Customer Reviews

Doctor Who: The BBC Radio Episodes

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There have been many radio shows on and around the subject - of Doctor Who but this box set gathers all the bespoke audio Doctor Who dramas made by the BBC specifically for radio for the first time, and throws in 'Doctor Who And The Pescatons' for good measure. Purists can argue this way and that about whether these stories fit into the established continuity of the tv series, but for the rest of us, there's a lot to enjoy, with authentic performances from established stars of the show.

Doctor Who And The Pescatons was a 1975 straight-to-LP release - how often does THAT happen?! - and features the then-Doctor Tom Baker and the late, greatly-lamented Elisabeth Sladen as his ever-reliable companion Sarah Jane Smith. With only one additional cast member it keeps the action descriptive and intimate, actually quite reminiscent of Tom Baker's later BBC audioplays Hornet's Nest and Demon Quest or recent years.

Slipback was a 1985 drama made with the incumbent Doctor, Colin Baker, with Nicola Bryant as his assistant Peri. Fans of the tv series will enjoy and recognise Valentine Dyall's satanic sibilance (albeit playing a different character).

The Paradise Of Death and The Ghosts Of N-Space were Nineties dramas set in the Jon Pertwee era, written by that era's producer Barry Letts and starring, alongside Jon Pertwee himself, Lis Sladen once more and the magical Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. It's terribly sad to note that all three stars - and indeed writer - are no longer with us. The addition of another companion, Jeremy, has divided fans with his over-the-top posho performance. But elsewhere there's able support from another Who guest artiste Peter Miles and the capricious Harold Innocent in TPoD and returning Who guest actor Stephen Thorne in TGoN-S.

Finally, there's Whatever Happened To Susan? - a 1994 drama with Jane Asher playing the Doctor's granddaughter Susan Foreman. I don't know why Carole Ann Ford, the tv actress who essayed the part, could not return, but Asher turns in a solid portrayal as if she had played the character in the past.

Like I said, you can take or leave these stories as canon, but it's all pieces of a much larger puzzle and the ride is entertaining!

This collection is a bundle of Dr Who Radio and Vinyl LP collections that were published by the BBC between TV series. This is a unique collection and a must for Doctor Who fans. I really enjoy listening to the stories again and again as there is a wide range of plots and Doctors to listen to! Highly recommended.