Bernice Summerfield

#4.02. The Draconian Rage ~ 10/10

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◆ An Introduction

Series Four seemed to be when this range finally started to embrace its Doctor Who roots to the full, with all four stories featuring a fearsome foe from the main series… which is why this story seemed very odd to me.

The Draconians aren’t exactly what you’d call villains, more another civilisation that just so happens to butt heads with humanity at any given opportunity. They’re also one of the most intriguing species in terms of their society and politics, something this story will delve into a bit.

Watch out, though, because you never know who you can truly rely on…

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◆ Publisher’s Summary

On the fringes of the Draconian Empire, an entire planet has gone mad: twenty million Draconians lie dead – victims of an ancient, apocalyptic suicide ritual. Now the Draconians need an archaeologist – and in particular they want Professor Bernice Summerfield.

Female and human, Benny is everything a Draconian distrusts… So why has she been invited to the very heart of the Imperial Homeworld? As an age-old conspiracy deepens around her, and her own bad memories are disturbed, Benny wonders if she can really trust the Draconians… and, even worse, if she can trust herself…

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◆ Prof. Bernice Summerfield

Lisa Bowerman delivers one of her best and most harrowing performances. ‘The Draconian Rage’ affords her some truly dark material, and I’d argue that it’s more impactful than even the likes of ‘Just War’!

Benny is absolutely shocked to receive a personal invite to Draconia, but she is adamant that she can’t go, following the ritual suicide of everybody on Tranagus. All she wants to do is stay on the Collection and spend some quality time with Peter. She loses the argument with Brax and ends up going on her little trip anyway, but she’s doing it under her own steam, so she’ll take all the credit. Benny is convinced that the moment she claps eyes on the first Draconian, she’ll lose the power to speak. She tells Lord Vasar that humans can be cold and arrogant depending on their mood. Benny is what you would call a “working mum”, and it’s a concept that’s completely foreign to Vasar. She can charm the scales off a Martian when she wants too. The mention of Marran Alpha brings back a lot of bad memories for our archaeologist, makes her remember Vilus Krull and his vile cultists. Benny doesn’t enjoy watching anyone suffer, but she makes an exception with Paranash after what he put her through.

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◆ Story Recap

The Draconians have discovered an artefact on one of their colony worlds, one that used to be part of the Earth Empire. A world where nearly twenty million Draconians committed ritual suicide – an act that is being called the “Draconian Rage” by Earth media.

The artefact is being shipped back to Draconia to become part of the Imperial Antiquities Collection, and they want a human archaeologist to help them out… Professor Bernice Summerfield, specifically. It’s a rarity for any human to visit the home-world of their old adversaries, to see how the other side live, but she wont have any time for sight seeing.

The Cult of the Dark Flame are operating on Draconia, and they believe a fragment of Vilus Krull lives on inside of Benny’s head… and they’ll do anything to free that fragment!

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◆ Baxendale Branded Brutality

Baxendale is most well known for his work on the Doctor Who novels, and everyone seems to think they push the boundaries for just how dark and depressing you can get. I can certainly believe that now!

‘The Draconian Rage’ is best described as brutal: members of the cult torture Benny by shaving her head and ramming a power drill through her skull! An absolutely horrifying listen, but in the best way possible – you’ll be so riddled with anxiety by the end that you’ll feel like you’ve swallowed a particularly large tennis ball, which then promptly got lodged in your throat.

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◆ Draconian World-building

An effort has been made to expand upon Draconian culture and politics in this adventure, making the whole society come alive.

Emperor Shenn is like most of his species, with a strong distrust towards humanity and a belief that we are inferior to them – he talks with Lord Paranash about Shakespeare, and how his work is basically childish rubbish compared to a famed Draconian philosopher. Shenn also drinks Cognac with Lord Vasar… and compares it to urine (mind you, brandy isn’t exactly nice to begin with).

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◆ No Traitors Tomorrow

Have you noticed that every character in ‘The Draconian Rage’ is a backstabbing [REDACTED]? Emperor Shenn is convinced that everyone in his court is plotting against him, so threatens to cut their skulls off if they commit treason. Paranash is just vile to pretty much everyone, and sadistic as all hell when he gets to torture Benny.

Then you’ve got Vasar, who I’d argue is actually the worst of the lot – a spineless traitor who acts like he could be a friend to Benny in the early moments of the story, but then reveals his allegiance to the Dark Flame and becomes an absolute nightmare. You really can’t trust any of these people as far as you can throw ‘em!

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◆ Sound Design

Draconia is stunningly brought to life in this adventure. David Darlington does an excellent job at showcasing all the horrors being enacted there, making sure that I will not sleep a wink tonight!

Bleeping electronic instruments, as Brax’s private shuttle arrives in Dralos (the oldest city on Draconia). The squeaking of the anti-bacterial beam, carrying out decontamination procedures. Flowing fountains in the public gardens of the Imperial Draconian Palace, with birds cawing off in the distance, and gravel crunching underfoot. The whirring of an electronic drill, as it begins diving into Benny’s own skull! An antique Draconian blade swipes through flesh, as Emperor Shenn decapitates Vasar.

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◆ Music

Whistling flutes playing a haunting melody, accompanied by the discordant chiming of bells. Darlington has provided a stunning score for ‘The Draconian Rage’.

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◆ Conclusion

“We live as flames, die in ashes, but we only sleep in darkness.”

Mashing political intrigue with scenes of gruesome torture, ‘The Draconian Rage’ is easily the most harrowing and brutal adventure I’ve ever encountered: the only other time a story left me feeling so uncomfortable, yet so in awe of the writing quality, was ‘Corpse Day’!

The Cult of the Dark Flame has returned, but because the ‘Bernice Summerfield’ range is a bit more adult than its progenitor, Trev Baxendale completely goes to town with how morally bankrupt, manipulative and despicable they are! I’ve also got to commend Lisa Bowerman for one of her best performances, as she played the torture scenes with incredible realism… probably part of the reason this episode has left me an anxiety ridden mess.

‘The Draconian Rage’ is definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for something disturbed that will make your heart race and leave you in a cold sweat, then here you go.