Doctor Who: The Abandoned

The Fourth Doctor Adventures #3.7

by Nigel Fairs (Author/Narrator), Louise Jameson (Author/Narrator), Tom Baker (Narrator)

The Point of Stillness. A place the Time Lords are forbidden to go. It cannot be drawn, it cannot be whispered, it cannot be thought. And yet somebody is very keen to reach it.

Deep within the TARDIS, something unusual is happening. One of the ship's oldest secrets is about to be revealed, and once it is, nothing will ever be the same again.

As danger materialises deep within the ship, spectral strangers lurk in the corridors and bizarre events flood the rooms, someone long-forgotten is ready to reappear. The Doctor and Leela are soon to discover that their home isn't quite the safe stronghold they thought.

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

Audio CD

First published July 1, 2014

About the author

Nigel Fairs is a voice actor, director and writer for Big Finish Productions. Although a contributor to the main Doctor Who and Bernice Summerfield lines, he is perhaps most associated with The Companion Chronicles. He was also involved with several BBV Productions audio stories.

In the 1980's he was heavily involved in the fan-produced stories made by Audio Visuals, where he starred as the Doctor's companion Truman Crouch and also wrote several episodes. He was later involved in writing and producing a series of audio plays collectively entitled Pisces, which were promoted as being like "Doctor Who with teeth."

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

After directing an entry in the Companion Chronicles line earlier this year, Louise Jameson tries her hand at writing with The Abandoned.

And while her directing debut was a winner, I'll have to admit that her script debut is a bit hit or miss. There are some intriguing ideas here, including an exploration of the nature of the TARDIS and some depth to the relationship of the Doctor and Leela that we couldn't necessarily see in the classic era, but I'm not sure that the story as a whole translates well into the audio arena. Jameson is quite good as Leela and gives herself a lot of stretching to do. But there are moments during The Abandoned that I felt might work better on the TV screen or printed page -- whether it be a straight text story or a comic book adaptation.

That puts the fourth Doctor adventures third season at two stories in a row that had some promise but didn't quite gel together for me. It also makes me begin to doubt very much if the range will deliver on the promise from the early installments of the season that had me eager to hear the next story. I feel like the range has dropped the ball a bit.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly wonderful! Louise did an excellent job creating an atmospheric story with interesting characterisation.

[Shawn Deal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this one quite a bit. I found it just a bit hard to follow. I liked what the writers were trying to do with it but... it got a bit confusing through it all.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept--looking into the history of the Tardis--was interesting. However, the execution fell short and was hard to follow at times. Maybe it is because there was a television episode with a later Doctor that explored hearing voices and reality vs. fantasy, it also felt like it lacked some originality. However, there were moments of humor that I enjoyed, especially Leela painting.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 3 out of 5]

A superbly imaginative and dark concept, engendering a bottle episode that would have topped the TV ratings. The story, however, has too ambitious and disorientating a visual element for audio. The production lets the script down by not streamlining its cacophonous madness.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

bit of a confusing mess. I guess its nice that they're exploring Leela and her complex emotions on how things with the Doctor have gone and how its kind of ruined her life (something they didn't explore on screen).

[April Mccaffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was an odd experience! Not sure if I like it or dislike it so average for now xD

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Big Finish audio written by a woman? They'll be getting the vote next.

[Melenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF @ 16%

[Debra Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Doctor and Leela are trapped in the Tardis with imaginary people making them made.

[Xavier Granville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome! A top notch audio drama with brilliant writing, acting, music and sound effects. I love how Big Finish can continuously create new and interesting continuity within the Doctor Who universe, and Louise Jameson as Leela has shined almost as brightly as Tom Baker in these last few episodes. Their chemistry is awesome, and they've really done great things with Leela's character. Top notch!

[Richard Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good stuff. Love it when the audio dramas get a little weird or experimental and Louise Jameson and Nigel Fairs have done that here. Also excellent to get a little history with previous owners/pilots of the Tardis mentioned.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather too mystical and fairy-tale like for a Doctor Who story ...

[Luiz Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5