Flashpoint

"The boy has to die."

Writer: Andrew Smith

Format: Audio

Released: July 2017

Series: Short Trips 7.07

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Lucie

Synopsis

Cerberin: the famous storm world. Seen from space, it's a spectacle of light and colour that draws tourists in their thousands. 

Escaping an attack by gangster assassins, and separated from the Doctor, Lucie Miller finds herself stranded on the surface. The killers are in pursuit, she has a child to protect, and lightning is striking all around.

Then a shape approaches through the storm, moving with heavy footsteps...

Verdict

Flashpoint was a very decent Short Trips adventure! It was very nice to revisit the Eighth Doctor and Lucie Miller after what has been quite a while since I listened to the emotional end of the fourth series of Eighth Doctor Adventures, and this slotted in somewhere there nicely. The setting of Cerberin was established quickly and I liked how it would be one of the universe’s seven wonders if they had to be limited to just that many. The Doctor and Lucie arriving on the bubble platform of the platform and it was pretty nice for them to have a beautiful view and enjoying themselves. Cerberin being a storm planet was a good concept and I liked how it was covered in electrical storms on a permanent basis. That gave it an immediate edge. I thought Sheridan Smith’s narration was good and she stepped back into the Lucie role very well and delivered a calm impression of Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor. The introduction of Elric was pretty good and I liked how he was knowledgeable about the planet. Clent being an unfriendly guard hinted at something more for the youngster but before things could be dwelled on the platform bubble was attacked and cracked. Elric being lost from Clent provided trepidation and Lucie instinctively going to him to help was lovely with the hole that appeared in the glass. People actually being sucked out of the hole was shocking and Clent and the TARDIS heading that way too was great. Lucie’s vision going blurry was excellent and I liked the threat of no air before the pillars opening provided a lifeboat. The Doctor still being on the platform was good to separate him from Lucie and Elric but he was able to contact her as he looked to get to the surface. Elric being the reason of the attack was something completely unexpected! Lucie and he arriving on the surface was good and the danger presented from the lightning strikes was fantastic. Heading to a cave seemed logical and we finally learned that it was gangster criminals out to get Elric. The arrival of Rake on the planet surface was interesting and I liked how his accommodation vehicle was a tip. How wouldn’t it be when he’d been in isolation there for twelve years! The vehicle being lightning proof and actually collecting the power was great stuff and I thought we could have used the power. Finding out that Elric’s dad was a judge that had been cracking down on intergalactic gangs was decent but I’d have liked more of an explanation regarding why ‘the boss’ wanted him dead. His mother had been attacked by gangs fighting back and Elric was sent to a safe house with his guard, but talk of an informant seemed to get a little lost which was a shame. Elric running into the storm because of the tattoo he saw on Rake’s arm being of a gang mark was a little comical as that was hardly safer and he knew that the man had been isolating for over a decade. The lightning striking him was expected and Lucie performing CPR was admirable. The dart ships being a hallmark of the gangs was cool and one had a cushioned landing meaning members were on the loose. Lucie standing her ground for Elric was terrific and it was nice for Rake to save her from imminent death. His efforts to treat Elric with him not living the gang life anymore was nicely done but his own gang members ended up killing him! Lucie retaliating with death of her own was a shock and it felt a little odd for her to try and justify it. Taking Rake’s suit to save Elric was good though and I liked how things ended with burying the dead and lighting the message to the Doctor as the TARDIS arrives. Overall, a very decent listen!

Rating: 7/10