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3 June 2025
This review contains spoilers!
The end of the Hinchcliffe era, and it goes out with a bang!
I've always said that the Lost Stories are my favourite range, and I think that this shows in both Tom's and Louise's performances too. Both actors seem to be having a lot more fun throughout the story compared to their FDA performances, which seem a bit more stilted, especially in Tom's case. We've got a few more joyous phrases, with the Doctor calling the one-off companion "Charlotte from the Village" repeatedly until it gets serious, then he just calls her Charlotte - but he offered the wrong sweet! Jelly babies, not wine gums! And of course, Leela calls the Blue Guard a police man for the first time after his death.
The Pantofasian are great, especially Jalnik. I think their best episode is in episode 5, when they infect the water, and they start to build an army. They definitely worked way better in the future than the past, especially because there was a tense buildup to them winning, and when they did win, they didn't do much except eat people, which definitely was a bit of a letdown. The main hybrids went out in a dignified fashion, and one that I admire, but the others were a bit rubbish for a six episode conclusion.
I prefer the hybrid sounds to the pure sounds, because they're a lot more unique, and creepy. The village also sounds very alive, and realistic, especially the tower bells collapsing, which sounded always off which worked well!
Charlotte from the Village is one of the best one-off companions ever. I am a little disappointed that we're never going to get more from her, but it leaves her singular adventure as timeless and a classic. I was also a lot more invested in the future storyline than the past, although I do think that part felt less like the Hinchliffe Era.
A lot of you will probably know that the Lost Stories is my favourite range from Big Finish. And this timey-wimey epic is no exception. Despite this, it's probably the "Genesis of the Daleks" of Big Finish. While everyone hails this as a classic, I do agree it's good, but there are stories I love far more. It's a bit too long to listen repeatedly, and I don't think it fits as well into 1977 as people say. However, it's far better because it mentions David Bowie, who's special to me for personal reasons and gets bonus marks for that!
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