Dr Who Legend of the Cybermen (Doctor Who) [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

It's giving nothing away to comment on the return of The Doctor's second most prolific enemies; the emotionless Cybermen however play a relatively small part in this audio adventure; it's the reveal at the end of part two that will really get the fans excited.

Legend of the Cybermen is the third in a loosely linked Sixth Doctor series, also featuring the return of erstwhile travelling companion Jamie, whom the Time Lords returned to his own time before forcing Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor to regenerate. There are even more surprises in store than the revelation of where the TARDIS has brought them this time, and the whole play consequently feels warm and nostalgic. That's not to say that the story is bogged down in continuity however, but a new listener could do worse than check out the DVD Doctor Who - The Mind Robber [1968] [DVD] before listening to this.

Big Finish's consistently excellent production values, coupled with appropriate incidental music and a host of great lines make this an audio adventure well worth investing in; go on, you know you want to...

Latest Doctor who audio story, featuring Colin Baker as the Doctor and Frazer Hines as his companion Jamie McCrimmon. Final part of a trilogy that started with Dr Who City of Spires CD (Dr Who Big Finish) (Doctor Who) then continued with Dr Who the Wreck of the Titan CD (Dr Who Big Finish) (Doctor Who) and also had a side story in between these two with Dr Who Nights Black Agents CD (Dr Who Big Finish Companion) (Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles). The first two need to be heard in order to really get the most out of this story but nights black agents is only referenced briefly in this one and isn't quite as much required listening. Although it is very good.

The first two parts of this trilogy felt as if they were all set up for something bigger. And the cliffhanger ending to wreck of the titan certainly confirmed that. Those who know their Doctor who continuity will get more out of this story than those who don't. And there are also some very clever bits of self reference and fourth wall breaking that will also appeal to fandom.

If you've not heard the earlier parts of the trilogy go and get them before listening to this.

But if you have, then you'll find a story that was more than worth waiting for.

The four episodes, spread over two discs, run twenty nine to thirty five minutes each. They see the Doctor battling his old enemies the Cybermen in a place that is rather familiar. They see him have reunions. They see incredibly inventive and stunning battle scenes that couldn't have been achieved on a tv budget even with cgi effects. They touch on the way the Doctor regards past companions in a moving manner. They feature characters being so incredibly brave that you can't help but cheer them on. And they have some of the best incidental music ever. The tune to go with the march of the Cybermen is superb.

They will also make you look at the earlier parts of the trilogy in a whole new light.

Not much more can be said without spoilers and I wouldn't want to spoil this one because there's so much in it that it's all a delight to discover. A superb finale to the trilogy.

There are roughly nine minutes worth of the incidental music on the final track of disc one and roughly nine minutes worth of interviews with cast and crew on the final track of disc two. That's shorter than usual for this range but they do manage to get some good material in so it's worth a listen.

The next Doctor who audio sees another return for old companions as the Fifth Doctor Nyssa Tegan and Turlough are together again in Cobwebs (Doctor Who) a trailer for which can be found at the start of disc one on this release.

This story is the first of a trilogy in which Jamie returns to meet the 6th Doctor. Although it tries to stand alone, it doesn't quite manage and leaves a few plot elements hanging, some to confuse and some to point to the conclusion of the trilogy.

The story is, of course, set in Scotland with Highland clearances drifting into drilling for what seems to be oil, though by the end time seems to be very confused with centuries passing before the eyes of the main characters. We also have a main female character excellent played by Georgina Moffat (Peter Davison's daughter and the character of the Doctor's Daughter in the TV). Georgina almost steals the show though Jamie is of course wonderful, particularly as he has no memory of the Doctor at all.

I have the whole trilogy, so am not sure how well this would work as a true stand alone. It is good though!