Big Finish, Fourth Doctor Series
Has it really been 5 seasons of the 4th Doctor already? Tom Baker in his glory indeed, especially with John Dorney writing for him. This story is a mind-bending, brain-twisting, chase thriller from start to finish. Is there any other mischevious Time Lord who could pull off this spectacle? Or would want to? The Master is too devious and out to rule something, the Rani is similar in her interests, and Romana has no plans on the universe other than to help keep it together. Drax, on the other hand, will use it for sport and leisure and good times front to back. And get the Doctor put in the hot seat to take the blame for it! Wow. So he’s cunning and a thief, happy to make his way through the univers with all 12 of his incarnations making the best of what they can steal from others.
Magnificent, Mr. Dorney! This is the kind of criminal the Doctor can find amusement in and yet keep trying to stop. Just fantastically done overall. It got a bit confusing at times but it’s not like The Eleven, it’s all laid out for us to see. And how Drax isn’t ruling the universe is only a factor of his bumbling charm, I suspect.
Tom Baker (The Doctor), Lalla Ward (Romana), John Leeson (K9/Cabot), Ray Brooks (Drax), John Challis (Rosser), Hugh Fraser (Charles Kirkland/Shopkeeper), Jane Slavin (Shopkeeper 2), Miranda Raison (Inspector Fleur McCormick), John Banks (Grunthar/Street-Cleaner)
Writer: John Dorney
Director: Nicholas Briggs
Release: June 2016