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“THE ROOF OF THE WORLD: HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, AND A LACK OF MOMENTUM”

The Roof of the World takes the Fifth Doctor, Peri, and Erimem to the Himalayas in 1917, where an ongoing expedition carries dark undertones, and a malevolent force lurks in the mountains. Written by Adrian Rigelsford—whose behind-the-scenes drama overshadows his one and only Doctor Who contribution—this audio play attempts to blend historical intrigue with a psychological character study. While it builds tension early on and provides fascinating insights into Erimem’s character, it ultimately struggles to maintain momentum, falling into the trap of being more of an introspective, dialogue-heavy piece than an engaging adventure.

THE DOCTOR, ERIMEM, AND PERI – A STRONG TARDIS TEAM

One of the biggest strengths of The Roof of the World is the dynamic between its core TARDIS team. The Fifth Doctor, as always, is a calm and thoughtful presence, but this story really belongs to his companions. Erimem, the ancient Egyptian princess still adjusting to life as a time traveller, takes centre stage, while Peri’s role as both her mentor and friend continues to develop in a meaningful way.

The bond between Peri and Erimem has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of this era of Big Finish audios, and The Roof of the World does a great job of continuing that. Peri’s ongoing effort to teach Erimem English through literature not only adds a personal touch but also plays into the climax of the story in a satisfying way. Erimem, meanwhile, is the first to hear the strange, whispery voices that foreshadow the lurking danger, adding to the creeping sense of unease. However, while this early tension is promising, the story fails to capitalise on it in a way that truly grips the listener.

A PROMISING SETTING WASTED

The premise—a mysterious force manipulating an expedition in the Himalayas—sounds like a setup brimming with potential. The Tibetan setting, with its snow-covered mountains and the spiritual undertones of its history, should make for a rich backdrop. Unfortunately, the story does very little with it.

Unlike The Abominable Snowmen, which used its Tibetan setting to great effect by weaving local myths and the looming presence of the Great Intelligence into the narrative, The Roof of the World treats its location as little more than window dressing. While the sound design does help create an immersive atmosphere, the setting is ultimately underutilised, leaving much of the adventure feeling as though it could have taken place anywhere.

Instead of exploring the mountains or engaging with the local culture, much of the story consists of long conversations and philosophical debates, which—while interesting—cause the pacing to suffer.

ERIMEM’S STRANGE JOURNEY

This is very much an Erimem-centric story, with much of the focus placed on her experience of existing in a strange afterlife-like state. She sees visions of both her past and present, unable to interact with the people she cares about while also witnessing a version of events where she was never part of the Doctor’s travels. The concept is intriguing, and the script uses it to explore Erimem’s sense of identity and belonging.

One of the standout moments comes in Part Two, when Peri, overwhelmed by the situation, lashes out at Erimem for failing to help her and the Doctor. It’s a striking emotional beat, highlighting the stress of their predicament and Peri’s deep investment in their friendship. Later, the Fifth Doctor and Erimem share another poignant discussion that adds further depth to her character.

While these moments are effective, they come at the expense of plot development. Too much time is spent on introspection, and by the time the Doctor, Lord Mortimer Davey, and Williams set out to mount an expedition to help Erimem, it feels like too little, too late.

A SLOW AND SUBDUED THREAT

The villain of The Roof of the World is one of its more curious elements. The whispery, disembodied voice, combined with the eerie setting, gives strong Abominable Snowmen and Great Intelligence vibes. All signs point to that classic entity being behind the events of the story—but in a surprising twist, the villain is revealed to be something else entirely: the Great Ones, a similar kind of divine force.

While the concept of an ancient, godlike presence manipulating events is interesting, the execution is somewhat lacking. The villain operates mostly through telepathic projection, manipulating characters into doubting the Doctor or leaving Erimem behind. This creates a low level of tension but never truly escalates into anything gripping. Even in Part Four, when Erimem is physically controlled by a dark cloud and the others work desperately to bring her back, the stakes never feel particularly high.

The slow pacing and lack of urgency make the climax feel underwhelming, and while the resolution ties back nicely to Erimem’s ongoing arc, it doesn’t deliver the kind of excitement one might expect from an adventure set in such a dramatic location.

GUEST CAST AND FINAL THOUGHTS

Edward de Souza, best known in Doctor Who circles as Marc Cory from Mission to the Unknown, lends a commanding presence as Lord Mortimer Davey. His aristocratic voice adds some gravitas to the proceedings, and his reaction to the TARDIS—insisting that it must be some elaborate trick involving mirrors—is an amusing highlight. However, much like the rest of the guest cast, he isn’t given much to do beyond being part of the expedition’s struggle against the Great Ones.

Overall, The Roof of the World is an audio that prioritises character exploration over action. While this approach allows for some fantastic moments between Erimem, Peri, and the Doctor, it comes at the cost of pacing, tension, and plot development. The Himalayan setting is barely utilised, the villain’s presence is underwhelming, and much of the adventure feels like a series of philosophical conversations rather than an engaging mystery.

For those invested in Erimem’s journey, there’s plenty of material here to appreciate. But for those looking for an exciting adventure in the snow-covered peaks of Tibet, this one might feel a little too slow and introspective.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

While The Roof of the World does a great job of developing Erimem’s character and deepening her relationship with Peri, it struggles as an adventure. The Himalayan setting is wasted, the plot loses steam after a strong start, and the villain lacks presence. The audio leans too heavily on long conversations at the expense of pacing and excitement, making it a slow and often uneventful listen.