Star Flight

"That isn't on the cargo manifest."

Writer: Paul Hayes

Format: Audio

Released: March 2026

Series: BBC Audio 31

Featuring: First Doctor, Susan, Ian, Barbara

Synopsis

The TARDIS materialises on board Cavis Sunliners Flight 307, a regularly scheduled passenger flight using a revolutionary type of interstellar travel. 

The Doctor, his granddaughter Susan and her schoolteachers Ian and Barbara meet Chief Officer Sopel, beleaguered commander of the vessel. 

Following an act of sabotage the ship is boarded by a large, levitating alien creature who demands the return of 'an artefact'. Influencing the ship's AI pilot, Pym, the Kleede threatens to shut off all life support.

With Pym and the Kleede engaged in a deadlock battle for control, and more aliens on their way, the Doctor must help the crew outwit their attackers. But time is running out...

Verdict

Star Flight was a decent adventure! I'm a big fan of the BBC Audio originals range and I do think a little more could be done in terms of continuity. Why can't they make a series? I think that would appeal a little more like the loose situation that's been going on with the Eighth Doctor in this range, but then at the same time it is quite fun to see which Doctors are getting the releases throughout the year. I'm never going to be disappointed to find that the very first TARDIS team are going to feature because they really are one of my favourites. Of course, it's a sad state of reality that only Carole Ann Ford survives from the original cast and unfortunately she wasn't the narrator here. I always prefer the authenticity that the actor who played one of the lead roles brings to things in this range, but there was nothing wrong with Christopher Naylor's performance. He was good and I thought his Ian impression in particular was very reminiscent of the presentation in Big Finish's First Doctor Adventures and Unbound range which was good! I do think this story was perhaps better suited for a smaller TARDIS team actually given the contained setting of the sullener flight, but I thought the ship setting was still very good. I loved the use of when this story is released because this kind of adventure wouldn't have been possible back in the mid-1960s. Imagine showing the society of that year the advances that have been made with artificial intelligence! It's good to highlight the confusion of Ian and Barbara when hearing that phrase but they're quick to ponder on how this could still be mere child's play to both the Doctor and Susan. I am continuously getting scared by AI because the role of the human just becomes less and less and working as an analyst in finance I am increasingly worried that I'll soon not be required. The use of it on the ship here was in a more traditional sense and Pym was a decent little pilot. I thought the threat that came from the Kleede was good if not a little generic and vague. It did the job that's for sure and I liked the mystery surrounding the artefact. It felt intriguing and a little too out of depth when it came to the comprehension of the human companions. That's a fun little element. I liked how Barbara challenged the Doctor when he tried to use the rationale of not interfering in history when he wanted to leave, but this was no The Aztecs situation. The TARDIS arriving had thrown the weight off on the ship mid star flight and that allowed the Kleede access. I thought that was a good little twist although it was so obvious at the start what had caused the extra mass on the ship! That was a fun way to start. I thought the talk of gas and the situations in which the Kleede would essentially disintegrate was good to establish the means of defeat, even if I felt like I was slightly just waiting for it to come about then. The element of separating the Kleede from the artefact to basically ensure it being defeated was pretty good. I thought the use of travel here and the explanation of lines from A to B and so on was great and very unique in a world of hyper and light speed travel. I think I would have liked a little more from each of the four travellers, but the Doctor getting a cheeky little victory by knowledge was wonderful. I just love thinking of the First Doctor with a smile on his face. Overall, a very good listen! 

Rating: 7/10