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“THE BRAIN DRAIN: A SEVEN-PART PSYCHIC NIGHTMARE FOR THE THIRD DOCTOR”

Celebrating Tim Treloar’s ten-year tenure as the Third Doctor for Big Finish, The Brain Drain firmly roots itself in the era of Spearhead from Space and The Silurians, fully embracing the tone and themes of Season 7. With an experimental scientific project gone wrong, a well-oiled UNIT team, and a bitter, Earth-stranded Doctor tinkering away at his gadgets, this seven-part adventure revels in the hallmarks of the Pertwee era.

The premise is built around a machine that supposedly stores and restores memories, but its true purpose is far more sinister—it’s harnessing brain energy to bring an extradimensional being into our reality. The eerie flashback sequences and disembodied voices create a growing sense of unease, building towards the inevitable revelation of the Nelophex, a creature with a mysterious grudge against the Doctor from his personal future. The timey-wimey nature of this rivalry adds a compelling layer, leaving room for future encounters.

STRETCHING SEVEN PARTS TO THE LIMIT

The first two episodes establish the mystery well, with Liz and the Brigadier shining as they investigate the strange machine and the sudden appearance of dead bodies. The slow-burn tension pays off in Part 4 with the apparent return of Dr. MacLeod, only for Part 5 to escalate things further when the Doctor finally comes face-to-face with the Nelophex. However, the seven-episode format is stretched to its limits, with the Doctor completely absent for three consecutive episodes. While Liz and the Brigadier hold the fort admirably, their lack of urgency in searching for the missing Doctor feels out of character.

The climax is heavy on exposition, explaining the mechanics of the machine, Linus’s descent into madness, and the true nature of the Nelophex before launching into a tense and vivid final confrontation. While the finale delivers on action, the preceding infodump makes it feel a little sluggish in places.

STRONG PERFORMANCES AND A MEMORABLE CAST

Tim Treloar, Daisy Ashford, and John Culshaw have long since settled into their roles, making them feel like natural extensions of the original cast. The supporting characters, particularly Professor Abigail MacLeod and her son Linus, add emotional weight to the story. Abigail is a rational scientist trying to honour her late husband’s legacy, while Linus becomes increasingly unhinged, manipulated by the voice of his father—who, in reality, is the Nelophex in disguise.

Mark Elstob delivers a chilling performance as both the sinister voice of Peter MacLeod and the commanding, manipulative Nelophex. Meanwhile, Milo Ratter’s Scottish beekeeper, Crouch, is an absolute delight—one of those instantly lovable characters who would have been a fan-favourite had he appeared on TV. Even though his big twist in Part 4 is fairly predictable, it remains satisfying.

A GORGEOUS COVER AND A MIXED STRUCTURE

Visually, the release is a triumph—the cover art is one of Big Finish’s best in recent years. However, the story’s structure is a bit uneven. The slow build-up works well in the early episodes, but the absence of the Doctor for three episodes causes the momentum to dip, and the penultimate cliffhanger falls flat due to the return of a seemingly forgotten character. While the final episode ties everything together effectively, the sheer amount of exposition slows things down before the climactic showdown.

VERDICT: A SOLID TRIBUTE THAT OVERSTAYS ITS WELCOME

The Brain Drain successfully captures the essence of Season 7, offering a tense, slow-burn mystery with strong character moments and an intriguing villain. However, its seven-part length is both a blessing and a curse—the extra time allows for rich world-building and atmosphere, but the pacing suffers in places, especially with the Doctor missing for a significant portion.

A fitting celebration of Tim Treloar’s tenure, but a tighter structure would have made it even stronger.

📝7/10