Jago & Son

"My full name is Henry Gordon Jago Jr."

Writer: Nigel Fairs

Format: Audio

Released: April 2016

Series: Jago & Litefoot 11.01

Featuring: Jago, Litefoot

Synopsis

With missing persons, dead bodies and a Satanist cult to deal with, both Litefoot and Jago need help. Professor Litefoot finds himself working with Jean Bazemore, an old archaeologist friend. Jago, however, finds he is assisted by someone he never even knew existed – his own son. Or is he? Can Jago be sure of anything?

But there is more to events than the detectives know. An alien menace is stirring underground. Once again,  Jago and Litefoot find themselves fighting for their lives...

Verdict

Jago & Son was a great start to the eleventh series of Jago & Litefoot! Wow! Eleven series is some effort and the spinoff really does show no signs of slowing up in terms of quality. It's a clever move to bring the Master into play and whilst his role was minimal here after the terrific cliffhanger last series at the end of The Museum of Curiosities, that was always going to be the way. The Master likes to play a long game and I can't wait to find out what he's up to here. I think the choice to go with the decaying incarnation is excellent because he can stay hidden in the Victorian shadows. I always get the sense of these episodes taking place at night and that's a scary place to allow the most desperate of Masters loose. The prospect of him being the Lord of Darkness referred to here was good fun and the description of decapitation was brutal. I can't wait to hear more of the Master now, especially with Sergeant Quick under his control. That's going to be a fantastic dynamic I'm sure. I thought the surprise introduction of Jago's son was very amusing and just such a fun thing to do. He's a glorious character so his reaction to being called father to send us into the titles was magnificent. The discussion with Litefoot regarding him potentially forgetting the act of recreation with Ruby Valentine was tremendous. Only Jago! Litefoot had his own romantic story going on in the form of Jean who was clearly on old flame reignited here. I think it's good for him to have this kind of relationship and I hope we hear more of it. Naturally, the story focused on Jago Jr and the dynamic he started to build with his supposed father was fascinating. The satanic cult vibe for the episode was good and I honestly couldn't help but laugh when they were chanting their ritual as I could only hear them talking about sultanas. I know that's not what they were saying but once it was in my mind it was very difficult to shake off! I think the use of religion was good and it's a great choice to go down for a Victorian era story in my mind. It works so much better in the past because it's just accepted then and things have already happened. Jago Jr turning out to be a part of that cult wasn't much of a surprise but it was some shift to go from thinking Henry was his father to instead believing he was the son of Satan. Quite the two contrasting father figures there! It's a shame he basically disappeared at the end but I'd like to think he'll show up again. Surely there are unanswered questions with this kind of familial relationship? Or is Jago really just putting it down to a night that was a bit too heavy on the ale. Litefoot actually performing then post-mortem on Ruby was a little disturbing, especially when he was finding odd things in her undergarments! The description of her death was horrifying and that was perfect for fitting the story's vibe. Ellie is a useful character in setting the scene regarding gossip of the disappearances and given everything that's happened over the past ten series, it's safe to say this isn't a place you'd feel safe! And now the Master is prowling around with Quick under his control. I don't expect to hear too much more of the Master in the next episode, but his presence being there is enough to keep me extremely interested. I can't wait to hear more, but for now this was a fun little opener to what looks to be another great series! 

Rating: 8/10