Deadly Strangers: Puccini and the Doctor

"Love has so many definitions."

Writer: Matthew Jacobs

Format: Audio

Released: December 2024

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures 14.01

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley, Audacity 

Synopsis

Inspired by his friends, the Doctor takes Charley and Audacity to Milan to meet Puccini and hear the music of love.

But the Doctor is not the only alien entranced by humanity. The mysterious Tura is setting riddles, and for those who answer, the experience is transformative...

Verdict

Puccini and the Doctor was an excellent start to the Deadly Strangers series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! I think this might just be the best story of the bunch since Audacity came aboard the TARDIS and I hate to say it but I think it's because she became a bit more of a background figure. When she wasn't the focal point as the main companion I think she was actually utilised much better and complimented Charley who is undoubtedly the main attraction. She's still having lingering feelings following on from Storm Warning which is fascinating and I must admit I didn't have Charley down as someone who would be drawing. Audacity stumbling upon her artwork of the Doctor was fascinating stuff and I was surprised a little in how open the Edwardian adventuress was in admitting she had a crush. Some of the locals in Milan though were claiming that Charley was in love and that does seem a step too far from my memories of the early Eighth Doctor stories in the Main Range. Has it just been too long in listening to them that I forgot Charley was besotted with the Doctor? That doesn't quite feel right. It presents an intriguing dynamic within the TARDIS though and Audacity being there as a third wheel certainly adds to it. I find the title of this episode a little misleading as you would expect everything to be centred around the Doctor's relationship with Puccini, but that wasn't actually at the forefront for the most part and that's because of the brilliant Princess Tura. I thought she was a mesmeric character and I loved her obsession with love. She wanted to learn from the human race and in particularly their aspect of creativity. Everything they did seemed to be for love and she was very open in expressing that. The Doctor knew immediately that she wasn't of Earth and he didn't hide the fact he was of a similar elk either which was good. I liked the policy of honesty there. I was entranced by her riddles but she was clearly not used to being challenged or having someone of a similar footing taking her on. She was one who had power and reduced people to blossom trees if she fancied, even with that aftershave scent! She had a garden of former people that were now trees which is not the typical outside decoration! The Doctor solving all of her riddles in front of a live audience was excellent and whilst he wasn't after the prize of marriage, he didn't exactly want the loser's fate of being thrown overboard with the promise of being turned into a fish as a courtesy. It sounded in jest but knowing what we did this was very much an actual prospect! I thought Elvira was a strong character to compliment a really strong guest cast and I also liked how Charley had a love interest in the form of Massimo. I thought the way things ended were pretty neat and simple with Tura accepting the fate and love still being something she didn't quite understand. And it was also incredible to think that her species had not yet experienced death! Overall, a very strong start to the series! A terrific listen.

Rating: 9/10