What do you think?
Rate this book
The First Doctor Adventures #1.1
Doctor Who: The First Doctor Adventures, Volume 1
1.1 The Destination Wars by Matt Fitton
The TARDIS arrives in a gleaming utopia in the Space Year 2003. Has the Doctor truly brought Ian and Barbara home, to glimpse their future?
The world owes much to its legendary Inventor, and Susan finds herself face to face with the great benefactor. But soon, the time travellers are in a world at war and the Doctor must confront his past.
1.2 The Great White Hurricane by Guy Adams
Rival gangs turn streets into battlegrounds, and the Doctor and his friends are caught in the crossfire. They find themselves separated, and lost in the cold.
As the hunt for a fugitive turns ever more desperate, a blizzard descends. The snow keeps falling. And soon it will prove as deadly as any weapon...
The TARDIS arrives in a gleaming utopia in the Space Year 2003. Has the Doctor truly brought Ian and Barbara home, to glimpse their future?
The world owes much to its legendary Inventor, and Susan finds herself face to face with the great benefactor. But soon, the time travellers are in a world at war and the Doctor must confront his past.
1.2 The Great White Hurricane by Guy Adams
Rival gangs turn streets into battlegrounds, and the Doctor and his friends are caught in the crossfire. They find themselves separated, and lost in the cold.
As the hunt for a fugitive turns ever more desperate, a blizzard descends. The snow keeps falling. And soon it will prove as deadly as any weapon...
Audiobook
First published December 25, 2017
1 person is currently reading
86 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 12, 2022
This volume begins the “untold-until-now” adventures of The Doctor, Susan, Barbara & Ian as they travel through time & space aboard the TARDIS, which are set after the events depicted in the episodes of The Reign of Terror and before Planet of Giants as a kind of Doctor Who season 1B.
(1.1) The Destination Wars - Brilliant. Loved it. Sure the voices are not 100% the original cast, but they're close enough to be amazing. And the story was awesome. The Inventor was a great way of retroactively introducing the Time-Lords and the surprise connection to the Doctor, while I did totally predict (but it’s not meant to all that much of a surprise to long time Whovians), it was beautifully done. William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton are my two favorites of the original series Doctors and this is a wonderful addition to those old original (aka classic) stories.
(2.1) The Great White Hurricane -OMG! A classic historical adventure! No aliens! No monsters wanting to eat the universe! I LOVED it! This was pure classic Who as the travelers find themselves in an historic setting and they have to deal with their situation and the environment they find themselves in. Wonderfully done. Solid performances and a swiftly moving story keep things lively and entertaining. This is an example of what the original producers wanted to achieve with the series.
I also loved the format, structuring it like the original series in 4 half-hour segments per story, was the perfect choice. As far as I'm concerned Big Finish did a remarkably perfect job. My only complaint was that there were only two stories included here. I have volume two already, it just felt too short with only a pair of stories. But then I suppose anything that was this good wouldn't have been long enough. Keep 'em coming guys. I'm likely on board for the long haul.
Update: I’ve listened to this pair of adventures twice now and they both hold up wonderfully to a repeat performance. Excellent stories that embody the first season of classic Doctor Who. Beautifully done. I certainly give this volume a full endorsement and a hearty Rickommendation for Whovians everywhere.
(1.1) The Destination Wars - Brilliant. Loved it. Sure the voices are not 100% the original cast, but they're close enough to be amazing. And the story was awesome. The Inventor was a great way of retroactively introducing the Time-Lords and the surprise connection to the Doctor, while I did totally predict (but it’s not meant to all that much of a surprise to long time Whovians), it was beautifully done. William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton are my two favorites of the original series Doctors and this is a wonderful addition to those old original (aka classic) stories.
(2.1) The Great White Hurricane -OMG! A classic historical adventure! No aliens! No monsters wanting to eat the universe! I LOVED it! This was pure classic Who as the travelers find themselves in an historic setting and they have to deal with their situation and the environment they find themselves in. Wonderfully done. Solid performances and a swiftly moving story keep things lively and entertaining. This is an example of what the original producers wanted to achieve with the series.
I also loved the format, structuring it like the original series in 4 half-hour segments per story, was the perfect choice. As far as I'm concerned Big Finish did a remarkably perfect job. My only complaint was that there were only two stories included here. I have volume two already, it just felt too short with only a pair of stories. But then I suppose anything that was this good wouldn't have been long enough. Keep 'em coming guys. I'm likely on board for the long haul.
Update: I’ve listened to this pair of adventures twice now and they both hold up wonderfully to a repeat performance. Excellent stories that embody the first season of classic Doctor Who. Beautifully done. I certainly give this volume a full endorsement and a hearty Rickommendation for Whovians everywhere.
January 21, 2021
Delightfully naive. I wish the Master being played by a transphobe didn't distract from my enjoyment in the first of these two stories, but overall quite enjoyable, and very much in the spirit of older Doctor Who.
November 7, 2020
The problem with audio stories based around the black-and-white era of the TV show is that few of the original stars are still with us. With this pair of 4-part stories, Big Finish have taken the plunge and recast all of the recurring roles. Naturally, some listeners won’t be happy with that, and if you’re one of them, this isn’t for you.
If you are okay with it, though, perhaps the first thing to say is that the actors here aren’t impressionists, and there’s no mistaking that they’re not the originals. It’s more like the Star Trek films with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, although the First Doctor’s mannerisms, for example, are in the script. For those who are primarily fans of the new series, of course, there’s the benefit that the Doctor is played by David Bradley, who took on the role in the TV episode Twice Upon a Time.
It’s perhaps for this reason that the release is being marketed as part of the new series range, despite being obviously based on the format of the first classic TV season from 1963-64 and with the show’s original line-up of characters. Among other things, each 30-minute segment has its own title (for what that’s worth when nobody reads them out) and each 4-part story ends by teasing the opening segment of the next one. For me, the new voices took a little getting used to, which may have affected my opinions of the first story, but I had no problems by the end.
The Destination Wars – In the first story, the TARDIS lands on a colony world whose technological progress is being advanced by a mysterious figure known only as The Inventor. It’s a far more grandiose setting than we’d ever have seen on TV in the ‘60s but, equally, the plot is longer and more involved than a typical 45-minute episode of the modern era. In fact, the beginning is quite slow, revealing key details of the background, as was quite common in some early Hartnell serials.
Although there are some clever ideas about time travel (vaguely reminiscent, perhaps, of those in The Space Museum) the story is mostly notable for the villain. He’s hiding a secret that’s actually pretty obvious almost from the point he turns up but isn’t revealed until the second cliffhanger, so I’ll avoid mentioning it here. I have to say that he’s played well, with a suave menace that breaks down when things don’t go his way. But… there’s an unfortunate controversy here, in that the actor who plays him later made some transphobic comments on social media that resulted in a number of complaints. Whether you can separate the artist from the work in this particular case is obviously a matter for the individual listener.
Leaving that aside, this is a decent story, with a premise that fits in with the classic series. Having said which, it’s arguable how well it fits with the specific era it’s supposed to be emulating, beyond a few lines (and, to be fair, one significant plot point) that reference episodes in the show’s first season. Susan gets to play a more prominent part than she often had at the time, which is a good thing, but, while Ian and Barbara do get a moment of heroism they’re less effectively used overall, being somewhat out of their depth. 3.5 stars.
The Great White Hurricane – The very first season of the classic TV show had stories that alternated between science fiction and historical settings (barring one half-length extra inserted at the last minute for budget reasons). So it makes sense that the first pairing of this new collection includes one story of each type. If there really is anyone listening to this who has been drawn into it by Bradley and isn’t familiar with the original era they might be surprised that this means a straight historical, without any SF elements beyond the time travellers’ presence. But, in all honesty, there can’t be many.
The story sees the TARDIS arriving in 1880s New York, giving a great opportunity for British actors to dust off their best New York accents. It’s an adventure tale in the “history is cruel” mould seen in stories such as Marco Polo and The Aztecs, although the travellers are only in the past for less than 48 hours, rather than the lengthy sojourns more common in the actual Hartnell era. The main threats come from rival street gangs and the increasingly bad weather as one of the worst snowstorms in history hits the city.
There’s plenty of drama amid the snow, with Ian and Barbara helping out a Puerto Rican immigrant, and Susan and the Doctor separately encountering different aspects of the gang rivalry. In places, it’s fairly grim, and there’s precious little humour, although the story ultimately shows faith in humanity coming together against adversity. The Doctor is more grumpy than charming, although he does get a few good speeches and his tone is appropriate for this sort of story anyway. As a straight historical that doesn’t include any historical celebrities, it’s also something of a change of pace, which is worthwhile in itself. 4.5 stars.
If you are okay with it, though, perhaps the first thing to say is that the actors here aren’t impressionists, and there’s no mistaking that they’re not the originals. It’s more like the Star Trek films with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, although the First Doctor’s mannerisms, for example, are in the script. For those who are primarily fans of the new series, of course, there’s the benefit that the Doctor is played by David Bradley, who took on the role in the TV episode Twice Upon a Time.
It’s perhaps for this reason that the release is being marketed as part of the new series range, despite being obviously based on the format of the first classic TV season from 1963-64 and with the show’s original line-up of characters. Among other things, each 30-minute segment has its own title (for what that’s worth when nobody reads them out) and each 4-part story ends by teasing the opening segment of the next one. For me, the new voices took a little getting used to, which may have affected my opinions of the first story, but I had no problems by the end.
The Destination Wars – In the first story, the TARDIS lands on a colony world whose technological progress is being advanced by a mysterious figure known only as The Inventor. It’s a far more grandiose setting than we’d ever have seen on TV in the ‘60s but, equally, the plot is longer and more involved than a typical 45-minute episode of the modern era. In fact, the beginning is quite slow, revealing key details of the background, as was quite common in some early Hartnell serials.
Although there are some clever ideas about time travel (vaguely reminiscent, perhaps, of those in The Space Museum) the story is mostly notable for the villain. He’s hiding a secret that’s actually pretty obvious almost from the point he turns up but isn’t revealed until the second cliffhanger, so I’ll avoid mentioning it here. I have to say that he’s played well, with a suave menace that breaks down when things don’t go his way. But… there’s an unfortunate controversy here, in that the actor who plays him later made some transphobic comments on social media that resulted in a number of complaints. Whether you can separate the artist from the work in this particular case is obviously a matter for the individual listener.
Leaving that aside, this is a decent story, with a premise that fits in with the classic series. Having said which, it’s arguable how well it fits with the specific era it’s supposed to be emulating, beyond a few lines (and, to be fair, one significant plot point) that reference episodes in the show’s first season. Susan gets to play a more prominent part than she often had at the time, which is a good thing, but, while Ian and Barbara do get a moment of heroism they’re less effectively used overall, being somewhat out of their depth. 3.5 stars.
The Great White Hurricane – The very first season of the classic TV show had stories that alternated between science fiction and historical settings (barring one half-length extra inserted at the last minute for budget reasons). So it makes sense that the first pairing of this new collection includes one story of each type. If there really is anyone listening to this who has been drawn into it by Bradley and isn’t familiar with the original era they might be surprised that this means a straight historical, without any SF elements beyond the time travellers’ presence. But, in all honesty, there can’t be many.
The story sees the TARDIS arriving in 1880s New York, giving a great opportunity for British actors to dust off their best New York accents. It’s an adventure tale in the “history is cruel” mould seen in stories such as Marco Polo and The Aztecs, although the travellers are only in the past for less than 48 hours, rather than the lengthy sojourns more common in the actual Hartnell era. The main threats come from rival street gangs and the increasingly bad weather as one of the worst snowstorms in history hits the city.
There’s plenty of drama amid the snow, with Ian and Barbara helping out a Puerto Rican immigrant, and Susan and the Doctor separately encountering different aspects of the gang rivalry. In places, it’s fairly grim, and there’s precious little humour, although the story ultimately shows faith in humanity coming together against adversity. The Doctor is more grumpy than charming, although he does get a few good speeches and his tone is appropriate for this sort of story anyway. As a straight historical that doesn’t include any historical celebrities, it’s also something of a change of pace, which is worthwhile in itself. 4.5 stars.
August 28, 2025
This was a noble effort from Big Finish in using the cast of the Docudrama “Adventures in Time and Space” to recreate the first year of Doctor Who. I don’t know how well they succeeded in this, as the actors in this were hit or miss. I think David Bradley plays a dame good First Doctor, and now that he’s 83, we need as much of him as possible. But the others seemed a bit off, Jamie Glover doesn’t sound like Ian, and I think Claudia Grant overdoses it as Susan. Jemma Powell is probably the closest to the original character who does feel like Barbra. As for the individual stories, I’ll review them separately.
The Destination Wars by Matt Fitton (5/10)
This was an attempt to bring the Master into the First Doctor’s era with a pulpy, 1960s-style sci-fi story. I think the concept was good enough and would fit okay in the Hartnell era, but I just didn’t find this one too memorable. I got lost in some places, and I didn’t care much for James Dreyfus of Gimme Gimme Gimme fame, as the Master. I would have liked it if they had used him in the Third Doctor audios, doing the voice of the Roger Delgardo Master as he sounds (and even looks) like Roger Delgardo. There were some giant lobster aliens to keep you interested, but they were really nothing in the end. Also, there was this whole thing about the Master using a machine to make time move faster, but I didn’t really see the point in it. I don’t know what the best way to do a First Doctor/Master story would be, but I just didn’t care too much for how they did it here, and it’s just another evil madman story.
The Great White Hurricane by Guy Adams (7/10)
This was better than the last one, as not only did it have a more interesting setting, but it actually brought the series back to its roots in 1963 by telling you about a period of history you might not have known about. I didn’t really know about the Great Blizzard of 1888, but I think setting a Doctor Who story there was a good idea. Also, unlike a lot of other Doctor Who Pure Historicals from this period, it has likeable and interesting characters who you care about, particularly Rosalita and her quest to reunite with her son after he is taken by her ex-husband. This was definitely more experimental than with the formula being a newer story, and I appreciate that. But it did drag on in places, and I felt it could be shorter than it was in the end. And like some of the other Pure Historicals, it can get a bit formulaic with the Doctor and his companions being separated at the start and meeting different characters to remind you of when this is set. Again, this one was good, but not great, a solid piece of writing, but nothing that will leave a lasting impression on you.
Overall, I think this was an okay set to start off with, and I’m looking forward to listening to the other set in this series, which makes it more painful that they still aren't making them now.
The Destination Wars by Matt Fitton (5/10)
This was an attempt to bring the Master into the First Doctor’s era with a pulpy, 1960s-style sci-fi story. I think the concept was good enough and would fit okay in the Hartnell era, but I just didn’t find this one too memorable. I got lost in some places, and I didn’t care much for James Dreyfus of Gimme Gimme Gimme fame, as the Master. I would have liked it if they had used him in the Third Doctor audios, doing the voice of the Roger Delgardo Master as he sounds (and even looks) like Roger Delgardo. There were some giant lobster aliens to keep you interested, but they were really nothing in the end. Also, there was this whole thing about the Master using a machine to make time move faster, but I didn’t really see the point in it. I don’t know what the best way to do a First Doctor/Master story would be, but I just didn’t care too much for how they did it here, and it’s just another evil madman story.
The Great White Hurricane by Guy Adams (7/10)
This was better than the last one, as not only did it have a more interesting setting, but it actually brought the series back to its roots in 1963 by telling you about a period of history you might not have known about. I didn’t really know about the Great Blizzard of 1888, but I think setting a Doctor Who story there was a good idea. Also, unlike a lot of other Doctor Who Pure Historicals from this period, it has likeable and interesting characters who you care about, particularly Rosalita and her quest to reunite with her son after he is taken by her ex-husband. This was definitely more experimental than with the formula being a newer story, and I appreciate that. But it did drag on in places, and I felt it could be shorter than it was in the end. And like some of the other Pure Historicals, it can get a bit formulaic with the Doctor and his companions being separated at the start and meeting different characters to remind you of when this is set. Again, this one was good, but not great, a solid piece of writing, but nothing that will leave a lasting impression on you.
Overall, I think this was an okay set to start off with, and I’m looking forward to listening to the other set in this series, which makes it more painful that they still aren't making them now.
January 2, 2018
loved it!
July 1, 2020
When the Doctor was an old geezer... great supporting characters. Volume Two next!
May 21, 2018
1.1 The Destination Wars by Matt Fitton
Strutturata come i serial televisivi dell'epoca, questa prima avventura del primo (nuovo) Dottore rende giustizia al ricordo dei veri interpreti... con qualche sorpresa niente male.
1.2 The Great White Hurricane by Guy Adams
Nella tradisione più classica, il Dottore e i suoi companion si trovano presi nel bel mezzo di un relae fatto storico, rischiando la pelle come sempre.
I due episodi del primo cofanetto del primo Dottore, con i nuovi interpreti, ovvero gli attori che hanno interpretato il cast nel film biografico 'An Adventure in Space and Time, rispecchia alla perfezione i serial classici. Durata, cliffhanger tra una puntata e l'altra, il passaggio tra unh serial e l'altro, con un cliffhanger ancora più grosso... tutto è ricostruito alla perfezione.
Il fatto che un paio dei vecchi companion siano ancora in vita stride un po' con l'utilizzo del loro cloni, ma non si può più dire che Carole Ann Ford abbia ancora la stessa tonalità adolescente di un tempo.
Alla fine ci si abitua e iol risultato finale è più che ottimo.
Strutturata come i serial televisivi dell'epoca, questa prima avventura del primo (nuovo) Dottore rende giustizia al ricordo dei veri interpreti... con qualche sorpresa niente male.
1.2 The Great White Hurricane by Guy Adams
Nella tradisione più classica, il Dottore e i suoi companion si trovano presi nel bel mezzo di un relae fatto storico, rischiando la pelle come sempre.
I due episodi del primo cofanetto del primo Dottore, con i nuovi interpreti, ovvero gli attori che hanno interpretato il cast nel film biografico 'An Adventure in Space and Time, rispecchia alla perfezione i serial classici. Durata, cliffhanger tra una puntata e l'altra, il passaggio tra unh serial e l'altro, con un cliffhanger ancora più grosso... tutto è ricostruito alla perfezione.
Il fatto che un paio dei vecchi companion siano ancora in vita stride un po' con l'utilizzo del loro cloni, ma non si può più dire che Carole Ann Ford abbia ancora la stessa tonalità adolescente di un tempo.
Alla fine ci si abitua e iol risultato finale è più che ottimo.
August 29, 2025
I wouldn't choose a First Doctor story myself, although David Bradley makes an excellent job of portraying him here with all his (mostly) flaws and cunning. My chief and overwhelming difficulty is the very 'period' acting of all the other characters. It's like fingernails down a blackboard for me (and wouldn't feel much better on the page), but I can't quite decide whether I should consider it a positive, respectful tribute that it is done like this, even if I don't want anything to do with it myself.
The two stories in the volume were quite different and neither of them was bad. The Destination Wars seemed eerily relevant to modern times, an individual who pops up from time to time as a mastermind and saviour but who is only out for his own interest and not saving anyone, people mesmerised to go along with things they should not and quite an interesting use of time travel that took me back to my days playing Sim City.
The Great White Hurricane was classic First Doctor historical and the pain of listening to Susan, Barbara and Ian was augmented by what felt like drama school New York accents (ie hammy gangsters). I was only able to work out who was who by which of the main characters they were with. The increasingly bad weather looms over the story effectively, as does the dire situation of people in New York at that period and the ways in which they try to survive. Rosalita the Puerto Rican who has bravely left her abusive husband is a stand out strand of the story - the exchange at the end with the man insisting he would never hurt their child is superb.
So - stories good, execution excruciating and perhaps because that's how it has to be with the First Doctor.
The two stories in the volume were quite different and neither of them was bad. The Destination Wars seemed eerily relevant to modern times, an individual who pops up from time to time as a mastermind and saviour but who is only out for his own interest and not saving anyone, people mesmerised to go along with things they should not and quite an interesting use of time travel that took me back to my days playing Sim City.
The Great White Hurricane was classic First Doctor historical and the pain of listening to Susan, Barbara and Ian was augmented by what felt like drama school New York accents (ie hammy gangsters). I was only able to work out who was who by which of the main characters they were with. The increasingly bad weather looms over the story effectively, as does the dire situation of people in New York at that period and the ways in which they try to survive. Rosalita the Puerto Rican who has bravely left her abusive husband is a stand out strand of the story - the exchange at the end with the man insisting he would never hurt their child is superb.
So - stories good, execution excruciating and perhaps because that's how it has to be with the First Doctor.
January 11, 2022
The first of a new series sees all new actors (sort of) stepping into the roles of the original 1963 TARDIS team. The box set has two 4-part stories written and produced to seem as if they would fit right into the first season of Doctor Who. The Destination Wars is an outer space adventure about a colony world in trouble as tensions rise between the colonists and natives. At the heart of it is the mysterious benefactor, The Inventor. It's an excellent thought experiment in a what if a certain foe of The Doctor's were introduced earlier in the series? The second story, The Great White Hurricane, is a pure historical that has exactly the right feel for 1964 Doctor Who. The TARDIS team get split for almost the duration, each dealing with the historical problem, in this case a massive blizzard that blitzed the US eastern seaboard in 1913. Both stories look at their situations through the moral lenses of Doctor Who at the time. The second story has a few dodgy accents. The new actors play their parts well. Huge credit goes to Big Finish for not making them try to impersonate the original actors. David Bradley is outstanding as Doctor One, conveying the same mannerisms as Hartnell without trying to sound like Hartnell. It's a very entertaining addition to the Big Finish version of Doctor Who.
August 25, 2023
A relisten. This was the first release in the First Doctor Adventures series, which brought back David Bradley and the cast of An Adventure in Time and Space to play the first TARDIS crew.
The first of the two stories, The Destination Wars, sees the return of the Master. Though as this is set before any previous Master adventure, it really is a prequel.
The story concerns a planet where a benevolent scientist emerges every few decades to bestow technological treasures on the population. What follows is not particularly surprising, but that doesn't bother me - we already know that the Master will be up to no good, so the tension really comes from seeing how our heroes will respond.
The second story, The Great White Hurricane, is a pure historical adventure set in one of the most deadly snowstorms in US history. This is more of a character-focused piece, and the idea of nature as the enemy makes this feel pretty unusual.
As for the performances, they are pretty solid. A couple of the actors feel like they are speaking in a voice, which gets in the way at times. Still, this was a good start to a range that I really enjoyed and miss.
Approachability: This boxset stands on its own and does not feature any recurring elements.
The first of the two stories, The Destination Wars, sees the return of the Master. Though as this is set before any previous Master adventure, it really is a prequel.
The story concerns a planet where a benevolent scientist emerges every few decades to bestow technological treasures on the population. What follows is not particularly surprising, but that doesn't bother me - we already know that the Master will be up to no good, so the tension really comes from seeing how our heroes will respond.
The second story, The Great White Hurricane, is a pure historical adventure set in one of the most deadly snowstorms in US history. This is more of a character-focused piece, and the idea of nature as the enemy makes this feel pretty unusual.
As for the performances, they are pretty solid. A couple of the actors feel like they are speaking in a voice, which gets in the way at times. Still, this was a good start to a range that I really enjoyed and miss.
Approachability: This boxset stands on its own and does not feature any recurring elements.
November 26, 2019
After portraying the original Dr. Who cast in An Adventure in Space and Time, Big Finish was able to get them to do First Doctor Adventures. They made a wise choice in not trying to imitate the exact voice characterizations of the original actors. But, have captured the essence of their characters. As with the original Bill Hartnell series, they would alternate between a sci fi story and a true historical story.
The first story, The Destination Wars , the First Doctor meets up with an old friend/enemy, the Master. On TV, the Master was not introduced until the Third Doctor's time. But, it was implied that they knew each other since they were in school. This story fills in some of the gaps. James Dreyfus is very good as the Master.
The second story, Great White Hurricane , is about a terrible hurricane in NY in 1888.
The first story, The Destination Wars , the First Doctor meets up with an old friend/enemy, the Master. On TV, the Master was not introduced until the Third Doctor's time. But, it was implied that they knew each other since they were in school. This story fills in some of the gaps. James Dreyfus is very good as the Master.
The second story, Great White Hurricane , is about a terrible hurricane in NY in 1888.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2025
This was a really interesting and mostly enjoyable box set. The performances of the new cast in the First Doctor adventures was exciting and interesting. For me, it was an experiment that paid off, with lovely, modern performances riffing off the original 1960’s actors.
“The Destination Wars” somehow didn’t quite work for me and I’ve reflected on that. Despite an original take on the oppressed people being saved storyline, it still felt like very familiar territory. It was almost too many familiar elements being brought together in a new mash-up, but you couldn’t disguise the essential same ingredients. So aliens unable to communicate, tick; a society developing too quickly because of Time Lord interference, tick; a timey-wimey plot to make comparisons between characters then and now, tick; nuclear weapon development coming too early, tick and so on. The performances were first rate and I really enjoyed James Dreyfus as The Inventor/Master. It was the feeling of having been here before that made me think of it as a 3.5, close to a 4.
On the other hand, “The Great White Hurricane” did not put a foot wrong for me. The Gangs of New York background and context was a really effective frame for the story, allowing an exploration of family and values and support that spotlighted the Tardis team’s own developing links. It even allowed space to reflect on the family groupings in “The Destination Wars”, allowing an exploration of a common theme around loyalty and ‘family’ to emerge from both stories.
Rosalita’s story rang true of an immigrant woman, leaving her violent husband to raise her son. Whilst the kidnap of the boy takes the story into melodrama, this is no bad thing. It highlights the urgency and panic of the situation as the storm increases in ferocity and the stakes are raised. “Doctor Who” as a series always seeks a resolution of sorts and the survival instincts of all become inspiring, taking the story from pure melodrama and into something meaningful, as characters identify what life will be like after the cataclysm of the storm. This story was a 5/5 for me.
To be honest, I could do without the obligatory interview CD, that often accompanies Big Finish productions. Once you’ve heard a few, they all feel a bit samey. Never offensive, they sometimes take me away from the story and out of the narrative.
Overall, the boxset is a 4/5. It’s very good with a lot of standout work. And it’s always good to learn about new things like the Great White Hurricane. Definitely worth listening to again…..
“The Destination Wars” somehow didn’t quite work for me and I’ve reflected on that. Despite an original take on the oppressed people being saved storyline, it still felt like very familiar territory. It was almost too many familiar elements being brought together in a new mash-up, but you couldn’t disguise the essential same ingredients. So aliens unable to communicate, tick; a society developing too quickly because of Time Lord interference, tick; a timey-wimey plot to make comparisons between characters then and now, tick; nuclear weapon development coming too early, tick and so on. The performances were first rate and I really enjoyed James Dreyfus as The Inventor/Master. It was the feeling of having been here before that made me think of it as a 3.5, close to a 4.
On the other hand, “The Great White Hurricane” did not put a foot wrong for me. The Gangs of New York background and context was a really effective frame for the story, allowing an exploration of family and values and support that spotlighted the Tardis team’s own developing links. It even allowed space to reflect on the family groupings in “The Destination Wars”, allowing an exploration of a common theme around loyalty and ‘family’ to emerge from both stories.
Rosalita’s story rang true of an immigrant woman, leaving her violent husband to raise her son. Whilst the kidnap of the boy takes the story into melodrama, this is no bad thing. It highlights the urgency and panic of the situation as the storm increases in ferocity and the stakes are raised. “Doctor Who” as a series always seeks a resolution of sorts and the survival instincts of all become inspiring, taking the story from pure melodrama and into something meaningful, as characters identify what life will be like after the cataclysm of the storm. This story was a 5/5 for me.
To be honest, I could do without the obligatory interview CD, that often accompanies Big Finish productions. Once you’ve heard a few, they all feel a bit samey. Never offensive, they sometimes take me away from the story and out of the narrative.
Overall, the boxset is a 4/5. It’s very good with a lot of standout work. And it’s always good to learn about new things like the Great White Hurricane. Definitely worth listening to again…..
December 25, 2022
1. Doctor Who: The First Doctor Adventures Volume 01 - 3/5 stars
1.1 The Destination Wars by Matt Fitton - 3.5/5 stars
My main issue with this is that they really ride on the fact that the main villain is The Master. Like its the episode 2 cliffhanger when the set literally has him credited as The Master! The second half of the story raises the stakes pretty well, showing the Master as a big threat and the Doctor/Companions out of their depth.
1.2 The Great White Hurricane by Guy Adams - 2.5/5 stars
A decent story set in a pretty unknown historical event. Overall this one is fun but basic where The Doctor, Susan and Barbara with Ian go off on different little adventures that all tie in together at the end.
1.1 The Destination Wars by Matt Fitton - 3.5/5 stars
My main issue with this is that they really ride on the fact that the main villain is The Master. Like its the episode 2 cliffhanger when the set literally has him credited as The Master! The second half of the story raises the stakes pretty well, showing the Master as a big threat and the Doctor/Companions out of their depth.
1.2 The Great White Hurricane by Guy Adams - 2.5/5 stars
A decent story set in a pretty unknown historical event. Overall this one is fun but basic where The Doctor, Susan and Barbara with Ian go off on different little adventures that all tie in together at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2022
With David Bradley having played William Hartnell in An Adventure in Space and Time and then the First Doctor Twice Upon a Time, Big Finish started releasing First Doctor boxsets featuring the first Tardis team as played by the actors who portrayed them in An Adventure in Space and Time. Each set is set between the first two original seasons (between Reign of Terror and Planet of Giants) and contains a sci-fi story and a pure historical story.
The Destination Wars is the first story in this set and sees the TARDIS crew arrive on a space colony in the far future. However, the colony is ruled over by a mysterious inventor.
The second story, the pure historical The Great White Hurricane, sees the Tardis crew arrive in New York City just in time for the deadly blizzard of March 1888. It's good story that on a very personal level with an immigrant mother searching for her child and abusive ex-husband, two rival latino gangs and a split-up Tardis crew just trying to survive. It's good, well-written and well-acted, it just wasn't as fun as the first story.
The TARDIS regulars work for me, but only just. And, that may be hit and miss going forward. Susan is the least like her original counterpart and it's hard to take her as seriously. The Doctor works but it's not William Hartnell's Doctor. Ian is probably the closest to what we see on the TV series. I have to keep reminding myself that these actors were originally chosen as lookalikes, and only Bradley had a major speaking role. Still, it was worth a listen.
The Destination Wars is the first story in this set and sees the TARDIS crew arrive on a space colony in the far future. However, the colony is ruled over by a mysterious inventor.
The second story, the pure historical The Great White Hurricane, sees the Tardis crew arrive in New York City just in time for the deadly blizzard of March 1888. It's good story that on a very personal level with an immigrant mother searching for her child and abusive ex-husband, two rival latino gangs and a split-up Tardis crew just trying to survive. It's good, well-written and well-acted, it just wasn't as fun as the first story.
The TARDIS regulars work for me, but only just. And, that may be hit and miss going forward. Susan is the least like her original counterpart and it's hard to take her as seriously. The Doctor works but it's not William Hartnell's Doctor. Ian is probably the closest to what we see on the TV series. I have to keep reminding myself that these actors were originally chosen as lookalikes, and only Bradley had a major speaking role. Still, it was worth a listen.
December 29, 2017
These two adventures were phenomenal. I must admit that I have not seen much of the First Doctor era, but this collection makes me want to brush up. David Bradley was great (again) as the First Doctor. With William Hartnell gone, Bradley is the next best thing. Claudia Grant did a great job capturing Susan's annoying whinyness. I cannot wait for vol 2!
May 26, 2020
Destination Wars was the stronger of the two stories, due to the twist involving The Inventor. Ian and Barbara also question whether or not they can trust The Doctor since he has not told them much about himself. The Great White Hurricane, while not as strong, was still a fun listen. These actors do a great job.
February 21, 2024
It's a shame I can't rate the two stories individually. The Destination Wars is actually pretty good (aside from the Master actor), but The Great White Hurricane is just shit. Terrible American accents, a ham-fisted "we're all the same" plotline, and a "forgive your abuser" ending combine to make one of the worst stories BF has ever produced.
October 2, 2025
(4.5) I didn't know these new* First Doctor audios were so good, but I finally listened and really loved it. David Bradley is a great First Doctor, which I knew, but these two stories are also really solid, even though one is a straight up historical, which aren't always my favorite.
*2017 can still be new. Hush.
*2017 can still be new. Hush.
April 3, 2024
David bradley makes for a very good first doctor! (I already knew that from the series but i hadnt yet listened to an audio adventure with him in it) the rest of the cast does a very good job as well. The rating is average because the stories themselves were
December 28, 2024
So the First Doctor died and then they recast him as another super-old guy. But doesn't that mean he's just as likely to also die soon? They should have cast a hot young dude to play the old guy, get 50 years out of him.
May 2, 2018
2 adventures. The first the Doctor and gang land on a planet controlled by the master. In the second the Doctor and gang land in New York City during a huge snowstorm.
March 25, 2021
3.5 The stories are alright, but the accents (as usual) are not very good. David Bradley does a decent first Doctor, but he should throw in more Yoda-esque "hmmms".
May 8, 2021
Loved it! I thought the second story set in New York was slower than the first but none the worse for it.
Read
June 3, 2024"The Destination Wars" by Matt Fitton 🎧
October 13, 2024
William Hartnell/ David bradley
February 11, 2018
An early Master story followed by a story of gang warfare.
January 9, 2025
📝83/100
The Destination Wars successfully recreates the charm of Hartnell-era Doctor Who while offering enough fresh ideas to engage modern listeners. The authentic portrayal of the original TARDIS team, the introduction of a fascinating new Master, and the rich setting make this a compelling adventure. While the pacing falters in the latter half, the story remains a strong opening to The First Doctor Adventures.
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
----
📝72/100
The Great White Hurricane feels true to its era, presenting a pure historical story that emphasises character interactions and social issues. While its lack of a famous historical figure or major sci-fi elements may make it feel less like typical Doctor Who, it offers an emotionally resonant narrative grounded in realism. However, the slow pacing and minimal plot progression in the early parts weaken its overall impact.
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
The Destination Wars successfully recreates the charm of Hartnell-era Doctor Who while offering enough fresh ideas to engage modern listeners. The authentic portrayal of the original TARDIS team, the introduction of a fascinating new Master, and the rich setting make this a compelling adventure. While the pacing falters in the latter half, the story remains a strong opening to The First Doctor Adventures.
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
----
📝72/100
The Great White Hurricane feels true to its era, presenting a pure historical story that emphasises character interactions and social issues. While its lack of a famous historical figure or major sci-fi elements may make it feel less like typical Doctor Who, it offers an emotionally resonant narrative grounded in realism. However, the slow pacing and minimal plot progression in the early parts weaken its overall impact.
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
August 19, 2023
The New cast is actually great, but they keep trying too hard to do impressions of the original cast rather than doing their own stuff.
The real problems are the stories and scripts
The Destination Wars is an attempt to tell a new “first” Master story. The problem is that it doesn’t work as an introduction to the Master character, and the new incarnation they created of the master is just a decent impression of Roger Delgado? Why didn’t they just make him that incarnation if they weren’t going to do anything different or interesting with him?
That being said the story is actually great and the writing of the First Doctor’s character is fantastic. If you view it as an out of continuity fan fiction thing it’s actually quite fun. 3.5/5
The Great White Hurricane is a great concept for a historical. But the stupid centrist politics on display drove me insane. They actually end a subplot about an abused Spouse who’s child is kidnapped by her abuser by saying that it’s partially her fault cause she didn’t let the abuser visit the kid. Fuck that… 2/5
The real problems are the stories and scripts
The Destination Wars is an attempt to tell a new “first” Master story. The problem is that it doesn’t work as an introduction to the Master character, and the new incarnation they created of the master is just a decent impression of Roger Delgado? Why didn’t they just make him that incarnation if they weren’t going to do anything different or interesting with him?
That being said the story is actually great and the writing of the First Doctor’s character is fantastic. If you view it as an out of continuity fan fiction thing it’s actually quite fun. 3.5/5
The Great White Hurricane is a great concept for a historical. But the stupid centrist politics on display drove me insane. They actually end a subplot about an abused Spouse who’s child is kidnapped by her abuser by saying that it’s partially her fault cause she didn’t let the abuser visit the kid. Fuck that… 2/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews