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Big Finish: Monthly Range #46
Doctor Who: Flip-Flop
Christmas Eve in the year 3060, and the planet Puxatornee is home to a prosperous human colony.
A space craft has arrived in orbit carrying the Slithergees, a race of obsequious alien slugs. Their home world has been destroyed and they are humbly requesting permission to settle on the first moon.
And if they don't get permission, then they are humbly threatening to declare all-out war.
The future hangs in the balance. The decision rests with Bailey, the colony' s president - but she has other things on her mind.
Christmas Eve in the year 3090, and the planet Puxatornee has changed beyond all recognition.
The Doctor and Mel arrive, on a completely unrelated mission to defeat a race of terrible monsters, and soon discover that something rather confusing has been happening to history.
Flip-Flop is a unique innovation in storytelling. A Doctor Who adventure told over two CDs, one black, one white - where the CDs can be listened to in either order.
Chronological Placement
This story takes place between the television adventures, Paradise Towers and Delta and the Bannermen.
A space craft has arrived in orbit carrying the Slithergees, a race of obsequious alien slugs. Their home world has been destroyed and they are humbly requesting permission to settle on the first moon.
And if they don't get permission, then they are humbly threatening to declare all-out war.
The future hangs in the balance. The decision rests with Bailey, the colony' s president - but she has other things on her mind.
Christmas Eve in the year 3090, and the planet Puxatornee has changed beyond all recognition.
The Doctor and Mel arrive, on a completely unrelated mission to defeat a race of terrible monsters, and soon discover that something rather confusing has been happening to history.
Flip-Flop is a unique innovation in storytelling. A Doctor Who adventure told over two CDs, one black, one white - where the CDs can be listened to in either order.
Chronological Placement
This story takes place between the television adventures, Paradise Towers and Delta and the Bannermen.
Audio Play
First published July 1, 2003
3 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Morris
214 books70 followersJonathan Morris is one of the most prolific and popular writers of Doctor Who books, including the highly-regarded novels 'Festival of Death' and 'Touched by an Angel' and the recent guide to monsters, 'The Monster Vault'. He has also written numerous comic strips, most of which were collected in 'The Child of Time', and audios for BBC Audio and Big Finish, including the highly-regarded comedies 'Max Warp' and 'The Auntie Matter', as well as the adaptation of Russell T Davies’ 'Damaged Goods'.
Recently he has started his own audio production company, Average Romp. Releases include a full-cast adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Chimes', an original play, 'When Michael Met Benny', and three episodes of a SF sitcom, 'Dick Dixon in the 21st Century'.
For details visit www.averageromp.com
He also originated his own series, Vienna and script-edited the Nigel Planer series 'Jeremiah Bourne in Time'. He’s also written documentaries and for TV sketch shows.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Recently he has started his own audio production company, Average Romp. Releases include a full-cast adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Chimes', an original play, 'When Michael Met Benny', and three episodes of a SF sitcom, 'Dick Dixon in the 21st Century'.
For details visit www.averageromp.com
He also originated his own series, Vienna and script-edited the Nigel Planer series 'Jeremiah Bourne in Time'. He’s also written documentaries and for TV sketch shows.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 13, 2017
This is a seventh Doctor story with Melanie Bush (Mel) as his companion and is #46 in the Big Finish main range.
For a show with a time-traveling alien as its main character, Doctor Who only rarely deals with time travel itself. This one very cleverly does so.
And that's all I'm going to say about it, because I have a huge problem with this story that I just can't overlook to deal with the cleverer elements of it.
One of the timelines in this one deals with a race of blind slug-like aliens who arrive at the colony of Punxsutawney (a nod to the central theme of reliving the day from the movie Groundhog Day) in a heavily armed warship. The aliens are physically repulsive and act as essentially the worst right-wing caricatures of immigrants that you can imagine.
So we get this:
- The aliens initially want just a moon of the planet, but quickly expand as if there are infinite aliens coming until they've used up all space on the moon and are 90% of the population of the planet
- "Hate Crimes" are whenever any human disagrees with an alien
- The alien leader is referred to as "community leader", a term more commonly used by the media for elders in immigrant communities
There's lots more and it's all equally disgusting. I'm actually more than a little distressed that the Big Finish editorial team even accepted this script with these elements.
For a show with a time-traveling alien as its main character, Doctor Who only rarely deals with time travel itself. This one very cleverly does so.
And that's all I'm going to say about it, because I have a huge problem with this story that I just can't overlook to deal with the cleverer elements of it.
One of the timelines in this one deals with a race of blind slug-like aliens who arrive at the colony of Punxsutawney (a nod to the central theme of reliving the day from the movie Groundhog Day) in a heavily armed warship. The aliens are physically repulsive and act as essentially the worst right-wing caricatures of immigrants that you can imagine.
So we get this:
- The aliens initially want just a moon of the planet, but quickly expand as if there are infinite aliens coming until they've used up all space on the moon and are 90% of the population of the planet
- "Hate Crimes" are whenever any human disagrees with an alien
- The alien leader is referred to as "community leader", a term more commonly used by the media for elders in immigrant communities
There's lots more and it's all equally disgusting. I'm actually more than a little distressed that the Big Finish editorial team even accepted this script with these elements.
December 27, 2023
This was such a clever story in its make up, with a ‘black and white’ disc that can be listened to in either order to make a flow of the plot depending on the order your choose. It was an interesting element to the audiobook and one that I immediately picked up for its novelty. Also as it’s set around Christmas, I figured it would be a perfect December read too.
The big finish audios are always amazingly produced and directed and this one was no different.
Amazingly acted by our fav 7th Doc and Mel: Sylvester McCoy has never lost it and he’s always great as the doctor. Bonnie Langford is likewise always epic and I’m so happy she’s entering more into the later series as she was such a great companion. Love them together. I’ve yet to catch up on their run in who as I’m currently only up to Pertwee but I am rapidly getting to love this duo.
The story itself was okay. I didn’t find it too engaging and wasn’t too invested with the Slithergees and whatnot but it was intriguing in its intertwining plot and how the outcomes were effected as time was travelled and things were changed.
I’m excited to delve more into the 7th doctors era though after this and Mel is just great!
The big finish audios are always amazingly produced and directed and this one was no different.
Amazingly acted by our fav 7th Doc and Mel: Sylvester McCoy has never lost it and he’s always great as the doctor. Bonnie Langford is likewise always epic and I’m so happy she’s entering more into the later series as she was such a great companion. Love them together. I’ve yet to catch up on their run in who as I’m currently only up to Pertwee but I am rapidly getting to love this duo.
The story itself was okay. I didn’t find it too engaging and wasn’t too invested with the Slithergees and whatnot but it was intriguing in its intertwining plot and how the outcomes were effected as time was travelled and things were changed.
I’m excited to delve more into the 7th doctors era though after this and Mel is just great!
August 19, 2020
Avventura particolare per il settimo Dottore e Mel.
Due storie che, in realtà sono la stessa, grazie ad un insieme di paradossi temporali che producono una sorta di loop da cui è impossibile fuggire.
I due protagonisti sono il punto di forza (negli audio il personaggio di Bonnie Langford, come capita a molti altri, migliora notevolmente rispetto al video).
Due linee temporali, stesso pianeta e stessi giocatori. Le decisioni che prenderanno potranno cambiare la Storia del loro mondo irreparabilmente.
L'intreccio, sulla carta, di certo funziona... ma la ripetitività non aiuta a mantenere viva l'attenzione.
Due storie che, in realtà sono la stessa, grazie ad un insieme di paradossi temporali che producono una sorta di loop da cui è impossibile fuggire.
I due protagonisti sono il punto di forza (negli audio il personaggio di Bonnie Langford, come capita a molti altri, migliora notevolmente rispetto al video).
Due linee temporali, stesso pianeta e stessi giocatori. Le decisioni che prenderanno potranno cambiare la Storia del loro mondo irreparabilmente.
L'intreccio, sulla carta, di certo funziona... ma la ripetitività non aiuta a mantenere viva l'attenzione.
November 18, 2014
Sort of an endless Ourorboros of a story about the perils of messing about with time. Good turns by McCoy and a far better Mel than we ever had on TV. Pity the story isn't that interesting, and none of the characters are especially compelling. The Slithergee stuff also feels a bit too close to being a rant about immigrants. The term 'community leader' is even used more than once. Eeks.
February 5, 2022
5/5 for concept, definitely an ambitious storytelling mode, however falls apart a bit in its execution, still enjoyable though
July 14, 2019
Just finished listening to Doctor Who: Flipflop both the white and black parts and this audio really does mess your head with time travel and keeping the timelines intact.
A very interesting method of storytelling from big finish for sure and I know the Slithergees are actually kind of hilarious and can’t help but imagine them looking like Sil from Trial of a time-lord
A very interesting method of storytelling from big finish for sure and I know the Slithergees are actually kind of hilarious and can’t help but imagine them looking like Sil from Trial of a time-lord
December 24, 2018
Not the most amazing story, but I enjoyed it well enough. Fitting that I listened to it around Christmas!
March 13, 2024
Hopefully I'll remember to write a review when I wake up. This was a great batshit story.
February 23, 2024
Interesting story, weird, but interesting
May 30, 2019
I generally really like all the Doctor Who audio adventures and related stories and I also usually like time loop type stories, but this was the definite exception to both cases.
The performances were just fine. Sylvester McCoy and Bonnie Langford do a good job with their respective characters, the Doctor and Mel and the supporting cast is quite good as well, if a bit hard to distinguish at first. The performances are not the issue though; it’s the story itself.
As I said, I usually like time loop stories, such as you see in Doctor Who and Star Trek, but this one was just awful. Why? Well one reason is that you spend about an hour repeating the same damn story about 3 times, with only minor changes in dialogue and situations. But the real kicker isn’t the monotony of the story but the fact that it doesn’t actually end. The story wraps up with all the characters starting the loop once more. The Doctor and Mel leave and another Doctor and Mel arrive to do mostly the same damn things over again.
I mean, you’d think that a Tardis and a Time Lord would know when they were trapped in a time loop, right? Not to mention I’m sure that even if they didn’t, the Time Lords on Gallifrey would notice such a large distorted loop of time and do something about it. It is, after all, their entire bailiwick.
So I guess if you like a story that is mostly repetition with no real ending, this is the story for you. Otherwise, if you’re like most of the rest of us, you’ll think this is a story with real potential that dies about 10 minutes after starting. Basically, it’s a disaster.
The performances were just fine. Sylvester McCoy and Bonnie Langford do a good job with their respective characters, the Doctor and Mel and the supporting cast is quite good as well, if a bit hard to distinguish at first. The performances are not the issue though; it’s the story itself.
As I said, I usually like time loop stories, such as you see in Doctor Who and Star Trek, but this one was just awful. Why? Well one reason is that you spend about an hour repeating the same damn story about 3 times, with only minor changes in dialogue and situations. But the real kicker isn’t the monotony of the story but the fact that it doesn’t actually end. The story wraps up with all the characters starting the loop once more. The Doctor and Mel leave and another Doctor and Mel arrive to do mostly the same damn things over again.
I mean, you’d think that a Tardis and a Time Lord would know when they were trapped in a time loop, right? Not to mention I’m sure that even if they didn’t, the Time Lords on Gallifrey would notice such a large distorted loop of time and do something about it. It is, after all, their entire bailiwick.
So I guess if you like a story that is mostly repetition with no real ending, this is the story for you. Otherwise, if you’re like most of the rest of us, you’ll think this is a story with real potential that dies about 10 minutes after starting. Basically, it’s a disaster.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2020
I liked the way the narrative was designed but this reeks of right wing propaganda that scaremongers about wokeism and immigration. Weirdly, it seems to present this reactionary parody of an "ultra woke" society falling to its knees for an alien race pretending to be oppressed as the polar opposite of what seems to be vaguely fascist totalitarianism. This nonsensical ideological drivel taints the story so much that it ruined my enjoyment of an otherwise cleverly crafted story. I can't tell if the author is intending to "both sides" the issue of oppression and discrimination or not. Either way, I can't really recommend this for the story. I hope this is a fluke and there's no more straight up reactionary propaganda in the Big Finish audio dramas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2017
This story was clearly racist when it was written in 2003 or so and it feels all the more painfully racist now. How this didn't get stopped at the pitch stage is both frightening and beyond me, especially at this point in Big FInish's run where they seem to be finding their confidence.
Absolutely embarrassing. It's the "All Lives Matter" protest of Doctor Who and doesn't belong anywhere near the canon.
Absolutely embarrassing. It's the "All Lives Matter" protest of Doctor Who and doesn't belong anywhere near the canon.
Read
April 8, 2009requires some intellectual work from the listener. The two discs are alternate versions of the same planet's history, in each case changed into the other by the intervention of the Doctor and Mel. Really very well done.
May 23, 2024
Doctor Who: Flip Flop can best be described as far to ambitious for it's own good. The writing is superb as a result of no Doctor Who being on TV allowing the team to do almost anything. The story makes noticeably good use of sound design to help us distinguish the two conflicting species. However where the story dips is in it's performances. Likely the budget for hiring actors was lower than what was required for a story of the scope resulting in moments that will pull you out of your suspension of disbelief. Of course Sylvester McCoy and Bonnie Langford where exceptional as usual and they make it worth the listen.
February 5, 2017
This was kind of fun and clever. It's structured so that the story loops back on itself. (Time travel is complicated.) And it's got references to "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Groundhog Day." So that's kind of cool. And Sylvester McCoy is always good.
The one somewhat unfortunate aspect to this story is that the aliens can be seen as a metaphor for a certain right-wing view of refugees, as other reviewers have pointed out. I don't think that was quite intentional. I think the writer was probably just looking to portray a no-win situation, where neither warring with the aliens nor appeasing them works out well for the humans. And he was trying to have some fun with the characterization of the aliens.
It's definitely not the best Doctor Who story out there, but it's fun.
The one somewhat unfortunate aspect to this story is that the aliens can be seen as a metaphor for a certain right-wing view of refugees, as other reviewers have pointed out. I don't think that was quite intentional. I think the writer was probably just looking to portray a no-win situation, where neither warring with the aliens nor appeasing them works out well for the humans. And he was trying to have some fun with the characterization of the aliens.
It's definitely not the best Doctor Who story out there, but it's fun.
April 22, 2025
I always love when Big Finish does something experimental, and the way how you can get trapped in an infinite loop listening to the White and Black discs interchangeabley with this story works really well. It's truly one of a kind.
I understand people's concerns about the supposed subtext of this story, but knowing Jonathan Morris as a writer, I doubt it was intentional. If you take this story as it is, you'll find it very enjoyable and unique with great characters.
Yes, it's a little bit hard to get your head around, so you may have to listen to it multiple times, but the upside to that is the story is literally designed so you can just keep going round and round and it ultimately ends up making more sense. Very well constructed and niche.
I understand people's concerns about the supposed subtext of this story, but knowing Jonathan Morris as a writer, I doubt it was intentional. If you take this story as it is, you'll find it very enjoyable and unique with great characters.
Yes, it's a little bit hard to get your head around, so you may have to listen to it multiple times, but the upside to that is the story is literally designed so you can just keep going round and round and it ultimately ends up making more sense. Very well constructed and niche.
October 7, 2025
I thought this was a fun story. It seemed a bit doctor who does 'a Christmas carol' mixed with should we kill Hitler before he causes World War 2. Actually should we kill Chamberlain for appeasing Hitler and letting him get established. It is told in two mirror scenarios. You can start on either. Some have wondered if the writer is right wing and of course it is possible but I think he was just making an alien race rather like Dickens Uriah heep. Very humble and slimy while being very devious.
Later note: The author is a prolific Doctor Who writer so I looked him up and he is on wiki and he stood for the liberal Democrats in an election so it doesn't seem likely he was getting out far right views in this story.
Later note: The author is a prolific Doctor Who writer so I looked him up and he is on wiki and he stood for the liberal Democrats in an election so it doesn't seem likely he was getting out far right views in this story.
Read
December 17, 2022A timey-wimey release from big finish where episodes one and two and three and four can be listened to in either order. Reviews are picking up on the anti-immigration implications of the alien portrayal and I see it to. For that reason I don’t think the play can hit those top stars but I think the tone is so wild and farcical that no offence seems to have been intentional. I enjoyed the structure of the story but it was challenging to follow the cleverness.
May 19, 2017
My goodness, that is confusing. But in a good way. What happens when you mess with time? Well, you never know, and that's just the reason why you shouldn't.
Mel seems more intelligent in this story than in the TV-show, which is refreshing. And her companionship with the Doctor works unusually well here.
Mel seems more intelligent in this story than in the TV-show, which is refreshing. And her companionship with the Doctor works unusually well here.
May 14, 2023
I agree with the other reviewer this is a unique concept but falls apart a little in execution. I'm still not sure if things get sorted out as the nature of this story seems to imply that the Doctor and Mel are trapped in a sort of time of loop. Still it's worth a listen just for curiosity and to see how the audio book format so can be used differently.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2019
A well-constructed story with a fascinating paradox; the timiest-wimiest story I have ever been exposed to. (Mel's need to have practically everything spelled out for her wore a bit thin after a while, though.)
February 18, 2017
Very timey-wimey, and passive aggressive taken to the extreme. I liked the ending - reminded me of an old time travel TV show.
January 8, 2018
This one had a very complex, involved plot, but was much more intriguing than "The One Doctor." Slyvester McCoy and Bonnie Langford were ace.
February 11, 2018
Very confusing in some parts
February 27, 2020
Crítica | Big Finish Mensal #46: Flip-Flop: https://www.planocritico.com/critica-...
July 23, 2020
The concept sounded intriguing, but it was just repetitive and had no resolution, really. At least the word "Flop" was already in the title?
August 8, 2021
もしも過去の歴史のある出来事を変えてしまったらどういうことがおこるか、試みは面白かったような気がするけれども英語のヒアリング素材としてはなかなかやっかいな構成だったと思う。特にオチがなかったのもうーん
March 3, 2022
What can I say, it's a bit of a flop.
December 27, 2023
I am not sure the writers thought this one through. It was not good.
May 30, 2024
I liked the back and forth and lack of resolution
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews