Doctor Who Review - "The Apocalypse Mirror"

By Chris Swanson / June 5, 2013

rating: 3

The best of the Companion Chronicles stories are those that are more like full-cast audios and less like narrated talking books. Few are very much like that, but some get close, and this is one of those that does. This story is a good ole fashioned Second Doctor romp, with Frazier Hines and Wendy Padbury playing Jamie and Zoe and bringing a very authentic feel to the story; something thats helped by Hines uncanny impression of the Second Doctor. It therefore feels like a three-person audio, and thats at least close to full cast. The story concerns the TARDIS arriving on a future version of Earth, one where theres only one major city remaining. That city is inhabited by clueless buffoons who have no idea how to do anything, especially defend against a meteor thats about to hit. To make matters worse, many people are hallucinating a different version of the city; one thats up and working like it should be. This means that, of course, the Doctor and crew have to get involved and stop the meteor, in addition to figuring out whats up with the two different versions of the city. As I said, this felt like a nicely authentic Second Doctor story. Its also one of the few that feature Hines and Padbury both, and that alone makes it very special. All that said, the first episode of the story bored. Me. Silly. I didnt hate it, but I really didnt get into it at all. But the story redeemed itself big time with the second episode. At that point I started to get really into it. The pacing was better, there was a bit more dialogue and less narration and the whole thing seemed to really pop quite a bit more. The ending was very good as well. Of course Hines and Padbury are their usual excellent selves. Were almost to the end of the Companion Chronicles line, and I do hope Big Finish finds a way to use them more, if not in the CC stories, at least in the Early Adventures line thats coming up soon. Due to the rather weak opening episode, I cant give this story full marks. But the second part is worth listening to. I cant give a full recommendation, but if youre a fan of the Second Doctors era, youll likely be happy.