📝5/10

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! 

This time: there's much ado about nothing!

MY SCATTERED AND TOTALLY IRRELEVANT NOTES:

Creatures of Beauty presents an intriguing and unconventional start, immediately setting itself apart from typical Doctor Who adventures. The story begins with the Doctor and Nyssa under interrogation on an alien planet, accused of crimes that remain shrouded in mystery. This setup creates a sense of intimacy and peril, with Nicholas Briggs skillfully unraveling the narrative in a way that keeps the listener curious.

The non-linear storytelling, while ambitious, feels more like a gimmick than a necessary device, adding little value to the story's core. Similarly, the cliffhangers fail to build enough tension or excitement to compel a listener to eagerly jump to the next part.

The story leans heavily on character interactions and relationships, unfolding primarily through dialogue-heavy scenes. These moments succeed in adding depth to the characters and gradually layering the narrative. The decision to separate the Doctor and Nyssa for much of the story allows them to explore different dynamics with other characters. Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton deliver thoughtful, compelling performances that anchor the story, showcasing their range and chemistry even when apart.

The guest cast is equally impressive, with standout performances from David Daker, familiar from The Time Warrior and Nightmare of Eden, and Jemma Churchill, who later appeared in Village of the Angels. Their portrayals bring additional texture to the story, enriching the world-building and emotional stakes.

However, despite its strengths, the story struggles to hold attention consistently. The dialogue is well-written and moves the plot forward, but the narrative as a whole feels disjointed and lacks a clear sense of purpose. The central themes—an ecological disaster and a deadly disease—create moments of tension, enhanced by excellent sound design and intense performances, but they fail to resonate deeply or leave a lasting impact.

This is a story that may benefit from a second or even third listen to fully appreciate its nuances, but on a first pass, it feels like a case of strong execution overshadowed by a forgettable narrative. While Creatures of Beauty boasts excellent production values and performances, it ultimately falls short of being trulymemorable.