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Doctor Who: Once and Future #5
Doctor Who: Once and Future - The Martian Invasion of Planetoid 50
The Time War. The Doctor has been injured and brought to a Time Lord field hospital. His body glows with energy, but this is no regeneration into a future form – instead, the Doctor’s past faces begin to appear as he flits haphazardly between incarnations.
Staggering to his TARDIS, the Doctor sets out to solve the mystery of his ‘degeneration’. Who has done this to him? How? And why? From the Earth to the stars, across an array of familiar times and places, he follows clues to retrace his steps, encountering old friends and enemies along the way. Tumbling through his lives, the Doctor must stop his degeneration before he loses himself completely.
The First Doctor arrives in Victorian London amid a Martian invasion. But he discovers all is not what it seems when Missy appears…
Soon, the Doctor is propelled into a future incarnation – the Tenth – but he is not alone in battling Missy and her Martian invaders. The Paternoster Gang – Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint and Strax – are also here to assist. But can they offer the Doctor any help in solving his own degeneration mystery?
Staggering to his TARDIS, the Doctor sets out to solve the mystery of his ‘degeneration’. Who has done this to him? How? And why? From the Earth to the stars, across an array of familiar times and places, he follows clues to retrace his steps, encountering old friends and enemies along the way. Tumbling through his lives, the Doctor must stop his degeneration before he loses himself completely.
The First Doctor arrives in Victorian London amid a Martian invasion. But he discovers all is not what it seems when Missy appears…
Soon, the Doctor is propelled into a future incarnation – the Tenth – but he is not alone in battling Missy and her Martian invaders. The Paternoster Gang – Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint and Strax – are also here to assist. But can they offer the Doctor any help in solving his own degeneration mystery?
Audio CD
First published September 12, 2023
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About the author
Jonathan Barnes
156 books40 followersJonathan Barnes, FBA (born 26 December 1942 in Wenlock, Shropshire) is an English scholar of ancient philosophy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
See also Jonathan Barnes or Jonathan Barnes
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
See also Jonathan Barnes or Jonathan Barnes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 26, 2024
Yes, yes, a whole lot of fun. But actually not as much fun as I had … been expecting … been anticipating. With the likes of Neve McIntosh, Catrin Stewart, Dan Starkey, Michelle Gomez, Stephen Noonan, Tim Treloar, and (of course) David Tennant, how could this be a miss? So it is wonderful, just not quite as much as I’d hoped for. We’ll have to see how it holds up when I get around to listening to the series again, which I’ll likely be doing as there’s nearly a year gap between the release dates of the penultimate and the final episodes.
Update: I’m listening to these again in anticipation of the forthcoming release of the final chapter. And I’m definitely reassessing my ratings. This one is getting a bump up to 5-stars. It’s completely zany and utterly bonkers, like most of the Time War stories seem to be.
Update: I’m listening to these again in anticipation of the forthcoming release of the final chapter. And I’m definitely reassessing my ratings. This one is getting a bump up to 5-stars. It’s completely zany and utterly bonkers, like most of the Time War stories seem to be.
September 12, 2023
Another great story in the Once and Future range. As each release comes out, the titular “once and future” makes more sense as the Doctor finds himself bouncing back and forth between his past and future incarnations. The previous stories have spotlighted only Classic Doctors, but this time the Doctor arrives in his First incarnation before being abruptly catapulted forward into his Tenth.
It gets a little confusing at times (wibbly wobbly time-y wimey), but technically we’re still following the Eighth Doctor while he’s investigating the weapon that’s causing him to constantly degenerate and regenerate. This time around Missy and the Paternoster Gang (Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint & Strax) join for the ride. And there’s Martians. It’s fun.
The highlight of this release for me was the interaction between the Tenth Doctor and Missy; the first time these versions of these characters have met, even though neither of them are quite themselves at the moment. David Tennant and Michelle Gomez are a joy together. The Paternoster Gang is fun too, although they could have been taken out of the story and not much would have changed.
The story misses an opportunity to add more characterization to the Martians, and without spoiling too much, the Doctor could have gone to the Land of Fiction at the end instead. It would have fit better narratively. But those are minor nitpicks that don’t really impede the story. Highly recommend.
It gets a little confusing at times (wibbly wobbly time-y wimey), but technically we’re still following the Eighth Doctor while he’s investigating the weapon that’s causing him to constantly degenerate and regenerate. This time around Missy and the Paternoster Gang (Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint & Strax) join for the ride. And there’s Martians. It’s fun.
The highlight of this release for me was the interaction between the Tenth Doctor and Missy; the first time these versions of these characters have met, even though neither of them are quite themselves at the moment. David Tennant and Michelle Gomez are a joy together. The Paternoster Gang is fun too, although they could have been taken out of the story and not much would have changed.
The story misses an opportunity to add more characterization to the Martians, and without spoiling too much, the Doctor could have gone to the Land of Fiction at the end instead. It would have fit better narratively. But those are minor nitpicks that don’t really impede the story. Highly recommend.
August 19, 2025
2025 Alphabet Challenge - The Letter M
This is probably one of my favourite from this series, which surprised me because I'm not a fan of the 10th Doctor, and I wouldn't listen to something because Missy is in it - however, this audio does make me want to listen to Missy much more, because she was very good in this.
All in all, this audio was absolutely mad, and I think all the more enjoyable for it. The plot was very flimsy, but honestly listening to the 10th Doctor and Missy interact was worth it. The Paternoster Gang were here as well, but honestly they could have removed them and it wouldn't have made much of a difference.
I did also like the War of the Worlds setting, because I love that book / film / musical / something with puppets.
This is probably one of my favourite from this series, which surprised me because I'm not a fan of the 10th Doctor, and I wouldn't listen to something because Missy is in it - however, this audio does make me want to listen to Missy much more, because she was very good in this.
All in all, this audio was absolutely mad, and I think all the more enjoyable for it. The plot was very flimsy, but honestly listening to the 10th Doctor and Missy interact was worth it. The Paternoster Gang were here as well, but honestly they could have removed them and it wouldn't have made much of a difference.
I did also like the War of the Worlds setting, because I love that book / film / musical / something with puppets.
September 14, 2023
As is common with Once and Future now, the plot here is flimsy and only really exists as a vehicle to throw the characters from various eras together. Happily this time the sheer enthusiasm of Tennant and Gomez pretty much pulls this off. So it’s hard to get cross with this one.
This time we even get treated to some twists related to the arc. Perhaps it reflect how the low the bar is now that these plot hints, which aren’t even all that substantial, are actually the juiciest twists yet. There’s still no real sense of jeopardy surrounding the degeneration; it’s just coming across as a bit of an inconvenience still.
This time we even get treated to some twists related to the arc. Perhaps it reflect how the low the bar is now that these plot hints, which aren’t even all that substantial, are actually the juiciest twists yet. There’s still no real sense of jeopardy surrounding the degeneration; it’s just coming across as a bit of an inconvenience still.
September 17, 2023
タイムウォーで被弾したことで姿が相変わらず定まらないドクター。
1898年8月30日、ジェサミーが日記を書いているとターディスが現れて、中から1st ドクターが現れる。ジェサミーからここが地球のロンドンときいて「そんなわけあるかー！」と怒りだすドクター。ディジェネレーションをとめる手段がカーパリオン星系にあるときいて目指してきて、ターディスによるとちゃんとカーパリオン星系のPlanetoid 50ってなってる！とジェサミーに憤慨しまくる。しかし、ジェサミーから地球に侵略にきたという火星人の姿をきいて、それがアイス・ウォーリアでないと知り、何者かが意図的に時間やできごとを変えまくっていると気がつく。ジェサミーが火星人の侵略がはじまって8日間隠れて1人で過ごしていたが反乱軍の噂をきき、そこに向かうつもりとききターディスでそこまで送ることをドクターは申し出る。
その頃ミッシーはドクターの到着知り喜んでいた。今回はドクターを助けるつもりとジェニーに話す。ミッシーはジェニーに催眠術をかけて操っており、ジェニーを人質にしてヴァストラを自分の指示に従わせていた。
ターディスの元に向かう途中で機械的足音が聞こえ、ジェサミーが火星人が来たから急いで隠れないとと焦るもドクターはターディスの中が1番安全と急いでターディスの方へ向かおうとする。しかし、またリジェネしてしまい10の姿に変わってしまいその間にマシンにターディスを持っていかれてしまう。
驚くも目の前で起こったことなので変化してもドクターであることを受け入れるジェサミー。10はとりあえずレジスタンスの元に行こうとジェサミーを促す。ところが途中で罠らしきものをみつけ避けようとするも、ジェサミーが何かに足を引っ張られ穴に落下してしまう。罠をしかけたのはストラクス。しかし10の姿をしたドクターのことを知らない。ドクターはストラクスにも場所と時代をきくがストラクスの答えも地球のロンドンでドクターは困惑する。
またもや火星人(？)のマシンが近づいてきて隠れているとヴァストラに救われる。ドクターはヴァストラには覚えがあり、ヴァストラは火星人が地球を新略したのはフィクションと認識していた。
一同はレジスタンスの元に向かうことにするが、ヴァストラはドクターのみつれてトランスマットで移動。ストラクスはジェサミーと共にレジスタンストの元に向かうことにする。
ヴァストラによってミッシーの元に連れてこられたドクター。当初ドクターはミッシーの正体がわからないがカーパリオン星系であるにも関わらず他の人間がロンドンと信じていることなどから自分の会っていない未来のマスターと気がつく。
しかしまたもや火星人(？)のマシンが近づいてくる音がきこえる。ドクターは対処しようとするが、ヴァストラからジェニーがマスターに催眠術をかけられているときき、催眠術をとく。ジェニーもすぐにドクターを認識。驚くドクターに結婚式にきてくれたのだから覚えているに決まっているとジェニー。
👽のマシンが襲ってくるのでドクターはヴァストラとジェニーと協力してまずは正体を探ろうとする。実はミッシーの目的も👽たちをドクターにとめてもらうことにあった。
ミッシーは小説を読んで気に入り再現してみようとこの星にロンドンモドキとニンゲンを用意し、火星人もDNAやプロテインを混ぜて手づくりしたと話がドクターはすぐに軍隊をつくろうとして、暴走されたと糾弾する。しかしミッシーの話をきくうちにミッシーもディジェネレーションを引き起こす武器に被弾したと悟る。そのせいであまりにも身体が変わるので何かに集中してそれを少しでも止めようと、ウェルズの小説を再現することを思いついたという。普通その目的でやるならジグゾーパズルとかだろー！と激怒するドクター。それでも少しは効果があったと弁解するミッシー。あくまでもドクターを助けるためにやったと言い張るミッシーだったが、あくまでも自分が助かりたいだけだろうとまったく信じないドクター。
ドクターはマスターの道具を相手をミニチュア化しても死なないよう改造して襲ってきた火星人をミニチュア化する。
ミッシーは自分のターディスで逃げようとするが、ミッシーは身体が変化しだす。ドクターは一緒に解決する方法を探そうと誘うがミッシーは断る。ドクターに自分が知っているディジェネレーションを止める方法の手がかりを告げてミッシーはターディスで去る。
ドクターはジェサミーとストラクスとヴァストラとジェニーをターディスで元の時代の地球に送る。身体がまた変わりそうな気配を感じたドクターは皆に別れを告げターディスに乗りこみ、ミニチュアとなった火星人たちを住める場所に送っていく。ミニチュア火星人たちを新天地に送り届けたドクターは3rdの姿となっていた。
今回の10の最後のセリフは”I do want to go.”
このミニチュア火星人がディジェネ現象をとめる鍵になるとかじゃない...ですよね？ミッシーのヒントと最後にドクターが言ったことばが同じ感じがしたんですが、記憶が持続できないってことは.....あるのかしら？いやまさかね。ジェサミーのジャーナルも後々役に立ってくるのかしら。
追記: 逆リジェネの影響で記憶消える設定と初めて知った！😦不便だなぁ。ミニチュア火星人たちの記憶はあったのにねぇ....。ジェニーとヴァストラの結婚式にでるネタとかいるつかbig finishでやるのかな？ストラクスが13知ってたのも気になる—!まだ参加は無理なのかなぁ？？？
10はミッシーの1番のお気に入りなんだそうな。
1898年8月30日、ジェサミーが日記を書いているとターディスが現れて、中から1st ドクターが現れる。ジェサミーからここが地球のロンドンときいて「そんなわけあるかー！」と怒りだすドクター。ディジェネレーションをとめる手段がカーパリオン星系にあるときいて目指してきて、ターディスによるとちゃんとカーパリオン星系のPlanetoid 50ってなってる！とジェサミーに憤慨しまくる。しかし、ジェサミーから地球に侵略にきたという火星人の姿をきいて、それがアイス・ウォーリアでないと知り、何者かが意図的に時間やできごとを変えまくっていると気がつく。ジェサミーが火星人の侵略がはじまって8日間隠れて1人で過ごしていたが反乱軍の噂をきき、そこに向かうつもりとききターディスでそこまで送ることをドクターは申し出る。
その頃ミッシーはドクターの到着知り喜んでいた。今回はドクターを助けるつもりとジェニーに話す。ミッシーはジェニーに催眠術をかけて操っており、ジェニーを人質にしてヴァストラを自分の指示に従わせていた。
ターディスの元に向かう途中で機械的足音が聞こえ、ジェサミーが火星人が来たから急いで隠れないとと焦るもドクターはターディスの中が1番安全と急いでターディスの方へ向かおうとする。しかし、またリジェネしてしまい10の姿に変わってしまいその間にマシンにターディスを持っていかれてしまう。
驚くも目の前で起こったことなので変化してもドクターであることを受け入れるジェサミー。10はとりあえずレジスタンスの元に行こうとジェサミーを促す。ところが途中で罠らしきものをみつけ避けようとするも、ジェサミーが何かに足を引っ張られ穴に落下してしまう。罠をしかけたのはストラクス。しかし10の姿をしたドクターのことを知らない。ドクターはストラクスにも場所と時代をきくがストラクスの答えも地球のロンドンでドクターは困惑する。
またもや火星人(？)のマシンが近づいてきて隠れているとヴァストラに救われる。ドクターはヴァストラには覚えがあり、ヴァストラは火星人が地球を新略したのはフィクションと認識していた。
一同はレジスタンスの元に向かうことにするが、ヴァストラはドクターのみつれてトランスマットで移動。ストラクスはジェサミーと共にレジスタンストの元に向かうことにする。
ヴァストラによってミッシーの元に連れてこられたドクター。当初ドクターはミッシーの正体がわからないがカーパリオン星系であるにも関わらず他の人間がロンドンと信じていることなどから自分の会っていない未来のマスターと気がつく。
しかしまたもや火星人(？)のマシンが近づいてくる音がきこえる。ドクターは対処しようとするが、ヴァストラからジェニーがマスターに催眠術をかけられているときき、催眠術をとく。ジェニーもすぐにドクターを認識。驚くドクターに結婚式にきてくれたのだから覚えているに決まっているとジェニー。
👽のマシンが襲ってくるのでドクターはヴァストラとジェニーと協力してまずは正体を探ろうとする。実はミッシーの目的も👽たちをドクターにとめてもらうことにあった。
ミッシーは小説を読んで気に入り再現してみようとこの星にロンドンモドキとニンゲンを用意し、火星人もDNAやプロテインを混ぜて手づくりしたと話がドクターはすぐに軍隊をつくろうとして、暴走されたと糾弾する。しかしミッシーの話をきくうちにミッシーもディジェネレーションを引き起こす武器に被弾したと悟る。そのせいであまりにも身体が変わるので何かに集中してそれを少しでも止めようと、ウェルズの小説を再現することを思いついたという。普通その目的でやるならジグゾーパズルとかだろー！と激怒するドクター。それでも少しは効果があったと弁解するミッシー。あくまでもドクターを助けるためにやったと言い張るミッシーだったが、あくまでも自分が助かりたいだけだろうとまったく信じないドクター。
ドクターはマスターの道具を相手をミニチュア化しても死なないよう改造して襲ってきた火星人をミニチュア化する。
ミッシーは自分のターディスで逃げようとするが、ミッシーは身体が変化しだす。ドクターは一緒に解決する方法を探そうと誘うがミッシーは断る。ドクターに自分が知っているディジェネレーションを止める方法の手がかりを告げてミッシーはターディスで去る。
ドクターはジェサミーとストラクスとヴァストラとジェニーをターディスで元の時代の地球に送る。身体がまた変わりそうな気配を感じたドクターは皆に別れを告げターディスに乗りこみ、ミニチュアとなった火星人たちを住める場所に送っていく。ミニチュア火星人たちを新天地に送り届けたドクターは3rdの姿となっていた。
今回の10の最後のセリフは”I do want to go.”
このミニチュア火星人がディジェネ現象をとめる鍵になるとかじゃない...ですよね？ミッシーのヒントと最後にドクターが言ったことばが同じ感じがしたんですが、記憶が持続できないってことは.....あるのかしら？いやまさかね。ジェサミーのジャーナルも後々役に立ってくるのかしら。
追記: 逆リジェネの影響で記憶消える設定と初めて知った！😦不便だなぁ。ミニチュア火星人たちの記憶はあったのにねぇ....。ジェニーとヴァストラの結婚式にでるネタとかいるつかbig finishでやるのかな？ストラクスが13知ってたのも気になる—!まだ参加は無理なのかなぁ？？？
10はミッシーの1番のお気に入りなんだそうな。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2025
The fifth in this 60th anniversary series sees the Doctor transform forwards into his Tenth self. This is, perhaps, the story in the series that most ties into the modern show, and not just because it has Tennant in it. There is a short appearance from the First Doctor in the opening segment, but none of the main characters are from the classic show - there's no teaming up with Tegan or the Brigadier, for example. Instead, we have the Paternoster Gang and, most obviously, Missy. While this arguably makes it less of a celebration of the full history of the show that we've had up to this point, it may well be a bonus for those who only know the modern one, and it's worth noting that it's largely standalone, able to be enjoyed without listening to the four (mostly also standalone) episodes that precede it.
That's because, First Doctor aside, and ignoring the brief hook at the end, the story once again has little to do with the main plot arc. Instead, we see the Doctor arriving in 19th-century London to quickly realise that something is very wrong. It should be obvious to anyone familiar with the history of science fiction what that is, with the bigger question being why. As so often, Missy steals the show with her crazy attitude and some great one-liners, although Tennant is also very much on form, and the Paternoster Gang add a welcome touch of familiarity. It's a fast-paced story with a wild premise and plenty for anyone who is a fan of these particular characters.
It's as bonkers as its main villain and, here, that's a good thing.
That's because, First Doctor aside, and ignoring the brief hook at the end, the story once again has little to do with the main plot arc. Instead, we see the Doctor arriving in 19th-century London to quickly realise that something is very wrong. It should be obvious to anyone familiar with the history of science fiction what that is, with the bigger question being why. As so often, Missy steals the show with her crazy attitude and some great one-liners, although Tennant is also very much on form, and the Paternoster Gang add a welcome touch of familiarity. It's a fast-paced story with a wild premise and plenty for anyone who is a fan of these particular characters.
It's as bonkers as its main villain and, here, that's a good thing.
September 15, 2023
Once & Future has so far been a really enjoyable ride for the 60th Anniversary. This series has had a lot of criticisms so far, but I have a feeling this installment will start changing things around and hopefully give everyone a better idea of what's going on. It'll be interesting to listen to all this back, once the series is complete.
The Doctor has arrived on an Earth totally decimated by the Martians straight out of War of The Worlds. What on Earth is going on and what trouble has Missy found herself in? The Paternoster Gang needs the Doctor's help and Missy more so than ever before.
Jonathan Barnes has blown me away with this script, It's definitely by far the best installment of the series so far which has been an honest surprise. I was looking forward to this one but didn't expect this to be a story of major importance. It's nice to finally start getting answers as to what's going on with our favorite Timelord and get our first name drop of 'The Union'.
The cast was absolutely fantastic in this, David Tennant and Michelle Gomez's performances in this story were by far my favorite. Having 10 and Missy together worked so incredibly well in a way I really didn't expect. I honestly prefer this matchup to 10 and Simm and 12 and Missy. I know that might be a controversial opinion to have, but I honestly just had so much fun with this unique pair-up!
Overall: An outstanding story that starts giving us an idea of what's going on. 9/10
The Doctor has arrived on an Earth totally decimated by the Martians straight out of War of The Worlds. What on Earth is going on and what trouble has Missy found herself in? The Paternoster Gang needs the Doctor's help and Missy more so than ever before.
Jonathan Barnes has blown me away with this script, It's definitely by far the best installment of the series so far which has been an honest surprise. I was looking forward to this one but didn't expect this to be a story of major importance. It's nice to finally start getting answers as to what's going on with our favorite Timelord and get our first name drop of 'The Union'.
The cast was absolutely fantastic in this, David Tennant and Michelle Gomez's performances in this story were by far my favorite. Having 10 and Missy together worked so incredibly well in a way I really didn't expect. I honestly prefer this matchup to 10 and Simm and 12 and Missy. I know that might be a controversial opinion to have, but I honestly just had so much fun with this unique pair-up!
Overall: An outstanding story that starts giving us an idea of what's going on. 9/10
December 20, 2023
This one was always going to be my favourite Once And Future release, as it features both my favourite Doctor (David Tennant) and favourite Master (Michelle Gomez). It does not disappoint. The pair have so much chemistry that it makes you wish that this Doctor and this Master had met on TV. Whether it's the Doctor's bafflement that Missy would turn a deserted planet into War Of The Worlds because she was bored, or the pair having to deny that they are a couple, they're an absolute delight together. It's interesting that Missy also got hit by a degeneration weapon. They seem to hint that it was a past Master who degenerated into Missy, rather than Sacha Dhawan's Time Lord, so I wonder which Master it was? Derek Jacobi's, perhaps?
The Paternoster Gang also work surprisingly well with the Tenth Doctor, especially Strax. His wish for a pony felt like a fun reference to the horse riding Sontaran in War Of The Sontarans.
The whole story is as though the Tenth Doctor has been plonked in the middle of a Twelfth Doctor Series 8 episode, particularly as it plays with the idea of a story the Doctor knows to be fictional turning out to be real (sort of), like with Robot Of Sherwood and Last Christmas. It's an entertaining mash-up that works remarkably well.
The Paternoster Gang also work surprisingly well with the Tenth Doctor, especially Strax. His wish for a pony felt like a fun reference to the horse riding Sontaran in War Of The Sontarans.
The whole story is as though the Tenth Doctor has been plonked in the middle of a Twelfth Doctor Series 8 episode, particularly as it plays with the idea of a story the Doctor knows to be fictional turning out to be real (sort of), like with Robot Of Sherwood and Last Christmas. It's an entertaining mash-up that works remarkably well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2023
Doctor Who: The Martian Invasion of Planetoid 50 is easily the best entry in the Once and Future series so far. Led by electric performances from Tennant and Gomez and a very Doctor Who twist on a classic sci-fi story, it's a rip-roaringly fun listen from start to finish. And best of all, it finally feels like the wheels underneath Once and Future are starting to spin. Like we're finally getting closer to some real answers behind the Doctor's regenerative crisis. That maybe, just maybe, there's some kind of bigger picture behind all of these seemingly random adventures. Perhaps next month's Time Lord Immemorial and The Union will bring everything to a satisfying close. But until then, The Martian Invasion of Planetoid 50 makes for a great addition to the Once and Future series and a great listen in its own right.
Full review available at Geek Vibes Nation.
Full review available at Geek Vibes Nation.
September 16, 2023
I so enjoyed this! I laughed, teared up a bit, and squealed with delight while listening. The latest entry in Big Finish's celebration of 60 years of Doctor Who brings together some my favorite characters in the most delightful way.
The Doctor, in his First incarnation, is trying to find out more about his degeneration and finds himself in 1898 London, but something is not quite right. He suddenly degenerates into his Tenth incarnation, and we are off and running at Ten's breakneck pace. Along the way, Ten encounters Missy and The Paternoster Gang.
The dynamic between these characters is as wonderful as I always imagined it would be. I will be returning to this one for the sheer joy of it!!
The Doctor, in his First incarnation, is trying to find out more about his degeneration and finds himself in 1898 London, but something is not quite right. He suddenly degenerates into his Tenth incarnation, and we are off and running at Ten's breakneck pace. Along the way, Ten encounters Missy and The Paternoster Gang.
The dynamic between these characters is as wonderful as I always imagined it would be. I will be returning to this one for the sheer joy of it!!
November 23, 2024
This episode was a lot of fun. It was so nice to hear the Tenth Doctor and Missy interacting, and they played off each really well. Missy being chaotic and troublesome, but still undeniably likeable. I lived for the little bits where she flirted with the Doctor, and Ten could not handle it. The Paternoster Gang being in the episode was an added bonus. Their very accepting friendship with the Doctor is always nice, even when he doesn't exactly know who they are. The plot itself was kind of a fun concept, and provided enough action to keep things going. However, the draw of this episode isn't really the plot, but hearing these familiar characters from different eras interact with each other.
December 30, 2024
Une réécriture comique et très Doctor-Whoesque de La guerre des mondes de H.G. Wells. Avec le Dixième Docteur, Missy et la gang Paternoster qui permettent de vraiment accentuer la comédie de l'épisode. Je ne m'attendais pas à un audio avec David Tennant et Michelle Gomez et il n'a pas déçu à ce niveau.
March 13, 2025
This story was so entertaining, I mean, we have 10th Doctor, Missy AND the Paternoster gang. What a treat! It was a great story to mark the 60th.
And Missy totally stole the show - she’s always bound to deliver and she is on top form in this one. Im loving her character more and more.
It was so well performed and was super fun. It was a really great episode and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
And Missy totally stole the show - she’s always bound to deliver and she is on top form in this one. Im loving her character more and more.
It was so well performed and was super fun. It was a really great episode and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
September 13, 2023
The story itself is a step up in quality compared to the rest of Once and Future and at 5/8 audios into this series they finally touch up on the overarching mystery a lot more but not progressing it too much.
"Missy" and "10"'s interactions are genuinely hilarious and I wish the story had more of it.
"Missy" and "10"'s interactions are genuinely hilarious and I wish the story had more of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2023
For me, this is the best release in the series so far.
It is fun.
And I think Michelle Gomez is awesome in this and she is easily my favorite here.
Otherwise, there is not too much substance and there are just way too many known characters involved and none of them gets too much time to breathe.
Still, fun and light entertainment.
It is fun.
And I think Michelle Gomez is awesome in this and she is easily my favorite here.
Otherwise, there is not too much substance and there are just way too many known characters involved and none of them gets too much time to breathe.
Still, fun and light entertainment.
September 12, 2023
Great story. This was so much fun. Especially for thoschei fans.
September 16, 2023
Even the Tenth Doctor can't redeem this one. I can't stand the reliably over-the-top performance of Missy, and the irritatingly dull members of the Paternoster Gang.
September 19, 2023
Missy AND Strax. 😍
September 27, 2023
David Tennant and Michelle Gomez have such great chemistry in this. There’s mention of the Union, which was just announced to be the title of the seventh release in this series.
November 30, 2023
Absolute waste of talent.
December 7, 2023
This was an average instalment - and while Missy is a blast, I always find the Paternoster Gang supremely irritating.
January 9, 2024
Doctor and Pasternoster gang fight missy
January 26, 2024
Wonderful,
February 23, 2024
Slight, but very fun romp.
March 4, 2024
Thank you, Big Finish, for putting Ten, Missy and the Paternoster Gang together.
August 19, 2024
The story maybe a bit flimsy, but it was a perfect excuse for the characters and the actors to shine. Missy is fucking hilarious. And using HG Wells War of the Worlds was stroke of genius. Loved it.
December 12, 2024
this was fun! love 10, missy and the PG <333
4/5
4/5
August 23, 2025
The standout for this story has to be David Tennent’s Doctor interacting with Michelle Gomez’s Missy. They stole the show together and their banter was a joy to listen to!
However, that wasn’t quite enough to elevate this story to a five star rating from me. Although the plot itself is fun and there’s a fair share of overarching lore dropped for the arc itself, the stakes just never feel enough. Equally a lot of the secondary characters feel very under used. As much as I love the Paternoster Gang, they didn’t have much to do in this and their inclusion just felt very over shadowed by Tennent and Gomez.
I genuinely feel there’s a great story here, with so many loving references and nods, it really felt like a Nu Who love letter! That being said, it just feels like it needed to be refined further. The Paternoster Crew should’ve had their own story if they wanted to include them in this arc, over shoehorning them in this tale. Regardless, this is definitely a very fun listen from start to finish!
However, that wasn’t quite enough to elevate this story to a five star rating from me. Although the plot itself is fun and there’s a fair share of overarching lore dropped for the arc itself, the stakes just never feel enough. Equally a lot of the secondary characters feel very under used. As much as I love the Paternoster Gang, they didn’t have much to do in this and their inclusion just felt very over shadowed by Tennent and Gomez.
I genuinely feel there’s a great story here, with so many loving references and nods, it really felt like a Nu Who love letter! That being said, it just feels like it needed to be refined further. The Paternoster Crew should’ve had their own story if they wanted to include them in this arc, over shoehorning them in this tale. Regardless, this is definitely a very fun listen from start to finish!
November 29, 2023
The fifth part of the Once and Future series, this sees the combination of First and Tenth Doctor with Missy and the Paternoster Gang (Madam Vastra, Jenny and Strax) in an H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds London on what is really "Planetoid 50". And it's a lot a fun. David Tennant and Michelle Gomez bounce off each other wonderfully. I've heard that this is even more fun if you're a fan of War of the Worlds. We get hints of the series arc, learning that Missy has been affected by the degeneration weapon and that The Union is a person. Unfortunately, as it's been two-and-half months since I listened to this, any other details are a bit fuzzy. That said, this was still a fun story that was a great way to pass an hour.
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