Doctor Who: Destiny of the Doctor: 8. Enemy Aliens by Alan Barnes (CD review).

We have reached the Eighth Doctor in this celebration of the 50th year of ‘Doctor Who’. This time, in ‘Enemy Aliens’, we get companion Charlotte Pollard, upgraded to canon as the Doctor’s previous filmed companions are copyrighted. India Fisher narrates the one hour adventure and is joined by Michal Maloney in a supporting role.

Charley, as she is known to us Big Finish aficionados, is present in the gothic interior of the Eighth Doctor’s TARDIS when he receives a message from his future self by way of a red button on the console. Charley (who later gets to travel with Sixie in the BF adventures) is intrigued but the Eighth is just annoyed.

As they seek out the enemy aliens that Number Eleven refers to, the pair find themselves in the world of London 1935, where danger lurks on corners for those who know too much. As the Doctor and Charley flee the scene of a murder, they become the number one suspects and Charley relies on a man called Hilary to escape arrest. With clues to follow, it’s time to exit London pursued by the authorities.

Packed with classic film references and some little asides about ‘Doctor Who’ (I’m hoping for the cliff notes on these), this number from Alan Barnes rattles along and is an amusing yarn. Maloney as the second lead alongside India’s poshness with some innuendo thrown in for good measure makes this a good hour’s listen. Barnes also manages to incorporate a little of Charley’s history for new listeners and hopefully will get some new customers for Charley’s Big Finish adventures with the Eighth and Sixth Doctors.

Not many episodes to go before the Eleventh has to sort all this out for everyone. I do hope all those loose ends tie up.

Sue Davies

(pub: Big Finish. 1 CDs 60 minute story. Price: CD: £10.20 (UK), Download: £ 3.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-47131-174-1)
cast: India Fisher and Michael Maloney
check out website: www.bigfinish.com