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The Third Doctor Adventures #9
Doctor Who: The Third Doctor Adventures - The Annihilators
There’s something in the water at Lewgate Docks. Something strange, and green, and deadly. Summoned to the North of England by a mystery informer, the Brigadier finds his investigations hampered at every turn by the local police. Just what are they trying to hide?
While the Doctor uncovers sinister goings-on in the city morgue, Liz attracts the attention of something unearthly. But with Time running out, quite literally, the Doctor, Liz and UNIT aren’t the only ones to find themselves targeted by a world-shattering alien menace…
...because they’ve got a previous Doctor and his best friend Jamie in their sights, too!
Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart © Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence.
With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar
While the Doctor uncovers sinister goings-on in the city morgue, Liz attracts the attention of something unearthly. But with Time running out, quite literally, the Doctor, Liz and UNIT aren’t the only ones to find themselves targeted by a world-shattering alien menace…
...because they’ve got a previous Doctor and his best friend Jamie in their sights, too!
Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart © Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence.
With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar
Audio CD
First published February 8, 2022
1 person is currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Briggs
376 books133 followersNicholas Briggs is a British actor and writer, predominantly associated with the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who and its various spin-offs. Some of Briggs' earliest Doctor Who-related work was as host of The Myth Makers, a series of made-for-video documentaries produced in the 1980s and 1990s by Reeltime Pictures in which Briggs interviews many of the actors and writers involved in the series. When Reeltime expanded into producing original dramas, Briggs wrote some stories and acted in others, beginning with War Time, the first unofficial Doctor Who spin-off, and Myth Runner, a parody of Blade Runner showcasing bloopers from the Myth Makers series built around a loose storyline featuring Briggs as a down on his luck private detective in the near future.
He wrote and appeared in several made-for-video dramas by BBV, including the third of the Stranger stories, In Memory Alone opposite former Doctor Who stars Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant. He also wrote and appeared in a non-Stranger BBV production called The Airzone Solution (1993) and directed a documentary film, Stranger than Fiction (1994).
Briggs has directed many of the Big Finish Productions audio plays, and has provided Dalek, Cybermen, and other alien voices in several of those as well. He has also written and directed the Dalek Empire and Cyberman audio plays for Big Finish. In 2006, Briggs took over from Gary Russell as executive producer of the Big Finish Doctor Who audio range.
Briggs co-wrote a Doctor Who book called The Dalek Survival Guide.
Since Doctor Who returned to television in 2005, Briggs has provided the voices for several monsters, most notably the Daleks and the Cybermen. Briggs also voiced the Nestene Consciousness in the 2005 episode "Rose", and recorded a voice for the Jagrafess in the 2005 episode "The Long Game"; however, this was not used in the final episode because it was too similar to the voice of the Nestene Consciousness. He also provided the voices for the Judoon in both the 2007 and 2008 series. On 9 July 2009, Briggs made his first appearance in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood in the serial Children of Earth, playing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Rick Yates.
He wrote and appeared in several made-for-video dramas by BBV, including the third of the Stranger stories, In Memory Alone opposite former Doctor Who stars Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant. He also wrote and appeared in a non-Stranger BBV production called The Airzone Solution (1993) and directed a documentary film, Stranger than Fiction (1994).
Briggs has directed many of the Big Finish Productions audio plays, and has provided Dalek, Cybermen, and other alien voices in several of those as well. He has also written and directed the Dalek Empire and Cyberman audio plays for Big Finish. In 2006, Briggs took over from Gary Russell as executive producer of the Big Finish Doctor Who audio range.
Briggs co-wrote a Doctor Who book called The Dalek Survival Guide.
Since Doctor Who returned to television in 2005, Briggs has provided the voices for several monsters, most notably the Daleks and the Cybermen. Briggs also voiced the Nestene Consciousness in the 2005 episode "Rose", and recorded a voice for the Jagrafess in the 2005 episode "The Long Game"; however, this was not used in the final episode because it was too similar to the voice of the Nestene Consciousness. He also provided the voices for the Judoon in both the 2007 and 2008 series. On 9 July 2009, Briggs made his first appearance in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood in the serial Children of Earth, playing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Rick Yates.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 24, 2024
An anonymous tip brings the third doctor, Liz Shaw and the UNIT troops to Lewgate Docks, where something deadly is lurking in the water. While investigating something peculiar in the morgue, the third doctor realizes there’s something wrong with time itself. And before the third doctor can make sense of what’s happening, the second doctor and Jamie suddenly show up.
Even though both the second and third doctor are present on the cover of this audio adventure, it’s important to note that this is more a third doctor story rather than a multi-doctor story. It takes quite a while before the second doctor and Jamie show up. It’s a rather standard third doctor story in terms of concept and plot, with a good mystery at its core that takes its time and slowly but surely intensifies as it steadily builds up toward a rather satisfying ending. It is executed really well, which makes for quite an enjoyable Doctor Who audio experience. And it feels like this story could have been a good fit in season 7, which was the writer’s intention. So job well done, I’d say.
The characters are done remarkably well and they’re actually the biggest highlight for me. Frazer Hines is the only original actor left, portraying Jamie. But most of the main cast members are played by family members of the original actors. And they really go out of their way to get the essence of the characters they portray right. Liz Shaw is played by the original actress’ daughter. And Michael Troughton voices the second doctor for the first time here, which was the role of his father. The latter doesn’t sound like his father just yet, but he does his best. And he grows throughout the story as he’s slowly getting more comfortable in his new role. With two doctors in the mix, you’d think they’d claim most of the time in the spotlights. But, surprisingly, it’s the chemistry between Jamie and Liz Shaw that stands out most here. The antagonists serve their role well here but they are a bit forgettable.
A strong third doctor story that’s only elevated by the addition of the second doctor and Jamie.
Even though both the second and third doctor are present on the cover of this audio adventure, it’s important to note that this is more a third doctor story rather than a multi-doctor story. It takes quite a while before the second doctor and Jamie show up. It’s a rather standard third doctor story in terms of concept and plot, with a good mystery at its core that takes its time and slowly but surely intensifies as it steadily builds up toward a rather satisfying ending. It is executed really well, which makes for quite an enjoyable Doctor Who audio experience. And it feels like this story could have been a good fit in season 7, which was the writer’s intention. So job well done, I’d say.
The characters are done remarkably well and they’re actually the biggest highlight for me. Frazer Hines is the only original actor left, portraying Jamie. But most of the main cast members are played by family members of the original actors. And they really go out of their way to get the essence of the characters they portray right. Liz Shaw is played by the original actress’ daughter. And Michael Troughton voices the second doctor for the first time here, which was the role of his father. The latter doesn’t sound like his father just yet, but he does his best. And he grows throughout the story as he’s slowly getting more comfortable in his new role. With two doctors in the mix, you’d think they’d claim most of the time in the spotlights. But, surprisingly, it’s the chemistry between Jamie and Liz Shaw that stands out most here. The antagonists serve their role well here but they are a bit forgettable.
A strong third doctor story that’s only elevated by the addition of the second doctor and Jamie.
May 30, 2022
Originally I wasn’t planning to pick up any of these Third Doctor Adventures, I might have to change that plan. I have heard Tim Treloar as the Third Doctor, he’s surprisingly good, but in general I’ve shied away from the audios that recast the Doctor. Not really because I’m a purest or anything, but it’s more of I feel like I just needed to draw a line somewhere or else I’ll find myself trying to buy everything and anything from Big Finish. Surely that way lies madness. But then I saw that Jamie and the Second Doctor were going to appear, and I’m a sucker for multiple Doctor stories.
Okay, that’s how I arrived here, but what did I think of this story?
Well, I enjoyed this. And I enjoyed it both less and more than I hoped and expected. That first year of the Pertwee Era is perhaps my favorite. Perhaps. I’m quite fond of Liz Shaw. And I do like the earlier UNIT stories more than the later ones. I’m rather warming up to Tim Treloar as the Third Doctor and Jon Culshaw as the Brigadier was even better, brilliant really. Daisy Ashford does a nice Dr. Shaw and in general this was very reminiscent and feels very much like that first year of the Pertwee Era. Then we get to Frazer Hines and Jamie, it’s nice for him to have the chance to age Jamie up a bit and not have to raise his voice into that teenage highlander range. I’ve also been quite impressed with his Second Doctor from the various Companion Chronicles and Lost Stories that I’ve dived into. Unfortunately, I’m not as pleased with Michael Troughton as the Second Doctor. There are some moments when it works quite well, but others when it isn’t there at all. Not at all. Maybe in time. The rest of the cast does a great job and the story is perhaps one of the better ones from the pen of Nicholas Briggs. I often think he should stick with what he does best, voice acting and producing, but this was just a rollicking good adventure that kept moving very nicely, even with seven chapters. And I’m even more excited about the new Second Doctor Adventures range (even if I’m not 100% behind Michael Troughton as the Second Doctor … yet, we’ll see).
Okay, that’s how I arrived here, but what did I think of this story?
Well, I enjoyed this. And I enjoyed it both less and more than I hoped and expected. That first year of the Pertwee Era is perhaps my favorite. Perhaps. I’m quite fond of Liz Shaw. And I do like the earlier UNIT stories more than the later ones. I’m rather warming up to Tim Treloar as the Third Doctor and Jon Culshaw as the Brigadier was even better, brilliant really. Daisy Ashford does a nice Dr. Shaw and in general this was very reminiscent and feels very much like that first year of the Pertwee Era. Then we get to Frazer Hines and Jamie, it’s nice for him to have the chance to age Jamie up a bit and not have to raise his voice into that teenage highlander range. I’ve also been quite impressed with his Second Doctor from the various Companion Chronicles and Lost Stories that I’ve dived into. Unfortunately, I’m not as pleased with Michael Troughton as the Second Doctor. There are some moments when it works quite well, but others when it isn’t there at all. Not at all. Maybe in time. The rest of the cast does a great job and the story is perhaps one of the better ones from the pen of Nicholas Briggs. I often think he should stick with what he does best, voice acting and producing, but this was just a rollicking good adventure that kept moving very nicely, even with seven chapters. And I’m even more excited about the new Second Doctor Adventures range (even if I’m not 100% behind Michael Troughton as the Second Doctor … yet, we’ll see).
February 9, 2022
Well, there are some people who say that Nick should not write stories (this is even mentioned by Nick himself in the extras).
But, believe me or not, he delivered a good story here and the writing is uncannily close to the era it tries to emulate.
This certainly is one of Nick's better efforts!
Of course the story itself is the usual B-movie plot with some alien monsters and a more or less predictable twist, but that is exactly what it should be.
I also think this worked really well as a long 7 part story.
Nick was also doing the incidental music, and he once again made a 3rd Doctor story sound exactly as it should. This could have been a sound recording of a lost TV episode.
Performance-wise: the 3rd Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier are once again very well done and believable.
Where it did fall apart for me is when the 2nd Doctor turned up.
It took a long time for me to come to terms with the "new voice" of the 2nd Doctor. But it is not only the voice. For me, the spirit and soul of the 2nd Doctor was missing. For example, when Katy Manning does a reading of a 3rd Doctor audiobook, she perfectly catches the 3rd Doctor's spirit and soul. I immediately accept her in the role, even if she does not sound a lot like Pertwee.
Honestly, I had a hard time accepting Michael Troughton as the 2nd Doctor here, it just did not quite gel with me.
Also, Jamie and his Doctor were a bit superfluous here. I get it, like they said in the extras, they were very excited about the new range and wanted to show it off before it starts properly next year. But I could have wished for the two to have a bit more impact.
Otherwise, not bad at all.
But, believe me or not, he delivered a good story here and the writing is uncannily close to the era it tries to emulate.
This certainly is one of Nick's better efforts!
Of course the story itself is the usual B-movie plot with some alien monsters and a more or less predictable twist, but that is exactly what it should be.
I also think this worked really well as a long 7 part story.
Nick was also doing the incidental music, and he once again made a 3rd Doctor story sound exactly as it should. This could have been a sound recording of a lost TV episode.
Performance-wise: the 3rd Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier are once again very well done and believable.
Where it did fall apart for me is when the 2nd Doctor turned up.
It took a long time for me to come to terms with the "new voice" of the 2nd Doctor. But it is not only the voice. For me, the spirit and soul of the 2nd Doctor was missing. For example, when Katy Manning does a reading of a 3rd Doctor audiobook, she perfectly catches the 3rd Doctor's spirit and soul. I immediately accept her in the role, even if she does not sound a lot like Pertwee.
Honestly, I had a hard time accepting Michael Troughton as the 2nd Doctor here, it just did not quite gel with me.
Also, Jamie and his Doctor were a bit superfluous here. I get it, like they said in the extras, they were very excited about the new range and wanted to show it off before it starts properly next year. But I could have wished for the two to have a bit more impact.
Otherwise, not bad at all.
August 9, 2022
3.5* rounded down. I really enjoyed the first two(ish) thirds, then I think it just got really overcomplicated in the 40mins or so and it completely lost me (I fell asleep at this point multiple times).This really didn't need to be a multi doctor story, sadly, it would have been much more effective as a straightforward Three, Liz and UNIT story.
September 17, 2022
Excellent voice performances by the actors recast to play classic Doctor Who characters. Conceptually, the story is fun and era-appropriate (albeit not much more than a rehash of ). The execution, however, is unnecessarily choppy, disavowing any hint of longer scenes.
January 1, 2023
Perfectly captures the essence of 70s television. A wonderful self-contained story featuring the universe’s favourite Dandy and Clown.
August 27, 2025
As indisputable it is that Nicholas Briggs has done wonders for Doctor Who and Big Finish Productions as a key driving force for the latter, I do find myself on the fence when it comes to when he’s a writer, and his work (from what I’ve listened to) boils down to two camps; you have the ambitious and experimental Briggs whose willingness to do something different often delivers in spades (I enjoyed Ravagers more than others and I loved Patient Zero/Blue Forgotten Planet), but there’s the ultra-traditional and safe Briggs whose work, whilst listenable, tends to feel bog-standard and forgettable (Sword of Orion comes to mind and the less said about Sisters of the Flame/The Vengeance of Morbius, the better).
The Annihilators, then, feels like a mixture of both Briggs; this is both ambitious - a seven-part epic running to nearly three hours - and traditional - a heavy emulation of the early Pertwee earthbound stories with echoes of The Ambassadors of Death - but it’s one that plays to the strengths of both whilst mostly avoiding the flaws of the latter, with the added bonus of Two and Jamie (the former spends a lot of the time on his own with the spongy-voiced aliens though it works due to Michael Troughton’s charismatic impression and the latter gets a ton to do with the regulars and it’s like Frazer Hines has been playing this for decades). Some of the impressions don’t work (Tim Treloar doesn’t sound that much like Pertwee tbh though at least he tries to put his own interpretation instead of merely mimicking what came before) and I could’ve done without the ‘reset button’ ending, but as a big nostalgic finale to this period of Who, it’s perhaps the best case scenario we could've hoped for.
The Annihilators, then, feels like a mixture of both Briggs; this is both ambitious - a seven-part epic running to nearly three hours - and traditional - a heavy emulation of the early Pertwee earthbound stories with echoes of The Ambassadors of Death - but it’s one that plays to the strengths of both whilst mostly avoiding the flaws of the latter, with the added bonus of Two and Jamie (the former spends a lot of the time on his own with the spongy-voiced aliens though it works due to Michael Troughton’s charismatic impression and the latter gets a ton to do with the regulars and it’s like Frazer Hines has been playing this for decades). Some of the impressions don’t work (Tim Treloar doesn’t sound that much like Pertwee tbh though at least he tries to put his own interpretation instead of merely mimicking what came before) and I could’ve done without the ‘reset button’ ending, but as a big nostalgic finale to this period of Who, it’s perhaps the best case scenario we could've hoped for.
February 10, 2022
"THE ANNIHILATORS" FROM BEST TO WORST
〰〰〰〰
(10) Michael Troughton is marvelous as the Big Finish version of the Second Doctor. He channels his father's personality and mannerisms with great care while making the character distinctively his own. It's as if Big Finish had plucked Patrick Troughton from The Five Doctors and brought him forward in time just to record this story.
(10) Frazer Hines is as great as ever and works seamlessly alongside Troughton. He's allowed to portray a slightly older, but just as recognizable, Jamie, for reasons as of yet unknown.
(10) Fitting right into the seminal seventh season of Doctor Who (1970) in style, content, and atmosphere, The Annihilators pulls you in right away with its performances, music, and sound design; it all comes alive like it was an actual missing story of the TV show.
(10) Including two sets of Doctors and companions in this story is a wise decision: once Two and Jamie enter at the end of Part Three, the story receives a new spur of energy and avoids running dry. The narrative never slows down during the second half of the adventure. The plot also avoids the usual pitfalls of these multi-Doctor stories while still feeling exciting, original, and funny; it doesn't overdo the multi-Doctor aspect and spends more time with the Doctors working together rather than bickering.
(9) Writer-director Nicholas Briggs mixes all the best parts of the Jon Pertwee era (UNIT, mysterious aliens, time wimeyness, scientific babble) with strong characterization, believable dialogue, high stakes, and several genuine moments of excitement and horror. I also love the teases to the Second Doctor's current situation with the Time Lords, surely to be revisited later on this year and in 2023.
(9) The guest cast is great, particularly Karen Archer as the mysterious DCI and Daon Broni as the sidekick Sergeant Sinclair. The seven parts also allow for the extended guest cast to be used satisfyingly.
(9) This story does wonders for the great trio of Three/Liz/Brigadier, who are in equal positions in solving the mystery at hand and are evenly used throughout the story. I particularly like how Liz is witty, smart, and charming like she was on TV.
(8) Most of the cliffhangers are pretty cool and feel very true to the era.
(8) The plot unravels slowly, but the pacing is admirably swift for a seven-parter thanks to new reveals and mysteries thrown into the mix in every episode.
(6) It's a pity the Second Doctor has a pretty inactive role throughout most of the adventure. This is a much more active story for Jamie, in fact.
(5) The Grestrenor have a fairly elaborate plan that feels like it's endlessly building up towards something but never arriving at the end goal; it's also slightly confusing to follow.
〰〰〰〰
80 positive points / 5 negative points = 7.7/10
〰〰〰〰
〰〰〰〰
(10) Michael Troughton is marvelous as the Big Finish version of the Second Doctor. He channels his father's personality and mannerisms with great care while making the character distinctively his own. It's as if Big Finish had plucked Patrick Troughton from The Five Doctors and brought him forward in time just to record this story.
(10) Frazer Hines is as great as ever and works seamlessly alongside Troughton. He's allowed to portray a slightly older, but just as recognizable, Jamie, for reasons as of yet unknown.
(10) Fitting right into the seminal seventh season of Doctor Who (1970) in style, content, and atmosphere, The Annihilators pulls you in right away with its performances, music, and sound design; it all comes alive like it was an actual missing story of the TV show.
(10) Including two sets of Doctors and companions in this story is a wise decision: once Two and Jamie enter at the end of Part Three, the story receives a new spur of energy and avoids running dry. The narrative never slows down during the second half of the adventure. The plot also avoids the usual pitfalls of these multi-Doctor stories while still feeling exciting, original, and funny; it doesn't overdo the multi-Doctor aspect and spends more time with the Doctors working together rather than bickering.
(9) Writer-director Nicholas Briggs mixes all the best parts of the Jon Pertwee era (UNIT, mysterious aliens, time wimeyness, scientific babble) with strong characterization, believable dialogue, high stakes, and several genuine moments of excitement and horror. I also love the teases to the Second Doctor's current situation with the Time Lords, surely to be revisited later on this year and in 2023.
(9) The guest cast is great, particularly Karen Archer as the mysterious DCI and Daon Broni as the sidekick Sergeant Sinclair. The seven parts also allow for the extended guest cast to be used satisfyingly.
(9) This story does wonders for the great trio of Three/Liz/Brigadier, who are in equal positions in solving the mystery at hand and are evenly used throughout the story. I particularly like how Liz is witty, smart, and charming like she was on TV.
(8) Most of the cliffhangers are pretty cool and feel very true to the era.
(8) The plot unravels slowly, but the pacing is admirably swift for a seven-parter thanks to new reveals and mysteries thrown into the mix in every episode.
(6) It's a pity the Second Doctor has a pretty inactive role throughout most of the adventure. This is a much more active story for Jamie, in fact.
(5) The Grestrenor have a fairly elaborate plan that feels like it's endlessly building up towards something but never arriving at the end goal; it's also slightly confusing to follow.
〰〰〰〰
80 positive points / 5 negative points = 7.7/10
〰〰〰〰
March 3, 2022
I've listened to the first volume of The Third Doctor Adventures. And while I was impressed with Tim Treloar's take on the Third Doctor, the series did not feel like a top priority to me as much as stuff like The First Doctor Adventures, The Eighth Doctor Adventures, The Ninth Doctor Adventures, or The Tenth Doctor Adventures. But knowing that Michael Troughton would be making his debut as the Second Doctor in this ninth volume made me excited for it. And while Michael is great in the role, the story itself was a bit of a letdown.
Being that this is set in season 7, they went and decided to make this like a 7-part serial of the time. The setting meant that Liz Shaw could be included. I was really surprised by the selection of this time period, given that in season 10's The Three Doctors, it feels like the Brig and The Doctor have not encountered his past selves. And while there is an explanation at the end that makes it "make sense," it makes me roll my eyes.
And given that this has been released ahead of The Second Doctor Adventures, the story is very cryptic about what the Second Doctor and Jamie McCrimmon are up to. This is an older Jamie (about 40, according to Frazer Hines), so it seems like he and The Doctor are from the area in which The Two Doctors is set. The production team really wanted to include the Second Doctor in this story so people wouldn't have to wait too long to hear Michael in the role, but it also feels like a tease shoehorned into the Third Doctor's story. But by that same token, I would not have checked this out this soon had the Second Doctor not been in it. I just wish the story overall had been better. It takes quite a while for Two and Jamie to appear. I think Part 4 is where they first appear, and Part 5 is when I started really enjoying what's going on, before the ending that made me roll my eyes.
And once again, Jon Culshaw does a great Brigadier. There's never a time when I don't imagine it's Nicholas Courtney back in the day. And it's great to hear Liz Shaw as well. But overall, the story was just fine. Didn't quite live up to how much I thought I'd enjoy it.
Being that this is set in season 7, they went and decided to make this like a 7-part serial of the time. The setting meant that Liz Shaw could be included. I was really surprised by the selection of this time period, given that in season 10's The Three Doctors, it feels like the Brig and The Doctor have not encountered his past selves. And while there is an explanation at the end that makes it "make sense," it makes me roll my eyes.
And given that this has been released ahead of The Second Doctor Adventures, the story is very cryptic about what the Second Doctor and Jamie McCrimmon are up to. This is an older Jamie (about 40, according to Frazer Hines), so it seems like he and The Doctor are from the area in which The Two Doctors is set. The production team really wanted to include the Second Doctor in this story so people wouldn't have to wait too long to hear Michael in the role, but it also feels like a tease shoehorned into the Third Doctor's story. But by that same token, I would not have checked this out this soon had the Second Doctor not been in it. I just wish the story overall had been better. It takes quite a while for Two and Jamie to appear. I think Part 4 is where they first appear, and Part 5 is when I started really enjoying what's going on, before the ending that made me roll my eyes.
And once again, Jon Culshaw does a great Brigadier. There's never a time when I don't imagine it's Nicholas Courtney back in the day. And it's great to hear Liz Shaw as well. But overall, the story was just fine. Didn't quite live up to how much I thought I'd enjoy it.
March 6, 2022
I was so excited when this was announced a 7 part epic adventure set in my second fav season of the classic series, it's everything I've wanted Big Finish to do for a long time but when they announced The Second Doctor and Jamie were in this, I was a little worried. Multi-Doctor stories for me have lost the feeling of being special which for me is a downer but I decided to give this a go anyway, especially after all the positive reviews it's gained.
I shouldn't have worried. The Annihilators is one of the best 3rd Doctor adventures so far, it's a fairly self-contained story whilst also feeling like a world-ending epic at the same time. It starts out as an ordinary adventure with the trio in the first three episodes but when 2 and Jamie arrive on the scene, things start to change really fast and events escalate out of control.
This was such a fun release that remembers what makes a multi-Doctor story special whilst also capturing the vibe of Season 7 perfectly. The cast is fantastic, Tim Treloar has come so far as The Third Doctor it's almost uncanny how good he's at the role now. Michael Troughton as The Second Doctor was really good as well, rusty around the edges but there are scenes where he sounds exactly like his father which was a joy to hear!
Overall: My favorite release so far this year, an epic multi-Doctor story that's fast-paced and doesn't feel like it overstays it's welcome and it's so fun! 9/10
I shouldn't have worried. The Annihilators is one of the best 3rd Doctor adventures so far, it's a fairly self-contained story whilst also feeling like a world-ending epic at the same time. It starts out as an ordinary adventure with the trio in the first three episodes but when 2 and Jamie arrive on the scene, things start to change really fast and events escalate out of control.
This was such a fun release that remembers what makes a multi-Doctor story special whilst also capturing the vibe of Season 7 perfectly. The cast is fantastic, Tim Treloar has come so far as The Third Doctor it's almost uncanny how good he's at the role now. Michael Troughton as The Second Doctor was really good as well, rusty around the edges but there are scenes where he sounds exactly like his father which was a joy to hear!
Overall: My favorite release so far this year, an epic multi-Doctor story that's fast-paced and doesn't feel like it overstays it's welcome and it's so fun! 9/10
August 2, 2022
Big Finish is starting to find its footing in recreating the early Third Doctor era. The recasts of the Third Doctor, Liz Shaw, and the Brigadier are starting to feel more like the original versions. The standard format of the initial Third Doctor stories was the 7 part story and the Annihilators follows that format and gives us a complex tale full of intrigue and twists and turns.
One of these twists is the inclusion of the Second Doctor and Jamie, who appear to be on a mission for the Time Lords, but who are they supposed to help? Which of the two alien races are UNIT supposed to side with. By the end of the story, even I was confused about who the good aliens were.
This is an excellent example of a well written UNIT thriller.
One of these twists is the inclusion of the Second Doctor and Jamie, who appear to be on a mission for the Time Lords, but who are they supposed to help? Which of the two alien races are UNIT supposed to side with. By the end of the story, even I was confused about who the good aliens were.
This is an excellent example of a well written UNIT thriller.
March 1, 2023
i really liked this one!
i love hearing daisy, tim and john doing their interpretations of the team. it warms my heart. and what a treat to get david and frazer, too. we aren’t worthy!! it was a seven-parter epic. and it was awesome, packed full of action and funny, too.
4/5
i love hearing daisy, tim and john doing their interpretations of the team. it warms my heart. and what a treat to get david and frazer, too. we aren’t worthy!! it was a seven-parter epic. and it was awesome, packed full of action and funny, too.
4/5
July 7, 2024
Wow! This Full-Cast audio drama is amazing. It feels extremely authentic to Season 7 of Doctor Who yet it stands out on its own in its own right. A must listen with a nice cameo appearance of 2 and Jamie, so what's there not to love
March 21, 2024
While previous releases in this run have consisted of two 4-part stories, here we return to the format of season 7 of the TV series with a single, 7-part story stretching over nearly 3 hours. It's set in a fictional city somewhere in the north of England where the local police have run into a problem involving bucket-loads of noxious green slime. So that's obviously going to be alien, then.
As indicated by the cover, and foreshadowed in the opening sequence, this also features the Second Doctor and Jamie, brought here by a temporal anomaly. These are the "season 6B" versions of the characters, although they're very cagey about what that entails - and an alternate explanation for the events of The Two Doctors was given in a previous Big Finish release. But this seemingly is what they're aiming for now, with a set of new stories set during it being released not long after - perhaps making this a teaser of sorts. The Second Doctor is here played by Michael Troughton, who sounds less like his father than Frazer Hines managed to and who may therefore take some getting used to.
The plot is reasonably involved, with twists and turns here and there as the motives of the aliens come into focus. There is plenty of UNIT action, with a guest sergeant-major standing in for Benton when necessary. Liz Shaw is good, getting to conduct much of the investigation herself and, of course, it's good to see Jamie as well. On the downside, it's obvious from early on that a big 'reset switch' is going to have to be flipped at the end of the story and 7 parts, even if it's era-appropriate, is perhaps a bit much. But it doesn't drag as much as it might, and things keep moving even if some of the twists (and, as usual, a fair chunk of the science) are a bit farfetched.
As indicated by the cover, and foreshadowed in the opening sequence, this also features the Second Doctor and Jamie, brought here by a temporal anomaly. These are the "season 6B" versions of the characters, although they're very cagey about what that entails - and an alternate explanation for the events of The Two Doctors was given in a previous Big Finish release. But this seemingly is what they're aiming for now, with a set of new stories set during it being released not long after - perhaps making this a teaser of sorts. The Second Doctor is here played by Michael Troughton, who sounds less like his father than Frazer Hines managed to and who may therefore take some getting used to.
The plot is reasonably involved, with twists and turns here and there as the motives of the aliens come into focus. There is plenty of UNIT action, with a guest sergeant-major standing in for Benton when necessary. Liz Shaw is good, getting to conduct much of the investigation herself and, of course, it's good to see Jamie as well. On the downside, it's obvious from early on that a big 'reset switch' is going to have to be flipped at the end of the story and 7 parts, even if it's era-appropriate, is perhaps a bit much. But it doesn't drag as much as it might, and things keep moving even if some of the twists (and, as usual, a fair chunk of the science) are a bit farfetched.
August 1, 2024
An extra episode of Season 7 of Classic Who.
As always Nick Briggs shows he's got a real in-depth knowledge of the era but fails to reach the heights of any of the other Season 7 stories, which admittedly would be quite a feat.
As always Nick Briggs shows he's got a real in-depth knowledge of the era but fails to reach the heights of any of the other Season 7 stories, which admittedly would be quite a feat.
February 26, 2022
Is the implication at the end that the Season 6B Doctor is the curator with old Jaime?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2023
This was surprisingly good. It feels a lot like it's a part of Season 7. I haven't watched enough of that season recently enough to get a bead on how close Daisy Ashford is to her mother when playing Liz, but Treloar and Culshaw match the Doctor and Brig nearly perfectly (especially Culshaw's Brigadier). The story's interesting with two sets of aliens which you're not quite sure which are good or bad. The introduction of the Second Doctor and Jamie helps to keep the plot from getting a bit stale in the middle. The only downside is that Michael Troughton doesn't quite sound like his father (I think david Troughton and Frazer Hines do a better job). But, I haven't checked out Doctor Who: The Second Doctor Adventures: Beyond War Games yet, so he get better as he goes. Still, a good slice of the Pertwee era (and of Season 7 in particular) that really only gets points off for length.
November 4, 2022
The second and third doctors team up with Liz, Jamie, the brigadier and unit in trying to save the earth from utter destruction.
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