Seeking a means to stay hidden from the Time Lords, the Doctor arrives in 17th century Russia, to meet Baba Yaga, a terrifying witch from Slavic folklore. Before she knows it, the Doctor is wrapped up in the story of Vasilisa the Beautiful, sent by her wicked stepmother to retrieve a flame from Baba Yaga.

Rochana Patel knocks it out of the park with this one, it's always nice when a light is shone on cultures that Doctor Who rarely visits and the story of Baba Yaga is a great example, a folktale completely unknown to me at the time of listening, but this adaption of it has opened up an interest in the folklore behind it. The mythology is really given air here, with the story leaning much further into fantasy than conventional sci-fi and it is executed incredibly well. While handled a little directly with the Doctor plainly describing things early on, such evokative imagery is captured and the story is able to effectively hold on to its atmosphere from there, aided in no small part by Howard Carter's score. To this reviewer's less cultured mind, the chicken-legged hut called to mind Howl's Moving Castle, and the story did have an atmosphere not too dissimilar to what you might get from a Studio Ghibli classic, be that intentional or totally coincidental.

In ways we get a very different characterisation of the Doctor compared to the previous story, rather than being reluctant to get involved she's excited about being a part of this legend and meeting the figures from it. She's also a bit worse at the time travel thing, dropping way too many future references in front of Vasilisa, reflecting her placement in the timeline being before the Doctor was a seasoned traveller and more accustomed to Earth. There is also a darker side referenced through the latter half of the story by Baba Yaga, reaching into the Doctor's mind.

Jacqueline King (who listeners may know better as Sylvia Noble) is the standout guest actress and is great in portraying Baba Yaga, it is a very hammed-up performance but not to the extent where it feels out of place, she makes the character a delightful antagonist throughout and leaves you wanting more of her after every scene.

Through this story the Doctor is reflected through both Vasilis and Baba Yaga, in the case of the former it's through her harsh relationship with the people back home and desire to save them regardless (a course of action we'll see and hear the Doctor take many a time through her future lives) and in the latter it's the harsh exterior and the terrible decisions made to survive, yet with a track record of helping those in need regardless. This ties the central cast together in a satisfying way and makes their interactions all the more interesting.

The breadcrumbs laid out by the previous story continue with the Doctor making reference to memories stolen from her, and seeing where this goes will doubtlessly be interesting, perhaps it's simply the history of the Timeless Child as explored on-screen, or perhaps it's something more.

Patel is relatively new blood at Big Finish - with her first stories for them being in 2022 - and if The Legend of Baba Yaga is anything to go by this will be a name to look out for.

Utterly incredible. There's fun characters, dialogue, and quotes. It's a very interesting mystery with an extremely satisfying conclusion/solution. All of the parallels between the Doctor's life, that of Baba Yaga, and that of Vasilisa are gorgeously done. I even love the subtle nod to An Unearthly Child, where the Doctor's recruited to try and make fire for members of a primitive culture. We also get a much fuller range of Jo Martin's performance as the Doctor, and she excels.

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

“THE LEGEND OF BABA YAGA – A DARK FAIRYTALE WITH A FUGITIVE TWIST”

The Legend of Baba Yaga transports the Fugitive Doctor to 16th-century Russia, weaving a tense, atmospheric story drenched in folklore, superstition, and harsh winter survival. As with Robot of Sherwood, this is Doctor Who once again pulling a famous myth into its own universe, reimagining Baba Yaga not as a supernatural crone but as an alien entity with a much deeper connection to the Time Lords.

It’s a slow-burning tale, one that builds its tension carefully. The Fugitive Doctor’s companion here is Vasilisa, the heroine of Slavic legend, on a quest to seek fire from Baba Yaga. But as always, the folklore is far removed from reality, and the Doctor quickly realises that the supposed “witch” might not be what the stories claim her to be. The interplay between the Doctor and Vasilisa, as well as the Doctor’s methodical approach to uncovering the truth, forms the heart of the story.

A MORE MEASURED DOCTOR, A BRILLIANT VILLAIN

One of the most fascinating aspects of Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor is her caution—rather than charging in headfirst, she takes time to assess the situation before deciding on her next move. It’s a refreshing contrast to other incarnations, making her feel distinct yet still very much the Doctor. She also gets to flex her knowledge of history and legend, delivering some classic “Doctor speeches” that reinforce her authority.

Her reason for being here ties directly into her ongoing mystery—she’s searching for answers. Why have the Time Lords encountered Baba Yaga before? Could her power be harnessed to keep the Doctor hidden from the Division? It’s a unique motivation that feels fitting for this incarnation, and Jo Martin plays the intrigue and quiet desperation beautifully.

Then there’s Jacqueline King as Baba Yaga. Known to fans as Sylvia Noble, she is utterly transformed here, delivering a chilling performance that makes Baba Yaga feel like a genuine mythological terror. Her spectral horsemen, with their deep, guttural voices, are an eerie presence throughout, adding an extra layer of menace to the story.

SLOW-BURN HORROR WITH LITTLE ACTION BUT LOTS OF ATMOSPHERE

Unlike Fast Times, which was a high-energy chase story, The Legend of Baba Yaga is more focused on atmosphere and dialogue. There’s little in the way of action, but the weight of the performances and the carefully crafted tension keep things engaging. The dynamic between Baba Yaga and the Doctor is a highlight, as the two try to manipulate each other for their own ends. The story even flirts with the idea that the Doctor herself could be the origin of the Baba Yaga myth but wisely avoids taking that route—it would have been a step too far.

The ending is a bit quieter than expected, resolving itself without a major action sequence, but it works within the story’s tone. That said, the absence of Cosmogon or any direct pursuit by the Time Lords makes this feel slightly disconnected from the overarching Most Wanted arc.

VERDICT: A RICH, ATMOSPHERIC FAIRYTALE WITH A DOCTOR WHO TWIST

The Legend of Baba Yaga trades fast-paced thrills for eerie tension and folklore-driven mystery. Jo Martin continues to shine in the role, and Jacqueline King’s chilling performance makes for a standout villain. While it lacks the momentum of its predecessor and doesn’t push the Most Wanted arc forward much, it’s a captivating, well-crafted story that leans into horror and legend in all the right ways.

📝8/10

On the one hand, I'm somewhat disappointed that we're doing stories that are earthbound with Fugitive, what with the previous story giving us glimpses of earth, and this one being set on it. On the other, this story is really creative and I can't help but enjoy it.

Fugitive inadvertently wrapping herself up in the actual events of a folk story when she's on earth to just find a creature of myth is a really fun idea, and the way it plays out is superb, and again, the creativity on display with Baba Yaga is just splendid.

Jacqueline King does a fantastic job bringing the witch to life with her performance. It's a character that really demands a certain level of almost golden age disney level camp villain in the performance and she knocks it out of the park.

The actual story on display here too is great, Fugitive coming to find someone else who's seemed to battle Division, someone who might be able to help her, and Baba Yaga being absolutely nothing like what she'd expected. The witch and her powers having been created though a psychic field, the hut being a crashed TARDIS. The reveal of it being a psychic field being through saving two people from burning to death. It's a strange but fun romp.

And again, the imagery on display here. The hut, Baba Yaga, the horsemen, etc. The vibes of this story are immaculate.

A Time Lord fairy tale in which Jo Martin owns the role of the Fugitive Doctor. There’s a deep sense of intrigue towards the true nature of Baba Yaga but the eventual revelation at the end, while a strong one, felt slightly rushed to me. The larger than life performances all stayed the right side of the line, their bombast was welcome. But it’s The Doctor themselves that is making this story an essential listen.