In Review: Big Finish: Terrahawks Volume 03

Synopsis: The third volume of Terrahawks sees one of the team having to make the ultimate sacrifice.

1: No Second Chances by Jamie Anderson

Zelda has pulled off the ultimate heist, and now her victory seems inevitable. To stop her, and against all the odds, at least one of the Terrahawks will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

2: The Wrong Clone Number by Terry Adlam

Leaderless and desperate, the Terrahawks turn to pun-meister Twostein. After his victory against Cy Splitter, the comedy clone’s arrogance could prove royally problematic for Earth’s defenders.

3: Set Sail for Mis-Adventure by David Hirsch

Another mission – another clone. Sixstein is drafted in to service for an escort mission. Professor Otto Maddox’s new weapon is travelling via the Atlantic ocean, and Zelda is poised and ready to take piracy to new extremes.

4: You Foe by David Hirsch

It’s the last chance for the Terrahawks to replace their lost leader. But it becomes a race against time as Zelda and her family try to take advantage of the final clone, Threestein’s, good nature.

5: Living Legend by Chris Dale

It’s time for Threestein’s first major mission, and he’s in for a treat – meeting one of his idols. But soon his encounter with galactic explorer Elias Crick proves that you should never meet your heroes.

6: The Prisoner of Zelda by Chris Dale

Threestein and Lois Price are kidnapped and taken to an unknown coastal location – where a bizarre village – The Community – becomes their prison. Where are they? Why are they here? Why are they all now addressed by letters rather than their names? And just who is the mysterious ‘Z’?

7: Star Crossed by Mark Woollard

It’s a case of Cloneo and Juliet – and Threestein’s final chance to prove himself as a capable leader. But when it comes to matters of the heart can a Stein clone overcome his genetic shortcomings?

8: Enemies, Negotiation and Deceit by Jamie Anderson

With both the androids and Terrahawks weary of the constant conflict and seemingly unending stalemate, a new approach is tabled. But will human (and android) nature allow the long-time enemies to settle their differences?

Review: “Oh, Wow! They Blake’s 7-ed Terrahawks!”

That was my reaction to the ending of Terrahawks Volume 02. I understood from the behind-the-scenes interviews that that resolution stemmed from Denise Bryer’s health concerns. Eighty-nine at the point she recorded Terrahawks Volume 03, I’m heartily glad she found a third wind to carry on. That said, the third volume contained another semi-final ending depending on Ms. Bryer’s availability. On behalf of all Terrahawks fans, I’d like to extend love and good wishes to the voice of both a marvelous villainess and a beautiful heroine. We all hope she can continue for a while yet.

Because Ms. Bryer was able to record the third box set, Jamie Anderson faced the unenviable task of walking back the darker ending without resorting to deus ex machinae. He succeeded admirably in “No Second Chances.” The Terrahawks were not saved unscathed, and an arc was set in motion that put Jeremy Hitchen through his paces playing multiple Stein clones. The story was a character realization-palooza that addressed many of the weaknesses in Gerry Anderson’s original series.

Along the way, listeners got homages to Anderson’s UFO and The Prisoner, as well as a ton of other pop culture and genre references. Terrahawks Volume 03 continued the trend of intelligent escapism the Big Finish strives for.

• You can purchase Terrahawks Volume 03 here.

Written By: Jamie Anderson, Terry Adlam, David Hirsch, Chris Dale, Mark Woollard

Directed By: Jamie Anderson

Cast

Jeremy Hitchen (Ninestein, Hiro), Robbie Stevens (101, Hudson), Denise Bryer (Zelda, Mary Falconer), Beth Chalmers (Kate Kestrel), David Graham (Professor Otto Maddox / Elias Crick), Chris Dale (Yuri/Space Bears/Additional voices)

Director and Producer Jamie Anderson

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs