Daniel Mansfield reviews the first Fourth Doctor Adventures boxset of 2024, which sees two familiar faces join the TARDIS
Like last year’s instalments in the series, this year’s Fourth Doctor Adventures releases see the Doctor reunite with an old friend. Well, two in fact. This time, it’s the return of Christopher Naylor as Harry Sullivan and Eleanor Crooks as Naomi Cross, both of whom we’ve recently heard alongside Sylvester McCoy in the Seventh Doctor Adventures, and working with UNIT in the Nemesis series. Interestingly, this is Harry and Naomi’s first chronological appearance together, showing us not only how the two of them met, but how their time and space travels began.
The time-travelling twosome meet in David K Barnes‘s Storm of the Sea Devils, which sees Harry arrive in Calcutta, where Naomi enlists him help out with a UNIT investigation. It’s interesting to hear Naomi at the start of her journey, a little more unsure and inexperienced than the more bolshy, capable character we’re used to, and Eleanor Crooks is excellent in the role. We already knew she had great chemistry with Christopher Naylor, but I’m glad to report the same is true of Tom Baker too; there’s a particularly great scene between the two in the final part of the story, reminiscent of the Doctor’s goading of Sarah Jane in The Ark in Space, where it becomes clear just why he picks Naomi as his companion, brilliantly played by both actors.
Tom Baker himself is on top form here, Barnes’ script allowing him to show off many facets of his character. His delight at seeing Harry again is truly lovely, while, as mentioned above, his growing fondness for Naomi is very well played. There are also shades of the slightly more unknowable Season 12 version of the Fourth Doctor here, as well as the wackiness and levity that characterised later versions of the Time Lord.
While the highlight of this story is the formation of this new TARDIS team, this is played against the backdrop of a genuinely interesting plot about a ruthless businessman who has imprisoned a Sea Devil. There’s a tendency for Sea Devil stories to be quite traditional and, while this tale does hit some familiar beats, its setting and characters mean it feels fresh throughout. Nicholas Briggs brings Taurix, leader of the amphibious beasties, to life with flair, while Tracey Childs is compelling as captured Sea Devil Shorak. Meanwhile, Silas Carson is deliciously evil as Ramesh Kamal and Amina Zia impresses as his beleaguered wife Amita.
Add to all of this some impressive sound design from Toby Hrycek-Robinson, whose work brings to life screaming Sea Devils and snapping crocodiles alike, and you get a very solid start to the boxset, and one of the strongest Fourth Doctor Adventures in quite some time.
After their adventures in Calcutta, the team venture to a luxury resort world for a holiday. Worlds Beyond by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky isn’t quite as good as Storm of the Sea Devils, but it gives Harry and Naomi some nice character moments as they undertake their own little journeys of self-discovery. The plot itself is simple but entertaining, and there’s a fun twist at the end which adds an extra dimension to things that the story really benefits from.
Tom Baker once again gives a strong and varied performance, taking us from quiet bewilderment at Naomi’s reaction to entering the TARDIS for the first time, to fury at the actions of the storys villains. Meanwhile Anthony Howell puts on a good show as the legendary Alan Turing, though if you’re expecting a deep dive into this most interesting of historical figures, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
If the previous story suggested the notion, this one confirms it- Tom Baker, Christopher Naylor and Eleanor Crooks make a truly excellent TARDIS team. Thankfully it’s not long to wait till we hear from them again – Metamorphosis releases in June, and promises to resolve this set’s most intriguing cliffhanger.
Storm of the Sea Devils is available on CD or as a download from http://www.bigfinish.com
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