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Big Finish: Monthly Range #61
Doctor Who: Faith Stealer
When the Doctor, Charley and C'rizz find their journey through the Interzone interrupted by a nightmarish vision, they are surprised to find the Kro'ka offering the perfect solution.
The Multihaven a vast array of religions and faiths housed in one harmonious community appears to offer the perfect sanctuary in which to convalesce. But under the guidance of the charismatic Laan Carder, one religion seems to be gathering disciples at an alarming rate.
With the Doctor and Charley catching glimpses of an old friend and C'rizz on the receiving end of some unorthodox religious practices, their belief, hope and faith are about to be tested to the limit.
It's time to see the light.
The Multihaven a vast array of religions and faiths housed in one harmonious community appears to offer the perfect sanctuary in which to convalesce. But under the guidance of the charismatic Laan Carder, one religion seems to be gathering disciples at an alarming rate.
With the Doctor and Charley catching glimpses of an old friend and C'rizz on the receiving end of some unorthodox religious practices, their belief, hope and faith are about to be tested to the limit.
It's time to see the light.
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First published September 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 26, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
This had a nice idea behind it, but it wasn’t amazing. Still I had fun listening to it.
This had a nice idea behind it, but it wasn’t amazing. Still I had fun listening to it.
March 9, 2025
2018 52 Book Challenge - 17) A Book On Theology
I found this audiobook to be really interesting, and for Doctor Who, I think it did really well looking at religious conflict and the difficulties of more than one religion co-existing in the same place, and the story itself felt well paced. One of the best of the Divergent Universe plot so far.
I found this audiobook to be really interesting, and for Doctor Who, I think it did really well looking at religious conflict and the difficulties of more than one religion co-existing in the same place, and the story itself felt well paced. One of the best of the Divergent Universe plot so far.
September 5, 2013
I usually am more of a fan of the darker, creepier audio's that Big Finish produces, so from the description some friends gave me, I did not expect to like this audio very much. But I was totally 100% wrong, it is one of the best audios I have listened to so far. The theme of religious conflict and how difficult it is for multiple religions to co-exist, along with the threat of alien cults just made for an entertaining, and awesome experience. This is up there with Embrace the Darkness and Scherzo as one of my all time favorites.
March 19, 2011
This was an interesting take on religions although it turns into more than that. One line in particular stuck with me. One the 'followers' that the Doctor rescues says that she is done with just following blindly then immediately says that she'll do whatever he asks without asking any questions.
It rather says it all.
This arc for the 8th Doctor is one I am enjoying. Looking forward to the next one.
It rather says it all.
This arc for the 8th Doctor is one I am enjoying. Looking forward to the next one.
January 23, 2021
Part1
ライダを殺した記憶が突然生々しく脳裏に甦り苦しむケリス。心配するドクターとチャーリーにクロッカが“マルチヘブン”に行けばケリスが治療してもらえると提案し、クロッカの真意を訝りながらも3人は“マルチヘブン”を訪れる。“マルチヘブン”はどんな宗教でも尊重し、受け入れる街で街に入るまえに自分の宗教について尋ねられる。ドクターとチャーリーとケリス。ケリスはファンデーション教会の僧と申告し、ドクターとチャーリーはツーリスト教の信者と答える。しかし、その審問の際、ケリスはまたライダを殺した記憶のフラッシュバックをみる。ケリスの状態を心配したドクターはこの街の責任者ボーディナンに合わせ欲しいと頼む。ドクターはボーディナンから異なる宗教は共存できるというマルチヘブンの信念をきき、ケリスの治療を頼むことにする。ボーディナンは3人を街のカバリの寺に案内する。カバリは音楽で振動で人の心や身体を癒すことができるということでドクターは方法として悪くないと考え、ケリスも治療受けることにする。しかし、ケリスの治療中、ミラキュレイトを神とするルシディティ教の教祖ラーン・カーダーが乱入し、ケリスの治療に干渉する。一方、ケリスの治療を待つ間、街に出たドクターとチャーリー。途中でドクターはターディスの音を耳にする。しかし、その姿を見つけることができない。
Part2
ターディスの音からドクターはターディスが悲鳴をあげ助けを求めているようだと心配する。ドクターとチャーリーはボーディナンにターディスついて尋ねるがボーディナンには心当たりがないようだ。一方、目覚ましたケリースはルシディティ教の教会にいることに驚く。そしてラーン・カーターから治療させて欲しいといわれ、ケリースは同意する。ケリスを迎えに寺に戻ったドクターとチャーリーだが、寺の外装は変わり、ケリスの姿もないこと困惑する。目覚めたケリスは出口を求めてさまよっていると、同じく迷子になっているパラッシュ司祭と遭遇する。パラッシュはひどく怯えていた。司祭と共に出口を探して彷徨うがひどく眩しい光に飲み込まれる。その頃、ボーディナンの元にラーン・カーターが訪れる。ケリスを探しているとドクターはターディスを見つけ、確認したいことがあると走っていく。その時、チャーリーはケリスを見つけ、喜んで声をかけるがケリスはチャーリーの首をしめはじめる。
Part3
ドクターが駆けつけケリスを気絶させたおかげでチャーリーは無事だった。ドクターとチャーリーはボーディナンに盲信者の治療を行う部署を紹介してもらい、ルシディティ教にケリスが洗脳されたと話し、ただケリスを休ませて欲しいと責任者のガーフォルク預け、ドクターとチャーリーはケリスがどのように洗脳されたのかを突き止めようとルシディティ教の教会を訪れ探りをいれる。その間にガーフォルクが新しい治療器具を試したくてケリスにドクターに一任されていると治療を受けることに同意させる。しかし、それは苦しみを取り去るために記憶も感情も抹消するということだった。
Part4
ルシディアン教がマルチヘブンの信者を急速に取り込んでいくことに恐れをなし、他の宗教の信者達が街から脱出していた。ドクターはルシディアン教についてボーディナンに警告しに中央に行くことにし、その間にチャーリーにケリスを迎えにいくように頼むが、その時街の人々を相手にルシディアン教の布教をしているケリスを見つける。ケリスはドクターとチャーリーのことを認識していなかったが、チャーリーとドクターが名前を呼ぶが困惑した様子となり、2人はケリースを人だかりから連れ出す。その頃、ボーディナンはルシディアンの教祖ラーン・カーダを呼び出し、警告するがラーンはボーディナンを殺害する。それを目の当たりにした腹心の部下ジェダルは疑問を抱き、マルチヘブンの信者をすべて取り込もうとするラーン・カーダの企みを阻止するつもりのドクターに協力する。
感想
時空の亀裂から生まれたミラキュレイトの結晶が人々をレム睡眠に陥れ、エネルギーを吸い取ることで、人々は自分が1番恐れていることが具現化し、今回の事態が起こった。ターディスがついに戻ってきたかと喜んだのにミラキュレイトの影響で見た夢に過ぎなかったのが残念。ドクターとチャーリーとケリスの冒険として、とても聴きやすいストーリーだったと思う。ドクターがこの別の世界でもすっかりドクターらしさを取り戻してるのが嬉しい。さすがの適応力。あとはターディスが無事でいればいいのだけど。
余談: ルシディアン教の挨拶は”そーまっち、るーしでぃあん！そーまっち、るーしでてぃ！”。信仰にハマりたてだと、取り憑かれたようにこのフレーズを口走るようになるわけで、オーディオで聴いていると必然的にこのフレーズが耳に残り、気が付けば無意識に口走ってしまうという副作用あり。
ライダを殺した記憶が突然生々しく脳裏に甦り苦しむケリス。心配するドクターとチャーリーにクロッカが“マルチヘブン”に行けばケリスが治療してもらえると提案し、クロッカの真意を訝りながらも3人は“マルチヘブン”を訪れる。“マルチヘブン”はどんな宗教でも尊重し、受け入れる街で街に入るまえに自分の宗教について尋ねられる。ドクターとチャーリーとケリス。ケリスはファンデーション教会の僧と申告し、ドクターとチャーリーはツーリスト教の信者と答える。しかし、その審問の際、ケリスはまたライダを殺した記憶のフラッシュバックをみる。ケリスの状態を心配したドクターはこの街の責任者ボーディナンに合わせ欲しいと頼む。ドクターはボーディナンから異なる宗教は共存できるというマルチヘブンの信念をきき、ケリスの治療を頼むことにする。ボーディナンは3人を街のカバリの寺に案内する。カバリは音楽で振動で人の心や身体を癒すことができるということでドクターは方法として悪くないと考え、ケリスも治療受けることにする。しかし、ケリスの治療中、ミラキュレイトを神とするルシディティ教の教祖ラーン・カーダーが乱入し、ケリスの治療に干渉する。一方、ケリスの治療を待つ間、街に出たドクターとチャーリー。途中でドクターはターディスの音を耳にする。しかし、その姿を見つけることができない。
Part2
ターディスの音からドクターはターディスが悲鳴をあげ助けを求めているようだと心配する。ドクターとチャーリーはボーディナンにターディスついて尋ねるがボーディナンには心当たりがないようだ。一方、目覚ましたケリースはルシディティ教の教会にいることに驚く。そしてラーン・カーターから治療させて欲しいといわれ、ケリースは同意する。ケリスを迎えに寺に戻ったドクターとチャーリーだが、寺の外装は変わり、ケリスの姿もないこと困惑する。目覚めたケリスは出口を求めてさまよっていると、同じく迷子になっているパラッシュ司祭と遭遇する。パラッシュはひどく怯えていた。司祭と共に出口を探して彷徨うがひどく眩しい光に飲み込まれる。その頃、ボーディナンの元にラーン・カーターが訪れる。ケリスを探しているとドクターはターディスを見つけ、確認したいことがあると走っていく。その時、チャーリーはケリスを見つけ、喜んで声をかけるがケリスはチャーリーの首をしめはじめる。
Part3
ドクターが駆けつけケリスを気絶させたおかげでチャーリーは無事だった。ドクターとチャーリーはボーディナンに盲信者の治療を行う部署を紹介してもらい、ルシディティ教にケリスが洗脳されたと話し、ただケリスを休ませて欲しいと責任者のガーフォルク預け、ドクターとチャーリーはケリスがどのように洗脳されたのかを突き止めようとルシディティ教の教会を訪れ探りをいれる。その間にガーフォルクが新しい治療器具を試したくてケリスにドクターに一任されていると治療を受けることに同意させる。しかし、それは苦しみを取り去るために記憶も感情も抹消するということだった。
Part4
ルシディアン教がマルチヘブンの信者を急速に取り込んでいくことに恐れをなし、他の宗教の信者達が街から脱出していた。ドクターはルシディアン教についてボーディナンに警告しに中央に行くことにし、その間にチャーリーにケリスを迎えにいくように頼むが、その時街の人々を相手にルシディアン教の布教をしているケリスを見つける。ケリスはドクターとチャーリーのことを認識していなかったが、チャーリーとドクターが名前を呼ぶが困惑した様子となり、2人はケリースを人だかりから連れ出す。その頃、ボーディナンはルシディアンの教祖ラーン・カーダを呼び出し、警告するがラーンはボーディナンを殺害する。それを目の当たりにした腹心の部下ジェダルは疑問を抱き、マルチヘブンの信者をすべて取り込もうとするラーン・カーダの企みを阻止するつもりのドクターに協力する。
感想
時空の亀裂から生まれたミラキュレイトの結晶が人々をレム睡眠に陥れ、エネルギーを吸い取ることで、人々は自分が1番恐れていることが具現化し、今回の事態が起こった。ターディスがついに戻ってきたかと喜んだのにミラキュレイトの影響で見た夢に過ぎなかったのが残念。ドクターとチャーリーとケリスの冒険として、とても聴きやすいストーリーだったと思う。ドクターがこの別の世界でもすっかりドクターらしさを取り戻してるのが嬉しい。さすがの適応力。あとはターディスが無事でいればいいのだけど。
余談: ルシディアン教の挨拶は”そーまっち、るーしでぃあん！そーまっち、るーしでてぃ！”。信仰にハマりたてだと、取り憑かれたようにこのフレーズを口走るようになるわけで、オーディオで聴いていると必然的にこのフレーズが耳に残り、気が付けば無意識に口走ってしまうという副作用あり。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2022
This was all right. A pretty good idea developed in a s0-so way.
