Big Finish Review-Doctor Who: Short Trips Volume 12

Doctor Who is a beloved British science fiction television show that has captivated audiences for over 50 years. The show follows the adventures of the Doctor, a time-travelling alien who travels through time and space in a TARDIS, a spaceship that looks like a 1960s British police box. The show has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring books, comics, audio dramas, and more. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at Doctor Who Short Trips Volume 12, an audiobook featuring six short stories set during the era of the Twelfth Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi.

Doctor Who Short Trips Volume 12 is a collection of six short stories, each written by a different author. The stories are all set during the time of the Twelfth Doctor and are narrated by Jacob Dudman, a voice actor who specialises in Doctor Who related media. The stories are all relatively short, ranging from around 20 to 40 minutes in length. The audiobook was produced by Big Finish Productions, a company that produces Doctor Who audio dramas and other science fiction and fantasy content.

Story Summaries

  1. “The Charge of the Night Brigade” by David Llewellyn In this story, the Doctor and his companion Clara arrive on a planet that is at war. The Doctor decides to intervene and help the people of the planet, but things don’t go as planned. The story is a retelling of the famous poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred Lord Tennyson, with the Doctor and Clara taking the place of the soldiers.
  2. “War Wounds” by Mark Wright The Doctor and his companion Bill arrive at a hospital during World War I. They discover that the hospital is using a new experimental drug to treat wounded soldiers, but the drug has some unexpected side effects. The story explores themes of trauma and healing, as well as the horrors of war.
  3. “Distant Voices” by Lizbeth Myles The Doctor and his companion Nardole arrive on a planet where the inhabitants communicate through singing. The planet is under threat from an external force, and the Doctor must find a way to save the day. The story explores the power of music and communication, as well as the importance of empathy and understanding.
  4. “Field Trip” by Una McCormack The Doctor and his companions arrive on a planet where a group of scientists are studying a mysterious energy field. However, when the energy field starts to behave erratically, the Doctor must intervene to prevent a catastrophe. The story explores themes of scientific exploration and discovery, as well as the potential dangers of uncontrolled experimentation.
  5. “Dead Media” by John Richards The Doctor and his companion Peri arrive at a museum where they discover a mysterious exhibit of obsolete media formats. However, when the exhibits start to come to life, the Doctor must find a way to stop them before they wreak havoc. The story is a fun and lighthearted exploration of the ways in which technology can take on a life of its own.
  6. “The Revisionists” by Andy Frankham-Allen In this story, the Doctor and his companion Ace arrive in a world where time travel is commonplace. However, when they discover that someone is altering history, they must race against time to restore the timeline before it’s too late. The story explores the dangers of altering history, as well as the importance of preserving the past.

Doctor Who Short Trips Volume 12 is an excellent addition to the Doctor Who universe. The stories are all well-written and engaging, with each author bringing their own unique style to the table. The voice acting by Jacob Dudman is top-notch, capturing the essence of each character and bringing the stories to life.

One of the strengths of this audiobook is its variety. Each story explores a different theme or genre, from war to music to time travel. This keeps the book fresh and exciting and ensures that there is something for everyone.

Another strength of the book is its focus on character. Each story delves into the psychology and motivations of the characters, both old and new. This helps to deepen our understanding of these beloved characters and makes us feel more invested in their adventures.

Overall, I highly recommend Doctor Who Short Trips Volume 12 to any fan of the show. It’s a well-crafted and entertaining audiobook that captures the spirit of Doctor Who and will leave you wanting more, this is a must-listen for any fan of the show. With its engaging stories, excellent voice acting, and wide range of themes and genres, it’s a great addition to the Doctor Who universe. We highly recommend it and believe that it deserves a top spot in any Doctor Who fan’s audiobook collection.

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Big Finish review- Doctor Who: The Doctor Chronicles: The Eleventh Doctor: All of Time and Space

The Doctor Chronicles range from Big Finish has had a mixed reception, with some fans ridiculing the entire range. However, ‘Geronimo!’ stands out as one of the best box sets of 2022, receiving widespread praise for its imaginative and enjoyable stories. Jake Dudman and Safiyya Ingar also established themselves as a new fan-favourite TARDIS team. Now, we are treated to a reunion with the Eleventh Doctor and his cybernetically-enhanced companion in ‘All of Time and Space’.

‘All of Time & Space’ provides a mind-bending experience that offers insightful commentary on the art of creative writing. This gripping story centers around a character who gains sentience inside an unfinished story and must complete a quest that involves erasing the Doctor’s biography. The unknown writer behind this script has shown tremendous potential, and I would love to see more from them.

‘The Yearn’ by Angus Dunican is a true gem of an episode. The gestalt collective is at war with itself, with one side desiring individuality and the other preferring to remain a hive mind. What sets this story apart is the unique depiction of the Yearn as angry, bestial energy panthers. It’s a standout episode and might even be my favorite Eleventh Doctor audio adventure.

‘Curiosity Shop’ is a character-driven piece that showcases the talents of James Goss. The Doctor believes he is a junkyard owner, and it’s up to Val to bring him back to reality as she gives up her cybernetics. The pacing of this dialogue-heavy story is impeccable, making it a brilliant way to wrap up the box set.

Finally, it’s worth noting what a revelation Safiyya Ingar is as the new TARDIS team member. Their performance as Val is nuanced and engaging, and their chemistry with Jake Dudman’s Eleventh Doctor is fantastic. They continue to impress as a versatile actor, and I can’t wait to see where their career takes them.

Overall, ‘All of Time and Space’ is another fantastic box set that lives up to the high bar set by ‘Geronimo!’. The writers deserve kudos for their imaginative and enjoyable stories, and Jake Dudman and Safiyya Ingar continue to impress as the new TARDIS team. I eagerly anticipate what’s in store for the Doctor and Val in their next adventure.

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