Big Finish, Companion Chronicles
I liked this story overall but it was also a bit disjointed the way it was narrated. Deborah Watling is the main narrator but Frazer Hines would pipe in with Jamie’s lines, whenever they occurred. I thought it might be fun to listen to but it just ended up being distracting for me. The TARDIS crew lands in ancient China, during the reign of Emperor ???, who has lots of killing and evil done in his name by General Lee, and no, not the car. The team sticks together on this one for the most part and the Doctor is definitely not the leader. It’s a bit different in that each of the party takes a turn at leading, even Victoria. This is definitely a stronger Victoria than in the actual TV show!
I like the parts they each play, the acting is good and Deborah Watling does a fabulous Doctor voice, but the story just meanders strangely to me. It could’ve been done during the 2nd Doctor’s TV show run, to be sure, so they got the “feel” of the era correct. But it was a bit dull overall. Though defining what an exciting 2nd Doctor story is would be quite a challenge! For another day – watch a bunch of the stories and listen to what’s available then make a determination. It’s definitely more difficult when there’s so much available AND it’s much too easy not to focus on a particular Doctor for too long.
Deborah Watling (Victoria Waterfield), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)
Writer: Nigel Robinson
Director: Lisa Bowerman
Release: March 2010