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Big Finish: Monthly Range #54
Doctor Who: The Natural History of Fear
IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO COPY OR ATTEMPT TO COPY ANY PERSONALITY OR MEMORY-RELATED ARTICLE SHOWN OR DISPLAYED IN THIS PUBLIC THEATRE, INCLUDING THIS WARNING. PUNISHMENT OR CONVICTION IS AN UNLIMITED REDUCTION OF AUTHORISED OVERTIME HOURS AND TOTAL PERSONALITY REVISION. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BRING ANY JUKEBOX OR RECORDING EQUIPMENT INTO THIS PUBLIC THEATRE. THIS WILL BE TREATED AS AN ATTEMPT TO BREACH COPYRIGHT. ANY PERSON DOING SO CAN BE EJECTED AND THE EDITOR MAY CONFISCATE SUCH ARTICLES. WE ASK THE PUBLIC TO BE VIGILANT AGAINST ANY SUCH ACTIVITY AND REPORT ANY MATTERS AROUSING SUSPICION TO THEIR LOCAL CONSCIENCE. THANK YOU.
Public Warning
Faction Against Character Theft
Public Warning
Faction Against Character Theft
Audio CD
First published February 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Jim Mortimore
49 books19 followersJim Mortimore is a British science fiction writer, who has written several spin-off novels for popular television series, principally Doctor Who, but also Farscape and Babylon 5.
When BBC Books cancelled his Doctor Who novel Campaign, he had it published independently and gave the proceeds to a charity – the Bristol Area Down Syndrome Association. He is also the writer of the Big Finish Doctor Who audio play The Natural History of Fear and their Tomorrow People audio play Plague of Dreams. He has also done music for other Big Finish productions.
He released his first original novel in 2011, Skaldenland.
When BBC Books cancelled his Doctor Who novel Campaign, he had it published independently and gave the proceeds to a charity – the Bristol Area Down Syndrome Association. He is also the writer of the Big Finish Doctor Who audio play The Natural History of Fear and their Tomorrow People audio play Plague of Dreams. He has also done music for other Big Finish productions.
He released his first original novel in 2011, Skaldenland.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 2, 2016
Not an easy audio to listen to and definitely not your typical Doctor Who. Heck, it's barely a Doctor Who at all. Still, if I absolutely had to choose one favourite DW thing, this would be it.
A dystopian vision of a totalitarian regime, that's only one of the many facets to this story, though it's the one to set the tone and the mood.
On other levels, this is very a much a meta-Who, an homage to the show's long and rich history, as well as a reflection of the Doctor's role as a popcultural icon (and a reflection of the role of popculture and entertainment in our society).
The cyclical narrative pattern, repeated loss of identity, unreliability of memory, the constant questioning and redefining of reality ('reality is a function of memory' after all), all that makes this audio one of the most brilliant mindfucks in the history of WHOniverse. It definitely is one of those that really require you to pay attention (and may make more sense upon repeat listening). It's also seriously disturbing at times.
The cast are all at the top of their game - but McGann is absolutely the highlight here. He'll f***ing break your heart.
All in all, The Natural History of Fear is definitely an acquired taste and I can well imagine that it might not be exactly what some fans want and expect from Doctor Who. I personally love it with something of a passion - and the Editor is my favourite Doctor.
A dystopian vision of a totalitarian regime, that's only one of the many facets to this story, though it's the one to set the tone and the mood.
On other levels, this is very a much a meta-Who, an homage to the show's long and rich history, as well as a reflection of the Doctor's role as a popcultural icon (and a reflection of the role of popculture and entertainment in our society).
The cyclical narrative pattern, repeated loss of identity, unreliability of memory, the constant questioning and redefining of reality ('reality is a function of memory' after all), all that makes this audio one of the most brilliant mindfucks in the history of WHOniverse. It definitely is one of those that really require you to pay attention (and may make more sense upon repeat listening). It's also seriously disturbing at times.
The cast are all at the top of their game - but McGann is absolutely the highlight here. He'll f***ing break your heart.
All in all, The Natural History of Fear is definitely an acquired taste and I can well imagine that it might not be exactly what some fans want and expect from Doctor Who. I personally love it with something of a passion - and the Editor is my favourite Doctor.
June 15, 2010
Confusion and altered personalities and a dystopia, oh my!
September 9, 2016
This is an eighth Doctor story with Charley Pollard and C'Rizz as the companions, and is #54 in the Big Finish main range.
A society where asking a question is punishable by personality overwriting/editing and the people have roles but no names. There's little or no individuality and the only diversion is the constant public broadcasts of the memories of the Doctor and his friends. But there's individuals here that are speaking with some particularly familiar voices ...
Dark and depressing for much of it and very experimental (both themes of these eighth Doctor stories for some time now), the story is redeemed by its twist. However, it's still a lot of very depressing listening.
A society where asking a question is punishable by personality overwriting/editing and the people have roles but no names. There's little or no individuality and the only diversion is the constant public broadcasts of the memories of the Doctor and his friends. But there's individuals here that are speaking with some particularly familiar voices ...
Dark and depressing for much of it and very experimental (both themes of these eighth Doctor stories for some time now), the story is redeemed by its twist. However, it's still a lot of very depressing listening.
August 25, 2013
This audio was another one of my favorites. The random announcements from Light City and the whole setting gives it almost a "Big Brother" or "1984" vibe, which is quite eerie. It starts off a little confusing and somewhat slow, but it quickly gains momentum and turns into an eerie tale with an amazing plot twist. It took a couple listens, but it has quickly grown on me!
September 13, 2017
I keep listening to it again and again and I'm still mesmerized and captivated by it, by its pacing, characters, literary style, rhythm, plot twists, construction, vision, all of it. It's poetic, creepy, startling, symmetrical, hypnotising, absolutely awesome.
April 24, 2022
Note: This drama includes graphic and potentially upsetting depictions of suicide, animal cruelty, and torture.
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Well, that was one hell of an audio.
Jim Mortimore is an extremely talented writer, and one with imagination. This is a Doctor Who audio, but yet, it certainly doesn't FEEl like a Doctor Who audio. For one, except for our main trio, nobody else has names. Sean Carlsen voice is very distinctive of course, so it's easy to imagine him as Narvin despite the fact he is not playing Narvin here.
I'm gonna hear Paul McGann saying "the state loves you" in my sleep, I just know it. I am scaroused.
Also, "Happiness through acceptance, productivity through happiness" is the most concise explanation of capitalism I've ever heard. Damn.
Eight keeps multiple pairs of Ray Bans in his pocket? A fashion icon.
-
Well, that was one hell of an audio.
Jim Mortimore is an extremely talented writer, and one with imagination. This is a Doctor Who audio, but yet, it certainly doesn't FEEl like a Doctor Who audio. For one, except for our main trio, nobody else has names. Sean Carlsen voice is very distinctive of course, so it's easy to imagine him as Narvin despite the fact he is not playing Narvin here.
I'm gonna hear Paul McGann saying "the state loves you" in my sleep, I just know it. I am scaroused.
Also, "Happiness through acceptance, productivity through happiness" is the most concise explanation of capitalism I've ever heard. Damn.
Eight keeps multiple pairs of Ray Bans in his pocket? A fashion icon.
March 8, 2025
2023 52 Book Challenge - February Mini Challenge - 2) A Shadow On The Cover
This is a really clever idea, and really really meta, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I was so bored, which is a shame, because the voice acting was incredible.
This is a really clever idea, and really really meta, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I was so bored, which is a shame, because the voice acting was incredible.
December 8, 2021
Oh, I need to relisten to this one. But it was excellent. And Paul Mcgann was at the top of his game....
February 9, 2025
literally one of the best doctor who stories of all TIME. I understand that taste can be subjective, but if you listen to this and don’t like it, I will judge you I’m sorry
March 28, 2024
Doctor Who's take on a 1984 setting with definite ST:VOY 'Workforce' vibes. I liked this overall. It was a bit blatant but still a good story.
January 23, 2021
かなり異色な作品。英語弱者の身にはストーリーを把握するのはなかなかキツかったが、オーディオドラマの特性を活かした面白い試みだったと思う
把握するまでに何度も聞き直すのはいつものことなのだが、ポール・マッギャンの演技が熱いのでちっとも苦にならなかった。これは私の英語力では把握するのは絶対無理そうだなとは思ったものの、ポール・マッギャン演じる"エディター”と"ドクター”の切り替わり方、行き混じり方がとてもドラマチックだったので、やっぱりちゃんと理解したいと、諦めないで聞き続ける大きな動機になった。
Part1
男と女がドラマを見ていた。ドクターとチャーリーが宇宙を旅をするドラマで、女は特にドクターとチャーリーの恋愛関係を気に入っていた。女が自分もあのような愛を社会に対して感じているというと男が不審そうに“社会に？”と聞き返す。女は男が疑問を持ったことにショックを受けながら、決まり通りコンシャスに直ちに報告する。コンシャスは男を連行し、それまでの記憶を消し、社会に対する忠誠心をもった人格を植え付ける。ライト・シティは疑問を持つことを許さない。コンシャスはこの一件を上司のエディターに報告する。エディターは男が疑問を持ったきっかけを調べ、それが女の側にあることを突き止めると、女をスキャンにかける。
Part2
女がまだ放送されていないエピソードまで知っていることでコンシャスのカウンセリングを受ける。コンシャスは女を催眠にかけ、記憶を探る。その様子を撮影したものをエディターは女と共に見る。エディターは女にずっと注目していたという。女はエディターが“変化”や“レボリューション”という言葉を口にしたため、コンシャスに通報する。しかし、全てがテストとわかり、女は“良い市民”として解放される。ところがコンシャスはエディターに対して不振を抱く。女が“質問”したにも関わらず、エディターが気がつきもしなかったからだ。後日、コンシャスは外に女を呼び出し、“ずっと愛していた”といい、“君も僕を愛しているはずだ‘というが女は否定する。しかし、コンシャスはライト・シティが思想を操り、自分たちを奴隷としていると話す。放送されているドラマは本当の記憶、ドクターの記憶が使用されているが、大切なメッセージが編集されてしまっているという。コンシャスはそのドクターのオリジナルの記憶が女の記憶の中にあると指摘。つまり女こそがドクターであると。しかし、女は思想犯としてコンシャスのことを通報する。その時の録音をききながら、エディターはコンシャスに尋問する。しかし2人きりになった時、エディターはコンシャスに”革命“を手伝えるといい、そもそも彼が導いてきたのだと打ち明ける。そのためにもドクターのオリジナルの記憶を記録したデータの場所を教えるよう問い詰めるが、コンシャスは笑うばかりで答えない。
Part3
ライト・シティのビルが爆破され、大勢の死人が出る。エディターはコンシャスに捜査を命じる。エディターはテロリストとして女を追跡する。しかし、エディターに女に捕まり、尋問される。さらに女はライト・シティの支配の外の世界をエディターに見せる。“忘れていることを思い出しなさい“と女はエディターに言う。放送が再開するが、エディターはコンシャスとDJを思想犯として通報する。しかしDJは自殺してしまい、エディターは上部から審問を受ける。
Part4
女に尋問されるうちにエディターはついに記憶を取り戻す。ライト・シティがなぜこのようなシステムを持つようになったのか、"レボリューション"とエディターの関係、ドクター達に何が起こったのか、すべての謎が明らかになる。
ドクターとチャーリー、そして前回仲間入りしたケリーズ。彼らは登場するのだが、彼らにその記憶も自覚もない。チャーリーとケリーズは管理社会ライト・シティの1住人として、ドクターは住人たちを管理する側であるエディターとして登場する。管理する側ではあるけれどもエディターも監視されている。疑問を持つことが許されない社会で違反すればリセットされ、それまでの記憶は消されてしまう。これまでドクターとチャーリーが繰り広げてきた冒険をこの世界のチャーリー、ケリーズ、ドクターは全てドラマでありエンタメだと思っている。
わかりにくいのは、
実際に会話していると思ったら、それは録音で、それを聴きながら、思想確認の会話をしていて、それがまた録音の再生であることが判明し...と入れ子構造になっている。しかも、どの登場人物にも名前はなく、コンシャス、サブコンシャス、エディター、サブエディター、ナースという役職のみで、役割が登場人物にスイッチしていく。リセットされてやり直した結果ということらしいのだが、違う話が進んでいっているようにみえて結局”質問”をしたことの罪を問われる展開になる。しかし、同じようでいて微妙に何かが進行しているような、同じところをくりかえし回っているような、気をぬくとすぐに物語の中で迷子になってしまっている。
最初はドクター達が記憶を消され、この社会にとりこまれているのかと思っていた。3人が記憶を取り戻してライト・シティの支配下から逃れる話かと予想したのだが、違った。判明する事実はなかなかショッキングだ。そもそもこれはドクターとチャーリーとケリーズの物語ではなかったということで、ある意味“あ、そうだったんだ”とホッとできるのだが。結局のところドクターではなかったとわかっても、彼の運命はやはりちょっと切ないような複雑な気持ちにさせられる。
Happiness through acceptance. Productivity through happiness. Questions are forbidden. Questions lead to answers, answers lead to knowledge, knowledge leads to freedom, freedom leads to dissatisfaction, and dissatisfaction to unhappiness.
把握するまでに何度も聞き直すのはいつものことなのだが、ポール・マッギャンの演技が熱いのでちっとも苦にならなかった。これは私の英語力では把握するのは絶対無理そうだなとは思ったものの、ポール・マッギャン演じる"エディター”と"ドクター”の切り替わり方、行き混じり方がとてもドラマチックだったので、やっぱりちゃんと理解したいと、諦めないで聞き続ける大きな動機になった。
Part1
男と女がドラマを見ていた。ドクターとチャーリーが宇宙を旅をするドラマで、女は特にドクターとチャーリーの恋愛関係を気に入っていた。女が自分もあのような愛を社会に対して感じているというと男が不審そうに“社会に？”と聞き返す。女は男が疑問を持ったことにショックを受けながら、決まり通りコンシャスに直ちに報告する。コンシャスは男を連行し、それまでの記憶を消し、社会に対する忠誠心をもった人格を植え付ける。ライト・シティは疑問を持つことを許さない。コンシャスはこの一件を上司のエディターに報告する。エディターは男が疑問を持ったきっかけを調べ、それが女の側にあることを突き止めると、女をスキャンにかける。
Part2
女がまだ放送されていないエピソードまで知っていることでコンシャスのカウンセリングを受ける。コンシャスは女を催眠にかけ、記憶を探る。その様子を撮影したものをエディターは女と共に見る。エディターは女にずっと注目していたという。女はエディターが“変化”や“レボリューション”という言葉を口にしたため、コンシャスに通報する。しかし、全てがテストとわかり、女は“良い市民”として解放される。ところがコンシャスはエディターに対して不振を抱く。女が“質問”したにも関わらず、エディターが気がつきもしなかったからだ。後日、コンシャスは外に女を呼び出し、“ずっと愛していた”といい、“君も僕を愛しているはずだ‘というが女は否定する。しかし、コンシャスはライト・シティが思想を操り、自分たちを奴隷としていると話す。放送されているドラマは本当の記憶、ドクターの記憶が使用されているが、大切なメッセージが編集されてしまっているという。コンシャスはそのドクターのオリジナルの記憶が女の記憶の中にあると指摘。つまり女こそがドクターであると。しかし、女は思想犯としてコンシャスのことを通報する。その時の録音をききながら、エディターはコンシャスに尋問する。しかし2人きりになった時、エディターはコンシャスに”革命“を手伝えるといい、そもそも彼が導いてきたのだと打ち明ける。そのためにもドクターのオリジナルの記憶を記録したデータの場所を教えるよう問い詰めるが、コンシャスは笑うばかりで答えない。
Part3
ライト・シティのビルが爆破され、大勢の死人が出る。エディターはコンシャスに捜査を命じる。エディターはテロリストとして女を追跡する。しかし、エディターに女に捕まり、尋問される。さらに女はライト・シティの支配の外の世界をエディターに見せる。“忘れていることを思い出しなさい“と女はエディターに言う。放送が再開するが、エディターはコンシャスとDJを思想犯として通報する。しかしDJは自殺してしまい、エディターは上部から審問を受ける。
Part4
女に尋問されるうちにエディターはついに記憶を取り戻す。ライト・シティがなぜこのようなシステムを持つようになったのか、"レボリューション"とエディターの関係、ドクター達に何が起こったのか、すべての謎が明らかになる。
