It has to be said, Matthew Jacobs really knows how to write the 8th Doctor. He steps back into the Whoniverse effortlessly and gives us an amazing story of transformation and music! I really enjoyed this story from start to finish. The premise we're given before the opening titles had me incredibly excited, with someone being transformed into a tree, which filled me with intrigue for the story to come! I was not disappointed by the remainder of the story, as the Doctor and Puccini's chemistry was brilliant, and Audacity and Charley felt like real assets to the story! I felt that Jacobs really understood the character of Audacity really well and helped realise her as well as, or maybe even better than, the previous year's Audacity releases. It's a great story through and through and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! Also, loved the TV Movie reference ;)

Operatical

Prerequisites: None needed, although I'd recommend seeing the TV Movie beforehand to catch some references.

Puccini and the Doctor is... fine. Admittedly, it's pretty neat that Matthew Jacobs came back to Doctor Who all these decades later, but I'm reminded that the TV Movie was not a particularly well-written piece of film. Now, this audio is a definite step up, but I wouldn't call it great by any stretch. For starters, I'm just not interested in any of the background characters here. Puccini himself is boring enough that I wouldn't even have remembered his name if it weren't for the title, and Tura didn't really have much time to develop either, since her identity was only revealed in the third act. Still, there is a rather nice through-line of love that connects the characters thematically, and I do like the idea of an alien desperately trying to understand human creativity. This isn't a bad story, but it's quite forgettable.

Matthew Jacobs is back! And returns with a beautiful story about what it means to love and create. I know nothing about opera but I still adored this, and how character focused it was. Fab concepts and performances all round!

A beautiful, lyrical story with the burgeoning classic TARDIS team of the Eighth Doctor, Charlie, and Audacity. I can see why this one would be some people's favorite as it is a wonderful unique tale centered around what it means to love.

audacity canon sapphic , i always win!
as someone not into opera i found this pretty easy to follow and a really good audio. great character moments!

📝9/10

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

A RIDDLE IN TIME: PUCCINI MEETS THE DOCTOR

The Deadly Strangers set opens with the Eighth Doctor whisking Charley and Audacity back to the early 20th century to meet none other than the great Italian composer Puccini. Their adventure soon intertwines with an alien race captivated by riddles and music, creating a tale as rich and intricate as the operatic world it explores. Anchoring the narrative around Puccini’s life and struggles lends the story a unique charm.

This marks the triumphant return of Matthew Jacobs, writer of the 1996 TV movie that introduced the Eighth Doctor, to the Doctor Who universe. Adding to the fun is Tim McInnerny’s performance as Puccini—a delightful nod, given that McInnerny once auditioned for the role of the Eighth Doctor himself.

The story begins with a warm and inviting tone, laced with mystery surrounding a cherry blossom tree and Tura, an alien with a secretive agenda. As the plot progresses, tension builds with Tura’s growing fixation on the Doctor, escalating as her obsession puts Charley in jeopardy. The ending is poignant, offering Puccini inspiration for the third act of Madama Butterfly in a poetic flourish.

The chemistry between the Doctor, Charley, and Audacity is a highlight, brimming with humour and warmth. Their discussions on music, culture, and fashion add an infectious energy to the story. Audacity’s aristocratic background proves useful, allowing her to navigate high society and draw closer to the enigmatic Tura.

McInnerny is excellent as Puccini, perfectly capturing his genius and struggles, while Sarah Lawrie is equally strong as Puccini’s supportive wife. Tura, the riddle-loving alien whose haunting songs transform humans into plants or animals, is both mesmerising and unnerving. Her unique powers and curiosity make her a compelling counterpoint to the Doctor, who must rely on wit and diplomacy to outmanoeuvre her.

The early 20th century setting is brought to life through vivid scenes on trains, boats, and at opulent parties. A standout moment is the Doctor’s heartfelt conversation with Puccini, inspiring him to compose Turandot. The inclusion of Nessun Dorma in this tender scene elevates it to something truly magical.

Even for those who aren’t opera enthusiasts, this story’s celebration of love, music, and creativity, underscored by a haunting yet beautiful alien threat, is deeply moving. It’s a lyrical, bittersweet adventure that lingers long after the final note.

I can’t tell you how much this story filled me with joy the tv movie writer back for 1 night only this story feels perfectly paired with the tv movie too it’s just so good couldn’t recommend enough let’s home the next set is just as good

as someone who LOVES the movie, i was so excited for this release having the same writer, finally!!! it did not disappoint either, really enjoyed the plot and all the moments between this tardis crew which, i must admit, is growing on me...