The Dark Flame

"Beware of the Dark Flame..."

Writer: Trevor Baxendale 

Format: Audio

Released: March 2003

Series: Main Range 42

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Ace, Bernice

Synopsis 

A thousand years ago, the evil Cult of the Dark Flame infiltrated every star system in the galaxy. In the history books the Cult is legendary, its despotic leader a terrible memory.

But for some the Dark Flame still burns.

For some, its horrifying power is the ultimate goal.

All that is required is for the right people to be in the wrong place and time.

An archaeologist and his robot are on the poisonous world of Sorus Alpha, where they will uncover a hideous relic. The Doctor and Ace are on their way to the deep space research centre Orbos, where Professor Bernice Summerfield is soon to start the countdown to universal Armageddon.

Four acolytes of Evil.

Three mad scientists.

Two companions.

One Doctor.

Verdict 

The Dark Flame was an excellent audio adventure. It was a real joy to listen to from start to finish as it was just a really solid and consistent story. It's not going to light the world alight in being one of the best stories of all time, but it tells a great story and I like how it serves as the second sidestep from Big Finish into the territory of the Virgin New Adventures novels. I liked this trio in their previous appearance together in The Shadow of the Scourge and this served to be a similar standard. I really do like Bernice as companion and I must delve into her travels in the novels. I do own one novel where she travels alone with the Doctor, Transit, but I am yet to read it. I have a mass of reading to get through but I don't like reading two books consecutively hence me changing formats after yesterday's reading of Heart of TARDIS. She offers something different to the TARDIS team and when placed in a trio of the a Seventh Doctor and Ace, she really is magnificent. I've become quite tired of the pairing that was seen during the last two TV seasons, they're my least favourite pairing sadly, so adding a new dynamic with Bernice made me enjoy a Seventh Doctor story so much more! Speaking of which, I thought Sylvester McCoy was absolutely brilliant in this audio adventure! He really gave a strong performance which was really good to hear. Ace didn't have much to do in this story as compared to past adventures, but I shouldn't admit that I quite enjoyed it when she got beaten up by Bernice! I really don't like her as companion. I just don't and I think it's too late now for that to change. I did enjoy the reference to Remembrance of the Daleks though I must say. That's by far Ace's best story in my opinion. I quite liked the Doctor's reminiscing of Mel's departure in Dragonfire. I do love Mel despite her limited TV adventures but the audios I've done with her I've very much enjoyed and she remains my favourite Seventh Doctor companion. Although, if Bernice joins up for some more stories that could soon change. I really liked Lomar in this story and she shared a role I've come to really enjoy over the last 42 audio adventures. The lead guest female role of sorts never seems to fail and it didn't disappoint here. Remnex had quite a story in this adventure! He was a past friend of the Doctor, then he got murdered and then became the host of Vilus Krull! The Cult of the Dark Flame was a really good idea and I loved the chill factor that came with them! Thought long deceased, but the remains would still hold some power. The army of the bones of past followers was pretty disturbing! Joseph was a really great character and I liked how simply he sacrificed himself to allow the others to live. The Doctor fiddling with time to change the way Remnex died and to ammend Bernice's withering hand was rather sneaky I must say, but he had to make use of the Dark Flame somehow! The flame itself was pretty difficult to comprehend. How can there be black light? I guess that's the beauty of other universes. But we need not worry anymore thanks to the Doctor and a very good climax. Overall, a very solid and enjoyable audio story.

Rating: 8/10