Strange Chemistry: A Ghost of Alchemy

"You are about to meet one of the most wonderful women who has ever lived."

Writer: Louise Jameson

Format: Audio

Released: March 2023

Series: Eighth of March 3.01

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Leela

Synopsis 

When the TARDIS lands in New York in 1921 the Doctor takes the opportunity to introduce Leela to one of the foremost women of the age – the great Marie Curie, visiting America to be celebrated for her work.

But the time travellers are not the only people interested in the famous scientist. Sinister forces are gathering around her and the TARDIS crew will have to work their utmost to keep her safe on her historic journey through the United States.

Verdict 

A Ghost of Alchemy was a great audio adventure and a strong start to the Strange Chemistry third series of the Eighth of March! This seems a unique approach to the series this time around and I’m certainly a fan of exploring astounding women in history whilst having the Doctor present. Traditionally we’ve only had female leads in the series but here the Fourth Doctor is centre stage as far as our familiar characters are concerned. The theme of women shines though and I thought the opening TARDIS scene was fun as the Doctor hoped to land in the USA in 1920 when women were able to vote for the first time. Leela’s reaction to the Doctor explaining that men decided what women could do was tremendous. The New York City setting was very good and I liked how no time was wasted in highlighting that the focus was on Marie Curie. Rushton as a doctor working on her was good and I was a little surprised that this inspirational women was actually petrified at the prospect of public speaking. Maloney was a good character to compliment the cast too and she shared a strong relationship with the Doctor as the story went on. Browman made for a fantastic villain and he seemed obsessive right from the off in thinking that Curie was a fake in the science world with her riding on her husband’s coattails. President Harding being a character was a nice touch and it was fun to highlight how it was actually the First Lady in Florence who was in firm control. The fact he was to honour Curie and provide radium for her research was a nice touch. Browman interrupting that offering of the radium in the casket and brandishing a gun made for a really strong cliffhanger!  He firmly believed that women had no place in science and that really helped highlight just how far society has come nowadays, tying in with the recognition women deserve. Leela being shot was a sudden shock but she was barely selling it which felt slightly odd even if it was just a glancing blow. Her chasing of Browman was entertaining and I also liked that Harding revealed how the casket was actually empty thus denying Browman what he so desired. The story of him losing radium in the past was great stuff and established his motive well. Rushton initially appearing genuine as he was handpicked by Maloney was fun whilst Browman had Leela delirious on drugs in a private carriage on the train. The moment where Rushton was revealed to be in league with Browman was excellent and it turned out there was quite the history between them with the doctor being the one to have dropped the radium. The Doctor and Maloney investigating the phone calls from the White House was clever and seemed quite advanced for 1921! The train chase rescue that dominated much of part three was fantastic and a lot of fun. Classic entertainment. Rushton convincing Browman not to kill Leela was a nice moment as it showed he wasn’t completely evil or ruthless. The desperation of him wondering what they’d do with the body was very good. I mean, a moving train surely could be an easy place  to throw a body from though? The collision impending once the Doctor arrived was a strong cliffhanger and Leela having to be told by him to save Browman as well from the oncoming train was excellent. The train driver needing to hear from the President himself and not the First Lady was amusing further highlighting the lack of respect for women in the 1920s. Rushton being injected with his own medicine was excellent from Curie and him then giving Browman a deadly substance was a fitting finale. Leela and Maloney appealing to Marie Curie after she didn’t want to deliver the speech and take part at the ceremony was really done well. They got to mention the 100,000 women who gave their dollar which was wonderful and she conquered her fears. Overall, a great adventure!

Rating: 8/10