The legacy of the Doctor Who 1st Doctor, portrayed by William Hartnell, continues to captivate audiences decades after his era graced television screens. For fans eager to explore uncharted territories of this foundational period, four new audio stories offer thrilling adventures alongside the Doctor’s earliest companions. These narratives expand upon the established lore, providing fresh perspectives and deepening our connection with the characters who started it all.
E is For… thrusts Susan Foreman into a perilous situation on the planet Malkus. This tale, crafted by Julian Richards, unveils a society grappling with the emergence of “the Gifted,” individuals with extraordinary abilities. Susan, separated from her fellow travelers, finds herself imprisoned in a state dedicated to suppressing these gifted individuals. At the heart of this oppressive regime lies a monster of unimaginable danger, promising a story of survival and the exploration of burgeoning powers in a hostile environment.
Daybreak, penned by John Pritchard, transports Vicki Pallister to a world defined by heroic legends. Vicki, raised on tales of freedom fighters, is brought face-to-face with their reality. The TARDIS lands her in a desperate war, where the lines between heroism and the harsh complexities of conflict blur. This narrative challenges Vicki’s idealized perceptions of the past, forcing her to confront the gritty realities of war and decide her role in a struggle where the outcome is far from certain. Will she live up to the bravery of her heroes, or will the past reveal a more nuanced and challenging truth?
The Vardan Invasion of Mirth, a collaboration between Paul Morris and Ian Atkins, throws Steven Taylor into a perplexing mystery in what appears to be London 1956. However, the TARDIS’s erratic nature throws a wrench into their destination, leaving the Doctor lost and Steven to unravel the enigma alone. Teaming up with comedian Teddy Baxter, Steven must navigate the unfamiliar landscape of 1950s television to solve a mystery that holds his destiny in the balance. This story promises a blend of historical intrigue and classic Doctor Who mystery, with Steven stepping up to confront an alien threat in the heart of post-war London.
The Crumbling Magician by Guy Adams presents a dire scenario as the TARDIS crashes, leaving its occupants in critical condition. The Doctor, already weakened in his first incarnation, is comatose, Ben Jackson is unconscious, and Polly Wright experiences a terrifying temporal anomaly. Polly is afflicted with reversed time, granting her glimpses of a future where she is mortally wounded. This story delves into the fragility of the First Doctor’s era and the precarious nature of time travel itself. It raises questions of fate and continuity as Polly grapples with her premonitions and the very fabric of time threatens to unravel around them.
These four stories offer a rich tapestry of adventures within the Doctor Who 1st Doctor era, each promising to expand the mythology and provide compelling narratives for fans of classic Doctor Who.
