Peach Blossom Heights

"I can't believe we've never tried it before."

Writer: David Llewellyn

Format: Audio

Released: January 2020

Series: The Sins of Captain John 1.03

Featuring: Captain Jack, Captain John

Synopsis

Captains John and Jack find themselves stranded on a world that may be actual paradise – the weather is pleasant, the people are friendly, and the giant stuffed animals only come out at night. There's only one thing the world is missing. No-one has ever explained to any of the population about the birds and the bees. Which is unfortunate.

Verdict

Peach Blossom Heights was a rambunctious episode to continue my way through The Sins of Captain John! Sins indeed. This was a very whacky and very fun story that was just about on the right side of barmy. The idea of encountering a world where the inhabitants have no knowledge of sex, reproduction or even money is quite something, but what kind of society can function like that? To Captains John and Jack, this was a big opportunity. Their reaction when they found out that the very nice (and hot) couple that had chosen to let them stay with them had never heard of sex, well they couldn't let a chance like this slip. Talk about not being judged on your performance! It was almost ridiculous but at the same time why wouldn't Jack and John introduce the locals to intercourse? As he said, it's amazing they hadn't tried it already out of boredom and just physics with where one bit goes into the other, but here we are. The very idea of sexual thoughts not crossing one's mind is almost unfathomable as whether we like to admit it or not, it's just human nature. The reaction of those living on Peach Blossom Heights to the concept of a baby and pregnancy was amusing. The very idea of having to learn to walk, taking nine months for a baby to grow, and them not even talking but just gurgling! Preposterous. It was silly in places and that was evident with the sexual parts of the human anatomy being referred to as toilet parts. That felt off and almost uncomfortable even if it is technically true! I thought the overlay narration from Captain John was great fun again and almost a smack in the face to the listener in parts! The fact he said continuity was boring is not something I can agree with as I absolutely love it, but I was intrigued that these events here are claimed to be prior to Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang for John and Captain Jack Harkness for Jack. They had yet to pick their aliases which is really interesting and not something I had picked up on yet, and I'm not entirely sure the cover art for the series agrees! But it's always good to visit Jack at a point prior to The Empty Child. There really is still so much mystery attached to him! Even after all this time. I thought John's sarcastic comments about Jack being in the series now were good fun too and the way he addressed the controversy of The Death of Captain Jack for its sexual depictions and audio was incredible! I didn't listen to that episode near release time so I wasn't aware of this, but it was such a fun in-joke. I do wonder if the breaking of the fourth wall will be explained. I kind of feel like it should be but at the same time I'm just enjoying the audacity. Caitlin and Trevor were very hospitable and took to sex with a very open mind, immediately spreading it to their neighbours in humorous fashion. Caitlin's comment about sex being even better with another woman was very comical and probably highlighted every man's fear that they weren't good enough. Jack and John reacted as if that was the case and was when they realised they'd probably gone too far! Mother Janet in running Peach Blossom Heights was fascinating and the concept of her recycling the dead whilst they were at their peak of enjoying life was not actually all that evil. There was logic there even if it was disturbing and seemed a bit pointless to just continue the cycle. Jack and John nearly losing the gauntlets was fun too and John abandoning Jack so he could get paid was outrageous after everything they've been through! But it was big dollar. Overall, a great little episode! 

Rating: 8/10