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Big Finish: Monthly Range #20
Doctor Who: Loups Garoux
Germany, 1589: the townspeople of Cologne pronounce a sentance of death on a mass-murderer who has stalked the countryside in the guise of a ferocious wolf.
Russia, 1812: retreating from Napoleon's invading forces, a merchant's daughter is rescued from bandits by a handsome partisan with a ravenous appetite.
Brazil, 2080: The Doctor and Turlough arrive for the Rio de Janerio carnival.
Is wealthy heiress Ileana de Santos all that she seems? What sinister ailment afflicts her invalid son, tended by the mysterious Dr Hayashi? And who exactly is Rosa, engaged on a secret quest to fulfil the destiny of her extinct tribe?
Time is running out for Rosa, Ileana and the Doctor, as the fearsome shadow of an ancient werewolf moves ever closer...
Chronological Placement
This story takes place between the television adventures Resurrection of the Daleks and Planet of Fire.
Russia, 1812: retreating from Napoleon's invading forces, a merchant's daughter is rescued from bandits by a handsome partisan with a ravenous appetite.
Brazil, 2080: The Doctor and Turlough arrive for the Rio de Janerio carnival.
Is wealthy heiress Ileana de Santos all that she seems? What sinister ailment afflicts her invalid son, tended by the mysterious Dr Hayashi? And who exactly is Rosa, engaged on a secret quest to fulfil the destiny of her extinct tribe?
Time is running out for Rosa, Ileana and the Doctor, as the fearsome shadow of an ancient werewolf moves ever closer...
Chronological Placement
This story takes place between the television adventures Resurrection of the Daleks and Planet of Fire.
2 pages, Audio CD
First published May 1, 2001
96 people want to read
About the author
Marc Platt
111 books48 followersMarc Platt is a British writer. He is most known for his work with the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who.
After studying catering at a technical college, Platt worked first for Trust House Forte, and then in administration for the BBC. He wrote the Doctor Who serial Ghost Light based on two proposals, one of which later became the novel Lungbarrow. That novel was greatly anticipated by fans as it was the culmination of the so-called "Cartmel Masterplan", revealing details of the Doctor's background and family.
After the original series' cancellation Platt wrote the script for the audio Doctor Who drama Spare Parts. The script was the inspiration for the 2006 Doctor Who television story "Rise of the Cybermen"/"The Age of Steel", for which Platt received a screen credit and a fee.
He lives in London.
After studying catering at a technical college, Platt worked first for Trust House Forte, and then in administration for the BBC. He wrote the Doctor Who serial Ghost Light based on two proposals, one of which later became the novel Lungbarrow. That novel was greatly anticipated by fans as it was the culmination of the so-called "Cartmel Masterplan", revealing details of the Doctor's background and family.
After the original series' cancellation Platt wrote the script for the audio Doctor Who drama Spare Parts. The script was the inspiration for the 2006 Doctor Who television story "Rise of the Cybermen"/"The Age of Steel", for which Platt received a screen credit and a fee.
He lives in London.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 1, 2020
A rich atmospheric early Big Finish audio where the Fifth Doctor and Turlough discover a secret society of werewolves in Rio 2080.
Big Finish are brilliant at finding gaps between TV serials, one of the great aspects of this tale is hearing the TARDIS pairing of just Davison and Strickson working so well together.
The supporting characters also help elevate everyone's performance as established actors Eleanor Bron, Burt Kwouk and Nicky Henson all add something to the story.
While the Brazilian capital carnival feel really brings the story to life.
Big Finish are brilliant at finding gaps between TV serials, one of the great aspects of this tale is hearing the TARDIS pairing of just Davison and Strickson working so well together.
The supporting characters also help elevate everyone's performance as established actors Eleanor Bron, Burt Kwouk and Nicky Henson all add something to the story.
While the Brazilian capital carnival feel really brings the story to life.
February 27, 2023
"I’m the Doctor! And I’m offering Ileana my protection. I’m stronger and more worthy than any puny human or wolf!"
'Loups Garoux' well for me it is definitely one of those stories that grows on you when you relisten. This was Doctor Who introduction to werewolves as bthis was made before 'Tooth and Claw' from new who. I thought the werewolves were done really well, Marc gave a different take and removed the cleches associated with them.
I loved both The Doctor and Tuelough in this one, they were written well. This was definitely a Turlough we should have had seen more of on screen.
'Loups Garoux' well for me it is definitely one of those stories that grows on you when you relisten. This was Doctor Who introduction to werewolves as bthis was made before 'Tooth and Claw' from new who. I thought the werewolves were done really well, Marc gave a different take and removed the cleches associated with them.
I loved both The Doctor and Tuelough in this one, they were written well. This was definitely a Turlough we should have had seen more of on screen.
June 26, 2023
Good
The story features the Fifth Doctor, played by Peter Davison, who is travelling in this story with Turlough, played fantastically as always by Mark Strickson. It’s a real delight to get these stories with the Fifth Doctor and Turlough alone, as it really gives an opportunity to build on the character of Turlough, who was so sorely neglected in the tv series stories all those years ago.
In Germany in 1589 a murderer is sentenced to a horrific death; as he is dragged off to meet his fate, he scorns the townsfolk and their pitiful existences. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Turlough have gone to Rio in Brazil in the year 2080 to see the Carnival. In Rio a wealthy widow woman strives to get medical help from Doctor Hayashi for her son. But what exactly is wrong with Victor? Heading to the carnival, Turlough finds himself face-to-face with someone or something he can’t quite bring to mind again. And the Doctor finds himself face-to-face with a mystery; and that’s something he can’t leave alone.
I thought this was a fantastic story, right up until the fourth and last episode, where it seemed to fade off into what felt like a rather unsatisfactory ending. The concepts that are used in the story obviously involve werewolves (the French for which is loups-garoux) and the thread of the wolves runs throughout the entire story; extremely evocative and very cleverly done all the way through. The howls of the wolves in the distance, the idea of their presence being hidden from the human ‘cattle’, the speed with which they move, their predatory natures; this is all brilliantly portrayed. The way the story of the wolves is woven into the current-day story of the Amazon is also brilliantly done. The horrors in which the Doctor and Turlough are caught up are brilliantly portrayed as well. I just felt that the resolution of the story (the last 10%) was not as strong as the previous 90% had been, or had led us to expect as a resolution. It just didn’t end as strongly as it had begun, or continued. A pity. Most definitely a fantastic story, but one which on re-listen (and yes, it is a story that can be re-listened to often) is tinged slightly by the somewhat weaker ending.
The story features the Fifth Doctor, played by Peter Davison, who is travelling in this story with Turlough, played fantastically as always by Mark Strickson. It’s a real delight to get these stories with the Fifth Doctor and Turlough alone, as it really gives an opportunity to build on the character of Turlough, who was so sorely neglected in the tv series stories all those years ago.
In Germany in 1589 a murderer is sentenced to a horrific death; as he is dragged off to meet his fate, he scorns the townsfolk and their pitiful existences. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Turlough have gone to Rio in Brazil in the year 2080 to see the Carnival. In Rio a wealthy widow woman strives to get medical help from Doctor Hayashi for her son. But what exactly is wrong with Victor? Heading to the carnival, Turlough finds himself face-to-face with someone or something he can’t quite bring to mind again. And the Doctor finds himself face-to-face with a mystery; and that’s something he can’t leave alone.
I thought this was a fantastic story, right up until the fourth and last episode, where it seemed to fade off into what felt like a rather unsatisfactory ending. The concepts that are used in the story obviously involve werewolves (the French for which is loups-garoux) and the thread of the wolves runs throughout the entire story; extremely evocative and very cleverly done all the way through. The howls of the wolves in the distance, the idea of their presence being hidden from the human ‘cattle’, the speed with which they move, their predatory natures; this is all brilliantly portrayed. The way the story of the wolves is woven into the current-day story of the Amazon is also brilliantly done. The horrors in which the Doctor and Turlough are caught up are brilliantly portrayed as well. I just felt that the resolution of the story (the last 10%) was not as strong as the previous 90% had been, or had led us to expect as a resolution. It just didn’t end as strongly as it had begun, or continued. A pity. Most definitely a fantastic story, but one which on re-listen (and yes, it is a story that can be re-listened to often) is tinged slightly by the somewhat weaker ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2021
あらすじ
Part1
2080年のリオデジャネイロにカーニバル見物にきたドクターとタロー。
のんびり観光しながら、買ったハンバーガーの味の気に入らなかったタローはたまたま見かけた野犬にハンバーガーを与える。しかし、その後群となった野犬に囲まれてしまい、飛びかかってきた野犬にタローもドクターも噛まれてしまう。ところが遠吠えが聴こえた途端、野犬達が怯えて逃げ出し、その動きに好奇心を持ったドクターは野犬の後を追う。ところがカーニバルのパレードに遭遇してしまい見失ってしまう。カーニバルが見られてタローはご機嫌だったが、群衆の向こう側からホバー・リムジンが近づいてくるのを見てひどく動揺する。ドクターはリムジンを追うが、残されたタローの元に黒と金色の瞳の狼人間が近づいてくる。戻ってきたドクターにタローは狼人間の話をするが、ドクターの目には戻ってきた時タローの近くそれらしき姿は何も見えなかったが、タローは怯え、具合も悪そうだった。リムジンはターディスを停めたドン・ペドロ駅方面に向かっていったので、2人も向かうことにする。駅につき、リムジンの中にいた女性がホームから自分を見つめていることに気がついたドクターは話がしたいと声をかけるがセキュリティロボットに身分証を提示するようにと止められ、その間に女性はモノレールに乗り込んでしまい、出立してしまう。ところが巨大な狼が飛び込んできてモノレールを追いかけていく。セキュリティロボットの拘束を逃れ、ドクターはタローを連れ、ターディスでモノレールを追いかける。
ホームでドクターを見つめていたのはイリアナという狼人間の女性だった。イリアナはグレイ・ワンが追ってくるのを感じ、子供のヴィクターと一族を引き連れリオから逃げ出すところだった。
Part2
モノレールの貨物車に到着したターディス。その頃ヴィクターが目覚め、ヴィクターが狼にならないよう治療を試みていたドクター・ハヤシの助手が殺される。遺体とラッピングされた狼の頭を発見したドクターとタロー。イリアナの仲間であるアントンとホルゲイに見つかるが、ドクターが2人に話しかけても、タローには2人の姿が見えない。アントンとホルゲイはタローを操りモノレールから飛び降りさせようとするが、グレイ・ワンの遠吠えのお陰で、2人はグレイ・ワンを探しに行く。その直後、イリアナの侍女イニアスがイリアナが話したがっているとドクターとタローを迎えにくる。何故追いかけてきたのかと問われ、危険な生き物がモノレールに乗り込んでいると警告したかったとドクター。イリアナはその危険な生き物が灰色であるときき、グレイ・ワンと確信。ヴィクターがグレイ・ワンに誘拐されたのではないかと心配する。グレイ・ワンはイリアナをパートナーにしようと狙っていた。タローが大きな何かが動いているのを窓の外に見つける。ドクターはモノレールを止めるようイリアナを説得しにタローの側を離れた途端、イリアナに気に入られたいアントンとホルゲイがヴィクターを誘い出す餌にしようとタローを誘拐し、暗示をかけ変化を促そうとする。狼の姿となったヴィクターをトランキライザーで撃ったハヤシをみたイリアナが息子を殺されたと誤解し我を失い狼に変貌し始める。ドクターはイリアナの誤解を解こうとするが、その時、狼の幻に怯えたタローがドクターに助けを求めるが、そのまま怯えて列車の窓から飛び降りてしまう。
Part3
タローを探しに行こうとするドクターだったがイリアナに仲間がタローを責任もって探すからヴィクターの側にいて欲しいと懇願され、渋々とどまる。タローはローザという狼人間の娘に助けられ、意気投合する。ドクターはタローを助けに行こうと隙を見てぬけだそうとするが、ハヤシやアントンに阻まれる。ローザから狼人間たちが人間に森を焼かれ居場所を失った話をきく。ローザが一族の長の血筋であることも。一方、イリアナから狼人間としての身の上や長寿がもたらす哀しみを打ち明けられたドクターは共感を覚える。しかし、グレイ・ワンことピーター・ステュバートがイリアナを執拗に追いかけ手に入れようとしているのをみたドクターはピーター・ステュバートに決闘を申し込むが、イリアナに勝てばドクターを夫として受け入れると一族の前で宣言され、面食らう。
Part4
ピーター・ステュバートはイリアナを手に入れるため、イリアナを妻に迎えたい男たちを血祭りにあげ、息子のヴィクターも葬ろうと暴走。ドクターとタローはローザを連れ、どくさに紛れて混乱を抜けだし、ターディスを目指す。
感想
どうやら恋をしてしまったらしいドクターがタローに指摘されると否定しながらも、タローに遠回しに恋愛相談をするのが可愛らしい。スリリングな冒険譚に狼人間として生きる孤独や種族の運命とタイムロードの孤独を上手く絡ませてあり、ドラマがテンポよく展開してくれたおかげで、最初から最後までドラマに浸り込んで聴けた。ラストの余韻もすごくいい。
Part1
2080年のリオデジャネイロにカーニバル見物にきたドクターとタロー。
のんびり観光しながら、買ったハンバーガーの味の気に入らなかったタローはたまたま見かけた野犬にハンバーガーを与える。しかし、その後群となった野犬に囲まれてしまい、飛びかかってきた野犬にタローもドクターも噛まれてしまう。ところが遠吠えが聴こえた途端、野犬達が怯えて逃げ出し、その動きに好奇心を持ったドクターは野犬の後を追う。ところがカーニバルのパレードに遭遇してしまい見失ってしまう。カーニバルが見られてタローはご機嫌だったが、群衆の向こう側からホバー・リムジンが近づいてくるのを見てひどく動揺する。ドクターはリムジンを追うが、残されたタローの元に黒と金色の瞳の狼人間が近づいてくる。戻ってきたドクターにタローは狼人間の話をするが、ドクターの目には戻ってきた時タローの近くそれらしき姿は何も見えなかったが、タローは怯え、具合も悪そうだった。リムジンはターディスを停めたドン・ペドロ駅方面に向かっていったので、2人も向かうことにする。駅につき、リムジンの中にいた女性がホームから自分を見つめていることに気がついたドクターは話がしたいと声をかけるがセキュリティロボットに身分証を提示するようにと止められ、その間に女性はモノレールに乗り込んでしまい、出立してしまう。ところが巨大な狼が飛び込んできてモノレールを追いかけていく。セキュリティロボットの拘束を逃れ、ドクターはタローを連れ、ターディスでモノレールを追いかける。
ホームでドクターを見つめていたのはイリアナという狼人間の女性だった。イリアナはグレイ・ワンが追ってくるのを感じ、子供のヴィクターと一族を引き連れリオから逃げ出すところだった。
Part2
モノレールの貨物車に到着したターディス。その頃ヴィクターが目覚め、ヴィクターが狼にならないよう治療を試みていたドクター・ハヤシの助手が殺される。遺体とラッピングされた狼の頭を発見したドクターとタロー。イリアナの仲間であるアントンとホルゲイに見つかるが、ドクターが2人に話しかけても、タローには2人の姿が見えない。アントンとホルゲイはタローを操りモノレールから飛び降りさせようとするが、グレイ・ワンの遠吠えのお陰で、2人はグレイ・ワンを探しに行く。その直後、イリアナの侍女イニアスがイリアナが話したがっているとドクターとタローを迎えにくる。何故追いかけてきたのかと問われ、危険な生き物がモノレールに乗り込んでいると警告したかったとドクター。イリアナはその危険な生き物が灰色であるときき、グレイ・ワンと確信。ヴィクターがグレイ・ワンに誘拐されたのではないかと心配する。グレイ・ワンはイリアナをパートナーにしようと狙っていた。タローが大きな何かが動いているのを窓の外に見つける。ドクターはモノレールを止めるようイリアナを説得しにタローの側を離れた途端、イリアナに気に入られたいアントンとホルゲイがヴィクターを誘い出す餌にしようとタローを誘拐し、暗示をかけ変化を促そうとする。狼の姿となったヴィクターをトランキライザーで撃ったハヤシをみたイリアナが息子を殺されたと誤解し我を失い狼に変貌し始める。ドクターはイリアナの誤解を解こうとするが、その時、狼の幻に怯えたタローがドクターに助けを求めるが、そのまま怯えて列車の窓から飛び降りてしまう。
Part3
タローを探しに行こうとするドクターだったがイリアナに仲間がタローを責任もって探すからヴィクターの側にいて欲しいと懇願され、渋々とどまる。タローはローザという狼人間の娘に助けられ、意気投合する。ドクターはタローを助けに行こうと隙を見てぬけだそうとするが、ハヤシやアントンに阻まれる。ローザから狼人間たちが人間に森を焼かれ居場所を失った話をきく。ローザが一族の長の血筋であることも。一方、イリアナから狼人間としての身の上や長寿がもたらす哀しみを打ち明けられたドクターは共感を覚える。しかし、グレイ・ワンことピーター・ステュバートがイリアナを執拗に追いかけ手に入れようとしているのをみたドクターはピーター・ステュバートに決闘を申し込むが、イリアナに勝てばドクターを夫として受け入れると一族の前で宣言され、面食らう。
Part4
ピーター・ステュバートはイリアナを手に入れるため、イリアナを妻に迎えたい男たちを血祭りにあげ、息子のヴィクターも葬ろうと暴走。ドクターとタローはローザを連れ、どくさに紛れて混乱を抜けだし、ターディスを目指す。
感想
どうやら恋をしてしまったらしいドクターがタローに指摘されると否定しながらも、タローに遠回しに恋愛相談をするのが可愛らしい。スリリングな冒険譚に狼人間として生きる孤独や種族の運命とタイムロードの孤独を上手く絡ませてあり、ドラマがテンポよく展開してくれたおかげで、最初から最後までドラマに浸り込んで聴けた。ラストの余韻もすごくいい。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2022
This one really didn't do it for me. The setting of the Brazillian city was a new and interesting soundscape for some of episode one, but the rest matched the story in its dullness. The werewolf legend and society really didn't grab me and left me mostly bored for the story's overlong running time, each episode exceeding the 30 minute mark, something that I think really hinders it in the long run, a shame too since I always enjoy listening to Five and Turlough together.
August 31, 2009
Doctor Who + werewolves = meh.
August 2, 2019
Hard to follow. A rare Platt story I do not love.
January 12, 2024
Well I'm not a fan of the idea, making werewolves into a "real" thing - in universe... but I loved this story anyway. If you could do a little mental blocking on the fact these monsters are Lycans it plays out like a great Doctor scenario; The head monster wants Five to help her afflicted monster-son and Turlough gets into trouble with some of the other monsters.
Here's one thing I did really like about these particular werewolves, I don't think it's giving much away to reveal it. The mechanism that transforms these werewolves "has nothing to do with the Moon" according to the family butler, and there is a much stronger connection to the Earth itself.
Some other aspects were much less convincing, for example these werewolves can apparently swallow a human whole. I also thought that the Doctor settling for Paul's help was somewhat uncharacteristic, even if he did do so under some level of threat.
I've probably noted it before but Five was not one of my top Doctors on screen, however he's easily been my second favourite in these audiodramas, his voice-acting energy is sensational.
Similarly, I found Turlough a bit forgettable on screen, (not saying that his acting was bad, just that he was given terrible parts to play), but he was absolutely fantastic in this story.
One of the most interesting things about this story was the way it ended. The Doctor typically doesn't kill the enemy but for all intents and purposes he does just that in this novel. It's not written that way at all, you get a connection to some of the mythology which has been slowly revealed through the story, but have a think about it for a little while and it's pretty clearly a death sentence. Or, if you buy the mythology it is at least a sentence of eternal torture and torment, forever running down the path crying out for Ileana... it's brutal if you think about it.
Here's one thing I did really like about these particular werewolves, I don't think it's giving much away to reveal it. The mechanism that transforms these werewolves "has nothing to do with the Moon" according to the family butler, and there is a much stronger connection to the Earth itself.
Some other aspects were much less convincing, for example these werewolves can apparently swallow a human whole. I also thought that the Doctor settling for Paul's help was somewhat uncharacteristic, even if he did do so under some level of threat.
I've probably noted it before but Five was not one of my top Doctors on screen, however he's easily been my second favourite in these audiodramas, his voice-acting energy is sensational.
Similarly, I found Turlough a bit forgettable on screen, (not saying that his acting was bad, just that he was given terrible parts to play), but he was absolutely fantastic in this story.
One of the most interesting things about this story was the way it ended. The Doctor typically doesn't kill the enemy but for all intents and purposes he does just that in this novel. It's not written that way at all, you get a connection to some of the mythology which has been slowly revealed through the story, but have a think about it for a little while and it's pretty clearly a death sentence. Or, if you buy the mythology it is at least a sentence of eternal torture and torment, forever running down the path crying out for Ileana... it's brutal if you think about it.
August 26, 2023
This has aged badly. I was initially put off by the early 2000's cover but eventually I needed some free Big Finish to listen to so I popped it on.
Were wolfs!
In 2001 they must have been the coolest thing of all but I didn't feel like in 2023 it's easy to take them seriously in a Breaking Dawn post world. But in this they don't feel like a love interest for Bella but more a metaphor for deforestation in Brazil. Stories like these were a huge factor in how the TARDIS returned our screens in 2005.
This was written in Big Finish's pre reboot era and was written before the Nekromanteia scare where the writer Austen Atkinson was presumably fired from Big Finish after Peter Davidson asked for him to never write for his Doctor again after-among other things-he chopped his Doctors head off. He never wrote for Big Finish again. A lot of works of Big Finish before this incident were dark and mature.
Overall this was very well written and is steeping in themes. Themes that very much show what people of 2001 were talking about (well at least pre 9/11)
Were wolfs!
In 2001 they must have been the coolest thing of all but I didn't feel like in 2023 it's easy to take them seriously in a Breaking Dawn post world. But in this they don't feel like a love interest for Bella but more a metaphor for deforestation in Brazil. Stories like these were a huge factor in how the TARDIS returned our screens in 2005.
This was written in Big Finish's pre reboot era and was written before the Nekromanteia scare where the writer Austen Atkinson was presumably fired from Big Finish after Peter Davidson asked for him to never write for his Doctor again after-among other things-he chopped his Doctors head off. He never wrote for Big Finish again. A lot of works of Big Finish before this incident were dark and mature.
Overall this was very well written and is steeping in themes. Themes that very much show what people of 2001 were talking about (well at least pre 9/11)
June 29, 2022
Before going into this I had read that this was the holy grail of Doctor/Turlough slash, and I was looking forward to that. And while there are certainly many elements that can be read as queer subtext, I don't think it lives up to being that. It's also very straight in other ways. But of course that's only a small portion of the story. This is a fucking weird story. I think I could listen to this story fifty times and still not come close to understanding what it's about. It's about instinct and bloodlust, and plain old lust. It's about resisting those things. It's about home and your ties to it. It's about the conflict between desire and possibility. It's about being human. And being inhuman. You could say it's about cults and charismatic leaders. You could say it's about mob mentality. You could even say it's about fascism - the idea that nature is a thing that can be cured, and that to try to do so is genocide. It's kind of like Doctor Who does magical realism. To engage in this story you just have to accept that werewolves exist on Earth, and always have. And you have to accept that the spirits of the forest can live on in the head of a tribe leader. And yeah, I can accept those things. Doctor Who has done weirder. The plot was engaging, the voice acting was mostly good, the side-characters were not the most interesting but that was because they represented concepts in the story. Pieter Stubbe was a pretty interesting and charismatic antagonist. My thoughts about this story are just very scattered. I'll have to think about it more. And I'll probably have to listen to it again many times.
July 26, 2019
Of the Peter Davison stories I've heard -- I'm listening to the range in chronological order -- this is probably my favorite so far. I enjoyed the political hierarchy aspect of the Loups-Garoux society, and I actually liked the very slight exploration of the 5th Doctor as a romantic entity. It's more subtle than the more romantic elements of the modern series of the show, but more explicit than pretty much anything seen in the classic series (aside from the hinted romance with the cave woman way back in Hartnell's era).
It was nice to see Turlough given something to do. I haven't seen a lot of his television episodes -- basically all I've seen with him is The Five Doctors, Frontios, and The Awakening -- but I never felt very passionately about him as a character.
The only thing that I really don't much like is the ending, or rather how they took care of Pieter Stubbe. I've never minded mystical elements in Doctor Who, but it didn't make much sense to me. So he's... like... just traipsing around in Rosa's head now? Huh-wha?
Also, there was something really off about the quality of the audio in this one. Whenever people got to screaming, there was a lot of clipping in the audio. I haven't noticed nearly that much distortion in dialog in any of the previous stories. It's almost like the whole thing was recorded on a completely different set of audio equipment. It was occasionally quite painful to listen to.
Otherwise, a very enjoyable tale. My immediate reaction would be 4/5.
It was nice to see Turlough given something to do. I haven't seen a lot of his television episodes -- basically all I've seen with him is The Five Doctors, Frontios, and The Awakening -- but I never felt very passionately about him as a character.
The only thing that I really don't much like is the ending, or rather how they took care of Pieter Stubbe. I've never minded mystical elements in Doctor Who, but it didn't make much sense to me. So he's... like... just traipsing around in Rosa's head now? Huh-wha?
Also, there was something really off about the quality of the audio in this one. Whenever people got to screaming, there was a lot of clipping in the audio. I haven't noticed nearly that much distortion in dialog in any of the previous stories. It's almost like the whole thing was recorded on a completely different set of audio equipment. It was occasionally quite painful to listen to.
Otherwise, a very enjoyable tale. My immediate reaction would be 4/5.
January 18, 2024
Doctor Who as a series is usually classified as Science Fiction and if it features elements of the supernatural, they are usually masked in sci-fi trappings and not necessarily viewed in the classical definition of horror.
Loups Garoux is the exception. This is a horror/fantasy story. The Doctor gets involved with a pack of modern day werewolves, and at times the dialogue feels like something out of Twilight, or the Mercy Thompson series. Turlough even gets to meet a slayer type character named Rosa who has the skills to fight creatures like werewolves. Rosa is in fact more of a forest guardian, who helps the Doctor and Turlough deal with the most dangerous of these werewolves.
There are elements of this story that reminded me of the tv story Survival, the wild nature of these wolves is even powerful enough to overcome the Doctor's self control, at least for a time.
Not a perfect story, as it sometimes seems to drag, but it's still ultimately enjoyable to listen to.
Loups Garoux is the exception. This is a horror/fantasy story. The Doctor gets involved with a pack of modern day werewolves, and at times the dialogue feels like something out of Twilight, or the Mercy Thompson series. Turlough even gets to meet a slayer type character named Rosa who has the skills to fight creatures like werewolves. Rosa is in fact more of a forest guardian, who helps the Doctor and Turlough deal with the most dangerous of these werewolves.
There are elements of this story that reminded me of the tv story Survival, the wild nature of these wolves is even powerful enough to overcome the Doctor's self control, at least for a time.
Not a perfect story, as it sometimes seems to drag, but it's still ultimately enjoyable to listen to.
December 16, 2025
A fantastic and thrilling adventure in a refreshing new setting for a severely underused TARDIS duo. This one really goes in depth with Turlough's character, and really pays credit to how much his time with Tegan humanised him.
Likewise, we also vaguely touch on the Fifth Doctor's love life and feelings (in a way infinitely superior to the 10/Rose garbage). It's not flat out romantic love, but based more on understanding and acceptance and is really the perfect way to explore what kind of person the Doctor could even consider having such strong feelings for.
I think there are one or two loose ends, such as how exactly the Doctor was able to see some of the werewolves when Turlough couldn't and likewise why Turlough couldn't see Rosa when the Doctor could. The explanation of them just wanting to be seen by specific people didn't really wash with me.
Final point, spot on casting and characters. Everyone here is great and seemed to have a lot of fun.
Likewise, we also vaguely touch on the Fifth Doctor's love life and feelings (in a way infinitely superior to the 10/Rose garbage). It's not flat out romantic love, but based more on understanding and acceptance and is really the perfect way to explore what kind of person the Doctor could even consider having such strong feelings for.
I think there are one or two loose ends, such as how exactly the Doctor was able to see some of the werewolves when Turlough couldn't and likewise why Turlough couldn't see Rosa when the Doctor could. The explanation of them just wanting to be seen by specific people didn't really wash with me.
Final point, spot on casting and characters. Everyone here is great and seemed to have a lot of fun.
August 31, 2021
I appreciate that this was a Doctor Who story that has our Sixth Doctor being quintessentially...the Doctor. And what I mean is that despite it being a book clearly about werewolves, it's still not your typical werewolf story. It doesn't play on horror tropes necessarily nor is it about a lot of action and people killing hordes of werewolves.
There is a mystery, but not necessarily the one you expect. There's someone in need of help, but again not the "victim" you expect. There's a need to understand others, but it turns out it's the werewolves because of course, it is. And all these come together to tell a distinctly Doctor Who story.
I enjoyed this audio drama quite a lot. It is well-performed with some interesting beats and a lot going on. It could have possibly gone a bit longer, but it still results in a satisfying ending.
There is a mystery, but not necessarily the one you expect. There's someone in need of help, but again not the "victim" you expect. There's a need to understand others, but it turns out it's the werewolves because of course, it is. And all these come together to tell a distinctly Doctor Who story.
I enjoyed this audio drama quite a lot. It is well-performed with some interesting beats and a lot going on. It could have possibly gone a bit longer, but it still results in a satisfying ending.
January 13, 2026
Loups-Garoux is an interesting story, not just because of the alien werewolves, but also because (rather silly) the Doctor spends the story about to get married to a Spanish countess the whole time. The plot isn’t anything particularly memorable, but it’s full of action and drama which does make it quite engaging. The one thing the story did that I really enjoyed was expanding Turlough as a character. He’s no longer just a constantly duplicitous skinny-dipper, he actually feels like a real person. His fears and strengths are explored, with Mark Strickson delivering a surprisingly fantastic performance. Peter Davison too gives it his all, and despite the rest of the cast shining, the Tardis team really shine.
There is a lot of suspense and twists in this story but the problem is, they aren’t interesting. The evil werewolf doing evil things hardly comes as a shock and there’s not much more to it than some rather impressive sound effects. I found the setting to be quite original which did engage me, even if we do seem to go from setting to setting constantly through the chase scenes. Lycanthropy isn’t one of my favourite ideas so perhaps I’m biased, but I honestly can’t describe the story as anything more than ‘fine’ with the exception of episode four; adding a lot of emotion and raising the stakes to a level interesting enough to make you really pay attention. The early Monthly Adventures were never that fantastic, this is among them considering I listened to it a week ago and all I remember is the Doctor & Turlough wandering through a market (the werewolf stuff too obviously).
There is a lot of suspense and twists in this story but the problem is, they aren’t interesting. The evil werewolf doing evil things hardly comes as a shock and there’s not much more to it than some rather impressive sound effects. I found the setting to be quite original which did engage me, even if we do seem to go from setting to setting constantly through the chase scenes. Lycanthropy isn’t one of my favourite ideas so perhaps I’m biased, but I honestly can’t describe the story as anything more than ‘fine’ with the exception of episode four; adding a lot of emotion and raising the stakes to a level interesting enough to make you really pay attention. The early Monthly Adventures were never that fantastic, this is among them considering I listened to it a week ago and all I remember is the Doctor & Turlough wandering through a market (the werewolf stuff too obviously).
March 25, 2024
It was a bit weird a bit funny to have romantic interests for both Turlough and the Doctor.
This was a wonderfully dark story, early days for big finish again.
I love the lore about the werewolves here, it’s so widely different then what you come to expect from the hairy fur balls.
I really, really loved the short bit with Turlough and Rosa in the woods, could’ve listened to an entire story with them together.
I should say more about this one because it’s really, really good but I’m tired man.
This was a wonderfully dark story, early days for big finish again.
I love the lore about the werewolves here, it’s so widely different then what you come to expect from the hairy fur balls.
I really, really loved the short bit with Turlough and Rosa in the woods, could’ve listened to an entire story with them together.
I should say more about this one because it’s really, really good but I’m tired man.
February 11, 2019
Turlough will never be my favorite DW companion and this story is too busy for its own good. Still, the performances here by Peter Davidson and Mark Strickson are first rate and there are some nice callbacks to the early history of the television series too. Turlough's character gets a little fleshing out as well which long overdue. Recommended with some reservations.
May 24, 2018
Poor acting barely makes a dent on this strong tale of love, loss and weir-wolves from the pen of Marc Platt and featuring the Fifth Doctor, with Mark Strickson delivering a standout performance as shifty extraterrestrial political exile Turlough.
December 10, 2018
42 WORD REVIEW:
Werewolves are given some welly for a change, Platt anticipating Glen Duncan by a decade in substituting patrician cold-bloodedness for mere savagery. The Fifth Doctor and Turlough are treated as characters, not cut-outs. The only flaw is the deus ex machina ending.
Werewolves are given some welly for a change, Platt anticipating Glen Duncan by a decade in substituting patrician cold-bloodedness for mere savagery. The Fifth Doctor and Turlough are treated as characters, not cut-outs. The only flaw is the deus ex machina ending.
May 30, 2025
I enjoyed how Big Finish finally did a good Werewolf story. Most others are bad, but this one with them colonising Brazil was fun. Surprisingly good story despite having a TARDIS team that leaves a lot to be desired.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2017
The Fifth Doctor and Turlough feature in a tale of werewolves and a centuries' old love story, both poetic and carnivorous.
October 10, 2019
An average story. But, it does help to flesh out Turlough’s character a bit.
February 16, 2020
Crítica | Big Finish Mensal #19 e 20: Minuet in Hell e Loups-Garoux: https://www.planocritico.com/critica-...
July 26, 2020
Solid 4.5 stars. One of the best DW audio dramas I've listened to this year, even with overdoing the Red Riding Hood jokes.
February 26, 2021
I'm not gonna lie this one is kind of weird. I did enjoy the Doctor and Turlough's interactions though. The two of them have always had an interesting dynamic.
October 26, 2021
Good ol werewolf story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2022
Turlough definitely has some personality in this. Story felt too long for what it had, though.
May 6, 2022
Well acted tale where The Doctor and Turlough encounter a lovely lady and her sick son in Rio as they flee a dark force. Turlough makes a friend. Could there be werewolves?
June 25, 2022
Doctor and werewolves are not a good combination
February 28, 2024
The Doctor with werewolves. Kind of a dud.
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