What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fifth Doctor Adventures #12
Doctor Who: The Great Beyond
The Doctor has been sent to Beyond – for the rest of his natural lives.
In the years after a devastating intergalactic war, a prison facility was set up on a distant planet. To preserve the fragile peace, the most dangerous former combatants are sentenced to life in Beyond. Like the notorious Starclair sisters, whose involvement on both sides of the war is the stuff of legend – as well as a certain Time Lord with a reputation for interfering in things that don’t concern them.
But there’s something else on the planet too. Something that adds an infinite variety of agony to a life sentence on Beyond, and makes the inmates wish for the relative comfort of death. Because what’s coming to those that stay too long in Beyond is almost too hideous to contemplate. Alive and conscious, deprived of your senses and all movement. Just locked in, alone in a darkness that lasts forever.
In the years after a devastating intergalactic war, a prison facility was set up on a distant planet. To preserve the fragile peace, the most dangerous former combatants are sentenced to life in Beyond. Like the notorious Starclair sisters, whose involvement on both sides of the war is the stuff of legend – as well as a certain Time Lord with a reputation for interfering in things that don’t concern them.
But there’s something else on the planet too. Something that adds an infinite variety of agony to a life sentence on Beyond, and makes the inmates wish for the relative comfort of death. Because what’s coming to those that stay too long in Beyond is almost too hideous to contemplate. Alive and conscious, deprived of your senses and all movement. Just locked in, alone in a darkness that lasts forever.
Audio CD
Published September 1, 2024
16 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 15, 2025
The Great Beyond was one of my most anticipated releases from Big Finish in 2024 and at last I'm finally giving it a listen!
Years after an intergalactic war, they set up a prison facility on an unknown planet. Nobody leaves Beyond and those who stay eventually find themselves lost to the darkness of forever. The Doctor, Adric and Nyssa are to spend the rest of their lives in this prison, a facility that constantly moves and reshapes itself. Tegan is on her way to rescue them, but with an unstable prison warden and two ignorant robots, that's easier said than done.
I'll confess I was expecting something more in the likes of The Blazing Hour, another story written by James Kettle. But I'm glad we didn't get that as the early 5th Doctor era isn't nearly as dark or serious as it is towards the end, so it's nice to have a slightly darker story than usual that's not as bleak or hopeless as an apocalyptic nightmare.
It's a very atmospheric and creative tale filled with twists and turns. The imagery in this story is very unsettling and disturbing. Despite its darker themes, it has a healthy amount of black comedy and some very well-written emotional scenes. Nyssa and Adric didn't get to do much in this story. The narrative would have benefited if it was just a story with Tegan and Nyssa, then having the entire season 19 Tardis crew.
It's a well-written story with great sound design and performances. I'm glad it wasn't a really dark or terrifying audio as it instead focuses on telling a story about our very own mortality. Despite my opinion though, it's clear to me why opinions on this story differ. I don't agree with people that it's too long. I believe removing Adric would have improved the story; his contribution was ultimately insignificant.
Overall: It's a great story that unfortunately struggles with the fact that it needed to have more than 2 companions. 9/10
Years after an intergalactic war, they set up a prison facility on an unknown planet. Nobody leaves Beyond and those who stay eventually find themselves lost to the darkness of forever. The Doctor, Adric and Nyssa are to spend the rest of their lives in this prison, a facility that constantly moves and reshapes itself. Tegan is on her way to rescue them, but with an unstable prison warden and two ignorant robots, that's easier said than done.
I'll confess I was expecting something more in the likes of The Blazing Hour, another story written by James Kettle. But I'm glad we didn't get that as the early 5th Doctor era isn't nearly as dark or serious as it is towards the end, so it's nice to have a slightly darker story than usual that's not as bleak or hopeless as an apocalyptic nightmare.
It's a very atmospheric and creative tale filled with twists and turns. The imagery in this story is very unsettling and disturbing. Despite its darker themes, it has a healthy amount of black comedy and some very well-written emotional scenes. Nyssa and Adric didn't get to do much in this story. The narrative would have benefited if it was just a story with Tegan and Nyssa, then having the entire season 19 Tardis crew.
It's a well-written story with great sound design and performances. I'm glad it wasn't a really dark or terrifying audio as it instead focuses on telling a story about our very own mortality. Despite my opinion though, it's clear to me why opinions on this story differ. I don't agree with people that it's too long. I believe removing Adric would have improved the story; his contribution was ultimately insignificant.
Overall: It's a great story that unfortunately struggles with the fact that it needed to have more than 2 companions. 9/10
June 25, 2025
Oh well, maybe I was not in the mood for it?
On first listen, I just thought this was okay.
The performances were great.
The darker tone also did not scare me off- there are a few really creepy 5th Doctor stories which I love. This was trying to go along these lines.
However, the story did not really grip me, and I did not really click with the side characters.
Don't get me wrong, I thought the first half of this play was great and I liked it (since it reminded me of these previous great creepy 5th Doctor stories), but as soon as the mystery was solved and the lost memories were back, the story left me behind and I found it less engaging and interesting. The horror aspect also did nothing for me.
Maybe I need to listen to this again one day.
On first listen, I just thought this was okay.
The performances were great.
The darker tone also did not scare me off- there are a few really creepy 5th Doctor stories which I love. This was trying to go along these lines.
However, the story did not really grip me, and I did not really click with the side characters.
Don't get me wrong, I thought the first half of this play was great and I liked it (since it reminded me of these previous great creepy 5th Doctor stories), but as soon as the mystery was solved and the lost memories were back, the story left me behind and I found it less engaging and interesting. The horror aspect also did nothing for me.
Maybe I need to listen to this again one day.
January 27, 2025
I absolutely love the audios from Big Finish Productions and The Great Beyond is the best yet. The Doctor and co are a great dynamic. However the six parts were a tad too long and could have been condensed but love the pacing of it.
October 20, 2025
A six-parter structured around a proper SF idea. While the plot follows recognisable patterns and the support characters play to standard, unnuanced types, Kettle lands a poignant denouement allowing the Doctor to live through and grow from the consequences of his actions.
3.5★
3.5★
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews