Big Finish Anniversary Special Release
This is the most surprisingly lightweight of the four stories. I thought that this one would be the most dramatic and dire of them all and in a way, it is. The threat is now for the universe due to the type of powers Mr. Rees, a human, somehow has that are from before Time Lords even existed. Uh, okay then. How did a modern human acquire those powers? They don’t quite explain how that’s possible. But the Time Lords, of Romana’s era as President, and the Doctor, called in by U.N.I.T., are on the trail of Rees and his powers. Despite being able to manipulate people, he’s just not smarter than them, apparently. I’d expect him to have Holms-ian brain power by now but he’s perhaps just been alive too long, trapped in a little music box.
This story does showcase Leela and her talents quite nicely. What can she do, no matter who she’s up against? Though it is weird to hear her speaking like a modern woman instead of Leela of the Sevateem. Mixing Gallifrey and the 6th Doctor doesn’t quite come off as explosively in the dialog and action as I would’ve expected. Old six-ee is a lot more intellectual, despite his bravado, than you would initially expect. And I miss the days of Evelyn Smythe and the 6th Doctor. Such a partnership!
Colin Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), Lalla Ward (Romana), Richard Franklin (Mike Yates), Jamie Glover (Mr Rees)
Writers: Nick Wallace and Justin Richards
Director: Ken Bentley and Lisa Bowerman
Release: September 2014