Big Finish Audio 1.01, November 2009
Nice concept but it really didn’t grab my interest at any point during the audio, unfortunately. I really didn’t feel like the Doctor was in any danger at any time, neither was Peri. There is a lot of bad guy posturing but it was difficult to care. The only thing this audio did very, very well is engender some sympathy for the Celestial Toymaker. The Doctor understands his motivations to play games in a revelation towards the end of the story and the eons of life behind him and eons to go is just a monumentally stunning moment. A case of being buried by the years of life in an almost literal fashion. I could really feel that weight, too, just for a moment. And that was the best moment of the whole story!
Otherwise, it was just uninspiring. Listen to The Magic Mousetrap instead, which is a much more inspired story and cast of characters.
Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant
Writer: Graham Williams, adapted by John Ainsworth
Director: John Ainsworth