In Review: Big Finish: Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel: The Nightmare Begins

Synopsis: In The Nightmare Begins, the American authorities shut down Project Tic-Toc. All hope of retrieving scientists Tony Newman and Doug Phillips, lost in the Time Tunnel in 1968, has been abandoned.

In 2025, four people are brought together by a need to reopen the Arizona base and reactivate the Time Tunnel in secret. From there, they must try to find Doug or Tony because something they have done in the past has changed the present. 

Unfortunately, the change isn’t for the better. Indeed, the world is now under the power of Rakervia.

Review: Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel: The Nightmare Begins starts another great Big Finish range. Producer Gary Russell chose continuation over reboot. Like many fans, it bothered him that Tony Newman and Doug Phillips never made it home.

Story

To continue the story, the writing team had to mix new characters with original concepts. They also had to establish contemporary themes that the original show writers couldn’t have touched.

Additionally, they had to establish rules in in order to break them. In the process, they created an entertaining, thought provoking Chekhov’s gun factory.

“The Shudder, November 14 2025” by Gary Russell set everything up. I particularly appreciated how the protagonists were shielded from and propelled by events.

“Too Close to the Sun, January 5 1941” by Marc Platt introduced listeners to air pioneer Amy Johnson. The story worked, because Platt didn’t try to reinvent the wheel.

I loved his take on Johnson and her plight. She wasn’t a victim. She was an adventurer and a patriot, who knew where she belonged.

“The World, the Flesh and the Devil, December 24 1645” by Martin Day left the travelers in the midst of the English Civil War. Listeners got an exploration of religious persecution, hypocrisy, atheism, and faith.

By the end, listeners also got a cliff-hanger leading into the next set. Like I said, this range was a Chekhov’s gun factory.

Acting 

The entire cast was excellent. That said, there were several stand-out performances.

For his part, Seán Carlsen inhabited Captain Lewis Haworth with confidence.. Listeners would be forgiven for thinking he’d been playing the role for years.

For her part, Rachel Handshaw wholeheartedly embraced what this reboot’s modern leading lady needed to be. Lee Meriwether would’ve been proud.

Last, but not least, Helen Bang brought Amy Johnson to life. She centered the real woman within the fantastical storytelling.

Overall

Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel: The Nightmare Begins has done a classic franchise justice. I can’t wait to hear the next set of adventures.

You can purchase Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel: The Nightmare Begins here.