Doctor Who: The Penumbra Affair: Beyond the Doctor

A new Doctor Who talking book from the bbc. This is the fifth and final instalment in a series of these called 'Beyond the Doctor', which involves former companions and a mysterious threat to them. This one won't really work as a jumping on point unless you've heard the first four: The Kairos Ring. Bessie come home. London 1965. Sleeper Agents.It also features Mrs. Wibbsey, housekeeper of the Doctor's secret residence Nest Cottage. Who has appeared in a few bbc talking books before. Some continuity references do feature. These might be things those who haven't listened to all her previous appearance can manage. But as mentioned, you do really need to do the other five cd's first.This runs for seventy eight mins. It's one long episode, the only breaks being the usual cd chapter ones. There are minimal sleeve notes giving copyright info and advertising other bbc Doctor Who product.As usual with these one actor does the narration, and all the voices. In this case it's Susan Jameson returning to the part of Mrs. Wibbsey.She gets a letter warning all former companions are in danger. She begins a correspondence with the writer. A lady called Polly. Soon enough, she's coming to visit at christmas. As ever, Mrs. Wibbsey has to have all her wits about her to protect the Doctor's secrets..First two thirds of this form an interesting little mystery and they do keep you hooked as you will be guessing about certain things and how they will turn out. Susan Jameson slips back into her part effortlessly, and really brings her character to life. Helped by some very good writing.The final third takes a bit of a different turn and not much can be said without spoilers. Let's just say this doesn't bring the five part story to a close how I would have expected. Not in the least. In some ways, that is a bit frustrating as it doesn't make as much of the idea as it could have. But in other ways it doesn't matter, because the character drama of this third is really very good indeed. It's also good at creating a nice December atmosphere.There are a few points to be made here about being a former companion, which it does handle rather well. So maybe that was the point all along.So if you can let this one pull you in, and let it tell it's story, then you will find there are delights to be had here. It's not perhaps all it could have been. But what it does do makes it a good four star release.

Great set of stories

Very good