In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: The Exxilons

Synopsis: Planet E9874 supports a developing civilisation known as the Tarl. The peaceful, technologically advanced Locoyuns are helping the Tarl develop rudimentary technology. What could be more innocent than that?

When the Doctor, Leela and K9 arrive, they find the delicate balance in the relationship between the two cultures reaching an unexpected crisis point. The spears are flying and the threat of all-out war is in the air.

The Doctor must use all his guile to tread a careful path with Tarl leader Ergu, while Leela and K9 discover an ancient power of unimaginable strength which threatens to tear the minds out of its victims.

Review: This is an excellent audio for those who enjoy world building. Nicholas Briggs crafted a narrative expanding on elements from the wonderfully cathartic Third Doctor tale “Death to the Daleks.” Instead of hearing the psychotic pepper pots die in even more inventive ways than that episode presented, however, we’re treated to the background of the Exxilons, who played supporting roles in that Classic story.

Kudos to Briggs for writing the role reversals into the story. He gave the Tarl the role the Exxilons had in the original, and he gave the Exxilons the role the humans had. In the process, we learn more about the City and its beacon. This is an extremely difficult review to write, because so much depends on maintaining suspense for as long as possible. Indeed, one of my favorite moments is when the Fourth Doctor openly complains in his inimitable way that K9’s exposition, which would naturally lessen the suspense, is continually interrupted.

As ever,  Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, and John Leeson are marvelous. They’re like Godiva Dark Chocolate with two helpings of peanut butter. Apart from the audio itself, its lovely to listen to the three of them in the behind-the-scenes interviews. The joy and camaraderie are infectious.

• You can purchase “The Exxilons” at: http://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-exxilons-937

Written By: Nicholas Briggs

Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

Cast:

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), John Leeson (K9), Daisy Dunlop (Trexa), Jacqueline King (Calura), Hugh Ross (Gethal), Tim Treloar (Ergu)