Medicinal Purposes
Now this is a proper dark story, starring Colin Baker as the sixth Doctor and Maggie Stables as his companion Evelyn Smythe. For those of you who don't know Evelyn is a Big Finish created companion and a lovely middle aged history teacher whose become something of a personal favourite. However this team of regulars has been put through the ringer a bit in their last few stories, actually come to think of it bar one or two amusing romps this team has been put through hell for the majority of their stories: Gallifrey invasions, vampires, doom laden alternate realities and now a story set in the back drop of nineteenth century Edinburgh during the Burke and Hare grave robberies.
Its very much an atmosphere piece as the majority of the story takes place in a bar surrounded by murderers and prostitutes. There are a few twists and when the plot gets going it turns into a right little thriller, when the general mystery clears and things go in a certain direction it gets more engaging as the villain of the story emerges played by the wonderful Leslie Phillips. I liken this to a thriller akin to something Conan Doyle would have written, after the mystery is resolved things get down to a battle of wits between the Doctor and Knox in a style very similar to Holmes against Moriarty. Definitely a story I'd recommend as for long time viewers it feels like this TARDIS crews plot line is going in a certain direction and for people who dip in and out its a powerful atmospheric piece to hold your attention. Also as I tend to go into the story knowing nothing there is a surprise in the cast list and I for one am kicking myself that I didn't recognise that person.
Unregenerate!
Blimey another dark one with this one having the feel of a proper thriller and a rather good central mystery and plot to get the teeth into. Starring Sylvester McCoy as the seventh Doctor and Bonnie Langford as Mel this story sees the season 24 team in a story worlds away from their TV days. Whilst enjoyable I felt it was rather so/so and a bit wishy washy, theres a lot to enjoy here and a good bit of mystery however I thought the mystery aspect was a bit obvious. While there are other aspects of the plot away from the mystery that I found interesting I felt they took forever to get going and then rather stop. IMO what we have here is a lot of very good potential that never gets near the fruits of what it promised. Its very much Bonnie's story as the Doctor is part of the mystery the listener and Mel are trying to solve for the majority of the story. I recommend it but urge the listener not to get their hopes up or engage the brain as if you don't see the cliffhangers coming its very good stuff on offer otherwise you will be waiting for things to happen.
The Hexford Invasion / Survivors in Space
I also listened to the Hexford Invasion / Survivors in Space as I'm a fair way from reaching the Big Finish fourth Doctor output I felt the urge to hear some Tom. Its very much a laid back romp of a story bringing back memories of Stones of Blood and Android Invasion with the fourth Doctor getting into trouble in the English countryside with a Doctor Who twist thrown in. Its very much parts four and five of the Serpent Crest series but it feels distanced enough from the earlier parts to be listened to in isolation. It is a sedate pace with a few twists here and there, Tom is Tom so you know what your going to get and he's ably supported by an excellent cast. Paul Magrs is a wonderful writer and I never fail to howl with laughter at his books or audios. Highly recommended, also keep your ears peeled for a certain character who was a surprise on the initial release and I'll refrain from spoiling.
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