The War Doctor Begins: Warbringer is a Doctor Who audio boxset and does a pretty good job of continuing the chronicles of this incarnation which is known as the War Doctor among the fandom. Jonathon Carley stars as the War Doctor, which was originated by the late John Hurt. This is a story told in three episodes and is directed by Louise Jameson. The War Doctor claims to have no name anymore, but we know who he really is. The guest cast includes Ajjaz Awad, Angela Bruce, Beth Chalmers, Jessica Temple, John Banks, Stephen Frost, and Nicholas Briggs is back behind the mic voicing the Daleks.
The Doctor has regenerated into someone who is more of a warrior and has renounced what has been his identity for centuries. He is still referred to as the Doctor by his allies and enemies to his chagrin, but this incarnation has different priorities and goals than his other selves. Still, he has many of the Doctor’s familiar tendencies. He is still wanting to save lives where he can, and much of his irreverent humor remains intact. This version of the Doctor is still a bit more ruthless and willing to make sacrifices that his other selves would find abhorrent in order to win the war with the Daleks.
There are three connected episodes in this one as usual. The set is interesting and has some spectacular moments in the performances. The technical aspects remain top-notch. Carley’s performance continues to be compelling and uncannily close to how John Hurt probably would have sounded if he was able to continue with this range.
The first episode is entitled Consequences by Timothy X Atack. The War Doctor and a Time Lady named Veklin, played by Chalmers, have crashed on a planet ahead of another ship which is also about to collide. There is also a cyborg woman which a serious case of amnesia. In fact, she becomes known as Case and is portrayed by Ajjaz Awad. The War Doctor is now in the fight and has to find his newfound allies again.
It’s a pretty good start, but there is quite a lot of sound effects and confusing moments which probably would have worked better visually.
Andrew Smith gets to take the listeners into the second story, Destroyer. The War Doctor appears to be a fulfillment of a prophecy for a society that worships war.
Case is becoming more of an interesting addition to the War Doctor’s motley collection of allies. Awad seems to have been a solid casting choice.
There is not that much that is terribly memorable about this episode, but it does hold up. I may just need to listen again and focus better.
Finally, Jonathan Morris, another long-time Doctor Who writer, closes out the set with Saviour, which ends up being more of a flashback story as the War Doctor tells Case how they met. Case was apparently going to be converted into a Dalek before the War Doctor found her and put a stop to that atrocity.
There was an effort to present the story in a somewhat creative way when it comes to the order, and it works.
There is quite a lot of action which would work better in a visual format, but the sound effects remain top-class. The War Doctor is proving to be a fascinating piece of the history. I was not a big fan of the introduction of this incarnation in the television series, but John Hurt’s acclaim and respect in the entertainment industry is well-earned. Carley does very well with his impression. Although I am a little leery of recasting roles, I have become more tolerant of the practice in the audio format.
Big Finish Production has released another solid addition to the range. It’s not exactly the crème de la crème of the range, it would still be inadvisable to pass this one by. It’s a long way from the bottom of the barrel, and the release does achieve the purpose of propelling the War Doctor deeper into the Time War.
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