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Doctor Who: Death Comes to Time
When a dissident Time Lord group inadvertently caused the destruction of an entire civilisation through interference, its members vowed to repent by serving the Universe not as gods of Time but as mere men. Many years later, this peaceful resolve is severely tested when two of their number are killed -- and the Doctor's seventh incarnation becomes embroiled in the struggle against the apparently unstoppable General Tannis.
Plagued by ominous portents, the Doctor and his companion Antimony must race across the Universe, taking in the Santine Republic, the Great Orion Nebula and the frozen heart of the Canisian Empire. Meanwhile, the mysterious Minister of Chance battles his own inner demons, and former TARDIS traveller Ace finds herself in training for a destiny she never dreamed possible. Matters reach a terrible climax when Tannis' next target for subjugation is identified. Exactly how much is the Doctor prepared to sacrifice in order to save Earth?
Plagued by ominous portents, the Doctor and his companion Antimony must race across the Universe, taking in the Santine Republic, the Great Orion Nebula and the frozen heart of the Canisian Empire. Meanwhile, the mysterious Minister of Chance battles his own inner demons, and former TARDIS traveller Ace finds herself in training for a destiny she never dreamed possible. Matters reach a terrible climax when Tannis' next target for subjugation is identified. Exactly how much is the Doctor prepared to sacrifice in order to save Earth?
Audio CD
First published July 12, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 1, 2024
Honestly, I'm not good enough at distinguishing voices to have had any idea what was actually going on in this. But there were a surprising number of really poignant character moments - enough that I did spend an hour plus after finishing it looking up a description of what happened and then reading Wikipedia pages on a lot of deep DW lore. (Jeezus, guys, if you thought the DOCTOR'S lore was too much, do NOT try to read up on the Master's lore.)
Okay, but Ace at the end of this??????
Okay, but Ace at the end of this??????
May 18, 2017
Interesting. An alternate timeline, I gather. Or is this the actual timeline?
Very good performances on all parts. Great to hear Fry as a Timelord, and indeed Sessions as a rather slimy baddie.
Very good performances on all parts. Great to hear Fry as a Timelord, and indeed Sessions as a rather slimy baddie.
July 22, 2018
This is a strange story. It's heavily steeped in the mythology of the Doctor Who series, especially the classic series, and casual Doctor Who fans might not understand everything going on. On the other hand, those that are very knowledgable about the Doctor Who mythos might be put off by the heavy changes made to the background of the universe.
But it has Stephen Fry as a Time Lord, and that pretty much wipes away any concerns about this drama.
In all honesty, it has some amazing acting performances, and the story is just a lot of fun from start to finish. I highly recommend it to Doctor Who fans.
But it has Stephen Fry as a Time Lord, and that pretty much wipes away any concerns about this drama.
In all honesty, it has some amazing acting performances, and the story is just a lot of fun from start to finish. I highly recommend it to Doctor Who fans.
July 6, 2012
I'm a Doctor Who fan, I watch the show from the Eccleston series, so I had my expectations. Actually I don't know what to make out of this product. It is not an audio book in a sense that someone is performing a story. It is several episodes of BBC audio production put together. It doesn't have a narrative at all. The whole story is pure dialogues between the characters. The sound effects are very good, which helps to understand what's happening. But often I don't know which character is speaking, it's difficult to recognise the voices, so it's difficult to follow the story.
I almost gave up listening, only the performance kept me going, the actors do their best.
I almost gave up listening, only the performance kept me going, the actors do their best.
September 3, 2013
One of my favorite Doctor Who audios that can be confusing for a fan of the new series, but that features lovely acting, fun extras and the best entrance for a pair of characters ever. If you are interested in Doctor Who at all, watch some of the Seventh Doctor era and then come back to listen to this treat.
December 17, 2018
The Doctor is brought to a planet to try and help save it from destruction while Ace is on Gallifrey being evaluated to see if she will be a time agent. Both are sent to earth to stop a Time Lord from ending the world. Can they stop him.
September 11, 2017
This 2001/2 production creates mixed feelings within me. I am thrilled to have a story about the Time Lords, but then, it takes a rather sharp left turn that leaves me rather unfulfilled, holding a mildly bitter taste in my mouth. This, and the other webcasts, were produced during the interim of the first, and second series gap from 1989-2005 ; this is the first of these, written, produced, and directed by Colin Meek; pseudonym of Dan Freedman.
I am a great fan of the audio series. All of those I have heard, keep within that comfortably Universe created by the original writers. Nothing honestly felt overboard, or extravagantly concocted; they are more emotionally intense, and personal--a quality I appreciated--and well-crafted tales.
This audio/webcast pulls some of the moves I dislike the new series for using: going outside of my concepts of the Canon, and overblown plot device of dire consequences. This story gives Time Lord unprecedented Universe -destroying powers, and giving that knowledge to use these powers to the human Ace. Even as a series finale, it goes beyond the edge and not only kills the Doctor, but dissolves the Time Lords. Weirder still is the concept of Ace carrying on the capacity to save the Universe, if called upon, using the newly transmitted abilities.
All this to potentially create another show featuring the Minister of Chance that did become an audio series.
It is often the little details that I like, such as, the brief discussion of how some Time Lords were given their name, is because of how they acted- descriptors, like human names because they have meanings, most forgotten. The remark of 'the law' that Time Lords must have companions. Casmus' had a cat named Midus, Antimony is a robot for Doctor Who momentarily felt charming, then ridiculous to be a law one shouldn't violate. Also, speaking about Time Lord dreams having prescient aspects; The Minister speaks of visions of water, and the Doctor had nightmares about not being able to save people and Ace being told by Casmus she needs to remember her dreams because they will become important.
The first three parts were strong, then four started to veer out once I realized the threads were laid for the creation of a Time Lord, and the death of another. I do enjoy the concept of Time Lords, and do wish there were more stories using them, speaking about them, and exploring their culture, and history; however, what I am given since 1989, is outrageous. This began well, having a teacher explore lessons with Ace, which brought a better grasp on *why* they Time Lords refuse to interfere--yet we certainly know they do from the earliest parts of the series when they send the Doctor off to do their bidding to correct a situation--and see the consequences when they do intervene. I wobbled over the spectacular role of Stephen Fry playing the Minister, another Time Lord, expressing his 'god-like' powers --he heals wounds, if he speaks it, it happens from creating a computer virus, to commanding a being to obey, bending time, and gravity. The Deus ex Machina device of the Brigadier saving the world from an alien invasion smacked specifically of how he is used in the latter series. I prefer him as the foil that is the well-meaning military man, yet, he bungles it by force, rather than diplomacy that is portrayed by the Doctor. Turning the Brigadier into the cavalry smacks too hard of the wrong values, and abandoning his traditional role to teach peace over fighting. The fact the plot even needed it because what does one do in the face of an invading alien army with its sites on Earth, defenseless in space against such technology, irks me more. That is the role that came to be for U.N.I.T in the later series.
In the audio extras, there is an interview with Sylvester McCoy, and the Science writer from the Daily Mail, a comic interview of Tannis (played by John Sessions), and outtakes from the audio production.
I won't call my love of the original series nostalgia as it does hold up for me. I find those early episodes much more entertaining, and captivating than anything newly produced for the series. Regrettably, creating Classic Who style programs wouldn't be as popular, thus, the present productions are so very over-to-top, to me.
I recall enjoying the other webcasts. I will have to give them another view after this.
I am a great fan of the audio series. All of those I have heard, keep within that comfortably Universe created by the original writers. Nothing honestly felt overboard, or extravagantly concocted; they are more emotionally intense, and personal--a quality I appreciated--and well-crafted tales.
This audio/webcast pulls some of the moves I dislike the new series for using: going outside of my concepts of the Canon, and overblown plot device of dire consequences. This story gives Time Lord unprecedented Universe -destroying powers, and giving that knowledge to use these powers to the human Ace. Even as a series finale, it goes beyond the edge and not only kills the Doctor, but dissolves the Time Lords. Weirder still is the concept of Ace carrying on the capacity to save the Universe, if called upon, using the newly transmitted abilities.
All this to potentially create another show featuring the Minister of Chance that did become an audio series.
It is often the little details that I like, such as, the brief discussion of how some Time Lords were given their name, is because of how they acted- descriptors, like human names because they have meanings, most forgotten. The remark of 'the law' that Time Lords must have companions. Casmus' had a cat named Midus, Antimony is a robot for Doctor Who momentarily felt charming, then ridiculous to be a law one shouldn't violate. Also, speaking about Time Lord dreams having prescient aspects; The Minister speaks of visions of water, and the Doctor had nightmares about not being able to save people and Ace being told by Casmus she needs to remember her dreams because they will become important.
The first three parts were strong, then four started to veer out once I realized the threads were laid for the creation of a Time Lord, and the death of another. I do enjoy the concept of Time Lords, and do wish there were more stories using them, speaking about them, and exploring their culture, and history; however, what I am given since 1989, is outrageous. This began well, having a teacher explore lessons with Ace, which brought a better grasp on *why* they Time Lords refuse to interfere--yet we certainly know they do from the earliest parts of the series when they send the Doctor off to do their bidding to correct a situation--and see the consequences when they do intervene. I wobbled over the spectacular role of Stephen Fry playing the Minister, another Time Lord, expressing his 'god-like' powers --he heals wounds, if he speaks it, it happens from creating a computer virus, to commanding a being to obey, bending time, and gravity. The Deus ex Machina device of the Brigadier saving the world from an alien invasion smacked specifically of how he is used in the latter series. I prefer him as the foil that is the well-meaning military man, yet, he bungles it by force, rather than diplomacy that is portrayed by the Doctor. Turning the Brigadier into the cavalry smacks too hard of the wrong values, and abandoning his traditional role to teach peace over fighting. The fact the plot even needed it because what does one do in the face of an invading alien army with its sites on Earth, defenseless in space against such technology, irks me more. That is the role that came to be for U.N.I.T in the later series.
In the audio extras, there is an interview with Sylvester McCoy, and the Science writer from the Daily Mail, a comic interview of Tannis (played by John Sessions), and outtakes from the audio production.
I won't call my love of the original series nostalgia as it does hold up for me. I find those early episodes much more entertaining, and captivating than anything newly produced for the series. Regrettably, creating Classic Who style programs wouldn't be as popular, thus, the present productions are so very over-to-top, to me.
I recall enjoying the other webcasts. I will have to give them another view after this.
February 25, 2018
While the story was fun and hearing Sylvester McCoy's Doctor in action. This BBC recording was done after the series had first ended. And here's where the fun extends; after the audiobook is over there are some extra features. Such as various interviews and promotions for the audio series. One of the interviewees states there is no way that Doctor Who will ever return. (I'm glad he/she has.) Then in another interview says no one will ever need the internet for video or audio programs. (I can't imagine a world without Netflix and chill.)
These interviews, while being entertaining, created a bit of a confused state for a moment or two. You see, these interviews were with writers and actors of the series. So the writers and actors from that era of Who may not have imagination, glad to know someone did.
Anyway this is a very good episode of Doctor Who, too bad it was only a BBC Audio, I would have loved to have seen this episode. Hearing the original actors only made it that much better.
These interviews, while being entertaining, created a bit of a confused state for a moment or two. You see, these interviews were with writers and actors of the series. So the writers and actors from that era of Who may not have imagination, glad to know someone did.
Anyway this is a very good episode of Doctor Who, too bad it was only a BBC Audio, I would have loved to have seen this episode. Hearing the original actors only made it that much better.
June 28, 2022
"Death Comes To Time" is an attempt to make Doctor Who into a kind of dying gods myth. The results are decidedly mixed. The mythic mumbo jumbo, complete with "long ago" stories, and a pantheon (literally) of Time Lords just do not work. Doctor Who is best when it sticks to the science fictional. Once we move into myth territory, the whole thing just falls apart from implausibility. The parts that do work are guest stars Stephen Fry and John Sessions. Sessions is an exceptional villain, cold, ruthless, certain, and never over-the-top. Fry brings a great pathos to his role. Other guest stars, such Nicholas Courtney, Jacqueline Pearce, and Anthony Head, are wasted in cameos. The part about making Ace into a Time Lord just goes nowhere - by the end we never know - is she or isn't she? So, the main problem is that the writer tried too hard to make everything BIG rather than make everything hang together.
August 16, 2021
Doctor Who: Death Comes to Time
Original Who fan? Narrators: Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, Stephen Fry, Nicholas Courtney, Anthony Stewart Head, John Sessions. Bloopers & news reports after the story.
This is an audiobook that was worked up based on the scripts that weren’t used when the show was cancelled. I loved their plans for Ace!! If you’re a fan of the 7th Doctor & Ace this would be an interesting follow up to the show for you.
Original Who fan? Narrators: Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, Stephen Fry, Nicholas Courtney, Anthony Stewart Head, John Sessions. Bloopers & news reports after the story.
