A story featuring William Russell is always something special. Anyone who has listened to other audio adventures narrated by him (original soundtrack narration, target novelisations etc) will be aware that he has a wonderful voice and could read the phone book and he would make it sound interesting. This is amazing only his second Companion Chronicle for Russell following on from the highly impressive Transit of Venus in 2009. Another reason for me to be looking forward to this release is that its written by John Dorney, who’s track record recently has been high impressive with Solitaire and Farewell Great Macedon so the omens were good. The story is set during the time when Vicki was travelling with the Doctor, Ian and Barabra with the story set on a platform base above a gassy sky.
In the interview at the end of the release, John Dorney freely admits that he came up with the title first and then developed the story. That shows quite a lot in this story as by the halfway point I was wondering what the actual story was about. There were things going on but nothing going on. I found the whole setting to be wonderful as it put it in a setting that it not done in Doctor Who and it owes a lot in style to the 1991 film ‘The Rocketeer’ which features a guy with a rocket-pack on his back. This is achieved by the cover that accompanies and also the dialogue from John Dorney. It’s a place that sounds beautiful and then the story starts which takes your attention away from that.
The thing that I liked was how there was some emphasis given on the blatantly obvious romance between Ian and Barbara. It was never really acknowledged on TV but it was clear to everyone and I thought that it was a nice touch and helped draw the listeners attention to just how much the events in this story had effected Barbara. Yes she might be a strong minded person but even she can be affected. I thought it was typically Ian thing to do to give Barbara some space but it was nice to have the Doctor force Ian to go over to her. As Ian reminds us that its hard to believe that at one point they were enemies and now they are friends. What a difference two seasons make. There is a wonderful scene where Barbara is thrown out of a window and is plummeting through the air and Ian in a moment on what can be described as madness jumps out to try and rescue her. This is something that defines the character and the relationship between the two.
William Russell as usual gives his usual top notch performance. In his 87th year on this earth its amazing how he is still enthusiastic about a role that he did for two years 46 years ago. He makes the story seem fun and the reason why I kept going with the story was mainly due to Russell. As the supporting side of the cast, Gus Brown is quite good as Ashman as he does come across as a particularly nasty person.
I must admit that I was slightly disappointed with this story. There are a lot of good things in this story however for some reason it doesn’t quite gel together and that’s the part that lets the story down. I think that with William Russell and John Dorney involved, anything less that would be seen as a disappointment. There is plenty to like and it certainly not anywhere near as bad as The Criminal Code or The Forbidden Time but I cant help but say that I was expecting slightly more than this.
In the interview at the end of the release, John Dorney freely admits that he came up with the title first and then developed the story. That shows quite a lot in this story as by the halfway point I was wondering what the actual story was about. There were things going on but nothing going on. I found the whole setting to be wonderful as it put it in a setting that it not done in Doctor Who and it owes a lot in style to the 1991 film ‘The Rocketeer’ which features a guy with a rocket-pack on his back. This is achieved by the cover that accompanies and also the dialogue from John Dorney. It’s a place that sounds beautiful and then the story starts which takes your attention away from that.
The thing that I liked was how there was some emphasis given on the blatantly obvious romance between Ian and Barbara. It was never really acknowledged on TV but it was clear to everyone and I thought that it was a nice touch and helped draw the listeners attention to just how much the events in this story had effected Barbara. Yes she might be a strong minded person but even she can be affected. I thought it was typically Ian thing to do to give Barbara some space but it was nice to have the Doctor force Ian to go over to her. As Ian reminds us that its hard to believe that at one point they were enemies and now they are friends. What a difference two seasons make. There is a wonderful scene where Barbara is thrown out of a window and is plummeting through the air and Ian in a moment on what can be described as madness jumps out to try and rescue her. This is something that defines the character and the relationship between the two.
William Russell as usual gives his usual top notch performance. In his 87th year on this earth its amazing how he is still enthusiastic about a role that he did for two years 46 years ago. He makes the story seem fun and the reason why I kept going with the story was mainly due to Russell. As the supporting side of the cast, Gus Brown is quite good as Ashman as he does come across as a particularly nasty person.
I must admit that I was slightly disappointed with this story. There are a lot of good things in this story however for some reason it doesn’t quite gel together and that’s the part that lets the story down. I think that with William Russell and John Dorney involved, anything less that would be seen as a disappointment. There is plenty to like and it certainly not anywhere near as bad as The Criminal Code or The Forbidden Time but I cant help but say that I was expecting slightly more than this.
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