ドクターとチャーリー、そして前回仲間入りしたケリーズ。彼らは登場するのだが、彼らにその記憶も自覚もない。チャーリーとケリーズは管理社会ライト・シティの1住人として、ドクターは住人たちを管理する側であるエディターとして登場する。管理する側ではあるけれどもエディターも監視されている。疑問を持つことが許されない社会で違反すればリセットされ、それまでの記憶は消されてしまう。これまでドクターとチャーリーが繰り広げてきた冒険をこの世界のチャーリー、ケリーズ、ドクターは全てドラマでありエンタメだと思っている。
わかりにくいのは、
実際に会話していると思ったら、それは録音で、それを聴きながら、思想確認の会話をしていて、それがまた録音の再生であることが判明し...と入れ子構造になっている。しかも、どの登場人物にも名前はなく、コンシャス、サブコンシャス、エディター、サブエディター、ナースという役職のみで、役割が登場人物にスイッチしていく。リセットされてやり直した結果ということらしいのだが、違う話が進んでいっているようにみえて結局”質問”をしたことの罪を問われる展開になる。しかし、同じようでいて微妙に何かが進行しているような、同じところをくりかえし回っているような、気をぬくとすぐに物語の中で迷子になってしまっている。
最初はドクター達が記憶を消され、この社会にとりこまれているのかと思っていた。3人が記憶を取り戻してライト・シティの支配下から逃れる話かと予想したのだが、違った。判明する事実はなかなかショッキングだ。そもそもこれはドクターとチャーリーとケリーズの物語ではなかったということで、ある意味“あ、そうだったんだ”とホッとできるのだが。結局のところドクターではなかったとわかっても、彼の運命はやはりちょっと切ないような複雑な気持ちにさせられる。
Happiness through acceptance. Productivity through happiness. Questions are forbidden. Questions lead to answers, answers lead to knowledge, knowledge leads to freedom, freedom leads to dissatisfaction, and dissatisfaction to unhappiness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2020
How do I even review this one? It could most certainly be described as dystopian. And also unlike any doctor who thing I’ve ever come across. Is it even doctor who? I mean I know it is, but it’s so strange. From start to finish Natural History is mind crippling. There’s a whole scene with the Doctor who isn’t really the Doctor torturing Charley which sounds horrible but the voices he makes is oddly satisfying. It’s full of whispers and just- yeah. It’s great. And then the END. Besides the total surprise the end gives and the absolute talent that the actors bring, it really tests your view on a lot of things. There’s some great lines in here that you’ll find yourself scribbling down in a notebook somewhere. I loved every second of it. But it is horrifying at times, so just be prepared :)
March 6, 2020
I love it when Big Finish does experimental.
The first time I listened through this story, I remember thinking "I know the Doctor's going to get out of this and get to his next adventure." but it wasn't all that simple, and I love it. This piece takes hope away from its listeners, minute by minute until the gut punch right at the end. What's more, it's a story that could only exist in an audio format.
The first time I listened through this story, I remember thinking "I know the Doctor's going to get out of this and get to his next adventure." but it wasn't all that simple, and I love it. This piece takes hope away from its listeners, minute by minute until the gut punch right at the end. What's more, it's a story that could only exist in an audio format.
Read
April 8, 2009I thought that The Natural History of Fear was going to be rubbish as well, as it seemed that we must find out eventually that there is some secret plan that the Doctor and companions are working on. But it didn't come, and didn't come, and so the eventual revelation of What Was Really Going On totally subverted my expectations.
June 10, 2021
The Natural History of CONFUSION.
December 20, 2023
Well this genuinely made me unnerved.
Edit:
I think I was more scared the second time around. It is just an amazing audio drama though and I can't recommend it enough.
Edit:
I think I was more scared the second time around. It is just an amazing audio drama though and I can't recommend it enough.
May 23, 2024
🙏🏼52% = Average! = Not recommended!
Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!
WHEN CONFUSING YOU SIMPLY ISN’T ENOUGH!
Within the opening moments of The Natural History of Fear, I know this entire story will be a momentous struggle to get through. I don't know who is who or what is what here, and I’ve never been as effectively lost when listening to a Big Finish audio.
It’s very difficult to review a story that you cannot get a hold of; the characters are so strange and distant, the story is all over the place, and the atmosphere is unfathomable most of the time, with glimpses of reason appearing now and then.
The story gradually reveals that it takes place in a tightly controlled state, altering everyone's memories and perceptions and effectively dealing with non-conformity. The Doctor assumes the role of the Editor, exercising strict control; Charley serves as his faithful ally; and C'rizz, the Conscience, starts to question everything. But even after this, the story seems to go off on a tangent every so often, to maintain your confusion and prevent it from making you too comfortable.
The tension grows throughout this adventure and is palpable towards the end, even if you don't grasp the narrative itself. The stakes make themselves felt and keep you on edge, which helps you get to the end of the story. The last part does tie the loose ends together just enough to help you get an overall grasp of what it’s trying to achieve.
The performances are good, even if it's difficult to get a hold of the characters and who they represent.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
The biggest takeaway from this story is the interesting parallels drawn between the Buddhist view on reincarnation and the Doctor’s cycle of regeneration.
Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!
WHEN CONFUSING YOU SIMPLY ISN’T ENOUGH!
Within the opening moments of The Natural History of Fear, I know this entire story will be a momentous struggle to get through. I don't know who is who or what is what here, and I’ve never been as effectively lost when listening to a Big Finish audio.
It’s very difficult to review a story that you cannot get a hold of; the characters are so strange and distant, the story is all over the place, and the atmosphere is unfathomable most of the time, with glimpses of reason appearing now and then.
The story gradually reveals that it takes place in a tightly controlled state, altering everyone's memories and perceptions and effectively dealing with non-conformity. The Doctor assumes the role of the Editor, exercising strict control; Charley serves as his faithful ally; and C'rizz, the Conscience, starts to question everything. But even after this, the story seems to go off on a tangent every so often, to maintain your confusion and prevent it from making you too comfortable.
The tension grows throughout this adventure and is palpable towards the end, even if you don't grasp the narrative itself. The stakes make themselves felt and keep you on edge, which helps you get to the end of the story. The last part does tie the loose ends together just enough to help you get an overall grasp of what it’s trying to achieve.
The performances are good, even if it's difficult to get a hold of the characters and who they represent.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
The biggest takeaway from this story is the interesting parallels drawn between the Buddhist view on reincarnation and the Doctor’s cycle of regeneration.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2023
I wanted to love this the way so many people do, but it just didn’t hit for me. That said, I do think it’s an excellent example of how effective stories written for audio can be.
The soundscapes here were excellent and McGann one again flexed his voice acting range. Not only that, but the conclusion of this one hinges on the audio medium, which absolutely ruled. I just wish it was all in service of a story that was really able to grab me.
