Doctor Who Audio Review: Turlough Makes His Choice

Doctor Who: Reunion is another collection of audio plays from Big Finish Productions that continues the rather intriguing series of adventures that has former companion, Turlough, return to the TARDIS alongside the Sixth Doctor and Peri. Turlough has to contend with a Doctor with an unfamiliar aspect and make his way back to his home planet in the throes of an invasion., He may first have to endure a couple of other adventures alongside before he faces the ultimate test of his loyalties.

Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant are reunited behind the microphones of Big Finish with Mark Strickson reprising his role as the complicated, and seemingly duplicitous Turlough which culminates in a homecoming fraught with peril. All of this is under the steady direction of Samuel Clemens

The first of the trilogy is Matthew Sweet’s Save the Date. The Doctor, Turlough, and Peri are in 1969 London and come across a rather unusual dating agency which seems to have an alien influence. Peri is hired on as a secretary while her friends take on the roles as very eligible bachelors looking for love in the deadliest places.

The guest cast is comprised of Annette Badland, Jo Castleton, and Faith Omole.

This episode kicks off with a more humorous tone. The Doctor does display a more tender side to his often-spiky persona, which Baker performs quite nicely.

It’s not the most remarkable of stories, but it’s a solid enough entry into this set. Turlough trying his hand at romance is also an amusing venture. Turlough, with of all of his complications, seems to have become a favorite companion of mine over the years. I am not one instinctively drawn to the idea of bringing back companions from other eras, but somehow the idea of pairing Turlough with a different Doctor does seem to work.

Writer Paul Sutton then follows up with Poison’s Reach in which the Doctor and his companions must prevent a catastrophe for a colony known as Freefall.

Rosie Jones and Charlotte Harris join the TARDIS crew as a couple of guest performers.

This episode really is the middle story and not all that memorable, Turlough does have an almost romantic relationship with a scientist, which does help spike the interest a little. Of course, the courage displayed by this woman does inspire Turlough to finally make a choice reveal a secret involving his own home.

The story is a key to that brings about the climax to this set in which the audience finally gets to join Turlough during a very complicated homecoming.

Finally, AK Benedict and Guy Adams bring us to the home stretch with Broken Home. Turlough;’s home planet has been invaded by another alien species, and he has brokered a deal which places the Doctor and his TARDIS in their hands. Turlough seems to have betrayed his home and his friends, but the Doctor gambles that his trust is not misplaced regardless of the complicated history between the two friends.

Ryan Gage and Rachel Atkins are included in this guest casr.

Turlough going back to his roots is a welcome addition to this set. The performances are great, and Strickson really gets to sink his teeth into this role.

Although some aspects of the ending are predictable and a bit trite, this story is still kind of a treat, The writers sort of fall short of convincing anyone that Turlough has actually gone that far off the rails, but Strickson still manages to keep one invested in the character.

Nicola Bryant does put forth a powerful performance when Peri really believes that her trust in Turlough has been in vain.

The relationship between the Doctor and Peri has really grown on me since this a period where Peri has rejoined the Time Lord after her abrupt and strange departure in The Trial of a Time Lord. She had lived as a warrior queen for a time and is much more mature than the precocious young woman which was first introduced to the television audience. Yet Big Finish and Bryant still manage to keep her familiar to the audience. She and the Doctor seem to have a much more comfortable and trusting relationship, and I find it quite refreshing.

Anyway, the audience gets to see Turlough take another exit bow, which isn’t too much of a spoiler, but I do hope this is still far from the last time Mark Strickson steps up to the microphone figuratively dons that familiar school blazer yet again.

Of course, I am also always game to have Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant take the helm of the TARDIS on their series of adventures.