Doctor Who: Big Finish Mega-Review - October's Releases

Ghost In The Machine Cover Large A Jo Grant Companion Chronicle, a Tenth Doctor and Donna story, a Second Doctor Lost Story, a Main Range Sixie and Peri tale and that most wonderful of surprises, an early release to Big Finish's 50th anniversary story, "The Light at the End". We have a lot to cover for Big Finish's October releases! Let's get to it! The Companion Chronicles €“ "Ghost in the Machine"

rating: 5

Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow And everywhere that Mary went, that lamb was sure to go. The TARDIS is empty. The Doctor has gone. Jo Grant steps outside into the darkness and finds the frozen body of her friend, and the ship's log recorder. On it is attached a simple message - 'Use Me'. As she explores this place, recording her every move, Jo discovers the horror that lies in the shadows. But by then it is too late.
Katy Manning has constantly been one of the best things about the audio ranges. Her vocal talents are really quite impressive, which she displays in her one-woman show story, "Not a Well Woman", and shows off regularly playing both Iris Wildthyme and Third Doctor companion, Jo Grant. This story is no exception. She very briefly voices the Doctor and one other person, but mostly she voices Jo and a sentient audio tape recording of Jo's voice. It's extremely sinister and extremely effective. Yes, the story centers around a machine that allows audio tape to record people and, in a certain way, bring them back to life. It's frankly a weird premise, and one that could have failed in lesser hands, but Big Finish does their usual great job of making it work despite itself.
Contributor

Chris Swanson is a freelance writer and blogger based in Phoenix, Arizona, where winter happens to other people. His blog is at wilybadger.wordpress.com