Customer Reviews

The Holy Terror (Dr. Who Big Finish)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The TARDIS goes on strike and lands in a strange castle where people practice an even stranger religion. The appearance of Doctor and Frobisher is heralded as a miraculous sign, proof that the new god is indeed a true god, but before long the pair is caught up in a sinister plot to overthrow that god.

Until I got hold of this, I'd never heard of Frobisher, who appeared as a companion to the sixth and seventh Doctors in the comics. But mere minutes into this story, I became a fan of the shape-shifting, wise-cracking Wifferdill. He's a great foil for the Sixth Doctor and I would like to see Big Finish bring him back for a lot more adventures.

As for the story itself, Robert Shearman's script is an unsettling blend of humour and horror. The cast delivers some nicely nuanced performances that aren't quickly forgotten. Robert Jezek is fabulous as Frobisher and Sam Kelly (who I'd only seen in comedic roles) gives a simply stunning portrayal of the pivotal character Eugene Tacitus.

This is one of best Doctor Who audios Big Finish has produced. At the beginning I thought it would be a cute little farce skewering organised religion but it quickly descends into a frankly terrifying tale of the worst kind of evil. Definitely worth a listen.

I was never big into the doctor who comic after Tom Baker left, mainly because the later issues were not reprinted in America so I missed the issues with Frobisher, the shape changing Alien who's favorite shape was a Penguin.

Until this episode Big Finish never didn't include the comic companions and other than a free giveaway hasn't since. This episode shows what we've been missing and it is a lot.

The combination of Colin Baker and Robert Jezek as Frobisher is just plain entertaining to listen to. The chemistry is great and the fact that he is more of an equal than just than most companions really makes it work. Robert Shearman's first rate story and a strong set of supporting performances certainly didn't hurt.

The story is pretty simple, the Tardis (which is on strike) arrives in a world run by an odd combination of religious zealotry and tradition. Of course at the moment when someone asks for a sign this blue box with a talking bird shows us, the disappointment of the crowd when the Doctor comes out and is just a "regular person" is priceless.

Some people tend to look down on semi-comedy in Doctor Who but there is no reason why you can't have a good story with a little comedy (ie: The One Doctor). This one certainly does the trick.

However the comedy ends in the final episode as the plot twists rather cruelly. It is a stark contrast from the rest of the story but doesn't take away from it.

Buy it, and write big finish and ask for more Frobisher, you won't regret it.