In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: Past Forward

Synopsis: Past Forward: Amid betrayal and manipulation, the Doctor and friends are trapped by a destiny they cannot escape. The future is calling—and so is the past.

Review: Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: Past Forward brought an extremely enjoyable arc to a close. To reach this ending, the writers unleashed one of the franchises most terrifying and inventive threats.

Story

Every time I think Big Finish has milked all the fear out of a Doctor Who baddie, the writers prove me wrong. In the process, they’ve constructed the Seventh Doctor’s greatest long game yet.

“With the Angels Part 1” by John Dorney was a wonderful opening installment. Dorney’s world-building was intricate and thought provoking.

I also really appreciated how he took the Weeping Angel’s psychological state into consideration. However, the emotional high point for me was Harry and Naomi’s final scene together.

“Catastrophix” by Lizzie Hopley gave listeners the twisted consequences of the Weeping Angel’s predicament. Additionally, the Doctor caught up with Naomi and Harry in their new circumstances.

The story was no holds barred allegory for opportunistic capitalism run amok. Along the way, the Doctor had a surprising reunion.

“With the Angels Part 2” by John Dorney put all the puzzle pieces in place. The Doctor lost to win and won to lose..

As for the secondary villain, he got schooled in hubris and non-linear strategy. For its part, the Weeping Angel was heartwarmingly trapped by imaginatively unforeseen beings that don’t blink.

Acting

The entire cast was excellent. However, the box set belonged to the leads throughout. 

For their parts, Eleanor Crooks and Christopher Naylor finished as they started. They fully embraced Naomi and Harry’s loyalty and heroic competence.

For his part, Sylvester McCoy brought perfectly pitched Machiavellian melancholy to the Doctor’s gambit. He effortlessly sold every move in the game the Doctor hadn’t wanted to play.

Overall

Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: Past Forward was the send off this Tardis Team deserved. I can’t wait for Harry Sullivan’s new adventures next month.

You can purchase Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: Past Forward here.