Big Finish June 2014 Preview

 

June brings us the Doctor’s first encounter with the Eminence, the final companion chronicle and the return of Bernice Summerfield.

Doctor Who Main Range 187: Masquerade

Written By: Stephen Cole
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Synopsis:
France, the year 1770: by special invitation, the famous 'Doctor', friend of Voltaire, arrives at the lonely estate of the lovely Marquise de Rimdelle – once a hostess to the highest of high society, now isolated by the strange, pernicious mist that lingers round the countryside.

But there's more in that fog than mere vapour, confesses the Marquise's strange niece to the Doctor's ward, Nyssa. She senses some uncanny machine circling the fringes of the estate, in the space between the shadows. Watching. Always watching. She's given it a name: 'The Steamroller Man'.

Meanwhile, the man in the cellar talks to the Doctor; a dead man, trapped behind the cellar walls. The Steamroller Man is coming, he says; coming to smash the place down. It seems the Doctor has been drawn into a very dangerous liaison…

CAST:
Peter Davison (The Doctor), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Rebecca Night (Helene), Victoria Hamilton (Marquise De Rimdelle), David Chittenden (Vicomte de Valdac), Andrew Dickens (Steamroller Man), Sean Brosnan (Dead Man)

Preparatory Listening: Moonflesh and Tomb Ship, for reasons I shall not display for spoiler reasons

Doctor Who Companion Chronicles 8.12: Second Chances

Written By: John Dorney
Directed By: Lisa Bowerman

Synopsis:
From time to time, everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has things from their past they'd like to undo, but nobody gets a second chance. What's done is done and we can't change that.

Zoe's mistakes have led her to imprisonment at the hands of the Company. But when news reports trigger memories of the Doctor, Jamie and an appalling threat, she begins to sense a way out. An opportunity for redemption opens up to anyone willing to take it.

Nobody can alter what's been done. Nobody gets a second chance.
Or do they?

CAST:
Wendy Padbury (Zoe Heriot), Emily Pithon (Kym)

Preparatory Listening: Echoes Of Grey, The Memory Cheats and The Uncertainty Principle, but only for background and context

Doctor Who Fourth Doctor Adventures 3.06: Destroy The Infinite

Written By: Nicholas Briggs
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

Synopsis:
The colony planet Delafoss is occupied by the army of a rapacious alien force known only as the Eminence. These slave armies of terrified humans are commanded by the dreaded Infinite Warriors - impervious to most forms of firepower, voices like icy death.

The Doctor and Leela arrive expecting to find Earth’s most successful, unspoiled colony. Instead, they are confronted by a planet choked by industrialization. And at the heart of it all, the construction of something that the Eminence intends will wipe out all human resistance once and for all.

For the first time in his life, the Doctor confronts the Eminence… and things will never be quite the same again.

CAST:
Tom Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), David Sibley (The Eminence), Michael Fenton-Stevens (Moorson), Clive Mantle (Tillegat/Lieutenant Treeves), Hywel Morgan (Larivan/Lieutenant Garrett), Christine Roberts (Sarla), Ian Hallard (Davent/Infinite Warrior)

Preparatory Listening: This was the first written story to feature the Eminence, but Seeds Of War and Dark Eyes 2 were earlier.

The New Adventures Of Bernice Summerfield

Written By: Nev Fountain, Una McCormack, Guy Adams, James Goss

Directed By: Scott Handcock

Synopsis:
A new five-disc box set featuring the adventures of archaeologist Bernice Summerfield and her friends the Doctor and Ace!

The Revolution by Nev Fountain
On the planet of Arviem 2, Bernice Summerfield has a lot of problems. Pursued by robots, maniacs and miracles, she has another issue to contend with. The Doctor's come looking for her – and he's not feeling himself.

Good Night, Sweet Ladies by Una McCormack
Bernice has come to the Moon of Adolin on a desperate mission. Instead, she finds an abandoned labyrinth, two confused survivors, and something ancient that needs her help.

Random Ghosts by Guy Adams
Welcome to the Forbidden World. This world has a secret. The problem is that no-one can remember what it is. Time is broken here. Those trapped here must live the same day over and over – forming alliances, lying to each other, trying to escape. Welcome to the Forbidden World.

The Lights of Skaro by James Goss
Bernice Summerfield is on Skaro, and she's very much on her own. The Doctor can't get to her, not this time. All Benny can do is stay alive for as long as possible. And, in a city full of Daleks, that's not going to be very long.

CAST:
Lisa Bowerman (Bernice Summerfield), Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks), Terry Molloy (Davros), John Finnemore (Steven), Miles Jupp (Inquisitor Xavier), Matthew Gravelle (Klinus), Colin MacFarlane (Foster), Sheila Reid (Claire), Nicola Bryant (Professor Geller), Alex Jordan (Renk Van Magnastein), Amber Revah (Varna), Matthew Woodcock (Robots)

Preparatory Listening: As the placement in Benny and the Doctor’s timeline is uncertain, it seems none.

Dark Shadows 44: The Darkest Shadow

Written By: Nev Fountain
Directed By: David Darlington and Joseph Lidster

Synopsis:
“I am Olivia Corey, the eternal actress.  I’ve lived my whole life in two dimensions.  Perhaps I prefer it that way.”

Olivia Corey has been offered the role of her life.

They’re making a movie called The Curse of Collinwood by Mr D Curtis. Apparently it’s based on a true story about an old house in Maine where all manner of terrible things happen.

Olivia is offered the role of ‘Amanda Harris’, a woman created from a painting, destined to fall in love with a cursed man, destined to roam the Earth to find him again.

How could she refuse?

After all, it’s the part she was born to play…

CAST:
David Selby (Quentin Collins), Donna McKechnie (Amanda Harris/Olivia Corey), Denise Nickerson (Elspeth Gardner), Alexander Vlahos (Dorian Gray), Jan Chappell (Dorcas Hanley), Wally Wingert (Norman Cope), Richard Halpern (Andy Warhol), Richard Crowest (Gerald Wilde), Walles Hamonde (Milo Channing), Zeynep Sandi (Joan Albert), Jamie Zubairi (Sketch), Emma Carter (Marnie Sloman), Ross McNamara (Benny Leonard)

Preparatory Listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful.

Blake’s 7 Classic Audio Adventures 1.6: Caged

Written By: Mark Wright and Cavan Scott
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Synopsis:
Roj Blake and the President of the Terran Federation stand face to face.

Two men with polar opposite political views, meeting for the first and last time.

The long crusade is at an end. And Blake stands to lose everything that matters in his life...

CAST:
Gareth Thomas (Roj Blake), Paul Darrow (Kerr Avon), Michael Keating (Vila Restal), Jan Chappell (Cally), Sally Knyvette (Jenna Stannis), Brian Croucher (Travis), Alistair Lock (Zen/Orac), Hugh Fraser (The President)

Preparatory Listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful. This story also draws on events from previous releases in the range

Survivors: Series One Box Set

Written By: Matt Fitton, Jonathan Morris, Andrew Smith, John Dorney
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Synopsis:
It begins with just a few people falling ill. Another flu virus that spreads around the globe. And then the reports begin that people are dying…

When most of the world's population is wiped out, a handful of survivors are left to pick up the pieces.

Cities become graveyards. Technology becomes largely obsolete. Mankind must start again…

NOTE: Survivors contains adult material and is not suitable for younger listeners.

1. Revelation by Matt Fitton
When people begin to die of a new strain of a flu virus, newspaper journalists Helen Wiseman and Daniel Connor investigate. They uncover a terrifying story - but will anyone ever get to read it?

2. Exodus by Jonathan Morris
Billions of people have died across the globe. Cities are rife with secondary diseases, and the survivors attempt to make their way out of London.

3. Judges by Andrew Smith
After a storm wipes out much of their community's supplies, Greg and Jenny go in search of new provisions - much to Abby's disapproval.

4. Esther by John Dorney
Greg, Jenny and their new friends are trapped. Will they ever make it out alive?

CAST:
Lucy Fleming (Jenny Richards), Ian McCulloch (Greg Preston), John Banks (Daniel Connor), Louise Jameson (Jackie Burchall), Sinead Keenan (Susie Edwards),. Caroline Langrishe (Helen Wiseman), Adrian Lukis (James Gillison), Chase Masterson (Maddie Price), Terry Molloy (John Redgrave), Camilla Power (Fiona Bell)
Special appearance by Carolyn Seymour (Abby Grant)

Preparatory Listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful.

Big Finish Main Range Trilogy Guide: 2013

Big Finish Main Range Trilogy Guide: 2013

Sixth Doctor and Mel

Starring Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor and  Bonnie Langford as Mel

#169 The Wrong Doctors, written by Matt Fitton and directed by Nicholas Briggs, released January 2013

#170 Spaceport Fear, written by William Gallagher and directed by Nicholas Briggs, released February 2013

#171 The Seeds Of War, written by Matt Fitton and Nicholas Briggs and directed by Nicholas Briggs, released March 2013

This trilogy has three stories with the Sixth Doctor and Mel Bush. The first story has two Doctors and two Mels, and is very timey wimey (sorry). The Seeds Of War is the first release to feature the Eminence, an entity who will make its first chronological appearance in June’s Fourth Doctor Adventure Destroy The Infinite.

Time frames: The Wrong Doctors features the Sixth Doctor just after Evelyn’s departure, and the Sixth Doctor fresh from the Trial Of A Time Lord who is bringing Mel home. The other Mel is from the first Mel’s future, but her mind is being used to support the setting.

Highlight: Spaceport Fear is a cross between Face Of Evil and Paradise Towers, and is much better than both of them. It’s fun to spot the lingo and where it comes from (I have something to declare), and the Doctor and Mel are well used. Ronald Pickup is just as well done as Elder Bones.

Season 20 United, Take IV

Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor, Sarah Sutton as Nyssa, Janet Fielding as Tegan and Mark Strickson as Turlough

#172 Eldrad Must Die!, written by Marc Platt and directed by Ken Bentley, released April 2013

#173 The Lady Of Mercia, written by Paul Magrs and directed by Ken Bentley, released May 2013

#174 Prisoners Of Fate, written by Jonathan Morris and directed by Ken Bentley, released June 2013

This trilogy again features the season 20 team. Each story focuses on one companion (Turlough, Tegan and Nyssa respectively). The Lady Of Mercia is a historical (well, in the sense that the only aliens are the Doctor and his companions), the first since The Angel Of Scutari in 2009. Prisoners Of Fate wraps up the story arc that started in Cobwebs.

Time Frames: Eldrad Must Die! takes place some point after Butcher Of Brisbane, same time scale for the other two stories.

Highlight: Prisoners Of Fate takes the ideas of Cobwebs and puts them into a breathtaking finale. Some may bemoaning Nyssa calling her son Adric, but it’s a tale full of emotion, and the cost of traveling with the Doctor. The Doctor’s strand of the story is just as strong and compelling.

Persuasion trilogy

Starring Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor, Tracey Childs as Elizabeth Klein and Christian Edwards as Will Arrowsmith

#175 Persuasion, written by Jonathan Barnes and directed by Ken Bentley, released July 2013

#176 Starlight Robbery, written by Matt Fitton and directed by Ken Bentley, released August 2011

#177 Daleks Among Us, written by Alan Barnes and directed by Ken Bentley, released September 2011

This trilogy brings back Klein following UNIT Dominion, with an assistant Will Arrowsmith, and is linked by the Persuasion Machine, a device introduced in Persuasion and whose narrative concludes in Daleks Among Us. Terry Molloy guest stars as Davros in Daleks Among Us

Time Frames: The Doctor picks up Klein and Will some point after UNIT Dominion. There’s a day or so between Persuasion and Starlight Robbery, and Starlight Robbery segues into Daleks Among Us.

Highlight: Starlight Robbery could exist without the Persuasion Machine narrative, and all the better for it. We see how far Klein has developed, Will gets some decent development (shame it’s ignored next story) and the Sontarans are the most competent you’ll get outside of Time Warrior and Sontaran Experiment. Garundel works well, and I swear Ziv reminds me of Flip from the Sixth Doctor stories.

To Be Honest: I don’t want to be critical of Big Finish, but this trilogy seemed to be jumping the shark in an effort to develop Klein in a way that wasn’t needed. Persuasion felt too much like a set-up than a story in its own right, and Daleks Among Us ignored the good character development while needing you to have heard both preceeding stories. Davros seemed superfluous and his role didn’t seem to justify his presence. You know a companion rubbed up the wrong way when Doctor Who Magazine wanted him gone (check out its review of Daleks Among Us!). Sorry if you enjoyed this trilogy, but I didn’t, and don’t want to spoil your impression of it.

1963 trilogy

Starring Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor, Sarah Sutton as Nyssa, Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor, Nicola Bryant as Peri, Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace

#178 1963: Fanfare For The Common Men, written by Eddie Robson and directed by Barnaby Edwards, released September 2013

#179 1963: The Space Race, written by Jonathan Morris and directed by Nicholas Briggs, released October 2013

#180 1963: The Assassination Games, written by John Dorney and directed by Ken Bentley, released November 2013

Three stories with three Doctors and three companions, set during 1963. These are the same teams that appear in the 50^th Anniversay special The Light At The End.

Time Frames: Fanfare takes place between 1001 Nights and Moonflesh, and either follows or precedes the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa’s appearance in The Light At The End.

The Space Race takes place between Recorded Time and Breaking Bubbles, and either follows or precedes the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa’s appearance in The Light At The End.

Assassination Games takes place between Greatest Show In The Galaxy and Battlefield.

Highlight: Fanfare For The Common Men is a fun adventure. Peter Davison clearly enjoys the script and the Common Men make great Beatle replacements. The music track at the end of Disc One is a must listen, and the CDs themselves, well look for youself.

What was your favorite story from 2013

The Monster Collection: Book re-issues

I know it’s slightly off-topic here, but I thought I’d talk about some upcoming novels that are being released later this year. Last year this was done for the 50^th anniversary, with one novel featuring each Doctor, with the books drawn from the BBC’s Past Doctor Adventures line for Doctors 1 to 6, a Target novelisation for the Seventh Doctor, a BBC Eight Doctor Adventure (it’s hard finding a title from there not continuity linked in some way!) and the BBC New Series Adventures for Doctors 9-11.

This new batch of books has TV monsters in prose form, in all new stories, with the new covers showing that monster. The original texts are also taken from a wider range of ranges, including the Virgin novels! If I have read that title, I may give my verdict on it.

Corpse Marker by Chris Boucher (Fourth Doctor and Leela, Voc Robots)

Past Doctor Adventures #27, released November 1999

The Doctor and Leela arrive on the planet Kaldor, where they find a society dependent on benign and obedient robots. But they have faced these robots before, on a huge Sandminer in the Kaldor desert, and know they are not always harmless servants. The only other people who know the truth are the three survivors from that Sandminer - and now they are being picked off one by one. The twisted genius behind that massacre is dead, but someone is developing a new, deadlier breed of robots. This time, unless the Doctor and Leela can stop them, they really will destroy the world. It is an adventure featuring the Fourth Doctor, as played by Tom Baker, and his companion Leela.

My verdict: Not as good as Robots Of Death, but then it takes someone as amazing a Nick Briggs to pen that amazing a sequel. Some intriguing developments, so worth a read

Shakedown by Terrance Dicks (Seventh Doctor, Benny, Chris and Roz, Sontarans)

Virgin New Adventures #45, released December 1995

For thousands of years the Sontarans and the Rutans have fought a brutal war across the galaxy. Now the Sontarans have a secret plan to destroy the Rutan race - a secret plan the Doctor is racing against time to uncover. Only one Rutan spy knows the Sontarans' plan. As he is chased through the galaxy in a desperate bid for his life, he reaches the planet Sentarion - where Professor Bernice Summerfield's research into the history of the Sontaran-Rutan war is turning into an explosive reality. It is an adventure featuring the Seventh Doctor, as played by Sylvester McCoy.

Fun fact: Part of this novel is based on the spin-off video Shakedown: Return Of The Sontarans, the second (and so far last) time the Sontarans and the Rutans appeared on screen together

Illegal Alien by Mike Tucker and Robert Perry (Seventh Doctor and Ace, Cybermen)

Past Doctor Adventure #5, released October 1997

The Blitz is at its height. As the Luftwaffe bomb London, Cody McBride, ex-pat American private eye, sees a sinister silver sphere crash-land. He glimpses something emerging from within. The military dismiss his account of events - the sphere must be a new German secret weapon that has malfunctioned in some way. What else could it be? Arriving amid the chaos, the Doctor and Ace embark on a trail that brings them face to face with hidden Nazi agents, and encounter some very old enemies. It is an adventure featuring the Seventh Doctor, as played by Sylvester McCoy, and his companion Ace.

My verdict: Get this one. It is a good read, and if you choose to pick up later releases that link into this one, rewarding.

Fun fact 1: This was going to be a TV story before the 89’ cancellation. Mike Tucker mentions this in the documentary on the Survival DVD

Fun fact 2: This is the first book in a cycle of Seventh Doctor and Ace stories. After Illegal Alien, there’s #16 Matrix, #23 Storm Harvest (first appearance of the Krill, who are also in the Big Finish Dust Breeding with a certain Mr Seta..), #33 Prime Time, #57 Heritage and #60 Loving The Alien (wraps up threads from these books)

Touched By An Angel by Jonathan Morris (Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory, Weeping Angels)

New Series Adventure #46, released June 2011

'The past is like a foreign country. Nice to visit, but you really wouldn't want to live there.' In 2003, Rebecca Whitaker died in a road accident. Her husband Mark is still grieving. He receives a battered envelope, posted eight years earlier, containing a set of instructions with a simple message: 'You can save her.' As Mark is given the chance to save Rebecca, it's up to the Doctor, Amy and Rory to save the whole world. Because this time the Weeping Angels are using history itself as a weapon. It is an adventure featuring the Eleventh Doctor, as played by Matt Smith, and his companions Amy and Rory.

My verdict: Jonathan Morris weaves his magic with the Weeping Angels, who are just as intense on print as they are on screen. Why can’t Johnny Morris write a TV script? I’d recommend all his Big Finish stuff, and also his many other novels. His debut, Festival Of Death (re-released last year) is a masterpiece)

The Scales Of Injustice by Gary Russell (Third Doctor, Liz and UNIT, Silurians and Sea-Devils)

Virgin Missing Adventure #24, released July 1996

When a boy goes missing and a policewoman starts drawing cave paintings, the Doctor suspects the Silurians are back. With the Brigadier distracted by questions about UNIT funding and problems at home, the Doctor swears his assistant Liz Shaw to secrecy and investigates alone. But Liz has enquiries of her own, teaming up with a journalist to track down people who don't exist. What is the mysterious Glasshouse, and why is it so secret? As the Silurians wake from their ancient slumber, the Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier are caught up in a conspiracy to exploit UNIT's achievements - a conspiracy that reaches deep into the heart of the British Government. It is an adventure featuring the Third Doctor, as played by Jon Pertwee, his companion Liz Shaw and UNIT.

Popular opinion: Often said to be a very popular book, I hope this gives me the chance to read for myself

Fun fact: Some characters reappear in the Past Doctor Adventures novels Business Unusual and Instruments Of Darkness, both by Gary Russell

Prisoner Of The Daleks by Trevor Baxendale (Tenth Doctor, Daleks)

New Series Adventure #33, released April 2009

The Daleks are advancing, their empire constantly expanding. The battles rage on across countless solar systems - and the Doctor finds himself stranded on board a starship near the frontline with a group of ruthless bounty hunters. Earth Command will pay these hunters for every Dalek they kill, every eyestalk they bring back as proof. With the Doctor's help, the bounty hunters achieve the ultimate prize: a Dalek prisoner - intact, powerless, and ready for interrogation. But with the Daleks, nothing is what it seems, and no one is safe. Before long the tables will be turned, and how will the Doctor survive when he becomes a prisoner of the Daleks? It is an adventure featuring the Tenth Doctor, as played by David Tennant.

My verdict: By getting past the Dalek continuity from the new series, Trevor Baxendale brings us hoards of Daleks and a plot that will impact the whole universe. The characters are memorable as well. Get it

Sting Of The Zygons by Stephen Cole (Tenth Doctor and Martha, Zygons)

New Series Adventure #13, released April 2007

The TARDIS lands the Doctor and Martha in the Lake District in 1909, where a small village has been terrorised by a giant, scaly monster. The search is on for the elusive 'Beast of Westmorland', and explorers, naturalists and hunters from across the country are descending on the fells. King Edward VII himself is on his way to join the search, with a knighthood for whoever finds the Beast. But there is a more sinister presence at work in the Lakes than a mere monster on the rampage, and the Doctor is soon embroiled in the plans of an old and terrifying enemy. And as the hunters become the hunted, a desperate battle of wits begins - with the future of the entire world at stake. It includes an adventure featuring the Tenth Doctor, as played by David Tennant, and his companion Martha.

My verdict: not the best, yet an interesting story none the less, and the “who (or what…) is a zygon” thing is fun. I would rather the BBC brought out the early Eighth Doctor Adventure The Body Snatchers by Mark Morris, which featured Sam and Litefoot (the book is also referenced the Eighth Doctor Big Finish audio The Zygon Who Came To Earth), and is less widely available than this title

The Sands Of Time by Justin Richards (Fifth Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan, Osirians and Mummy Robots)

Virgin Missing Adventure #22, released May 1996

The Doctor is in Victorian London with Nyssa and Tegan - a city shrouded in mystery. When Nyssa is kidnapped in the British Museum, the Doctor and Tegan have to unlock the answers to a series of ancient questions. Their quest leads them across continents and time as an ancient Egyptian prophecy threatens future England. To save Nyssa, the Doctor must foil the plans of the mysterious Sadan Rassul. But as mummies stalk the night, an ancient terror stirs in its tomb. It is an adventure featuring the Fifth Doctor, as played by Peter Davison, and his companions Nyssa and Tegan.

My verdict: An original idea, with plenty of time-hopping and good, but not overdone use of timey-wimey. I say yes, and you're also unlikely to find it anywhere else.

These titles are available from March this year. Some are from the hard to find Virgin years (which can only be found on eBay or second hand bookshops) and hopefully include forwards by the authors like last year’s batch did. A good introduction to prose Doctor Who if you target likes the monsters

Comment below, or tweet me at @jbmastawa. What books or authors would you like to see re-issued? Have you read these titles and which ones do you recommend? What ones would you like to read or re-read?