Big Finish: The Land of the Dead

The Doctor (Peter Davison) and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) are chased across Alaska by a savage monster and take shelter in a tycoon's house. Isolated by the weather and the terrifying aftermath of the chase

The cast of characters is straight out of an Agatha Christie story. The materialistic million Shaun Brett (Christopher Scott); the adopted heir Tulung (Neil Roberts).

The story treads familiar Doctor Who territory. Lots of tropes that I enjoy: strange creatures, physics, and restricted environments. Plus, the money-grubbing evil tycoon, because they seem so much less powerful than the real-life versions.

But it's hard to ignore the exoticism around First Nations culture, embodied by Tulung. Sadly this is not new in Who, but it is frustrating to bump up against it again and again. I think Tulung also falls into the “educated savage” trope, who despite his eloquence and education is always treated as lesser because of his origins.

I did enjoy it overall: great voice acting, good dynamic between characters, fantastic monster sound effects. Despite the hand-wavey mythology, it's still an interesting and fast-moving story.

#doctorwho #audiodrama #fifthdoctor #remotesetting #peterdavison