In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: The Sixth Doctor Adventures: Purity Undreamed

Synopsis: In Purity Undreamed The Doctor heads back to Earth with Mel and Hebe in tow. He’s little dreaming what lies ahead. 

The Tardis Team is accompanied by their new friend, Professor Patricia McBride. Alien threats abound, dangers lurk, and the cost of meddling with time is more than anyone is prepared to pay.

Review: Doctor Who: The Sixth Doctor Adventures: Purity Undreamed was an excellent continuation of Hebe’s arc. This time, the writers gave the story a Pertwee-era rhythm.

The Story

I don’t want to spoil the larger plot points. After all, the three tales built up to a cliff-hanger that explained the cryptic title – Purity Undreamed.

“The Mindless Ones” by Paul Magrs offered solid set up for what’s to come. Listeners were introduced to Hebe’s best friend, Elise. Additionally, the travelers met anthropologist Professor Patricia McBride.

I really appreciated how vividly Magrs wrote the new characters within such a tight script. I also liked how organically he handled Hebe and Elise’s disabilities.

The story centered around society’s expectations and perceptions. Moreover, Magrs tossed in a pinch of satire. If anything, I felt he could’ve put in even more satire.

In “Reverse Engineering,” Jonathan Morris had the hard job. He had to transition Professor Patricia McBride into a different dynamic with the Tardis crew. 

He did this admirably. All the while, he breathed new life into a standard Doctor Who trope. Consequently, there was real weight in the debate between Professor McBride and her foil geneticist Killian Holm.

With “Chronomancer,” Robert Valentine ramped up the stakes. He paid off foreshadowed elements and redefined the threat.

As a result, Valentine ended the set with a major cliff hanger. Our heroes were unavoidably confronting the physical manifestations of prejudice. 

Acting

The main cast was marvelous as ever. In particular, Colin Baker did a wonderful job conveying The Doctor’s anger and disappointment as truths came to light.

For her part, Ruth Madeley continued to shine. She also sold Hebe’s pain as reality sunk in. Before that, however, she played Hebe’s friendship with Elise perfectly. I bought them as besties striving to reconnect.

Last but not least, I’d like to welcome Cherylee Houston to Big Finish. I can’t wait to hear more from her as Elise. I hope they find roles for her in other ranges as well.

Overall

Thanks, Big Finish, for that doozy of a cliff-hanger and the story that led up to it. I can’t wait to hear how you write yourselves out of it.

You can purchase Doctor Who: The Sixth Doctor Adventures: Purity Undreamed here.