Doctor Who: The Revenants

The Companion Chronicles

by Ian Potter, William Russell (Narrator)

The present day: the Orkney Ferry, where Ian Chesterton meets a stranger who he is able to confide in.

Decades earlier: the TARDIS lands on Orkney, and Ian and Barbara are abandoned when the Doctor and his ship vanish in front of their eyes. As the pair head for civilization, something is stirring in the treacherous bog lands.

And only the ancient Wissfornjarl can protect them...


Note: This is a free audio download made available to readers of Doctor Who Magazine #448.

Genres: Doctor Who, Audiobook, Science Fiction, Media Tie In, Fiction

Audio CD

First published June 1, 2012

Reviews

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not had any previous experience with Ian Potter, but I thought he did a good job with the writing of this First Doctor story. Although part of the Companion Chronicles, it does feature the Doctor, although in a limited role.

After a chance encounter on a Ferry, Ian Chesterton relates a story involving a mutual acquaintance involving himself and Barbara in 1956. Anxious to return home after the departure of Susan, the couple ask the Doctor to bring them back to their own place and time. He almost manages the feat, but not quite, landing them 7 years early and in the Orkney Islands. Before the error can be corrected, the Tardis vanishes, leaving Ian and Barbara uncertain of where to go and what to do. With night falling they try to reach civilization, only to get stuck in a peat bog and, alarmingly, pursued by a seemingly ethereal entity, or entities.

This is a short story so I won't give too much away, but it is quite well done. I could easily see the duo in my minds eye, and the First Doctor is irascible as ever. The tale takes a couple of interesting twists and had me uncertain how it would end up. Exactly what you want in a Dr. Who story. Well crafted, engaging and mysterious, this one is certainly worth your time.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just after the Doctor leaves his granddaughter, Susan, to an uncertain future he attempts to return Ian and Barbara to their own time period. And he almost makes it, only a few years too early. Ian recounts his time in the Orkney Islands while separated from his fellow time travelers. Very interesting, with some fascinating ramifications, but over all it just feels a little too contrived.

(I received this ebook as a free promotional holiday download.)

[Lewis Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

The First Doctor’s era is my favourite, and this wonderfully captures the characters’ voices whilst putting them in a story that perfectly suits them and that the tv show never really attempted. It’s creepy and atmospheric, and William Russell plays all of the parts perfectly, so you can actually picture these characters in this scenario.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was included with the limited edition of The Light at the End. The Revenants was not as interesting as I was hoping, but it has good voice work. William Russell does a good job as the First Doctor.

[Ellen Schoener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice creepy swamp monster story. I liked it. It is nicely atmospheric and even got me some goosebumps.

[Sara Habein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid Companion Chronicles story, where the Doctor doesn't even have to be there until the second half.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. It was free at Christmas last year. I think this story drags in both parts and could have been just one part instead of two.

[Daniel Cork · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Big Finish audio I've been looking forward to for some time. I have The Light at The End limited edition set which has this release on it as an extra. It was originally put out as a cool addition to DWM. I was a little nervous though because these obscure audio's that have been released via DWM haven't exactly been the best from what I have listened to, but I was willing to give this a try.

The Tardis arrives in the Orkney islands not far from Ian and Barbara's home who hope this may be their ticket back to their time. But when The Tardis dematerializes and leaves them stranded in a dark marshland they are soon left without hope and fear. But something is lurking in the marsh and it may just threaten to pull them down under!

This was a really atmospheric story with an impressive soundscore. Part One is actually really creepy but Part Two is where issues started to appear for me. I found William Russell's impression of Hartnell in this not quite as energetic as usual which didn't bother me so much. But the second half of this story wasn't nearly as atmospheric or creepy as the first half and I found the ending of the story really threw me off, it was just a little bit odd to me.

Overall: An alright release that has a really good first half but honestly I ended up coming out of this feeling disappointed, especially since I found Ian Potter's other 1st Doctor stories, The Bounty of Ceres and An Ideal World to be a couple of really fantastic adventures. 6/10

[Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun little story set between The Dalek Invasion of Earth and The Rescue, this story sees the First Doctor, Ian and Barbara land in the Orkney Islands in 1956. When the TARDIS departs, Ian and Barbara are separated from the Doctor and trudge through the wilds at night. Soon, they are stuck in a cabin with an old wise woman and the Doctor fighting legends in the form of setient mud. It's a fun little story that really gives Ian and Barbara a chance to shine on their own without the Doctor.

This one's a bit hard to get your hands on though. Originally a Doctor Who Magazine free download, it was available with a code from June to October 2012. It was also released for three days in December 2022, as part of that years 12 days of Big Finishmas. Currently, the easiest way to acquire it is by purchasing the Limited Collector's Edition of Doctor Who: The Light at the End.

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Russell does a good job with the companion chronicles and this is no different. It's an interesting story, not quite set in 1963 which explores different beliefs in science and mythology and how they can work together. I liked the quandry as to whether Ian and Barbara should remain and wait out the time until it's their own time, and their decision and why.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first audiobook featuring the first Doctor and Ian Chesterton. Of course, only the latter is performed by the original actor but that really didn't impact the story. I liked that Ian got a chance to stand on his own--while the Doctor stayed true to the curmudgeon with a soft heart that was the first Doctor. The mystery and monsters made this a solid and enjoyable story.