The Daleks' Master Plan

"How I shall always remember her as one of the daughters of the gods."

Writers: Terry Nation & Dennis Spooner

Format: TV

Broadcast: 13th November 1965 - 29th January 1966

Season: 3.04

Featuring: First Doctor, Steven, Katarina, Sara

Synopsis 

In the year 4000, the Daleks conspire to conquer the Solar System. Their scheme involves treachery at the highest levels and a weapon capable of destroying the very fabric of time. Only the Doctor and his friends can prevent catastrophe - and there is no guarantee they will escape with their lives...

Verdict 

Long and behold I have finally got to and completed the monster 12-part serial that is The Daleks' Master Plan. It's taken me longer than a usual serial would, as I obviously expected, and boy was it good! Due it's sheer enormity, the verdict will be split into thirds.  

Parts 1-4

The first four episodes of the second biggest serial Doctor Who has to offer (yes, I count The Trial of a Time Lord as one serial) were absolutely terrific. A brilliant, eventful and emotional first third to the serial. Nicholas Courtney made his Doctor Who debut as the excellent Bret who played an absolute key and almost companion-like role in the first third before being shot dead. Speaking of death, I may as well talk about the obvious stand out moment from the first four episodes and that would be the emotional death of new companion Katarina. I have to say I reacted in the same way as the Doctor and Steven when she ejected herself and Kirksen from the airlock, allowing the Doctor and co to pilot safely towards Earth. I adored the Doctor's speech acknowledging his appreciation for Katarina and what a wonderful person she was. Coming from Troy in a time that was yet to make any major advancement, Katarina was thrown into a world she just didn't understand. Travelling in time and space was just too much. Her concern was with honouring the Doctor. I loved the idea of someone from the far past to be a companion just because of the uniqueness of a companion from a time of very basic civilisation. Somewhat similar to Erimem who've I just met in The Eye of the Scorpion. Mavic Chen has been terrific thus far and I adore the concept of a universal government in the year 4000. I also like how the Solar System, despite not being an entire galaxy itself, is held in high regard due to Earth and the system's rare minerals, namely taranium. The concept of the Time Destructor, which hasn't been explored yet, just sounds terrifying. What are the Daleks up to? Whatever it is, which I'll find out over the next eight episodes, it sounds like their most destructive and terrifying plan ever. Past or future stories. Zephon was a good character and I liked how he was used by the Doctor for him to get into the delegate meeting, find out the plan of the Daleks and steal the core of the time destructor. I liked the references to many past stories such as The Dalek Invasion of Earth, The Chase and The Myth Makers. The continuation of the story from Mission to the Unknown, with Cory's brief message being picked up upon. The cliffhangers have all been very good and where I left off for today with Sara Kingdom's introduction, episode four, was a shocker. Bret was murdered and the ruthless Sara ordered that the Doctor and Steven be shot in the head! A brilliant start and I look forward to the next eight episodes! 

Parts 5-8

The middle third of The Daleks' Master Plan enhanced the plot and story onwards very nicely. Sara joins the TARDIS along the four episodes after her intense introduction at the climax of part four where she killed Bret, who it was revealed was her brother. The journey the Doctor, Steven and Sara have embarked upon during these four episodes has been quite dramatic. Battling with the Visians and Daleks on Mira, meeting Charlie Chaplin and interrupting a cricket match! The sheer spread of location for this serial has been like nothing before and I think that's set to continue. The scenes on Mira were excellent with the Daleks thinking mice had the potential to be hostile a comedic highlight. I liked how Sara gradually went from enemy to companion as she learned of Mavic Chen being a traitor, allying himself with the Daleks. The Visians were good and I liked the idea of invisible creatures. What a danger that is! But ultimately it was the Mira natives who saved the new TARDIS trio and attacked the Daleks. I really liked how they hijacked a Dalek ship and quickly the Doctor worked out how to control the ship. The return to Kembel was inevitable with the Doctor having left the TARDIS there and when greeted by a trio, I liked how a shocked (literally) Steven played things perfectly to ensure the Daleks had only gained a fake taranium, expertly crafted by the Doctor. I've really liked Sara so far and prior to watching this serial in full, I refused to accept her as a companion because she only featured in one story. However, after having the privilege to watch the entire 12 parts I can now fully understand why she is considered a companion, simply because she is one! Katarina has quickly been replaced by someone with great intelligence and understanding of time and space. Sara really is brilliant and Jean Marsh portrays a marvellous companion. The seventh episode, The Feast of Steven, really was totally bonkers. The arrival in a polluted 1960s on Christmas Day was good and the scenes with the policeman and the Doctor were very funny. I liked the way Steven got the trio out of a mess by acting as a police officer. The scenes in Hollywood were even more crazy with it action packed and full of noise! It was a comedic goof and for its sheer madness I rather enjoyed it. The first Christmas special, and the Doctor broke the fourth wall very pleasantly. But speaking of firsts, episode eight was a particular highlight as it saw the first return of a past antagonist.  Could they pick a better one to return than the Monk? I think not! I adored him in The Time Meddler which was excellently referenced and talked about and I was particularly intrigued that the Doctor categorically defined that he was not from Earth. Something not really mentioned after An Unearthly Child. The way the Doctor easily outsmarted the Monk was fantastic though. But I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him in this serial. If the first third of the serial set the story up greatly, then the middle third has given us a new companion and advanced the plot expertly! The Daleks are angered that their time destructor isn't ready and aren't happy that Mavic Chen still hasn't retrieved the real taranium from the Doctor. But just like The Chase, the Daleks have got a time machine and are after the TARDIS. Could we get an alliance between the Monk and the Skaro natives? Even if we don't, I'm sure the final third will be nothing short of excellent, because the first eight episodes have been outstanding.

Parts 9-12

Wow. I write almost immediately after finishing episode 12 and it just has to be the place to start. An incredible finale, the four parts as a whole, to a quite sensational story! The death of Sara, in the same story in which she arrived, is what this story is most remembered for and I can completely understand why. Her death, at the hands of the time destructor, was quite shocking! Sara passed away in horrific circumstances as she was aged to death before her skeletal remains simply became dust. It was a mightily powerful moment and it just portrayed perfectly how devastating the plans of the Daleks were. The Doctor activating the destructor to lure it away from the Daleks was a big shock and risk but it was the only option he had to prize it away from the Dalek ship. Episodes 9 and 10 were very good and I loved the Egyptian setting at the time of the completion of the Pyramids. The interference and meddling of the Monk was just superb! I loved his presence and seeking revenge after The Time Meddler, the Monk was just a big nuisance for the TARDIS trio here! Mavic Chen was brilliant in the final third and like so many before and after him, he'd become illusional with gaining power but eventually found out that the Daleks were using him. The way he reacquired the taranium from the Doctor was logical and clever. The scene of fighting between the Daleks and Egyptians was terrific! I loved the last two parts with the Daleks abandoning the galactic delegates and planning their invasion of Earth. As seen with Sara, the time destructor was capable of mass horror. It completely wiped the landscape of Kembel to dust and just imagine the travesties the Daleks had in mind for Earth! The Doctor did wonders to rescue the planet, but as Steven mentioned the achievement came at a huge overall cost with the deaths of Bret, Katarina and Sara. Two companions dying in a serial is just unheard of and the emotion behind them was in abundance. It certainly had an effect on me. Steven was very good throughout this serial and feel he is well worthy of a mention. After all, he was the only companion to survive! He provided excellence, humour and disgust towards the Daleks. I adored how the Doctor had meddled with the Monk's TARDIS once more this time retrieving his directional unit. I look forward to a return from the Monk in some medium, it just has to happen! I would now like to say an enormous thank you to loose cannon productions for putting together the stunning recons of the nine missing episodes and allowing fanboys like myself to almost see this mesmerising serial in its visual entirety. Overall, The Daleks' Master Plan just has a ridiculous amount of good about it. Stunning dialogue, an incredible and lengthy plot that was perfectly paced, two powerful deaths of companions and the most destructive plan the Daleks have ever devised! Do you really need to look at the rating? I think it's clear what I'll rate this story! I now have a new favourite First Doctor serial, something I never thought I would say but this has eclipsed The Dalek Invasion of Earth. 

Rating: 10/10

Battle Planet

"You must need assistance badly to kidnap the first ship to stray into your orbit."

Writer: Not Stated

Format: Short Story

Released: September 1984

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 1985

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Peri

Synopsis 

The Sixth Doctor and Peri arrive on a planet that was absolutely not the planned destination for the TARDIS. Quickly becoming engaged in the middle of an interplanetary war, the Doctor and Peri are sent on a vital mission. 

Verdict

Battle Planet was a fantastic short story from the 21st Doctor Who annual! I really liked it from start to finish. The Sixth Doctor and Peri is one of my all time favourite TARDIS pairings and the relationship on screen was perfectly portrayed in print here. Humour, aggression and annoyance, that's what I see this pairing's relationship as and it's fantastic! I loved the setting of Belstar and the dynamic of the two species on the planet was very intriguing. You had the Debans, creatures who seemed like they should be living underwater as they weren't very mobile. Despite their somewhat inactivity, I liked their intelligence and technological abilities. They managed to pull the TARDIS onto the planet from orbit. Terrific! The other species, who the Debans were at war with was the Siro and these creatures were extremely mobile and very hostile! The CP10 ray they possessed was scarily horrifying. Disintegration in an instant if you were struck with it! The mystery and secrets hidden in the blue stone was a good concept and I adored how the Debans instructed the Doctor and Peri to retrieve it for them. The mission carried out was good and I really liked how the Doctor asked no questions about retrieving the stone and just got on with helping the Debans! Quite short in length, hence the format, but very good! The climax was met with anticipation with a momentary lapse of misplacing the transport ring but once it was found all was well and the Debans would let the Doctor and Peri depart. Short but sweet and absolutely terrific! 

Rating: 9/10 

Asylum

"It's like she's from here, but a different here."

Writer: Anita Sullivan

Format: Audio

Broadcast: 1st July 2009

Series: BBC Radio #2

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Andy

Synopsis

When PC Andy Davidson arrests a young girl for shoplifting, he thinks it's going to be a routine case. That is, until he sees that she is carrying a gun. The girl is soaking wet, covered in mid, and the weapon is like nothing he's ever seen before. He knows that this is a case for Torchwood...

The team discovers that the girl is called Freda, but can find out nothing else. Yet when she speaks, it's a strange mix of English and Icelandic, but with a Cardiff accent. 

While Jack and Ianto check out the girl's weapon and her blood sample at the Hub, Gwen and PC Andy take Freda to a safe house. But when Jack calls with the results - and Freda goes on the run - PC Andy finds his world turning upside down. 

Verdict 

Asylum was a good and very interesting Torchwood audio. It was different to past episodes and I think that's the beauty of the audio format, it allows something different to what you might see in the television series. The dynamic is much changed from the first two series after the deaths of Tosh and Owen. In the previous radio adventure, Lost Souls, you had a very familiar character in Martha filling the void of two key characters missing. With no Martha in this audio the task of filling the void was handed to the recurring PC Andy Davidson, a good friend of Gwen who've we seen quite a few times on television. He was the hero of the story in some ways as his distance from extraterrestrial knowledge allowed him to see things more clearly. Freda was a wonderful character and I loved the concept, somewhat similar to Out of Time, which was cleverly referenced, but this time somebody came through the Rift from the future rather than the past. The future, 2069 to be more specific, depicted was extremely interesting. As Andy said, Freda came from a time where security could easily be breached yet there was a shortage of tomatoes. With Asylum set in 2009, the year it was broadcast, I think Anita Sullivan was trying to depict how global warming and a population increase would have a big effect on the world and its resources. The plot of this story was good but needed a bit more action to go from being really good to really great. The dialogue though was very good and I liked the blend of English and Icelandic in the vocabulary of Freda. Very intriguing. I thought the revelation that she was half alien was excellent and the way the Rift had disturbed Freda's memory allowed for some good plot development with the more things she remembered. Gwen playing the role as the kind good women, which she obviously is, was fantastic and I was surprised how little of a role Captain Jack and Ianto played. For me, the story was all about Andy who finally got to come into his own. A little silly and misunderstanding of Freda and her alienness at first, but once he learned to accept the fact she was a mixed species from the future he sympathised with her and wasn't all that fond of the Torchwood procedure. The climax where Freda was going to give everything up and let herself drown before being beautifully talked out of it by Andy was lovely. A terrific ending. The talk of the 'ghosties' throughout was very interesting and I did like how Freda revealed that it was the future Torchwood team who sent back in time. Despite what may happen in future episodes and series, the Torchwood team and name will always survive on aiding the Earth. 

Rating: 8/10

Colditz

"Surrender your TARDIS, Doctor, or Ace dies. There will be no further discussion."

Writer: Steve Lyons

Format: Audio

Released: October 2001

Series: Main Range 25

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Ace

Synopsis 

October 1944

As World War Two draws towards its convulsion, a Nazi defeat begins to seem almost inevitable. But that might be about change...

Two intruders are captured in the grounds of Colditz Castle, the most secure Prisoner of War camp in Germany. 

At first, the guards think they're dealing with British spies. But the strangers arrived in an advanced travelling machine, the like of which they've never seen before.

With this 'TARDIS' in their hands, the Third Reich might triumph after all...

Verdict 

Colditz was a brilliantly clever audio adventure and for writer Steve Lyons it wasn't too dissimilar to his The Fires of Vulcan. Timey-wimey bananzas with brilliant tie ins and resolutions. The story started off rather excellently with the Seventh Doctor and Ace, not by favourite TARDIS pairing by a long, long stretch, arriving at Colditz Castle. Now, how good of a setting was this? The most secure prisoner of war camp in all of Germany during the Nazi regime and Ace, predominantly, was trapped right inside. The German characters were terrific with Kurtz, intriguingly played by David Tennant, a particular highlight. His accent was brilliant and he would later show once he was cast as the Tenth Doctor that his accent ability is top notch. Elizabeth Klein was a tremendous character and she was massively interesting. Cunning, different and devious. She was British yet proud of the Third Reich? The fact that it was revealed that she was from an alternative future where the Nazis won World War II (yes, an amazing concept) was just outstanding. It was all rather mysterious how she'd landed in 1944 in the Doctor's TARDIS, held him ransom and threatened Ace's life on more than one occasion. I adored the pride she had for the Nazi regime, how they were dominant and the fact that the Ayrans were more than present in London. The way it was described how the alternative timeline's Seventh Doctor had worked out that it was Ace's rucksack full of future technology was the reason for the Nazi's inaccurate victory, which resulted in Ace's death. It was a horrifyingly superb concept! The Nazis ruling the world, with a TARDIS in hand and it was all the Doctor's fault. But he of course righted it by sacrificing his TARDIS! Now, here's my beef with the story. It was all good hearing it described how the Seventh Doctor corrected things in the alternative timeline, but this story was only 107 minutes long, why couldn't we hear that unfold in real time! Imagine hearing a future ruled by the Nazis and the Doctor having to cope with the death of Ace. That would have gotten it full marks but because it was only described it just misses out. Anyway, I think it was rather unfortunate for the fantastic story that the two lead characters were by far the weakest. It perfectly displayed why this pairing is my least favourite in Who history. Hauptmann and Tim were really good characters and I liked their roles around Ace for the story. Speaking of Ace, her relationship with Kurtz throughout was full of humour and her defiance towards a Nazi officer was terrific. I'm not quite sure she knew how severe the situation was. Overall, this story was fantastic and yet had so much more potential to be a real momento. Imagine an alternative timeline story with the Nazis ruling the world. With Elizabeth Klein still present, I would like to hope that maybe a future story like that is still possible! 

Rating: 9/10

The Eye of the Scorpion

"She truly was a God."

Writer: Ian McLaughlin 

Format: Audio

Released: September 2002

Series: Main Range 24

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Peri, Erimem

Synopsis

1400 BC

Egypt is in mourning. Pharaoh, the great God-King, is dead. The future of the Two Kingdoms of Egypt is shrouded in uncertainty as the Council of Priests debates the claim to throne of Pharaoh's only heir. 

Out in the deserts around Thebes, Egypt's capital, a warlord chief is assembling an army of mercenaries, waiting for just the right moment to strike at Egypt's heart. 

But not all of Egypt's enemies are outside the city. What is the secret of the strange box discovered in the desert? 

When the TARDIS arrives nearby, it has apparently been hi-jacked... by the Doctor?

Verdict 

The Eye of the Scorpion was a fantastic audio adventure and boy does it have significant implications on the Whoniverse! A new companion, the bridge between Planet of Fire and The Caves of Androzani has obviously been significantly widened and the Doctor returns to Egypt. I adored the medieval Egyptian setting and thought it was about time a full story took place there. It has so much potential and you would think the obvious setting was somewhere in or around the pyramids, but Giza provided a lovely backdrop for an action packed start in which we were introduced to would be Pharaoh, Erimem, in quite dramatic fashion. She was being hunted for her death in a wild chariot chase and ultimately the Doctor saved her with superb precision. I thought the cliffhangers of the audio were all very good, particularly episode one, and I liked the unique take of episode two where the Doctor was almost completely absent. That allowed Peri to take centre stage along with Erimem which was a perfect backdrop to get the listener to learn more about the Egyptian who would later join the TARDIS team. The resolution at the beginning of episode three with the Doctor just being his normal self having not suffered too badly from the poison. Time Lord supremacy I guess? Yanis and Horemshep were brilliant characters and although their origins of being in medieval Egypt weren't fully explained, it just added an extra sense of mystery to them and their motives. I really liked the other intriguing aspect of the villains with the stasis box entity. I'm not too sure of where the Doctor came across it before but I'm sure I'll find out at some point when I watch/listen/read the relevant story. With a severe limitation on Fifth Doctor and Peri adventures on television, and just the one previous audio of Red Dawn, I really liked the dynamic of having two obviously familiar characters but now we can see them developing a relationship which we didn't really have a chance to see on television during Peter Davison's final season. The numerous stories that throw in references to past adventures are terrific and I loved the one of The Romans in this story. Delicately put. I thought the Doctor's liking of Erimem's fondness of history was fantastic and seemed to be a key factor in his allowing of her to become companion. Times are a changing for the Fifth Doctor at this point though. In the space of a few stories he's lost Tegan and Turlough and gained Peri and Erimem, a big dynamic change but change is what makes Doctor Who so bloody brilliant. Everything becomes so different yet it's so very the same. Fayum and Antranak were magnificent guest cast and the pair's involvement in the climax of the story was terrific. The Doctor was the highlight rescuing the minds of thousands by speech alone but the others' help shouldn't go unnoticed. Overall, a fundamental adventure with a fantastic setting and an excellent backdrop to a new companion! 

