Doctor Who: Valhalla

Big Finish: Monthly Range #96

by Marc Platt, Sylvester McCoy (Narrator), Michelle Gomez (Narrator)

Welcome to Valhalla, Capital of Callisto, Jupiter's premier moon, where anything and everything is up for sale. But Valhalla isn't quite what it says in the brochures – not since Earth granted independence and cut off the supplies.

The former Doctor (FOR SALE. EXCELLENT CONDITION) visits the Job Centre and finds power cuts, barcoded citizens and monthly riots (ALL BOOKABLE.)

And then there's the problem with the termites…

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Time Travel

First published May 31, 2007

About the author

Marc Platt is a British writer. He is most known for his work with the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who.

After studying catering at a technical college, Platt worked first for Trust House Forte, and then in administration for the BBC. He wrote the Doctor Who serial Ghost Light based on two proposals, one of which later became the novel Lungbarrow. That novel was greatly anticipated by fans as it was the culmination of the so-called "Cartmel Masterplan", revealing details of the Doctor's background and family.

After the original series' cancellation Platt wrote the script for the audio Doctor Who drama Spare Parts. The script was the inspiration for the 2006 Doctor Who television story "Rise of the Cybermen"/"The Age of Steel", for which Platt received a screen credit and a fee.

He lives in London.

Reviews

[Shaun Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Marc Platt writes Doctor Who you know you are in for something... well, you are in for something, that's for sure. Three/Fourths of this story is great. The final third left me scratching my head waiting for a big reveal, only to discover...

(SPOILERS)

...yeah, there isn't one. Felt tonally strange to go that route and NOT have a bigger payoff. For a more detailed review, visit www.travelingthevortex.com (episode #378)

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was kinda neat hearing Michelle Gomez in Doctor Who before she became Missy. In the behind the scenes, she even mentions liking Tennant’s eyebrow action. Hilarious in hindsight given Capaldi would become so associated with eyebrows.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not really sure what happened here. But Michelle “Missy” Gomez was in it. That adds points to it.

[Twainy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this one!! Termites? I’m gonna have nightmares! Great 7th Doctor story (no companions)!

[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bit odd. It had potential, but didn't quite live up to it. It gets an extra star for MG being included.

[Steven Poore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and pacey Seventh Doctor outing that plays to the tropes and themes of the TV show.

[Jamie Revell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is unusual in being a 7th Doctor story not featuring any companion - it's apparently set shortly before the TV Movie, rather than during the main BF continuity. The Doctor arrives on a run-down colony world, apparently seeking to retire from adventure and reflecting sadly on all the companions that have left him over the years.

Of course, it's not long before monsters turn up, and the story moves into more familiar territory. Certainly, it's hard to see this working with any other Doctor, and there's something of a sense of the impending changing of the guard. But, ultimately, it's not enough to raise this slow-paced story above the merely average.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this one in the Sylvester McCoy birthday sale over the weekend. Totally worth it! First of all there was an AMAZING behind the scenes interview with Michelle Gomez where she mentions how much she was scared of the zygons as a child and that she'd like to be the Doctor.

The story was also very good. Michelle played a woman in a horrible dystopian future of austerity and scheduled and ticketed riots. But then things only got worse when the aliens showed up to enslave everyone. It was nice to see the BEMs not being played for laughs and Susannah York did a wonderful job as their queen. I'm not usually a fan of Sylvester without a companion but ended up really enjoying this one.

[Nicholas Whyte]

When Marc Platt is good, he is very very good; but when he is not, he is boring, and I'm afraid Valhalla is in the latter category. I don't know why it dragged - indeed, maybe it doesn't, and I was just in a bad mood; but even Susannah York as the queen of the giant termites infesting the doomed human colony on Callisto didn't really lift it for me.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Valhalla, Capital of Callisto, Jupiter's premier moon, anything and everything is for sale. But Valhalla is in trouble due to Earth granting independence and cutting off the supplies. The Doctor visits the Job Centre and finds power cuts, barcoded citizens and monthly riots and a termite problem.

[Debra Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Doctor fights Termites on Valhalla to help the human race survive catalogization and slavery.

[Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Companionless Seven doesn't have a barcode on his tongue like everyone else. Termites?

[Josh · Rating 1 out of 5]

God this was boring. I struggled to get through this one. Michelle Gomez being in this and almost becoming a companion was the only highlight.