Freema Agyeman has returned to the world of Doctor Who! Hurrah! The actor who has been forging a career in the US is back as Dr. Martha Jones. But instead of the Whoniverse, Martha is reuniting with Torchwood in the latest adventure from Big Finish Productions; Torchwood: Dissected.
Let me get this off my chest to start with; Martha Jones is such an underrated companion. Everyone fawns over Rose Tyler, despite her being largely unlikeable, because of Doomsday and rightly so, that episode was superb. We also all love Donna Noble because she is wonderful. However because of these two companion behemoths Martha often gets sidelined and forgotten. For me though she is one of the best, if not the top, modern companion.
Firstly, she appreciates how much being called Doctor means. How much work, effort and knowledge goes into achieving that title. Secondly, her story arc is far more impressive than others. Emerging from her initial infatuation with the Tenth Doctor and learning to focus on herself. Not pining away in a parallel universe until she can be reunited with him and end up with her own version. She develops. She grows. Finally, Martha breaks out of the world of Doctor Who, transferring her skills and presence into Torchwood. So what better place for the character and Freema Agyeman herself to return than Torchwood?
Torchwood: Dissected
Eve Myles has been producing wonderful stuff with Gwen Cooper on Big Finish for a while now. So it is a perfectly logical choice for Martha to be paired with Gwen for this adventure. These two strong female characters blend together brilliantly. Freema and Eve develop an instant chemistry with makes for an engrossing and engaging listen. Two female voices carrying the adventure also proves that although Torchwood and Doctor Who have been traditionally associated with a central male lead character, both are capable of flourishing away from that mindset as the latter’s recent television product has challenged so brilliantly. Torchwood is now no different. I could happily listen to the continuing adventures of Gwen Cooper and Martha Jones.
Starring Freema Agyeman and Eve Myles
Dissected is a great Torchwood tale. The chemistry between Martha and Gwen recaptures the feel of televised Series 2. Hard to think that that was 12 years ago now. What makes Tim Foley‘s story all the more intriguing is the clash of styles between Torchwood and UNIT. This is not something which has been explored on screen before so it makes for a great topic. The remainder of the story makes for an engrossing listen. Dead bodies found near to a crashed alien ship make for a good mystery.
As with the careful dissection of the body, this particular mystery gently unravels, keeping the listener thoroughly engaged throughout. The pieces of the puzzle are uncovered and like any good Torchwood yarn there are twists and turns aplenty. Director Scott Handcock handles the material as skilfully as ever. The script and performances are also complimented by the sound design of Peter Doggart and music by Blair Mowat. The adventure reaches a dramatic conclusion which is brilliantly executed by all involved.
The Future?
So what does the future hold for Martha Jones? It is a question left very much open at the end of Torchwood: Dissected. Obviously now that Freema has dipped her toe into the world of Big Finish speculation will begin about a reunion with David Tennant. The Tenth Doctor Adventures: Volume 4 with Martha Jones anyone? That said, I would really like to hear more of Martha Jones in Torchwood. The character works really well with the more gritty and down to Earth setting as Dissected proves.
Synopsis
This title was released in February 2020. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until April 30th 2020, and on general sale after this date.
Gwen Cooper turns up on Martha Jones’s doorstep with a dead body in tow. She needs to ask one final favour of her. And to find out why they stopped being friends.
A lot’s happened to Torchwood since Martha left. A lot’s happened to Martha since she left Torchwood. And there’s something very odd about the dead body Gwen’s brought with her.
Tonight Gwen’s going to be getting more answers than she bargained for.
Cast
- Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones)
- Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper)
Credits
- Additional themes by Ben Foster
- Cover Artist: Lee Binding
- Director: Scott Handcock
- Executive Producer: Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs
- Music: Blair Mowat
- Producer: James Goss
- Script Editor: Scott Handcock
- Sound Design: Peter Doggart
- Written by Tim Foley
- Theme Music by Murray Gold
