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Classic Doctors, New Monsters
Doctor Who: Classic Doctors, New Monsters - Volume 3: The Stuff of Nightmares
Four new adventures featuring classic Doctors encountering monsters from the new series of Doctor Who!
3.1 The House That Hoxx Built by Tim Foley - When the Third Doctor and Sarah journey far into the future of Earth, the last thing they expect to find on the planet is a haunted house! Invited to dinner by the Hoxx of Balhoon and his ovine ward, the TARDIS travellers experience strange and disturbing phenomena, and the Doctor is determined to discover the cause...
3.2 The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much by Robert Valentine - Taking an Italian holiday, the Fourth Doctor and Leela encounter another tourist very far from home. Timble Feebis is a particularly timid Tivolian, but he has much to be fearful about! Guarding a vital data-chip, the three visitors are soon caught up in the machinations of a crime boss and his gang, and a dangerous alien assassin…
3.3 Together In Eclectic Dreams by Roy Gill - The Sixth Doctor takes companion Mari to the Archipelago of High Dream to try and stop the nightmares she’s having in the TARDIS. Instead, they find the Lethe Foundation, a research facility overseen by musician Tara, lulling her clients to sleep with soothing melodies. But the Kantrofarri are hunting, and a mystery Green Man holds the key to escape…
3.4 If I Should Die Before I Wake by John Dorney (from a story by Jacqueline Rayner) - The Eighth Doctor and Charley are lost – in a labyrinth of monsters. And somewhere, lurking, are the Dream Crabs. From the Sphinx to Gorgons, Cerberus and Pegasus, the Greek myths are alive and threatening the TARDIS duo with death at every turn. How long until their Fates unravel, and the truth is revealed?
3.1 The House That Hoxx Built by Tim Foley - When the Third Doctor and Sarah journey far into the future of Earth, the last thing they expect to find on the planet is a haunted house! Invited to dinner by the Hoxx of Balhoon and his ovine ward, the TARDIS travellers experience strange and disturbing phenomena, and the Doctor is determined to discover the cause...
3.2 The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much by Robert Valentine - Taking an Italian holiday, the Fourth Doctor and Leela encounter another tourist very far from home. Timble Feebis is a particularly timid Tivolian, but he has much to be fearful about! Guarding a vital data-chip, the three visitors are soon caught up in the machinations of a crime boss and his gang, and a dangerous alien assassin…
3.3 Together In Eclectic Dreams by Roy Gill - The Sixth Doctor takes companion Mari to the Archipelago of High Dream to try and stop the nightmares she’s having in the TARDIS. Instead, they find the Lethe Foundation, a research facility overseen by musician Tara, lulling her clients to sleep with soothing melodies. But the Kantrofarri are hunting, and a mystery Green Man holds the key to escape…
3.4 If I Should Die Before I Wake by John Dorney (from a story by Jacqueline Rayner) - The Eighth Doctor and Charley are lost – in a labyrinth of monsters. And somewhere, lurking, are the Dream Crabs. From the Sphinx to Gorgons, Cerberus and Pegasus, the Greek myths are alive and threatening the TARDIS duo with death at every turn. How long until their Fates unravel, and the truth is revealed?
Audio CD
First published July 28, 2022
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About the author
Tim Foley
177 books17 followersTim Foley is an artist and illustrator born in Flint, Michigan, in 1962. Over the past quarter century, his clients have included national and international magazines, book publishers, and advertising agencies such as the Wall Street Journal, Cricket Magazine, New York Newsday, LA Weekly, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. He currently lives and works in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 11, 2023
The House That Hoxx Built by Tim Foley – 2,5/5
The third doctor and Sarah Jane Smith seek shelter during a nightly storm in the very far off future. They meet the alien home owner, Hoxx of Balhoon. Hoxx is a bit reluctant to provide them with shelter as he claims there’s a ghost in the attic. The doctor of course can’t help but investigate.
Nothing particularly special to go out of your way for. Just a solid haunted house story with some science fiction elements. This is not a scary story, which you might expect. The doctor and Sarah Jane Smith are a lot more curious about than scared of whatever’s going on in the house. Sadie Miller also does a pretty good job of voicing her mother’s beloved character of Sarah Jane Smith.
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much by Robert Valentine - 3/5
The fourth doctor and Leela arrive in Rome and come across a Tivolian on vacation who managed to get himself in a world of trouble he did not even ask for. Now it’s up to the doctor and Leela to help him.
The Tivolians are quite an interesting species. They have no shame in admitting that they’re very submissive and they actually prefer to be conquered by a more dominant species. They live to serve. It’s their way of life, and their way to simply survive in a galaxy full of threats and dangers. They can feel quite limited though, which is probably why they haven’t been used more often in the TV series. To be fair, the Tivolian in this story does serve its purpose, and he does get some character development in the end.
An enjoyable but very forgettable romp. Tom Baker’s charismatic presence usually elevates his audio adventures. But his trademark energy feels a bit lacking here.
Together In Eclectic Dreams by Roy Gill – 3,5/5
Sixth doctor companion Mari has been having bad dreams so the doctor takes her to a monastery, which is basically a space sleep institute. When Mari falls asleep, she finds herself in the TARDIS with the eighth doctor, who says that her brain is being devoured while she’s sleeping. And he tells her to wake up.
I’m not that big a fan of the sixth doctor to be honest. But new companion Mari is the real star of this story. Last Christmas is my favorite Doctor Who Christmas episode, so I was really looking forward to some new stories with the dream crabs. In terms of plot, this is pretty good. It’s a story that keeps you on your toes the whole time and has some solid twists.
If I Should Die Before I Wake by John Dorney - 5/5
The eight doctor is basically telling his companion Charley Greek myths as bedtime stories. And it’s up to Charley to finish the narration so she doesn’t end up dying in the story. Because the dream crabs are at it again. And the eight doctor is using the Greek myths as a way to try and wake Charley up.
It’s like a mix of new series episode Last Christmas and the classic series episode The Mind Robber, which is such a brilliant combination. What I appreciate the most here is that it’s a very creative way to use the dream crabs, without over relying on them. Even though there are only two characters in this whole story and there aren’t a lot of action scenes, it’s never boring.
