In Review: Big Finish: The War Doctor Volume 01: Only The Monstrous

Synopsis: Big Finish bring us the unseen adventures of John Hurt’s War Doctor as seen in the ‘Doctor Who 50th Anniversary’ episode. This box set comprises of three stories, which begins the story of the War Doctor’s part in the legendary time war between the Daleks and the Timelord’s.

Review: In so many ways this is the back story that bridges the gap between classic ‘Doctor Who’ and the new series that fans have been waiting for.

Since the 2005 return of ‘Doctor Who’ we have heard the Doctor talk about the time war and speak of terrible deeds and atrocity’s from this dark period, which led to the alleged destruction of his home world, which we have since learned was time locked by the War Doctor. The unspoken regeneration of ‘The Doctor’ that chose not to be known by that name due to his purpose being solely to fight the dalek’s

These first three episodes see John Hurt’s war Doctor saving Gallifrey from a massive Dalek attack and believed dead by his home world he winds up being nursed back to health by an alien civilization who have evaded war for centuries, but even their war is catching up with them and their people are no where near ready to fight.

As the episodes develop we learn that the enemies of Keska are friendly with the Daleks, which is why they need the War Doctor aka John Smith to help.

The episodes are made up of ‘ The Innocent’, ‘The Thousand Worlds’ and ‘The Heart of the Battle’.

John Hurt definitely brings his A-Game as do all the cast and as well they should because they are given some amazing dialogue and brilliant character beats. ‘The Heart Of The Battle’ has perhaps some of the best dialogue you are ever likely to hear from any ‘Doctor Who’ production regardless of who is doing it. And John Hurt’s final line is simply amazing.

Some of the best moments from the final episode of this set come when Hurt’s War Doctor is debating the dangers of negotiating with the Daleks with fellow time lord Seratrix who seems more naive than the citizens of Keska seemed to be at the start of the episode.

We have some fantastic acting performances by Jacqueline Pearce (Cardinal Ollistra) and Alex Wyndham (Seratrix). Pearce is very much at home as Cardinal Ollistra who seems every bit as manipulative and controlling as her role of Servalan was in the series ‘Blake’s 7’. Wyndham’s character as you can imagine winds up being a pawn in a very dangerous game.

As always Nicholas Briggs who wrote and directed lends his elastic vocals to voice the Daleks.

This set is the Christmas present that many fans of ‘Doctor Who’ have been waiting a long time for and its well and truly worth the investment. If I say anymore than this. I’ll just spoil some great surprises and tie ins to what we have learned thus far in the new television series.

• You can buy your copy of ‘The War Doctor Volume 01: Only The Monstrous’ at: http://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-war-doctor-volume-01-only-the-monstrous-1380