Dive back into the thrilling universe of Doctor Who with four captivating audio dramas starring the iconic Sixth Doctor, portrayed by Colin Baker, and his inquisitive companion, Peri Brown, played by Nicola Bryant. These adventures, originally released by Big Finish Productions, offer fans a chance to experience new stories featuring this dynamic TARDIS team. While physical CD stocks are limited, the digital adventures promise hours of enthralling listening. Let’s explore each story and what makes them essential for any Sixth Doctor enthusiast.
The Headless Ones
In “The Headless Ones,” penned by James Parsons and Andrew Stirling-Brown, the TARDIS is violently pulled off course by a mysterious distress signal. The Doctor and Peri find themselves landing in nineteenth-century Africa, amidst a British expedition. This expedition is not just exploring; they are searching for a mythical lost tribe, known to local populations as the B’lemyae – or more chillingly, the Headless Ones. This story promises a blend of historical adventure with classic Doctor Who monster mystery, plunging the Doctor and Peri into a dangerous encounter with legend and perhaps, terrifying reality.
Like
Jacqueline Rayner’s “Like” transports the TARDIS to Rusina, an Earth colony where social media has taken over in the most literal sense. Popularity isn’t just a matter of ego; on Rusina, “likes” and “dislikes” dictate social standing and career progression. Accumulating likes leads to promotions, while dislikes can result in demotions, or even worse fates. When the Doctor begins to investigate the sinister truth behind this subscriber-led society, he and Peri find themselves on the verge of becoming incredibly unpopular, suggesting a dark undercurrent to this seemingly superficial world. This story cleverly explores themes of social media obsession and its potential dangers, a relevant and chilling concept in our modern age.
The Vanity Trap
“The Vanity Trap” by Stuart Manning brings a touch of Hollywood glamour, albeit with a sinister twist. Myrna Kendal, a former film star of the silver screen, now lives in the past, recounting her glory days on chat shows. However, one film remains a taboo subject, an unfinished project she refuses to discuss. The TARDIS crew inadvertently crashes one of these TV interviews, and the Doctor and Peri’s arrival unlocks long-buried memories and secrets surrounding this forgotten film. Expect a story filled with intrigue, perhaps a hint of classic Hollywood horror, and the unveiling of a vanity trap far more dangerous than mere ego.
Conflict Theory
Nev Fountain’s “Conflict Theory” takes a more introspective and humorous turn. Peri, concerned about the Doctor’s increasingly overprotective nature, issues a stark ultimatum: they must attend relationship counselling, or she will leave the TARDIS for good. Reluctant to lose his valued companion, the Doctor seeks out an unconventional solution – the universe’s most renowned psychoanalyst, Dr Sigmund Freud. This story promises a unique blend of Doctor Who adventure with comedic and insightful character exploration, as the Doctor and Peri’s relationship is put under the cosmic microscope of psychoanalysis.
While these particular CD editions are becoming collector’s items, the adventures of the Sixth Doctor and Peri Brown continue to be available in digital formats, ensuring fans can still enjoy these exciting and imaginative stories.
