Doctor Who: The Peterloo Massacre

I don't know how many people outside Britain are familiar with the events of the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, but suffice it to say that this is a straight historical without any aliens or other SF malarkey other than the presence of the time travellers. It's also standalone, and familiarity with the real events of that day in Manchester aren't necessary; indeed, the story may have a bigger impact if you don't know what's coming.

The story obviously involves the Doctor - and more particularly, his companions, who aren't familiar with the relevant history - becoming involved in the events around the Massacre. There are some changes to history-as-we-know-it for purposes of the story, and a few names of those involved have been changed, but nothing that either undercuts or seriously exaggerates what actually happened. So, while it might not be a history lesson about the fine details of the Massacre, the story is a strong evocation of the social context that led to it and the horror of the outcome.

Tegan and Nyssa are once again contrasted in their approach, with Tegan being at her most pugnacious in the face of what is, admittedly, some pretty serious social injustice by modern standards. Sensibly, the fine details of the politics (such as the effect of the Corn Laws) are glossed over, but instead, we do get some more relatable grievances as the story moves between the lives of wealthy industrialists and the working classes. It's also good to see that the majority of the guest characters are not mere one-dimensional cyphers, as they so easily could have been.

The story is perhaps a little too contrived in places to be quite worth the full five stars, but 4.5 is certainly fair. It's particularly impressive from Magrs, who tends to go for whimsy and weirdness, but here is approaching events with the seriousness they deserve. This is not a piece of light listening, but it's effective as a rage against injustice.