Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures #263 - Cry of the Vultriss

if you like dr who this is for you

A new Doctor Who audio story. First in a new run of three to feature Colin Baker as the Doctor. With his companions, Miranda Raison as Mrs. Constance Clarke, stiff upper lip WREN from 1944. And Lisa Greenwood as Philippa 'Flip' Ramon, streetwise 21st century girl.This does begin with reference to events in the most recent story for this line up, 'Static.' But those are then never mentioned again after the opening scene, and have no bearing on the rest of this story, so you can get into it without having heard any others.It's a four parter. Complete over two discs. Episodes run roughly thirty mins each [approx.].The TARDIS is thrown out of the vortex, and crash lands on Cygia-Rema, a world ruled by bird like aliens called the Vultriss. They are expecting the arrival of their first ever alien visitors. Aliens other than the TARDIS crew. Their Queen possesses a great power. But there are those who oppose her rule.There's also a secret under the surface of the planet. That could threaten the universe, and would be very dangerous in the wrong hands...It does take the first episode for this one to settle down. The exposition and set up is easy to get into it. But it takes that long before you start to think of the Vultriss as aliens. Given of course that on audio, you're just hearing human voices. By part two though. you have gotten so used to them that's not an issue.The other flaw with episode one is that the cliffhanger revolves around the arrival that is expected. And it's all kept secret as to who it is till that point. But the back and front of the cd box give the game away.However, it's a good opening episode all in all. Setting up an interesting alien world.Part two does get stronger, with some very good twists and turns and one superb double bluff that will catch the listener out. It does present many characters from this world where it is set who are nicely three dimensional, with believable motivations, and nobody is either downright evil or utterly good.Three and four do have to do the usual moving it along to the conclusion, and then wrapping it all. It is very successful at that as well.There's a typically solid performance from Colin Baker. Some great action and scenes for Flip, which Lisa Greenwood makes the most of. Particularly at one point in part three.I could have done with Constance getting more to do though. Apart from one brief moment in part three, she doesn't really get to shine till several scenes in part four.So one of those that is very close to five stars but just not quite. But it is all in all very good and well worth a listen.There's thirteen mins [approx.] of music from the story on the last track of disc one.A trailer for the next in the range on the track on disc two after part four.And the usual fifteen min [approx.] of interviews with cast and crew on the tracks after that.