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Doctor Who Unbound: The First Doctor #2
Doctor Who: Return to Marinus
The TARDIS has brought the Doctor and his companions back to the planet Marinus, one century after their previous visit. They are greeted as returning heroes, figures of legend. But something is amiss in the city of Millenius. Everybody lives in peace and harmony...whether they like it or not. The explanation is obvious. Somebody has reactivated the Conscience Machine and is set on removing free will from Marinus. Somebody - or some old enemies of the Doctor.
Audio CD
First published January 20, 2026
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10 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Morris
212 books71 followersJonathan Morris is one of the most prolific and popular writers of Doctor Who books, including the highly-regarded novels 'Festival of Death' and 'Touched by an Angel' and the recent guide to monsters, 'The Monster Vault'. He has also written numerous comic strips, most of which were collected in 'The Child of Time', and audios for BBC Audio and Big Finish, including the highly-regarded comedies 'Max Warp' and 'The Auntie Matter', as well as the adaptation of Russell T Davies’ 'Damaged Goods'.
Recently he has started his own audio production company, Average Romp. Releases include a full-cast adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Chimes', an original play, 'When Michael Met Benny', and three episodes of a SF sitcom, 'Dick Dixon in the 21st Century'.
For details visit www.averageromp.com
He also originated his own series, Vienna and script-edited the Nigel Planer series 'Jeremiah Bourne in Time'. He’s also written documentaries and for TV sketch shows.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Recently he has started his own audio production company, Average Romp. Releases include a full-cast adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Chimes', an original play, 'When Michael Met Benny', and three episodes of a SF sitcom, 'Dick Dixon in the 21st Century'.
For details visit www.averageromp.com
He also originated his own series, Vienna and script-edited the Nigel Planer series 'Jeremiah Bourne in Time'. He’s also written documentaries and for TV sketch shows.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 23, 2026
I quite enjoyed this one. Lots of fun. Keys of Marinus is a favorite of mine from the William Hartnell era. So getting a chance to return to that playground is definitely delightful and this story doesn’t disappoint. Just wonderful with a really great (and unexpected) twist!
January 21, 2026
Continuing the First Doctor’s unbound journey, the second story in the series sees The Monk’s TARDIS circuit take the team off course to the site of a previous adventure, the planet Marinus. A lot has changed in the hundred years since they last dropped in. The TARDIS team have become national heroes, the Voord have become a peaceful race, and the Daleks are now masters of Millenius!
Return to Marinus is an interesting sequel, not just to the opening in the Unbound series, but also to its TV predecessor, The Keys of Marinus. Morris’s pitch for the story takes it in a bold direction, as he morphs what is seemingly an ordinary adventure into almost an Avengers: Endgame-style team-up.
Now, before any of you walk away from this story thinking it might be a bit too bonkers of a concept to work, it does strangely manage to pull itself together by the end. The reason for this is pretty simple: Morris manages to keep the plot from overcomplicating itself.
Once the Daleks arrive on the scene, the plot basically boils down to one epic quest across Marinus to stop them. This affords the story numerous advantages. The most notable of these is Marinus’ worldbuilding. Marinus is a completely alien world filled with a host of different ecosystems. From its volcano filled with sentient lava creatures to its deserts with lakes of pure silica, their exploration throughout gives the planet a sense of scale which isn’t possible in more insular stories.
The long journeys across the planet also aid in creating moments for characterisation, or more aptly, the ever-evolving characterisation of the Voord. In the hundred years that have passed since their last visit, the Voord have had a significant change in their motivations. Under their new leadership, the Voord are no longer content with war and endless fighting, and instead, seek peace and want to help protect the world of Marinus. Their alliance ultimately plays a key role in stopping The Daleks.
Beyond the quest, there’s also a spectacular climactic twist. It involves a Dalek bait and switch, which Morris does well throughout the story to keep it under wraps. On reflection, the clues are all there, just tantalisingly out of reach.
While listening through, however, there is one glaring issue with this story: it comes with a prerequisite. Anybody wishing to engage with this story needs to have watched The Keys of Marinus. This advice is not only aimed at new fans but also at those who haven’t watched the story recently as well. There are so many references, characters and actions that tie into both stories that you’ll lose some enjoyment if you don’t.
Return to Marinus continues the Unbound range’s strong run of stories. Despite the need for a prerequisite, Jonathan Morris has more than succeeded in creating an epic adventure that’ll leave any listener on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment.
Return to Marinus is an interesting sequel, not just to the opening in the Unbound series, but also to its TV predecessor, The Keys of Marinus. Morris’s pitch for the story takes it in a bold direction, as he morphs what is seemingly an ordinary adventure into almost an Avengers: Endgame-style team-up.
Now, before any of you walk away from this story thinking it might be a bit too bonkers of a concept to work, it does strangely manage to pull itself together by the end. The reason for this is pretty simple: Morris manages to keep the plot from overcomplicating itself.
Once the Daleks arrive on the scene, the plot basically boils down to one epic quest across Marinus to stop them. This affords the story numerous advantages. The most notable of these is Marinus’ worldbuilding. Marinus is a completely alien world filled with a host of different ecosystems. From its volcano filled with sentient lava creatures to its deserts with lakes of pure silica, their exploration throughout gives the planet a sense of scale which isn’t possible in more insular stories.
The long journeys across the planet also aid in creating moments for characterisation, or more aptly, the ever-evolving characterisation of the Voord. In the hundred years that have passed since their last visit, the Voord have had a significant change in their motivations. Under their new leadership, the Voord are no longer content with war and endless fighting, and instead, seek peace and want to help protect the world of Marinus. Their alliance ultimately plays a key role in stopping The Daleks.
Beyond the quest, there’s also a spectacular climactic twist. It involves a Dalek bait and switch, which Morris does well throughout the story to keep it under wraps. On reflection, the clues are all there, just tantalisingly out of reach.
While listening through, however, there is one glaring issue with this story: it comes with a prerequisite. Anybody wishing to engage with this story needs to have watched The Keys of Marinus. This advice is not only aimed at new fans but also at those who haven’t watched the story recently as well. There are so many references, characters and actions that tie into both stories that you’ll lose some enjoyment if you don’t.
Return to Marinus continues the Unbound range’s strong run of stories. Despite the need for a prerequisite, Jonathan Morris has more than succeeded in creating an epic adventure that’ll leave any listener on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2026
Really enjoyed this. I'm enjoying this First Doctor Unbound range so far although I feel that the Unbound aspect of it is rather subtle. I liked the twist in the story too. The Keys of Marinus is one of my favourite first doctor stories because the settings they go to across the planet are so different rather than all the same like you see in a lot of modern science fiction planets like in Star Wars. It was therefore nice to me to revisit it. Can't believe I have to wait till 2027 for the next installment in this series.
February 22, 2026
the thought of Susan looking in the rear view mirror and seeing a Dalek drive that hover car sent me in hysterics!!!
A pleasant listen on my Sunday morning walk! Love love loooove the first Doctor Unbound.
A pleasant listen on my Sunday morning walk! Love love loooove the first Doctor Unbound.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews