Most Wanted: The Legend of Baba Yaga

"Even your name is a lie."     

Writer: Rochana Patel

Format: Audio 

Released: January 2025

Series: Fugitive Doctor Adventures 1.02

Featuring: Fugitive Doctor

Synopsis

On the run from the Time Lords and in serious need of help, the Doctor heads for 17th-century Russia in search of the legendary witch of Slavic folklore... Baba Yaga.

But while trying to gain assistance from this powerful entity, the Doctor finds herself embroiled in events from the most famous of Baba Yaga’s tales when she tries to help a beautiful young woman called Vasilisa retrieve a burning ember to save her family from the bitter Russian winter.

What is real? What is fantasy? And will the Doctor be able to tell the difference in time?

Verdict

The Legend of Baba Yaga was another excellent episode to continue my way through the Most Wanted first series of Fugitive Doctor Adventures! This is shaping up to be a really strong start to the Fugitive Doctor's life on audio as we start to expand on her incarnation and this was a very different kind of episode from the series opener. I thought touching upon magic was excellent and whilst I'm unsure if the titular legend and character of Baba Yaga are actually something true from historic folklore, I thought the explanation was excellent and really delved deep into the marvel of incomprehensible science. The Doctor continued the theme of not believing in magic which was good and initially I was a bit worried this was just going to be a standard story which could have worked for any incarnation. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but for the Fugitive Doctor things are a little different. They should have a different purpose and with her being on the run from Division, this served as a perfect effort by the Doctor to avoid their capture. I was really impressed that despite not entirely understanding the power of Baba Yaga, the Doctor knew what she could offer and she wanted it. The impression the eleven skulls had on the story was powerful especially with the Doctor confirming the mark of regeneration energy on them. Baba Yaga had taken on Time Lords before and clearly one, but the Doctor was somewhat different. She was an outcast. I thought Vasilisa was a lovely character and I felt sorry for her at home situation. She was the stepchild that wasn't exactly wanted and with her father being away, her stepmother and sister were able to take advantage of her when the flame went out. The sixteenth century Russian setting worked very well and the threat that came from not having a live supply of fire was quite extraordinary! There were some strong An Unearthly Child vibes which I loved and speaking of which, I thought it was really interesting for the Doctor to ponder on why her TARDIS kept disguising itself as a police box. The fact she doesn't know why that happens is really intriguing and I would love for her to one day get an answer. Baba Yaga taking the Doctor and Vasalisa in for consideration of what they were asking for was really good and I liked that initially it seemed the latter would be granted her wish of the flame. The Doctor seeking cover from detection by the Time Lords was not something Baba Yaga was eager to grant though and she could see that the Fugitive was out for more than just a request. She had the will to overthrow the magician which was fun. I thought that turning out to be the downfall of Baba Yaga was great though as if she could see inside the Doctor's mind then she knew there was a psychic link. The Doctor putting a stop to the psychic field that ravaged the domain of Baba Yaga was magnificent and the explanation of it being a malfunctioning TARDIS was tremendous! I didn't see that coming but it explained so much and just worked. The power of local belief was so strong that it caused the chameleon circuit to become part of it and Baba Yaga was drawn in as a pilot. Once the Doctor put a stop to it by convincing Vasalisa and her family to walk through the fire and break down the link, the real spinster that was Baba Yaga couldn't remember the details of the secrets hidden in the Doctor's mind, but she could remember the bad she had done in character. That would be tough to live with! Overall though, a really strong story and a brilliant way to continue the series! I can't wait for the finale.

Rating: 9/10