Doctor Who: The Axis of Insanity
by Simon Furman (Big Finish, 2004)
There’s a SF idea hiding somewhere in this four-parter, but it’s overwhelmed by a soundscape of chaotic action scenes and a pointlessly cackling villain(ess). In partial mitigation, Peri and Erimem are granted some airtime. Peter Davison puts on his usual acting masterclass.
Doctor Who: The Vanity Trap
by Stuart Manning; dir Scott Handcock (Big Finish, 2020)
![Audio CD cover: "The Sixth Doctor and Peri, Volume One" (Big Finish, 2020) [review of “Doctor Who: The Vanity Trap” by Stuart Manning; dir Scott Handcock]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sixth-Doctor-and-Peri-Volume-One-2020.jpeg)
A decent concept that foregrounds character and plays out in longer scenes than is usual for Big Finish. That said, the story still manages to rush and muddle itself at the conclusion. The disharmony between Peri and the Doctor feels rather tacked-on.
Doctor Who: The Headless Ones
by James Parsons and Andrew Stirling-Brown; dir. Scott Handcock (Big Finish, 2020)
A fairly bland offering whose only real point of difference is an unhappy ending (which the players don’t lose much sleep over). Parsons and Stirling-Brown have a go at female empowerment only to make Amanda and Siyanda hapless figureheads rather than exemplars.
Doctor Who: Conflict Theory
by Nev Fountain; dir. Scott Handcock (Big Finish, 2020)
A fun, frivolous story that, beneath clever execution, explores the more serious question of the Doctor’s culpability in exposing his companions to danger. Fountain’s script is spot-on. Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant revel in a character dynamic rarely done justice on television.