Rating: 9/10

The Blood of Azrael

"Yeah. The TARDIS dumped the Doctor." 

Writer: Scott Gray

Format: Comic Strip

Released: January-May 2014

Printed in: DWM 470-474

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Clara

Synopsis

The TARDIS has been sold. The 11th Doctor and Clara are stuck with no means of time travel transport. Annabel Lake has returned with another devious plan, along with her father Patrick. The legendary Azrael, a being so mighty it even gave the Doctor nightmares as a child, is on the loose. Who exactly is Danny Fisher? And why are people openly accepting death in a horrific way. As blood statues start to emerge all over a ruined Cornucopia, the Doctor's aim is clear. He must defeat Azrael and find the TARDIS. 

Verdict 

The Blood of Azrael was a fantastic comic strip sendoff for the Eleventh Doctor. It showed all the wonderful traits of Matt Smith's incarnation; anger, brilliance and compassion. After the events of Pay the Piper, the TARDIS was sold and dematerialised. It was an outstanding cliffhanger and left me wanting to complete the next comic strip right away! And the wait was worth it. The story behind Danny Fisher was fantastic where we see him as a young boy being attacked by a monster in part one to blood soaking the TARDIS in the final part. The reappearance of Patrick and Annabel Lake was unexpected before the climax of the previous comic strip, but I do like how events from The Broken Man weren't resolved at all in Hunters of the Burning Stone. The references to the 50th anniversary comic story were terrific and it still made me smile that the all mighty Hunters were actually the cavemen from An Unearthly Child. I liked how this adventure showed the after affects of the Hunter's actions on Cornucopia. The plot of this comic though was relatively simple but the twists and turns made a simple plot very exciting. You had Haratio Lynk and Amy Johnson there to aid the Doctor and Clara but as things entailed the Doctor was slowly convincing Annabel that she and Danny were wrong and he was right. The legend of Azrael, an evil necrotist who believed death was his ally. He believed that if the dead were used as artwork then they would be immortal. A quite sickening concept. His imagery of death was very brutal and agonising, literally blood soaking the victims into statues. The mask of Azrael was very intriguing and a pivotal part of the story. As we discovered that the Doctor wasn't actually battling Azrael, just the new holder of his mask who'd found it 10,000 years after his death, and held all of the memories. Rather shockingly, it was Danny! He'd used Annabel to help him get the TARDIS in Pay the Piper, and now he was killing people for mass artwork. The wasting wall was an abomination and now he was planning on using the TARDIS to wipe out life on Cornucopia. I loved Danny's story though, how he killed the alien when he was young. The reference to The Sontaran Strategem was just magnificent and how it had led him to where he was now. Continuing the horrors of Azrael. The climax was very good with Annabel tricking Danny into thinking she was on his side only to turn on him and ultimately cause his death. The way the Doctor and the TARDIS 'talked things out' was just marvellous and I adored the continuation from the TV series with it apparent that the TARDIS was jealous of Clara! Brilliant. Overall, a very good comic strip full of action and surprises. This might have been the Eleventh Doctor's final comic strip, but I get the feeling we might not have seen the last of the Lake family. 

Rating: 9/10 

Shadow of the Past

"We can't drop a H Bomb on Kent! Think what it would do to the house prices!"

Writer: Simon Gurrier

Format: Audio

Released: 30 April 2009

Series: Companion Chronicles 4.09

Featuring: Third Doctor, Liz

Synopsis 

There's a secret locked up in UNIT's Vault 75-73/Whitehall. Dr Elizabeth Shaw is the only one left who knows what that secret is. Returning to UNIT for the first time in decades, she slowly unravels the past. The vault contains the remains of a spaceship that crashed in Pennines in the seventies. For the young Liz Shaw, the priority is to ensure the thing's safe. However, the Doctor is more concerned about the alien pilot and the chance this ship offers for escape. Can he resist the temptation, or will the Third Doctor turn on his friends? 

Verdict 

Shadow of the Past was another very good Companion Chroncile adventure and I was optimistic that this would be a better Liz story than my last tale I listened to her in, The Blue Tooth. And it was. I thought the Series Seven setting was perfect for the story (it always had to be of course for Liz to feature) but it worked particularly well because of the Doctor still suffering from his recent exile in The War Games. Caroline John really reprised her role terrifically well and she showed how much the Doctor meant to her. Humorously unhappy at how, despite her numerous qualifications, all she was doing was passing the Doctor test tubes. But she knew how vital he was to saving the Earth, countless times. I liked how the Doctor was still extremely angry at the Brigadier for his actions in Doctor Who and the Silurians and the relationship between the pair at this point was probably at his lowest. So much so that the Brigadier gave an order to shoot at the Doctor! Of course, that was at the reprise of the brilliant cliffhanger where the Doctor announced to the invading (yes, another Third Doctor story with an attempted invasion of Earth) Mim that Earth's defences were down. I really liked the brave attempt of having a shapeshifter story in the audio format. Could it really work? The answer was, thanks to the limited meeting of the two Third Doctors (so, a multi-Doctor story on a technicality) yes. It did work well. The Mim were interesting villains and their spongy description was certainly unique. I like the idea of them returning after appearing in a few Bernice Summerfield Audios and also a few novels, but this was my first encounter with the menaces from the Mim Sphere and to be honest, I don't think they did that much. They didn't sound great but the mystery of their crashed ship and the shape shifting abilities (Zygons, anybody?) did make them pretty good. The way the Third Doctor just ran off after an encounter with the ship was surprising but I adored how he ordered her protection. Robin was a heroic character and his death was really a highlight. The tie in with the older, present day Liz was actually fantastic and played a good part in the story. The Marshall she was telling the events to was actually an amalgamation of Robin and a Mim! Quite a shock. The plot climax was good and I really liked Liz's revelation that she still had a TARDIS key. Imagine that, how would say, the Ninth Doctor for example, react if Liz just opened the doors to the TARDIS? It would be quite a moment, and despite its unlikeliness, I love the fact that it is possible. Overall, a very good and strong tale. 

Rating: 8/10

Fear of the Daleks

"Doctor, exterminate us... Exterminate the Daleks!"

Writer: Patrick Chapman

Format: Audio

Released: February 2007

Series: Companion Chronicles 1.02

Featuring: Second Doctor, Jamie, Zoe

Synopsis 

Why has Zoe Heriot been having nightmares about the Daleks? Who is the Doctor, a mysterious man from her past? When an evil scientist hijacks her mind to control a galaxy-conquering weapon, Zoe must stop him. First, she and the Second Doctor will face an enemy they had thought destroyed forever.

Verdict

Fear of the Daleks was a brave story to add to the canonical Whoniverse of adventures. After the climatic scenes in The Evil of the Daleks, aimed to picture the ultimate defeat of the Skaro natives, this audio adventure tells the story of another meeting the Second Doctor had with his greatest adversaries. I like the idea of doing another Dalek story for this incarnation though as the two that were broadcast during season six are currently lost (excluding one episode of Evil). So we do have a full adventure with Patrick Troughton's incarnation and the Daleks. Wendy Padbury beautifully tells the story and this also allows us to pit Zoe, arguably the most intelligent companion of them all, against the Doctor's greatest foes. I liked the continuation from The Wheel in Space where, before joining the TARDIS team, Zoe was shown the events of The Evil of the Daleks and from this she had grown mighty fearful of the pepper pots. Telling the story, Zoe really enhanced the listener and sold the domineering presence of the Daleks quite brilliantly. Padbury really did deliver the story's title, as she eclipsed the fear she had tantalisingly well. The story itself was your typical 'Daleks trying to conquer the universe' tale but the method in which they were trying to achieve it in this time was unique. I liked how Atrika fell into a trap many more would in the future (namely Resurrection of the Daleks and Daleks in Manhattan), where you can't trust the word of the Dalek. In fact, as the Doctor points out, you should expect the very opposite of what was promised! I liked the use of two different species who were bitter at each other. The Xantha and the Tibari were both depicted excellently but the standout character was undoubtedly Atrika. His devious plan of political assassination bared some similarities to The Fearmonger but his methods were completely different. He was going to use avatars! And perhaps most significantly, Zoe's avatar who he'd be in control of using a mind control device. I thought he'd gained control of Zoe's mind and got the reluctant cooperation of the Doctor a bit too easily but the atmospheric tone of a battle for wits between Zoe and Atrika was superb. The plot playing out was relatively good, it was a bit drab in the middle but the final scenes were terrific and the highlight of the audio. Atrika printing his consciousness into that of a Dalek was just staggeringly good. A beautiful speech as he explained what the Daleks could feel, their objectives, what they were planning to achieve. It was almost like the human factor of the Daleks had returned, although this time unintentionally. Once Atrika had found the Daleks' true agenda, he obviously sided with the Doctor and put an end to their plans. A little predictable but I still enjoyed the way it panned out. The subtle references to The War Games with Zoe confused why her memory was blocked was very good but the idea of her telling new adventures from her dreams is a fantastic idea. Overall, very good! I'd just have liked Jamie to have appeared a bit more and a tad more excitement. 

Rating: 8/10

The Beast Below

"And then I find a new name, because I won't be the Doctor anymore." 

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 10th April 2010

Series: 5.03

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy

Synopsis 

For Amy Pond's first trip in the TARDIS, the Doctor brings his new companion to the 33rd century, where all of Britain's citizens live onboard Starship UK, searching for a new home amongst the stars as the Earth is being roasted by solar flares. However, the Doctor soon finds something amiss onboard the vessel. The citizens appear to fear the Smilers and ignore crying children. What is going on? What secrets does the Starship hold at its depths, and who is hiding them? Soon, the Doctor is forced to make an impossible choice. No matter what he chooses, it seems death is the only outcome. 

Verdict

The Beast Below is a tremendous episode and really unites the Eleventh Doctor and Amy together as TARDIS pairing. I really liked the relationship between the pair in their first venture together after meeting in The Eleventh Hour. I adored the Doctor in how the first thing he recognised on a ship containing an entire nation was a little girl crying and nobody consoling her. So typical of the wonderful Time Lord we all love. It was majestic when the Doctor placed the glass on the floor, immediately recognising that a ship moving through space had no motorised engine. The Smilers were unique villains and I thought their design was extremely effective. It was fantastic how they barely said anything yet still had the villainous role! Liz 10 was a tremendous character and I loved that despite the whole nation (excluding Scotland, as was brilliantly referenced) being altogether on one ship, the monarchy still prevailed. I liked how it seemed the British system had reverted back to the Middle Ages with the monarchy being the highest authority, above Parliament. Hawthorne was a weird character but one I really liked. He seemed like the principal of the children somehow yet he also had the eeriness of a villain. I really liked the choices people were given, to 'forget' or 'protest.' Of course, the Doctor would wreak havoc and protest. The message Amy received from her future self was very intriguing and was my only slight problem with the excellent episode, why wasn't it explored further? The anger the Doctor had towards his new companion was particularly an insight as to who this incarnation of the Doctor may be, still in his very early days. The Winders were of particular interest and when they were revealed to be half-Smiler that was a welcomed shock! The story revolving around the Star Whale was particularly poignant and the way Amy established herself as companion was just magical. Using the knowledge she gained from the Doctor in the episode, Amy worked out that there was no need for torturing the Star Whale and she wonderfully saved the human race and rescued the Star Whale from being murdered by the Doctor. I really liked how the Doctor was still trying to show that he was angry about Amy's decision, but I think deep down he'd just found out that he'd gained a fabulous companion. 'Gotcha' indeed. The scene at the end in the TARDIS with Amy on the phone to Winston Churchill was just terrific. And with the shadow of a Dalek approaching the war time Prime Minister, we had ourselves a fantastic lead in to Victory of the Daleks. And of course, we had the image of the series, and what would later become a Smith era, alias. For my final thought, I would just like to show my appreciation towards Steven Moffat for being an incredible writer. As you can see from my opening quote, it echoes that of The Day of the Doctor, and knowing the genius that Moffat is, I like to think that it was intentional. Overall, an excellent episode! 

Rating: 9/10

War on Aquatica

"A fleet of ships was almost ready to set sail and, in a massive tank, about a hundred lumidolphs - warheads cleaving to their backs - waited listlessly." 

Writer: Glenn Rix

Format: Short Story

Released: September 1976

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 1977

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sarah

Synopsis 

On the planet Aquatica, the Doctor and Professsor Vittorio Levi are taken hostage by the Medusians, whilst Sarah must meddle in a battle that rages across three kingdoms. 

Verdict 

War on Aquatica wasn't the greatest short story in the world by any means. At times it was confusing and complicated to follow what was actually happen. I liked the idea but the format of a short story in an annual just wasn't the place where this adventure should have been told. It would have been much better served as a lengthy comic strip in my eyes, rather than trying to squeeze everything into just 6 pages or so. I thought the character of Professor Levi was good but it was never clear why or how he was travelling with the Doctor and Sarah. With the friendly nature between the Doctor and Professor, it seemed that Sarah was out of place which hurt the story quite a bit. The conflict between the Medusians, Phyllosians and Mongs seemed all a bit silly in my eyes. The Phyllosians were the better species in terms of contributing to the story and the illustration of the Mongs just made them look like idiots sadly. I really wasn't a fan of the way the Aquatica war was rushed had things weren't explained. I didn't like how the story jumped a random three days either. Despite the negativity, I did like some of the dialogue and thought the potential of the story contributed to it being quite good in parts. I just didn't get why Professor Levi was there, Sarah's role was minimal and that the war was resolved without barely seeing it ensue! All a bit rushed but the dialogue and possible potential of the story saved it from disaster. 

Rating: 6/10

The Unquiet Dead

"Stories going back generations. Echoes in the dark. Queer songs in the air and this feeling like a shadow passing over your soul." 

Writer: Mark Gatiss

Format: TV

Broadcast: 9th April 2005

Series: 1.03

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, Rose

Synopsis 

The dead are roaming the streets of 1869 Cardiff when the Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler arrive, just in time for Christmas. Teaming up with Charles Dickens, the TARDIS team encounter the Gelth, creatures sucked through the Cardiff Rift from the other end of the universe, their home lost. Surely inhabiting dead bodies is wrong though! Can both sides be helped, or are these gaseous creatures not to be trusted?

Verdict 

The Unquiet Dead is an absolutely brilliant early episode of the revived series. The Ninth Doctor and Rose are past the getting to know each other stage and this is their first televised adventure as a proper team. Billie Piper just looks staggeringly beautiful as Rose in her Victorian era clothing. The humour regarding the Ninth Doctor's attire was very good and I think in most Doctor Who stories, there always should be a hint of humour at some point. The idea of the dead roaming Cardiff is terrific and the fact that it was as a result of the Gelth trying to get through the Rift was just magnificent. The fact that this episode somewhat forms the basis of the Torchwood spinoff is just wonderful. You have the first mention of the Rift and the stunning Eve Myles as Gwyneth, whom it was later implied was an ancestor of Gwen Cooper. The addition of Charles Dickens to help the Doctor and Rose was absolutely brilliant and I loved the Doctor's reaction to finding out who his new accomplice was! So typical of the Doctors from Tom Baker onwards. The haunted house setting was clever and I really liked the logistics of the Gelth, the gaseous creatures, hiding in the gas pipes. So simple but it's massively effective. Gwyneth's ability to see into the minds of others was really good and her reaction to seeing what was inside Rose's head was marvellous. She didn't seem overwhelmed by what she forsaw of the future, just accepted it. The reference of the season arc 'Bad Wolf' was delicately placed in the episode and at an early stage in the series the viewer of the time wouldn't have thought of it as significant (I wouldn't have thought). It's only after the whole arc is revealed can you admire the writing by placing in a sneaky reference in nearly every episode. It's just brilliant! Mr. Sneed was a fantastic character and I liked the selfishness of his persona, a typical businessman getting things as cheap as possible but now paying the price. The dialogue of the episode was outstanding throughout and the Doctor's referencing of how horror and ghost stories were created thanks to echoes from the Rift was just beautifully put. When it seemed that the Doctor and Rose were at death's door, the reference to The Myth Makers was absolutely wonderful! So subtle yet so brilliant. I love any reference to a classic serial in the new who episodes but referencing that story in particular seemed very special. At the same moment, the effects the Time War had on the Doctor, obviously this incarnation in particular, can truly be seen. As we saw in The Day of the Doctor, the War Doctor was a hurt and frailed old man prior to ending the war and regenerating. And now for this Doctor, where all is gone and he's all alone, Rose has made him happy again. She's shown him that not all is bad. And I think that's why the pairing worked so well together in this episode! The climax was chilling and the selfless death of Gwyneth was very admirable. It was also the beginning for Rose as she would learn that so many people save the world, and receive no acknowledgement. A cruel lesson whilst travelling in the TARDIS. The goodbye to Charles Dickens was a lovely sendoff to a fantastic episode! 

Rating: 9/10

The Unicorn and the Wasp

"This makes a change! There's a monster and we're chasing it!"

Writer: Gareth Roberts

Format: TV

Broadcast: 17th May 2008

Series: 4.07

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Donna

Synopsis 

In 1926, Agatha Christie mysteriously disappears, only to be found ten days later at Harrogate Hotel with no memory of what happened to her. What could have been the cause? Was it a nervous breakdown? Was it a cry for help? Or did it involve a giant alien wasp and a mysterious stranger known only as the Doctor?

Verdict 

The Unicorn and the Wasp is a fantastic episode! The atmosphere is just tremendous and the fact that the Doctor and Agatha Christie were solving a murder mystery with a giant wasp is obviously going to be brilliant Doctor Who. Add in Donna and her comical genius and it's a wonderful balance of a great story and humour. The guest cast were marvellous, I really liked the characters of Lady Eddison, Hugh Curbishley and Roger. The fact that Robina turned out to be the Unicorn was very intriguing and I liked the fact that you had that mystery added with murder and giant Vespiform hiding in human form. Arnold Golightly's Christian character was the perfect backdrop for the Vespiform and after we learned of Lady Eddison's troubled visit to India in the 1880s, it was even more fitting. The scene where the Doctor was trying to cure his poison by all sorts of barmy methods was just outstandingly hilarious! A game of charades to protect the Doctor's enzymes! The scene when all the party residents were gathered in the same room and the mystery was solved was excellent. You had Agatha's detective brilliance, the Doctor's intense intelligence and Donna's cluelessness. The humour of the episode was at a premium but I loved the ability for it to remain absolutely serious throughout as well. An accurate balance no doubt. The references to The Unquiet Dead and The Runaway Bride were good and again provided some more laughs. After more than one reference by the Tenth Doctor proclaiming his adoration for Agatha and his will to meet her, it was fitting that he got to solve an alien mystery with the brilliant writer. Surely though that it was inevitable in the Whoniverse, right? The take of Christie's disappearance was extremely clever and the way it was explained and panned out was very good. The chemistry between the Doctor and Donna was, as usual, fantastic and I like the continued shunning of the fact that they're just friends. Nothing more. The closing scene in the TARDIS was terrific and after seeing that the Doctor keeps some bits and bobs from encounters with the Cybermen and Carrionites it made me think what else is looming underneath the TARDIS. Donna's use of defeating the Vespiform by throwing the necklace into the lake was clever and rescued Agatha causing the amnesia. Very clever! Overall, a tremendous episode!

Rating: 9/10 

Rain Gods

"Basically, you hoped for lightening..."

Writer: Neil Gaiman

Format: TV

Released: 24th September 2013

Series: Series 7 DVD Exclusive 03

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, River

Synopsis 

The Doctor and River Song faced being sacrificed to the Rain Gods, and have little time to conjure up a plan of escape.

Verdict 

Finally I have my wish! A sole adventure with the Eleventh Doctor and River Song and something that should have occurred on TV much more frequently! River would have made an ideal regular companion and the chemistry between the pair is just perfect. It really is incredible. Rain Gods was perfect of how I'd imagine the Doctor, with River, getting up to in their adventures. Just causing mayhem and now they'd got themselves into being sacrificed to the rain gods! Just excellent. The Doctor's lack of a plan was very humorous and the way he tried to take credit for the lightening that saved he and River was wonderful. Overall, a terrific minisode! 

Rating: 9/10

Clara and the TARDIS

"Okay, not the first one then..."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Released: 24th September 2013

Series: Series 7 DVD Exclusive 02

Featuring: Clara

Synopsis

Clara gets into an argument with the TARDIS after her bedroom has mysteriously disappeared from within the ship. But the TARDIS continues to play tricks on the companion...

Verdict 

Clara and the TARDIS is a terrific little minisode! To my recollection, Clara is the first companion to get into an argument with the TARDIS and fantastically it seemed that the time machine was biting back! The humour was just fantastic and when Clara sarcastically invited the TARDIS to do her worst, boy did she ever! She brought Clara one on one with many future versions of herself inside the console room! To me, that would just be heaven with loads of the Doctor's most beautiful companion yet surrounding yet for Clara herself I imagine it was hell as she just wanted some sleep! Clara's reaction to seeing some former companions on the TARDIS scanner was hilarious, particularly her reaction to Amy, or her legs rather! The continuation of the strained relationship between Clara and the TARDIS was magnificent! Overall, humour and Clara. What more do you need in a minisode?

Rating: 8/10

The Inforarium

"Clever trick, learned it from the Silence."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Released: 24th September 2013

Season: Series 7 DVD Exclusive 01

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor 

Synopsis 

The Inforarium - the greatest source of illicit information in recorded history - is compromised as the Doctor continues his quest to erase himself from history. 

Verdict

The Inforarium was a great little minisode and I thought it was good in providing us an example of how the Doctor was attempting to erase himself from history after The Wedding of River Song. The way he achieved remained a mystery, as per usual with the Eleventh Doctor, but his methods were terrific. Using a hologram to communicate with a controller of the Inforarium was fantastic and similarly to Blink, the Doctor predicted what was being said. (No script this time though). The Doctor's anger at the Inforarium was brilliant after it sold information to the Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans. The humour of the climax was excellent and as my opening quote suggests, the Doctor learns a trick or two from those he defeats. And the hologram reappeared and the Inforarium had no idea who he was. It seemed an endless circle was about to occur...

Rating: 8/10

Night and the Doctor

"It's like daylight, only magic."

Writer: Steven Moffat 

Format: TV

Released: 22nd November 2011

Series: Series 6 Minisode Exclusives 01-05

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, River, Amy, Rory

Synopsis 

Five inter-linked minisodes with the umbrella title Night and the Doctor. Any questions what the Doctor gets up to whilst she and Rory are asleep and also why she can remember two distinct versions of her life. The Doctor meets his future self on the last night that he will see River Song, whilst meeting three different versions of his wife. Craig is worried about how he'll cope looking after his son on his own for the first time, acting as a prequel to Closing Time. 

Verdict 

Night and the Doctor was a great little series of minisodes and the importance of some of the episodes was enormous! Bad Night and Good Night was all about Amy and how she was confused about remembering two versions of herself after the events of The Big Bang. I liked her seriousness in wanting to know the truth about the Doctor's whereabouts, how he went off to parties with River Song. The Doctor is clearly crazy about her and is failure to lie was so typical Doctor. I really liked how he took Amy back to herself as a child during her saddest memory when she dropped an ice cream. Instead, she could buy her past self another ice cream (and the Doctor of course) and cheer herself up. Lovely. 

First Night and Last Night was nothing short of brilliant. The Doctor swooped River from the Stormcage on her first night of the sentence which I thought was good and the humour about the dress the Doctor wanted his wife to wear was fantastic. When there were three Rivers in the TARDIS that was excellent and the constant question of who else the Time Lord had in his TARDIS was terrific. The moment when the Eleventh Doctor briefly spoke with his future self (same incarnation) was really touching. His future self was taking River to Darillium, it would be the last time he would see her before she set off for the Library, where of course she'd die. An incredible moment.

Up All Night was quite funny with Craig worrying how he'd take care of his son on his own. Not too much else happened but the dialogue was comical and it fed as a good prequel to Closing Time. 

Rating: 9/10

Meanwhile in the TARDIS

"Amy Pond, you've barely started..."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Released: 8th November 2010

Series: Series 5 Extra 01/02

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy  

Synopsis 

Two scenes that take place after The Eleventh Hour and Flesh and Stone entirely in the TARDIS and lead into the following episode of the TV series.

Verdict 

Meanwhile in the TARDIS was a great double minisode and I really liked the use of filling in the 'gaps' between the two episodes mentioned in the synopsis. Scene one was terrific and I really loved how Amy was quite overwhelmed at what the TARDIS was capable of. She was so full of questions which I'm sure, deep down, the Doctor loved. I loved how the Doctor talked of his pride at how the TARDIS could blend itself in, only to tell Amy that it was stuck. The way he acted as if it hadn't been happening for long was just magnificent. As seen in The Beast Below's opening scene, Amy was outside the TARDIS in space and now we know why. The Doctor literally pushed her out to make her believe that it wasn't just 'special effects.' 

Scene two was great and after the events of Flesh and Stone, Amy was now used to her TARDIS setting and what the Doctor was all about. And she was feeling rather flirtatious believing that the Doctor had took a shine to Amy (who could blame him) and was using his time machine as a way of getting her into bed! And judging by Amy's actions if that were a plan of the Doctor's, of course it wasn't, then it worked! The beautiful description of the Doctor explaining why Amy was on the TARDIS was incredibly poignant. To him, the universe was just stuff. He'd seen it all before but when somebody new sees things beyond their wildest dreams then it's like he's seen them for the first time. I thought that was lovely. The humour when Amy asked of the gender of former companions and then tricked the Doctor into showing her, the flashbacks of the likes of Leela, Peri and Rose were just magnificent! They then set off to surprise Rory and lead into The Vampires of Venice. Overall, two fantastic minisodes! 

Rating: 9/10

Dreamers of Death

"Well, as long as it's nothing too exciting. You know what an unadventurous sort I am..." 

Writer: Davey Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: December 1980

Printed in: DWM 47-48

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sharon, K9

Synopsis 

The Fourth Doctor and Sharon arrive on Unicepter IV nearly a decade after the Doctor's last visit. Since his last adventure on the planet, the natives have gained the ability to conjure up their own dreams with the help of telepathic Slinks, but things begin to go badly during the Doctor and Sharon's first dream...

Verdict 

Dreamers of Death was a very good comic strip adventure and one I enjoyed very much. I thought part one was considerably better than the second part as I liked getting to know about the people the Doctor had previously met on Unicepter IV seven years previously. Lyan was a terrific character and her joy at seeing the Doctor again was great. The idea of people being able to conjure up their own dreams, whatever they desire, was wonderful and something I'd adore the opportunity to have! The Slinths, despite doing barely anything, were good enemies and their silent and subtle plan was fantastic. The giant Slinth in the dream wasn't all too good but I thought the devil Slinth was brilliant! I loved how it absorbed electricity, quite literally! The cliffhanger was average but its resolution allowed good story development. K9's role was fantastic as always and his savouring act was really good. The news reports regarding the Slinth army attack were terrific and the way they united to form a giant Devil, getting bigger with everything it absorbed, was excellent. I much preferred Sharon in this story as compared to The Collector she was more involved and full of action. Her decision to leave was a shock and one I probably didn't feel the effect the reader of the time did as I hadn't had Sharon as companion from her time of arrival. But nonetheless the Doctor definetly cared about her and was affected by her departure. It'd be interesting to know how the Doctor coped and if there's a new companion arriving soon...

Rating: 8/10

Pay the Piper

"They've felt what the Kindred felt - all their pain, their fear, their loss."

Writer: Scott Gray

Format: Comic Strip

Released: December 2013

Printed in: DWM 468-469

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Clara

Synopsis 

The Eleventh Doctor takes Clara to the planet where money is held in the absolute highest regard, to the point that it is worshipped. The Doctor and Clara enter the Osidian mainframe, converting themselves abstractly. But things don't quite go to plan when Clara is put up for sale! 

Verdict

Pay the Piper was a fantastic comic strip adventure and has thrown a terrific spanner in the works of the ongoing adventures! The plot was very good and I really liked how, for what is something of a rare occasion, the Eleventh Doctor used the psychic paper which somehow only seems at home with the Tenth Doctor. The warning message the Doctor received was interesting and obviously one he would not refuse! I thought the character of Londi was fantastic as the Doctor and Clara's cabby man and the revelation of his character was just magnificent and a pleasant twist. The mini subplot that was going on between Lakka and Donaria Strul was quite hilarious, especially when the Doctor caused havoc to the mainframe. Mr Minus was a great villain and his hosting of the secret auction was excellently devilish. The Kindred's role in the story was really good and the fact that they seemed to play the role of the slaves in an alien slave trade was very brave. The cliffhanger of the story was just outstanding with the Doctor literally being chopped out of existence! His resolution was good and the way he rescued Clara from the Piper by putting the TARDIS up for auction and sending the entire mainframe into meltdown overload due it's enormous value was just terrific! The cliffhanger of the story to lead into The Blood of Azrael with someone buying the TARDIS and materialising plus the return of Anabel and Patrick Lake, as well as Anabel's brother who was actually Londi! Terrific!   

Rating: 9/10

Swarm Enemies

"Individually, they're pretty harmless but a whole bunch of 'em can eat anything."

Writer: Davey Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: September 2007

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 2008

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Martha

Synopsis 

The Doctor and Martha wake up in the middle of New Colorado groggy and not quite sure where they are nor what's going on. They are soon faced with a deadly swarm...

Verdict

Swarm Enemies wasn't a bad comic strip adventure at all. It didn't set the world alight and in all honesty is quite forgetful but it does have its highlights and the plot was pretty good. I liked the reactions of the Doctor and Martha when they awoke without knowledge of where they were or what was happening. It was bettered when the danger of the Swarm was approaching and the New Colorado natives soon hit for the hills. Sad was a good character and I really liked his interest and examinations into the Swarm discovering that they were nanobots. The Doctor's annoyance at the use of the nanobots was fantastic! The climax of the story was a bit poor though, I mean a tractor defeating the enemy? Really? I also would have liked to meet the controller behind the nanobots and decipher their method and reasoning but sadly that wasn't to be. Once the tractor got the Doctor and Martha to their desired destination of the TARDIS, the way the Doctor put an end to the Swarm was terrific though. The Jones one, two was the best part of the comic strip probably! Certainly hilarious! But overall, could have been better. 

Rating: 7/10