Beautiful Things

"See the infinite world of art."

Writer: John Dorney

Format: Audio

Released: March 2012

Series: Jago & Litefoot 4.02

Featuring: Jago, Litefoot, Leela

Synopsis 

Jago, Leela and Ellie take a trip to the theatre to see Oscar Wilde's new play and discover something sinister during the interval. Meanwhile, bodies are turning up at Litefoot's lab, and Wilde meets his biggest fan...

Verdict 

Beautiful Things was a tremendous audio to continue my way through the fourth series of Jago & Litefoot! I’m thoroughly enjoying the spin-off range and this continued things along very nicely. I enjoyed the continuity of Litefoot still repairing his home following the structural damages of last series, and it was about time that the mysterious Professor Claudius Dark emerged at last. Of course, it’s rather clear that with the trust Leela has put in him and the fact she recognised him in the previous episode that this truly is the Sixth Doctor. Leela was in on it all along which was a little surprising, but I was glad that Jago and Litefoot were pretty angered after events and wanted an explanation. They did at least get one with him explaining that he had to dash quick because his enemies got to him. The reveal that Brighton was actually Dark’s idea through Leela was another surprise, but it’s fun to have the Doctor in control whilst hardly featuring. Dark offering tickets to the latest Oscar Wilde play was good compensation and meeting the playwright was delightful. The proposition he was offered by Gadd was eery and I was also surprised that Litefoot was against attending the play. Ellie happily took his place at the sought after show! The moment we were introduced to Gadd alongside the creepy creature/man was excellent and the truth of that would be revealed later, but initially it peaked my interest. Quick being on the scene to describe how a number of men were brain dead and disappearing in London with the tie in to the story being pretty disturbing. Leela’s bumping into Gadd at the play was intriguing and she showed her qualities yet again in realising that something was wrong with him. He was scentless. Her huntress instincts in full flow! The humour that came from her dismay at the interval of the play not being the finish was brilliant as well. She didn’t seem a big fan of the arts! The way Leela took things into her own hands and went after Gadd was excellent and I loved the shift of him being able to sneak up on her. The fact she didn’t realise really surprised her and provided some brilliant vulnerability we don’t often see. Those found brain dead had invitations from Gadd on their person which incriminated him and the very concept of consciousnesses being stolen away was fantastic. The claim that the creature was Gadd’s father had merits but Litefoot recognised it as being the exact same man just distorted. His medical expertise on fine display there! The similarities with Dorian Gray were interesting although I can’t pretend to have any knowledge of the character. The Wilde connection was nice though. The revelation that Gadd’s parents had died in the same brain dead fashion was great background history. Gadd looked to be in his mid-20s but his birth certificate found by Jago detailed him as being twice as old. He was maintaining his youth at the expense of his other. The search for Leela in Gadd’s house was good and I liked that she was caged, not much else could contain her that’s for sure! The mystery of the two almost identical paintings was mightily interesting, as was the infinite library with books containing every possible combination of words! The scale of that was unfathomable. It was the same with the paintings too. I really loved that idea! The avatar of Gadd storing imperfections explained a lot about the version our main cast encountered, but finding out that he created the library himself and need more and more power was fascinating! Eventually he would be requiring everyone on the planet to hold the most exquisite art. A unique take on this kind of threat! The twist with the younger Gadd actually being the avatar was terrific and this was actually the opposite of Dorian Gray! He was holding back a bullet in his mind but the library would now drain him in time in a neat cliffhanger. I liked the conclusion with it being revealed as all a plan by Hardwick and Kempston to get to Dark, but not even this potential paradox drew him out! They got what they wanted though as their supposed escape on the train was exactly what these mysterious villains wanted. I’m excited to hear where things go from here! Overall, an excellent episode. 

Rating: 9/10