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The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield #4
Doctor Who: The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield, Vol. 4: Ruler of the Universe
Bernice Summerfield is still trapped in a dying universe with the wrong Doctor. Things have taken a turn for the worse - the Doctor has become President Of The Universe and, it turns out, he's a controversial choice for the job. While Bernice works to unearth the mythical Apocalypse Clock, the Doctor's immersed in the murky world of politics and the dark forces that are working against him. As battlefleets fight and terrible deals are done, the peoples of the universe wonder if they've made a terrible decision. Is the Doctor up to ruling the universe? Watching from the sidelines, the Master is quick to reassure everyone that he has no ambitions in that direction. And, meanwhile, the stars are going out...
1) The City And The Clock by Guy Adams
Bernice is on an archaeological dig for the mythical Apocalypse Clock. Can it really be the key to saving the universe? The ghosts of the planet have other ideas.
2) Asking For A Friend by James Goss
Vast wars are raging across the stars, planets are dying, and the Doctor is sat on a psychiatrist's couch. What's it like to be the Doctor's therapist?
3) Truant by Guy Adams
The President of the Universe has run away. Bernice has to hunt him down, but he's too busy having fun. Evil warlords! Impossible escapes! Sinister plans! The Doctor's on an adventure.
4) The True Saviour Of The Universe by James Goss
Bernice finds that time has run out for the Doctor and the universe. Is this really the end of everything? Help is on hand from an unlikely quarter.
1) The City And The Clock by Guy Adams
Bernice is on an archaeological dig for the mythical Apocalypse Clock. Can it really be the key to saving the universe? The ghosts of the planet have other ideas.
2) Asking For A Friend by James Goss
Vast wars are raging across the stars, planets are dying, and the Doctor is sat on a psychiatrist's couch. What's it like to be the Doctor's therapist?
3) Truant by Guy Adams
The President of the Universe has run away. Bernice has to hunt him down, but he's too busy having fun. Evil warlords! Impossible escapes! Sinister plans! The Doctor's on an adventure.
4) The True Saviour Of The Universe by James Goss
Bernice finds that time has run out for the Doctor and the universe. Is this really the end of everything? Help is on hand from an unlikely quarter.
Audio CD
First published September 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 23, 2017
Picking up after Volume 3, Benny is still stuck in an alternate universe with an alternate Doctor -- played wonderfully by David Warner. And I hereby expand my personal Whoniverse Canon to include David Warner's Doctor, because after ten episodes now (Sympathy for the Devil, Masters of War, the four episodes in
The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Volume 3 The Unbound Universe
, and now these four episodes) I think the character is fairly well-established. In his timeline, he's the Third Doctor, having been exiled to earth in the late 90s instead of the early 70s. He's grumpy and abrasive, . . . he's the President of a dying Universe and isn't really all that interested in the job.
Warner is once again absolutely fantastic in the role, and of course Lisa Bowerman is her usual awesome self as Benny, a role she's been playing for 20 years. These two have remarkable chemistry together. If there's a flaw here it's that this set of episodes feels more like they're about the Doctor than about Benny. In fact, a highlight of the set -- a highlight of the whole New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield series so far -- is episode two, Asking for a Friend.
It's an unusual story, being that it consists of a series of the Doctor's visits with a therapist. Given that, it's much more a Doctor story than a Benny story. Some people might not like that, but I'm glad we're delving deeply into the way this Doctor thinks and feels.
This alternate Whoniverse doesn't appear to be all that different from the regular Whoniverse, and there are times when the thoughts and feelings of Warner's Doctor sound like they could very much be coming any one of our Doctors, or maybe specifically from the War Doctor. As established in the previous set, this universe had its own universe-spanning war, and we learn a bit about the fate of this universe's Time Lords as well. But mostly we get insight into the Doctor's views on friendship, his relationships with his companions, his motivations, his frustrations, how he feels about his own actions -- or inaction. . . . it's a great combination of funny, sad, and poignant.
Though the Bernice Summerfield audio series has been going since 1998 (technically this set of episodes would be something like the 20th Season/Series, or somewhere around episodes 81–84) The previous set ( The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Volume 3 The Unbound Universe ), is actually a good jumping-on point.
Warner is once again absolutely fantastic in the role, and of course Lisa Bowerman is her usual awesome self as Benny, a role she's been playing for 20 years. These two have remarkable chemistry together. If there's a flaw here it's that this set of episodes feels more like they're about the Doctor than about Benny. In fact, a highlight of the set -- a highlight of the whole New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield series so far -- is episode two, Asking for a Friend.
It's an unusual story, being that it consists of a series of the Doctor's visits with a therapist. Given that, it's much more a Doctor story than a Benny story. Some people might not like that, but I'm glad we're delving deeply into the way this Doctor thinks and feels.
This alternate Whoniverse doesn't appear to be all that different from the regular Whoniverse, and there are times when the thoughts and feelings of Warner's Doctor sound like they could very much be coming any one of our Doctors, or maybe specifically from the War Doctor. As established in the previous set, this universe had its own universe-spanning war, and we learn a bit about the fate of this universe's Time Lords as well. But mostly we get insight into the Doctor's views on friendship, his relationships with his companions, his motivations, his frustrations, how he feels about his own actions -- or inaction. . . . it's a great combination of funny, sad, and poignant.
Though the Bernice Summerfield audio series has been going since 1998 (technically this set of episodes would be something like the 20th Season/Series, or somewhere around episodes 81–84) The previous set ( The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Volume 3 The Unbound Universe ), is actually a good jumping-on point.
November 17, 2022
An alternate reality? A variant history? An incarnation of the Doctor and/or a timeline that was erased by effects of the Time War? And he’s back! David Warner is quickly becoming one of my favorite Doctors. And he’s tasked Professor Bernice Summerfield with finding something to save the entire universe - his Unbound Universe! Or what’s left of it!
(4.1) The City And The Clock - The Apocalypse Clock? Does that really sound like something that can save the universe? Really? Is it even real? And if it isn’t why has the Doctor sent Bernice to find it? Questions. Question. Nothing but questions. But the real question is whether or not Bernice is going to kill the Doctor before the Unbound Universe comes to an end (4/5).
(4.2) Asking For A Friend - The Doctor sees an analyst. The Doctor is depressed. The Doctor is overworked. The Doctor is burnt out and feeling unappreciated. It may not sound like much, but as we’re talking David Warner here, it’s a hoot! I could have easily listened to this for another three hours. Seriously (5/5).
(4.3) Truant - The Doctor seems to be on the run, and Summerfield has been charged with finding him. And, as usually happens, the Doctor encounters trouble in the form an invasion and some pesky genocide. What is Bernice going to do now? I’ve got to say that the banter between Warner and Bowerman in this one is PERFECT! Absolutely brilliant (5/5)!
(4.4) The True Saviour Of The Universe - And now … the big finish (sorry, sometimes it’s just too easy). Plots and misdirections and it’s all just as you’d expect. No big surprises and it’s all performed just wonderfully. But it’s also rather predictable. Delightfully so, but still predictable (3/5).
This box set also includes the usual wonderful interviews with cast and crew.
(4.1) The City And The Clock - The Apocalypse Clock? Does that really sound like something that can save the universe? Really? Is it even real? And if it isn’t why has the Doctor sent Bernice to find it? Questions. Question. Nothing but questions. But the real question is whether or not Bernice is going to kill the Doctor before the Unbound Universe comes to an end (4/5).
(4.2) Asking For A Friend - The Doctor sees an analyst. The Doctor is depressed. The Doctor is overworked. The Doctor is burnt out and feeling unappreciated. It may not sound like much, but as we’re talking David Warner here, it’s a hoot! I could have easily listened to this for another three hours. Seriously (5/5).
(4.3) Truant - The Doctor seems to be on the run, and Summerfield has been charged with finding him. And, as usually happens, the Doctor encounters trouble in the form an invasion and some pesky genocide. What is Bernice going to do now? I’ve got to say that the banter between Warner and Bowerman in this one is PERFECT! Absolutely brilliant (5/5)!
(4.4) The True Saviour Of The Universe - And now … the big finish (sorry, sometimes it’s just too easy). Plots and misdirections and it’s all just as you’d expect. No big surprises and it’s all performed just wonderfully. But it’s also rather predictable. Delightfully so, but still predictable (3/5).
This box set also includes the usual wonderful interviews with cast and crew.
June 21, 2019
Listening again by far one of the best things Big finish have ever done.
I am loving the new adventures of Bernice Summerfield. The cover of this volume has Doctor Who listed first, then Bernice Summerfield, and for all it's supposedly her series this was just as much about David Warner's Doctor as it was our Benny. But given this is David Warner's doctor that's totally acceptable. These four stories are a little light on plot. The universe is dying and the President of the Universe (The Doctor) is trying to fix it by solving the equations of the apocalypse clock and make a safe zone. But that' really not why you listen to this. You listen to this because it's four hours of Benny and the Doctor being incredibly witty and squabbling. Which is simply superb. It's beautifully character driven. With the exceptions to a few references of "political correctness gone mad" Warner's doctor is superb and grumpy and hilarious (and occasionally reminded me of Matt's doctor). Benny remains Benny, without her family concerns she's back to her old self. Plus she's still doing archaeology. I think one of the reasons that I do love Benny so much is that she's a woman archaeologist who actually does her job, it's not just in her character description, or a title she holds of what she did before she met the Doctor. But she's a professional woman who is frequently doing her job, in whatever odd universe she comes across.
I can't wait for volume 5!
I am loving the new adventures of Bernice Summerfield. The cover of this volume has Doctor Who listed first, then Bernice Summerfield, and for all it's supposedly her series this was just as much about David Warner's Doctor as it was our Benny. But given this is David Warner's doctor that's totally acceptable. These four stories are a little light on plot. The universe is dying and the President of the Universe (The Doctor) is trying to fix it by solving the equations of the apocalypse clock and make a safe zone. But that' really not why you listen to this. You listen to this because it's four hours of Benny and the Doctor being incredibly witty and squabbling. Which is simply superb. It's beautifully character driven. With the exceptions to a few references of "political correctness gone mad" Warner's doctor is superb and grumpy and hilarious (and occasionally reminded me of Matt's doctor). Benny remains Benny, without her family concerns she's back to her old self. Plus she's still doing archaeology. I think one of the reasons that I do love Benny so much is that she's a woman archaeologist who actually does her job, it's not just in her character description, or a title she holds of what she did before she met the Doctor. But she's a professional woman who is frequently doing her job, in whatever odd universe she comes across.
I can't wait for volume 5!
May 16, 2023
The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield: Volume 4: Ruler of the Universe - 3.75/5 stars
1. The City and the Clock by Guy Adams - 3/5 stars
An interesting start to the set a bit after Volume 3: The Unbound Universe. The Doctor is now the President of the Universe and Bernice is digging up something called the eternity clock. Overall this is just a bit bland compared to the last set. I liked this one but I expected more.
2. Asking For A Friend by James Goss - 5/5 stars
The Doctor goes to therapy.
3. Truant by Guy Adams - 4/5 stars
A fun runaround with a cliffhanger leading into the next.
4. The True Saviour of the Universe by James Goss - 3/5 stars
The overarching story comes to a close and Benny and the Doctor make it out of the Unbound Universe and into Benny’s universe to continue their adventures. This was really just moving some chess pieces around for the next set. The Master was alright here.But overall this set seems like a bit of a downgrade compared to the last.
1. The City and the Clock by Guy Adams - 3/5 stars
An interesting start to the set a bit after Volume 3: The Unbound Universe. The Doctor is now the President of the Universe and Bernice is digging up something called the eternity clock. Overall this is just a bit bland compared to the last set. I liked this one but I expected more.
2. Asking For A Friend by James Goss - 5/5 stars
The Doctor goes to therapy.
3. Truant by Guy Adams - 4/5 stars
A fun runaround with a cliffhanger leading into the next.
4. The True Saviour of the Universe by James Goss - 3/5 stars
The overarching story comes to a close and Benny and the Doctor make it out of the Unbound Universe and into Benny’s universe to continue their adventures. This was really just moving some chess pieces around for the next set. The Master was alright here.But overall this set seems like a bit of a downgrade compared to the last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2018
Well.... this is very very good. The acting, the writing... impeccable.
It is also very very depressing.
The universe is dying, there are desperate wars and refugees crises everywhere and billions are dying every day... in most cases, not much can be done and even the Doctor and his TARDIS are at the very limits of their abilities.
It is very bleak and it hits very close to home in the current political climate. If you are like me and value these audio dramas as a nice bit of escapism, this might NOT be it.
This is not to say this is without funny scenes or humour. It is Bernice Summerfield after all.
And it has the wonderfully funny scene of the Doctor being very drunk screaming for peanuts. And episode 3 is a fun romp (it is about time we see the Doctor with a jetpack in the TV series!!!).
But these scenes only emphasize how hopeless and bleak the situation really is, since there is not much respite and even the Doctor`s shrink might not be up to the job.
This might be one of the best releases I have heard from Big Finish yet, bordering on the deep end of philosphical.
But it is also the most depressing thing I heard in a while outside the daily news.
So yes, I recommend it, but not if you are expecting a funny little adventure. Because this is more like a ride to the dark side.
It is also very very depressing.
The universe is dying, there are desperate wars and refugees crises everywhere and billions are dying every day... in most cases, not much can be done and even the Doctor and his TARDIS are at the very limits of their abilities.
It is very bleak and it hits very close to home in the current political climate. If you are like me and value these audio dramas as a nice bit of escapism, this might NOT be it.
This is not to say this is without funny scenes or humour. It is Bernice Summerfield after all.
And it has the wonderfully funny scene of the Doctor being very drunk screaming for peanuts. And episode 3 is a fun romp (it is about time we see the Doctor with a jetpack in the TV series!!!).
But these scenes only emphasize how hopeless and bleak the situation really is, since there is not much respite and even the Doctor`s shrink might not be up to the job.
This might be one of the best releases I have heard from Big Finish yet, bordering on the deep end of philosphical.
But it is also the most depressing thing I heard in a while outside the daily news.
So yes, I recommend it, but not if you are expecting a funny little adventure. Because this is more like a ride to the dark side.
August 19, 2018
THIS WAS SO GOOD. I LOVED IT.
October 14, 2017
Just fantastic. I love Bernice Summerfield, my favorite Doctor Who companion. And David Warner's Doctor is really, really good.
December 27, 2017
Benny tries to help the Doctor save the alternate Universe.
November 9, 2022
David Warner is amazing.
July 28, 2023
The City and the Clock ****
Asking for a Friend *****
Truant *****
The True Saviour of the Universe ****
Asking for a Friend *****
Truant *****
The True Saviour of the Universe ****
March 1, 2025
The idea of how The Doctor or The Master would deal with ruling the universe is so delicious. Really loving the Unbound Doctor by this point and his friendship with Bernice.
March 25, 2023
So after having listened to the incredible, The Unbound Universe set in this series, I was really excited to dive into the next installment, Ruler of The Universe. But I decided to give the first set a chance before continuing on this series which to my absolute delight was much better than I had initially thought!
The City and The Clock:
Guy Adams is always a writer you can rely upon for a good story in this range. Here we have Bernice Summerfield doing what she does best by attempting to unearth a powerful doomsday clock that could possibly save the universe, whilst spirits of the dead are rising from their graves. The Doctor meanwhile is having to deal with the daily life of being President and he's not having much fun.
It's a solid little story that sets up the overall tone for this set but I found when you compare this story to says Ghosts or Planet X. This is rather the weakest story Guy Adams has written for the range so far, it's not bad by any means, it has plenty of wit and tension but I found it was quite by the numbers for a story. But there was fantastic atmosphere and characterization in this that makes up for the story being a little weak this time round. 8/10
Asking For a Friend:
Now that's more like it! James Goss has written a fascinating story where we get to explore this Doctor's psyche and see all the terrible things he's had to do, the stress he has as a President, and how he feels he's losing Bernice as his one true friend in the universe. His Psychiatrist Guilana played by the magnificent Annette Badland has a great bond with Warner's Doctor as you truly feel a connection being made between them.
This story shows how complicated The Doctor's life can be especially when he's president and how sometimes kindness can do more harm than good. This is a very emotional adventure that brings up a lot to think about and also gives us a look into the earlier days of the war that ravaged the universe. Terrific stuff! 10/10
Truant:
The City and The Clock was a good story but a little underwhelming when compared to Guy Adams's other stories for this range, however, I can happily say he's back in top form! Truant is an incredibly fun and hilarious story where The Doctor is absconding from the presidency to fight injustice across the universe, however, the enemies and tyrants he comes across all bow down to their knees. Nothing is the same for his travels anymore.
This is a very unique and silly little direction on an alien invasion story and all the twists and turns were definitely unexpected. However, that cliffhanger at the end sent shivers down my spine! The story is nearly over for this universe, but what will be the outcome? 8.5/10
The True Saviour of The Universe:
James Goss has written a simple yet epic finale with a Doctor on trial with doubt about his presidency, but Bernice Summerfield with help from The Master has come to help. However, it would seem something more grandiose is at play here and that the universe might very well finally come to its end.
This was a terrific finale that concludes and ties up everything incredibly well, whilst explaining how Bernice Summerfield gets back home and what The Doctor's plan is to hopefully save the universe. Won't spoil much about this one, but it's by far the best of this set! 10/10
Overall: The Unbound Boxsets have been absolutely incredible, I've enjoyed every second of it and I can't wait to follow The Doctor and Bernice on their new adventures! 36.5/40
The City and The Clock:
Guy Adams is always a writer you can rely upon for a good story in this range. Here we have Bernice Summerfield doing what she does best by attempting to unearth a powerful doomsday clock that could possibly save the universe, whilst spirits of the dead are rising from their graves. The Doctor meanwhile is having to deal with the daily life of being President and he's not having much fun.
It's a solid little story that sets up the overall tone for this set but I found when you compare this story to says Ghosts or Planet X. This is rather the weakest story Guy Adams has written for the range so far, it's not bad by any means, it has plenty of wit and tension but I found it was quite by the numbers for a story. But there was fantastic atmosphere and characterization in this that makes up for the story being a little weak this time round. 8/10
Asking For a Friend:
Now that's more like it! James Goss has written a fascinating story where we get to explore this Doctor's psyche and see all the terrible things he's had to do, the stress he has as a President, and how he feels he's losing Bernice as his one true friend in the universe. His Psychiatrist Guilana played by the magnificent Annette Badland has a great bond with Warner's Doctor as you truly feel a connection being made between them.
This story shows how complicated The Doctor's life can be especially when he's president and how sometimes kindness can do more harm than good. This is a very emotional adventure that brings up a lot to think about and also gives us a look into the earlier days of the war that ravaged the universe. Terrific stuff! 10/10
Truant:
The City and The Clock was a good story but a little underwhelming when compared to Guy Adams's other stories for this range, however, I can happily say he's back in top form! Truant is an incredibly fun and hilarious story where The Doctor is absconding from the presidency to fight injustice across the universe, however, the enemies and tyrants he comes across all bow down to their knees. Nothing is the same for his travels anymore.
This is a very unique and silly little direction on an alien invasion story and all the twists and turns were definitely unexpected. However, that cliffhanger at the end sent shivers down my spine! The story is nearly over for this universe, but what will be the outcome? 8.5/10
The True Saviour of The Universe:
James Goss has written a simple yet epic finale with a Doctor on trial with doubt about his presidency, but Bernice Summerfield with help from The Master has come to help. However, it would seem something more grandiose is at play here and that the universe might very well finally come to its end.
This was a terrific finale that concludes and ties up everything incredibly well, whilst explaining how Bernice Summerfield gets back home and what The Doctor's plan is to hopefully save the universe. Won't spoil much about this one, but it's by far the best of this set! 10/10
Overall: The Unbound Boxsets have been absolutely incredible, I've enjoyed every second of it and I can't wait to follow The Doctor and Bernice on their new adventures! 36.5/40
February 6, 2024
Review by story…
“The City and the Clock”: the first really bad story to feature this Doctor. Great build up and I understand its necessity for the arc of the set. But it’s very bad. 2/5 stars.
“Asking for a Friend”: incredible. The Doctor is an old bitchy cunt and I love him. 5/5 stars.
“Truant”: love these last two stories in particular. This one kind of goes nowhere but that’s the point? 4.5/5 stars.
“The True Savior of the Universe”: this version of the Doctor has very quickly become one of my absolute favorites. He’s one of the most insane and chaotic, and yet the most effective, and pragmatic. This story is a great example of it. It’s fucking incredible. I just… I just… 5/5 stars.
“The City and the Clock”: the first really bad story to feature this Doctor. Great build up and I understand its necessity for the arc of the set. But it’s very bad. 2/5 stars.
“Asking for a Friend”: incredible. The Doctor is an old bitchy cunt and I love him. 5/5 stars.
“Truant”: love these last two stories in particular. This one kind of goes nowhere but that’s the point? 4.5/5 stars.
“The True Savior of the Universe”: this version of the Doctor has very quickly become one of my absolute favorites. He’s one of the most insane and chaotic, and yet the most effective, and pragmatic. This story is a great example of it. It’s fucking incredible. I just… I just… 5/5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews