"Doctor Who": Hornets' Nest: Hive of Horror v. 5 (BBC Audio) [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Fifth and final part of the series of talking books from bbc audio featuring tom baker back in the role of the doctor. This episode runs for seventy minutes and is compelete on one disc. and it contains an opening scene which fills in with narration rather than just story so far clips to explain what happened in the earlier parts. This works so much better, but it's probably a bit too late for new listeners to start here, so go back to part one to get the most out of it.

Now that the storytelling format of the past three parts is no longer required the story can move on and wrap itself up. Thus we get scenes that are full cast drama, and some that are narration. Early on tom baker is still more himself than the doctor, a slight problem that the series has had throughout, but once it gets going and the three main characters headed into the lair of their enemies you do stop noticing that.

This is all very imaginative, and the settings are very interesting. narration rather than drama means you don't quite get the full effect of the scenes describing them and you do have to work to get the most out of them. but it is worth the effort.

this whole part is character based drama rather than action spectacle, the plans of the monsters all depending on them having an influence on their prey. As a result of which we get long scenes of attempted persusasion that do tend to drop the pace off somewhat. But tom really gets into his stride during the middle and he does get some excellent bits of dialogue.

The reason why mike yates is in the story is adequately explained and it's well written because it wouldn't have worked with the brigadier, the originally planned companion for the series.

Once things are resolved, in rather typical doctor who fashion, there's a quick wrap up which does manage to neatly tie up all loose ends, and a nice final scene. which really should be listened to at a certain time of year for added effect. tom is once again himself more than the doctor during this, but by then you really wont mind.

a very good to the series. it has had its ups and downs throughout, but in the end it's been worth it.

... quite good in its own way. After the gothic overtones of earlier stories i was expecting something a bit darker, whereas this was a bit of a 'jellybaby'-ish resolution. Lots of fun though.

Tom Baker, as ever, is marvellous as the Doctor and Richard Franklin and Susan Jameson offer valiant support as Mike Yates and Mrs Wibsey respectively.

After four wonderful build up stories the climactic installment in Paul Magrs' Fourth Doctor saga has finally arrived. Whilst not quite as macabrely captivating as "Doctor Who": Hornets' Nest: Dead Shoes v. 2 (BBC Audio) this is still excellent, as Tom Baker's Time Lord, his grim housekeeper the exquisitely named Mrs Wibbsey, and Mike Franklin's redoubtable old soldier Captain Yates, take a journey into the unknown - in this case the inside of a stuffed zebra - in search of the Queen of the swarm, and a final battle with the deadly and insidious Hornets.

Baker is of course outstanding as the impishly arch Fourth Doctor, whilst Franklin, Rula Lenska, and Susan Jameson, provide first-rate support. With echoes of former adventures, and a trademark cavalier rush into danger, this is a complete, and utterly brilliantly bonkers culmination of a terrific series. We want more!