Lost in Translation: The Undying Truth

"The hands of the dead pulling me down."

Writer: JA Prentice 

Format: Audio

Released: September 2020

Series: New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield 6.02

Featuring: Unbound Doctor, Benny

Synopsis

A mysterious mission has discovered a body, one that should never be found. Can the Undying really be dead after all?

Verdict

The Undying Truth was another great episode to continue my way through the Lost in Translation sixth series of the New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield! This was a very strong follow up to an excellent opener and I was a big fan of the vibe once again. This series feels much grittier than all of its predecessors and that suits this alternate incarnation of the Doctor right down to the ground. It's a good vibe and judging by how things concluded, we're about to get a whole lot more exciting. Before we get to the end though we had a damn good story to last the course of an hour or so. I thought the setting was strong and I liked the mystery behind a figure being found. That felt right up Benny's alley given her position as an archaeologist and it just worked well. I thought the guest characters really complimented the story as well. They were hugely impressive and I was honestly stunned by how Vikram was killed off pretty early on. He was literally squelched to death as he fell below the sinking mud and the audio effects there conveyed it fantastically. It was gruesome stuff and considering I was listening before 7am, it was a startling beginning to my morning! It had a lasting effect on me for the rest of the episode though and I couldn't not use the quote I selected. It was just eery and that works for me. I like that kind of dark art feel and this had it in abundance. I thought Arn was a strong character as well as the local and she was actually quite unfazed by what had happened. Nobody went after those that sank because there was just no way back. It was an awful way to die! The helplessness must be horrifying but it can't be a quick death either. Some nice thoughts here! Euphemia was another strong character and I liked how she developed over the course of the episode. We had heard about the legend of the Undying and with it being named as such, it was fun to ponder on whether it was actually dead. Her accusations towards the Doctor actually did seem to make something of a logical sense as far as the traits of the legend were concerned, but he didn't do himself too many favours by denying it as ridiculous. He was a little too dismissive which meant he was still going to be suspected. The true nature of the Undying as a fungus was intriguing and hearing that have the effect it dod on Euphemia was good stuff. I liked that a legend was actually natural and whilst there was credence to the story, it was great to have an actual scientific and logical explanation. There didn't seem to be anything fancy about it whilst maintaining a strong threat. That worked well for me! I thought the means of tackling it at the end by fire and heat was pretty good and it was certainly effective! It was dealt with quite hastily and suddenly which certainly had a big impact. It didn't take long at all once the resolution was found. I liked how things ended for the Doctor and Benny moving forward also as the conclusion was rather reminiscent of The War Games as the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe struggle to make their way to the TARDIS. Having the Unbound Doctor go to Gallifrey is incredibly exciting and it's happening an episode earlier than I expected going off the story titles! It's no secret we were heading in that direction with the series cover art and Benny wearing an infamous collar, so I'm incredibly excited and intrigued to hear where things head from here! Overall, a really strong listen to continue what has been a terrific series thus far! 

Rating: 9/10