Two stars is too low; this thing is more of a 2.5 to me, with the final section standing out as the most effective part of the story. The cyclical nature was intriguing, but the 1984 aspects felt predictable, and the exploration of memory didn’t get interesting until the end of the story.
It’s a shame; this one has the right ingredients to be amazing, but they weren’t incorporated in a way to deliver effectively on the premise. Another round of script cutting would have done this one a load of favors.
I think I’m still lukewarm to this new universe coming off of Creed of the Kromon. Scherzo had me so excited for what was to come, and this story’s experimental elements lend themselves towards the weirdness I crave, but Creed absolutely nerfs it by coming right beforehand. That’s not this story’s fault, but unfortunately it’s suffering for it.
I’ll try this one again sometime and hopefully it’ll click
The soundscapes here were excellent and McGann one again flexed his voice acting range. Not only that, but the conclusion of this one hinges on the audio medium, which absolutely ruled. I just wish it was all in service of a story that was really able to grab me.
Two stars is too low; this thing is more of a 2.5 to me, with the final section standing out as the most effective part of the story. The cyclical nature was intriguing, but the 1984 aspects felt predictable, and the exploration of memory didn’t get interesting until the end of the story.
It’s a shame; this one has the right ingredients to be amazing, but they weren’t incorporated in a way to deliver effectively on the premise. Another round of script cutting would have done this one a load of favors.
I think I’m still lukewarm to this new universe coming off of Creed of the Kromon. Scherzo had me so excited for what was to come, and this story’s experimental elements lend themselves towards the weirdness I crave, but Creed absolutely nerfs it by coming right beforehand. That’s not this story’s fault, but unfortunately it’s suffering for it.
I’ll try this one again sometime and hopefully it’ll click
February 27, 2022
Another of the Doctor Who audio adventures starring Paul McGann as the Doctor, The Natural History of Fear is a story that often comes highly recommended to new listeners, and although it's not as good as its reputation would suggest, it's still a very solid experimental piece and perhaps should be recommended more as an example of the unique kinds of stories the audios can do rather than representative of the Doctor Who audios in general.
It's Doctor Who does 1984 on a very, very basic level, there's not much here Doctor Who's not covered before, and it's definitely over-long, clocking in at over two hours, but it's one of Paul McGann's best performances as the Doctor even though it's one where his companions don't shine as strongly (if you're coming to this story as your first taste of Charley and C'rizz, you're probably going to not understand what the fuss is about). But at only £2.99 to download on the Big Finish website, it's still an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
It's Doctor Who does 1984 on a very, very basic level, there's not much here Doctor Who's not covered before, and it's definitely over-long, clocking in at over two hours, but it's one of Paul McGann's best performances as the Doctor even though it's one where his companions don't shine as strongly (if you're coming to this story as your first taste of Charley and C'rizz, you're probably going to not understand what the fuss is about). But at only £2.99 to download on the Big Finish website, it's still an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
March 31, 2025
I'm normally a huge fan of Big Finish's experimental stories, but I just couldn't get along with this one. It pales in comparison to LIVE 34 and it definitely takes two, maybe even three listens to even have the weakest grasp on what is going on.
Even then, if you can figure it out, it's still a very weightless story. There's barely any substance, plot or progression to it. It's also positioned really weirdly in the range, being the second story to feature Eight's new companion, C'rizz, so it's hard to know or care about his part in this story because most listeners will know very little about him at this point. Even I struggled to realise which character(s) was/were him as I hadn't gotten used to Westmaas' voice yet.
The last two minutes are probably the only really enjoyable thing about the story, and as strong and good an ending as it is, it doesn't make up for the two hours of confusion which precede it.
Even then, if you can figure it out, it's still a very weightless story. There's barely any substance, plot or progression to it. It's also positioned really weirdly in the range, being the second story to feature Eight's new companion, C'rizz, so it's hard to know or care about his part in this story because most listeners will know very little about him at this point. Even I struggled to realise which character(s) was/were him as I hadn't gotten used to Westmaas' voice yet.
The last two minutes are probably the only really enjoyable thing about the story, and as strong and good an ending as it is, it doesn't make up for the two hours of confusion which precede it.
February 13, 2024
The Natural History of Fear has a style that's similar to George Orwell's 1984, it uses the basses of a state ruled society to run commentary on copyright and censorship as well as anti intellectualism. This is further paired with a loose metaphor for Doctor Who's cancellation. The story is very non linear and is certainly not one to casually put on and switch off your brain and benefits from repeat listings. It doesn't quite fall into my category of media that you consume once to say that you have watched and/or read it and never feel obliged to repeat...but it certainly comes close.
November 14, 2017
This is hard to review. "The Natural History of Fear" is incredibly ambitious playing almost acrobatically with shifting narrative, but it leaves me a little cold by the end. Essentially a riff on "1984", it tries to style itself into something else and almost gets there, but not quite.
Absolutely astonishing sound design, brilliant performances and a startling twist at the end leave me impressed, but not terribly moved.
I waver between 3 and 4 stars here, but I'll round up to express how much I appreciate Big Finish trying to push the envelope, whether successful or not.
Absolutely astonishing sound design, brilliant performances and a startling twist at the end leave me impressed, but not terribly moved.
I waver between 3 and 4 stars here, but I'll round up to express how much I appreciate Big Finish trying to push the envelope, whether successful or not.
October 30, 2023
A pastiche of 1984 with a soupcon oc The Purge thrown in? I have a suspicion that, like in other franchises, the writer has recycled a rejected piece of work and inserted the expected franchise characters so that it can be called 'xyz'. Why do I suspect this? Because the main characters act nothing like how their personalities, as shown in the past, would decree. The two-plus hours seem to have been for the benefit of a near-deus ex machina twist at he end. Uncompelling. As expected, great sound production.
December 19, 2020
I’m not quite sure how to feel about this one. Love that it evoked strong feelings of an Orwellian dystopia... not sure the “twist” was as good as they were hoping. Reminds me of the Star Trek Voyager episode Oblivion, where the twist was that the crew and ship we follow for the entire episode turn out to be duplicates... only I was way more invested in that payoff. This one was meh. Once I realized I wasn’t really following the doctor and Charlie I kinda just wasn’t vested.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2025
More ambitious than the usual run-around. The dystopia, however, is both overplayed and oversimplified, outlawing all questions, yes, but in standard interrogative form only (not other means of eliciting information), and having persons raised without such phrasings still instinctively reaching for them.
May 31, 2020
Basically, this is Doctor Who does Nineteen Eighty-Four, and it gets pretty confusing. Asking questions in this society is a crime. While an interesting idea in and of itself, this has been done before. Also, The Doctor and his companions are not quite themselves.
August 12, 2020
Funny little dig near the beginning about lost episodes (and you can faintly hear the old theme song in the background). Decent authoritarian, 1984-ish themed story, but a bit tough to follow at times due to the same people voicing multiple characters.
July 25, 2023
I've read/watched/consumed far too many Orwellian-inspired stories to be impressed by this. I'm actually quite bored of the concept. The ending contained a good twist that would only ever work in this medium, which I found interesting, but it didn't elevate my opinion much above the "meh" level.
December 3, 2025
1984, the 3rd Doctor story "Inferno" and the 7th Doctor story "The Happiness Patrol" are what I would compare this story to. I also got vibes of "Within Cells Interlinked" from Blade Runner 2049.
A solid and unique 8th Doctor adventure. The middle drags a little but other than that it's great.
A solid and unique 8th Doctor adventure. The middle drags a little but other than that it's great.
October 28, 2019
DONG - This is the voice of Big Finish - DONG - Welcome to our worst story - DONG - Today is bad writing day - DONG - Read our nonsense and weep - DONG - Our writers are out of ideas - DONG
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