In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Vol 08: The Eternity Club 4

Synopsis: Welcome to The Eternity Club. A warm welcome awaits the universe’s greatest explorers. 

It’s a place of mystery, intrigue and creeping danger. Professor Bernice Summerfield has finally been invited to join. But membership comes at a terrible price.

Review: Doctor Who: The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Volume 08: The Eternity Club 4 was a lovely finale to the first mini arc. By the end, all of the characters had had their moments center stage.

Story

According to behind-the-scenes interviews, the Eternity Club story line grew out of a need to move Benny forward. She felt the loss of the Unbound Doctor. However, she still carried on discovering, having fun, and helping people.

Tim Foley fulfilled his mandate through humor, danger, mystery, and growth. I particularly enjoyed the development of Secretary Pym, Starll, Grizella, and the Nurse.

As for the antagonists, I loved how Foley treated The Liturgy as an homage. They were the end-of-season villains that writers threw together when there was no money left.

To top things off, we got a cliff-hanger leading to the next mini arc. Listeners should make sure they stay through the end for the mid-credits scene.

Acting

As ever, the entire cast was wonderful. That said, there were some memorable turns.

First, Dan Starkey and Naana Agyei-Ampadu thoroughly committed to Starll and Grizella’s heartwarming sub-plot. Second, Dianne Pilkington played the Nurse’s new revelations with subtle care.

For her part, Niamh Cusack obviously had a blast playing The Oldest’s ambiguity. However that sub-plot plays out, she’ll bring it off with gusto.

Undoubtedly, though, Nickolas Grace was the highlight. He played Secretary Pym’s gambit with pitch perfect awareness and timing.

Throughout it all, Lisa Bowerman lead with assurance. Listeners would be forgiven for thinking she’d been recording with this cast for years.

Overall

Thank you, Big Finish. Doctor Who: The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Volume 08: The Eternity Club 4 brought me some sunlight on this rainy day.

You can purchase Doctor Who: The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Volume 08: The Eternity Club 4 here.