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Big Finish: Monthly Range #271
Doctor Who: Plight of the Pimpernel
It's 1793 and the Reign of Terror is slicing through the elite of Paris - but not if the Scarlet Pimpernel has anything to do with it! With a very British pluck, and daring bravado, he rescues French aristocrats from Madame Guillotine's embrace. But who hides beneath the Pimpernel’s mask? And isn’t the Scarlet Pimpernel just a fictional character?
At Highmoor House, in England, Peri plays lady of the manor while the Doctor tends to the strange wounds of her ‘husband’, Sir Percy Blakeney. As Peri prepares to host a lavish ball in Sir Percy’s name, French agent Citizen Donat, and a sinister alien force are uninvited guests, both intent on unmasking the Scarlet Pimpernel and putting an end to his heroic escapades, forever!
At Highmoor House, in England, Peri plays lady of the manor while the Doctor tends to the strange wounds of her ‘husband’, Sir Percy Blakeney. As Peri prepares to host a lavish ball in Sir Percy’s name, French agent Citizen Donat, and a sinister alien force are uninvited guests, both intent on unmasking the Scarlet Pimpernel and putting an end to his heroic escapades, forever!
- GenresDoctor WhoAudiobook
Audio CD
First published December 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 23, 2020
I'll confess I have this unfortunate trait with Chris Chapman, everytime I hear of one of his works I am excited but not so excited at the same time, but every time I listen to his audios, I can't help but fall in love with the worlds he has written and he brings his characters to life perfectly, whilst also writing the Sixth Doctor at his best!
This audio is incredible, a very interesting idea yet dealing with another fictional character much in the same vain when they used Robin Hood in the television show but how it was handled here was far more interesting and this story is full of twists and turns, that always take you surprise.
Chris Chapman has written an exceptional piece of drama and the cast were brilliant in this, Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant got to shine however with some incredible moving scenes written by Chapman himself that really shows how far these two have come from the rather troublesome Twin Dilemma.
If historicals aren't your thing however I would still highly recommend this audio, I think just about anyone will love this story for what it does! 9.5/10
This audio is incredible, a very interesting idea yet dealing with another fictional character much in the same vain when they used Robin Hood in the television show but how it was handled here was far more interesting and this story is full of twists and turns, that always take you surprise.
Chris Chapman has written an exceptional piece of drama and the cast were brilliant in this, Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant got to shine however with some incredible moving scenes written by Chapman himself that really shows how far these two have come from the rather troublesome Twin Dilemma.
If historicals aren't your thing however I would still highly recommend this audio, I think just about anyone will love this story for what it does! 9.5/10
January 11, 2021
A fun adventure romp with a nice Sci fi twist. The relationship between the sixth Doctor and Peri is better presented here than it ever was in TV and its that spark that gives this story just that little bit extra.
December 15, 2020
Now this was quite fun!
I enjoyed myself.
Plus, it has a great twist and the villain is presented in a very unique and original way.
I however admit that I know next to nothing about the fictional literary character and these stories, so I am happy that Colin had so much fun with this and got his wish with doing this story.
In general, the performance is great and Colin and Nicola are at their best.
Isn't it amazing that Colin still brings so much energy to these stories?
I enjoyed myself.
Plus, it has a great twist and the villain is presented in a very unique and original way.
I however admit that I know next to nothing about the fictional literary character and these stories, so I am happy that Colin had so much fun with this and got his wish with doing this story.
In general, the performance is great and Colin and Nicola are at their best.
Isn't it amazing that Colin still brings so much energy to these stories?
April 15, 2023
The story starts in media res with the Doctor standing in for an injured Sir Percy Blakeney as the Scarlet Pimpernel, rescuing French aristocrats from the guillotine. Which, of course, introduces the central mystery since both Blakeney and the Pimpernel are as fictional in the
Doctor Who
universe as they are in ours. So why is everyone acting as if they're real?
And, yes, it's much, much better than Robot of Sherwood.
The main part of the story is a typical DW adventure, replete with daring escapes and a sinister villain alongside the main mystery. Not to mention that Peri gets to be heroic and far more capable than her TV persona. It also soon becomes clear that this isn't a straight historical and, in fact, it doesn't even indirectly reference TV episode The Reign of Terror which is set at about the same time. (This despite the fact that Robespierre gets a couple of name-checks). It's good, fast-moving, and with plenty going on, even if the first episode is marred by some particularly bad French accents.
It's worth noting that the whole "superhero secret identity" trope originated with The Scarlet Pimpernel novel in 1905, before being picked up by the likes of Zorro and Batman. Secret identities are at the heart of this story, too, and it's when the last of those layers is peeled away in the final section that it really rises above the average to earn 4.5 stars from me. Not so much because of what's revealed, but because of the way it allows us to examine the Doctor's morality and his approach to life. This is well-written and acted, posing some interesting questions about the limits of redemption and it's also notable for showing a far more positive relationship between the Sixth Doctor and Peri than we ever got on TV.
And, yes, it's much, much better than Robot of Sherwood.
The main part of the story is a typical DW adventure, replete with daring escapes and a sinister villain alongside the main mystery. Not to mention that Peri gets to be heroic and far more capable than her TV persona. It also soon becomes clear that this isn't a straight historical and, in fact, it doesn't even indirectly reference TV episode The Reign of Terror which is set at about the same time. (This despite the fact that Robespierre gets a couple of name-checks). It's good, fast-moving, and with plenty going on, even if the first episode is marred by some particularly bad French accents.
It's worth noting that the whole "superhero secret identity" trope originated with The Scarlet Pimpernel novel in 1905, before being picked up by the likes of Zorro and Batman. Secret identities are at the heart of this story, too, and it's when the last of those layers is peeled away in the final section that it really rises above the average to earn 4.5 stars from me. Not so much because of what's revealed, but because of the way it allows us to examine the Doctor's morality and his approach to life. This is well-written and acted, posing some interesting questions about the limits of redemption and it's also notable for showing a far more positive relationship between the Sixth Doctor and Peri than we ever got on TV.
August 16, 2023
Tough one, this. I really like the way that the fake Pimpernel's story parallels the Doctor's future. At the same time, some of the ideas here feel quite familiar. Anthony Howell elevates the material though and Baker is clearly having fun.
October 29, 2024
a really good story that has a dark twist. the settings were atmospheric, the music was incredible and sixperi were characterised so well. in fact, i think this might be my fave story for the sixperi dynamic in particular. both were 🔥🔥 french elite can die for all i care tho
December 20, 2020
"You're divorced."
LOL amazing
LOL amazing
January 10, 2021
The doctor and peri investigate a scarlett pimpernel in real life 19th century paris
June 9, 2025
Got kinda tiring hearing them say “Pimpernel” repeatedly. I do enjoy the stuff pertaining to The Doctor and Peri’s relationship.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews