A newly regenerated Fifth Doctor arrives on an occupied ice planet – where the Seventh Doctor is investigating dangerous energy experiments conducted by the Earth Empire. But events spin out of control when a refugee from the distant past arrives.
Big Finish continues with its audio adaptations of the Doctor Who Virgin Books published novelisations. In Cold Fusion we are treated to a plethora of exciting elements: we get to see the 5th and 7th Doctor’s and their companions Adric, Nyssa, Tegan and Cwej and Roz all come together in one story, and we are also introduced to the Doctor’s wife.
Original writer, Lance Parkin has returned to adapt the book for audio. I thoroughly enjoyed the adaptation. However, it does play like a novel. At three hours in length, it’s pace is glacial. This is both a pro and con. The relationships developed between Nyssa and Cwej, Adric and Roz and the Fifth and Seventh Doctors are truly beautiful and highly engaging. These scenes bring the whole piece to life, but the main plot at times feels almost secondary to these interactions.
There’s a small but beautiful moment where the Seventh Doctor meets Adric and subtly references his inability to change Adric’s ultimate fate. The scene between the two incarnations of the Doctor is beautifully comical and highly entertaining.
The assembled cast have a wonderful collective chemistry, but Christine Kavanagh as Patience turns in a strong performance. Travis Oliver and Yasmin Bannerman as Cwej and Roz respectively do well to hold their own against the fifth Doctor’s well-established companions.
Cold Storage is well worth a listen, if for nothing more than to hear interactions between some beloved characters from different eras of Who. However, the main story isn’t always greater than the sum of its parts.
Big Finish Cold Fusion is available for download or CD at their store.
BLOGTOR RATING 8/10
Written By: Lance Parkin
Directed By: Jamie Anderson
Cast
Peter Davison (The Fifth Doctor), Sylvester McCoy (The Seventh Doctor), Matthew Waterhouse (Adric), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Janet Fielding (Tegan), Yasmin Bannerman (Roz Forrester), Travis Oliver (Chris Cwej), Christine Kavanagh (Patience), Jeremy Hitchen (Medford/Quint/Quant/Ziyou Wanle/Ferutu), Sharon Maughan (Whitfield), Peter Caulfield (Adam/Falconstock/Sam/Concierge/Robot Voices)
Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs
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