Auld Mortality

This was a very cozy sort of listen, which is definitely not what I expected going into an alternate universe Doctor Who story. I think it was a brilliant choice for the first story in this range since it stands alone nicely and is easily accessible, especially if you are familiar with even the most basic concepts of Doctor Who. It is almost to simple in that it does feel like a relatively underwhelming experience, but I still really enjoyed the performances, especially of Carole Ann Ford and Geoffery Bayldon, who both leave this story with a strong impression.

It's a fun idea, too, exploring a Doctor falling into a much more traditional Gallifreyan life. I like the idea but having him remembering and fretting over the original Doctor's story is less compelling than him being involved in Gallifreyan politics or military instead, for example. I have a feeling the rest of the series will explore that, so it's understandable, but Auld Mortality only goes so far because of it. Still absolutely worth the listen, though.

Auld Morality was released in May 2003 

Directed by Nicholas Briggs 

Music by Alistair Lock, this has some amazing music. I love Alistar's portfolio of music in big finish, this truly feels very whimsical like a Disney film. amazing intro and story beat music moments.

Written by Marc Platt who has some amazing works under his belt. This story has an interesting premise of what if The Doctor and Susan never left Gallifrey.

Geoffrey Bayldon carries the presents of The Doctor very well and shows off the wanting more out of life aspect amazingly. At the beginning he says, "hes only an observer" its funny if not a little freaky hearing him conform. He is also a best selling author with his best seller an adventure in space and time. Also in this timeline the doctor still turn down the presidency and still have fascination with earth, so its interesting how they chose to keep those aspects of his personality.

Other characters such as:

Susan played stupendously by the lovely Carol Ann Ford. She is extremely competent in this story basically being in no other words a boss bitch and really pushes the doctor. 

Someone also pointed out to me on a Discord server, this story has some characters from Lungbarrow being Badger n Quences. Badger being this butler robot character and Quences being the doctors uncle i believe, played amazingly by Toby Longworth and Derren Nesbitt.

Throughout the story we get the doctor narrating these adventures hes having, told in a diary/journal esc way. The reveal that these adventures the doctor goes on are actually not real and just a way for the doctor to write his books, to observe but not interfere and not venture off Gallifrey was an interesting turn of events. introducing the possibility generator in a great twist and the story wasn’t even over.

When Susan joins the cast she makes her presents known, giving a big boom of an entrance trying to track down her grandfather, but The doctor doesn’t remember Susan even saying saying he doesn’t have a family. Slowly throughout the scene the cogs turn and the penny drops, he starts to remember her. It’s honestly so joyous the music accompanies it perfectly.

Quences then reveals himself to be in the memory of Badger planning to kill Susan, saying she won’t be missed cause she’s young. Its so vile, I love it. While that's happening The Doctor n Susan talk. Its revealed Susan is a Mother in this timeline, The Doctor even comments on how if they left that would have never have happened. 

Quences then realises Susan is planning to be president and his plans change. Susan even explaining to The Doctor she plans to change Gallifrey it feels very much like Romana in the Gallifrey spin off. When they realise Quences, who is meant to be dead is still in badgers programming the 2 jump into the probability generator to get away. I love how vividly described it is it really paints a picture.

The possibility generator is an amazing inclusion. It sets up the Unbound series nicely talking about what we know as the butterfly effect and probability. Geoffrey has an amazing moment in this story talking about the different choices hes made or could make.

It all eventually leads to Susan about to accept the Presidency, I love how the doctor n Quences are like the devil n angel on her shoulder, and when Susan banished Quences I got literal chills. Carol Ann Ford plays this older Susan so well.

The final part where Badger n Quences have been destroyed, The Doctor and Susan have a convocation about the possibility generator leading to Susan noticing the house was a Tardis all along. The episode ending talking about all the possibilities they could lead too this is such an underrated Marc Platt story.

As you can see I’ve talked a lot about this story and quite enjoyed it. it’s not perfect but it’s such an interesting concept and opened the unbound range perfectly of just simple actions leading to huge outcomes. I feel this is nicely followed in the other 2 stories in this trilogy.