2.1 - The Invention of Death

Superb. Not only the finest of the First Doctor Adventures, but one of the high water marks of Big Finish. Ian and Barbara are fantastic in this story and I could visualize the William Russell and Jacqueline Hill in the roles in spite of the differences between the actors. They simply felt right in this episode. It bears stating that Jamie Glover is truly the standout in the recast TARDIS team; at least for me anyway.

I don't want to say too much at risk of spoilers, but the story does a wonderful job of feeling fresh while also easily being a story you could imagine from 1964. The aliens are very alien ands yet relatable. The script is very strong and dialogue crackles throughout. The interplay between Ian and Barbara and the aliens is a highlight, for sure, but it would be a disservice to not mention David Bradley's First Doctor. While I agree with those that don't think he nails Hartnell's Doctor, it bothers me less and less as I listen to these audios and let my imagination take over. This is probably one of, if not his strongest projection of the First Doctor we know and love (I would argue his performance in Tick-Tock World is stronger, but not by much).

The stories beats from exploration of a new world, character-driven moments, alien mystery story, to scientific spec-fic works incredibly well and is a further testament to the strength of the script.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up ASAP. The First Doctor Adventures have truly been a highlight (though not perfect by any means) of this past year of Big Finish and this is potentially the cream of the crop.

This is an excellent start off to the second first doctor adventures set that sees the original tardis crew arrive on a planet of amoeba like creatures with no concept of death who are probably some of the most alien aliens ever written into doctor who.

John dorney does an excellent job of exploring how different these aliens perception of life is to our own and how they struggle to grasp concepts such as fear, death and love and how the tardis crew also struggle to understand some of the aliens concepts. The new cast also seems to be settling into their roles alot better than they had done in the previous boxset.

I think this may be one of my favourite doctor who stories of all time.

This story made me really feel like these new versions of the first companions were a team. David Bradley seemed more energetic than in his first box set. Some of his lines seemed to channel an aged Tennant or a more aristocratic Capaldi. We really get a sense that this Doctor hasn't been saving worlds for very long, he sometimes finds himself at a loss. Claudia Grant's performance as Susan feels very true to Carol Ann Ford in the early days and Jemma Powell as Barbara is eerily accurate as always. Jamie Glover projects emotional honesty and a fierce protectiveness as Ian. The writing is quite fun, although it can sometimes get a bit repetitive, and it still feels weird to hear actors today speaking dialogue in the style of a 60s sci-fi series. Still, this story sold me on the recast box sets after feeling apathetic towards the first one.

The Doctor, Ian, Barbara, and Susan arrive on a world where death is unknown and science is just beginning. They meet the world's first two scientists.

The story definitely stretches the limits of alien species as we're given true aliens, a group of asexual androgynous transparent creatures. Yet, the story definitely makes the characters feel real and brings out some key dilemmas for the Doctor and his crew. The story manages to provide some very light moments while also telling a story in which they end up playing a role in a tragedy.

The cast remains great with Bradley getting some great moments as the Doctor, particularly in the way he ribs Chesterton. Overall, a very solid lead-off to the second box-set.