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WHO HOME | BIG FINISH AUDIOS
| 8TH DOCTOR NOVELS | EPISODES
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Big Finish's two seasons of Eighth Doctor audios have been moving towards a resolution of the time paradox caused by Charley not dying on the R101. NEVERLAND provides a conclusion to that arc, as well as clearing up a couple of other ongoing matters, perhaps most notably the identity of Don Warrington's character. Ever since STORM WARNING, the Doctor and Charley have become one of the series' best ever Doctor/companion teams. Paul McGann is as excellent as the TV movie hinted he could be, but India Fisher has been even better in the role of the Edwardian adventuress. McGann is as good as ever here, but India Fisher probably puts in her best performance. As a listener, it also helps that Charley's character is so likeable - therefore any threat seems more threatening and the scenes where she's pleading with the Doctor to 'save time' are almost heartbreaking. Unlike previous Big Finish audios, NEVERLAND is presented as two feature-length episodes, rather than as a four-parter. It's no action-led adventure either, rather a character driven story with long scenes full of dialogue that doesn't rush the conclusion to the whole Charley/time paradox arc. Lalla Ward and Don Warrington are both credited on the cover, and both thoroughly deserve it. On TV I always preferred the original Romana, but here Ward is excellent, with a dignified performance that also reminds the listener of the character's more innocent side that we saw on television. Don Warrington's character has been in the background of a number of recent stories, and his identity is finally revealed here. His role isn't perhaps as large as you might expect, but he still has a major part to play in events and his performance is excellent. Hopefully Big Finish will find a way to reuse his character in forthcoming audios. The rest of the cast are Big Finish returnees, and all do well with what they're given. In particular, Anthony Keetch manages to portray the various changes to Co-ordinator Vansell's character well, and it's good to see the character being given more to do this time around. The story ends on a cliffhanger and full marks must go to Paul McGann for his performance in the closing scenes. His earlier scenes with Charley as superb (loved the Peter Pan analogy, by the way), but the final scenes leave you wanting to know what's going to happen next. Shame it's going to be a while before the next Eighth Doctor audio then... BACK TO THE TOP |
NEVERLAND |
