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The First Doctor Adventures #1.2
Doctor Who: The First Doctor Adventures, Volume 2
2.1 The Invention of Death by John Dorney
After an experimental flight, the TARDIS crew find themselves on one of the strangest worlds they have ever encountered.
Alien life takes many forms, and on Ashtallah the travellers find all their preconceptions tested.
But this world is about to make a discovery – and it could mean the end of everything.
2.2 The Barbarians and the Samurai by Andrew Smith
In 19th Century Japan, Westerners are forbidden. So when the TARDIS arrives near Lord Mamoru’s castle, the daimyo’s Samurai are soon on their trail.
Uncovering secrets at court and treachery in the ranks, the Doctor and his friends are drawn into intrigue. And, as a battle begins, they are caught in the middle.
After an experimental flight, the TARDIS crew find themselves on one of the strangest worlds they have ever encountered.
Alien life takes many forms, and on Ashtallah the travellers find all their preconceptions tested.
But this world is about to make a discovery – and it could mean the end of everything.
2.2 The Barbarians and the Samurai by Andrew Smith
In 19th Century Japan, Westerners are forbidden. So when the TARDIS arrives near Lord Mamoru’s castle, the daimyo’s Samurai are soon on their trail.
Uncovering secrets at court and treachery in the ranks, the Doctor and his friends are drawn into intrigue. And, as a battle begins, they are caught in the middle.
Audiobook
First published July 25, 2018
About the author
John Dorney
175 books26 followersJohn Dorney is a British writer and actor best known for stage roles including the National Theatre, the BBC Radio 4 sitcom My First Planet; and his scripts for the Big Finish Doctor Who range. His script 'Solitaire' was rated the most popular Doctor Who Companion Chronicle of 2010 on the Timescales website and was the runner up in Unreality Sci-fi net's poll for Story of the Year 2010-11.
As well as Doctor Who, he has written for Big Finish's Sapphire and Steel series and on radio co-wrote three series of BBC Radio 4's Recorded for Training Purposes. He won the BBC Show Me the Funny 'Sketch Factor' competition, was a finalist in the BBC 'Laughing Stock' competition, and has performed in Mark Watson's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning long shows as 'The Balladeer'. On stage, he has written plays for the Royal Court Theatre, Hampstead and Soho Theatres.
He trained at LAMDA.
As well as Doctor Who, he has written for Big Finish's Sapphire and Steel series and on radio co-wrote three series of BBC Radio 4's Recorded for Training Purposes. He won the BBC Show Me the Funny 'Sketch Factor' competition, was a finalist in the BBC 'Laughing Stock' competition, and has performed in Mark Watson's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning long shows as 'The Balladeer'. On stage, he has written plays for the Royal Court Theatre, Hampstead and Soho Theatres.
He trained at LAMDA.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 28, 2025
Two Stories. The first one was very good as our heroes try to deal with Death in a world that Death doesn't exist. IT deals with culture & civilization and how invaders\outsiders deal with it and we learn that willing or unwilling those outsiders deal with the consequences of mingling societies that probably shouldn't be. In this case the blood of Barbara becomes the death of one of this beings and they don't understand the concept or reason behind. They also don't deal with progeny. IF no-ones dies, then no new beings are needed. It's a closed society. Unfortunately again with their actions this new society now have to deal with that and the Tardis plus all leave having destroyed (or enhanced, we never know) a society. IT's awful the Doctor thinking but also interesting.
The second tale is about a trip to the samurai era and conflicts they face as they are closed to outsiders. Pretty good tale but more of the same.
Just for the first these would receive 5 stars. The second deals with 3 so half is 4 :P or 83 out 100 on my rating.
The second tale is about a trip to the samurai era and conflicts they face as they are closed to outsiders. Pretty good tale but more of the same.
Just for the first these would receive 5 stars. The second deals with 3 so half is 4 :P or 83 out 100 on my rating.
March 23, 2019
This volume continues the adventures of The Doctor, Susan, Barbara & Ian as they travel through time & space aboard the TARDIS, which are set after the events of The Reign of Terror and before Planet of Giants as a kind of Doctor Who season 1B.
Well, this second volume of audio-drama adventures may not be quite as wonderful as the first volume, but it was still excellent. The pacing here was definitely old-school-TV style, meaning that it felt like it might have actually aired in the 1960s. This is, of course, exactly what the producers were driving for - and they succeeded admirably. These adventures, just like the first volume, feel like they were lifted right out of the original Doctor's run. They might as well be "lost" or "unproduced" scripts. The texture and pacing are precisely what could have been expected to be seen during that first season or two of the series. Highly commendable.
(2.1) The Invention of Death is remarkable in that it actually feels like one of the historical episodes, but it actually has more akin to stories like The Web Planet or The Sensorites where the Doctor and his companions become immersed in an alien (a VERY alien) culture.
(2.2) The Barbarians and the Samurai is the type of story that placed the TARDIS crew into some historical time of Earth's history and perhaps they would meet an important individual or find themselves at a pivotal point of history. This is another example of pure, classic Doctor Who.
As a whole, I'm only disappointed that there were only the pair of stories. I want more. Looking forward to The First Doctor Adventures: Volume 3.
Update: I’ve now listened through these audio-episodes twice and I throughly enjoy them. Perhaps not quite as good as the first volume, this second set is still excellent and extremely entertaining. The voices may not be perfect duplicates of the original cast members, but they aren’t meant to be and the current cast does a brilliant job simultaneously recreating the personalities of these characters and making them their own. Big Finish continues to produce top quality material. Completely entertaining and captivating. Brilliant productions that are perfect companions to the original episodes.
Well, this second volume of audio-drama adventures may not be quite as wonderful as the first volume, but it was still excellent. The pacing here was definitely old-school-TV style, meaning that it felt like it might have actually aired in the 1960s. This is, of course, exactly what the producers were driving for - and they succeeded admirably. These adventures, just like the first volume, feel like they were lifted right out of the original Doctor's run. They might as well be "lost" or "unproduced" scripts. The texture and pacing are precisely what could have been expected to be seen during that first season or two of the series. Highly commendable.
(2.1) The Invention of Death is remarkable in that it actually feels like one of the historical episodes, but it actually has more akin to stories like The Web Planet or The Sensorites where the Doctor and his companions become immersed in an alien (a VERY alien) culture.
(2.2) The Barbarians and the Samurai is the type of story that placed the TARDIS crew into some historical time of Earth's history and perhaps they would meet an important individual or find themselves at a pivotal point of history. This is another example of pure, classic Doctor Who.
As a whole, I'm only disappointed that there were only the pair of stories. I want more. Looking forward to The First Doctor Adventures: Volume 3.
Update: I’ve now listened through these audio-episodes twice and I throughly enjoy them. Perhaps not quite as good as the first volume, this second set is still excellent and extremely entertaining. The voices may not be perfect duplicates of the original cast members, but they aren’t meant to be and the current cast does a brilliant job simultaneously recreating the personalities of these characters and making them their own. Big Finish continues to produce top quality material. Completely entertaining and captivating. Brilliant productions that are perfect companions to the original episodes.
April 24, 2021
The second in the series of recast stories featuring the show’s original line-up of characters consists, once again, of unconnected two 2-hour stories. As before, one of these is science fictional in nature and the other is a straight historical, mirroring the roughly 50/50 split of these kinds of story in the show’s first season.
• The Invention of Death – Many of the SF stories of the First Doctor’s run were, or were at least trying to be, relatively high-concept SF for the day. There’s also a tendency for them to be set on entirely alien worlds, rather than future Earth or colony worlds. The most extreme example of that is surely season 2’s The Web Planet, but all three of the first-season SF stories also fit the description. This is very much in that mould, although it obviously benefits from having no budgetary restrictions on the visuals.
The travellers land on an alien planet inhabited by immortal and unchanging beings that are very different from humans both biologically and culturally. The first half of the story is particularly sedate, exploring the setting and explaining how the aliens live and think. It’s something that you’d never do in the modern show, or honestly, for much of the classic run, but it’s a good piece of conceptual SF that’s reminiscent of some parts of, say, The Sensorites. In the second half, though, a threat does rear its head and the story changes pace as it escalates and the Doctor turns to science for the solution. Accompanied by reflection on the nature of mortality and what it means to lack it, as well as the unspoken love between Ian and Barbara, this is unusually cerebral for Doctor Who which, depending on your tastes, may be a good or a bad thing. But I liked it. 5 stars.
• The Barbarians and the Samurai – It’s hard not to think of this as simply ‘The Samurai’, since that’s clearly what we’d be calling it were it actually a Hartnell TV story… but for some reason they went with a longer title. But I digress.
The TARDIS lands in 1820s Japan, which is a bit of a problem, because it’s during the “Sakoku” period of isolation when foreigners (at least outside of Nagasaki) were put to death on sight. The first part of the story focuses on that threat, but soon the travellers are involved with the schemes of the local daimyo as they struggle to return to the TARDIS. It’s an action story, for the most part, with peril, sword fights and daring escapes, but it also explores the cultural gulf between 20th century Europe and 19th century Japan. Along the way there are disgraced ronin, a tea ceremony, and much talk of bushido.
In many ways, it does feel like the stories it is emulating - The Aztecs and Marco Polo both spring to mind, although those also involve an extended stay in the past, where this only occupies about three days. The Doctor and Ian are more the focus than Barbara and Susan, who fall more into the role they often had on TV of being held captive - although Barbara does get a few good scenes and at least gets to deliver some of the exposition of the relevant history. 4 stars.
• The Invention of Death – Many of the SF stories of the First Doctor’s run were, or were at least trying to be, relatively high-concept SF for the day. There’s also a tendency for them to be set on entirely alien worlds, rather than future Earth or colony worlds. The most extreme example of that is surely season 2’s The Web Planet, but all three of the first-season SF stories also fit the description. This is very much in that mould, although it obviously benefits from having no budgetary restrictions on the visuals.
The travellers land on an alien planet inhabited by immortal and unchanging beings that are very different from humans both biologically and culturally. The first half of the story is particularly sedate, exploring the setting and explaining how the aliens live and think. It’s something that you’d never do in the modern show, or honestly, for much of the classic run, but it’s a good piece of conceptual SF that’s reminiscent of some parts of, say, The Sensorites. In the second half, though, a threat does rear its head and the story changes pace as it escalates and the Doctor turns to science for the solution. Accompanied by reflection on the nature of mortality and what it means to lack it, as well as the unspoken love between Ian and Barbara, this is unusually cerebral for Doctor Who which, depending on your tastes, may be a good or a bad thing. But I liked it. 5 stars.
• The Barbarians and the Samurai – It’s hard not to think of this as simply ‘The Samurai’, since that’s clearly what we’d be calling it were it actually a Hartnell TV story… but for some reason they went with a longer title. But I digress.
The TARDIS lands in 1820s Japan, which is a bit of a problem, because it’s during the “Sakoku” period of isolation when foreigners (at least outside of Nagasaki) were put to death on sight. The first part of the story focuses on that threat, but soon the travellers are involved with the schemes of the local daimyo as they struggle to return to the TARDIS. It’s an action story, for the most part, with peril, sword fights and daring escapes, but it also explores the cultural gulf between 20th century Europe and 19th century Japan. Along the way there are disgraced ronin, a tea ceremony, and much talk of bushido.
In many ways, it does feel like the stories it is emulating - The Aztecs and Marco Polo both spring to mind, although those also involve an extended stay in the past, where this only occupies about three days. The Doctor and Ian are more the focus than Barbara and Susan, who fall more into the role they often had on TV of being held captive - although Barbara does get a few good scenes and at least gets to deliver some of the exposition of the relevant history. 4 stars.
March 29, 2020
Over the years I’ve come to love and appreciate the earliest era of Doctor Who, especially this particular team. It’s great that Big Finish has managed to get the cast from An Adventure in Space and Time to help recreate this era and they do it wonderfully. True, it’s obvious these are not the original actors who played these characters, but there is enough love and respect for the original that I can still enjoy it.
The Invention of Death: I absolutely ADORED this one. The alien species is so unique. There really isn’t a “villain”, as such. It’s simply a new culture that team TARDIS encounters that is vastly different to any human or humanoid society that the situation inevitably happens. At first, it seems like the Doctor and crew are simply going to have a lovely holiday with the Ashtarans (after its made clear that the Ashtarans’ games are not healthy for the humans to participate in). But one thing leads to another and we get conflict and it’s so well done. It’s a nice blend of The Sensorites and The Web Planet from the 60s TV show, but it’s also its own thing.
The Barbarians and the Samurai: I have a soft spot for the pure historical stories from early Who (I harbor a hope that episodes from Marco Polo will be found one day - it’s easily one of my favorites). I’m glad Big Finish is continuing the tradition of First Doctor historical stories. I knew some of the history of Feudal Japan before listening to this story, but I still learned new things from it. The characters are great and the story is interesting. If I had one nitpick, it’s that there is a little bit of presentism that creeps into the story, particularly about how women are treated and are expected to act. But it lasts for one or two scenes and it didn’t take me out of the story too much. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Like I said - Marco Polo is one of my favorites and this one reminded me quite a bit of that in terms of tone and feel and that is never a bad thing.
I’m enjoying this particular version of the first Team TARDIS and I’m eager to listen to more!
The Invention of Death: I absolutely ADORED this one. The alien species is so unique. There really isn’t a “villain”, as such. It’s simply a new culture that team TARDIS encounters that is vastly different to any human or humanoid society that the situation inevitably happens. At first, it seems like the Doctor and crew are simply going to have a lovely holiday with the Ashtarans (after its made clear that the Ashtarans’ games are not healthy for the humans to participate in). But one thing leads to another and we get conflict and it’s so well done. It’s a nice blend of The Sensorites and The Web Planet from the 60s TV show, but it’s also its own thing.
The Barbarians and the Samurai: I have a soft spot for the pure historical stories from early Who (I harbor a hope that episodes from Marco Polo will be found one day - it’s easily one of my favorites). I’m glad Big Finish is continuing the tradition of First Doctor historical stories. I knew some of the history of Feudal Japan before listening to this story, but I still learned new things from it. The characters are great and the story is interesting. If I had one nitpick, it’s that there is a little bit of presentism that creeps into the story, particularly about how women are treated and are expected to act. But it lasts for one or two scenes and it didn’t take me out of the story too much. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Like I said - Marco Polo is one of my favorites and this one reminded me quite a bit of that in terms of tone and feel and that is never a bad thing.
I’m enjoying this particular version of the first Team TARDIS and I’m eager to listen to more!
August 25, 2023
Continuing my revisitation of the First Doctor Adventures range from Big Finish. This was the second installment in that series, containing the stories 'The Invention of Death' by John Dorney and 'The Barbarians and the Samurai' by Andrew Smith.
Both stories are very entertaining and fit nicely with the sorts of stories being made in Series One and Two of the show. While 'The Invention of Death' could never have been technically realized, the idea of a world and beings so completely unlike us that relating to a simple concept such as death would be a huge challenge is really compelling. Dorney's script is excellent and it brilliantly captures the core TARDIS team dynamics.
'The Barbarians and the Samurai' is similarly really well done, presenting us with a pure historical adventure of the type of 'Marco Polo' or 'The Romans' hitting all the familiar story beats. The story itself is compelling though and interesting to follow.
As a package this felt really well balanced between two very different story types.
Approachability: Though Volume 2 in the series, the stories are independent and do not require you to have listened to the first set. As was common in the Hartnell era, 'The Invention of Death' leads into 'The Barbarians and the Samurai' so you would probably want to listen to those two stories in order.
Both stories are very entertaining and fit nicely with the sorts of stories being made in Series One and Two of the show. While 'The Invention of Death' could never have been technically realized, the idea of a world and beings so completely unlike us that relating to a simple concept such as death would be a huge challenge is really compelling. Dorney's script is excellent and it brilliantly captures the core TARDIS team dynamics.
'The Barbarians and the Samurai' is similarly really well done, presenting us with a pure historical adventure of the type of 'Marco Polo' or 'The Romans' hitting all the familiar story beats. The story itself is compelling though and interesting to follow.
As a package this felt really well balanced between two very different story types.
Approachability: Though Volume 2 in the series, the stories are independent and do not require you to have listened to the first set. As was common in the Hartnell era, 'The Invention of Death' leads into 'The Barbarians and the Samurai' so you would probably want to listen to those two stories in order.
May 26, 2020
The Invention of Death is one of the best First Doctor stories. The TARDIS crew encounters an alien race that is unfamiliar with the concept of death. And when one of their own dies, the circumstances of the death happening after the crew's arrival is questioned. And then there is the idea of creating a new child for the Ashtallan race. This reminded me of a Q storyline in Star Trek: Voyager, but this had more heart. We see one of the members of this race understand what it means to be afraid and to want to protect a child, which really tugged at my heartstrings. Here are a couple of quotes I loved:
"Questions are the beginning of wisdom, of knowledge, of understanding."
-The Doctor
"Death is an absence, a regret for things unseen and lives unlived. A hole at the very heart of your being that can never be filled, never be replaced."
-Sharlan
The second story, The Barbarian and the Samurai, while not as strong of a story, is still really good. I loved when Barbara's name was compared to the word "barbarian." This is another historical story that is done quite well. Overall, I think I enjoyed this volume more than volume 1.
"Questions are the beginning of wisdom, of knowledge, of understanding."
-The Doctor
"Death is an absence, a regret for things unseen and lives unlived. A hole at the very heart of your being that can never be filled, never be replaced."
-Sharlan
The second story, The Barbarian and the Samurai, while not as strong of a story, is still really good. I loved when Barbara's name was compared to the word "barbarian." This is another historical story that is done quite well. Overall, I think I enjoyed this volume more than volume 1.
April 3, 2020
The Invention of Death:
John Dorney has written yet another cracker but this time with the first Tardis crew! A unique story about an alien species who can't die but when they learn what it means to die, it isn't long before their own kind start dying themselves. Also had a very alien setting and the species really felt different to anything we've had in the hartnell era. The cast did a fantastic job. 8.5/10
The Barbarians and The Samurai:
An enjoyable pure historical with some really good characters, a more slow paced story but it allows to do some nice world building and some japanese history. The cast were fantastic and Andrew Smith has written a really good story. 8/10
Overall: 16.5/20
John Dorney has written yet another cracker but this time with the first Tardis crew! A unique story about an alien species who can't die but when they learn what it means to die, it isn't long before their own kind start dying themselves. Also had a very alien setting and the species really felt different to anything we've had in the hartnell era. The cast did a fantastic job. 8.5/10
The Barbarians and The Samurai:
An enjoyable pure historical with some really good characters, a more slow paced story but it allows to do some nice world building and some japanese history. The cast were fantastic and Andrew Smith has written a really good story. 8/10
Overall: 16.5/20
February 4, 2025
These audio adventures made a long day of cleaning feel far more bearable. The OG crew has killer chemistry. I liked seeing Ian Chesterton become Samurai Ian-san.
(These aren't being logged towards my reading goal, but giving them ratings helps me remember where I left off when I randomly stop listening for a year.)
(These aren't being logged towards my reading goal, but giving them ratings helps me remember where I left off when I randomly stop listening for a year.)
July 29, 2018
I really enjoyed the first story in this set, "The Invention of Death." The second story, "The Barbarians and the Samurai" was not terrible, but it wasn't the best, either. I look forward to future First Doctor adventures with this wonderful cast.
September 27, 2018
1.) The Doctor, Susan Ian and Barbara land on a planet where they no nothing of death. A panic is started when aliens start to die. 2.) The Doctor and crew land in 18th century Japan during the reign of the Shogun.
July 27, 2021
This was just a treat to listen to, David Bradley plays the first Doctor wonderfully.
The adventures are really something that would have been filmed for TV.
The adventures are really something that would have been filmed for TV.
May 12, 2023
Invention of Death alone is a 5/5, naturally. The Barbarians and the Samurai is like a 3.5.
June 14, 2023
A very safe and somewhat uninteresting set of adventures.
February 26, 2024
2.1 'The Invention of Death' by John Dorney: 5*
2.2 'The Barbarians and the Samurai' by Andrew Smith: 3*
2.2 'The Barbarians and the Samurai' by Andrew Smith: 3*
August 20, 2020
Verdict: 87/100
The Invention of Death is a top-tier adventure that pairs its richly imagined alien setting with a deeply human story. By blending thoughtful debate, emotional resonance, and a compelling mystery, it captures the spirit of the First Doctor’s era while offering something entirely new.
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
Verdict: 71/100
The Barbarians and the Samurai is a solid pure historical that benefits from its unique setting and strong performances. While it doesn’t break new ground in terms of storytelling, it succeeds in capturing the atmosphere and intrigue of feudal Japan. Fans of historical Doctor Who will appreciate its educational value and thoughtful cultural depiction, even if the narrative lacks the excitement and depth of more layered adventures.
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
The Invention of Death is a top-tier adventure that pairs its richly imagined alien setting with a deeply human story. By blending thoughtful debate, emotional resonance, and a compelling mystery, it captures the spirit of the First Doctor’s era while offering something entirely new.
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
Verdict: 71/100
The Barbarians and the Samurai is a solid pure historical that benefits from its unique setting and strong performances. While it doesn’t break new ground in terms of storytelling, it succeeds in capturing the atmosphere and intrigue of feudal Japan. Fans of historical Doctor Who will appreciate its educational value and thoughtful cultural depiction, even if the narrative lacks the excitement and depth of more layered adventures.
Full review at https://tardis.guide/reviews/story-th...
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