A lot of this 'Divergent' arc isn't really working for me. The Divergent universe, where anything might happen, with its unknown laws of physics and potentially ineffable life forms and all that, seems mainly to give us stories that could happen just as easily in the regular Big Finish Doctor Who universe. This had some funny bits, some good lines, but also some bad lines that were repeated way too often.
Note to self: avoid villains with catchphrases. They suck; they bore. Too much lucidity.
A lot of this 'Divergent' arc isn't really working for me. The Divergent universe, where anything might happen, with its unknown laws of physics and potentially ineffable life forms and all that, seems mainly to give us stories that could happen just as easily in the regular Big Finish Doctor Who universe. This had some funny bits, some good lines, but also some bad lines that were repeated way too often.
Note to self: avoid villains with catchphrases. They suck; they bore. Too much lucidity.
June 19, 2023
The Divergent Universe has finally hit it’s stride, and this story (with its odd setting, subtly developed religions, and fun mystery) is just what I want in a Doctor Who adventure.
Coming in under 2 hours, this one says what it wants to say and ends without overstaying its welcome. Because of this, the scripting feels tight and the concept feels smart without becoming tedious.
I rather liked the religious commentary; this is the first time Eight’s early run has touched on Evangelism in any particular way since Minuet in Hell. As much as I love that one, this story was smarter with its commentary.
The audio aspects were well done. Nothing in particular to write home about, but I rather enjoyed Tessa Shaw’s performance as the Bordinan.
Solid episode; a 3.5 for me. Honestly I’m just glad to be enjoying the Divergent Universe arc finally.
Coming in under 2 hours, this one says what it wants to say and ends without overstaying its welcome. Because of this, the scripting feels tight and the concept feels smart without becoming tedious.
I rather liked the religious commentary; this is the first time Eight’s early run has touched on Evangelism in any particular way since Minuet in Hell. As much as I love that one, this story was smarter with its commentary.
The audio aspects were well done. Nothing in particular to write home about, but I rather enjoyed Tessa Shaw’s performance as the Bordinan.
Solid episode; a 3.5 for me. Honestly I’m just glad to be enjoying the Divergent Universe arc finally.
October 9, 2024
I'm here to buck the trend on this one, which doesn't seem to have rated highly for most other readers. I loved it. Right from the start the theme grabbed me. I visited Indonesia a few months ago and one of my favourite things about the culture was the peaceful coexistence of many very different religions. So the setting here of a multi-faith society was appealing. Of course, the natural story to bounce off of that is for some ripples to be introduced to test the peace.
About the only thing I didn't like was the bishop and that was just because his voice was pretty annoying. Oh, there was also a poorly wriiten bit of dialogue which went something like: "Just sit still and let the restraints do their work." - of course the restraints were doing their work and the line should have pertained to the memory manipulator device doing its work, in my opinion.
About the only thing I didn't like was the bishop and that was just because his voice was pretty annoying. Oh, there was also a poorly wriiten bit of dialogue which went something like: "Just sit still and let the restraints do their work." - of course the restraints were doing their work and the line should have pertained to the memory manipulator device doing its work, in my opinion.
December 10, 2018
This is a lot of fun for a few episodes, working at an almost Douglas Adams-style absurdity level. It really is legitimately delightful until it takes a turn for the serious at the end and the whole thing turns into a lot of shouting and a vague, unsatisfying resolution.
Nice to see C'rizz having something more to do.
Nice to see C'rizz having something more to do.
April 22, 2024
It feels like the anti-universe is filled with the worst parts of our universe. Faith Stealer feels like a critique on blind faith and on Wall Street capitalism. It can be speculated that in different parts of the antiverse other problems such as millinery governments or wealth inequality can be found in an exaggerated and metaphorical state.
March 18, 2020
“Quick! There isn’t time, hug me! Hug me!” - The Doctor, making me laugh once again.
As all of the big finish audios do, there was some really great moments in Faith Stealer. Not crazy about the religious theme, though. Also poor C’rizz has been tortured one too many times.
As all of the big finish audios do, there was some really great moments in Faith Stealer. Not crazy about the religious theme, though. Also poor C’rizz has been tortured one too many times.
August 20, 2024
EYES AND TEETH CHARLEY EYES AND TEETH
great to see the eighth doctor stories back on form (slightly shitty, somewhat disturbing, very charming) instead of what they have been from neverland to twilight kingdom (mind-shatteringly horrible and extremely well-written)
great to see the eighth doctor stories back on form (slightly shitty, somewhat disturbing, very charming) instead of what they have been from neverland to twilight kingdom (mind-shatteringly horrible and extremely well-written)
June 1, 2020
It can sometimes get pretty iffy when Doctor Who touches upon religion, and this was one of those times. C'rizz did have more of a role, at least, and the voice acting was really good.
June 12, 2022
I enjoyed this one more than I have the last few stories.
August 13, 2023
An intriguing premise held up by solid execution. I found myself reminded of the more recent Jedha-based audiobook from another IP, but this was by far more interesting.
March 14, 2024
Couple of nice ideas. But needed a bit more going on.
June 28, 2024
Was moving along halfway decently, but it felt like the ending was rather abrupt.
October 4, 2024
OK, but not amazing
December 12, 2025
The definitive generic 8th Doctor story. Religion + Capitalism is a neat idea but not explored well. Blends in with the rest of the stories of this era.
Read
April 8, 2009Faith Stealer demonstrates one of the weaknesses of Doctor Who as a framework: it's not very good at exploring religion. You either get deluded/brainwashed cultists or comic Anglicans in funny costumes. Faith Stealer, to its discredit, has both, and the lame joke about the Doctor and company being members of the Tourist faith is compounded by the inane scene with the Church of Serendipity. Some decent bits of character development for C'rizz, but McGann's Doctor seems to have lost interest, as had I.
August 17, 2009
A solid story that is given that little something extra from its setting (a city based entirely on diversification of religion). There is some great humor here as well. The only down side is the predictable villain and ending which were far to similar to the last McGann audio.
August 30, 2014
Part of the excellent and mysterious series of 8th Doctor adventures in the Interzone
January 21, 2016
Great adventure of a man possessed to start a religion to take over the area. People don't sleep. Can the doctor solve the mystery and save the area.
July 20, 2016
It wasn't one of more amazing audio adventures, but I enjoyed it well enough. I'm just along for the ride of the Charlie/Doctor storyline.
Read
January 27, 2017DNF
Not enjoying this series.
Not enjoying this series.
September 25, 2020
5/10
Verdict: Optional
A few really interesting ideas, however the majority of this is very slow and dull. It's not bad, but it's not exactly good.
Verdict: Optional
A few really interesting ideas, however the majority of this is very slow and dull. It's not bad, but it's not exactly good.
May 8, 2024
8 (Paul McGann)! Charlie (India Fisher)! Religion!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews