Doctor Who: The Holy Terror

Big Finish: Monthly Range #14

by Robert Shearman, Colin Baker (Narrator), Robert Jezek (Narrator)

The TARDIS lands in a forbidding castle in a time of religious upheaval. The old god has been overthrown, and all heretics are to be slaughtered. Obviously it isn't the sort of thing which would happen there every day - just every few years or so.

And when the Doctor and Frobisher are hailed as messengers from heaven, they quickly become vital to opposing factions in their struggle for power. But will they be merely the acolytes of the new order - or will they be made gods themselves?

An evil destructive force is growing deep within the crypt. And the pair soon find out that they will be lucky to escape their new immortality with their lives.

Chronological Placement
This story takes place between the Marvel comic-strip Doctor Who adventures The World Shapers and The Age of Chaos.

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Media Tie In, Time Travel, Dystopia

Audio Play

First published November 30, 2000

About the author

Robert Shearman has worked as a writer for television, radio and the stage. He was appointed resident dramatist at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter and has received several international awards for his theatrical work, including the Sunday Times Playwriting Award, the World Drama Trust Award and the Guinness Award for Ingenuity in association with the Royal National Theatre. His plays have been regularly produced by Alan Ayckbourn, and on BBC Radio by Martin Jarvis. However, he is probably best known as a writer for Doctor Who, reintroducing the Daleks for its BAFTA winning first series, in an episode nominated for a Hugo Award.

His first collection of short stories, Tiny Deaths, was published by Comma Press in 2007. It won the World Fantasy Award for best collection, was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize and nominated for the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Prize. One of the stories from it was selected by the National Library Board of Singapore as part of the annual Read! Singapore campaign. In 2008 his short story project for BBC7, The Chain Gang, won him a Sony Award, and he provided a second series for them in 2009.

He is now at work on his first novel.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frobisher the shapeshifting penguin makes he’s Big Finish bow in what initially appears to be a fun comedic romp.

With the character originally appearing alongside the Sixth Doctor during the 1980’s comic strips, I was fully onboard with all the humorous lines skirted throughout the first two parts.
But once The Doctor uncovers the truth to this strange society they have visited, the gut-punch of emotions from the reveal just shows the incredible storytelling that can be achieved on audio.

Big Finish’s success is the ability to tell these different types of stories, the fact that they can include Frobisher without the limitations of a television budget is only just part of the appeal as the why this story is so great!
I should add that Robert Jezek is also brilliant in the role.

Clever, Witty and Thoughtful it’s a rollercoaster of emotions.

[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard III meets Doctor Who with a pick up a penguin in the Tardis .My kingdom My Kingdom for a Tardis .
Set in a lonely castle the Tardis crash lands all its power gone not even the cloister bell to sound is Frobisher (played by Robert Jezek) the private eye shape shifting Penguin from the graphic novels
A mad world of Gods & insanity .Here we meet Eugene Tactius (voiced by Sam Kelly of 'Allo 'Allo fame)
This very mad world were high priest tries to kill the new God. But new as soon as the Doctor arrives it all goes belly up & so it's All Hail Frobisher! All hail the big talking bird!
Then the Feathers the fan & the mad child appears on killing spree !
A typical day in the life of the 6th Doctor set in between Peri & Mel in Trail of a Time Lord

[nemo ☠️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

me at the beginning: wow i bet this is going to be really fun and light-hearted since the companion is a talking penguin!!!
me at the end, tears streaming down my face: FUCK this FUCK that FUCK you F U C K

jesus fucKING CHRIST do big finish do comedies because i've listened to three of these things and i've cried at every single one and goddAMNIT I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE (he says, while reaching for a fourth)

[Kelly McCubbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is difficult to talk about how wonderful "The Holy Terror" is without giving to much away. It turns what an audio drama can do completely on its head. It is as if an entirely new rule set had been written to encompass just this story. Let's start with what I CAN say...
The companion is Frobisher, a 6' tall penguin from the Doctor Who Monthly comic strip series. With me so far?
It starts off playing like a moderately successful Monty Python rip-off then explains WHY it is playing those particular notes.
And then makes it absolutely horrifying.
There is so much to delight in and revel in and be riveted by in this story, and Colin Baker is simply magnificent. To say more would be criminal.
And you should cut my tongue out.

To many people "Spare Parts" is the highlight of this series, and boy is that story very VERY great, but to me it's "The Holy Terror." I've listened to it three times and have yet to finish it without a long shocked silence.

Did I mention... Frobisher?

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Hail Frobisher All Hail the Big Talking Bird

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘To death or life eternal!’

I will automatically listen to anything by Robert Shearman- he has written some of my favourite Big Finish adventures. I loved Colin's performance as The Doctor and the introduction of Frobisher from comics to audio.
'All hail the great talking bird!'
Probably one of my favourite Sixth Doctor adventure, for me a near perfect story- a dark, horror story mixed with humour. While making the character of Frobisher work so well on audio.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow going at the beginning, really good twist at the end

[Litwithlove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Doctor Who audiobook and I gave it a listen with my husband, who has listened to seemingly dozens of these books. I really enjoyed it. The not penguin penguin is a hilarious break from the kind of heavy story that is the theme throughout. The mother who is incapable of maternal feelings is interesting and icy cold. It all wraps up in a way that I felt was satisfying. I could see myself committing to dozens of these books like my husband has.

[April Mccaffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"All Hail Frobisher, the big talking bird!"

I've finally been introduced to Frobisher, and I love him and need more of him and the Sixth Doctor together.

I always did love the land of fiction stories, as covered in many extended universes such as other big finish and the virgin new adventures. Rob Shearman put on a fresh take to it, in very creepy, gothic-Spanish inquisition way.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was on another level! It was funny, silly, dark and trust me it got dark really quick and that was definitely one of the best parts as it kept you on your toes! But honestly I've never read or heard anything like this before and I bet you haven't too if you haven't listened to this story it's really unique and different and exactly what you'd want from doctor who. Also frobisher the penguin is just a perfect companion and if we can get Beep the Meep in the 60th special then we can get this guy, and if we don't we simply riot!!!! All hail king Frobisher, all hail the big bird!

[Finn Chamberlain-Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.5/10

really fun but still dragged a little I have to say. I love you Robert with all my heart but the truth is the truth.

[Frank Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frobisher is a fantastic character.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Doctor and Frobisher upset the TARDIS and land in a castle. It is a strange culture, and quite humorous. But things go nasty as time progresses. This is the introduction to Frobisher, the talking Penguin in the CD range, I think they do this comic character justice. It is a really engaging plot that makes you smile, and definitely gives you the creeps. A surprisingly dark and bloodthirsty story. The kid is very disturbing. A really good listen.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought this was like Terry Pratchett's Pyramids. Turns out it was more Witches Abroad. Highly recommend, so so so good. The Doctor's companion is a penguin, that's how great it is <3

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

あらすじ

Part1

ターディスが突然動かなくなり、ターディスがストライキを起こしていると解釈したドクターは行き先を完全にターディス任せに作動させる。

ところがドクターとフロビシャーがターディスの外にでたとたん、フロビシャーは神様扱いされることに。ターディスが到着したのは王を神とあがめる世界で、ちょうどピピン７世の戴冠式の最中だった。ところがピピン７世が自分は神ではないと正直に自分の気持ちを吐露したところ、王なのに神ではないのは神を偽ったとして死刑に処されるこの世界の掟に従って処刑されることに。ピピン７世の兄であり庶子であるチルデリックが王位を継承することになるが、そこにターディスが現れてしまったため戴冠式は妨害されてしまう。ターディスとペンギンの姿をしたフロビシャーの登場に、この奇跡は王が本物である証拠だと最高神官が群衆に訴えかける。しかし、突然銃をもった男がピピン７世を偽の神と発砲する。

Part２

ピピン７世が死ぬこともなく、ピピン７世こそが神であり王であると証明され、ピピン７世は暗殺者に名誉のコインを授与する。銃は空砲であり、暗殺が成功するはずもない。これも戴冠式の慣例の一つだった。王が不死の神であると信じ、死ねば神を偽ったとその王の女王や臣下や信者が処刑されるシステムや、王が変わるたびに聖書が書き換えられるということを不審に思い、調査を開始する。一方どうしても自分が神と実感を持てないピピン７世はフロビシャーこそが神であると国民の前で宣言する。

Part３

フロビシャーが神であり王と宣言したためピピン７世は神を偽ったと処刑されることになる。しかし、フロビシャーが神としてピピン７世を赦し、最高神官に着任させる。さらに神としての立場を利用して悪習を禁じていく。その裏でドクターはチルデリックから恐ろしい計画を聞かされていた。チルデリックは自分の子供を生まれた時から地下に閉じ込め、人間世界から一切隔離し、真の神となるのを待って、子供を王位につけるというのだ。当初の予定ではこの12年後に神として君臨させるつもりだったが、フロビシャーの存在がチルデリックに計画を早めさせる。生まれてから５年間地下に閉じ込められていたにも関わらず言葉を話し、さらに人の年を逆行させ殺していまうという恐ろしい能力を持っていた。

Part４

チルデリックの子供は殺しに飢えており、チルデリックは子供を操ろうとするが、逆に殺されてしまう。ドクターはこの世界が刑務所にいるある男の罪悪感が生んだ世界と見抜く。息子殺しの罪に苦しむ男が自分を罰するために息子が父親を殺し続ける物語をつむぎ続け、その中で生き続けていた。ドクターとフロビシャーは悪夢のスパイラルを断ち切ろうとするが...



感想

"Are you my mummy?"並みに怖かった”Are you my father?"なお話。

コンパニオンがペンギンの姿をしたフロビ��ャーというだけで、どんなシリアスな状況も妙にコミカル。フロビシャーの性格も手伝って前半はとてもコミカルに描かれている。コミカルに紛れて実際はとても陰惨な事態が進行しており、後半になって事態はホラーな状況へとどんどん坂道を転がるように突き進んでいく。しかも最後はドクターにとってもフロビシャーにとってもとても苦い結末となる。結局誰一人助けられなかった無力感。ターディスで旅をするということは時にひどく残酷なことなのだと思い知らされる。フロビシャーが可愛くてとってもいいやつというかペンギンなので、機会があればまた彼とドクターの冒険をみてみたい。

[Seb Hasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is no surprise that this is arguably one of the best stories Big Finish have ever produced, thanks simply to two words; Robert Shearman. He is one of the greatest writers to ever grace Dr Who and that is proved no better than in this horrific, hilarious and shocking opus. My bias does also extend to this story featuring one of my favourite companions of all time, in one of the two stories he had appeared in to date. I refer to the fantastic Whifferdill, the PI penguin; Frobisher. He is paired perfectly with Colin Baker’s Doctor, the chemistry between Baker and Jezek making every scene together pure gold. This story is about 90% comedy and that would be way too much in other cases, but the jokes and premises are understated and marvellous. The horror later on in the story juxtaposed to the comedy renews the comedy in a different context, quite incredibly balancing the humour and drama perfectly.

The plot itself is marvellous, bordering on the psychotic and beautiful, while the many narrative threads weave together and keep all the drama fresh. This story has exceptional sound design and music, namely the terrifying child having the right kind of sound design to make your skin crawl. I just love that you go from one episode to the next, horrified, then in stitches, etc. It’s very rare for me to find a story beyond personal crticism but this is one, given my only niggles are just wanting the story to keep going. The story even has a psychological dimension, with all the comedic situations and the social hierarchy being so simple yet complex, that I’d happily write an essay on them. Put simply, this is one of the best Dr Who stories in any medium and worth a hundred times than the actual price of admission.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the funniest Doctor Who audio I’ve ever listened to! When I first found out about comic book character Frobisher the shapeshifter companion who always looks like a penguin, I was pretty sold. (Maybe it’s due to me being a fan of Hello from the Magic Tavern, where the shapeshifter always looks like a badger.) and it makes sense that they’d lean into the humor.

Right from the start, we get an overly dramatic exchange between guards and a captive before they resolve things in a lighthearted manner, thus setting the tone. As we learn more about the new god emperor to be, his brother, their mother, and his wife, we hear how hilariously unkind the characters are to each other. Reminds me of stuff I’ve seen on Monty Python. Making Frobisher the one who gets worshiped as the new god emperor (penguin lol) is genius! And here I was expecting The Doctor would get that role.

Things actually escalate as the story continues. It gets pretty intense and actually ties into the beginning. Also kinda reminds me of The Mind Robber. Even from this one story, I can safely say that Frobisher is my favorite Sixth Doctor companion.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

The highly acclaimed The Holy Terror. Or as I like to call it: The Castrovalva Remix. It was a good story, but the first thing that comes to mind is overrated. Frobisher is a fantastic character and voiced beautifully. It's hilarious. It's a fantastic satire on religion and tradition, and what it has to say about free will is interesting (though Castrovalva already did it), and maybe what it has to say about trauma and self-flagellation is kind of profound? But the final reveal is so unsatisfying. Eugene killed his kid... because he was insane? That's it? There was no real reason? So what was all that nonsense about the world being built on fathers hating their sons? I really thought that would go somewhere interesting but it just didn't. 7/10.

More detailed thoughts can be found here (full spoilers): https://www.reddit.com/r/gallifrey/co...

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an odd but kinda brilliant little audiobook adventure for the Doctor since they brought in the comic book companion Frobisher into the mix of things. I've only encountered this character in print media, so it was a sort of delight to experience him as an audio character even if I wasn't quite expecting a sort of Boston-like accent from a shapeshifter who liked to default as a penguin.

The story itself is a bit more of an extreme spin of the TARDIS taking control of things and sending them to a location of its choosing and this strange medieval world with its "god" ruler did make for a fascinating setting. The big reveal of what was actually going on by the end was a clever one and I enjoyed the narrative twists and turns that got us there.

We need more Frobisher in our lives, people.

[Reggie A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to see why this is lauded as a classic, even if it didn’t hit as hard as I hoped it would. I think this story is more interesting in the context of Shearman’s later works: the twisting and turning narrative and repetitive ideas/dialogue is present here, but it isn’t as razor sharp as I’ve come to expect of a Shearman story. Still an episode I’d absolutely recommend, if for no other reason than the penguin companion CAN carry a plot as a serious character.

Colin Baker was enchanting, especially in the ramp up to the climax. The whole cast was engaging and the music was great. I particularly loved the creepy little musical motif that began cropping up in the second half.

It’s hard for me to review this one because I found the ideas so compelling, but they just didn’t grab me in execution the way their presentation set them up to hit me with. I wish it had been creepier!!

[David Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

How this story works beats me. It shouldn't. How can we get "all hail the big talking bird" and the child murderer in the same story and have it all make sense and fit together? Furthermore, in the DW comics I always hated Frobisher; just a cheap grab at the 80s penguin craze caused by Opus. Here, however, Frobisher fits into the story well, and Robert Jezek performs him well. The real star, though, is the story itself. This mixture of satire on pointless English historical rituals and tragedy of one man's endless self-punishment works itself out beautifully. Every part has a reason to be in there and the story maintains its internal consistency. Peter Guiness, playing Childeric, is a vocal dead ringer for Paul Darrow. The one complaint I have is the reliance on Time Lord technology in the end. Gallifrey, Time Lords, and TARDIS's are getting just too common these days.

[John Parungao · Rating 4 out of 5]

The earlier Big Finish releases were very experimental. Most feature a returning Doctor and a regular companion. The Holy Terror is one of those rare treats as it features a companion more known to readers of the Doctor Who comic strip; the shape-shifting alien Frobisher played by Robert Jezek. Listening to this story, it feels like one of the many Doctor Who novels that were produced by the BBC Books imprint. There's a mystery to solve which involves a society similar to ancient Rome.
The ruler of this society is declared a god, by his subjects and goes through a series of trials, but all is not as it seems and the rules of this society are put to the test when Frobisher is declared a god.
What follows after that is a complex puzzle with a twist and a sad ending.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good story! The character development of the secondary characters and the world-building were fantastic for a story that is roughly two hours in length. The Doctor is challenged with palace intrigue on top of a mysterious culture. The pacing was spot on, keeping my attention and interest the entire time. Even when the Doctor figured things out, I still was unsure--so good mystery as well. I am so glad that the Doctor Who audio adventures provide a chance to revisit the 6th Doctor (Colin Baker) without the clownish costume, less-than-stellar writing, and whinny sidekicks. Baker is so good in these audiobooks, proving his place in the Doctor Who canon. Oh, and his companion is Frobisher, a six-foot-tall penguin...

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit slow at the start, but a really interesting story, jumping from biting humour and social commentary to terrible gruesomeness, sometimes reminding me of Gormenghast but with a Doctor Who twist. Nothing exists outside of the castle, right?
Not in love with Frobisher's voice actor, though. His delivery came out a little flat at times.

Spoiler for the new Doctor Who TV series: I wonder if the idea of the Confession Dial / castle where an immortal is punished by reliving the same events over and over was inspired by this story?

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reasons this book was great.
-
Frobisher is great. His voice makes the character perfect.
Shapeshifting penguin.
Tardis going on strike until she gets what she wants.
Yes as in no.
Oh you feint hearted penguin.
“Even the background hum sounds smugger then normal.”
Sulking Tardis
“You are magnificent!” “Okay bud, whatever you say.”
Frobisher became a god.
All hail the big talking bird.
“Hiding in the crypts doesn’t make you look evil childrik, just rather sulky and antisocial,”
Hella intriguing story.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story, and quite a dark one in nature - darker than I remembered it being, or these earlier Big Finish ones being. My first introduction to Frobisher, and quite an interesting companion he is :) The opening scenes tie well to the rest of the story, and it builds from being a somewhat weird situation with dis-likeable side characters to a very emotional finish as we better understand the motivations for all the characters.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

the sixth doctor and a talking penguin!

a hilarious comedic romp for the first half, an existential mystery horror for the second. it sounds unlikely, but it genuinely works. it’s alternatively extremely funny and extremely horrible, with a great premise at the heart of it. as well as really good performers to pull it all off brilliantly.

only robert shearman can write stories quite like this!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started off comic and ended up being on the dark side, though with a pleasant ending. A very good one. Is this my first with this Doctor? Maybe? I don't remember. His companion's fake New York accent is horrible. I wonder if it fooled the Brits? Or does the British ear hear it as genuine?

A very good Dr Who audio drama.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two episodes of this are as dull as ditchwater, a giant penguin with such a fake American accent helps it none. However, by the time you realise what's actually going on, the final episode will have you riveted to your speaker as the finale plays out.
Would have been 5* without the penguin!

[Xander Toner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed Big Finish's interpretation of the Sixth Doctor, and I think this one in particular nails gets it perfectly. He's still a little sarcastic, especially towards Frobisher in Part One, but is still shown to have immense compassion. I found Frobisher a little grating but not enough to ruin the audio.