Big Finish - 1st Doctor Special Release
Fields of Terror
by – John Pritchard
Steven, Vicki, and the Doctor walk into a horror show in revolutionary France, a town named Vendee, where the soldiers are indiscriminately killing the “rebels.” And then they become the target of a monster in a monk’s robe, who retaliates against them. The killing in this story is horrific by the soldiers and this is a classic revenge story in a historical scenario. I won’t ruin the surprise of who the supposed villain is, as explained by the Doctor, but if you like historicals, this is for you! I am not a huge fan though I learn a lot about the history of Europe with them so I can definitely appreciate them. And this one is extremely well done.
Across the Darkened City
by – David Bartlett
Steven has this entire story to himself, in a contest of strength and willpower against his Dalek and the Chaons, an even more deadly enemy. He is the only survivor and he moves across a darkened city on Shade, a planet the Daleks lost to the Chaons. Why the Chaons haven't spread further is a something never addressed. Plus the Dalek he drags across the city starts out as more reasonable, strangely, then it's like he can't do it anymore and acts normally at the end. Of course he turns out to be a Dalek of some importance, ultimately, though Steven never knows that.
This is a dramatic tale, extremely well told and with plenty of tense moments. The ending is a bit of a letdown, though, as Steven seems to suddenly trust the Dalek he didn't trust 10 minutes earlier... But otherwise, it's very well done!
Bonfire of the Vanities
by – Una McCormack
Steven has this entire story to himself, in a contest of strength and willpower against his Dalek and the Chaons, an even more deadly enemy. He is the only survivor and he moves across a darkened city on Shade, a planet the Daleks lost to the Chaons. Why the Chaons haven't spread further is a something never addressed. Plus the Dalek he drags across the city starts out as more reasonable, strangely, then it's like he can't do it anymore and acts normally at the end. Of course he turns out to be a Dalek of some importance, ultimately, though Steven never knows that.
This is a dramatic tale, extremely well told and with plenty of tense moments. The ending is a bit of a letdown, though, as Steven seems to suddenly trust the Dalek he didn't trust 10 minutes earlier... But otherwise, it's very well done!
The Plague of Dreams
by – Guy Adams
I really like the beginning and ending of this story a LOT. But the middle is a bit problematic. I spent the whole time trying to figure out who the player was - the Monk? the Master? But no. I think it's random Time Lord #17. A talented one to be sure but just a random one.
This story does fit nicely into the whole of the First Doctor's timeline and adventures. I really like that part of it. Though why Time Lord #17 doesn't explain anything to Polly is a bit mysterious. And he's rather reasonable, which I don't generally consider a character trait of Time Lords. Why Polly trusts him is a bit mysterious to me. An alternate Doctor who gets people to trust him? Perhaps just someone with a similar skill set...
Nicely done, Guy Adams!
Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Elliot Chapman (Ben Jackson / The Player), Robert Hands (Lagrange), Helen Goldwyn (The Chaons) and Nicholas Briggs as the Daleks
Writers: John Pritchard, David Bartlett, Una McCormack, Guy Adams Directors: Lisa Bowerman, Helen Goldwyn
Release: June 2017