The Pyramid of Sutekh

"The Egyptian Gods were real."

Writer: Guy Adams

Format: Audio

Released: June 2015

Series: New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield 2.01

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Benny

Synopsis

Professor Bernice Summerfield, archaeologist and adventurer, has discovered a Pyramid on Mars. Inside she finds her old friend the Doctor is fighting a battle with the Osiran God Sutekh. It is a battle he is losing.

Verdict

The Pyramid of Sutekh was an excellent start to the second series of the New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield! I thought this was a tremendous opener to what looks set to be quite the series and there was no beating the bush when it came to establishing Sutekh as the enemy and the Martian pyramid setting. I thought that was excellent and obviously we had the references to Pyramids of Mars, but this one felt a little darker and I was impressed with that. I think it's the right move to give Sutekh an entire series to cause havoc in and this episode really set him on his way strongly. The threat of Sutekh was established immediately as when we met the Doctor, he was already under the Osiran's control. Considering he didn't even have a physical form, that was mightily impressive of Sutekh! I like that this is the explanation for him returning as initially he was just present in the form of consciousness, but through the flesh loom a new body was being created. Gabriel Woolf as Sutekh really was magnificent and just hearing that booming and intimidating yet oddly calm voice was superb. It really presented the threat posed very well. Of course, as the title suggests this is a Bernice Summerfield series in which the Doctor is just present. I thought the episode did well in maintaining Bernice as the main character, as if the Doctor is around that isn't easy and not exactly common. I know next to nothing about Bernice other than the first volume of this series and everything that has come in the Monthly Adventures, but getting to know that one of the robots was speaking in the voice of her husband must have been chilling and uncomfortable for her. That was audibly evident and presented a fun dynamic in what was an otherwise dark episode. Even the CD artwork does a stellar job in creating that atmosphere. Benny's reaction to being inside a pyramid of dead Osirans was spectacular and I was amused that she tried to unite them against Sutekh once again as they were returning to life. Sylvester McCoy did a very good job as the Doctor in a possessed state, and just hearing the internal dialogue between the Doctor and Sutekh was terrific. I get the feeling a final confrontation will come later in the series. The line from Benny about doing what mummy said was a marvellous play on words as well. Lisa Bowerman really is underrated when it comes to comedy. I thought a little bit more description and impetus could have been made on the servitor robots being around, but that wasn't a major issue. It was nice to have them back. I liked the final moments between Sutekh and Benny as the Osiran seemed to initiate his intent to take over the universe now his physical form was returned, but the Doctor was still delirious and only able to deliver a final message regarding the Eye of Horus in being able to stop Sutekh. The Doctor turning to dust was an incredible image and should have had a lasting impact, but Benny getting almost immediate confirmation that he wasn't dead was a bitter disappointment! The arrival of Ace on the scene to lead into the next episode was great though and sets us up nicely. Overall, a very strong opener! 

Rating: 9/10