Originally published by L.S. Media. May 26th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ***

Cast: Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, Geoffrey Beevers, Michael Cochrane, Rachael Stirling, John Banks, Becci Gemmell, Mark Field.

For a generation of Doctor Who fans who have grown up with idea of John Simm’s and Derek Jacobi portraying one of the most formidable foes of the Doctor, they would no doubt place the two extremely talented actors’ portrayals of the insane Timelord as the very best.

Hark back 40 years ago though to the time when The Master was introduced to the iconic B.B.C. programme and for the first time, The Doctor had a counterpoint, a Moriarty to his Sherlock Holmes that would remain the number one menace until the disturbing inclusion of Davros in the classic story The Genesis of The Daleks. First played by the dashing Roger Delgado and then towards the end of Tom Baker’s tenure as the Doctor by the mischievous and highly regarded Anthony Ainley , The Master was unlike any villain seen before in the show and quite possibly the creepiest incarnation of the renegade Timelord was shared by Peter Pratt and Geoffrey Beevers.

In The Trail Of The White Worm, the latest Big Finish story to herald the return of Tom Baker back as the much loved fourth Doctor. The Master’s presence is stamped throughout the first of a two part adventure which doesn’t just see the Doctor pit his wits against his old adversary and his old friend but also takes on the myth of worm like creature which has been seen in the hills of one of Derbyshire’s remotest spots for two millennia and is now once more the subject of the locals superstition.

This is the third Big Finish audio adventures to welcome back one Geoffrey Beevers to the role of The Master, (the other two see him face off against Sylvester McCoy in Dust Breeding and Master) but it is the very evil form of the ravaged and decomposing Timelord , the stuff of nightmares and Tom Baker that really brings out the best in the story, even though the Master doesn’t get that much airtime in the first part.

The other underlying issue in the story which gives it a marvellous historical point of reference is the inclusion of Julie, played by Becci Gemmell, as the young girl who wants to run away to London and join the ever growing Punk movement of the late 70’s. By placing this reference within the story, it will cause one generation consternation and another a wry smile of a genre of music that split families, between the old established order and the new signs of rebellious youth that threatened, in some eyes, to spill over into a real threat of anarchy within the U.K.

The disappointing part of the story is the unfortunate revert to type of Leela, played the ever superb Louise Jameson. In the first four episodes of the run, Leela has become a much stronger and incredible ally of the Doctor.  She has been portrayed excellently by Ms. Jameson and even in this episode the voice of the actor is strong but the lines she has been given to work with don’t feel as though they belong to the noble savage. The strength of the character which had allowed Tom Baker to find his feet again in the role seems diminished and it’s for that alone that story has the very real possibility that this story by Alan Barnes will be remembered for all the wrong reasons in a season of plays that have got bigger and better as they have progressed.

The Trail Of The White Worm is available to buy from World’s Apart on Lime Street, Liverpool.

Ian D. Hall