The Horror at Bletchington Station

"An overinflated sense of self."

Writer: Chris Wing

Format: Audio

Released: September 2018

Series: Short Trips: Rarities 3.01

Featuring: First Doctor, Dodo

Synopsis

The Doctor and Dodo seek shelter from a heavy storm in a rural Victorian setting, but it's not the thunder and lightning that's caused nearby railway labourers to flee in terror. Something has been disturbed, something that should have been left alone. But is that really the reason the Doctor's so distracted?

Verdict

The Horror at Bletchington Station was an excellent Short Trips rarity! This was a delightful listen and filled in a gap between The Savages and The War Machines very nicely at a time before we had the ongoing new edition of the First Doctor Adventures. I do feel like that range has lost its way recently which is a bit of a shame but this is everything it should have been. Simple adventures for the First Doctor and Dodo. That pairing in of itself is something of a rarity so I liked how that fitted neatly into the range. This really is a superb thirty-four minutes spent. I must say how impressed I was with Stephen Critchlow as the narrator because as far as impressions go, I thought he pretty much nailed his take on the First Doctor and Dodo. Of course, as a man he isn't going to get all the tones and intonations for Dodo but the northern accent really did help it feel authentic. I thought the setting of the Victorian era worked really well and it really did feel like we were in the middle of the Industrial Revolution with the train tracks being laid. It really did just feel like a working class star and that's a huge compliment. The atmosphere was impressive in capturing the evening and a night at a Victorian public house lodgings was terrific. I wonder if Jago and Litefoot would sample a taste there in the future? I liked how there was a storm to set the scene but the weather was not the worst of things to come for the Doctor and Dodo, and the rest of then local population. The new train station had brought people from all over and for the public house that meant more footfall for trade. However, the fact that every workman without fail checked into a room the previous night obviously drew questions. I liked the threat of a mysterious creature and the locals seemingly thinking it closely resembled a bear sounded like a decent threat because I've always said natural ones are the most fearsome. An alien from outer space is difficult to relate to, but a wild bear? Yeah I'd be frightened and having my running shoes on for sure. So I can't blame all of the workers for seeking shelter. The Doctor and Dodo checking in for their own lodgings was good and I loved how the Doctor was very keen on supper. That felt like really good characterisation. I was really impressed with the writing for this incarnation as it felt very well suited to Season 3. He's gone through a lot by this point and the end is very much near so it was intriguing to hear him in reflective mood here as he remembered all of his companions up to this point. That was a touching moment and the prospect of him dematerialising almost feels impossible! It felt like a strong character moment for the First Doctor which I appreciated. Finding out that the true cause of problems for the Victorian rail workforce was a timeship that went faulty was not what I was expecting but I really liked the concept. It was unmanned which made wrapping things up a little easier and allowed the Doctor to send it back to the owner. I enjoy when the First Doctor gets some Time Lord vocabulary and just hearing him explain how it was sent to scout out the Vortex was fascinating. I really enjoyed that. Overall, a fantastic listen! 

Rating: 9/10