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Big Finish: Monthly Range #192
Doctor Who: The Widow's Assassin
Once, long ago, in a land of monsters and corridors, a fair maiden was captured, and placed in a deep sleep.
She was used to being captured, and she had a hero who rescued her on just such occasions. But this time the hero never came.
And the fair maiden slept on.
Eventually, a King rescued the maiden, and made her his bride, which many wise old women might tell you is just another way of capturing fair maidens.
And still the fair maiden slept on.
Then, the hero had another stab at rescuing the maiden from her prison, but he was too late. And, more importantly, he had forgotten the rules of fairy tales.
He didn’t slay the dragon.
She was used to being captured, and she had a hero who rescued her on just such occasions. But this time the hero never came.
And the fair maiden slept on.
Eventually, a King rescued the maiden, and made her his bride, which many wise old women might tell you is just another way of capturing fair maidens.
And still the fair maiden slept on.
Then, the hero had another stab at rescuing the maiden from her prison, but he was too late. And, more importantly, he had forgotten the rules of fairy tales.
He didn’t slay the dragon.
Audio CD
First published October 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Nev Fountain
52 books45 followersNev Fountain, born Steven John Fountain, is an English writer, best known for his comedy work with writing partner Tom Jamieson on the radio and television programme 'Dead Ringers'.
He is currently writing for Dead Ringers and the satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
He has written three humorous murder-mystery novels, collectively called 'The Mervyn Stone Mysteries', and a serious thriller called 'Painkiller'.
His latest book, 'The Fan Who Knew Too Much' was released in July this year.
Nev was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire and now resides in Surrey.
He is currently writing for Dead Ringers and the satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
He has written three humorous murder-mystery novels, collectively called 'The Mervyn Stone Mysteries', and a serious thriller called 'Painkiller'.
His latest book, 'The Fan Who Knew Too Much' was released in July this year.
Nev was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire and now resides in Surrey.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 4, 2015
Of all the classic series Doctors to work with Big Finish, it's Colin Baker's sixth Doctor whose benefited the most. Given a chance to show that he could shine when given the right material, Baker has finally been given the type of material that many of us wish he'd seen during his (too-short) tenure as the Doctor.
"The Widow's Assassin" is another sterling example of not only how good the sixth Doctor could be, but how well Peri could have worked as a companion. Driven by guilt over the fate of a previous companion, the Doctor seeks out Peri to try and figure out why she didn't wait for him to come back for her on Thoros Beta and why she didn't send him an invitation to her wedding to King Yrcanos. Queen Peri is none too happy with the Doctor and has him immediately thrown in the dungeon, figuring he'll work his way out and abscond in the TARDIS. But when Yrcanos is killed on their wedding night, the Doctor waits in the dungeon for five years for his former companion to forgive him and to ask him to look into the matter.
If you think I'm giving away a lot of the story, I can assure I'm not. "The Widow's Assassin" moves at a confident, energetic pace and all of what I related to you takes place in the first installment of the story. Nev Fountain layers in some interesting twists, turns and some actual humor into one of the more entertaining, fun and well done Big Finish installments I've listened to in a long time. The concept of having two guards named Guard One and Guard Two is mined for a lot of humor and you may even find yourself coming to like these two characters as much as the sixth Doctor does during his incarceration.
The only thing that drags the story down is an overly complicated (and long) final episode. The story explores some of the themes from the new series, but the story never wears out its welcome. In fact, it's one of the few I find myself wanting to listen to again because of how confident and well-told it is.
"The Widow's Assassin" is another sterling example of not only how good the sixth Doctor could be, but how well Peri could have worked as a companion. Driven by guilt over the fate of a previous companion, the Doctor seeks out Peri to try and figure out why she didn't wait for him to come back for her on Thoros Beta and why she didn't send him an invitation to her wedding to King Yrcanos. Queen Peri is none too happy with the Doctor and has him immediately thrown in the dungeon, figuring he'll work his way out and abscond in the TARDIS. But when Yrcanos is killed on their wedding night, the Doctor waits in the dungeon for five years for his former companion to forgive him and to ask him to look into the matter.
If you think I'm giving away a lot of the story, I can assure I'm not. "The Widow's Assassin" moves at a confident, energetic pace and all of what I related to you takes place in the first installment of the story. Nev Fountain layers in some interesting twists, turns and some actual humor into one of the more entertaining, fun and well done Big Finish installments I've listened to in a long time. The concept of having two guards named Guard One and Guard Two is mined for a lot of humor and you may even find yourself coming to like these two characters as much as the sixth Doctor does during his incarceration.
The only thing that drags the story down is an overly complicated (and long) final episode. The story explores some of the themes from the new series, but the story never wears out its welcome. In fact, it's one of the few I find myself wanting to listen to again because of how confident and well-told it is.
October 6, 2018
The departure of Peri as companion has to rank as one of the least satisfying in the TV show's history (although there are other contenders for that honour...) Here, Big Finish tries to make sense of it with a story in which the Doctor turns up to attend Peri's subsequent marriage to King Yrcanos, and, in doing so, discovers her real motives for leaving him. Given that the story is written by Nev Fountain, it should also be no surprise to discover that it's a comedy.
What's good about it is that the story works on multiple levels. The comedy elements are often daft, with many of the characters over-the-top absurd (as an example, the two palace guards are literally named 'Guard One' and 'Guard Two'). But they work well, with some great lines, a good sense of comic timing, and, at times, a good use of the audio format to spring surprises on the listener.
But, on top of that, the story is quite complex, playing with time travel, and red herrings being thrown out for the murder mystery that forms the core of the tale - the villain's identity remains a secret for most of the run time. It's also a fitting sequel to Mindwarp and a more believable (if convoluted) explanation of what really happened than we got in The Ultimate Foe. This time, we get an ending that's much fairer to Peri.
Perhaps one of the most notable things, though, is the sheer number of characters the actors are called on to portray. Even Baker and Bryant are by no means restricted to their usual roles, and the results of that are some of the best in the play.
It's not one for those who like straightforward stories, and the way it subverts a lot of what happened in Mindwarp might not please those who actually liked that story. (I didn't, which may have helped). But I felt this was a great balance of comedy and drama... and yet another example of why Colin Baker is so good in this role when he's given a decent script.
What's good about it is that the story works on multiple levels. The comedy elements are often daft, with many of the characters over-the-top absurd (as an example, the two palace guards are literally named 'Guard One' and 'Guard Two'). But they work well, with some great lines, a good sense of comic timing, and, at times, a good use of the audio format to spring surprises on the listener.
But, on top of that, the story is quite complex, playing with time travel, and red herrings being thrown out for the murder mystery that forms the core of the tale - the villain's identity remains a secret for most of the run time. It's also a fitting sequel to Mindwarp and a more believable (if convoluted) explanation of what really happened than we got in The Ultimate Foe. This time, we get an ending that's much fairer to Peri.
Perhaps one of the most notable things, though, is the sheer number of characters the actors are called on to portray. Even Baker and Bryant are by no means restricted to their usual roles, and the results of that are some of the best in the play.
It's not one for those who like straightforward stories, and the way it subverts a lot of what happened in Mindwarp might not please those who actually liked that story. (I didn't, which may have helped). But I felt this was a great balance of comedy and drama... and yet another example of why Colin Baker is so good in this role when he's given a decent script.
January 28, 2019
One of the finest audios I have listened to date. Not only do I adore Nev Fountains writing I have high respects to him now, after listening to this audio. Fixing the catastrophic mistake of Peri Marrying King Ycarnos but also bringing Peri back to The Tardis in a very clever way. I give this audio a 10/10.
November 1, 2023
This one touches on Peri’s exit from the series and makes really big swings as it focuses on the relationship between Peri and The Doctor. And the reveal regarding a foe of The Doctor is very satisfying.
February 21, 2021
Good story, but Colin Baker does the worst American accent.
October 11, 2024
Colin baker
He is better in these audio books than he was on the TV series
He is better in these audio books than he was on the TV series
February 10, 2017
Set after
Scavenger
, The Widow's Assassin finds the Sixth Doctor trying to find out what actually happened to Peri after the incidents on Thoros Beta (recounted the TV episode "Mindwarp"). He discovers that Peri did, indeed, marry Ycarnos. And now, as Queen, she helps mediate problems on other worlds. Or something like that. In this case, she's overseeing an alien princess's choice of husband -- three bizarre suitors who had previously courted her.
As soon as you see this is written by Nev Fountain, you know you're in for something highly entertaining and more than a little nuts. At times it seems like Fountain has been inhabited by the ghost of Douglas Adams. But while that might seem not to fit with Doctor Who, remember that Adams himself was script editor during one of the Tom Baker seasons.
This is some very funny stuff, with dense plotting, and nothing is really what it seems to be. But that only seems to add to the craziness.
And as a bonus, we also find out what happened to Flip at the end of Scavenger. (Coincidentally -- or not -- it parallels the Doctor's discovery of Peri's fate after Trial of a Time Lord.)
Nev Fountain is one of my favorite Big Finish writers, but he just doesn't write enough of 'em. Three others definitely worth checking out are The Kingmaker , Omega and Peri and the Piscon Paradox .
The only thing this episode was missing was Brian Blessed reprising his role as Ycarnos. Add that to my wishlist. Nev Fountain and Big Finish must make it happen.
As soon as you see this is written by Nev Fountain, you know you're in for something highly entertaining and more than a little nuts. At times it seems like Fountain has been inhabited by the ghost of Douglas Adams. But while that might seem not to fit with Doctor Who, remember that Adams himself was script editor during one of the Tom Baker seasons.
This is some very funny stuff, with dense plotting, and nothing is really what it seems to be. But that only seems to add to the craziness.
And as a bonus, we also find out what happened to Flip at the end of Scavenger. (Coincidentally -- or not -- it parallels the Doctor's discovery of Peri's fate after Trial of a Time Lord.)
Nev Fountain is one of my favorite Big Finish writers, but he just doesn't write enough of 'em. Three others definitely worth checking out are The Kingmaker , Omega and Peri and the Piscon Paradox .
The only thing this episode was missing was Brian Blessed reprising his role as Ycarnos. Add that to my wishlist. Nev Fountain and Big Finish must make it happen.
May 4, 2015
The case is obviously having a lot of fun with this story, but humour aside, it answers the question as to what happened to Peri during the end of her time with the Dr in the series and segues nicely into further new adventure with 6. I enjoyed the reference to Flip and Jared too - really need to catch up with the stories I'm missing.
August 6, 2016
The Doctor goes to visit Peri on her wedding day only to be held captive for 5 years. When he's released Peri has days to live. Can he figure out what's going on before she dies?
November 9, 2014
Funny and exciting 6th Doctor Who adventure...
June 23, 2015
This was a brilliant addition to the range. Nev Fountain delivered a genuinely funny story without descending into farce and silliness. One of my favourite Big Finish audios for ages!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews