What do you think?
Rate this book
UNIT: The New Series #4
UNIT: Assembled
Kate Stewart and her UNIT team investigate and confront alien attacks on the planet Earth. Something is stirring, an old foe to those in UNIT with a long memory. And fortunately, to face an old foe... There are old friends.
4.1 Call to Arms by Matt Fitton
Mike Yates braves a stormy night in the Lakes to help celebrate a milestone for John Benton. An evening of fond reminiscences of old glories and friends awaits. But a long-buried past is about to catch up with them.
Meanwhile, on the rain-lashed moors, what begins as a routine mission for modern-day UNIT quickly becomes a fight for survival.
4.2 Tidal Wave by Guy Adams
When an experimental tidal power generator needs its eco-friendly credentials checked, Kate Stewart calls in an expert.
Soon, Jo Jones is bound for ‘Project Charybdis’ in the South Atlantic, along with an awestruck Osgood.
But out at sea, a treacherous plan is set in motion to awake an ancient race. Beneath the seabed an army is sleeping - an army of Sea Devils!
4.3 Retrieval by Guy Adams
As the Earth’s primeval rulers reclaim their birthright, UNIT must stand against them. Kate Stewart and Osgood venture into a Mediterranean stronghold to retrieve a means to fight back.
But a Silurian warrior is on their trail. Once she has the humans’ scent, Commander Tryska will never give up the hunt.
4.4 United by Matt Fitton
The Silurians hold Great Britain under siege. Grand Marshal Jastrok rules the seas and the skies with reptile forces. On the ground, Commander Kalana crushes all ape resistance.
With Kate Stewart trapped, defence of the realm falls to UNIT’s old guard. Jo Jones, Mike Yates and John Benton are ready to do their duty and stand united.
4.1 Call to Arms by Matt Fitton
Mike Yates braves a stormy night in the Lakes to help celebrate a milestone for John Benton. An evening of fond reminiscences of old glories and friends awaits. But a long-buried past is about to catch up with them.
Meanwhile, on the rain-lashed moors, what begins as a routine mission for modern-day UNIT quickly becomes a fight for survival.
4.2 Tidal Wave by Guy Adams
When an experimental tidal power generator needs its eco-friendly credentials checked, Kate Stewart calls in an expert.
Soon, Jo Jones is bound for ‘Project Charybdis’ in the South Atlantic, along with an awestruck Osgood.
But out at sea, a treacherous plan is set in motion to awake an ancient race. Beneath the seabed an army is sleeping - an army of Sea Devils!
4.3 Retrieval by Guy Adams
As the Earth’s primeval rulers reclaim their birthright, UNIT must stand against them. Kate Stewart and Osgood venture into a Mediterranean stronghold to retrieve a means to fight back.
But a Silurian warrior is on their trail. Once she has the humans’ scent, Commander Tryska will never give up the hunt.
4.4 United by Matt Fitton
The Silurians hold Great Britain under siege. Grand Marshal Jastrok rules the seas and the skies with reptile forces. On the ground, Commander Kalana crushes all ape resistance.
With Kate Stewart trapped, defence of the realm falls to UNIT’s old guard. Jo Jones, Mike Yates and John Benton are ready to do their duty and stand united.
Audio CD
First published July 31, 2017
2 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 30, 2017
It was fun to have the new UNIT team meet the old one. My favourite was the 2nd story with Osgood meeting Jo, it was super sweet. Osgood as the "fan" has always been fangirling the Doctor, and it was so nice to see her with a woman hero instead. They made a great team.
The ongoing storyline about the Silurians trying to take over was interesting. Playing out in different ways, and seeing their different technology. Though it would have been nice to see the other side of Silurian society and maybe have a few good ones to balance out the renegades. The ending solution was nice.
I still find it poor planning that the two biggest environmentalists in Doctor Who history are supposed to have bred like rabbits. I mean really, overpopulation is one of the biggest environmental threats to the planet! Matt put in a very specific comment about their kids being born and not adopted, but I think Jo and Cliff having a large family *only* makes sense if those kids have been adopted. But I digress.
Definitely a box set I'd recommend and I look forward to more UNIT audio adventures.
The ongoing storyline about the Silurians trying to take over was interesting. Playing out in different ways, and seeing their different technology. Though it would have been nice to see the other side of Silurian society and maybe have a few good ones to balance out the renegades. The ending solution was nice.
I still find it poor planning that the two biggest environmentalists in Doctor Who history are supposed to have bred like rabbits. I mean really, overpopulation is one of the biggest environmental threats to the planet! Matt put in a very specific comment about their kids being born and not adopted, but I think Jo and Cliff having a large family *only* makes sense if those kids have been adopted. But I digress.
Definitely a box set I'd recommend and I look forward to more UNIT audio adventures.
May 12, 2023
4.1 Call to Arms - Wonderful to hear so many familiar voices, great to have so many of the old guard back. The narrative is fast paced and keeps moving from start to finish. Excellent premise and about time that some of this stuff got brought up as Silurians seem to keep popping up all over the place (4/5).
4.2 Tidal Wave - Jo Grant-Jones returns! I was rather looking forward to this one, unfortunately it was nearly as good as the previous episode. It’s great to have Jo back in action again, always lovely to have her up to her usual hi-jinx, but the story was a bit too much watered-down (pardon the pun) to really work for me. It was really nice to have Jo try and reestablish her Doctor’s attempt at diplomacy. Nice try, Jo, worth the effort (3/5).
4.3 Retrieval - Generally, I’m not as much of a fan of the smaller cast productions, and this is an example of such. There’s only three primary characters and about as many supporting characters. The performances and great, the script is fine, the pacing is good, the soundscape is solidly Big Finish (which means it’s excellent). But nothing really jumped out at me. The only thing really worthwhile is the inclusion of Neve McIntosh as a guest star, which is wonderful (3/5).
4.4 United - This was a bit better, brilliant cast, interesting story (even if it was just a wrap up), excellent soundscape. It was wonderful to have some of the “Pertwee Era” UNIT team-up with the new era team. Lots of fun, but it’s not just a fanfare of nostalgia as this works well even without that particular aspect (4/5).
Overall, this isn’t the best box set, but it’s certainly very enjoyable and highly entertaining. I do think that my expectations were set a bit too high, I’m a big fan of the Silurians and Sea Devils so I was certainly expecting something special. In any case, this is definitely a must for UNIT fans, old and new (3/5).
4.2 Tidal Wave - Jo Grant-Jones returns! I was rather looking forward to this one, unfortunately it was nearly as good as the previous episode. It’s great to have Jo back in action again, always lovely to have her up to her usual hi-jinx, but the story was a bit too much watered-down (pardon the pun) to really work for me. It was really nice to have Jo try and reestablish her Doctor’s attempt at diplomacy. Nice try, Jo, worth the effort (3/5).
4.3 Retrieval - Generally, I’m not as much of a fan of the smaller cast productions, and this is an example of such. There’s only three primary characters and about as many supporting characters. The performances and great, the script is fine, the pacing is good, the soundscape is solidly Big Finish (which means it’s excellent). But nothing really jumped out at me. The only thing really worthwhile is the inclusion of Neve McIntosh as a guest star, which is wonderful (3/5).
4.4 United - This was a bit better, brilliant cast, interesting story (even if it was just a wrap up), excellent soundscape. It was wonderful to have some of the “Pertwee Era” UNIT team-up with the new era team. Lots of fun, but it’s not just a fanfare of nostalgia as this works well even without that particular aspect (4/5).
Overall, this isn’t the best box set, but it’s certainly very enjoyable and highly entertaining. I do think that my expectations were set a bit too high, I’m a big fan of the Silurians and Sea Devils so I was certainly expecting something special. In any case, this is definitely a must for UNIT fans, old and new (3/5).
October 13, 2017
Great uniting of the old and new UNIT casts. Love Jo Jones as an eco-warrior and really enjoy how most of her wacky adventures happen off-screen, making her occasional audio appearances just another day in the life. Loved Katy Manning's idea (in the behind the scenes) that the Silurians would be a major concern of hers as it was the one time her Doctor failed. Loved it, even forgave the idea that Kate Stewart's three senior staff were busy so she enlisted Yates and Benton to run UNIT because they were the only ones available!
June 19, 2017
Quarto cofanetto dedicato alla nuova U.N.I.T. ma con una preponderante presenza di nomi classici... ed era ora che capitasse!
4.1 Call to Arms by Matt Fitton
Benton... e Yates... e Bessie... e già questo, per gli estimatori di vecchia data della U.N.I.T., dovrebbe bastare per rendere il tono di epicità.
Reminescenze, citazioni, Osgood che fangirleggia per tutti noi... ci sono anche i Siluriani, che mantengono l'atteggiamento standard di tutti i Siluriani incontrati nella nuova serie.
Episodio introduttivo che fa il proprio dovere."
4.2 Tidal Wave by Guy Adams
Se Osgood fangirlava nel primo episodio... qui dove incontra Jo Jones da il peggio di sé.
Dopo i Siluriani abbiamo i Sea Devil e, tra altre innumerevoli citazioni, Jo salva la situazione.
Avventura ben orchestrata, porta avanti alcuni dei fili lasciati in sospeso nel primo capitolo e ci lascia campo aperto per la terza parte.
4.3 Retrieval by Guy Adams
Solo rappresentanti della nuova U.N.I.T. per il terzo capitolo, coinvolti in una missione dentro uno dei covi siluriani.
L'intelligenza di Osgood è messa a dura prova dalle armi della Siluriana che li fronteggia, ma Kate Stewart non è il capo per nulla.
Buon capitolo di collegamento, che ci porta a
4.4 United by Matt Fitton
Quando i Siluriani attaccano, in uno scenario alla Godzilla vs Gamera, la U.N.I.T. sfrutta tutti gli assi nella manica che possiede, risolvendo la situazione come il Governo (come sempre) non riesce a fare.
Benton, Yates e Jo affiancano Kate, Osgood, Carter e Bishop. Ognuno con il suo stile, al solito armi contro scienza, riusciranno a debellare la minaccia.
È stato divertente e piacevole ritrovare tanti vecchi amici. Sperando che non sia stato un episodio unico.
4.1 Call to Arms by Matt Fitton
Benton... e Yates... e Bessie... e già questo, per gli estimatori di vecchia data della U.N.I.T., dovrebbe bastare per rendere il tono di epicità.
Reminescenze, citazioni, Osgood che fangirleggia per tutti noi... ci sono anche i Siluriani, che mantengono l'atteggiamento standard di tutti i Siluriani incontrati nella nuova serie.
Episodio introduttivo che fa il proprio dovere."
4.2 Tidal Wave by Guy Adams
Se Osgood fangirlava nel primo episodio... qui dove incontra Jo Jones da il peggio di sé.
Dopo i Siluriani abbiamo i Sea Devil e, tra altre innumerevoli citazioni, Jo salva la situazione.
Avventura ben orchestrata, porta avanti alcuni dei fili lasciati in sospeso nel primo capitolo e ci lascia campo aperto per la terza parte.
4.3 Retrieval by Guy Adams
Solo rappresentanti della nuova U.N.I.T. per il terzo capitolo, coinvolti in una missione dentro uno dei covi siluriani.
L'intelligenza di Osgood è messa a dura prova dalle armi della Siluriana che li fronteggia, ma Kate Stewart non è il capo per nulla.
Buon capitolo di collegamento, che ci porta a
4.4 United by Matt Fitton
Quando i Siluriani attaccano, in uno scenario alla Godzilla vs Gamera, la U.N.I.T. sfrutta tutti gli assi nella manica che possiede, risolvendo la situazione come il Governo (come sempre) non riesce a fare.
Benton, Yates e Jo affiancano Kate, Osgood, Carter e Bishop. Ognuno con il suo stile, al solito armi contro scienza, riusciranno a debellare la minaccia.
È stato divertente e piacevole ritrovare tanti vecchi amici. Sperando che non sia stato un episodio unico.
September 29, 2021
Another 5 star audio drama. Bringing back the Silurians and introducing me to the Sea Devils is another genius strike by Big Finish. I makes me want to watch the old episodes with the old UNIT team and the Doctor.
Jo Jones is definitely one of my favourite characters. I need to know more about her.
Kate’s one-liners are as always on point and gloriously hilarious.
I just love how the relationship between the team has developed over the last four adventures. They’ve become a real team and look out for each other. Josh is right when he says, that there is a difference between the Silurians and the Humans: the humans work together and are humane.
Off to the next adventure 😁
Jo Jones is definitely one of my favourite characters. I need to know more about her.
Kate’s one-liners are as always on point and gloriously hilarious.
I just love how the relationship between the team has developed over the last four adventures. They’ve become a real team and look out for each other. Josh is right when he says, that there is a difference between the Silurians and the Humans: the humans work together and are humane.
Off to the next adventure 😁
January 15, 2023
I’ve kind of been avoiding further UNIT box sets these last couple years since I found the first three in this series to be just okay. But I was really into how this one meshed old with new. Katy Manning does such a great job as Jo Grant as she tends to do.
September 27, 2024
So here we are with the fourth UNIT boxset in the New Series catalog. I've been excited about this set, seeing old UNIT paired up with modern UNIT is a dream come true. This is very much a set written for the fans since it also features The Silurians and Sea Devils. I can't wait to find out what I think of this set!
Call to Arms:
John Benton is retired and has invited old mates and soldiers from the good old days to attend his retirement party. Outside a hideous storm brews and UNIT is under attack by a clan of Silurians led by their incredibly dangerous and bloodthirsty leader Jastrok. The Silurians aren't messing about and it'll take friends old and new to go against them.
Matt Fitton has written a tense and action-packed script that is heartfelt and atmospheric. It's great to see John Benton and Mike Yates paired up with Osgood and Kate and they honestly get along like a house on fire, such a brilliant team. I'm excited to see what happens next, especially after that shocking cliffhanger. 9/10
Tidal Wave:
When an experimental and eco-friendly submarine is set for launch, Jo Jones is invited to board the vessel to evaluate it. However, it isn't long before the submarine is hijacked. A terrible disaster is about to occur and it's up to Jo to prevent a massacre.
Guy Adams has written a terrific script that starts as a kind of base under siege before becoming an action-packed drama. I loved seeing Osgood and Jo Jones together, it's a shame Big Finish hasn't utilized this relationship much outside of this box set as their bond tugged at the old heartstrings for me. It's also an important story for Jo as she tries to do what The Doctor couldn't do for The Sea Devils to try and save them 10/10
Retrieval:
The Silurian's biological weapons are heading straight for the United Kingdom and time is running out. Kate and Osgood in desperate hope decide to explore a Silurian research base, but a particularly bloodthirsty and deadly Silurian is after them and only Sam Bishop can save them.
Guy Adams has written a tense script that is claustrophobic, action-packed, and deadly. I enjoyed this one, but compared to the other two episodes this isn't anything particularly special or super exciting, but it's still a good way to spend an hour. 8/10
United:
United we stand, divided we fall. The war between Silurians and UNIT is about to come to its climatic conclusion. But the stakes are high, and old friends must join the battle to prevent a terrible catastrophe.
Matt Fitton has written a brilliant finale that wonderfully ties up the set, it's action-packed, explosive, emotional, and filled with plenty of terrific character drama. It's a satisfying conclusion with an amazing cast. 9.5/10
Overall: 36.5/40
Call to Arms:
John Benton is retired and has invited old mates and soldiers from the good old days to attend his retirement party. Outside a hideous storm brews and UNIT is under attack by a clan of Silurians led by their incredibly dangerous and bloodthirsty leader Jastrok. The Silurians aren't messing about and it'll take friends old and new to go against them.
Matt Fitton has written a tense and action-packed script that is heartfelt and atmospheric. It's great to see John Benton and Mike Yates paired up with Osgood and Kate and they honestly get along like a house on fire, such a brilliant team. I'm excited to see what happens next, especially after that shocking cliffhanger. 9/10
Tidal Wave:
When an experimental and eco-friendly submarine is set for launch, Jo Jones is invited to board the vessel to evaluate it. However, it isn't long before the submarine is hijacked. A terrible disaster is about to occur and it's up to Jo to prevent a massacre.
Guy Adams has written a terrific script that starts as a kind of base under siege before becoming an action-packed drama. I loved seeing Osgood and Jo Jones together, it's a shame Big Finish hasn't utilized this relationship much outside of this box set as their bond tugged at the old heartstrings for me. It's also an important story for Jo as she tries to do what The Doctor couldn't do for The Sea Devils to try and save them 10/10
Retrieval:
The Silurian's biological weapons are heading straight for the United Kingdom and time is running out. Kate and Osgood in desperate hope decide to explore a Silurian research base, but a particularly bloodthirsty and deadly Silurian is after them and only Sam Bishop can save them.
Guy Adams has written a tense script that is claustrophobic, action-packed, and deadly. I enjoyed this one, but compared to the other two episodes this isn't anything particularly special or super exciting, but it's still a good way to spend an hour. 8/10
United:
United we stand, divided we fall. The war between Silurians and UNIT is about to come to its climatic conclusion. But the stakes are high, and old friends must join the battle to prevent a terrible catastrophe.
Matt Fitton has written a brilliant finale that wonderfully ties up the set, it's action-packed, explosive, emotional, and filled with plenty of terrific character drama. It's a satisfying conclusion with an amazing cast. 9.5/10
Overall: 36.5/40
May 27, 2020
The primary gimmick of this release is the return of Yates, Benton, and Jo from the classic TV series, linking the original version of UNIT with the modern one. Clearly, this is going to be a big selling-point for fans of the classic series of the early '70s, but, for me, neither Yates or Benton really added anything much - indeed, their primary effect is to sideline series regular Josh, although he isn't cut out entirely. Furthermore, while we do see a little more of what Benton has been up to since the off-hand mention in Mawdryn Undead, Yates isn't really developed at all, just dropping the odd reference to his past adventures.
Jo, on the other hand, makes a much more worthy addition. For a start, Katy Manning is superb, and her part well-written, but she also adds a key element to the story. This features the Silurians and Jo takes the role that the Doctor had in the previous UNIT stories featuring them, arguing for the peaceful solution over the military one and trying to honour Three's memory by succeeding where he failed. And this, as it turns out, is rather more key than just who it is who happens to be holding the guns or giving the soldiers orders.
Speaking of the story, it's the usual high octane adventure with a large and well-equipped organisation up against, in this case, a murderous Silurian general and his lackeys. Each of the four episodes is distinct in tone, with a slightly different mix of characters (only Osgood has a major role in all of them) although it's clearly one story taking place over a relatively short period of time. There's good use of elements from past stories - although more from the classic series than from Cold Blood - and a particularly nice turn from the Sea Devils when they turn up in episode two.
On the continuity front, I did wonder why the Silurians were speaking English (and there are scenes that make it obvious that they are, even amongst themselves) but otherwise, it's a good follow-up to what we already know of them. A particular theme is Kate's reluctance to make the same mistake her father made at Wenley Moor, coupled with her concern that, this time, there may genuinely not be an alternative. And plenty of touches of humour and knowing nods to the TV series; not least how much things have changed since... whatever decade it was that they so carefully avoid mentioning.
Jo, on the other hand, makes a much more worthy addition. For a start, Katy Manning is superb, and her part well-written, but she also adds a key element to the story. This features the Silurians and Jo takes the role that the Doctor had in the previous UNIT stories featuring them, arguing for the peaceful solution over the military one and trying to honour Three's memory by succeeding where he failed. And this, as it turns out, is rather more key than just who it is who happens to be holding the guns or giving the soldiers orders.
Speaking of the story, it's the usual high octane adventure with a large and well-equipped organisation up against, in this case, a murderous Silurian general and his lackeys. Each of the four episodes is distinct in tone, with a slightly different mix of characters (only Osgood has a major role in all of them) although it's clearly one story taking place over a relatively short period of time. There's good use of elements from past stories - although more from the classic series than from Cold Blood - and a particularly nice turn from the Sea Devils when they turn up in episode two.
On the continuity front, I did wonder why the Silurians were speaking English (and there are scenes that make it obvious that they are, even amongst themselves) but otherwise, it's a good follow-up to what we already know of them. A particular theme is Kate's reluctance to make the same mistake her father made at Wenley Moor, coupled with her concern that, this time, there may genuinely not be an alternative. And plenty of touches of humour and knowing nods to the TV series; not least how much things have changed since... whatever decade it was that they so carefully avoid mentioning.
July 16, 2017
A part of me wanted to scream why didn't they figure out the solution in the first place?!? It didn't take a genius to figure it out..yet I realized they needed to make this last 4 hours give or take. I still loved hearing all the cast and even the newer UNIT coming together with the older UNIT members. I was a good story, but again, I felt the solution was far to easy to think of and yet they didn't til the very end.
July 30, 2017
I was all over this the day it came out on the Big Finish website and I have no regrets. Give me all the UNIT content, thanks.
November 24, 2017
3.5 stars
March 10, 2018
Loving this series and great to see the return of old favourites work alongside new series UNIT.
February 1, 2020
I love the new Unit audio dramas. Especially when they pull in characters from the Classic era.
This one did not disappoint.
This one did not disappoint.
May 16, 2021
Tidal Wave only.
May 16, 2023
4.1 'Call to Arms' by Matt Fitton: 5*
4.2 'Tidal Wave' by Guy Adams: 5*
4.3 'Retrieval' by Guy Adams: 5*
4.4 'United' by Matt Fitton: 4*
4.2 'Tidal Wave' by Guy Adams: 5*
4.3 'Retrieval' by Guy Adams: 5*
4.4 'United' by Matt Fitton: 4*
September 2, 2024
Hay dinosaurios, ya está, 5 estrellas. No necesito más.
(También tiene a Emma Redgrave hablando español, es que es perfecto este boxset.)
(También tiene a Emma Redgrave hablando español, es que es perfecto este boxset.)
February 9, 2022
It was great having the new UNIT team joined by Jo, Mike, and Benton.
June 21, 2020
Kate Leftbridge Stewart, Osgood, and Unit fight off Silirians and Sea Devils with the help of the old unit gang of Mike Yates, Benton and Jo Jones.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews