Visitants: The Frequency

"This is too important to be ignored."

Writer: Tajinder Signh Hayer

Format: Audio

Released: December 2022

Series: UNIT: Brave New World 2.01

Featuring: Bambera

Synopsis

UNIT has been invited to take part in the testing of a top-secret US Air Force project designed to make military groups function better as a team: the 'Hoplite Frequency'. However, the implications of this powerful mind-altering technology make Sergeant Savarin uncomfortable. Will Bambera heed the misgivings of her loyal Number Two, or take the charismatic Colonel Hagen up on his offer and choose to embrace the Frequency?

Verdict

The Frequency was a great little story to kick off the Visitants second series of UNIT's Brave New World! I am still so intrigued that Big Finish decided to make a spinoff series of the 1980/90s UNIT team but the potential there is endless. Whilst Brigadier Bambera probably isn't as enticing or exciting as a character compared to Kate Stewart of the modern instalment of the organisation, she carries the story well and it's lovely to be reunited with her, Savarin and Rix. They make for a really strong trio to carry this version of UNIT. It feels pretty crazy that it's nearly a year now since I listened to the Seabird One first series, but this felt very much isolated and not relying on any kind of continuity. I feel like a new kind of story arc is starting here with how the episode ended and the mysterious phone call. That was ominous which worked and suited the atmosphere brought by this UNIT era. I liked the idea of UNIT getting involved in some top secret testing because they really are the perfect kind of organisation to aid. The US Air Force obviously have quite the reputation so bringing in the military organisation of UNIT makes sense, but I think they got a bit more than they bargained for! I thought the concept behind the Hoplite Frequency was very good and on the whole it was actually rather simple. That was a huge benefit as despite the technical knowhow of those in the story, for the listener it was easy to understand and that's what you want. I felt rather sorry for McClean throughout the story as she was manipulated, but her moment of triumph at the end was terrific after Bambera had given her the calling card. She hadn't loaded the gun just when it seemed like Hagen was going to get away with everything. I thought his testing was unique to say the least but I was impressed with how much of the actual experiment we got to experience as the listener. Bambera was getting stuck into the thick of the action despite her status as Brigadier which I enjoyed, and it was certainly a trying test! The development of linked thought when it came to the simple questions of thinking of a number, colour, capital city, and then what one would do if a cat was stuck in a tree was fascinating. It developed quickly and I liked the idea of it learning from the information it provided. This was innovative stuff for the time period even though it wasn't all that long ago. Rix even being confused by how it had been pulled off was great stuff. I thought she was a little quiet but when she was allowed time she absolutely shone. I thought Savarin having stolen some earplugs from the shooting range was a little bit like cheating when it came to blocking out the frequency, but that was soon mitigated by the McClean gun reveal that would lead to Hagen's arrest. That seems a fitting end in a UNIT type of story as we don't really need that kind of emphatic finish that we usually get when the Doctor is around. The enemy often dies, but here he will face the full force of the law. UNIT style. I like that. It feels right. Bambera gets a big win and the UNIT team are off to a flyer this series! The late phone call was just the right amount of intrigue to keep me wanting more and I'll definitely be back to find out who's behind the phone! Overall, a really strong series opener! A thoroughly enjoyable episode! 

Rating: 8/10