Eclipse

"Nobody goes out after sunset."

Writer: Lisa McMulin

Format: Audio

Released: January 2022

Series: Charlotte Pollard: The Further Adventuress 1.02

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley

Synopsis

The collective noun for a swarm of moths is an eclipse. And when the chattering, nightmarish Hellstrung descend from the forest canopy of planet Pteron, they threaten to snuff out the lives of the human settlers below. 

Wantig to know what's stirred up the Hellstrung, the Doctor and Charley venture deep into the woods as darkness falls.

Verdict

Eclipse was a great story to continue my way through The Further Adventuress of Charlotte Pollard and the Eighth Doctor! I liked that we had a little reference to The Mummy Speaks! but it's clear that these episodes are certainly standalone and that's an approach I'm a fan of listening to. It started with a lot of action as the Doctor and Charley were being chased by a bunch of moths and we soon learned that these were actually known as the Hellstrung on the local planet of Pteron. They didn't eat people which seemed to limit their threat, but the idea of being chased by moths on a nightly occurrence immediately made me itchy. The planet itself was a decent enough setting and I liked that Charley was taken in by Keelda, a strong character who played a big role in the story. His brother was lost and later found to be dead which really sent the story in a new direction, especially with his research and suspicions. The ecosystem on the planet had reached tipping point and whilst it was a humorous moment for the Doctor to be the one in his lab, it was so obvious! The creaking in the makeup of the house worked well for creating an eery and contained atmosphere, and the explanation of atmospheric pressure was always going to be ruled out. The truth of it actually being the eggs of the Hellstrung as the houses were made out of their nests was excellent and disturbing. The Doctor was also sensing a humming noise that he described as the forests being frightened which was a fun concept, but they were whimpering. I thought Tarper made a strong villain and her being in charge and the last of the first generation was intriguing, and I enjoyed that Charley cottoned on early to the fact she looked too young. The Hellstrung attacking right after dark was intriguing and I thought the Doctor's comments about those in charge not following their own rules when it came to the curfew very amusing given the current state of the UK Government. Charley being taken by the Hellstrung at the cliffhanger was pretty good, but the threat soon died down as the Doctor knew one was injured. The image of the Doctor and Keelda riding a Hellstrung to get to Charley was hilarious and I found it great comedy when the latter didn't jump off. Charley being in the Hellstrung's nest was fun, especially with the later reveal that they were just protecting her. It was nice of Charley to promise the forest that they would help and it's nice to see her caring nature on show again. Tarper bottling the sap of the forest for rejuvenation explained a lot and it was something I should have seen coming. She was destroying the ecosystem as it was food and it had linked her telepathically to the forest from the volume she'd consumed. Tarper being the one to give the order to kill Tymon wasn't much of a surprise at all, but Keelda's reaction was sad to hear. The sonic mimicking the Hellstrung's distress call and him essentially becoming their queen temporarily to see out the conclusion was good and a fun image, and the fate of Tarper in becoming part of the forest literally as one of their own after a metamorphosis side effect was ironic with the lifespan she would have now. Overall, a fantastic listen!

Rating: 8/10