Originally published by L.S. Media. May 27th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating *****

Cast: Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Mark Strickson, Sarah Sutton, Rebecca Front, John Cummins, Ellie Burrow, Zoe Lister, Ben Porter, Simon Blake, Philip Pope.

In the writers notes to the new fifth Doctor audio play, The Jupiter Conjunction, Eddie Robson writes, “Don’t question the deals that are being done: your leaders have your best interests at heart.”

In other words, don’t also question the writing talent of Eddie Robson, as he really will not let you down when all you want is a cracking story that utilises the best of all of Doctor Who’s finest attributes and some of the more underlying threats to human or alien liberty. Some of his audio plays for Big Finish rank as the best in the series and in the stories, The Condemned, The Raincloud Man, Memory Lane, The Eight Truths/Worldwide Web and in The Jupiter Conjunction, he continues to prove that there are few that can really get beneath the Doctor’s skin or his companions’ thoughts as well as he can.

The Jupiter Conjunction sees the fifth Doctor and his companions land on the comet, Eight slash Q Panenka and not only see themselves nearly framed for theft but in the end the real villains of the peace are revealed by sleight of hand and war between Earth and the Jovians is narrowly avoided.

The complex subterfuge that Eddie Robson weaves in this tale is mirrored by the actors outstanding contribution to the play, especially that of Mark Strickson as Vislor Turlough who Eddie Robson really gets the best out of by having the listener believe that Turlough is ready to turn his back on his friends once more and return to life he once was capable of. Also by bringing the tremendous talent of Rebecca Front, noted for her work on the television detective drama of Lewis and the political satire of The Thick Of It, it adds a certain knowing nod to the gravitas of the audio plays by getting genuine all round entertainment actors in to play parts characters within the world of Doctor Who.

It has to be said that the two latest stories in the cannon of Peter Davison’ s depiction of the Doctor have been outstanding and with the third and final part of this year’s releases to involve Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton, Mark Strickson and Janet Fielding still to come, Doctor Who and Big Finish  fans have the thoughts of a fantastic summer to come.

The Jupiter Conjuction is available to buy from Worlds Apart on Lime Street, Liverpool.

Ian D. Hall