Originally published by L.S. Media. December 18th 2011
Cast: Paul McGann, Julie Cox, David Harewood, Carolyn Pickles, Eva Pope, Mitch Benn, Joanna Christie, Trevor Cooper.
Army of Death is the final release of 2011 and brings together Paul McGann and Julie Cox together for the third time. After the two previous stories, The Silver Turk and The Witch from the Well, being so well written and crafted together, there could be a drop off in the style, a rush to get this season’s trilogy over with and for Big Finish to concentrate on the next set of stories involving Colin Baker’s Doctor and his new companion.
However the people behind Big Finish are better than that and Jason Arnopp’s script delivers the right amount of tension, subtle nods to the past and well-rounded characters you would expect from the audio storytelling house.
Part of the charm of Julie Cox’s portrayal of 19th Century Gothic writer Mary Shelley is the art of believability that she throws in to her acting. Paul McGann’s previous companions have been disparate in their nature and whilst part of this reviewer’s heart will always hold Charlie Pollard, played with consummate ease and dollops of charm by India Fisher, Julie Cox shows a heart that was missing, a piece of the Doctor that was shown in the stunning audio play, The Chimes of Midnight. There is no antagonism, no shouting between two top quality actors which at times felt as though they were vying for top billing.
The way the writers of the season’s trilogy have shown the mutual trust between the young Mary Shelley and a much more cheerful Doctor has been nothing short of revolutionary. For a long time the way the Doctor was heading towards destruction in the stand alone series, whilst compelling listening and gripping, it was almost too close the knuckle, the end was in sight for Paul McGann. Although this is an area that the writers will eventually have to come back to if the continuality is be upheld, for now, showing Paul McGann’s Doctor as the more carefree and kindly incarnation that fans of the series have become used too still, marvellously, works.
The story itself owes another nod to the notion of where the author’s untapped ideas came from. In the previous two stories, the idea of death and the body has followed Mary Shelley in a stalker-like way. Her future as the creator of Frankenstein is unavoidable as she comes face to face for the third time in the idea of man after death and the spectre of death as a companion for the Doctor. Touchingly towards the end of the audio play, Julie Cox draws on this herself, the echoing of her own life, never too far away.
David Harewood has in the last few years gained a reputation for fine acting in shows such as the last Robin Hood series and even the Doctor/Master stand off a couple of years ago will attest. In this audio play, he carries on that exemplary skill into this as the incumbent president, John Vallan. The terror he faces is touching and skilfully portrayed and it’s a shame there cannot be a part tailor-made for him as a lead character.
Army of Death conjures up images of the television Doctor Who series, with references thrown in to the third Doctor’s car Bessie and the classic tale The Deadly Assassin. Never underestimate the power of a moment of continuality.
A cracking set of stories with the sense of renewal woven throughout.
Army of Ghosts can be bought from Worlds Apart on Lime Street, Liverpool.
Ian D. Hall