The finale to this story is very carefully crafted. It is even-handed,
with all the travellers making a significant contribution to the
solution, which is quite unusual and satisfying, so bonus marks for
that.
Unfortunately there is a form of even-handedness that goes a bit too far
as well. The section showing the appalling treatment of women - and, in
particular, how bad it is for them in prison - places too much emphasis
on women's involvement in the oppression. This feels like a kind of
internalised sexism; while such collusion certainly shouldn't be
tolerated or ignored, the way it is presented lets the men too far off
the hook. It's not a fatal flaw, but it is annoying.
Other aspects of this section gave me mixed feelings, too. The sound
work indicating the memory transfer was spot on, but the violins were
too much. We didn't need them to emphasise the pathos!
I have no complaints about the rest of the episode, though, politically
or artistically. I was pleased that the story rejects the rule of the
vanguard, recognising that we need different skills and mindsets after
the revolution than we do during it - something that the Doctor comes to
know all too well, being himself more of a tearer-down than a
builder-up. The anti-revenge message from last time is also not
forgotten, and the revelation of what had actually happened in the
fourth galaxy makes perfect sense. Even the reason for the recording is
appropriate!
Jacqueline Rayner takes the opportunity to illuminate Vicki's psychology
here, including giving her a two-minute speech packed full of
thoughtful commentary on her motivations. It could have come across as
heavy-handed, but Maureen O'Brien delivers it with an appropriately
light touch. The words are carefully chosen too: "I've lost everything
once, so there are no horrors left. Of course I don't want to die; I'm
having too much fun. And that's the point." Or "I have been afraid, but
it's a fear born of adrenaline; there was no pain. Pain doesn't fit in
with jolly adventures." Great stuff, and bringing back memories of her
standing in the space museum and declaring revolution with a joyous
smile on her face.
Finally we have the second interview, and the revelation that O'Brien is
enjoying playing Vicki again now. I was aware she wasn't an
enthusiastic alumnus of the show, and the fact that the folks at Big
Finish can do so much to make it a happy experience is heartening. I
know there are a few for whom this is not the case - John Levene for one
- but they have a high hit rate, and it makes them a company I am very
happy to support.
O'Brien seems a little more thrown by the question of what would make a
good setting for an adventure. Her suggestion of the English Civil War
doesn't seem to have been taken up, so far, and neither does Lisa
Bowerman's of the Restoration; although I admit I'm not entirely up to
date!
Rating:
7.5/10.
Next Time:
Companion Chronicle 4.07 as a whole.
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