DWM411 - The Mists of Time

'The Mists of Time' was written by Jonathan Morris and directed by Lisa Bowerman. It was initially a digital download exclusively offered to readers of Doctor Who Magazine Issue 411, but was later released as part of The Companion Chronicles: The Specials box set, which was released in August 2011. This audio drama was recorded on 18 and 30 December 2008.

Joe inexplicably finds herself back on the ravaged Zayin Eight, in the far future, with a human called Newton Calder who she had met there on a previous outing, and to who she recalls her previous encounter. The Doctor and Joe had landed on a desolate war torn planet and almost immediately encountered apparitions re-enacting war from the distant past. Soon after they discover a group of archaeologists, who have become stranded, and can't radio for help because the magnetism of the stormy atmosphere of the planet is blocking the distress signal. The Doctor and Joe decide to explore the planet’s surface further, and discover a long forgotten secret of the Time Lords.

David Darlington's soundscape has no real music, but lots of howling wind which sets a haunting atmosphere. The echoes in the caverns sound realistic, as do the weather effects. This is essential late night listening. Titles like 'Beyond the Ultimate Adventure' and 'Nekromanteia' could have both benefited from this kind of approach rather than thick gothic doom laden music, but they would have still been terrible stories.

Katy Manning mostly narrates this with Andrew Whipp playing Newton Calder. Katy really throws herself into this and you have to admire her enthusiasm even though she doesn't sound much like Pertwee she doesn't sound all that much like her younger self either, but she does give an enchanting performance.
This is a well-paced story, although perhaps ever so slightly too long, but is very obvious at times, and lacks the emotive gravitas of the very best of the Companion Chronicles range. Despite that, there is a nice twist at the end and it's a very enjoyable production.

An enjoyable Companion Chronicle originally offered as a freebie for Doctor Who Magazine subscribers. The story itself and the premise is average fare for the Companion Chronicles-a cave that seems to be full of ghosts. Thee final twist is telegraphed fifteen minutes from the end. However, Jonathan Morris manages to work some Time Lord lore into the tale. The soundscape is very atmospheric. Katy Manning does a great job bringing all these characters to life (all but one of whom is male.) There's also a pretty interesting scene where Andrew Whipp actually does voices when he's recalling a scene from which Jo was absent.

Overall, a decent enough representation of the Companion Chronicles. It's not an essential story but succeeded in being a good representative of its range.

This was my first foray into the Companion Chronicles, so perhaps I am a bit biased in saying how much I loved it. But I did. Not just for Katy Manning's wonderfully soothing voice, but I was genuinely engaged with the story.

I also just happened to listen to it on a foggy, rainy night, and it just felt so right with the tone of the story to be murky and foggy and dark and dreary.

I saw the ending quite a long way away, but I really didn't mind, because it was a fun ride all the same.