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Big Finish: Monthly Range #53
Doctor Who: The Creed of the Kromon
The Interzone is a fearsome nether-world protecting a zone ruled by the Kromon. Theirs is an arid land of dust and dying trees. Across the landscape are spheres that look like giant anthills. The Doctor believes that within one of these structures lie the clues that will lead him to his lost TARDIS.
The spheres are ruled by the insect-like Kromon who covet the TARDIS. When Charley is captured she is forced to metamorphosise into a hybrid-insect Queen and so to save her, the Doctor must barter his knowledge of space-travel technology, all the while knowing that he risks opening up all the realms of space to a rapacious race whose creed is not to create, only to plunder.
The spheres are ruled by the insect-like Kromon who covet the TARDIS. When Charley is captured she is forced to metamorphosise into a hybrid-insect Queen and so to save her, the Doctor must barter his knowledge of space-travel technology, all the while knowing that he risks opening up all the realms of space to a rapacious race whose creed is not to create, only to plunder.
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 31, 2016
This is an eighth Doctor story with Charley Pollard as the companion, and is #53 in the Big Finish main range. It introduces the new companion C'Rizz.
This is the second of the Divergent Universe series of audios, and we're introduced to the concept of "zones" which the Doctor and Charley travel between in search of the TARDIS. This is all completely new and wasn't touched on in the previous episode, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. At the start we're introduced to a disembodied voice who identifies himself as Kro'ka and starts questioning the Doctor and Charley. After some confusing discussion he indicates that they should enter the next zone and they eventually do. As they disappear into the zone Kro'ka makes some comment about an experiment being started.
In the new zone which is desertlike and punctuated with large geodesic spheres, the Doctor and Charley meet C'Rizz and a sentient digging beast called an Oorog, but they're almost immediately captured by an intelligent species of giant termites called Kromon that live in the spheres (biodomes). The termites are slave-taking, mind-controlling and incredibly bureaucratic and hierarchical. They take the Doctor for his knowledge of space travel, and Charley as breeding stock.
The Kromon are a horrible enemy and there's some significant body horror going on in this episode. Almost worse than in the previous episode, Scherzo. In other ways this is a pretty typical Doctor Who episode, although the visuals would be very difficult to achieve, even in the modern show. The beauty of audio I guess.
Not bad, but Charley really needs to catch a break at some point.
This is the second of the Divergent Universe series of audios, and we're introduced to the concept of "zones" which the Doctor and Charley travel between in search of the TARDIS. This is all completely new and wasn't touched on in the previous episode, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. At the start we're introduced to a disembodied voice who identifies himself as Kro'ka and starts questioning the Doctor and Charley. After some confusing discussion he indicates that they should enter the next zone and they eventually do. As they disappear into the zone Kro'ka makes some comment about an experiment being started.
In the new zone which is desertlike and punctuated with large geodesic spheres, the Doctor and Charley meet C'Rizz and a sentient digging beast called an Oorog, but they're almost immediately captured by an intelligent species of giant termites called Kromon that live in the spheres (biodomes). The termites are slave-taking, mind-controlling and incredibly bureaucratic and hierarchical. They take the Doctor for his knowledge of space travel, and Charley as breeding stock.
The Kromon are a horrible enemy and there's some significant body horror going on in this episode. Almost worse than in the previous episode, Scherzo. In other ways this is a pretty typical Doctor Who episode, although the visuals would be very difficult to achieve, even in the modern show. The beauty of audio I guess.
Not bad, but Charley really needs to catch a break at some point.
March 6, 2025
2020 52 Book Challenge - 50) An Author You Previously Disliked
As is the case with many great Doctor Who stories, they must be followed by a bad one, and this indeed holds true for this one, which is so forgettable that I finished it two minutes ago, and all I can remember about this book is bees and a new companion, whose name is spelt C'riss but pronounced like Carys, which is totally not how I've pronounced this name for years, so at least I learnt something from this dross.
As is the case with many great Doctor Who stories, they must be followed by a bad one, and this indeed holds true for this one, which is so forgettable that I finished it two minutes ago, and all I can remember about this book is bees and a new companion, whose name is spelt C'riss but pronounced like Carys, which is totally not how I've pronounced this name for years, so at least I learnt something from this dross.
August 21, 2016
Bah! Bit of a dog, this one. Took me three goes to get into it. And only half-heartedly skipped to the finish. Picks up a new companion though so you'll want to suffer through, perhaps.
April 20, 2020
Philip Martin’s two serials were highpoints of Doctor Who during Colin Baker’s all-too-brief tenure. Creed of the Kromon features Paul McGann’s Doctor but carries a similar vibe, suffusing its SF setting with a depth and complexity rarely seen in weekly adventure serials.
February 9, 2025
a rare story which literally has no redeemable features. and incredibly hilarious that it comes straight after one of the most brilliant, unique stories ever. but even more than that, you actually *have* to listen to this one for the arc and the fact it introduces a new companion..hysterical.
March 27, 2024
Here's the Divergent Universe story we needed. Continuing on from their trek across the void in search of the TARDIS, Eight and Charley finally begin to encounter new species, new friends and new enemies.
As hinted at in the blurb, this has some definite dark vibes. Nothing quite like eating a clone of yourself (I'm looking at you Scherzo), but being genetically altered and then forcefully impregnated is one hell of a dark thread. Actually, the more I think about it the more I can't decide which is worse. They're both terribly dark concepts.
Perhaps that's what we should come to expect in the Divergent Universe. At least, for now they seem to have dropped the dodgy romance between Charley and Eight and the addition of our new companion - if it doesn't signal an upcoming exit for Charley - might help to deter any romantic continuance.
I can't get behind the average low rating for this one as much as I couldn't get behind the average high rating for the previous. Different strokes and different folks, of course.
As hinted at in the blurb, this has some definite dark vibes. Nothing quite like eating a clone of yourself (I'm looking at you Scherzo), but being genetically altered and then forcefully impregnated is one hell of a dark thread. Actually, the more I think about it the more I can't decide which is worse. They're both terribly dark concepts.
Perhaps that's what we should come to expect in the Divergent Universe. At least, for now they seem to have dropped the dodgy romance between Charley and Eight and the addition of our new companion - if it doesn't signal an upcoming exit for Charley - might help to deter any romantic continuance.
I can't get behind the average low rating for this one as much as I couldn't get behind the average high rating for the previous. Different strokes and different folks, of course.
April 16, 2021
Well this was bad. Some good ideas in there, but none of them were well executed and there isn't a lot to praise when it comes to the writing in my opinion. The story feels so long, it drags badly. I can take scenes of the 8th Doctor standing around and talking to/at creatures and foes (hi Doctor Who: Embrace the Darkness) but it can't save the story when I have issues with almost everything else.
First off, the alien voices. Not that Big Finish stories don't have hard to understand, screechy, annoying alien voices, but when all your characters except The Doctor and companions have those, please go easy on the effects. It was unpleasant to listen to, and hard to make out important plot details, not helping engagement with the story. Speaking of, this is unfortunately the introduction story to new companion C'rizz. Bad luck, buddy. Not only the story is lackluster but his backstory isn't very interesting. If it wasn't for knowing he's joining the TARDIS team, I would've thought he's just a one-off character.
Charlie, our main companion up to this point, doesn't fair much better. In fact she fares worse, the story sidelines her badly and doesn't give her a lot to do. I get we need to introduce a new companion, but it's possible to do it without nerfing the more experienced one. What happens to Charlie is even more questionable. To an extent, everyone is a little helpless, the Kromon were overpowered for sure, but The Doctor gets good stuff and dialogue when he's captured, C'rizz gets emotional stuff. Charlie is unconscious, has to be saved and has things done to her, while the two male characters argue whether she can be saved or not. Was this truly necessary?? The fact that the only thing Philip Martin came up with for the two (!) female characters in his story is turning them into hybrid insect queens who give "birth" to more insects is troubling. It strips female characters of their agency and puts them in damsel in distress positions. Getting captured is something that happens to companions all the time, yes. In itself, it's not an issue. Yet this is very gendered in a way that's uncomfortable and gross.
Not surprisingly that Martin also penned two TV stories featuring the Sixth Doctor, an era when the companion, Peri is treated badly on several occasions by writers, men and male villains creep on her and capture her a lot. I was also uncomfortable with the Doctor and C'rizz debating Charlie's fate almost as if she was an object. It gave me Marvel Comics House of M vibes, when superheroes debate what to do with a grieving and mentally unstable Scarlet Witch, and the conversations around her kind of forget she's a human being. It's not as bad as that, The Doctor clearly cares about Charlie and knows she's person. But the female companion needing help from The Doctor and the brand new male companion immediately after the latter appears is not a good look. I hope this is just a fluke and not a sign of things to come. Also, C'rizz advocating for killing Charlie on several occasions is not a good way to endear him to the audience. I understand he thinks she can't be saved but he doesn't seem to care at all.
Not a BF I'd recommend, unless someone really wants to listen to the introduction of C'rizz.
First off, the alien voices. Not that Big Finish stories don't have hard to understand, screechy, annoying alien voices, but when all your characters except The Doctor and companions have those, please go easy on the effects. It was unpleasant to listen to, and hard to make out important plot details, not helping engagement with the story. Speaking of, this is unfortunately the introduction story to new companion C'rizz. Bad luck, buddy. Not only the story is lackluster but his backstory isn't very interesting. If it wasn't for knowing he's joining the TARDIS team, I would've thought he's just a one-off character.
Charlie, our main companion up to this point, doesn't fair much better. In fact she fares worse, the story sidelines her badly and doesn't give her a lot to do. I get we need to introduce a new companion, but it's possible to do it without nerfing the more experienced one. What happens to Charlie is even more questionable. To an extent, everyone is a little helpless, the Kromon were overpowered for sure, but The Doctor gets good stuff and dialogue when he's captured, C'rizz gets emotional stuff. Charlie is unconscious, has to be saved and has things done to her, while the two male characters argue whether she can be saved or not. Was this truly necessary?? The fact that the only thing Philip Martin came up with for the two (!) female characters in his story is turning them into hybrid insect queens who give "birth" to more insects is troubling. It strips female characters of their agency and puts them in damsel in distress positions. Getting captured is something that happens to companions all the time, yes. In itself, it's not an issue. Yet this is very gendered in a way that's uncomfortable and gross.
Not surprisingly that Martin also penned two TV stories featuring the Sixth Doctor, an era when the companion, Peri is treated badly on several occasions by writers, men and male villains creep on her and capture her a lot. I was also uncomfortable with the Doctor and C'rizz debating Charlie's fate almost as if she was an object. It gave me Marvel Comics House of M vibes, when superheroes debate what to do with a grieving and mentally unstable Scarlet Witch, and the conversations around her kind of forget she's a human being. It's not as bad as that, The Doctor clearly cares about Charlie and knows she's person. But the female companion needing help from The Doctor and the brand new male companion immediately after the latter appears is not a good look. I hope this is just a fluke and not a sign of things to come. Also, C'rizz advocating for killing Charlie on several occasions is not a good way to endear him to the audience. I understand he thinks she can't be saved but he doesn't seem to care at all.
Not a BF I'd recommend, unless someone really wants to listen to the introduction of C'rizz.
March 4, 2013
It's not the best 8th Doctor adventure by a long way; it's also not the worst but the balance is tipped more in this direction.
The story is pretty standard fayre for Who adventures with a society opressed by, if not evil then unpleasant, overseers. The Doctor and companion arrive and immediately get involved. There is capture, quite a lot of running and eventually an unsurprising ending. All OK but not the most interesting of stories. The mysteries of the zones, who created them, why, and how are briefly introduced but I felt that far more could have been made of this.
As far as characters go there were moments I felt that the prinicpal leads acted rather out of character. Particularly the Doctor who was more ruthless than other stories have portrayed him. The new addition to the crew, C'rizz is introduced here and, frankly, made very little impression. Vacillating between being rather pathetic and rather agressive I don't think his character has been truly established yet.
All in all I didn't find this unpleasant to listen to but I'm not sure I'll be back for a repeat any time soon.
The story is pretty standard fayre for Who adventures with a society opressed by, if not evil then unpleasant, overseers. The Doctor and companion arrive and immediately get involved. There is capture, quite a lot of running and eventually an unsurprising ending. All OK but not the most interesting of stories. The mysteries of the zones, who created them, why, and how are briefly introduced but I felt that far more could have been made of this.
As far as characters go there were moments I felt that the prinicpal leads acted rather out of character. Particularly the Doctor who was more ruthless than other stories have portrayed him. The new addition to the crew, C'rizz is introduced here and, frankly, made very little impression. Vacillating between being rather pathetic and rather agressive I don't think his character has been truly established yet.
All in all I didn't find this unpleasant to listen to but I'm not sure I'll be back for a repeat any time soon.
November 14, 2017
A bit of a mess, really. Sadly, it has a lot of continuity meat in it, so I'd say that if you really want to make a run of the Eighth Doctor as a whole or the Divergent arc particularly, you should give it a listen. The nature of the "zones" and the experiments and Kro'ka. Most importantly it introduces us to C'Rizz who remains a companion for some time.
However, the story is a bunch of ideas just sort of tossed together, none of them particularly well realized. There's a sort of body horror thing that feels forced and is much more effective in the previous story "Scherzo". About halfway through it starts to resemble a kind of broad political parody, ala "The Sunmakers". Just a hodgepodge of ideas.
And poor Charlie. Could we give her a break? This one seems to push putting her in peril one step too far. It just seems cruel. Add on to the that one of your cheapest plot resolutions ever and you've got a slog to get through.
However, the story is a bunch of ideas just sort of tossed together, none of them particularly well realized. There's a sort of body horror thing that feels forced and is much more effective in the previous story "Scherzo". About halfway through it starts to resemble a kind of broad political parody, ala "The Sunmakers". Just a hodgepodge of ideas.
And poor Charlie. Could we give her a break? This one seems to push putting her in peril one step too far. It just seems cruel. Add on to the that one of your cheapest plot resolutions ever and you've got a slog to get through.
June 18, 2023
Dusted off my goodreads to review this one specifically cause I’m not seeing ANYONE being harsh enough online, and I was blindsided when I started listening. The introduction of a new companion (who I do like so far, C’rizz is fun) is absolutely not worth the price of admission.
This story is deeply uncomfortable audibly (lots of burping coughing slurping), and the treatment of Charley was so egregious I’m shocked it got approved, voice acted, and published. There is some fetish stuff on display here I’m convinced.
I’ve been going through the stories of Eight’s pre adventures run, and this is the first one I genuinely considered skipping wholesale. It has redeemable moments, but the truth is that I was made uncomfortable from the moment the aliens said Charley was of ‘breeding age’, and that situation only got worse.
Absolutely flabbergasted. The voice acting was as stellar as always, but this didn’t feel like Doctor Who at all.
This story is deeply uncomfortable audibly (lots of burping coughing slurping), and the treatment of Charley was so egregious I’m shocked it got approved, voice acted, and published. There is some fetish stuff on display here I’m convinced.
I’ve been going through the stories of Eight’s pre adventures run, and this is the first one I genuinely considered skipping wholesale. It has redeemable moments, but the truth is that I was made uncomfortable from the moment the aliens said Charley was of ‘breeding age’, and that situation only got worse.
Absolutely flabbergasted. The voice acting was as stellar as always, but this didn’t feel like Doctor Who at all.
September 6, 2021
This is the story which is supposed to properly introduce the listeners to the Divergent Universe, a different universe with different physical laws. Instead, it focuses on the Kromon, a race of termite-like creatures obsessed with bureaucracy. This glaring social trait could have been basis for satire, or at least some form of comedy had it been properly explored or leaned into, however it is played straight for the most part which effectively renders the Kromon as uninteresting villains. Its only saving grace is probably the introduction of C'rizz, which nevertheless could have been fleshed out more thoroughly and with greater subtlety.
By virtue of its placement within the arc, and due to being sandwiched between the masterpiece that is Scherzo and the brilliant The Natural History of Fear, the aggressive mediocrity of this story ends up feeling very disappointing.
By virtue of its placement within the arc, and due to being sandwiched between the masterpiece that is Scherzo and the brilliant The Natural History of Fear, the aggressive mediocrity of this story ends up feeling very disappointing.
April 23, 2022
(plotline: The Divergent Universe)
Note: This drama includes graphic and potentially upsetting depictions of body horror, sexual assault, sexism, suicide, and torture.
-
This audio does get quite depressing. I forgot what a rough ride meeting C'rizz was (I have a fondness for him, even if the writers don't.)
8 is not very sympathetic towards Charley and what she is going through here, despite them all being captured by the kromons. I think he is still bitter about what happened in Scherzo and how she followed him into this universe, but she is sacrificing everything as well to be with him.
March 11, 2020
This audio was... disappointing. After such a good story with Scherzo one has higher expectations. The highlight of this story for me? C’rizz. The plot was lacking, but in order to understand why a third companion shows up in this Divergent universe, you need to listen to this.
July 18, 2023
This made for some uncomfortable listening, mostly because of what happened to Charley. Could the writer not have given her something better to do? Instead of throwing the sexist "Breeding Slave" trope at her? Disappointing. But I quite liked C'Rizz.
October 30, 2023
Excellent sound design from Big Finish, as usual, but the actual play? Nothing happens, no actual plot, lots of sounds effects with no context, no sense of a story whatsoever. Listening to this after Scherzo was night after day.
January 23, 2021
Part1
見えない壁を辿って歩き続けていたドクターとチャーリーだが、チャーリーが虫のようなものに襲われていると悲鳴をあげる。ドクターが虫を追い払うことに成功すると、2人はオレンジ色の空と砂漠が広がる世界にいた。クロカと名乗る謎の声がチャーリーの頭の中で話しかけてきたかと思うと飛行船で燃え死んだことなどチャーリーの記憶をさぐってくる。クロカはドクターに対してはやけにターディスについて興味をもって尋ねてきた。ターディスを探しているところだというとドクターとチャーリーに行ってもいいと許可をだす。すると不意に空から攻撃を受け、2人は慌てて身を隠す。土煙の中にもう1人逃げまどう者の異星人の姿を見つけ、攻撃が収まったところで近づいていく。異世人の名はケリーズといい、恋人のライダとクロモンというこの辺りを支配する種族に捕まったという。機会を見つけケリーズは拘束を逃れ、ラウダを助けに行くつもりだという。3人は行動を共にするが砂嵐に巻き込まれ、途中でケリーズの友人オルガに助けられるものの、クロモンに再び拘束されてしまう。
Part2
クロモンの本拠地に連行されたドクターとチャーリー、ケリーズ、オルガ。オルガとは引き離され、それぞれ尋問される。ケリーズの陽動作戦でドクターとチャーリーは脱出を試みる。ドクターはクロモンがデータに執着していること気がつき、端末機を見つけデータベースにアクセスしてみる。データによると3人とも洗脳に成功という表示になっていた。さらにそこでケリーズの恋人ライダのデータを見つけ、ライダが遺伝子研究課のあるフロアに配属されていることを知り、救出に向かう。途中でフード担当のクロモンに遭遇してしまい迷子になったとごまかすが、ケリーズと引き離され、ドクターとチャーリーは2人の担当区画を決めるための面接をそれぞれ受けさせられる。ドクターはクロモンの宇宙開発計画のコンサルタントに任命される。ドクターは自分のアシストにチャーリーが必要というと、チャーリーが遺伝子研究課に配属されたときかされる。その頃ケリスはライダを見つけるがライダはクロモンの形態に作り変えられ繁殖を強いられていた。ライダはケリスに殺してくれと懇願し、ケリスはドクターの制止を振り切ってライダを殺す。
Part3
ライダ殺害の罪で逮捕された3人。遺伝子研究課はライダの代わりにチャーリーを要求。宇宙開発計画課はドクターが持つ情報を引き出したいと身柄を要求。ケリスは見せしめに公開処刑を言い渡される。ドクターはターディスの作り方を尋問される。はぐらかしてばかりのドクターに焦れたクロモンは薬を使ってドクターを従順にし、ターディスの構築を手伝わせる。チャーリーはクロモンの子を産むこちが可能なように身体を作り変えられていた。ケリスは水に沈められていたが、オルグに助けられる。
Part4
試運転で爆発を起こし、ドクターはチャーリーを助けに遺伝子研究課に向かう。その途中でケリスとオルグと合流。クロモンの追っ手から身を隠しながら、チャーリーを救う方法を考える。ケリスはチャーリーがライダのようになっていたら殺すべきだとドクターにいうがドクターは拒む。その頃チャーリーは身も心もクロモンに捧げるよう完全に洗脳されていた。クロモンはライダから産まれたクロモンの幼生をチャーリーに育てさせようとしていた。
感想
引き続きドクターとチャーリーのもう一つの宇宙での冒険ということになると思うのだが、またまたかなり不気味な話だ。”クロモンという蜂をモデルにしたエイリアンにドクターとチャーリーが捕まり、クロモンの社会システムの中に組み込まれそうになるところを脱出する“という一見ドクターが巻き込まれる通常の冒険のようでもあるのだが、どうやら2人は何らかの実験対象にされているらしい示唆が冒頭とラストにある。そこを差っ引いても、チャーリーが受けた洗脳は完全に消えていないという啓示もあり、この先が不安だ。ターディスとははぐれたまま。旅の仲間にケリスが加わるが、ケリスの存在も少々不気味だ。加えて飛行船で焼け死んだ記憶がチャーリーの中にあるというのも驚き。こちらに追放されたことで、パラドックスの括りから解放されたということにはなっていないということなのか。ケリスがチャーリーをシャーロットと呼ぶことに拘ることも気になるし、なんだか先行きに不安しかない。とりあえずはドクターがターディスと無事に再会できることを祈るしかないのか。なんだか当分モヤモヤした話が続きそうな予感がする。どんな仕掛けが施されているのか全体像が明らかになる時が楽しみでもあるけれど。
見えない壁を辿って歩き続けていたドクターとチャーリーだが、チャーリーが虫のようなものに襲われていると悲鳴をあげる。ドクターが虫を追い払うことに成功すると、2人はオレンジ色の空と砂漠が広がる世界にいた。クロカと名乗る謎の声がチャーリーの頭の中で話しかけてきたかと思うと飛行船で燃え死んだことなどチャーリーの記憶をさぐってくる。クロカはドクターに対してはやけにターディスについて興味をもって尋ねてきた。ターディスを探しているところだというとドクターとチャーリーに行ってもいいと許可をだす。すると不意に空から攻撃を受け、2人は慌てて身を隠す。土煙の中にもう1人逃げまどう者の異星人の姿を見つけ、攻撃が収まったところで近づいていく。異世人の名はケリーズといい、恋人のライダとクロモンというこの辺りを支配する種族に捕まったという。機会を見つけケリーズは拘束を逃れ、ラウダを助けに行くつもりだという。3人は行動を共にするが砂嵐に巻き込まれ、途中でケリーズの友人オルガに助けられるものの、クロモンに再び拘束されてしまう。
Part2
クロモンの本拠地に連行されたドクターとチャーリー、ケリーズ、オルガ。オルガとは引き離され、それぞれ尋問される。ケリーズの陽動作戦でドクターとチャーリーは脱出を試みる。ドクターはクロモンがデータに執着していること気がつき、端末機を見つけデータベースにアクセスしてみる。データによると3人とも洗脳に成功という表示になっていた。さらにそこでケリーズの恋人ライダのデータを見つけ、ライダが遺伝子研究課のあるフロアに配属されていることを知り、救出に向かう。途中でフード担当のクロモンに遭遇してしまい迷子になったとごまかすが、ケリーズと引き離され、ドクターとチャーリーは2人の担当区画を決めるための面接をそれぞれ受けさせられる。ドクターはクロモンの宇宙開発計画のコンサルタントに任命される。ドクターは自分のアシストにチャーリーが必要というと、チャーリーが遺伝子研究課に配属されたときかされる。その頃ケリスはライダを見つけるがライダはクロモンの形態に作り変えられ繁殖を強いられていた。ライダはケリスに殺してくれと懇願し、ケリスはドクターの制止を振り切ってライダを殺す。
Part3
ライダ殺害の罪で逮捕された3人。遺伝子研究課はライダの代わりにチャーリーを要求。宇宙開発計画課はドクターが持つ情報を引き出したいと身柄を要求。ケリスは見せしめに公開処刑を言い渡される。ドクターはターディスの作り方を尋問される。はぐらかしてばかりのドクターに焦れたクロモンは薬を使ってドクターを従順にし、ターディスの構築を手伝わせる。チャーリーはクロモンの子を産むこちが可能なように身体を作り変えられていた。ケリスは水に沈められていたが、オルグに助けられる。
Part4
試運転で爆発を起こし、ドクターはチャーリーを助けに遺伝子研究課に向かう。その途中でケリスとオルグと合流。クロモンの追っ手から身を隠しながら、チャーリーを救う方法を考える。ケリスはチャーリーがライダのようになっていたら殺すべきだとドクターにいうがドクターは拒む。その頃チャーリーは身も心もクロモンに捧げるよう完全に洗脳されていた。クロモンはライダから産まれたクロモンの幼生をチャーリーに育てさせようとしていた。
感想
引き続きドクターとチャーリーのもう一つの宇宙での冒険ということになると思うのだが、またまたかなり不気味な話だ。”クロモンという蜂をモデルにしたエイリアンにドクターとチャーリーが捕まり、クロモンの社会システムの中に組み込まれそうになるところを脱出する“という一見ドクターが巻き込まれる通常の冒険のようでもあるのだが、どうやら2人は何らかの実験対象にされているらしい示唆が冒頭とラストにある。そこを差っ引いても、チャーリーが受けた洗脳は完全に消えていないという啓示もあり、この先が不安だ。ターディスとははぐれたまま。旅の仲間にケリスが加わるが、ケリスの存在も少々不気味だ。加えて飛行船で焼け死んだ記憶がチャーリーの中にあるというのも驚き。こちらに追放されたことで、パラドックスの括りから解放されたということにはなっていないということなのか。ケリスがチャーリーをシャーロットと呼ぶことに拘ることも気になるし、なんだか先行きに不安しかない。とりあえずはドクターがターディスと無事に再会できることを祈るしかないのか。なんだか当分モヤモヤした話が続きそうな予感がする。どんな仕掛けが施されているのか全体像が明らかになる時が楽しみでもあるけれど。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2024
😑36% = Bad! = Leave it!
Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!
IT'S THE NEW WEB PLANET!
The Creed of the Kromon picks up where Scherzo left us, with the Doctor and Charley looking for the TARDIS while coming across a desert world filled with anthills and the giant, insect-like Kromon. Is this another The Web Planet (1965)?
Kro'ka, the creepy and playful guardian of the Kromon zone, allows the Doctor and Charley to enter the lands to search for the TARDIS, and this is where their real struggles begin.
Philip Martin builds a story that has very similar vibes to his previous TV work for Doctor Who (Vengeance on Varos); it’s pretty bleak and unnerving, but not effectively engaging like Scherzo. The story primarily revolves around the Kromon's use of the Doctor and Charley to uncover the TARDIS' secrets, yet it is excessively long, sluggish, and sporadically impactful.
Paul McGann and India Fisher are always reliable, but they feel very underwhelming here. It's a pity, since Charley in particular goes through quite a tough time (again) in this one.
Conrad Westmaas introduces us to our new companion, C'rizz. He offers a unique perspective as an alien with the ability to alter his skin tone to blend in with his surroundings. The story gives him ample opportunities to shine and portrays him as a passionate, decisive character, yet understanding him remains somewhat challenging.
The alien side characters blend into each other, and this release goes overboard with their voices.
This one has a pretty good sound design to capture the dusty and barren setting, and the simple but unnerving music is also nice.
A lot of this story has a strange aura to it, and I rarely felt engaged by the story surrounding poisons, mind control, and scientific experiments. It’s all a bit naff and devoid of excitement. That being said, the body horror aspects are fairly effective, and the darker themes popping up here and there give this one a more serious tone.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Well, this is a huge step down from Scherzo. The story is painfully slow, bizarre in all the wrong ways, and features themes that don't land as intended. It's only relevant for C'rizz's introduction.
Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!
IT'S THE NEW WEB PLANET!
The Creed of the Kromon picks up where Scherzo left us, with the Doctor and Charley looking for the TARDIS while coming across a desert world filled with anthills and the giant, insect-like Kromon. Is this another The Web Planet (1965)?
Kro'ka, the creepy and playful guardian of the Kromon zone, allows the Doctor and Charley to enter the lands to search for the TARDIS, and this is where their real struggles begin.
Philip Martin builds a story that has very similar vibes to his previous TV work for Doctor Who (Vengeance on Varos); it’s pretty bleak and unnerving, but not effectively engaging like Scherzo. The story primarily revolves around the Kromon's use of the Doctor and Charley to uncover the TARDIS' secrets, yet it is excessively long, sluggish, and sporadically impactful.
Paul McGann and India Fisher are always reliable, but they feel very underwhelming here. It's a pity, since Charley in particular goes through quite a tough time (again) in this one.
Conrad Westmaas introduces us to our new companion, C'rizz. He offers a unique perspective as an alien with the ability to alter his skin tone to blend in with his surroundings. The story gives him ample opportunities to shine and portrays him as a passionate, decisive character, yet understanding him remains somewhat challenging.
The alien side characters blend into each other, and this release goes overboard with their voices.
This one has a pretty good sound design to capture the dusty and barren setting, and the simple but unnerving music is also nice.
A lot of this story has a strange aura to it, and I rarely felt engaged by the story surrounding poisons, mind control, and scientific experiments. It’s all a bit naff and devoid of excitement. That being said, the body horror aspects are fairly effective, and the darker themes popping up here and there give this one a more serious tone.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Well, this is a huge step down from Scherzo. The story is painfully slow, bizarre in all the wrong ways, and features themes that don't land as intended. It's only relevant for C'rizz's introduction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2024
pretty average story, but as worldbuilding/character stuff goes it's quite nice and i think the conflict between the main characters is pulled off well, esp. with the detail of him only calling her "charlotte" and her calling him "that man." you also kind of get the sense that he just literally doesn't care about her anymore. some might see that as a weakness, but it definitely follows from the events in scherzo. though this isn't the best installment, i'm looking forward to seeing where things go.
December 3, 2025
Funny that Varos gets a mention here as this whole story is JNT 6 era vibes. The horror here is unique. This is an interesting story where the abstract elements are the make of break for this season. For many it doesn't work but I feel the atmosphere of this world and I enjoyed it a good bit.
May 28, 2020
Surprisingly, this didn't feel as eventful as Scherzo. It introduces a new companion named C'rizz, though, so you'll just have to power through it.
August 12, 2020
3.5 A story about an enslaved population with a couple disturbing body horror scenes.
December 6, 2021
Well, that’s a thing that happened I guess? :/
June 8, 2022
This one was okay. Not as good as the previous installment.
April 2, 2024
Was a bit ok i guess
June 13, 2024
It felt like the ending of a chapter, not a full standalone story. I generally like McGann stories much better.
July 21, 2024
Starts strong. Kinda dies by the end.
December 20, 2024
8th doctor and charlie meet c'rizz, who is very insinct based, and his race loves to kill and get violent. They show C'rizz control, and he travels with them.
November 19, 2023
This play seems to always be overshadowed by it's predecessor Doctor Who: Scherzo. When you listen to it on its own it is not a bad listen. The story does feel somewhat forced in the setting it's supposed to be in and could have been told in a regular Who story.
September 21, 2020
6/10
Verdict: Recommended
I'm not a fan of this audio. I found the majority of it boring. I didn't like the setting, though I liked the variety in creatures, particularly the mole like species.
This is an alright introduction to K'Rizz, but his big origin story is a bit naff. I thought the body horror was chilling, but some awkward voice acting during a crucial scene sort of took away the suspense for me. It's made worse that this section repeats in multiple stories past this point, having the same effect whenever it comes up.
The main threat of the story seems like it will be interesting, but the further it goes the more generic they feel. Overall, it's a story that has an interesting start with some really great 'visuals', but under it all it is very typical who.
Verdict: Recommended
I'm not a fan of this audio. I found the majority of it boring. I didn't like the setting, though I liked the variety in creatures, particularly the mole like species.
This is an alright introduction to K'Rizz, but his big origin story is a bit naff. I thought the body horror was chilling, but some awkward voice acting during a crucial scene sort of took away the suspense for me. It's made worse that this section repeats in multiple stories past this point, having the same effect whenever it comes up.
The main threat of the story seems like it will be interesting, but the further it goes the more generic they feel. Overall, it's a story that has an interesting start with some really great 'visuals', but under it all it is very typical who.
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