In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: Classic Doctors, New Monsters Volume 01

Synopsis: It’s the ultimate classic doctor’s monster mash!

1.1 Fallen Angels by Phil Mulryne

From Michelangelo’s workshop to the catacombs of Rome, the Fifth Doctor must keep his wits about him and his eyes wide open as he confronts the Weeping Angels.

1.2 Judoon in Chains  by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris

The Sixth Doctor is no stranger to courtroom drama, but faces a very different challenge when he prepares to defend a most unusual Judoon.

1.3 Harvest of the Sycorax by James Goss

In the far future, humanity has a remedy for everything. Whatever the problem, Pharma Corps has the answer and a designer disease tailored to every human’s blood-type. Zanzibar Hashtag has no need to be sad, scared, stressed, or depressed ever again.

That is, until vicious aliens arrive on her space station intent on opening its Vault. What will it mean for the human race if the Sycorax take control of what’s inside?

1.4 The Sontaran Ordeal by Andrew Smith

An instant of the Time War brings centuries of conflict to the planet Drakkis, and the Eighth Doctor is there to witness the terrible results.

Review: According to the extras, Big Finish almost didn’t team Classic Doctors with new monsters. Their original plan had been akin to the Churchill boxset. The current series’ Doctors would’ve been narrated as they faced foes from their eras. I’m beyond glad that the plan changed. Classic Doctors, New Monsters Volume 01 proved beyond a doubt that the dividing line between Classic and New Who should be abolished. It’s all one universe, one story.

I’m a fool for the Doctor Who historical stories and the Weeping Angels. As a result, Phil Mulryne’s “Fallen Angels” won me over by default. I adored Michelangelo, and the conceit that he facilitated — the angels were already fully formed in the marble. I also appreciated that the angels crash landed at the dawn of time. It spoke to the eternal nature of art and how people are drawn to art. Mulryne channeled Umberto Eco into a marvelous time looped love story.

“Judoon in Chains”  by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris reminded me how much the folks at Big Finish love their classic literature. Barnard and Morris gave listeners a brilliant anti-genocide tale wrapped around a Frankenstein meets “Flowers for Algernon” core. It gave Nicholas Briggs the opportunity to revisit a classic monster performance, while giving a new one added layers. Captain Kybo’s poetry was a particular treat.

“Harvest of the Sycorax” by James Goss represented standard use of allegory in Doctor Who, and that’s no bad thing. I really appreciated the parallels between the drug suppressed populace and the Sycorax modus operandi. I also liked how Sycorax art was explored, even in extremis.

“The Sontaran Ordeal” by Andrew Smith was a showcase for Paul McGann and Dan Starkey. The story perfectly bridged eras, and I just wanted to hug Eight. Arguably, Eight had to live with the Time war in a more tragic way than his successors. He could see the inevitable train wreck coming, while the others had the relative cushion of hindsight.

In conclusion, Big Finish accomplished everything they set out to do. I can’t wait to see what they have in store with Volume 2.

• You can buy Classic Doctors, New Monsters Volume 01 HERE! 

Written By: Phil Mulryne, Simon Barnard, Paul Morris, James Goss, Andrew Smith

Directed By: Barnaby Edwards

Cast

Fallen Angels

 Peter Davison (The Doctor) Sacha Dhawan (Joel Finch), Diane Morgan (Gabby Finch), Matthew Kelly (Michelangelo), Joe Jameson (Piero), Dan Starkey (Priest). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Judoon in Chains

Colin Baker (The Doctor), Nicholas Briggs (Captain Kybo), Kiruna Stamell (Eliza Jenkins), Trevor Cooper (Jonathan Jaggers Esq), Tony Millan (Justice Burrows/Jonty), Sabina Franklyn (Herculania) Nicholas Pegg (Business Owner). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Harvest of the Sycorax

Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Nisha Nayar (Zanzibar), Jonathan Firth (Cadwallader), Rebecca Callard (Shadrak), Giles Watling (The Sycorax Chief)

The Sontaran Ordeal

 Paul McGann (The Doctor), Josette Simon (Sarana Teel), Dan Starkey (Jask), Christopher Ryan (General Stenk/Flitch), Sean Connolly (Tag Menkin/Ensign Stipe).

Producer David Richardson

Script Editor Matt Fitton

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs