In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: Philip Hinchcliffe Presents Volume 02: The Genesis Chamber

Once again, Philip Hinchcliffe was peanut butter to Tom Baker’s chocolate.
by September 7, 2016

Synopsis: Philip Hinchcliffe, acclaimed producer of Doctor Who (1975-77) returns to tell new stories for the Fourth Doctor and Leela.

The TARDIS has landed on a human colony world. In the city, where the inhabitants rely on advanced technology to create their children, a marriage is due to take place. But not everyone supports it, and a crash might just prevent it for good.

In the commune outside live the savages, shunned and detested by the city folk. But they have recently been visited by a man, charismatic and handsome, who may yet be their saviour – or their doom.

Two different sides, ready for conflict. But neither realises that a third force threatens their very existence…

Review: Once again, Philip Hinchcliffe was peanut butter to Tom Baker’s chocolate. Adapter Marc Platt did a fine job combining them for a medium that Hinchcliffe was initially uncertain about.

Instead of gothic, Philip Hinchcliffe Presents Volume 02: The Genesis Chamber gave listeners a classic science fiction homage to the Bard. Hinchcliffe himself described it as Romeo and Juliet meets Brave New World. I especially loved that Hinchcliffe and Platt channelled their inner poets, allowing The Doctor the words he truly needed to describe what Leela meant to him.

As ever, Tom Baker and Louise Jameson were perfection. That perfection shown all the brighter with aid from Gyuri Sarossy. Sarossy brought the requisite contrasting darkness as Volor and kept the characters wonderfully on edge.

I can’t wait for Volume 3, and I really hope the BBC woo Philip Hinchcliffe back to write for Doctor Who on television as well.

  • You can purchase Philip Hinchcliffe Presents Volume 02: The Genesis Chamber here

Written By: Philip Hinchcliffe, adapted by Marc Platt

Directed By: Ken Bentley

Cast

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), Jon Culshaw (DeRosa Janz), Hannah Genesius (Ana Janze), Jemma Churchill (Farla Janz/Inscape), Dan Li (Grillo Clavik), Vernon Dobtcheff (Jorenzo Zorn), Arthur Hughes (Shown), Gyuri Sarossy (Volor), Elliot Chapman (Dack/Loyyo)

Producer David Richardson

Script Editor John Dorney

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs

9.7
Big Finish: Doctor Who: Philip Hinchcliffe Presents Volume 02: The Genesis Chamber
  • Story, Performances
  • The BBC haven't brought Hinchcliffe back to televised Doctor Who
  • Story
    9
  • Performances
    10
  • Audio Production
    10
Tags

by Ian Cullen - Sep 7, 2016

by Tye Bourdony - Sep 7, 2016

Raissa Devereux became a life-long genre fan at the age of four when she first saw The Wizard of Oz at a screening at Arizona State University. Years later, she graduated from A.S.U. as an English major, History minor, Whovian, and Trekkie. Now a Florida transplant, she loves the opportunity Sci-Fi Pulse has given her to further explore space travel, time travel, masked heroes, gothic castles, and good yarns.
    No Comment
    SciFiPulse.Net