Unit - Dominion

UNIT: Dominion is an epic Doctor Who story told across multiple dimensions as Earth finds itself under siege and the Doctor is apparently to blame. U.N.I.T.: Dominions presents the listeners with multiple Doctors, strange alien flying head, and mind leeches. Klein returns, traumatized by the Seventh Doctor and suspicious of "the other Doctor," making for some good psychological drama. Alex MacQueen performance is magnificent and elevates the whole production.

Yet, for all that, there's a lot about the story that doesn't work. The story was an attempt to jumpstart Big Finish's UNIT range and other than Klein, there were no compelling or interesting characters. The huge emphasis on Pete Wilson's wife and expectant child is never given an adequate reason. Several parts of the ending were forced, including the resolution of a key sub-plot.

Still, while the story's not perfect, it has some great moments, some superb tension, a great performance by Alex MacQueen, and unforgettable ending to Part Three.

4 Disk set here, which if you listen to the additional material, it many possibly the largest script produced by Big Finish, in fact Sylvester McCoy said his postman had issues with getting it through the letter box. Also this offering has my first encounter with Big Finish's take on the character of the Master. Played here by MacQueen, now I like many know of this actor from his T.V. work, from the Inbetweeners, Casualty as well as a host of parts mainly comedy not serious and certainly not science fiction. We also have the companion of Raine Creevy, played here by Beth Chambers, and again she is a newbie to me I haven't encountered her before. However revelation is the word that springs to mind, Beth is simply exquisite as a companion and deserves more exposure, she works well with No.7, in fact I would go as far as to say that she is probably one of the best. She has that quiet intelligent appeal that so few I think of the Doctors companions have shown over the years. She also begs the question why she has never had more of a role in the main range. Excellent character, played by a great actress. Now onto the real find, Macqueen, is stunning. I am still literally amazed, what superb left of center person thought of popping this actor into the role of the Master deserves a medal. He is amazing, in fact, he makes this drama by far one of the best box sets I have listened too in a long time. Sarcastic, bombastic, and chilling, yet with a piquant of fun and mirth, he is truly nasty and awful individual of enormity unsurpassed. He is truly the master of the one liner. The catch phrase of "Hello Me!" is still ringing around my head, delivered in a truly over the top camp yet Bond-esque villain way. You have to listen to the way he delivers his lines they are simply out of the world. More Macqueen I think is the order of the day.

The story itself is a little masterpiece. There are so many things in this that are surreal, absolute Dr Who, that they are untrue. My favorite is the giant floating heads, that come through the inter dimensions. But the we have the thought vampires as the master puts it. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. The story is basically the Master convinces UNIT that he is the Dr, he the master is trying to control everything by controlling dimensional nodes, which can suck the power out of everything and everyone, and the Master is hell bent on being the person controlling these for his own good. Step in the 6th Doctor and Raine to do battle, at first they are also taken in with the Master and that he is the later incarnation of the Doctor, but it soon becomes obvious to the Doctor that there are few things that just don't add up.



I cannot praise this production enough. It was just what the Doctor ordered. Everyone in this is good, from, Alex Mallinson (Private Maynard/Arunzell), even the cameo of Sophie Aldred as ACE is on the point. Fantastic box set well worth the money if merely for Macqueen's superb performance.

Unlike other Big Finish boxsets, UNIT: Dominion doesn't consist of four self-contained stories, but instead tells one big, epic tale in four (roughly) hour-long episodes. And for the most part, this structure works incredibly well.
From the start there is a lot going on, with various story strands emerging and unfolding. Plus we are introduced to a number of new characters who are working for UNIT alongside Elizabeth Klein. Despite these multiple plot lines the story never gets confusing. There is a clear structure to the procedings and apart from a bit of repetition halfway through episode three it is all extremely well paced. Throughout, there is always enough mystery and tension for the story to be thoroughly enthralling, but never so much as to be confusing or tedious.
McCoy's Doctor isn't much involved during the first half and a lot of the initial plot development is out of his reach. On the plus side this means we get plenty of chance to make the acquaintance of UNIT-Klein and meet the rest of the new UNIT personnel, most of whom are likeable and well-drawn characters. It is quite interesting to compare the similarities and differences between Klein now and her former Nazi-version. There is lots of intelligent and insightful dialogue between Klein and both versions of the Doctor. Tracey Childs (as always) delivers a supberb perfomance.
On top of some sterling character work we get lots of fascinating imagery. From floating heads to red-glowing cubes, mind leeches and alien invasions on a global scale, there is plenty to engage the imagination. The sound design on this release is fantastic and suitably bold for the story at hand.
Everything about UNIT: Dominion is big and new and exciting and epic. It aims for a very big scale - and manages to pull it off.

A fresh start and a new direction. A successful change in style.

UNIT: Dominion is a four-part story that brings Doctor Who bang up to date with a wonderful sound design that combines an epic scope with superb characterisation.

Those looking for lots of McCoy action will be disappointed by the first two episodes as the focus is more on the mysterious Other Doctor played by Alex MacQueen and the increasingly suspicious Klein. UNIT is presented as a credible military outfit again, baffles by the chaos that ensues but maintaining a stiff upper lip and sense of control. Subtle hints imply that perhaps things aren't quite as they should be. The second episode with the Skyhead encounter is particularly gripping.

Episode 3 doesn't quite match up the high standard - we've already heard two episodes of UNiT confused by an alien incursion and looking to the Doctor to help combat it, to the format has already become slightly stale - surprising considering its only the third episode, but the narrative structure is exactly the same and nothing new is really developed. Until the episode's climax, anyway.

The revelation about MacQueen's Doctor is glaringly obvious when it is revealed but at no point crosses your mind during the story. Events really pick up for the final episode where McCoy and MacQueen go toe to toe in a gripping and well-realised climax.

There are three aspects that really should be applauded - the freshness of Who's new direction, MacQueen's gripping performance and the wonderful sound design. These alone make this box set a very good listen.