Doctor Who: The Wave of Destruction

The Fourth Doctor Adventures #5.1

by Justin Richards, Tom Baker (Narrator), Lalla Ward (Narrator)

A modulated frequency wave cancellation signal isn’t something that the Doctor and Romana expect to detect in 1960s London. But then they don’t expect to find Professor Lanchester, the man who invented it, lying unconscious. Or MI5 investigating.

With the help of MI5 Agent Miller, Lanchester’s daughter Jill, and his nephew a pirate radio DJ called Mark, the Doctor, Romana and K-9 investigate. They soon discover that there is more at risk than they imagined, and an alien invasion is about to begin.

Can the Doctor identify and defeat the aliens in time? Will Romana manage to find a recombinant transducer before it’s too late? And how will K-9 cope with his new job?

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

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Justin Richards is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, and he is Creative Director for the BBC Books range. He has also written for television, contributing to Five's soap opera Family Affairs. He is also the author of a series of crime novels for children about the Invisible Detective, and novels for older children. His Doctor Who novel The Burning was placed sixth in the Top 10 of SFX magazine's "Best SF/Fantasy novelisation or TV tie-in novel" category of 2000.

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So pleased that this got released today. It was exactly what I needed. A very amusing episode. Romana was brilliant as always. I suppose partly because Justin had a lot of experience writing her in Gallifrey. There were some fantastic moments when she didn't want to go shopping and didn't want a handbag but if she did it would need to be one that fit her sonic screwdriver and robot dog! It never really occurred to me that Romana fails to fit gender stereotypes as she's always so impeccably dressed. But she does in so many ways. I loved that they said how they write her as an equal and the only companion whose as clever (or cleverer) than the Doctor. (Of course you could also say that for Zoe). But the story was fun, with Vardan invasions, radio, and incredibly silly technical details which were SO funny to hear Tom say. This was a wonderful start to the new series with Lalla and Tom. Definitely recommended and I can't wait to hear the rest. Who'd ever thought there would be new Romana and 4th Doctor audios? I'm so much happier!

[Shawn Deal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best start. The story was good, but had flow and pacing problems.

[Sara Habein · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5)

This was fine. The tone was very much like one of the just okay Classic serials of the era, but maybe different elements reminded me of too many other Doctor Who stories. 1960s London, weird signals transmitted through popular entertainment devices, etc. etc. Always enjoy hearing Romana II though, and K-9 gets some jokes in.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 3 out of 5]

This swinging sixties invasion story starts out in full flippancy mode and just barely injects enough seriousness to keep its regulars from losing all credibility. Tom Baker and Lalla Ward do ultimately walk that fine line, producing a fun if throwaway two-parter.

[Debra Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Doctor and Romana land in 1960's London and end up having to stop the Vardens from reading everyone's mind and taking over the world.

[Josh · Rating 1 out of 5]

the vardans are back.
they suck.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear I’ve heard similar radio bits somewhere else.

[Mike Rempel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Baker 💗💗💗💗💗💗

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the use of British pirate radio and 1960s fashion references but it isn't enough to carry this story.

[Rhys Causon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable banter between the characters… but that’s about it really. There was no real sense of threat. Feels like a filler episode/story.

[Sam Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is pretty good. Not my favorite fourth doctor adventure, but had a pretty good villain reveal that I wasn’t expecting.

[Richard Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff with Tom Baker, Lalla Ward and John Leeson. Would have enjoyed more of K9 as a radio DJ and good to hear the return of the Vardans.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps the weakest 4th Dr return story so far - Vardens don't make great enemies.

[Luiz Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5