Afterlife

"You're only here so a dead man can dream he's alive."

Writer: Matt Fitton

Format: Audio

Released: December 2013

Series: Monthly Adventures 181

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Ace, Hex

Synopsis

Hex is dead. And a distraught Ace holds the Doctor responsible. 

She forces him to take a trip to 21st century Liverpool to break the news to Hex's beloved nan and, to pay tribute to Thomas Hector Schofield, the pair seek out his family and friends to tell them of his adventures. They're helped by Private Sally Morgan, who has her own peace to find. 

The Doctor, Ace and Sally must each face the fallout of the loss of their friend – to commemorate him, remember him, and finally to move on. But can they do it together, or will their attempts drive them apart?

Verdict

Afterlife was an excellent Monthly Adventure audio! It feels a long time now since I listed to Gods and Monsters where long-time companion Hex passed away with an incredible sacrifice, but this was a fine way to follow it up although it almost gave us the complete opposite of closure! I thought the first part in particular was outstanding with it mostly being contained to the TARDIS and Ace blaming the Doctor for the loss of Hex. Whilst it was his decision to make the ultimate sacrifice, Ace put all the blame on the Doctor because he had knowledge of what was happening and didn't share it with his companions. Another of his schemes and conniving nature, and this time the cost was as big as it possibly could be. I was a little surprised to hear the Doctor's comments on loss and dealing with it, even in this incarnation. For him to say he couldn't take each loss to heart just feels wrong, especially when it was someone as tenured as Hex. Ace not even wanting to say his name because she couldn't accept what had happened was great and I liked the very different reason why she didn't want the Doctor saying it. It was almost like he had lost the right as far as she was concerned. The Doctor wasn't wholly sympathetic towards his companion for the loss which is a bit of a shame, but I do enjoy how that makes you realise it's not an easy situation for him. I thought Ace finding the letter Hex had addressed to his nan but hadn't gotten to the right time period to send it in was lovely and it was terrific to get that narration from Philip Oliver himself. It added a lot and brought that sense of a distanced feel. He really was dead. I liked how Ace demanded the Doctor send this letter and then go to Hilda herself to break the news of Hex's fate. She reacted admirably and turned into a very strong character! The gangs situation at New Hoylake was a brilliant backdrop for a story and Lily Finnegan was a standout character. She was intriguing enough before it was revealed she could cause spontaneous human combustion! That's quite the trick. She initially had a fun relationship built with Ace which was great but things soon escalated when a certain Hector Thomas emerged. He was of course more than just the spitting image of Hex, but by all intents and purposes was the same man without the memories. Getting the little cameo of the deal Hex made to the Elders was fascinating and it's a massive shame that he didn't know his memories would not come with him on the journey. Neither Ace or Sally were going to give up on Hex, and I liked learning all about how Hector had built his empire. It was very impressive! It's a shame that we wouldn't get Hex back to normal as far as Ace was concerned, but I must say I'm a little sceptical about how things finished in the TARDIS with Hector still being there and Ace wanting to return him to being the Hex she knew. I do wish people stayed dead! It reduces the impact of their initial death for me, but it's also so difficult to criticise this adventure because I thought it was a brilliant way to deal with grief. Overall, still a fantastic story! 

Rating: 9/10