On a remote alien planet, a couple are trying to escape from a father who is not happy about the marriage. Brian the Ood has been sent to get them, or rather one, of them back.

I’ve been wanting this for a while, even though I didn’t really know anything about it. All the Time Lord Victorious stuff passed me by. Like the more recent Doomsday multi media story; to be honest I’d rather something more self contained and accessible - but that’s just me. I gather you don’t need all the various elements to enjoy it though (however I will say, that to get the most out of the audios, you need to read the two novels).

The Doctor is out to see one the the wonders of the universe but what he finds is far from what should be. This aspect of the plot doesn’t get resolve here, its something that carries on the the next adventure, so its just sowing the seeds. The setting itself is something akin to a town in the wild west. We know this because of the American accents: Why the accents? I’ve no idea, its an alien planet, and it didn’t really make sense. All it achieved is to confuse things - its possible its part of the things not being right theme (it isn't).

I’m not familar with Brian the Ood, but he didn’t come across as an Ood, at least not judging by the ones encountered in the TV series and I kept forgetting that that’s what he was. Apart form a few mentions of the hindbrain it could have been anyone.

As for the plot, its much of a run around, really its just your standard Doctor Who story. There’s nothing particularly oustanding, unique about or different about it.

Overall I was somewhat unimpressed by this. I had expected something more epic, grander, but it felt more run of the mill. I’m not entirely blaming the story, I had listened to the start but when I came back to carry on I just wasn’t taking it in and had to go and re listen. So it is an audio that I need to give a proper go to another time.

Its Ok, an underwhelming start to the series - though even saying that I’m not entirely sure where to start. Aside from all the other media there were two Big Finish short trips that came before this. (In retrospect, and taking in as much of the TLV as I could, it isn't necessarily the best place to start. I suspect my opinion would change a little, knowing how it fits in in the bigger series).