Washington Burns

"The weaponisation of the written word."

Writer: Justin Richards

Format: Audio

Released: March 2016

Series: 6.03

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Ace

Synopsis

You have to stop reading. It can get into anything, anything written down. You can't let it get a hold. We're doing what we can to stop it. Here and back in 1814. Washington isn't safe. America isn't safe. Nowhere is CEREBRA. You have to CEREBRA reading before it CEREBRA. If it gets into you mind CEREBRA it's all CEREBRA. Everything's CEREBRA. CEREBRA. CEREBRA. CEREBRA...

Verdict

Washington Burns was a fantastic little Short Trips audio! I never really know what to expect going into the adventures within this range as before you know it, the story has finished! That's not a bad thing at all and it certainly makes it unique and brings its own little charm as an audio range. I have to say, I thought Sophie Aldred was outstanding with her narration here. She did a really stellar job in guiding us through the adventure and it really didn't feel like she was the only actor in the cast. That's a big positive. The way she was able to roll her Rs when impersonating the Seventh Doctor was wonderful and really sent me back into his era at the end of the Classic run. Thumbs up all around from me. I enjoyed the concept of the story a lot and I was initially a little sceptical about the jumping around from the 22nd to 19th centuries so quickly, but after an exciting and fast-paced start things settled and we delved right into the plot which was marvellous. The very idea of weaponising the written word was outstanding and something I would absolutely love explored in a feature length audio adventure. I think it would work so well if given more time (and that's not saying it didn't work well here!). It's just so good that I think it has to be repeated because the potential of utilising text as a weapon is just extraordinary. The things that opens up are off the charts as you can't really escape written word. CEREBRA was a terrific enemy and I liked how he told the Doctor that he had met him through many minds. That helped understand just what this demonic figure was and meant. The potential of CEREBRA having over 700,000 puppets was superb and again, provided an incredible scale and sense of danger. There was a lot on the line and that certainly came through in the atmosphere of the story. There was a really good pace and I liked how Ace had gone back in time to 1814 to try and stop CEREBRA at its source. The setting itself of Washington in this period was terrific and it's a slight shame that there wasn't any more time to explore it. The mentions of the British coming were humorous though! I think the adventure is very aptly named with the way the story ended and the use of fire to extinguish every letter C that was published and even to destroy the printing tools. Coburn's order at the end was great as he had seen the potential of what CEREBRA could do and what that would mean for the future. It wasn't good! I thought Ross was another decent character as well and it was a lot of fun for Aldred to take on a complete set up of male characters apart from herself. The ambiguous ending with one final printing tool containing the letter C not being destroyed is fantastic and opens up a possible sequel which I would absolutely love and be in favour of happening! Do I think it will happen? Probably not. But at least the possibility is very much there! The sense of fear in the Doctor's voice was excellent in selling the CEREBRA threat, and as a whole I just loved the concept. The ending was fitting and the pace throughout was exciting with a tense backdrop. Overall, this was a terrific half an hour or so! A very impressive way to fill a short amount of time.

Rating: 9/10