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

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF FEAR: A MIND-BENDING DESCENT INTO CONFUSION

Within minutes of The Natural History of Fear, it becomes clear that this will not be an easy listen. The story throws the audience headfirst into an unfamiliar and disorienting world where identities, roles, and reality itself seem fluid. Even by Big Finish’s standards, this is an especially challenging narrative, one that deliberately withholds clarity and forces the listener to piece things together—if they even can.

A SOCIETY OF CONTROL AND OBLIVION

The story gradually unveils its setting: a totalitarian state where memory and perception are constantly altered, enforcing conformity through erasure of identity. The Doctor appears to be the Editor, the enforcer of this regime; Charley serves as his devoted ally; and C’rizz, taking on the role of the Conscience, begins to question everything. Yet, just when the pieces seem to align, the narrative veers off in new, bewildering directions, ensuring that confusion remains constant.

TENSION IN LIEU OF COHERENCE

While it’s difficult to fully grasp the unfolding events, The Natural History of Fear maintains an underlying tension that grows steadily throughout. Even when lost in the labyrinthine structure of the plot, the oppressive atmosphere and the increasing stakes ensure that the listener remains engaged—if only through sheer determination to uncover some form of meaning. The final act offers just enough resolution to retroactively illuminate aspects of the story, though much is left deliberately ambiguous.

STRONG PERFORMANCES IN A COMPLEX STRUCTURE

Despite the abstract nature of the story, the performances remain compelling. Paul McGann, India Fisher, and Conrad Westmaas navigate the shifting roles with skill, delivering a sense of conviction even when their characters’ identities are fluid and uncertain. However, their effectiveness does little to alleviate the overarching sense of detachment from the narrative.

A PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERTONE

The most intriguing takeaway from The Natural History of Fear is its exploration of identity, memory, and change, drawing notable parallels between Buddhist concepts of reincarnation and the Doctor’s own cycle of regeneration. This thematic depth gives the story a greater sense of purpose beyond its structural complexity, even if it remains difficult to fully engage with.

VERDICT: 5/10

The Natural History of Fear is an ambitious and experimental Doctor Who story, but its relentless obfuscation makes it an endurance test rather than an enjoyable experience. While its philosophical underpinnings and eerie atmosphere may appeal to those willing to wrestle with its intricacies, for most, it will be a frustratingly impenetrable journey.