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The Companion Chronicles #6.02
Doctor Who: The Rocket Men
The TARDIS has landed on Platform Five, a floating city in the sky of the planet Jobis, and for a time the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki get the chance to enjoy this idyllic place.
And then the Rocket Men arrive, led by the sadistic Ashman.
When the only other option to certain death is suicide, Ian Chesterton takes the gamble of his life…
And then the Rocket Men arrive, led by the sadistic Ashman.
When the only other option to certain death is suicide, Ian Chesterton takes the gamble of his life…
Audio CD
First published August 1, 2011
About the author
John Dorney
173 books26 followersJohn Dorney is a British writer and actor best known for stage roles including the National Theatre, the BBC Radio 4 sitcom My First Planet; and his scripts for the Big Finish Doctor Who range. His script 'Solitaire' was rated the most popular Doctor Who Companion Chronicle of 2010 on the Timescales website and was the runner up in Unreality Sci-fi net's poll for Story of the Year 2010-11.
As well as Doctor Who, he has written for Big Finish's Sapphire and Steel series and on radio co-wrote three series of BBC Radio 4's Recorded for Training Purposes. He won the BBC Show Me the Funny 'Sketch Factor' competition, was a finalist in the BBC 'Laughing Stock' competition, and has performed in Mark Watson's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning long shows as 'The Balladeer'. On stage, he has written plays for the Royal Court Theatre, Hampstead and Soho Theatres.
He trained at LAMDA.
As well as Doctor Who, he has written for Big Finish's Sapphire and Steel series and on radio co-wrote three series of BBC Radio 4's Recorded for Training Purposes. He won the BBC Show Me the Funny 'Sketch Factor' competition, was a finalist in the BBC 'Laughing Stock' competition, and has performed in Mark Watson's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning long shows as 'The Balladeer'. On stage, he has written plays for the Royal Court Theatre, Hampstead and Soho Theatres.
He trained at LAMDA.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 23, 2020
Landing on platform five of a floating city on the planet Jobis. The Doctor and his companions think their in for a nice hoilday but when the space pirates The Rocket Men arrive, their in a fight for survival.
This was a really good story, with extraordinary world building, the introduction of the very 60's-esgue Rocket Men and of course William Russell as Ian Chesterton showing how much love and care he has for Barbara. Overall a good story. 8/10
This was a really good story, with extraordinary world building, the introduction of the very 60's-esgue Rocket Men and of course William Russell as Ian Chesterton showing how much love and care he has for Barbara. Overall a good story. 8/10
January 12, 2021
This was brilliant! I loved the unconventional, non-linear way the story unfolds. The setting, the atmospheric sound-scape, William Russell & Gus Brown’s performances, the story itself, the characterizations: this was just wonderful. So, why only 4-stars for this nearly perfect audio-drama? It was criminal to have only had two voices. This would have been perfect as a full-cast production.
August 29, 2011
The Companion Chronicles series from Big Finish has proved to be very hit and miss.
Some titles have a very intimate feel (usually enhanced by having a single primary narrator) but others feel loose and vapid. A lot of this has to do with the quality of that prime narrator moreso even than that of the scripting.
William Russell is now the Grand Old Man of Doctor Who. He was 86 years old when this audiobook was completed, but his voice is still full of strength and a richness that echoes that of John Gielgud in the last decades of his career. Russell is an engaging reader who knows how to find the truth and emotion in any line of dialogue. It is due to this performance that The Rocket Men succeeds and I hope he can contribute to more Doctor Who audios in the future (he has in recent years narrated several audio book adaptions of Target novelisations featuring his character as well as the superb Farewell, Great Macedon based on an used script from his time in Doctor Who during the early 1960s.)
The script however is a tepid affair. Its structure consists of flash forwards and backwards that seek to complicate a very linear tale that fails to sustain its 70 minute length. The central event of the story (a sudden decision made by the Ian Chesterton character) dominates the story and fails to be resolved satisfactorily. The Rocket Men of the title are a trifle dull and fail to capture the spirit of the Repbulic Serials characters the cover image is clearly meant to evoke. Sound design is adequate but could have been given more depth - and there is one hilariously over-stated sound effect which is so ridiculously loud and out of place compared to the rest of the soundtrack as to engender laughter rather than the intended dramatic frission.
I hate to be too critical of this production because I did enjoy it. However, Russell's performance is doing all of the hard work to cover a multitude of sins on the production front.
