Doctor Who: The Zygon Who Fell To Earth by Paul Magrs (Big Finish, 2008) A pleasantly small-scale invasion story with a focus on relationships, humbugged somewhat by overtly manipulative, aggressively heart-rending incidental music. Steven Pacey is a welcome addition to the voice cast, as is Tim Brooke-Taylor in his one, gloriously understated appearance for Big Finish.
Tag: Paul Magrs
The Christmas Box
The Silver Archive, Special #1: The Christmas Box by Paul Magrs (Obverse Books, 2017) Paul Magrs takes a nostalgic look at his perennial Christmas viewing—an eclectic mix of programmes taped predominantly from British television during the 70s, 80s and 90s. Although reader engagement will vary according to familiarity with these, the spirit shines through regardless.
Doctor Who: The Wormery
Doctor Who: The Wormery by Paul Magrs & Stephen Cole (Big Finish, 2003) The experimental storytelling doesn’t always pay dividends, but at least the writers aren’t stuck on the bog-standard. Colin Baker holds himself in fine fettle (and is afforded an uncommon depth of character). Former Pertwee-era companion Katy Manning runs rampant as Iris Wildthyme.
Doctor Who: Find and Replace
Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – Find and Replace by Paul Magrs (Big Finish, 2010) This short, tightly plotted story makes clever use of both Huxley (an alien narrator) and Iris Wildthyme (quasi Time Lady, owner of a transdimensional bus) in transporting Jo Grant back to the 70s and giving her one last scene with the Doctor.
The Annual Years
The Annual Years: A Celebration of the World Distributor Doctor Who Annuals by Paul Magrs (Obverse Books, 2014) The Doctor Who Annuals from 1966-1986 were licenced by the BBC but produced and written entirely by outsiders, emerging thence as disturbingly atypical of Who. Magrs catalogues two decades of meandering, rather amateurish stories (and trippy artwork), taking genuine pleasure in some.…