The Sour Note at first seemed like a real authentic throwback to the 2nd Doctor's era until I realized that it's not a 'throwback' to the era, it is from the era as it was written in 1968. This was released as an audio in 2018 read by Anneke Wills. It was the last of the 6 stories I listened to from this box set and it didn't end on a 'sour note', yet on a high note as it is one of the better ones, due mainly to Anneke Wills and the era typical massive android which was similar to a grasshopper. TARDIS was referred to as 'Time and Relative Dimensions In Space' as well as the 'magical machine'.

This is a relatively short story at about 10 minutes long and it takes place right after the 2nd Doctor's first regeneration. What it interesting is that back then BBC was not calling it a regeneration but a 'renewal'. In this story the Doctor calls it his 'reincarnation'. The Doctor also uses his recorder which in this story is called a 'pipe' much more than in any other story and it is a main functional point of the plot itself.

Overall the entire box set was a great look back at the audio annuals and if I had to pick a 'best' story of the set, the highlight was most certainly the first story of the set called Peril in Mechanistria which was also the longest and most complex. A great way to enjoy these now that they are available in audio format.

Planet of Fear was a short story published in Doctor Who Annual 1982 and then made into an audio in 2018 narrated by Matthew Waterhouse as part of the Second Doctor Audio Annual CD anthology. It is based on the 5th Doctor and Adric (whom was performed by Waterhouse on TV in the 1980's as well). Matthew Waterhouse was most certainly the correct pick to narrate this story as the main character is that of his Adric.

The TARDIS is attacked by a giant slug 'ten times as large as the TARDIS' while the Doctor and Adric are being chased by earwigs and a centipede 'seven stories tall'. While Adric can see all of this happening it seems as if #5 is unable to. This made me start to think that Adric was hallucinating as it certainly seemed the only obvious answer.

It is a short story coming in at about 13 minutes and does reveal some of the fears of Adric, including his greatest ones. It is a good performance by Matthew Waterhouse and gives some character development to Adric. At the same time it felt like a throwback to the Doctors #1 & #2 eras when large insects attacking was a common theme. A fun little story for when you have just a few minutes to spare. Good entertainment and most certainly a nod back to the 1960's.

Double Trouble was first published as a short story in the 1977 Doctor Who Annual and was made into an audio which was released in 2018 as part of the Second Doctor Who Audio Annual CD anthology. It features the Sarah Jane Smith, the 4th Doctor, Brig, Harry and UNIT and is narrated by Matthew Waterhouse.

The story gets off to an interesting start as Sarah is acting strange, certainly not like herself. She attacks Harry and somehow electrocutes him with her bare hands. Then it takes a humorous turn where she pretty much starts to attack and lay out multiple UNIT soldiers. When learning of this the Doctor says "My bet is on Sarah!" She then turns into two Sarahs, becoming 'double' the threat.

The unfortunate thing about this story is that Matthew Waterhouse was not the correct narrator for BBC to pick as he is unable to do a convincing voice of a woman, nor of Tom Baker's Doctor. This is a common problem with Big Finish where they have men attempt to voice women and it just doesn't work well. Certainly not Matthew Waterhouse's fault but that of BBC for half-assing this one.

Scorched Earth was a short story published in Doctor Who Annual 1975. It was made into an audio narrated by the masterful Geoffrey Beevers and released in 2018 as part of the Second Doctor Who Audio Annual CD set.

The Third Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith arrive on the Earth-like planet of Varium III. It looks like 18th century England with farms, however it appears s if the ground has been burned. Suddenly they are fired on by men with bow and arrows, captured and detained. They are brought to a leader of the community and accused of using their 'Sky Cart' to rein down fire from the skies and destroy their crops. This 'Sky Cart' is TARDIS. They are sentenced to death.

That all happens in the first few minutes of this 22 minute story. It has nice sound effects and is a very easy story to follow. It kept my attention throughout.

Geoffrey Beevers is the genius talent responsible for writing and performing 'I am The Master.' He is a master no doubt. Apparently he is also excellent at voicing Jon Pertwee's Doctor #3 as well. His performance made this feel like an authentic 1970's era TV episode. Very impressive.