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Destiny of the Doctor #8
Doctor Who: Enemy Aliens
1935: a message from a Time Lord in trouble sends the Eighth Doctor and Charlotte ‘Charley’ Pollard to the streets of London’s West End, in search of a mysterious alien adversary – unaware that something monstrous is already on their trail.
They soon discover that an insidious conspiracy is indeed at work, its tentacles extending the length of the British Isles. Proving its existence won’t be easy, however, after a confrontation in a music hall ends up with the Doctor under arrest and Charley on the run, suspected of murder. All their hopes rest in a musical clue and a man named Hilary – neither of which are much consolation, with the two time travellers the object of a nationwide manhunt.
And all the while, the enemy aliens are drawing closer and closer still…
They soon discover that an insidious conspiracy is indeed at work, its tentacles extending the length of the British Isles. Proving its existence won’t be easy, however, after a confrontation in a music hall ends up with the Doctor under arrest and Charley on the run, suspected of murder. All their hopes rest in a musical clue and a man named Hilary – neither of which are much consolation, with the two time travellers the object of a nationwide manhunt.
And all the while, the enemy aliens are drawing closer and closer still…
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Alan Barnes
99 books15 followersAlan Barnes is a British writer and editor, particularly noted for work in the field of cult film and television. Barnes served as the editor of Judge Dredd Megazine from 2001 until December 2005, during which time the title saw a considerable increase in the number of new strip pages. Among other strips, Barnes originally commissioned The Simping Detective. He also wrote a handful of Judge Dredd stories involving alternate universes or featuring a young Dredd.
He worked for five years at Doctor Who Magazine and progressed from writing strips to becoming joint editor in 1998 and sole editor from 2000 until 2002. He subsequently contributed the ongoing Fact of Fiction series of articles to the magazine. Barnes has also written or co-written a number of Doctor Who audio plays for Big Finish Productions.
He has written a number of books on cult films (including James Bond, Quentin Tarantino and Sherlock Holmes) and his book The Hammer Story, co-written with Marcus Hearn, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Non-Fiction in 1997.
He worked for five years at Doctor Who Magazine and progressed from writing strips to becoming joint editor in 1998 and sole editor from 2000 until 2002. He subsequently contributed the ongoing Fact of Fiction series of articles to the magazine. Barnes has also written or co-written a number of Doctor Who audio plays for Big Finish Productions.
He has written a number of books on cult films (including James Bond, Quentin Tarantino and Sherlock Holmes) and his book The Hammer Story, co-written with Marcus Hearn, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Non-Fiction in 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 17, 2020
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This book is based on the television show and is part of a series. Each book deal with a different Doctor and is a self contained adventure but also part of an overall arc. In this one, The Doctor and Charlie are in the 1930's when The Doctor gets a message from his future self warning him about the aliens.
This is the last Doctor before the revival Doctors take the stage and where I started watching the show. I really cannot comment if the portrayals are accurate but I enjoyed the portrayal of the two characters. While listening to this offering I had no problem feeling like this belonged in this universe. I will admit I did think the finale was a little quick but each offering is only about an hour long so it can be forgiven. The only problem I had with this particular offering is that the previous offerings had the characters pick up an object or save someone that is going to be useful with the future dilemma. This one didn't do that so I am not sure how this one will fit in with the overall arc. Only time will tell.
I am still loving the whole concept of these stories. I get a single adventure that ties in with each other. Now I am onto The Doctors that I know so my interest is even more peaked. I look forward to the next one.
This book is based on the television show and is part of a series. Each book deal with a different Doctor and is a self contained adventure but also part of an overall arc. In this one, The Doctor and Charlie are in the 1930's when The Doctor gets a message from his future self warning him about the aliens.
This is the last Doctor before the revival Doctors take the stage and where I started watching the show. I really cannot comment if the portrayals are accurate but I enjoyed the portrayal of the two characters. While listening to this offering I had no problem feeling like this belonged in this universe. I will admit I did think the finale was a little quick but each offering is only about an hour long so it can be forgiven. The only problem I had with this particular offering is that the previous offerings had the characters pick up an object or save someone that is going to be useful with the future dilemma. This one didn't do that so I am not sure how this one will fit in with the overall arc. Only time will tell.
I am still loving the whole concept of these stories. I get a single adventure that ties in with each other. Now I am onto The Doctors that I know so my interest is even more peaked. I look forward to the next one.
June 5, 2024
Narrated by India Fisher
After listening to 'Solitaire' where you hear Fisher's first impression of the 8th Doctor, where I felt even as a dummy didn't feel quite right. But this time round her impression was a lot more fun and felt more like 8.
In this story it's Doctor who meets 39 steps(which I have only just read) mixed with aliens and William Tell . the 11th Doctor leaves the 8th Doctor and Charley a message with a double meaning. This lead the pair to pre-world war 2, Great Britain. The story felt like an early 8 adventures along the adventures of 'Invaders From Mars' or 'the Stones of Venice.' Overall a fun adventure even with the deaths for The Doctor and Charley.
After listening to 'Solitaire' where you hear Fisher's first impression of the 8th Doctor, where I felt even as a dummy didn't feel quite right. But this time round her impression was a lot more fun and felt more like 8.
In this story it's Doctor who meets 39 steps(which I have only just read) mixed with aliens and William Tell . the 11th Doctor leaves the 8th Doctor and Charley a message with a double meaning. This lead the pair to pre-world war 2, Great Britain. The story felt like an early 8 adventures along the adventures of 'Invaders From Mars' or 'the Stones of Venice.' Overall a fun adventure even with the deaths for The Doctor and Charley.
March 3, 2025
2023 52 Book Challenge - Summer Road Trip Mini Challenge - Buddies - 1) A Book Featuring Best Friends
I love the friendship between the 8th Doctor and Charley, they just feel like they're having fun all the time, despite all of the things they face. All in all, this was a witty and enjoyable audio drama.
I love the friendship between the 8th Doctor and Charley, they just feel like they're having fun all the time, despite all of the things they face. All in all, this was a witty and enjoyable audio drama.
August 11, 2013
The 8th of 11 50th anniversary audio adventures from Big Finish Audio, Enemy Aliens is read by India Fisher and features Eight and companion, Charlotte Elspeth Pollard.
Now, unlike the other adventures and the next three, the Eighth Doctor has only been seen in one television movie, about 15 years ago. However, he has had a very active life in Big Finish Audio adventures. This means that, while you don't need to know anything more than, "this is the Doctor and his companion," unlike the other Doctors, you can't just go to DVDs or Netflix or Amazon and catch-up on their adventures. I'll provide a bit of background.
"Charley" Pollard (portrayed by Ms. Fisher from 2001 - 2009) is from 1930s England, born the day the Titanic sank. Young Charlotte was born and raised in wealth -- growing up in a manor house. Calling herself Charley, she rebelled against wealth and privilege. The doctor rescued her from a disaster and she continued to travel with him as a companion. Clever, enthusiastic, curious and headstrong, she's a good fit with the Eighth Doctor. What neither the Doctor or Charley knew, she was fated to die the day he saved her. Her death was one of those "fixed points in time" we Whovians are so familiar with. As the Doctor and Charley traveled in space and time, her existence caused ripples of damaging anti-time. The Time Lords (remember, this is the Classic Era, so the Time Lords still exist) discovered this and the Doctor's former companion and friend, now Madame President of Gallifrey, Romanadveratrelundar reached out to him. Romana pleaded with him to do what is needed -- put Charley back at the moment he found her and let her die. The Doctor refused. Romana, in order to protect the Universe, ordered the Doctor's and Charley's arrest. Dozens of Time Lords led by their special forces were sent to apprehend them; dead or alive. Eventually, the Doctor resolved (cheated) the problem, but this was the point where the Doctor realized he didn't just have differences with his people, but he began to suspect that age, egotism and power have permanently corrupted his people -- even his beloved Romana, and that someday, it would be up to him, and him alone to stop them. Because Charley continued to radiate traces of anti-time, the TARDIS hated her. She was the only companion She didn't inoculate against alien diseases. Charley eventually fell deathly ill and was taken to a hospital world to be healed and recover. In a series of incidents, Charley found herself trapped in the far-far future. She designed a distress beacon and was eventually rescued by The Doctor -- the Sixth Doctor. She traveled briefly with him, but because she couldn't tell him about his future or the paradox or anti-time, she had to constantly lie to him. Her obvious duplicity, coupled with his suspicious nature and the TARDIS' inexplicable hatred of her, led the Six to consider her a threat. Eventually, she left the Doctor and settled back on the planet where she had been healed.
Charley fell deeply in love with the Eighth Doctor, and, to his credit, he actually did say that he loved her; however, she was quickly and ruthlessly "friendzoned" by him.
This story features Charley and The Doctor in 1935, England where they had just finished dealing with an alien threat, when they received (as all the other Doctors in this series have) a message from his future self; specifically, his 11th self. It's a quick story, read well by Ms. Fisher and written by Alan Barnes, a veteran of dozens of Big Finish Audio adventures.
Now, unlike the other adventures and the next three, the Eighth Doctor has only been seen in one television movie, about 15 years ago. However, he has had a very active life in Big Finish Audio adventures. This means that, while you don't need to know anything more than, "this is the Doctor and his companion," unlike the other Doctors, you can't just go to DVDs or Netflix or Amazon and catch-up on their adventures. I'll provide a bit of background.
"Charley" Pollard (portrayed by Ms. Fisher from 2001 - 2009) is from 1930s England, born the day the Titanic sank. Young Charlotte was born and raised in wealth -- growing up in a manor house. Calling herself Charley, she rebelled against wealth and privilege. The doctor rescued her from a disaster and she continued to travel with him as a companion. Clever, enthusiastic, curious and headstrong, she's a good fit with the Eighth Doctor. What neither the Doctor or Charley knew, she was fated to die the day he saved her. Her death was one of those "fixed points in time" we Whovians are so familiar with. As the Doctor and Charley traveled in space and time, her existence caused ripples of damaging anti-time. The Time Lords (remember, this is the Classic Era, so the Time Lords still exist) discovered this and the Doctor's former companion and friend, now Madame President of Gallifrey, Romanadveratrelundar reached out to him. Romana pleaded with him to do what is needed -- put Charley back at the moment he found her and let her die. The Doctor refused. Romana, in order to protect the Universe, ordered the Doctor's and Charley's arrest. Dozens of Time Lords led by their special forces were sent to apprehend them; dead or alive. Eventually, the Doctor resolved (cheated) the problem, but this was the point where the Doctor realized he didn't just have differences with his people, but he began to suspect that age, egotism and power have permanently corrupted his people -- even his beloved Romana, and that someday, it would be up to him, and him alone to stop them. Because Charley continued to radiate traces of anti-time, the TARDIS hated her. She was the only companion She didn't inoculate against alien diseases. Charley eventually fell deathly ill and was taken to a hospital world to be healed and recover. In a series of incidents, Charley found herself trapped in the far-far future. She designed a distress beacon and was eventually rescued by The Doctor -- the Sixth Doctor. She traveled briefly with him, but because she couldn't tell him about his future or the paradox or anti-time, she had to constantly lie to him. Her obvious duplicity, coupled with his suspicious nature and the TARDIS' inexplicable hatred of her, led the Six to consider her a threat. Eventually, she left the Doctor and settled back on the planet where she had been healed.
Charley fell deeply in love with the Eighth Doctor, and, to his credit, he actually did say that he loved her; however, she was quickly and ruthlessly "friendzoned" by him.
This story features Charley and The Doctor in 1935, England where they had just finished dealing with an alien threat, when they received (as all the other Doctors in this series have) a message from his future self; specifically, his 11th self. It's a quick story, read well by Ms. Fisher and written by Alan Barnes, a veteran of dozens of Big Finish Audio adventures.
September 20, 2024
You can’t go wrong with Alan Barnes (except for Minute in Hell, but he was ill when writing it).
Enjoyable historical romp.
Enjoyable historical romp.
September 20, 2020
Enjoyable. This felt like an episode that the doctor would be absent in.
But it was still quite enjoyable.
I'm really enjoying this whole series.
But it was still quite enjoyable.
I'm really enjoying this whole series.
March 9, 2021
A fun race to stop the enemies from their invasion plans, as told from Charlie's POV.
India Fisher is a great addition to the Who family.
India Fisher is a great addition to the Who family.
July 30, 2020
This was another “chapter” that rose above the mediocre and at least did a bit more than hold my interest. I’m hoping that the last three installments are at least as good as this one.
March 18, 2018
The eighth story in the series is read by India Fisher, who played companion Charlie in the regular audio plays. While Charlie was made TV-canonical not long after the release of this story, thanks to a brief mention in Night of the Doctor, this does mean that she'll be unfamiliar to those who only know the show from television (or the novels). However, since legal reasons prevent the use of characters unique to the TV movie appearing in new stories, something like this was unavoidable.
Set in 1934, the story sees the Doctor and Charlie trying to locate an alien menace on the basis of an incomplete warning that something is wrong. In fact, the aliens, while present in the background from early on, don't play much of a role in the story until towards the end, with the focus instead being on the repercussions of the Doctor's attempt to find them. Indeed, the homage to The Thirty-Nine Steps is clear.
On the plus side, it's good to see that, by this point in the series, the plot arc elements are being shaken up a bit, and also seem to be becoming more integrated with the individual stories. Other than the ending, Charlie is presented well, which is important, as she is the viewpoint character throughout, and Barnes includes some elements that explain her background to those unfamiliar with her. As an experienced audio actor, Fisher is also a particularly effective reader, which helps.
On the other hand, though, the plot does stretch credulity a bit, and the Doctor's resolution at the end makes no sense at all, probably because Barnes doesn't know what the word "terahertz" means. In fact, the story ends without a proper resolution, and the final scene leaves our two heroes looking decidedly callous, something that's not really desirable in Doctor Who . For this reason alone, I'm inclined to knock it down to 3 stars instead of 4.
Set in 1934, the story sees the Doctor and Charlie trying to locate an alien menace on the basis of an incomplete warning that something is wrong. In fact, the aliens, while present in the background from early on, don't play much of a role in the story until towards the end, with the focus instead being on the repercussions of the Doctor's attempt to find them. Indeed, the homage to The Thirty-Nine Steps is clear.
On the plus side, it's good to see that, by this point in the series, the plot arc elements are being shaken up a bit, and also seem to be becoming more integrated with the individual stories. Other than the ending, Charlie is presented well, which is important, as she is the viewpoint character throughout, and Barnes includes some elements that explain her background to those unfamiliar with her. As an experienced audio actor, Fisher is also a particularly effective reader, which helps.
On the other hand, though, the plot does stretch credulity a bit, and the Doctor's resolution at the end makes no sense at all, probably because Barnes doesn't know what the word "terahertz" means. In fact, the story ends without a proper resolution, and the final scene leaves our two heroes looking decidedly callous, something that's not really desirable in Doctor Who . For this reason alone, I'm inclined to knock it down to 3 stars instead of 4.
September 19, 2017
This was an odd listen! It follows Charlie and the 8th Doctor, who are contacted by the 11th doctor and sent on a mission. They end up uncovering an alien plot, but are then flat out saved by the 11th.
Oddly, there are a number of deaths that everyone is okay with, including a deluded alien who falls to his death. Also, they leave it up in the air whether or not one of the main characters who turns out to be an antagonist dies too. I mean, I assume they eventually save him, but I don't know enough about the 8th Doctor and Charlie to be sure.
One of the only sciencey parts of this is when they reverse a radio tower to send a message to the aliens instead of earth, which doesn't make much sense, then are all excited about the frequency and how that would harm the aliens, and I just thought, "It's still just radio waves, it's hard to get excited about this." However, whoever wrote this story must have thought radio waves were basically magic, because a crummy early 20th century radio transmission was somehow screwing with the Tardis. Very strange.
It still had a lot of funny parts though, and the story was surprisingly human.
On the other hand, the story didn't really fit in with the theme of 'getting stuff together for a special mission/task' that the other stories have had.
Oddly, there are a number of deaths that everyone is okay with, including a deluded alien who falls to his death. Also, they leave it up in the air whether or not one of the main characters who turns out to be an antagonist dies too. I mean, I assume they eventually save him, but I don't know enough about the 8th Doctor and Charlie to be sure.
One of the only sciencey parts of this is when they reverse a radio tower to send a message to the aliens instead of earth, which doesn't make much sense, then are all excited about the frequency and how that would harm the aliens, and I just thought, "It's still just radio waves, it's hard to get excited about this." However, whoever wrote this story must have thought radio waves were basically magic, because a crummy early 20th century radio transmission was somehow screwing with the Tardis. Very strange.
It still had a lot of funny parts though, and the story was surprisingly human.
On the other hand, the story didn't really fit in with the theme of 'getting stuff together for a special mission/task' that the other stories have had.
September 20, 2017
This was a bit strange but still fun. The Doctor is with Charlie; a companion he apparently has for a lot of audio adventures. They get a message from the 11th doctor that's all scratched up and warns of aliens and William Tell. It's lots of running and some betrayals and eventually even some aliens so in that it didn't disappoint. It ends on a rather odd note for me though.
May 7, 2020
Defintely the weakest story in this series so far, the main characters are spot on sure and it was fast paced but I found compared to the other stories this was the least exciting, especially in an historical that should have thrilled me, usually I'm a big fan of Alan Barnes' work but this wasn't my cup of tea. 4/10
August 25, 2020
Better than the last one I listened to with the 8th doctor and Charley. India Fisher is a great actress and I love listening to her. It would have been nice to have Paul McGann because they are such a good and funny duo but this was still a lot of fun. I'm enjoying having a companion be from the 1930s. I like going back and experiencing more adventures during different times.
August 13, 2025
A 1 hour audio book. As far as stories go this was not very interesting, but trying to put this in a real life situation, would have been a real Sherlock holms tale. Overall I enjoyed the book but in the end you know the doctor was going to figure it out.
June 28, 2017
Interesting story; the ending leaves a bad taste though.
February 19, 2018
Funny how often people in this series get confused by the term "aliens."
April 20, 2018
Most of these eleven stories are performed by female actors; striking that no female writers were hired to work on them.
May 12, 2018
This one was a lot of fun. It's really too bad we never got Charley and the Doctor on TV.
September 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. I liked the writing, the narration and the sound effects used. The story was VERY predictable, but still fun.
April 9, 2020
Charlie!
July 24, 2020
Not cohesive, ridiculous plot, dumb female character lead (Charlie), just offensively stupid.
December 26, 2021
I like the eighth Doctor and Charley, so I was looking forward to this one. It's pretty good. India Fisher is a good narrator. I do miss having Paul McGann voice the Doctor, though.
October 7, 2024
Charlie and the Doctor are in a race against time in the eight installment of Destiny of the Doctor. I enjoyed the historical fiction component to the story mixed with the enemy aliens. An entertaining tale and I look forward to the next story in the series.
July 23, 2025
Spotify
not full cast
not full cast
October 29, 2025
Overall, it was enjoyable. But I think it suffered from being too short.
November 27, 2025
fun little story, not the strongest of the bunch but it has Charlie and 8 so I like it nonetheless
January 26, 2026
2.5 Stars - just boring
December 12, 2020
I couldn't deal with the voice. The story was fine, if not a little bit plain, like most of Destiny of the Doctor, but the voice sometimes was too high and too squeaky I just couldn't.
February 5, 2015
So any audio that gets in Smith's lyrics during the bad guys tirade earns bonus points from me but this was just fantastic all round. It was a little strange at first to hear India narrating, as the narrator, rather than telling the story as Charlie, but once I got used to the format it worked really well. India managed to do a very good Paul McGann, I could easily picture his Doctor moving around as she spoke his lines.
This was just a very fun adventure, witty and amusing and I found myself giggling to myself at several points. It captured all the wonderful things about Charlie and her Doctor very well in just an hour. Definitely one I'd highly recommend.
This was just a very fun adventure, witty and amusing and I found myself giggling to myself at several points. It captured all the wonderful things about Charlie and her Doctor very well in just an hour. Definitely one I'd highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews