Doctor Who: Cobwebs

One of the more notable features of Davison's run in the TV series is that, for much of it, the Doctor has no less than three companions simultaneously, making the regular TARDIS crew larger than at any other time since the colour era began. For all sorts of logistical reasons, this is one aspect of the era that Big Finish had not been able to duplicate... until this release.

Set shortly after the TV story Enlightenment, this sees the Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough encountering Nyssa again several decades (from her perspective) after she left in Terminus. They arrive in a remote base some time after it has fallen to a siege, but soon find themselves back in time, just before the original crew were wiped out. Those who feel that time travel in Doctor Who should be restricted to getting the characters onto the scene, and not be the focus of the story itself, are probably not going to like this. Having said which, it's rather less “timey-wimey” than some episodes of the new series; The Space Museum would a closer match in that regard.

I personally felt that the way it all slotted into place worked rather well; we know the outcome, but not how we got there, or how the main characters are going to survive it. (Part of the explanation for the latter does, to be fair, rather stretch credulity, but there you are). There is also some good interaction between the characters, especially with regard to the relationship between Tegan and Turlough, allowing them to explore some of the fallout of the Black Guardian plotline in a way that the TV series never really could.

Given the larger than usual regular cast, it's good that nobody comes across as being short-changed. It's also clear that the actors are having a great time, successfully bringing back the spirit of their period on TV. It's not outstanding, but it's a great evocation of the era.