So, March is winding its way to a close and we’re left with the last release of the month.
But this Short Trip has been hotly anticipated since its announcement back in September. Promising to explore an engaging story with a well-liked character. And how did it go…
Wait, what?… Siege Of Big Ben is delayed? Production issues? But… How…. What do we do then?… What? Next month’s one instead? Ooo, the Eighth Doctor? Alrighty then!
So, March is winding its way to a close and we’re left with the last release of the month. But this Short Trip has been hotly anticipated since its announcement back in September. Promising to explore an engaging story with a well-liked character. And how did it go… Well when Yee Jee Tso is involved, it’s guaranteed to be fun!
The Hunt for Red (Settings) October
Warrant Officer Charlie Sato has found himself in Puerto Rico, on business rather than pleasure. Looking for an alien device that had found its way from a seemingly insignificant English village to here. The only thing is the aliens who stole it and some hired muscle, also want to get their hands on it. By any means necessary. Except Charlie has help in the form of the original owner. Someone who Charlie knows about all too well…
Charlie Sato is about to meet the Doctor. And they’re on the hunt… for a screwdriver…
The Other Charlie
First off, Eddie Robson is a genius. Second, Eddie Robson is a BLOODY BRILLIANT genius! Apologies for the repetition, that point needed to be made very clear. Robson has taken a staple of Earth based sci-fi ensemble shows – the ‘retrieving the alien artefact’ episode – and made it into a fun romp with a brilliant mix of thriller scenes and references. Very early on you’ll know Robson has no care whatsoever for the “classic/new” divider. Plus, he has Charlie and the Doctor work brilliantly off each other and all the secondary characters. Not to mention Charlie gets a chance to feel like a companion in this tale, bemused expressions and all.
That’s Your Name, Isn’t It?
As this is a Short Trip, only one reader is needed. This month it comes in the return of Yee Jee Tso, narrating in-character as Charlie, and he does a really good job. While Tso isn’t a master of impersonation, like all Short Trips narrators he excels at capturing the manner and feel of the characters, especially the Eighth Doctor. Along with a rich tone narrating Robson’s well-written descriptions, Tso shows that he is able to hold his own. Thanks in no small part to the directing prowess of the great Lisa Bowerman.
Petit Suite
David Roocroft takes the helm for music and sound design, and whilst the former is utilised sparingly, he gives us a perfectly composed petit suite of thriller music. Expertly evoking the feel and atmosphere of the story with his pinpoint sound work. All that and this is his first released work for Big Finish! Not too shabby for a first go!
Overall
Last year, the Short Trips went from strength to strength. Judging by this one, the new year will go even further! Brilliant script full of action and humour, expert directing, great delivery, stunning sound work and a brilliant surprise at the end. All wrapped up into a neat little half-hour package that costs less than most lunches. So what are you still doing here? Go get this thing, now!
Doctor Who: Short Trips – The Turn Of The Screw is available now on download from the Big Finish website.
Synopsis
Doctor Who: Short Trips Monthly is a series of new short stories read by an original cast member.
Release #39 is an Eighth Doctor and Warrant Officer Charlie Sato story
Charlie Sato has been chasing a bit of alien junk from England to Puerto Rico. He’s finally got his hands on it – but now he’s got to get it safely off the island. The aliens he stole it from want it back, and someone else has hired a group of thugs to get hold of it. And then there’s the original owner – he might come looking too.
All this for a screwdriver? Someone, somewhere must want to unscrew some pretty important screws.
Producer Ian Atkins
Script Editor Ian Atkins
Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs
Written By: Eddie Robson
Directed By: Lisa Bowerman
Cast
Yee Jee Tso (Narrator)
