With the series in mid-season break, the best way to cure a craving for good Doctor Who is through the amazing people at Big Finish Productions: the producers of the Doctor Who Audio Adventures. Staring 5th Doctor Peter Davison, 6th Doctor Colin Baker, 7th Doctor Sylvester McCoy, and 8th Doctor Paul McGann, these past adventures combine the best of traditional action-adventure with whimsy, humour, and horror from old and new writers alike. With stellar music and audio effects, and some surprisingly big name British actors, they more than adequately fill the gap between television seasons.
But there are some audio adventures that rise above the others…some that are so good that words such as classic can’t do justice to their power and impact. Ladies and gentlemen, for your consideration, I give you…
Staring Colin Baker as The Doctor
“I am NOT a Dalek…I am NOT A DALEK!”
Written by Lance Parkin
Directed by Gary Russell
PLOT: AI stock has shot up by over fifteen percent on news that galaxy-famous scientist Davros, controversial creator of the Daleks, has been hired to work on unspecified technological projects.’ Davros has been given the chance to redeem himself.
Humanity stands on the verge of a new era, but it needs the help of the galaxy’s greatest ever scientist. But Davros is dead… isn’t he?
From the bunkers and shelters of ancient Skaro to the gleaming Domes of the Future Earth Empire, Davros has always been a man of destiny. Now he’s working for mankind’s benefit. But how much do we really know about Davros?
Has Davros really turned over a new leaf? The Doctor certainly doesn’t think so. But is the Doctor always right?
This story takes place between The Two Doctors and Timelash.
Davros is a story about whether the ultimate leopard can change his spots…and it’s safe to say that he can’t. That said, if you don’t feel one hint of sympathy for the creator of the Daleks, then you’re not listening carefully to this masterfully textured tale of loss, regret, second chances, predestination, and wilfull blindness.
Terry Molloy is astounding as Davros, re-creating his TV persona with all the well-remembered phlegmatic disgust, but adding layers of melancholy and sadness that will cause you to reconsider everything you might have assumed about the galaxy’s most infamous war criminal. This is helped immensely by the flashbacks to his life on Skaro — both before and after the accident that made him what he is. For those who don’t believe the audio medium capable of West Wing-style visual strolls through the past, this will come as a complete shock. Using subtle audio effects to enhance the superb script, Molly changes vocal tactics, and gives us a sad and terrible glimpse into the life of Davros, pre-accident.
Let’s not forget Colin Baker, who once again demonstrates how the audio adventures have allowed his 6th Doctor the critical re-evaluation he so richly deserved. Bombastic, blunt, witty, irritating, beguiling…he IS the Doctor, and he’s out to make sure that everyone knows it! From his dismissal of the blind humans around him, to his relationship with Davros, he’s a tower of energy � his blazing voice on par with his retina-searing multi-coloured TV coat.
The most amazing thing about this sumptuous, visceral character study of the ultimate Doctor Who villain, is that you can follow along without knowing any of the back-story and minutiae of past Davros outings, such as Genesis of the Daleks, or Resurrection of the Daleks. The adventure carefully fills the story with enough subtle hints about his origins and background that you can follow along without a companion reader. Even more of a bonus is how it leads into Davros’ next TV appearance, Revelation of the Daleks…but that’s another story entirely…
A gorgeous script, top-notch performances, and character insight that is both unexpected and rewarding…Davros gives lie to the notion that he was ever a liability to Dalek stories. If anything, this production proves you can make the ultimate Dalek creator story WITHOUT a single Dalek. Now that’s a triumph in itself.
Go listen to this NOW.
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