It’s a story that focuses on two very strong characters and simply drops them in the middle of famous Greek myths. A story about a Minotaur in a labyrinth, a garden full of statues and a Gorgon with snakes for hair, a ship that’s being attacked by the Hydra, … And it’s up to the wit of one character to find a solution to the problem at hand. It’s a story about storytelling done right.
Big Finish is very fortunate to have a writer like John Dorney in their mix. He is undeniably one of the best Doctor Who writers around. And he without a shred of a doubt saved this set as a whole.
Overall, a pretty decent set of stories where old doctors come face to face with some monsters from the new series. There are three rather mediocre stories, and one absolutely brilliant one. It’s not the greatest set around as a whole, but it’s definitely not bad.
The third doctor and Sarah Jane Smith seek shelter during a nightly storm in the very far off future. They meet the alien home owner, Hoxx of Balhoon. Hoxx is a bit reluctant to provide them with shelter as he claims there’s a ghost in the attic. The doctor of course can’t help but investigate.
Nothing particularly special to go out of your way for. Just a solid haunted house story with some science fiction elements. This is not a scary story, which you might expect. The doctor and Sarah Jane Smith are a lot more curious about than scared of whatever’s going on in the house. Sadie Miller also does a pretty good job of voicing her mother’s beloved character of Sarah Jane Smith.
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much by Robert Valentine - 3/5
The fourth doctor and Leela arrive in Rome and come across a Tivolian on vacation who managed to get himself in a world of trouble he did not even ask for. Now it’s up to the doctor and Leela to help him.
The Tivolians are quite an interesting species. They have no shame in admitting that they’re very submissive and they actually prefer to be conquered by a more dominant species. They live to serve. It’s their way of life, and their way to simply survive in a galaxy full of threats and dangers. They can feel quite limited though, which is probably why they haven’t been used more often in the TV series. To be fair, the Tivolian in this story does serve its purpose, and he does get some character development in the end.
An enjoyable but very forgettable romp. Tom Baker’s charismatic presence usually elevates his audio adventures. But his trademark energy feels a bit lacking here.
Together In Eclectic Dreams by Roy Gill – 3,5/5
Sixth doctor companion Mari has been having bad dreams so the doctor takes her to a monastery, which is basically a space sleep institute. When Mari falls asleep, she finds herself in the TARDIS with the eighth doctor, who says that her brain is being devoured while she’s sleeping. And he tells her to wake up.
I’m not that big a fan of the sixth doctor to be honest. But new companion Mari is the real star of this story. Last Christmas is my favorite Doctor Who Christmas episode, so I was really looking forward to some new stories with the dream crabs. In terms of plot, this is pretty good. It’s a story that keeps you on your toes the whole time and has some solid twists.
If I Should Die Before I Wake by John Dorney - 5/5
The eight doctor is basically telling his companion Charley Greek myths as bedtime stories. And it’s up to Charley to finish the narration so she doesn’t end up dying in the story. Because the dream crabs are at it again. And the eight doctor is using the Greek myths as a way to try and wake Charley up.
It’s like a mix of new series episode Last Christmas and the classic series episode The Mind Robber, which is such a brilliant combination. What I appreciate the most here is that it’s a very creative way to use the dream crabs, without over relying on them. Even though there are only two characters in this whole story and there aren’t a lot of action scenes, it’s never boring.
It’s a story that focuses on two very strong characters and simply drops them in the middle of famous Greek myths. A story about a Minotaur in a labyrinth, a garden full of statues and a Gorgon with snakes for hair, a ship that’s being attacked by the Hydra, … And it’s up to the wit of one character to find a solution to the problem at hand. It’s a story about storytelling done right.
Big Finish is very fortunate to have a writer like John Dorney in their mix. He is undeniably one of the best Doctor Who writers around. And he without a shred of a doubt saved this set as a whole.
Overall, a pretty decent set of stories where old doctors come face to face with some monsters from the new series. There are three rather mediocre stories, and one absolutely brilliant one. It’s not the greatest set around as a whole, but it’s definitely not bad.
May 5, 2023
The third volume of these fascinating amalgamations.
The House That Hoxx Built - The (Third) Doctor and Sarah Jane (sometime after their adventure on Peladon, see Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon: 3rd Doctor Novelisation), enter a creepy house on a dark and stormy night. Perhaps haunted, perhaps not, but there is nevertheless a lot of strange things going on. An homage to gothic literature and haunted house films. Not the strongest story, but it’s atmospheric and a lot of fun (3/5).
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much - The (Fourth) Doctor and Leela are vacationing in Rome (1977 for some odd reason) when they stumble into all sorts of shenanigans of espionage and crime. To complicate matters the center seems to be another vacationer who’s from a race of self-preservationists. It’s a fun filled romp that is a lovely homage to Alfred Hitchcock (4/5).
Together in Eclectic Dreams - At a dream research institute the (Sixth) Doctor has to help his companion. Except … the Doctor’s companion is at a Dream Institute getting help from the (Eighth) Doctor. Wait … neither Doctor knows this companion? What’s going on here? This one is GREAT. Much fun (5/5).
If I Should Die Before I Wake - “Once Upon a Time …” is what Charley wants for a bedtime story. Except, the (Eighth) Doctor has a very different story in mind. On one hand this story gets a little tedious, until things start developing and then you just want it to go on and on. Brilliant stuff. Brilliant stuff of nightmares (4/5).
And all the usual bangs and whistles with behind the scenes interviews with cast and crew.
The House That Hoxx Built - The (Third) Doctor and Sarah Jane (sometime after their adventure on Peladon, see Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon: 3rd Doctor Novelisation), enter a creepy house on a dark and stormy night. Perhaps haunted, perhaps not, but there is nevertheless a lot of strange things going on. An homage to gothic literature and haunted house films. Not the strongest story, but it’s atmospheric and a lot of fun (3/5).
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much - The (Fourth) Doctor and Leela are vacationing in Rome (1977 for some odd reason) when they stumble into all sorts of shenanigans of espionage and crime. To complicate matters the center seems to be another vacationer who’s from a race of self-preservationists. It’s a fun filled romp that is a lovely homage to Alfred Hitchcock (4/5).
Together in Eclectic Dreams - At a dream research institute the (Sixth) Doctor has to help his companion. Except … the Doctor’s companion is at a Dream Institute getting help from the (Eighth) Doctor. Wait … neither Doctor knows this companion? What’s going on here? This one is GREAT. Much fun (5/5).
If I Should Die Before I Wake - “Once Upon a Time …” is what Charley wants for a bedtime story. Except, the (Eighth) Doctor has a very different story in mind. On one hand this story gets a little tedious, until things start developing and then you just want it to go on and on. Brilliant stuff. Brilliant stuff of nightmares (4/5).
And all the usual bangs and whistles with behind the scenes interviews with cast and crew.
August 7, 2022
The House That Hox Built:
5/10
Verdict: Optional
I like the setting, set-up and characters here, but the story doesn't do a whole lot for me. There wasn't anything done badly, it's just that nothing captivated me either. I think the characterisation for Hox, 3 and Sarah is pretty great but nothing to write home about.
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
I'm being somewhat generous with a six, this story has a lot going for it, a great setting, some good characters and decent pacing. Unfortunately the story is so by the numbers that you could easily skip through it at multiple points and know exactly what happened in between. It's extremely formulaic, and while I quite like the Tivolian's journey, it's not exactly one that is all that thrilling or surprising. The villains are villains with a generic villain plot, there's nothing more to be said in that department. Very safe, very shallow but fine overall.
Together in Ecclectic Dreams:
7/10
Verdict: Optional
Great story, lots of fun with some great crossover content. The banter between the main cast throughout and seeing the doctors interact was really great, had me smiling. As for the plot, it's set up and setting is solid and the characters are all written engagingly and I was hooked. As for that one thing with the story, I mean I had a fair guess on it from the start and it was right, but that didn't spoil it, the writing was good enough for me not to want it to be true. This could easily have been a four part classic BF story, this enemy have legs who's potential has only just been scratched.
If I Should Die Before I Wake:
8/10
Verdict: Recommended
I loved it completely, the only flaw I have with this story is that the ending was a bit odd, but with what they were going for I think that was inevitable. Everything about this is so great, India Fisher is a joy as always and the charm Charley exudes in every scene steals the show. That is not a knock against McGann either, he is equally giving his all, it's just that he has slightly less of a focus. As for the thing for this story, I loved it. I didn't see it coming and I think it worked seriously well. It turns the story on it's head and makes it very relistenable. Can recommend this very highly, especially if you're a fan of early 8.
5/10
Verdict: Optional
I like the setting, set-up and characters here, but the story doesn't do a whole lot for me. There wasn't anything done badly, it's just that nothing captivated me either. I think the characterisation for Hox, 3 and Sarah is pretty great but nothing to write home about.
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
I'm being somewhat generous with a six, this story has a lot going for it, a great setting, some good characters and decent pacing. Unfortunately the story is so by the numbers that you could easily skip through it at multiple points and know exactly what happened in between. It's extremely formulaic, and while I quite like the Tivolian's journey, it's not exactly one that is all that thrilling or surprising. The villains are villains with a generic villain plot, there's nothing more to be said in that department. Very safe, very shallow but fine overall.
Together in Ecclectic Dreams:
7/10
Verdict: Optional
Great story, lots of fun with some great crossover content. The banter between the main cast throughout and seeing the doctors interact was really great, had me smiling. As for the plot, it's set up and setting is solid and the characters are all written engagingly and I was hooked. As for that one thing with the story, I mean I had a fair guess on it from the start and it was right, but that didn't spoil it, the writing was good enough for me not to want it to be true. This could easily have been a four part classic BF story, this enemy have legs who's potential has only just been scratched.
If I Should Die Before I Wake:
8/10
Verdict: Recommended
I loved it completely, the only flaw I have with this story is that the ending was a bit odd, but with what they were going for I think that was inevitable. Everything about this is so great, India Fisher is a joy as always and the charm Charley exudes in every scene steals the show. That is not a knock against McGann either, he is equally giving his all, it's just that he has slightly less of a focus. As for the thing for this story, I loved it. I didn't see it coming and I think it worked seriously well. It turns the story on it's head and makes it very relistenable. Can recommend this very highly, especially if you're a fan of early 8.
October 16, 2022
The Tivolian story does a truly amazing job at adding detail and texture to a race who have been a bit of a one-beat joke in the show. This story really fleshes them out and set their place in the wider Doctor Who universe.
The Hoxx episode is great, providing a nice setting and a bit more detail to the Hoxx that we haven’t seen before. And Paul McGann’a dream crab story also has some really nice moments and allows McGann and India Fisher to play off each other really effectively. Colin Baker’s episode might be the weakest of the set. 4 stars.
The Hoxx episode is great, providing a nice setting and a bit more detail to the Hoxx that we haven’t seen before. And Paul McGann’a dream crab story also has some really nice moments and allows McGann and India Fisher to play off each other really effectively. Colin Baker’s episode might be the weakest of the set. 4 stars.
August 9, 2022
Again, as in the previous releases, 4 stories featuring classic Doctors warding off classic monsters.
Expect the usual top notch Big Finish writing and great performances.
"The House that Hoxx" build is nicely atmospheric.
First half quite creepy and it has been so long since we had a good ghost story.
Especially a creepy ghost story with the 3rd Doctor, who usually has to deal with UNIT and weird alien invasions.
Best of all, I got to listen to it at night while sitting in the dark watching the meteor shower in my parents garden.
"The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much".
Well, this is just a fun little explosive action piece.
Pure popcorn entertainment.
Leela and the 4th Doctor were great in this, and the actors had a blast for sure (you can just hear the joy).
"Together in Eclectic Dreams"-
it was pretty clear from the start what was going on, but it was none the less enjoyable.
The story itself was not what I had expected, I liked the "dreamy" and "dream logic" build up.
Plus the leads (including the "unexpected" one) gave great performances!
Just a bit sad that I have to say for a Colin story, he was got slightly robbed, because "unexpected" stole the show!
"If I Should Die Before I Wake"
What really makes this story is the amazing performances and the wonderful joy of having Charley back together with the 8th Doctor.
The plot itself is not really surprising, since we know who the monsters are and how they operate.
So you can guess pretty soon what exactly is going on.
As I said, the draw is more hearing 8 and Charley bantering again, the story itself will not blow your mind.
Altogether, the set is enjoyable and above average. Strangely enough, the story I was least looking forward to (Tivolian who knew to much) turned out to be the most fun.
However, I have to say that this is not as good as the previous two releases.
Expect the usual top notch Big Finish writing and great performances.
"The House that Hoxx" build is nicely atmospheric.
First half quite creepy and it has been so long since we had a good ghost story.
