Jubilee (Doctor Who) [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

This is the fortieth release from Big Finish in their range of full cast audio adventures starring classic Doctor Whos. It stars Colin Baker as Six, and Maggie Stables as Evelyn Smythe. There are four episodes, roughly 25-30 minutes each, complete with original theme music between each, and cliff hanger endings. Two episodes per disc on 2 discs, and a short booklet with some pictures of the cast and production notes.

The TARDIS lands Six and Evelyn in London, 2003. Instantly the TARDIS vanishes, stranding The Doctor and Evelyn. To make matters worse, this is a somewhat dystopic London which, following the defeat of the Daleks in the invasion of 1903, is now the capital of a world dominating English Empire run on very Dictatorial lines. The Doctor is somehow inextricably bound up with this deviation from established history, but how? And just who are the mysterious prisoners in the tower?

This is another excellent adventure from Big Finish. Once again they manage to do something new and interesting with the motorized pepperpots, and explore just what it is to be a Dalek in an interesting fashion. The basic concept is well realised, and the various conundrums it throws up are interesting.

Characterisation is key to these adventures, and here the cast really succeed. Baker is in top form as Six, full of inquisitiveness and energy, mixed with that slight arrogance tempered with a huge compassion. It is at times quite a moving performance. Maggie Stables as Evelyn has really turned into a great companion, able to stand up to Six's more outrageous flights, and with a huge degree of compassion and resourcefulness of her own. Martin Jarvis makes a welcome return to the Whoniverse (he appeared opposite Hartnell in the Web Planet, and appeared in several of the TV serials including opposite Six in Vengeance on Varos). He plays a character that is similar, yet totally opposite to his character in Vengeance on Varos, it's an almost deliberate contrast with his earlier Who performance. I was quite taken in by his character, and and found his portrayal of the ruthless dictator and the man in torment quite compelling. There is also, as an icing on the cake, an absolutely superb audio production with nicely done sound effects and an unusual be effective story introduction. Don't skip forward when you hear the words `Coming soon from Big Finish'...

I loved this story all round, five stars.

This Sixth Doctor plus Evelyn tale is one of the best pieces ever produced by Big Finish. The tale involves a parallel world, the Tower of London and the tale of a society who treat the Doctor as a hero and saviour but only as long as he stays in the history books.

Meanwhile a sole Dalek is held prisoner in the Tower and tortured to a breaking point as the Doctor and Evelyn learn a lot about human nature, the oppressive British Empire and themselves. I won't spoil it further, but when you listen make sure you have time to listen in one go and time afterwards to reflect

This is a very dark, psychoanalytical thriller that really stands well as a thriller story, whether involved in Doctor Who's universe or not. The Doctor and Evelyn arrive in London in 2003 ... or is it 1903? And why is it against the law to contract your words? Is this a world that the Doctor can recognise, or want to be a part of? And does he believe that he may have been the cause of it after all?

The Doctor, Evelyn and some really rather nasty humans meet up in this crazy mixed-up world at the time of a Jubilee, a celebration of 100 years since ... the Doctor was last here? Or was he? And why are the humans torturing a Dalek that's been prisoner here for decades?

Is Rochester all he seems? Is Miriam?

So many questions! And none of them are answered till well near the end of this great 2-cd story, divided into four episodes. I like the Sixth Doctor in these audio adventures, he seems to have regained some of his humour and light-hearted tone while retaining his intensity. And Evelyn makes a great companion - a sensible lady who matches the Doctor in wit and intelligence.

Dark, disturbing, tales of the inherent inhumanity of mankind itself. Could we become like that?

Highly, totally recommended - riveting stuff.