Doctor Who: The Natural History of Fear

Big Finish: Monthly Range #54

by Jim Mortimore, Paul McGann (Narrator), India Fisher (Narrator)

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Public Warning
Faction Against Character Theft

Genres: Doctor Who, Audiobook, Science Fiction, Fiction, Dystopia, Time Travel, Tv

Audio CD

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Jim 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.

Reviews

[Helena Štěpánová · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[NCCDBS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confusion and altered personalities and a dystopia, oh my!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Devin Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Magdalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeez this was weird. Definitely channeling 1984 in many ways.

[April Mccaffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: This drama includes graphic and potentially upsetting depictions of suicide, animal cruelty, and torture.

-

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.

[Nicholas Whyte]

I 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.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I need to relisten to this one. But it was excellent. And Paul Mcgann was at the top of his game....

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Emilija · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Frank Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[DrAshleyWho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-listened as part of McGanathon, a re-watch and listening of all the Paul McGann audios for Big Finish up until the current audios in 2026

It seems this introductory season to the Divergent Universe ventures from deeply dull to absolutely incredible, and this story is definitely the latter, albeit one where multiple listens are tantamount. It’s funny how Jim Mortimore manages to make Light City completely alien and disorientating not by adding in weird timey shenanigans but by the use of getting the regulars to voice different people, the sheer authoritarianism of the government through its ‘revisions’ and its annihilation of the fourth wall. It’s telling that Paul McGann considered this one of his favourites because he gives pretty much his finest performance ever in Big Finish, a total tour-de-force.

[Kathryn Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 :)

[Xander Toner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing the Divergent arc's tendencies for odder and stranger stories than we would usually get with Doctor Who, The Natural History of Fear is a dystopian powerhouse of a story. It's odd how a complete lack of our main characters, didn't pull away from my investment in the story. Even Zagreus had India Fisher playing Charley. This has the whole cast, but playing completely different parts, and I love it. It's quite obvious that Paul McGann has a lot more fun with these odder stories that he usually does, and I can completely understand why.

Despite the slight detraction of The Creed of the Kromon, the Divergent arc has been fantastic so far and I hope we get more stories in the same vain as this and Scherzo.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this. It was nice to listen to a story that was so different from all the others. Paul McGann did a really great job in this. The only short fall was that the dystopian society was so closely modelled on 1984. Given how many different dystopia and alternate realities Philip K Dick has come up with it would have been nice to have seen them have had a bit more originality in the story. The different twists and turns were very good, each episode revealing more but it was a bit confusing to how the society was actually functioning that way in the first place and how it was able to bring about change. Still a very engaging story.

[Belisarius Carstairs · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Debra Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Doctor and Charley are on a planet that surprises its people from asking questions or knowing their history. They got made into citizens of the state and fight to gain their individual identities back. Confusing in the beginning but makes more sense as the adventure goes on.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Viola · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Natural History of CONFUSION.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[MrColdStream · Rating 3 out of 5]

🙏🏼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.

[Finlay O'Riordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first listened to this one about three years ago, and I wasn’t very familiar with the Divergent Universe or C'rizz, so I think a lot of it was lost on me back then. However, three years on, I've given it another go as part of a wider Eighth Doctor/Charley/Divergent Universe arc binge, and it really does make all the difference with that context (I pretty much skipped most of the DU stuff before and went straight to "Terror Firma" for money's saving sake).

I remember previously being on the fence about this story, feeling it to be too confusing for its own good and regarding it as an inferior version of "LIVE 34". Needless to say, my opinion is a lot higher this time.

Mortimore wrote my favourite VNA "Blood Heat", and I would say this is the BF equivalent of his work in terms of quality. I've really come to appreciate the eerie, Orwellian nature of this story and think it is a fantastic Dystopian tale. It's somewhat disconnected from the rest of the Divergent Universe/Kro'ka arcs, but the overall surreal vibe is very much in tune with the era - I love it.

Mortimore also does something really clever with the audio format, but it's not until the final two minutes when you learn you've been tricked this whole time and it really plays into the story's whole unreliable narrator/deception tone vibe.

However, I do still feel the story is a bit too confusing for its own good at times, so it definitely requires a second listen to appreciate and understand it properly, but it's still easily a peak in the Divergent Universe arc and another example of how great Mortimore's writing is.

[Reggie A · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

[Ezekiel Thorp · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Plingsben · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kelly McCubbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Drew Ericsson · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.