Written by Andrew Smith
Published by Audio Go and Big Finish
This monthly series of Destiny of the Doctor releases goes from strength to strength with a gripping Third Doctor adventure that tells of Mike Yates’ entry into UNIT. The Doctor is called to Scotland to investigate the mysterious disappearance of an RAF jet, and uncovers a long dormant alien threat with links to the region’s standing stones.
Writer Andrew Smith has penned an evocative tale which makes the most of the Third Doctor’s derring-do approach – flying jets, flooring Bessie’s accelerator, and developing his kung-fu skills. Impressive sound effects bring several bravura sequences to life, and the story provides a delightful backstory for Mike Yates.
Richard Franklin, narrating the tale and revisiting his TV role as Yates, gives an excellent reading with a near perfect imitation of Nicholas Courtney’s Brigadier and a solid voice as the Doctor. If I have one grumble, it is that support actor Trevor Littledale’s voice as the alien Garlin is very similar, leaving me wondering why Franklin didn’t handle all the parts.
A cameo from a later Doctor helps to bring the Destiny story arc slightly more clearly into view, and there are nods here to future flying UNIT base The Valiant and, for listeners of a certain age, to the final Quatermass serial of 1979. With eight releases still to go, this series is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the 50th anniversary celebrations. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet, do start listening now.