Some titles have a very intimate feel (usually enhanced by having a single primary narrator) but others feel loose and vapid. A lot of this has to do with the quality of that prime narrator moreso even than that of the scripting.
William Russell is now the Grand Old Man of Doctor Who. He was 86 years old when this audiobook was completed, but his voice is still full of strength and a richness that echoes that of John Gielgud in the last decades of his career. Russell is an engaging reader who knows how to find the truth and emotion in any line of dialogue. It is due to this performance that The Rocket Men succeeds and I hope he can contribute to more Doctor Who audios in the future (he has in recent years narrated several audio book adaptions of Target novelisations featuring his character as well as the superb Farewell, Great Macedon based on an used script from his time in Doctor Who during the early 1960s.)
The script however is a tepid affair. Its structure consists of flash forwards and backwards that seek to complicate a very linear tale that fails to sustain its 70 minute length. The central event of the story (a sudden decision made by the Ian Chesterton character) dominates the story and fails to be resolved satisfactorily. The Rocket Men of the title are a trifle dull and fail to capture the spirit of the Repbulic Serials characters the cover image is clearly meant to evoke. Sound design is adequate but could have been given more depth - and there is one hilariously over-stated sound effect which is so ridiculously loud and out of place compared to the rest of the soundtrack as to engender laughter rather than the intended dramatic frission.
I hate to be too critical of this production because I did enjoy it. However, Russell's performance is doing all of the hard work to cover a multitude of sins on the production front.
July 29, 2015
У этой плюшки два несомненных достоинства: построение повествования в виде флэшбэков-флэшфорвардов и сумасшедший прыжок Честертона. Вместо стандартно непритязательной задумки, где герои ожидаемо и линейно спасают деревню/город/страну/планету/систему/галактику/Вселенную от неминуемой гибели в ныне существующем виде, The Rocket Men выдает рваную по хронометражу и динамике историю, которая не дает расслабиться ни на минуту, раскрываясь постепенно и почти никогда в нужном порядке. Начало — в лучших традициях сериальной практики, когда перед заставкой идет минутная вырезка из кульминационного сегмента, заставляющая зрителя ерзать на месте от беспокойства.
Второй пункт – главная фишка всего выпуска. Если мне не приснилось, автор признался в интервью, что ему хотелось расширить существующие рамки взаимодействия персонажей и позволить Иэну раскрыться во всей красе. Что ему точно удалось – так это показать Честертона с безрассудно-героической стороны ;) Дух захватывает! Но вот продолжение этой темы (и самое главное, подача) слегка нивелирует первоначальный восторг. В целом — более чем достойный представитель компаньонских хроник с Уильямом Расселлом в качестве рассказчика.
annikeh.net
Второй пункт – главная фишка всего выпуска. Если мне не приснилось, автор признался в интервью, что ему хотелось расширить существующие рамки взаимодействия персонажей и позволить Иэну раскрыться во всей красе. Что ему точно удалось – так это показать Честертона с безрассудно-героической стороны ;) Дух захватывает! Но вот продолжение этой темы (и самое главное, подача) слегка нивелирует первоначальный восторг. В целом — более чем достойный представитель компаньонских хроник с Уильямом Расселлом в качестве рассказчика.
annikeh.net
November 30, 2018
John Dorney's The Rocket Men very cleverly starts in the middle of the story and then uses flashbacks to fill in what's going on. But unlike the normal "start with an exciting bit and flashback to explain it" technique, The Rocket Men flashes back and forth between the near "past" and the present, using a word, phrase or action to move from one time to the other and back again. It's a very effective technique and the story flows extremely well - without being overly confusing.
The Rocket Men is a volume in Big Finish's Doctor Who the Companion Chronicles series, and features William Russell as the First Doctor's companion, Ian and Gus Brown, as the Leader of the Rocket Men, Ashman. The First Doctor (as played by William Hartnell on the long-running BBC television series, Doctor Who), Barbara, and Vicki are also featured in the story. The Companion Chronicles feature a story told from one of the Doctor's companions' point of views and are often more wordy, framed as a two-hander play.
The TARDIS lands on Jobis, an idyllic gas giant and tourist destination, with cities built on platforms in the air, floating luxury hotels, and even beautiful creatures to watch - such as giant flying Manta Rays in the skies, and insects that sparkle like diamonds. After a few days, the Doctor goes off to another platform to visit and share ideas with some local scientists. Ian books a tourist trip on a glass-bottomed boat. Barbara isn't feeling well and decides to stay at the hotel - Ian checks to make sure he doesn't need to look after her, but Barbara decides she's okay and Vicki really wants to try the boat ride, so the three split up. On the boat ride, they are attacked. Ashman leads his fierce Rocket Men, a group of pirates who want to steal the "diamonds" from the sky. The Rocket Men wear brown leather and rocket packs on their backs - and they attack the barge. Once the attack is winding down, Ian is able to attack one of the guards, knock him out and steal his uniform and pack.
Later, and the first scene in the story as one listens to it, the Rocket Men have attacked the hotel and gathered up the people they haven't killed. They demand that the companions of "The Doctor" turn themselves over. When Ashman starts to threaten innocent tourists - Vicki and Barbara turn themselves over. Ian struggles to not admit who he is and seems to be waiting for his chance for something. When Barbara is thrown out an airlock, he rushes the door and follows - then uses the jetpack he's wearing to control his descent and direction. He rescues the terrified Barbara and takes her to a nearby platform. She cries. They hug.
But Ian and Barbara aren't completely safe. Ashton attacks and he and Ian start to fight each other in midair. Ian gains advantage, but then Ashton deactivates his rocket pack and Ian starts falling. He's rescued by a Manta Ray. Meanwhile, the Doctor's been working with the local scientists. They manage to break through the Rocket Men's jamming signals and get out a call for help. The local authorities wrap things up and defeat the Rocket Men.
This an awesome story - it's full of adventure and fun, but the core of the story is Ian's feelings for Barbara and her feelings for him. It's a very romantic story - both in the traditional sense in terms of the adventure and the scope - with men with rockets strapped to their backs running around, gas giant planets, giant manta rays, and a floating hotel. It's awesome. But it's also romantic in it shows a relationship between Ian and Barbara. That's extremely fun.
Highly recommended, especially if you're a fan of the Ian-Barbara relationship from early Doctor Who.
The Rocket Men is a volume in Big Finish's Doctor Who the Companion Chronicles series, and features William Russell as the First Doctor's companion, Ian and Gus Brown, as the Leader of the Rocket Men, Ashman. The First Doctor (as played by William Hartnell on the long-running BBC television series, Doctor Who), Barbara, and Vicki are also featured in the story. The Companion Chronicles feature a story told from one of the Doctor's companions' point of views and are often more wordy, framed as a two-hander play.
The TARDIS lands on Jobis, an idyllic gas giant and tourist destination, with cities built on platforms in the air, floating luxury hotels, and even beautiful creatures to watch - such as giant flying Manta Rays in the skies, and insects that sparkle like diamonds. After a few days, the Doctor goes off to another platform to visit and share ideas with some local scientists. Ian books a tourist trip on a glass-bottomed boat. Barbara isn't feeling well and decides to stay at the hotel - Ian checks to make sure he doesn't need to look after her, but Barbara decides she's okay and Vicki really wants to try the boat ride, so the three split up. On the boat ride, they are attacked. Ashman leads his fierce Rocket Men, a group of pirates who want to steal the "diamonds" from the sky. The Rocket Men wear brown leather and rocket packs on their backs - and they attack the barge. Once the attack is winding down, Ian is able to attack one of the guards, knock him out and steal his uniform and pack.
Later, and the first scene in the story as one listens to it, the Rocket Men have attacked the hotel and gathered up the people they haven't killed. They demand that the companions of "The Doctor" turn themselves over. When Ashman starts to threaten innocent tourists - Vicki and Barbara turn themselves over. Ian struggles to not admit who he is and seems to be waiting for his chance for something. When Barbara is thrown out an airlock, he rushes the door and follows - then uses the jetpack he's wearing to control his descent and direction. He rescues the terrified Barbara and takes her to a nearby platform. She cries. They hug.
But Ian and Barbara aren't completely safe. Ashton attacks and he and Ian start to fight each other in midair. Ian gains advantage, but then Ashton deactivates his rocket pack and Ian starts falling. He's rescued by a Manta Ray. Meanwhile, the Doctor's been working with the local scientists. They manage to break through the Rocket Men's jamming signals and get out a call for help. The local authorities wrap things up and defeat the Rocket Men.
This an awesome story - it's full of adventure and fun, but the core of the story is Ian's feelings for Barbara and her feelings for him. It's a very romantic story - both in the traditional sense in terms of the adventure and the scope - with men with rockets strapped to their backs running around, gas giant planets, giant manta rays, and a floating hotel. It's awesome. But it's also romantic in it shows a relationship between Ian and Barbara. That's extremely fun.
Highly recommended, especially if you're a fan of the Ian-Barbara relationship from early Doctor Who.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2017
A First Doctor story told from the perspective of Ian.
Of course, it's really a story about Ian, and in particular, about his relationship to Barbara. The Doctor is mostly active off-stage, rightly allowing the narrator to take the spotlight. The story starts in media res, and then takes the unusual step of cutting back and forth between the central action scenes and the more sedate lead-up to them. There's also a particularly effective cliffhanger at the half-way point, making a good use of the narrative structure to spring a surprise on the listener.
The villains of the story are jet pack wearing pirates bringing to mind similar-looking characters from the movie serials of the '40s and '50s (most obviously King of the Rocket Men). It's not quite the right decade, but it absolutely feels like something that Doctor Who could have done at this time in its history, if only they'd had the budget. Indeed, filming this today would require a lot of CGI work, and it's a tribute to the story that this doesn't take away from the Hartnell-era feel.
Ian is especially well written here, allowing not only his unspoken love for Barbara to shine through, but combining both his science teacher background and the 'action hero' role that he largely took in the show. The other characters are less effective, with Barbara in particular mainly playing the damsel-in-distress, and Vicki little more than window dressing. However, while this isn't ideal, I think it's forgiveable in the monologue format of the Companion Chronicles, where the narrator's perspective is paramount. In fact, here, the second actor (playing the leader of the Rocket Men) is essentially redundant and has only a few lines anyway.
These weaknesses do prevent me giving this a solid five stars. But, with a good mix of pathos, action, and vivid imagery of an alien world, along with the retro feel of the 'rocket man' concept, this is to my mind one of the stronger Companion Chronicles. It's worth noting that the story is entirely self-contained, even though the villains were later brought back for an encore.
Of course, it's really a story about Ian, and in particular, about his relationship to Barbara. The Doctor is mostly active off-stage, rightly allowing the narrator to take the spotlight. The story starts in media res, and then takes the unusual step of cutting back and forth between the central action scenes and the more sedate lead-up to them. There's also a particularly effective cliffhanger at the half-way point, making a good use of the narrative structure to spring a surprise on the listener.
The villains of the story are jet pack wearing pirates bringing to mind similar-looking characters from the movie serials of the '40s and '50s (most obviously King of the Rocket Men). It's not quite the right decade, but it absolutely feels like something that Doctor Who could have done at this time in its history, if only they'd had the budget. Indeed, filming this today would require a lot of CGI work, and it's a tribute to the story that this doesn't take away from the Hartnell-era feel.
Ian is especially well written here, allowing not only his unspoken love for Barbara to shine through, but combining both his science teacher background and the 'action hero' role that he largely took in the show. The other characters are less effective, with Barbara in particular mainly playing the damsel-in-distress, and Vicki little more than window dressing. However, while this isn't ideal, I think it's forgiveable in the monologue format of the Companion Chronicles, where the narrator's perspective is paramount. In fact, here, the second actor (playing the leader of the Rocket Men) is essentially redundant and has only a few lines anyway.
These weaknesses do prevent me giving this a solid five stars. But, with a good mix of pathos, action, and vivid imagery of an alien world, along with the retro feel of the 'rocket man' concept, this is to my mind one of the stronger Companion Chronicles. It's worth noting that the story is entirely self-contained, even though the villains were later brought back for an encore.
March 3, 2026
Doctor Who: The Rocket Men is a thrilling, pitch-perfect adventure that captures the spirit of early Doctor Who while giving it cinematic scope. Written by John Dorney, the story feels authentically rooted in Season 2, yet plays like a big-screen colour epic built from the bones of a studio-bound black-and-white serial. It has that classic structure and pacing, but everything feels heightened and expansive.
Ashman is a strong, intelligent villain, and the Rocket Men themselves are a brilliant pulp creation — straight out of classic science fiction, yet made genuinely menacing through sharp, modern storytelling. They carry real threat, and their presence energises the whole narrative.
What really elevates the story, though, is its emotional core. The developing relationship between Ian and Barbara is handled beautifully, with Ian’s love for Barbara given real depth and tenderness. It feels completely true to the TARDIS team dynamic of that era, enriching what we know from television rather than rewriting it.
And then there’s William Russell — the original Ian Chesterton — whose narration is simply wonderful. His voice carries authority, warmth and lived-in authenticity. What a reader.
An exciting, intelligent and emotionally satisfying adventure that honours early Doctor Who while giving it a vivid new dimension.
Ashman is a strong, intelligent villain, and the Rocket Men themselves are a brilliant pulp creation — straight out of classic science fiction, yet made genuinely menacing through sharp, modern storytelling. They carry real threat, and their presence energises the whole narrative.
What really elevates the story, though, is its emotional core. The developing relationship between Ian and Barbara is handled beautifully, with Ian’s love for Barbara given real depth and tenderness. It feels completely true to the TARDIS team dynamic of that era, enriching what we know from television rather than rewriting it.
And then there’s William Russell — the original Ian Chesterton — whose narration is simply wonderful. His voice carries authority, warmth and lived-in authenticity. What a reader.
An exciting, intelligent and emotionally satisfying adventure that honours early Doctor Who while giving it a vivid new dimension.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2017
I really enjoyed this. John Dorney does a wonderful job writing Ian. I'm glad that Dorney used the relationship between Ian and Barbara to drive The Rocket Men forward. Watching the first seasons of Doctor Who, we're all aware that there is just /something/ between those two, but it was never addressed directly. In this story, Ian is allowed to be suitably heroic, but there are touches of vulnerability to him, especially with regards to Barbara, that I found particularly affecting.
William Russell's reading is well done and, though he can't mimic William Hartnell's First Doctor, I thought he did a good job of invoking the other actor's spirit.
William Russell's reading is well done and, though he can't mimic William Hartnell's First Doctor, I thought he did a good job of invoking the other actor's spirit.
May 9, 2018
an homage to fifties SciFi that beautifully jumps back and forth between a few days while the Who crew yet again attempts a holiday. more important than the exciting action and vivid descriptions is the Moment when Ian and Barbara realize they're in love. heartbreakingly narrated by William Russell (Ian himself and also a spot on portrayal of William Hartnell's First Doctor) extremely enjoyable
February 10, 2021
This felt very immersive. I could imagine the Rocket Men flying around thanks to the sound effects. It's not the type of story one would have seen in the early seasons of the show. That's the great thing about audio: it can drop classic characters into scenarios with modern sensibilities. And I really liked The Doctor's advice to Ian about Barbara at the end.
May 11, 2018
Classic Chesterton.
November 4, 2022
One of Big Finish’s best!
December 27, 2013
Probably the best thing about this is William Russell's performance as a reader. I can't quite put my finger on it, but something about the way he reads this particular story really made me sit up and take notice.
The next best thing is probably the setting, which thoroughly takes advantage of the "infinite effects budget" of audio: the story takes place in the atmosphere of a gas giant, and features floating viewing platforms, giant flying fauna, and chases and fight scenes involving rocket packs. There's just no way that this story could ever have been realized on TV, especially not during this era of Doctor Who.
On the downside, the story structure is a little awkward - it's told in little narrative snippets, flashing back and forward between two different timelines, and except for a bit of clever wordplay and one surprise for the listener, I don't see that it gets much out of the odd structure.
Finally, I'm not sure that the eponymous "rocket men" really amount to much as villains. Ashman doesn't really have much of a personality beyond being greedy and sadistic, and so his final confrontation with Ian probably packs less punch than it could.
The next best thing is probably the setting, which thoroughly takes advantage of the "infinite effects budget" of audio: the story takes place in the atmosphere of a gas giant, and features floating viewing platforms, giant flying fauna, and chases and fight scenes involving rocket packs. There's just no way that this story could ever have been realized on TV, especially not during this era of Doctor Who.
On the downside, the story structure is a little awkward - it's told in little narrative snippets, flashing back and forward between two different timelines, and except for a bit of clever wordplay and one surprise for the listener, I don't see that it gets much out of the odd structure.
Finally, I'm not sure that the eponymous "rocket men" really amount to much as villains. Ashman doesn't really have much of a personality beyond being greedy and sadistic, and so his final confrontation with Ian probably packs less punch than it could.
January 5, 2012
In John Dorney's Companion Chronicle, The Rocket Men, William Russell tells the story of how Ian Chesterton saves Barbara from certain death when space pirates with jet packs attack the holiday resort where they are staying with the Doctor and Vicki. I was a bit underwhelmed by it, to be honest; for some reason the plot was chopped between two different time lines, and would I think have worked just as well as a linear narrative; also Russell carries more than 90% of the story, which he is great at, but makes bringing in another actor to speak the villain's few lines seem rather a waste.
January 21, 2016
While visiting a flying city the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicky get taken hostage.
June 1, 2017
Nothing much to say about this. I will not be making a review. Didn't enjoy that much. Only to anyone who wants to read everything from the first three doctors....
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