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Big Finish: Monthly Range #60
Doctor Who: Medicinal Purposes
Edinburgh, 1827.
The infamous body snatchers William Burke and William Hare are at large. The local prostitutes dull their fear with cheap whisky. The graveyard owls are hooting. Business is good.
When accidental tourists the Doctor and Evelyn Smythe stumble upon one of Britain's most lurid, illuminating chapters in history, a simple case of interest in the work of dedicated man of science Doctor Robert Knox, quickly turns sour.
Just what is that time bending Scots mist? What ever it is may put the very fabric of the universe under threat.
As always.
The infamous body snatchers William Burke and William Hare are at large. The local prostitutes dull their fear with cheap whisky. The graveyard owls are hooting. Business is good.
When accidental tourists the Doctor and Evelyn Smythe stumble upon one of Britain's most lurid, illuminating chapters in history, a simple case of interest in the work of dedicated man of science Doctor Robert Knox, quickly turns sour.
Just what is that time bending Scots mist? What ever it is may put the very fabric of the universe under threat.
As always.
Audio Play
First published August 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
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About the author
Robert Ross
18 books6 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Robert Ross wears many different hats: consultant, researcher, writer and audio commentary moderator, working for television and radio.
Robert Ross wears many different hats: consultant, researcher, writer and audio commentary moderator, working for television and radio.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 19, 2018
Doctor Who finally does it's Burke and Hare.
I'm unsure as to why reviews are so down on this. It's deeply flawed, but also has a lot going for it. The relationship between The Doctor, Evelyn, Mary Patterson and David Tennant's Daft Jamie is actually quite touching. And Tennant's performance, almost through sheer brute force, gives the story a through line that the writing, perhaps, doesn't deserve.
Also, as the layers are peeled back and you start to understand that this historical doesn't fit into the narrative structure of a historical at all, there's a lot of fun surprises along the way.
BUt, yes, The Doctor's fanboy adulation of the body snatchers is truly disturbing, as is that Evelyn Smyth, a University professor of HISTORY get's baffled by several pretty glaring historical tricks is pretty ridiculous.
And the end, soncidering that the story is far too long already, feels rushed and doesn't make a lot of sense.
Still, not nearly as bad as the reviews indicate.
I'm unsure as to why reviews are so down on this. It's deeply flawed, but also has a lot going for it. The relationship between The Doctor, Evelyn, Mary Patterson and David Tennant's Daft Jamie is actually quite touching. And Tennant's performance, almost through sheer brute force, gives the story a through line that the writing, perhaps, doesn't deserve.
Also, as the layers are peeled back and you start to understand that this historical doesn't fit into the narrative structure of a historical at all, there's a lot of fun surprises along the way.
BUt, yes, The Doctor's fanboy adulation of the body snatchers is truly disturbing, as is that Evelyn Smyth, a University professor of HISTORY get's baffled by several pretty glaring historical tricks is pretty ridiculous.
And the end, soncidering that the story is far too long already, feels rushed and doesn't make a lot of sense.
Still, not nearly as bad as the reviews indicate.
October 16, 2024
The Doctor as a fanboy for murdering body snatchers because of the fact that they supposedly moved forward the practice of medicine is the most out of character BS I’ve found in a whoniverse work so far.
Needless to say, not a fan of this one and I’m mad I paid for it. I wanted the complete Six and Evelyn run but this one I should have skipped and you should too. Two stars instead of one because Knox was vaguely interesting as a villain, but not enough to make it a worthwhile listen.
Needless to say, not a fan of this one and I’m mad I paid for it. I wanted the complete Six and Evelyn run but this one I should have skipped and you should too. Two stars instead of one because Knox was vaguely interesting as a villain, but not enough to make it a worthwhile listen.
November 12, 2025
This story was much better than I remembered. I really think coming back to these stories older is really giving me a fresh perspective and to be fair to Big Finish, there have been no outright duds since I started this trawl of my old collection.
Listening to Colin Baker and Maggie Stables as the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn has made me want to hear more stories with them. They work really well together and provide the right amount of challenge to each other without resorting to bickering.
Leslie Phillips as the urbane Doctor Robert Knox is one of the best villains I’ve come across in Big Finish. His misuse of time technology to create a reality show is both ludicrous and grotesque. It takes an actor like Phillips to carry off the absurd concept and make it totally believable. My one gripe is that he just disappears from the story (clearly to return again) but it robs the story of a fully satisfactory ending. Until that point, I thought it might be a 5. (Of course, the other thing that makes it a 4 is the Doctor’s strange admiration for Burke and Hare. It just doesn’t ring true.)
David Tennant (before he became the Tenth Doctor) is amazing. He brings pathos to Daft Jamie and plays him for real. His delight at becoming famous, by having to meet his destiny and be murdered, is tragic and cruel. A bittersweet ending that balances out the story.
In a story about Burke and Hare, their characters also stand out, manipulated by Knox and victims as much as the people they murder.
It’s a dark and gloomy tale, lightened up by Knox and his machinations. The closest I’ve come to giving a 5 in a little while.
Listening to Colin Baker and Maggie Stables as the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn has made me want to hear more stories with them. They work really well together and provide the right amount of challenge to each other without resorting to bickering.
Leslie Phillips as the urbane Doctor Robert Knox is one of the best villains I’ve come across in Big Finish. His misuse of time technology to create a reality show is both ludicrous and grotesque. It takes an actor like Phillips to carry off the absurd concept and make it totally believable. My one gripe is that he just disappears from the story (clearly to return again) but it robs the story of a fully satisfactory ending. Until that point, I thought it might be a 5. (Of course, the other thing that makes it a 4 is the Doctor’s strange admiration for Burke and Hare. It just doesn’t ring true.)
David Tennant (before he became the Tenth Doctor) is amazing. He brings pathos to Daft Jamie and plays him for real. His delight at becoming famous, by having to meet his destiny and be murdered, is tragic and cruel. A bittersweet ending that balances out the story.
In a story about Burke and Hare, their characters also stand out, manipulated by Knox and victims as much as the people they murder.
It’s a dark and gloomy tale, lightened up by Knox and his machinations. The closest I’ve come to giving a 5 in a little while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2020
PART1
1827年のエディンバラにダーディスが着陸。何も見えない暗闇でドクターとイブリンはメアリーとジミーに出会う。ジミーの名前を聞いてドクターは"バークとヘア連続殺人事件"前夜に自分達がいることに気がつく。ウィリアム•ヘアーと話したドクターは共犯者であるウィリアム•バークが全く存在していないことを知り、不審を抱く。
Part2
ドクターはイブリンにメアリーとドクター・ノックスに会いに行くよう指示し、自分はジミーとノックスの経営する宿に行く。宿から出てきたのはヘアで、ドクターとジミーは門前払いを食らう。ところがその帰り道、ジミーがバークのことをしばらく見ていないと言い出し、ドクターがジミーにバークのことを知っているのかと驚くと、本当に知っているのはメアリーの方だと話す。一方、ノックスに会いに行ったイブリンとメアリー。ノックスは死体を医療研究に使っていることをあっさり認め、2人を追い返す。ノックスの高慢な態度に腹をたてるイブリン。しかしドクターはイブリンの話を聞き、ノックスがタイムロードではないかと疑いだす。ドクターは4人を伴いノックスの家を訪ねるが、そこに家は存在しなかった。帰り道、ジミーが不意にドクターを喜ばせることができるといい、ドクターとイブリンをとある家の中の突き飛ばす。出てきたのはウイリアム・バークだった。
Part3
バークはドクターに問われるまでヘアノックスのことをすっかり忘れていたという。メアリーのことも知っていたが夢を見ていたかのように全てが釈然としないという。ついにノックスと直接対面したドクターはノックスが人間に宇宙人の伝染病を感染させ薬をつくろうと目論んでいることを告げられる。幸い、アルコールを摂取していれば感染することはない。その点に注目し、ノックスは時間を操り、何度も何度も同じ瞬間を繰り返し、実験を進めていた。時系列さえもデタラメな時間泡の中にいることに気づいたドクター。その中でメアリーは殺されてしまう。嘆くジミーに、ドクターはジミーがそれを何度も目撃し、時間泡の影響を唯一受けることなく記憶していることを知る。
Part4
ジミーだけが時間が何度も繰り返されていることを認識しており、さらにアルコールを飲まないジミーはノックスが散布したウィルスに感染してしまっていた。ドクターはジミーをつれて本来いるべき時間軸にダーディスで赴き、ジミーを使ってノックスに感染させる。そしてジミーを本来の運命が待ち受ける場所に連れて帰るドクター。イブリンは理解できるが、受けることができないとドクターに言い、ドクターも同じ気持ちだと告白。
時間に過度に干渉することはタイムロードの禁忌。それゆえジミーやメアリーの運命を変えることはできない。無邪気にドクターに信頼を寄せていたジミー。その彼を待ち受ける運命からは救うことができないもどかしさ、せつなさがたまらない逸品。
1827年のエディンバラにダーディスが着陸。何も見えない暗闇でドクターとイブリンはメアリーとジミーに出会う。ジミーの名前を聞いてドクターは"バークとヘア連続殺人事件"前夜に自分達がいることに気がつく。ウィリアム•ヘアーと話したドクターは共犯者であるウィリアム•バークが全く存在していないことを知り、不審を抱く。
Part2
ドクターはイブリンにメアリーとドクター・ノックスに会いに行くよう指示し、自分はジミーとノックスの経営する宿に行く。宿から出てきたのはヘアで、ドクターとジミーは門前払いを食らう。ところがその帰り道、ジミーがバークのことをしばらく見ていないと言い出し、ドクターがジミーにバークのことを知っているのかと驚くと、本当に知っているのはメアリーの方だと話す。一方、ノックスに会いに行ったイブリンとメアリー。ノックスは死体を医療研究に使っていることをあっさり認め、2人を追い返す。ノックスの高慢な態度に腹をたてるイブリン。しかしドクターはイブリンの話を聞き、ノックスがタイムロードではないかと疑いだす。ドクターは4人を伴いノックスの家を訪ねるが、そこに家は存在しなかった。帰り道、ジミーが不意にドクターを喜ばせることができるといい、ドクターとイブリンをとある家の中の突き飛ばす。出てきたのはウイリアム・バークだった。
Part3
バークはドクターに問われるまでヘアノックスのことをすっかり忘れていたという。メアリーのことも知っていたが夢を見ていたかのように全てが釈然としないという。ついにノックスと直接対面したドクターはノックスが人間に宇宙人の伝染病を感染させ薬をつくろうと目論んでいることを告げられる。幸い、アルコールを摂取していれば感染することはない。その点に注目し、ノックスは時間を操り、何度も何度も同じ瞬間を繰り返し、実験を進めていた。時系列さえもデタラメな時間泡の中にいることに気づいたドクター。その中でメアリーは殺されてしまう。嘆くジミーに、ドクターはジミーがそれを何度も目撃し、時間泡の影響を唯一受けることなく記憶していることを知る。
Part4
ジミーだけが時間が何度も繰り返されていることを認識しており、さらにアルコールを飲まないジミーはノックスが散布したウィルスに感染してしまっていた。ドクターはジミーをつれて本来いるべき時間軸にダーディスで赴き、ジミーを使ってノックスに感染させる。そしてジミーを本来の運命が待ち受ける場所に連れて帰るドクター。イブリンは理解できるが、受けることができないとドクターに言い、ドクターも同じ気持ちだと告白。
時間に過度に干渉することはタイムロードの禁忌。それゆえジミーやメアリーの運命を変えることはできない。無邪気にドクターに信頼を寄せていたジミー。その彼を待ち受ける運命からは救うことができないもどかしさ、せつなさがたまらない逸品。
March 23, 2024
Doctor Who is at its best when its historical stories explore an unknown part of history. Most of the time when I find these kinds of stories it's very exciting. This case was a bit different as in my first year of High School I played a layer in a state play based on the Murders of Burke and Hare written by our head of music. The play focused more on the trail of Burke and Hare and the killing of Mary Patterson and only mentioned Margaret Docherty.
I didn't know about Daft Jamie before listening and I must say David Tennant really shows off his voice acting skills in this before he ever adorned the iconic trench coat. Medicinal Purposes focuses on Dr Knox in particular and I guess Leslie Phillips probably got a bit more directorial notes from Gary Russel than Colin Baker. The sound design is as normal Brilliant and Colin Baker is great as normal.
I didn't know about Daft Jamie before listening and I must say David Tennant really shows off his voice acting skills in this before he ever adorned the iconic trench coat. Medicinal Purposes focuses on Dr Knox in particular and I guess Leslie Phillips probably got a bit more directorial notes from Gary Russel than Colin Baker. The sound design is as normal Brilliant and Colin Baker is great as normal.
June 21, 2020
David Tennant steals this show. Magnificent as ever.
This is one of those episodes where the Sixth Doctor makes grandiose speeches than challenge human ethics—at the beginning—and then proves he isn’t as sanguine as he pretends by his actions later in the story. Which is fine with me.
I was annoyed Evelyn didn’t know anything about Burke and Hare. I get that they needed to work exposition in somehow, but she’s supposed to be a history professor.
The author is oddly sympathetic to the murderers, and the plot oddly constructed, but the performances are great and I cried at the end, so it definitely touched me.
This is one of those episodes where the Sixth Doctor makes grandiose speeches than challenge human ethics—at the beginning—and then proves he isn’t as sanguine as he pretends by his actions later in the story. Which is fine with me.
I was annoyed Evelyn didn’t know anything about Burke and Hare. I get that they needed to work exposition in somehow, but she’s supposed to be a history professor.
The author is oddly sympathetic to the murderers, and the plot oddly constructed, but the performances are great and I cried at the end, so it definitely touched me.
April 8, 2023
The Doctor talking about how deaths leading to medical advancements can be a greater good was kinda weird.
June 28, 2024
This one had a lot of issues, BUT it was nice to see a non tidy ending so it got an extra star for that
February 11, 2017
...wow, was this ever a throwback to the worst of Six from the TV series.
July 21, 2016
This is one Doctor Who audio drama to avoid.
The plot follows the Sixth Doctor and his companion Evelyn as they encounter Burke and Hare, the infamous Edinburgh body snatchers. While on the face of it this sounds like a good setting for Doctor Who, it just serves to disappoint about how much of a missed opportunity this is.
The only thing I found to like about this adventure was the character of Daft Jamie, played by future Tenth Doctor actor David Tennant. His character manages to be both heart-breaking and uplifting in equal measure, due mostly to Tennant's performance.
The problems are many-fold. The Doctor, far from regretting the loss of life, declares outright at the start that the deaths of Burke and Hare's victims are "acceptable" because they help further medical science. The plot is mainly told through a series of long speeches or conversations, with the only action scene having no build-up and being over so quickly that it was just a confusing interlude. For the first three episodes the characters don't even stray much further than two settings, occasionally changing who goes where. Characters heed or ignore the Doctor's advice based only on story requirements, not true motivations. Evelyn (usually the best thing about Big Finish audios) comes across as a naive idiot, cracking unfunny out-of-character jokes and failing to stand up to the Doctor when the says the most breathtakingly unethical things (compare this to how combative and witty she is in Doctor Who: The Marian Conspiracy). The villain seems to exist only to generate the setting, talking to himself half the time, and his background () goes frustratingly unexplored, instead focusing on a bizarre setup that doesn't make sense in any iteration.
And worst of all? It's over-long and it drags. And for an audio drama, that's unforgivable.
The plot follows the Sixth Doctor and his companion Evelyn as they encounter Burke and Hare, the infamous Edinburgh body snatchers. While on the face of it this sounds like a good setting for Doctor Who, it just serves to disappoint about how much of a missed opportunity this is.
The only thing I found to like about this adventure was the character of Daft Jamie, played by future Tenth Doctor actor David Tennant. His character manages to be both heart-breaking and uplifting in equal measure, due mostly to Tennant's performance.
The problems are many-fold. The Doctor, far from regretting the loss of life, declares outright at the start that the deaths of Burke and Hare's victims are "acceptable" because they help further medical science. The plot is mainly told through a series of long speeches or conversations, with the only action scene having no build-up and being over so quickly that it was just a confusing interlude. For the first three episodes the characters don't even stray much further than two settings, occasionally changing who goes where. Characters heed or ignore the Doctor's advice based only on story requirements, not true motivations. Evelyn (usually the best thing about Big Finish audios) comes across as a naive idiot, cracking unfunny out-of-character jokes and failing to stand up to the Doctor when the says the most breathtakingly unethical things (compare this to how combative and witty she is in Doctor Who: The Marian Conspiracy). The villain seems to exist only to generate the setting, talking to himself half the time, and his background () goes frustratingly unexplored, instead focusing on a bizarre setup that doesn't make sense in any iteration.
And worst of all? It's over-long and it drags. And for an audio drama, that's unforgivable.
September 30, 2013
"Um how did the writer of this audio forget that Evelyn is A PROFESSOR IN BRITISH HISTORY!!! How does she not get what's happening??? This is the worst I've seen her written so far. Terribly disappointing!
"And then the villan in 1827 makes a reference to a book that's not released for over 50 years. Which at least was a plot point, but one the professor of history should have picked up on!
I'm afraid this really is the worst of the adventures for Sixie and Evelyn I've heard so far. It's really disappointing when they have a historical go so badly wrong. The bloodthirstyness of the Doctor and his supporting the murderers seemed totally out of keeping for good old Sixie. Had the author actually listened to their other adventures before they wrote this?
"And then the villan in 1827 makes a reference to a book that's not released for over 50 years. Which at least was a plot point, but one the professor of history should have picked up on!
I'm afraid this really is the worst of the adventures for Sixie and Evelyn I've heard so far. It's really disappointing when they have a historical go so badly wrong. The bloodthirstyness of the Doctor and his supporting the murderers seemed totally out of keeping for good old Sixie. Had the author actually listened to their other adventures before they wrote this?
Read
April 8, 2009There was quite a lot to like about Medicinal Purposes - Baker and Stables on top form, joined by David Tennant as "Daft Jamie" and some sympathetic and attractive minor characters - but in the end I felt there were two big flaws with it. One was the means and motivation of the villainous Dr Knox - there seemed to be at least three explanations for what he was really up to, none of which fully made sense, and the story lacked resolution. The other was the Doctor's undisguised admiration for Burke and Hare themselves; again, I felt this totally out of character even for the Sixth Doctor.
October 29, 2014
The Doctor and Evelyn visit Edinburgh in 1827, the time of body snatching with Burke and Hare. Someone is playing with events and things aren't playing out as established history would have us believe. Or in other words the one with David Tennant and Leslie Phillips in it. This is a really spooky story, and is genuinely creepy. Theres a feeling of foreboding throughout, and it is helped by some amazing performances. A very good read.
December 24, 2021
3.5 Stars
2021: I think people are reacting negatively to the Doctor’s approval of what Burke and Hare do, which is in line with where the Sixth Doctor was earlier in this regeneration. Also, there’s a jump in the third episode that should have been smoothed out in the writing process. However, some great acting and an excellent villain help conclude the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn’s run of great stories, at least in my opinion. The next one, Pier Pressure, breaks that run.
2021: I think people are reacting negatively to the Doctor’s approval of what Burke and Hare do, which is in line with where the Sixth Doctor was earlier in this regeneration. Also, there’s a jump in the third episode that should have been smoothed out in the writing process. However, some great acting and an excellent villain help conclude the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn’s run of great stories, at least in my opinion. The next one, Pier Pressure, breaks that run.
May 8, 2024
Sixy (Colin Baker) and Evelyn (Maggie Stables) land in Edinburgh in 1828 and find themselves in the midst of the infamous Burke and Hare grave robberies. They soon notice inconsistencies in the history and must find the reason.
Also features a pre-10th-Doctor David Tennant in an excellent performance as Daft Jamie.
Also features a pre-10th-Doctor David Tennant in an excellent performance as Daft Jamie.
August 4, 2014
Just awful. Slow, talky, meandering, poorly characterised and ethically compromised. Maudlin, too. It's been a while since this series has really hit one out of the park, but this one is unforgivable.
August 29, 2014
Atmospheric, good cast, interesting plot. Colin Baker was really enjoying himself here and the female cast members were top notch.
A little too long and felt padded at times. Otherwise one of the best.
A little too long and felt padded at times. Otherwise one of the best.
October 11, 2014
I enjoy the historicals and this was very atmospheric. Introduction of a character who they'll meet again. An interesting take on time travel, and loops, and a reminder that sometimes what needs to be done is not the easy way out.
July 21, 2015
Edinburgh, 1827. Body snatchers William Burke and William Hare are on the loose while the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn take an interest in the work of Dr Robert Knox...
January 21, 2016
The Doctor and Evelyn go back in time to stop an insane man with a tardis who wants to ruin the world.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews