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Big Finish: Monthly Range #96
Doctor Who: Valhalla
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…
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…
Audio CD
First published May 31, 2007
About the author
Marc Platt
109 books48 followersMarc 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 29, 2018
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)
(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)
June 11, 2026
Valhalla has the special distinction of being the first full length Big Finish story to focus solely on the 7th Doctor’s time between Survival and the TV. It has the added bonus of having the phenomenal Michelle Gomez (later Missy) as the temporary companion for the adventure. My conclusion ultimately, and sadly, was that the story is ultimately unmemorable & lacking in any ideas unique enough to make it stand out. There was the quirky concept of everything on the planet being for sale, but beyond a few quips and comedic asides; it amounted to nothing. The other main criticism I have of the story is that the cliffhangers are utterly unremarkable, all being quite literally random stops in the middle of action or dialogue. That did no favours for the real lack of suspense in the story, which has about two dramatic and effective moments in the plot. The narrative plays out in a rather formulaic way (Doctor shows up, reveals no plot details until they’re suddenly prevalent & beats the monsters in a sneaky and sudden way). It’s hardly anything groundbreaking but as a tried and tested formula it works, providing a plot with good pacing and a clear structure. Fortunately there is one aspect that made the story a passable listen rather than begrudging two hours, and that is the dialogue.
Jevvan (Michelle Gomez) is given plenty instances of witty lines or comedic asides that really do offer something for the listener that isn’t just exposition about termites. Her natural charisma elevates the comedy and scenes where she’s playing against Sylvester McCoy work really well as the two actors possess so much charm and amiability. The rest of the cast do a pretty good job, its just that none of their dialogue nor their contribution to the narrative make them not that noteworthy. Adversely a more distinct rubbish is the villain. Marc Platt could not have gone for a more phoned in and uninteresting villain, something clearly demonstrated in them constantly yelling mediocre abuse at the protagonists. They do very little more than just ‘existing’ as they provide a rather inadequate foil to the side characters who get close to being free of them & the planet. The Doctor doesn’t seem very threatened by, or powerless against them, which came as no surprise as this deeply pragmatic incarnation of the Doctor was never going to be undone by monsters straight out a 5 year olds cartoon book. In effect there just isn’t anything in the writing or performances that give the story its own special edge creating any desire to re-listen at all. The sound design and music work well together to help visualise the story, it just isn’t enough to wow you; plus visualising a bunch of upright chatting termites is just the boring enough side of ludicrous to lack any semblance of comedy or horror. Frankly in that aspect it is rather hard to tell what Platt was going for. I by no means hated it, I just knew very early in that it was going to be a middling entry in the range and sadly was right, another slightly below average 7th Doctor story.
Jevvan (Michelle Gomez) is given plenty instances of witty lines or comedic asides that really do offer something for the listener that isn’t just exposition about termites. Her natural charisma elevates the comedy and scenes where she’s playing against Sylvester McCoy work really well as the two actors possess so much charm and amiability. The rest of the cast do a pretty good job, its just that none of their dialogue nor their contribution to the narrative make them not that noteworthy. Adversely a more distinct rubbish is the villain. Marc Platt could not have gone for a more phoned in and uninteresting villain, something clearly demonstrated in them constantly yelling mediocre abuse at the protagonists. They do very little more than just ‘existing’ as they provide a rather inadequate foil to the side characters who get close to being free of them & the planet. The Doctor doesn’t seem very threatened by, or powerless against them, which came as no surprise as this deeply pragmatic incarnation of the Doctor was never going to be undone by monsters straight out a 5 year olds cartoon book. In effect there just isn’t anything in the writing or performances that give the story its own special edge creating any desire to re-listen at all. The sound design and music work well together to help visualise the story, it just isn’t enough to wow you; plus visualising a bunch of upright chatting termites is just the boring enough side of ludicrous to lack any semblance of comedy or horror. Frankly in that aspect it is rather hard to tell what Platt was going for. I by no means hated it, I just knew very early in that it was going to be a middling entry in the range and sadly was right, another slightly below average 7th Doctor story.
May 18, 2025
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.
October 10, 2018
I’m not really sure what happened here. But Michelle “Missy” Gomez was in it. That adds points to it.
December 5, 2022
Oh I loved this one!! Termites? I’m gonna have nightmares! Great 7th Doctor story (no companions)!
October 5, 2024
I bit odd. It had potential, but didn't quite live up to it. It gets an extra star for MG being included.
April 3, 2025
A fun and pacey Seventh Doctor outing that plays to the tropes and themes of the TV show.
June 29, 2017
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.
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.
August 26, 2015
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.
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.
Read
April 8, 2009When 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.
August 30, 2014
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.
January 21, 2016
The Doctor fights Termites on Valhalla to help the human race survive catalogization and slavery.
April 10, 2015
A Companionless Seven doesn't have a barcode on his tongue like everyone else. Termites?
December 17, 2025
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews