Arizona at the start of the twentieth century was terrific. It was unique and getting to the specific town of Buzzard Creek was fantastic. It worked very well and having the carnival on its way was great stuff. That was something that would make Turlough uncomfortable, but his desire to explore was uncharacteristic so it was good to hear him branching out. Winklemeyer as the showman and star of the carnival was an excellent character. The deformed humans actually turning out to be aliens was very good and I liked how Turlough recognised the species he was controlling as being from a neighbouring planet of Trion. His efforts to bring the elixir of life was fun and that's always a concept I can get behind. I thought it was a positive move to have the Doctor and Tegan absent for much of the first half of the story, and their later arrival had a bit of an impact which I didn't expect. Turlough getting associated with the local beverages was also amusing to hear and again that was something I wouldn't usually expect him to get involved in. The confidence of Winklemeyer was good until the Doctor came around and it wasn't too long then until he got the upper hand. Berman was another good character and his death and subsequent burial were really enlightening and opened up a different aspect of the story. The image of Turlough wearing a stetson was also good in giving him some personality and it's no surprise given the setting that this was what adorned the CD cover. The conclusion was exciting and the involvement of the Doctor and Tegan coming in the second half really did make the difference for me, whilst it also being a good opportunity for the adventure as a whole to showcase Turlough, something that probably hasn't happened enough. Overall, a great listen!

Rating: 8/10