Especially a creepy ghost story with the 3rd Doctor, who usually has to deal with UNIT and weird alien invasions.
Best of all, I got to listen to it at night while sitting in the dark watching the meteor shower in my parents garden.
"The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much".
Well, this is just a fun little explosive action piece.
Pure popcorn entertainment.
Leela and the 4th Doctor were great in this, and the actors had a blast for sure (you can just hear the joy).
"Together in Eclectic Dreams"-
it was pretty clear from the start what was going on, but it was none the less enjoyable.
The story itself was not what I had expected, I liked the "dreamy" and "dream logic" build up.
Plus the leads (including the "unexpected" one) gave great performances!
Just a bit sad that I have to say for a Colin story, he was got slightly robbed, because "unexpected" stole the show!
"If I Should Die Before I Wake"
What really makes this story is the amazing performances and the wonderful joy of having Charley back together with the 8th Doctor.
The plot itself is not really surprising, since we know who the monsters are and how they operate.
So you can guess pretty soon what exactly is going on.
As I said, the draw is more hearing 8 and Charley bantering again, the story itself will not blow your mind.
Altogether, the set is enjoyable and above average. Strangely enough, the story I was least looking forward to (Tivolian who knew to much) turned out to be the most fun.
However, I have to say that this is not as good as the previous two releases.
October 4, 2022
✅75% = 👍🏼68 👎🏼17 = Good!
The Preview:
The first two Classic Doctor, New Monsters sets are a popular mix of two eras of Doctor Who, so it was given we'd see the range continue sooner rather than later. This set includes some surprising choices of monsters, so it's interesting to hear what Big Finish has in store for us!
----
The House that Hoxx Built
✅74% = 👍🏼13 👎🏼3 = Good!
Tim Foley's script sets the scene and builds an agitated atmosphere from the onset, while seamlessly tapping into the humour and warm relationship between the Doctor and Sarah that was characteristic of this era. This is very much a classic ghost story with a typical sci-fi twist, so the writing relies heavily on bringing the supposed ghastly threat to life. Foley puts every character to good use but keeps the TARDIS duo front and centre, turning the second half into something closer to Frontier in Space or the Peladon stories. A minor gripe is that most of this feels somewhat familiar as the ideas and concepts at play have been featured in previous stories. It makes listening to this story slightly frustrating at times.
Tim Treloar and Sadie Miller are remarkable in their near pitch-perfect impersonations of Jon Pertwee and Elizabeth Sladen - they sound marvellous together. This story is at its very best when it allows Three and Sarah to do some investigative work together! The new monster in this story is the Hoxx from The End of the World (2005); not the most ingenious of choices and it could have been replaced with almost any other species. The guest cast is decent, but nothing particularly exciting. Dan Starkey provides a surprisingly different take from his usual role as Strax while David Rintoul is great as Butler.
The story takes its time to flesh out the setting and the characters involved; the conversations don't always sound rewarding. The setting in the far future with bad weather and a haunted house works wonders for the overall atmosphere of the adventure. This entire adventure kind of runs out of air before the end, despite the high production values.
📝8.0 🎭8.6 🎥5.0 😎7.5 🎉8.1 = 37.2/50
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The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much
🙏🏼51% = 👍🏼8 👎🏼8 = Average!
There is very little in this story that screams Fourth Doctor to me, even if some plot elements would suit a mid-era Tom Baker story. This is certainly n Gothic horror though. The Italian setting is wonderfully refreshing from the norm, even if the writing rarely makes it stand out.
Tom Baker is always a delight to listen to, but some of his work for Big Finish lacks his usual energy and warmth, and this is one of those times. Louise Jameson has stopped trying to sound like Leela from the show, so it's always somewhat challenging to accept her as the same character. The Tivolians are both fascinating and annoying, with Robert Daws putting his all into the performance. As with the previous story, there is no real reason why the Tivolians specifically have to be included here other than to justify including the story on this set. The villains are uninspiring and not interesting at all, at least to me.
There is plenty of minor action and danger here, but it doesn't fly off the page quite how it usually does.
📝6.0 🎭4.4 🎥5.0 😎5.0 🎉5.0 = 25.4/50
----
Together in Eclectic Dreams
✅80% = 👍🏼18 👎🏼3 = Good!
This is a rather clever excuse for a multi-Doctor story. The Inception-esque narrative feels somewhat fresh in this Doctor Who setting. The narrative is layered and complex, and somewhat confusing, but not enough to feel completely hopeless. I feel that the last scene rather ruins the impact of the climax.
Six is a perfect fit to meet the Dream Crabs. Mia is a strong enough character to carry the story without the Doctor. Eight's involvement in a supporting role is intriguing. The Dream Crabs are a superb choice for an audio villain!
Roy Gill masterfully adds new layers to the mystery and maintains the pace. Creepy music and conversation maintain a creepy atmosphere. The latter parts of the story truly deliver on the build-up of tension and the last moments take a brilliantly morbid twist.
📝6.3 🎭10.0 🎥5.0 😎10.0 🎉8.6 = 39.9/50
----
If I Should Die Before I Wake
❤️93% = 👍🏼29 👎🏼3 = Great!
There's some brilliant dialogue here, brilliantly played out by the two leads. This is somehow a very intriguing and well-made story structure, utilizing the telling of bedtime stories as a way to weave a fractured adventure. The descriptive nature of the story makes the entire adventure leap off the page! Even though it’s fairly obvious what’s going on, the eventual reveals feel satisfying. John Dorney cleverly plays with our expectations by presenting a couple of great and logical major twists in the second half. He does play out the bedtime story idea so far that it almost turns repetitive, however.
This Doctor/Companion pairing is such a joy to listen to when paired with the Kantrofari. India Fisher puts in an impressive performance, playing Charley and every other character that isn't the Doctor. It's very soothing to listen to Paul McGann telling a bedtime story and it’s even better now when he's constantly interrupted by Fisher. It's fascinating that Charley is too clever for her own good for once, causing more trouble than usual. The Dream Crabs are barely on the story and aren't technically even necessary.
It's incredible how well the legendary monsters featured here come alive through the clever sound design and the narration.
This story is best described as an experience and a nuanced and exciting one at that. This is one of the richest two-handers Big Finish has ever done! The tension remains high all the time, yet grows exponentially throughout. The three women slowly weaving the tapestry are freaking creepy!
📝9.2 🎭8.0 🎥10.0 😎10.0 🎉9.1 = 46.3/50
-----
The Verdict:
This is mostly a strong and well-produced set, which doesn't always use its new monsters as well as it does its classic Doctors, but proves that there is still life left in this Big Finish range! Recommended for fans of the previous two sets and for those who find Dream Crabs as creepy as I do!
📝7.4 🎭7.8 🎥6.3 😎8.1 🎉8.0 = 37.6/50
The Preview:
The first two Classic Doctor, New Monsters sets are a popular mix of two eras of Doctor Who, so it was given we'd see the range continue sooner rather than later. This set includes some surprising choices of monsters, so it's interesting to hear what Big Finish has in store for us!
----
The House that Hoxx Built
✅74% = 👍🏼13 👎🏼3 = Good!
Tim Foley's script sets the scene and builds an agitated atmosphere from the onset, while seamlessly tapping into the humour and warm relationship between the Doctor and Sarah that was characteristic of this era. This is very much a classic ghost story with a typical sci-fi twist, so the writing relies heavily on bringing the supposed ghastly threat to life. Foley puts every character to good use but keeps the TARDIS duo front and centre, turning the second half into something closer to Frontier in Space or the Peladon stories. A minor gripe is that most of this feels somewhat familiar as the ideas and concepts at play have been featured in previous stories. It makes listening to this story slightly frustrating at times.
Tim Treloar and Sadie Miller are remarkable in their near pitch-perfect impersonations of Jon Pertwee and Elizabeth Sladen - they sound marvellous together. This story is at its very best when it allows Three and Sarah to do some investigative work together! The new monster in this story is the Hoxx from The End of the World (2005); not the most ingenious of choices and it could have been replaced with almost any other species. The guest cast is decent, but nothing particularly exciting. Dan Starkey provides a surprisingly different take from his usual role as Strax while David Rintoul is great as Butler.
The story takes its time to flesh out the setting and the characters involved; the conversations don't always sound rewarding. The setting in the far future with bad weather and a haunted house works wonders for the overall atmosphere of the adventure. This entire adventure kind of runs out of air before the end, despite the high production values.
📝8.0 🎭8.6 🎥5.0 😎7.5 🎉8.1 = 37.2/50
----
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much
🙏🏼51% = 👍🏼8 👎🏼8 = Average!
There is very little in this story that screams Fourth Doctor to me, even if some plot elements would suit a mid-era Tom Baker story. This is certainly n Gothic horror though. The Italian setting is wonderfully refreshing from the norm, even if the writing rarely makes it stand out.
Tom Baker is always a delight to listen to, but some of his work for Big Finish lacks his usual energy and warmth, and this is one of those times. Louise Jameson has stopped trying to sound like Leela from the show, so it's always somewhat challenging to accept her as the same character. The Tivolians are both fascinating and annoying, with Robert Daws putting his all into the performance. As with the previous story, there is no real reason why the Tivolians specifically have to be included here other than to justify including the story on this set. The villains are uninspiring and not interesting at all, at least to me.
There is plenty of minor action and danger here, but it doesn't fly off the page quite how it usually does.
📝6.0 🎭4.4 🎥5.0 😎5.0 🎉5.0 = 25.4/50
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Together in Eclectic Dreams
✅80% = 👍🏼18 👎🏼3 = Good!
This is a rather clever excuse for a multi-Doctor story. The Inception-esque narrative feels somewhat fresh in this Doctor Who setting. The narrative is layered and complex, and somewhat confusing, but not enough to feel completely hopeless. I feel that the last scene rather ruins the impact of the climax.
Six is a perfect fit to meet the Dream Crabs. Mia is a strong enough character to carry the story without the Doctor. Eight's involvement in a supporting role is intriguing. The Dream Crabs are a superb choice for an audio villain!
Roy Gill masterfully adds new layers to the mystery and maintains the pace. Creepy music and conversation maintain a creepy atmosphere. The latter parts of the story truly deliver on the build-up of tension and the last moments take a brilliantly morbid twist.
📝6.3 🎭10.0 🎥5.0 😎10.0 🎉8.6 = 39.9/50
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If I Should Die Before I Wake
❤️93% = 👍🏼29 👎🏼3 = Great!
There's some brilliant dialogue here, brilliantly played out by the two leads. This is somehow a very intriguing and well-made story structure, utilizing the telling of bedtime stories as a way to weave a fractured adventure. The descriptive nature of the story makes the entire adventure leap off the page! Even though it’s fairly obvious what’s going on, the eventual reveals feel satisfying. John Dorney cleverly plays with our expectations by presenting a couple of great and logical major twists in the second half. He does play out the bedtime story idea so far that it almost turns repetitive, however.
This Doctor/Companion pairing is such a joy to listen to when paired with the Kantrofari. India Fisher puts in an impressive performance, playing Charley and every other character that isn't the Doctor. It's very soothing to listen to Paul McGann telling a bedtime story and it’s even better now when he's constantly interrupted by Fisher. It's fascinating that Charley is too clever for her own good for once, causing more trouble than usual. The Dream Crabs are barely on the story and aren't technically even necessary.
It's incredible how well the legendary monsters featured here come alive through the clever sound design and the narration.
This story is best described as an experience and a nuanced and exciting one at that. This is one of the richest two-handers Big Finish has ever done! The tension remains high all the time, yet grows exponentially throughout. The three women slowly weaving the tapestry are freaking creepy!
📝9.2 🎭8.0 🎥10.0 😎10.0 🎉9.1 = 46.3/50
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The Verdict:
This is mostly a strong and well-produced set, which doesn't always use its new monsters as well as it does its classic Doctors, but proves that there is still life left in this Big Finish range! Recommended for fans of the previous two sets and for those who find Dream Crabs as creepy as I do!
📝7.4 🎭7.8 🎥6.3 😎8.1 🎉8.0 = 37.6/50
September 1, 2024
The series title of “new monsters” is a bit of misnomer here, since two out of the four stories in the collection feature entirely non-monstrous aliens that aren’t necessarily the villains. That actually allows more variation in the stories than would a more literal reading, so it’s by no means a bad thing. Three out of the four stories relate to the title of this particular collection, albeit only figuratively in one case and, as the cover makes clear, there are only three ‘monsters’ – one appearing twice.
The House that Hoxx Built – The first story features the Hoxx of Balhoon, a close relative of the similarly named character in The End of the World. While the Moxx was memorable for his physical appearance and being one of the first aliens seen in the modern series, there wasn’t much more to him than that in the televised story, and the result is that this story would have worked just as well with any other alien. Having said that, there are ties to the TV episode, and several jokes about the forgotten details of Earth reminiscent of the one about the ‘ipod’. The story features the Third Doctor and Sarah arriving on the dying, uninhabited planet and visiting a restored stately home serving as a planned museum. It’s evidently going for a creepy atmosphere, with a rumoured ghost in the attic, a sinister, glitching, holographic butler and so on, but it never quite pulls it off, perhaps because the guest characters are just too alien. It does, however, work as a mystery, if one that’s probably more sedate than was intended, and the resolution is one that fits very well with the TV series. 3.5 stars.
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much – The second story ditches the ‘stuff of nightmares’ theme of the collections’ title in favour of an action comedy and does so very well. It features the Fourth Doctor and Leela visiting Rome in the 1970s and becoming embroiled in a plot involving gangsters, car chases, and of course, aliens. The aliens in question are the Tivolians, the surrender-hungry race that debuted in Eleventh Doctor TV story The God Complex. This, of course, is part of the humour, although the script is also full of one-liners from the Doctor. However, the Tivolians are shown as more varied and complex than they are in the TV stories, rather than simply playing them up as irritating. This helps offset the comedy, making some of the characters sympathetic without losing what makes the race distinctive. But mostly this story is just good fun, and one can easily imagine it filmed on a big budget in and around Rome, throwing in famous locations and cheeky tourist references as well as some intentionally dodgy Italian accents. 4.5 stars.
Together in Eclectic Dreams – Were it not for the picture on the cover, it might take a while to realise what the monster even is in this story, since while its presence is felt from early on, it takes a while for it to appear. It features a companion we have not previously heard of travelling with the Sixth Doctor when they begin to have dreams about travelling with the Eighth. Or is it the other way around? Or neither? As we slip between settings, it’s obvious that significant chunks of the story do not take place in the ‘real world’, but the story keeps you guessing as to which are which. It’s a successful modification of the Twelfth Doctor story on which it is based, aided by the fact that we already know some of the rules of what’s going on, but that that doesn’t necessarily help us in working out the specifics. Some questions are left unanswered at the end, and it’s one for those who are okay with ambiguity, but it’s very effective at what it’s doing. 5 stars.
If I Should Die Before I Wake – The final story features the same monster again as the Eighth Doctor reads Charlie a bedtime story based on Greek myth. In fact, a whole series of bedtime stories, each of which we hear narrated by the Doctor with interjections and competing narration from Charlie. India Fisher also provides all the voices for the ‘fictional’ guest characters, so this really just a two-hander – logically enough, given the premise. The performances are great, and there is some amusement along the way, largely provided by Charlie’s objections and a running gag about string. It’s also a different use for the monster, a very different type of story from the previous one, despite the ultimate threat being identical (and fairly obvious from early on). It’s perhaps a little repetitive, even if this is by design, but it keeps moving at a brisk pace, and the performances make it more entertaining than it otherwise might be. 4 stars.
The House that Hoxx Built – The first story features the Hoxx of Balhoon, a close relative of the similarly named character in The End of the World. While the Moxx was memorable for his physical appearance and being one of the first aliens seen in the modern series, there wasn’t much more to him than that in the televised story, and the result is that this story would have worked just as well with any other alien. Having said that, there are ties to the TV episode, and several jokes about the forgotten details of Earth reminiscent of the one about the ‘ipod’. The story features the Third Doctor and Sarah arriving on the dying, uninhabited planet and visiting a restored stately home serving as a planned museum. It’s evidently going for a creepy atmosphere, with a rumoured ghost in the attic, a sinister, glitching, holographic butler and so on, but it never quite pulls it off, perhaps because the guest characters are just too alien. It does, however, work as a mystery, if one that’s probably more sedate than was intended, and the resolution is one that fits very well with the TV series. 3.5 stars.
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much – The second story ditches the ‘stuff of nightmares’ theme of the collections’ title in favour of an action comedy and does so very well. It features the Fourth Doctor and Leela visiting Rome in the 1970s and becoming embroiled in a plot involving gangsters, car chases, and of course, aliens. The aliens in question are the Tivolians, the surrender-hungry race that debuted in Eleventh Doctor TV story The God Complex. This, of course, is part of the humour, although the script is also full of one-liners from the Doctor. However, the Tivolians are shown as more varied and complex than they are in the TV stories, rather than simply playing them up as irritating. This helps offset the comedy, making some of the characters sympathetic without losing what makes the race distinctive. But mostly this story is just good fun, and one can easily imagine it filmed on a big budget in and around Rome, throwing in famous locations and cheeky tourist references as well as some intentionally dodgy Italian accents. 4.5 stars.
Together in Eclectic Dreams – Were it not for the picture on the cover, it might take a while to realise what the monster even is in this story, since while its presence is felt from early on, it takes a while for it to appear. It features a companion we have not previously heard of travelling with the Sixth Doctor when they begin to have dreams about travelling with the Eighth. Or is it the other way around? Or neither? As we slip between settings, it’s obvious that significant chunks of the story do not take place in the ‘real world’, but the story keeps you guessing as to which are which. It’s a successful modification of the Twelfth Doctor story on which it is based, aided by the fact that we already know some of the rules of what’s going on, but that that doesn’t necessarily help us in working out the specifics. Some questions are left unanswered at the end, and it’s one for those who are okay with ambiguity, but it’s very effective at what it’s doing. 5 stars.
If I Should Die Before I Wake – The final story features the same monster again as the Eighth Doctor reads Charlie a bedtime story based on Greek myth. In fact, a whole series of bedtime stories, each of which we hear narrated by the Doctor with interjections and competing narration from Charlie. India Fisher also provides all the voices for the ‘fictional’ guest characters, so this really just a two-hander – logically enough, given the premise. The performances are great, and there is some amusement along the way, largely provided by Charlie’s objections and a running gag about string. It’s also a different use for the monster, a very different type of story from the previous one, despite the ultimate threat being identical (and fairly obvious from early on). It’s perhaps a little repetitive, even if this is by design, but it keeps moving at a brisk pace, and the performances make it more entertaining than it otherwise might be. 4 stars.
April 12, 2023
Classic Doctors, New Monsters is a range I've really wanted to see come back. It was a shame when they kind of came to a stop after two volumes, but when Big Finish announced The Stuff of Nightmares and Broken Memories I was incredibly excited!
The House That Hoxx Built:
Arriving on an Earth that is dead, The Doctor and Sarah come across an old house that turns out not only to be haunted but owned by The Hoxx of Balhoon. However, it turns out the house is far more sinister than it first appears to be and it might very well reappear throughout many of The Doctor's lives.
Tim Foley has written an incredible haunted house story that whilst isn't as scary as say The Dread of Night is made up for by the fact it can be quite humorous with a strange but wonderful assortment of characters. It's a very atmospheric script with some haunting imagery and a nice callback to another Classic Who story (which I won't spoil). 10/10
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much:
The Doctor and Leela arrive in Rome only to bump into a Tivolian by the name of Timble Feebis being chased by mobsters. Soon The Doctor needs the help of Timble to help save the Tivolian's world from being destroyed, but will Timble find the courage to help the time travelers and his own world?
Robert Valentine has written a really funny script of a Tivolian by the name of Timble discovering what it means to be brave. It's a very fast-paced and engaging story with plenty of humor and banter. The Fourth Doctor and Leela's bond with Timble I found really enjoyable and honestly I can kind of see Timble making for a very unique companion if they had gone in that direction! 8/10
Together in Eclectic Dreams:
The Doctor and Mari arrive at a dream research facility in order to help Mari overcome her nightmares. But something very sinister is going on, what is famous popstar Terra up to and who is the mysterious man in the green velvet coat that haunts the dreams of other people? The Kantrofarri are here and it might take more than one Doctor to stop their feast.
Roy Gill has written one of the best Big Finish audios I've listened to in such a long time, not going to lie it's top 10 worthy. It's such an intelligent, creepy, and atmospheric script with superb characterization and tension. It's very much a 6th Doctor story but to see another Doctor show up was a lot of fun and made this story much more insane, but all the same unique. Brilliant stuff! 10/10
If I Should Die Before I Wake:
The Doctor is telling bedtime stories to Charlotte Pollard on Greek Mythology. But why is he telling her these stories and what are the ladies in the background sculpting? The Doctor has to save Charley from The Kantrofarri.
Jacqueline Rayner has come up with a great idea and John Dorney has brought it to life beautifully. It's such a brilliant script with terrific characterization, a clever and unique storyline, and the threat of a ticking clock. I prefer Together in Eclectic Dreams, but this was brilliant as well! 10/10
Overall: 38/40
The House That Hoxx Built:
Arriving on an Earth that is dead, The Doctor and Sarah come across an old house that turns out not only to be haunted but owned by The Hoxx of Balhoon. However, it turns out the house is far more sinister than it first appears to be and it might very well reappear throughout many of The Doctor's lives.
Tim Foley has written an incredible haunted house story that whilst isn't as scary as say The Dread of Night is made up for by the fact it can be quite humorous with a strange but wonderful assortment of characters. It's a very atmospheric script with some haunting imagery and a nice callback to another Classic Who story (which I won't spoil). 10/10
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much:
The Doctor and Leela arrive in Rome only to bump into a Tivolian by the name of Timble Feebis being chased by mobsters. Soon The Doctor needs the help of Timble to help save the Tivolian's world from being destroyed, but will Timble find the courage to help the time travelers and his own world?
Robert Valentine has written a really funny script of a Tivolian by the name of Timble discovering what it means to be brave. It's a very fast-paced and engaging story with plenty of humor and banter. The Fourth Doctor and Leela's bond with Timble I found really enjoyable and honestly I can kind of see Timble making for a very unique companion if they had gone in that direction! 8/10
Together in Eclectic Dreams:
The Doctor and Mari arrive at a dream research facility in order to help Mari overcome her nightmares. But something very sinister is going on, what is famous popstar Terra up to and who is the mysterious man in the green velvet coat that haunts the dreams of other people? The Kantrofarri are here and it might take more than one Doctor to stop their feast.
Roy Gill has written one of the best Big Finish audios I've listened to in such a long time, not going to lie it's top 10 worthy. It's such an intelligent, creepy, and atmospheric script with superb characterization and tension. It's very much a 6th Doctor story but to see another Doctor show up was a lot of fun and made this story much more insane, but all the same unique. Brilliant stuff! 10/10
If I Should Die Before I Wake:
The Doctor is telling bedtime stories to Charlotte Pollard on Greek Mythology. But why is he telling her these stories and what are the ladies in the background sculpting? The Doctor has to save Charley from The Kantrofarri.
Jacqueline Rayner has come up with a great idea and John Dorney has brought it to life beautifully. It's such a brilliant script with terrific characterization, a clever and unique storyline, and the threat of a ticking clock. I prefer Together in Eclectic Dreams, but this was brilliant as well! 10/10
Overall: 38/40
September 2, 2024
As with previous editions, we have four independent stories, quite varied in tone and style. The first is a 3rd Doctor + Sarah adventure involving the Hoxx of Balhoon, brother of the Moxx of Balhoon. The story takes place slightly before the 9th Doctor "End of the World" episode, and explains a bit how The Doctor knows about the end of the world. Hoxx wants to create a museum and preserve old Earth for tourism. However, we have a bit of a haunted house situation. The greatest thing about this episode is Tim Treloar and Sadie Miller recreating a favorite Doctor / Companion combination. Sadie Miller is brilliant in capturing Elisabeth Sladen's vocal mannerisms. It takes a listener right back to 1974. Next is The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much with Doctor 4 and Leela. This is a spoof of old movies that have the "guy in the wrong place at the wrong time" plot. It is quite fun and a bit funny and definitely light weight. Third is Together In Eclectic Dreams, a 6th Doctor story with a cameo from the 8th Doctor, and the first of two dream crabs episodes. The story takes us to Inception territory, where there are multiple dream levels and the listener never quite knows what is or is not part of a dream. Writer Roy Gill here writes what feels to me like a typical Marc Platt script, playing dodgems with reality. Last is an 8th Doctor and Charley story also with dream crabs. In If I Should Die Before I Wake, writer John Dorney has taken the path of likening dreams to mythical stories. The Doctor is telling Charley a bedtime story, but it keeps getting disrupted. It takes a while for the drama to arrive at what it is all about, and the twist was not very surprising to me. The drama itself is a two-hander, with India Fisher handling all the voices (including monster roars), except for Doctor 8's. The total package is entertaining. I like the variety. Nothing stands out as brilliant (apart from Tim Treloar and Sadie Miller).
May 9, 2023
Tale one - 1/5
This sounded so bloody cool, The Third Doctor inside a haunted house? Yes that sounds awesome. Why could it be creepy, spooky? I don't know ask this story's writere because this was just a whole nothing burger.
Tale Two - 3/5
This was fun little story about the tivoli. Nothing deep or overly weird about this one. It's just a good fun time with Tom Baker having a whole lot of fun. It's a solid light story.
Tale Three - 4/5
I was unsure about when this began. Then I heard the music and oh man the music in this episode is honestly breathtaking. It was perfect and so diffrent from the usual Big Finish score we hear all the time.
The sixth Doctor was so much fun in this story. I loved dreams in stories, especially in Doctor Who. I feel like it's a very underused idea.
I'm really tired tonight so I won't go into it anymore.
Tale Four - 5/5
WEIRDNESS HAS ARRIVED
I'm always glad when the best is left for last.
This just felt something unlike all the others. Even compared to Tale 3. Telling stories in a story. Perfect.
What can you do when you cannot trust your own reality? When you are unsure if you are dreaming or not.
This ending was perfection I do not want to keep using that word but it really is. I wanna listen to this last story again.
Overall the first two of this box set drag the rest down. There is a part of me that wishes the last two stories were the whole box set but I wouldn't know how to extend them.
This sounded so bloody cool, The Third Doctor inside a haunted house? Yes that sounds awesome. Why could it be creepy, spooky? I don't know ask this story's writere because this was just a whole nothing burger.
Tale Two - 3/5
This was fun little story about the tivoli. Nothing deep or overly weird about this one. It's just a good fun time with Tom Baker having a whole lot of fun. It's a solid light story.
Tale Three - 4/5
I was unsure about when this began. Then I heard the music and oh man the music in this episode is honestly breathtaking. It was perfect and so diffrent from the usual Big Finish score we hear all the time.
The sixth Doctor was so much fun in this story. I loved dreams in stories, especially in Doctor Who. I feel like it's a very underused idea.
I'm really tired tonight so I won't go into it anymore.
Tale Four - 5/5
WEIRDNESS HAS ARRIVED
I'm always glad when the best is left for last.
This just felt something unlike all the others. Even compared to Tale 3. Telling stories in a story. Perfect.
What can you do when you cannot trust your own reality? When you are unsure if you are dreaming or not.
This ending was perfection I do not want to keep using that word but it really is. I wanna listen to this last story again.
Overall the first two of this box set drag the rest down. There is a part of me that wishes the last two stories were the whole box set but I wouldn't know how to extend them.
August 16, 2023
The House That Hoxx Built - Entertaining ghost story that is one of the best performances from both Treloar and Miller I have experienced to date. The concept is pretty familiar though and it relies a little too much on the alien misunderstands Earth trope for humor.
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much - Hugely entertaining, if slight. Very clever use of the Tivolians and in particular Daws' character. Ended up hugely enjoying his arc and wished he left with our heroes...
Together in Eclectic Dreams - Very good, trippy crossover story which blurs the line between reality and dreams. Great performances from all involved and love the short but engaging interplay with Baker and McGann.
If I Should Die Before I Wake - Interesting exploration of a dreamscape. Lovely to hear McGann and Fisher together and so affectionate. Loses a little for being quite similar to a previous River Song adventure but overall I felt that this was very beautifully written and performed.
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much - Hugely entertaining, if slight. Very clever use of the Tivolians and in particular Daws' character. Ended up hugely enjoying his arc and wished he left with our heroes...
Together in Eclectic Dreams - Very good, trippy crossover story which blurs the line between reality and dreams. Great performances from all involved and love the short but engaging interplay with Baker and McGann.
If I Should Die Before I Wake - Interesting exploration of a dreamscape. Lovely to hear McGann and Fisher together and so affectionate. Loses a little for being quite similar to a previous River Song adventure but overall I felt that this was very beautifully written and performed.
October 1, 2024
3.1 'The House That Hoxx Built' by Tim Foley: 5*
3.2 'The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much' by Robert Valentine: 5*
3.3 'Together In Eclectic Dreams' by Roy Gill: 5*
3.4 'If I Should Die Before I Wake' by John Dorney (from a story by Jacqueline Rayner): 5*
3.2 'The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much' by Robert Valentine: 5*
3.3 'Together In Eclectic Dreams' by Roy Gill: 5*
3.4 'If I Should Die Before I Wake' by John Dorney (from a story by Jacqueline Rayner): 5*
August 16, 2022
Story three in this boxset is the highlight.
August 22, 2022
The House That Hoxx Built - 2/5
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much - 4/5
Together In Eclectic Dreams - 3/5
If I Should Die Before I Wake - 4/5
The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much - 4/5
Together In Eclectic Dreams - 3/5
If I Should Die Before I Wake - 4/5
November 28, 2022
not that exciting. didn't finish
July 16, 2023
(entry for If I Should Die Before I Wake)
May 26, 2023
The third Classic Doctors, New Monsters set features four stories of Classic Series Doctors (1-8) enountering New Series monsters. Now, I've enjoyed the previous two sets in this series, but in fairness, there are only so much you can do with the concept. As such, two of these stories double up on the same monster. The four stories are: The House That Hoxx Built which is a nice atmospheric haunted house story featuring the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane versus the Hoxx of Balhoon, a creature that first appeared in the Series 1 TV episode The End of the World; The Tivolian Who Knew Too Much, a really fun Italian mob story featuring the Fourth Doctor, Leela and the Tivolians which first appeared in Series 6's The God Complex; the last two Together in Eclectic Dreams and If I Should Die Before I Wake feature the Dream Crabs (Kantrofarri) versus the Sixth Doctor and the Eighth Doctor and Charley respectively. I think that the Tivolian story is the highlight followed by the clever Eighth Doctor/Charley two-hander. That said, they're all good stories and well worth the listen.
January 24, 2023
Not quite as gripping as the first two volumes. I kind of wonder whether the Sixth and Eighth Doctors could've each faced different monsters as opposed to both facing dream crabs.
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