This is an audiobook that was worked up based on the scripts that weren’t used when the show was cancelled. I loved their plans for Ace!! If you’re a fan of the 7th Doctor & Ace this would be an interesting follow up to the show for you.
March 13, 2024
Book 225 - Colin Meek - Death comes to Time
The year is 2002…Doctor Who has been off the BBC since 1989 except for a wonderful movie starring Paul McGann in 1996…and the Russell T Davies revival was still 3 years away so the BBC wanted to try something new.
Doctor Who was always central to the BBC trying out new technologies…widescreen…high definition…3D…and back in 2002 the internet was still in its infancy and the series was again central to the BBC trying something new…again.
An animated tale that took a sidestep into another multiverse…years before Marvel thought of it.
It is a tale of the Doctor’s companion Ace training to become a Time Lord and a renegade Time Lord with an army of spaceships not only conquering whole systems but laying waste to others. It has new and old characters coming together to do battle and at its heart a wonderful Seventh Doctor…who is universe weary…tired of saving the world and simply wanting to take a step back. With the introduction of other powerful Time Lords like Tannis and the Minister of Chance, it is a shame that it never went any further than this first tale of an alternative take on the evergreen Time Lord.
Its denouement is as shocking today as it was when I first heard it over 20 years ago…still heartbreaking…still emotional but also still…very much inevitable.
Time simply moves on. A lesson for all of us…a wonderfully enigmatic from the enigma who is The Doctor.
The year is 2002…Doctor Who has been off the BBC since 1989 except for a wonderful movie starring Paul McGann in 1996…and the Russell T Davies revival was still 3 years away so the BBC wanted to try something new.
Doctor Who was always central to the BBC trying out new technologies…widescreen…high definition…3D…and back in 2002 the internet was still in its infancy and the series was again central to the BBC trying something new…again.
An animated tale that took a sidestep into another multiverse…years before Marvel thought of it.
It is a tale of the Doctor’s companion Ace training to become a Time Lord and a renegade Time Lord with an army of spaceships not only conquering whole systems but laying waste to others. It has new and old characters coming together to do battle and at its heart a wonderful Seventh Doctor…who is universe weary…tired of saving the world and simply wanting to take a step back. With the introduction of other powerful Time Lords like Tannis and the Minister of Chance, it is a shame that it never went any further than this first tale of an alternative take on the evergreen Time Lord.
Its denouement is as shocking today as it was when I first heard it over 20 years ago…still heartbreaking…still emotional but also still…very much inevitable.
Time simply moves on. A lesson for all of us…a wonderfully enigmatic from the enigma who is The Doctor.
April 18, 2022
This Doctor Who helping was interesting but these older ones tend to go on a bit and I lose track of what is happening until the Doctor shows up again and then the fun starts. I am muddling through these older ones just for historical knowledge but I think I prefer the new ones.
August 10, 2018
Not a bad story actually. Quite enjoyable
April 8, 2019
One of the less enjoyed stories thus far in the audio series from Doctor Who. A bit jumbled and appears to rush the story along too quickly.
June 25, 2019
Everything a Dr Who radio play should be
November 7, 2023
I found the soundtrack music really annoying.
November 27, 2023
Lots of characters and lots going on. I liked the episodic format but my attention wandered at times.
April 4, 2020
A fantastically performed glimpse of what might have been, this story is (probably...) an alternate ending for the Seventh Doctor’s era, providing resolution for certain parts of the so-called “Cartmel Master Plan”, tantalizing possibilities for Ace’s fate, and Stephen Fry as a Time Lord!
March 18, 2015
Well this was lots of fun! Who knew Stephen Fry played a time lord? and the Minister of Chance no less. Who knew the Minister of Chance started out as a time lord? I've had this on my iphone to listen to for ages but as it was a BBC audio and not a big finish one I'd been putting it off as the other BBC ones I've listened to haven't been all that good but this was great. Ace training to be a time lord! Many time lords causing trouble! It had a much bigger cast than the Big finish (including MANY wonderful actors). The only real downfall was that there seemed to be so much going on from time to time I found I was loosing the plot a little. Definitely one I will need to listen to again.
December 10, 2010
Stephen Fry and legendary Jaqueline Pearce join this Doc adventure
November 6, 2015
An early audio adventure with the 7th Doctor. The audio quality is poor in some parts. The plot was all over the place and seemed at times to be wandering off point.
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December 31, 2016Audiobook (with funny outtakes at the end!)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews