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Doctor WhoMusic/Audio

Doctor Who: Destiny Of The Doctor Trouble In Paradise by Nev Fountain (CD review).

When Doctor Number Six comes along, we know he must have the marvellous Peri as his companion and it’s the ‘Destiny Of The Doctor’ to find ‘Trouble In Paradise’. Mel would be OK but I think the Sixth Doctor is defined by Peri, at least in the TV incarnation. Nicola Bryant narrates the story in her English voice but, of course, Perpigilian Brown is from the New World and where better to put the patchwork pair than the original new world, the Americas. Leaving aside that Mr. Columbus did not land on the North American coast and perpetuate Peri as such, this is an interesting opener as Sixie has been directly instructed by his future self, Mr. Eleven, to disembark at this particular destination.

DWTroubleInParadiseCD

The ship they arrive in is that of Christopher Columbus, the explorer with a terrible sense of geography. The year is 1492 and the sailors are mortally afraid because they believe the devil is walking amongst them.

Alongside the account from Peri’s near perspective, we get the journal of Chris Columbus and he’s having trouble getting his head through the door. As voiced by Cameron Stuart, Chris is an arrogant tosser who believes in his righteousness a little too much. There is also the little matter of the possible end of the universe.

This is a convoluted story which goes for the funny bone rather a lot. It takes the character of Six from the TV series as this ‘Destiny Of The Doctor’ has to fit in with the TV timeline. This character has been developed and extended by Big Finish as Colin Baker has made many series for them.

I’m no nearer understanding how the Eleventh Doctor’s story might begin to tie this all up but, hopefully, this joint production between AudioGo and Big Finish will introduce some more listeners to the delights of the audio ‘Doctor Who’. They are never second to the TV range and often they are a lot more detailed and thoughtful than some of the confection offered lately.

I would say the ‘Destiny’ series is on the light side with some exceptions. First impression of this one is that it’s a B movie schlock but if you like the Sixth character then it is worth seeking out his further audio travels with Charley Pollard or Evelyn Smyth.

Sue Davies

(pub: Big Finish. 1 CD 60 minute story. Price: CD: £10.99 (UK), Download: £ 3.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-47131-172-7)
cast: Nicola Bryant and Cameron Stewart
check out website: www.bigfinish.com

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