Stories Audio Drama Deadly Strangers Episode: 1 2 3 The Gloaming 1 image Overview Characters How to Listen Reviews 10 Statistics Related Stories Quotes 1 Overview Released Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Written by Lauren Mooney, Stewart Pringle Cover Art by Sean Longmore Publisher Big Finish Productions Directed by Ken Bentley Runtime 59 minutes Time Travel Future Tropes (Potential Spoilers!) Body Possession, Cryogenic Sleep, Human Colony, Robots, Space Station Inventory (Potential Spoilers!) Sonic Screwdriver Location (Potential Spoilers!) Gloaming Synopsis The Doctor, Charley and Audacity arrive on Gloaming, a luxury sleep clinic in orbit around a dead world. Gloaming is filled with wealthy Sleepers, dreaming through the dark ages of their world in suspended animation. But something is growing here, creeping into minds and poisoning dreams. Something the Doctor fought long ago... Listen Listened Favourite Favourited Add Review Edit Review Log a repeat Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Owned Save to my list Saved Edit date completed Custom Date Release Date Archive (no date) Save Characters Eighth Doctor Paul McGann Charlotte Pollard India Fisher Audacity Montague Jaye Griffiths Mara Show All Characters (4) How to listen to The Gloaming: Big Finish Audio The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Deadly Strangers Reviews Add Review Edit Review Sort: Default Date (Newest First) Date (Oldest First) Likes (High-Low) Likes (Low-High) Rating (High-Low) Rating (Low-High) Word count (High-Low) Word count (Low-High) Username (A-Z) Username (Z-A) Spoilers First Spoilers Last 10 reviews 16 December 2024 · 407 words Review by MrColdStream 1 Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! "THE GLOAMING: NIGHTMARES, PRIVILEGE, AND THE RETURN OF THE MARA" The Deadly Strangers set closes with The Gloaming, an eerie and psychologically charged adventure that pits the Eighth Doctor, Charley, and Audacity against the Mara—the mind-controlling serpent alien from Kinda and Snakedance. Set aboard a luxurious sleep clinic orbiting a lifeless planet, the story masterfully blends psychological horror with sharp social commentary, making for a gripping finale. The clinic caters to the wealthy elite, allowing them to escape their troubles by entering hypersleep. This setting serves as a biting critique of privilege and modern escapism—wrapped in a sleek, futuristic aesthetic. Pampered by advanced technology and an android butler, the rich guests believe themselves untouchable… until the Mara turns their sanctuary into a waking nightmare. The concept is evocative and immersive, with the dreamlike horror seamlessly woven into the sci-fi backdrop. CHARLEY’S NIGHTMARES AND A POSSESSION TO REMEMBER The Mara thrives on fear and mental vulnerability, and it finds the perfect target in Charley. As she is lured into a nightmare-filled sleep, her dreams become a battleground, forcing her to confront her deepest fears and her complex relationship with the Doctor. These sequences are the most compelling of the story, building tension as the Mara tightens its grip—culminating in a chilling possession that brings Charley to the brink of destruction. The showdown between the Doctor and a Mara-possessed Charley is undoubtedly the highlight of the episode. It’s intense, emotional, and superbly performed, with India Fisher delivering a haunting portrayal of Charley under the Mara’s influence. AUDACITY STEPS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT Audacity takes a proactive role here, working closely with the Doctor to save Charley. This episode gives her a chance to shine, showcasing her resourcefulness, courage, and sharp instincts. Jaye Griffiths delivers a standout performance, ensuring that Audacity remains a formidable presence. The supporting cast also adds depth to the story. The android butler and the self-indulgent clientele of the clinic aren’t just background figures—they help shape the narrative, adding both tension and thematic weight to the unfolding horror. 📝VERDICT: 9/10 A fittingly dramatic and thought-provoking finale, The Gloaming expertly mixes social critique, psychological tension, and strong character dynamics. The return of the Mara is handled brilliantly, with Charley’s possession standing out as a particularly chilling moment. With its eerie atmosphere and powerful performances, this is a memorable closer to the set—one that lingers long after the final scene. MrColdStream View profile Like Liked 1 26 December 2024 · 76 words Review by Guardax Spoilers 1 This review contains spoilers! Had a lot of fun with this one falling on Christmas in my Doctor Who watch! This TARDIS team is really shaping into its own with all three characters getting great opportunity to shine. The Mara is such an insidious foe, and hearing it possessing Charlie was unnerving. Audacity also gets properly horrified when she learns the truth of why everyone is on the Gloaming. I hope we get this crew for a couple years yet. Guardax View profile Like Liked 1 20 January 2025 · 89 words Review by Jamie Spoilers This review contains spoilers! a rather mid end to this set, which granted was mid in general tbh except the stellar first episode. charley had some great scenes, but the mara just felt maybe underused ? i feel this should've been a two parter to flesh out the mara more, they really work well with the classic who format as opposed to just one hour i feel. again, i feel this range of 8/charley/audacity could do with an arc like all of the great (not you dark eyes) arcs of 8's boxset era. Jamie View profile Like Liked 0 1 January 2025 · 59 words Review by BSCTDrayden Spoilers This review contains spoilers! Really good! I always love when the Mara gets psychedelic stories with unsettling dream sequences and this had that! All performances were great, but India Fisher especially. She was outstanding! I also especially love the political commentary as well. I do wish Dekkar didn't get away scott free but Charley's take down of him was pretty grand at least. BSCTDrayden View profile Like Liked 0 13 December 2024 · 58 words Review by Rock_Angel 1 I loved this story too such a banger set overall wow the Charley n Mara scenes felt so unique yet similar to the one in kinda with Tegan it’s such a good version of it the only issue is I wish it was audacity instead of Charley but at the same time it works so well for Charley Rock_Angel View profile Like Liked 1 Show All Reviews (10) Open in new window Statistics AVG. Rating93 members 3.78 / 5 Member Statistics Listened 129 Favourited 12 Reviewed 10 Saved 3 Skipped 0 Related Stories Classic Who S19 • Serial 3 · (4 episodes) Kinda Rating: 3.77 Story Skipped Television Reviews(5) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Doctor Who Season 19 Set of Stories: Doctor Who (1963-1996) Set of Stories: Fifth Doctor Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Classic Who S20 • Serial 2 · (4 episodes) Snakedance Rating: 3.64 Story Skipped Television Reviews(8) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Doctor Who Season 20 Set of Stories: Doctor Who (1963-1996) Set of Stories: Fifth Doctor Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Quotes Add Quote Link to Quote Favourite Tags: Funny Audacity: Doctor, at least try to make sense? — Audacity Montague, The Gloaming