In Review: Big Finish: Smith & Sullivan: Reunited

Synopsis: Sarah Jane Smith is an investigative journalist. Dr Harry Sullivan is a UNIT operative. 

Together, they journeyed to the stars with the Doctor. When the adventures end, what can they do?

Reunited in the chaos of 1980s London, Sarah and Harry find danger and darkness lurking beneath the metropolitan veneer of wealth and technology. With trusty super-computer K9 and the brilliant Lavinia Smith alongside, new adventures are just beginning.

Review: Smith & Sullivan: Reunited was a loving follow up to K9 and Company. Big Finish have given classic Doctor Who fans everything that original pilot promised.

Story

Moreover, the addition of Harry Sullivan was an inspired choice. His interactions with Sarah and K9 were completely organic and delightful.

“The Caller” by Tim Foley deftly established this new range. He brought a modern sensibility to classic tropes.

I especially enjoyed Harry’s reintroduction. His quiet acknowledgement of previous adventures with the Seventh Doctor was poignant in context.

Another high point was Sarah’s interaction with Violet Starling. The almost respect between the two grounded the otherworldly storytelling extremely well.

“Union of the Snake” by Roland Moore had some excellent bait-and-switch twists. Moore gave listeners a character-driven story that snuck up on me in the end.

Eric Chen and Veronica Hyde were excellent guest characters. They were well-crafted foils for Sarah and each other.

“Blood Type” by Simon Guerrier offered listeners an absolutely head-on examination of journalism. He also confronted corporate exploitation and virtue signaling.

I really liked how earlier story elements were paid off. Indeed, my favorite beat involved a nod to an unused idea from K9 and Company.

 Acting

The entire cast was superb! That said, this box set belonged to the leads.

For their parts,  Sadie Miller and Christopher Naylor continued to channel Sarah and Harry effortlessly. For his part, John Leeson remained pitch-perfect as the beloved K9.

Overall

Thank you, Big Finish for Smith & Sullivan: Reunited. I can’t wait for more.

You can purchase Smith & Sullivan: Reunited here.