Doctor Who: The One Doctor Review

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.

Released in December 2001, The One Doctor was the 27th Doctor Who audio drama to be released by Big Finish. It stars Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor and Bonnie Langford as companion Melanie Bush. It is written by Gareth Roberts & Clayton Hickman and directed by Gary Russell.

Big Finish's synopsis:

When the evil Skelloids launch an attack upon the seventeen worlds of the Generios system, its peace-loving inhabitants face total destruction.

So it's fortunate that the famous traveller in time and space known only as the Doctor is in the area, and doubly lucky that, with the help of pretty young assistant, Sally-Anne, he manages to defeat the deadly creatures and save the day.

But now it looks as though the Doctor's luck has run out.

Who is the mysterious, curly-haired stranger who insists on causing trouble? What role does the feisty redhead Melanie play in his scheme? And what have they to do with the sinister alien cylinder approaching Generios?

One thing is certain: for the Doctor and Sally-Anne, there's deadly danger ahead...

Now THIS is what you call a good story! No, it's not exactly Genesis of the Daleks but in it's own way, it's just as good - fun, exciting and entertaining story with LOTS of hilariousness. I can't imagine it working so well for any other Doctor...

The story starts with the Sixth Doctor and Mel... Playing monopoly... Then arriving in the Generios system in the "vulgar" part of time, so far into the future that everybody seems to know everything. Once they get out of the TARDIS, they notice that everybody seems to be celebrating. They soon learn that The Doctor has saved the seventeen planets from evil aliens called the Skelloids. When the Sixth Doctor claims he's never been to Generios, Mel suggests it was a future version of himself but the Sixth Doctor doubts it. Not long after, another invasion happens - this time, it's The Cylinder and he wants the three greatest treasures of Generios. Can this other Doctor, of whom the Sixth Doctor believes to be some kind of imposter, save the day again?

As much as I liked Seasons 22 and 23, this is the Sixth Doctor I would have liked to see on my TV screen - Colin Baker proves to be an amazing actor, despite not being the most popular Doctor. It's also the Melanie Bush I would have liked to see on my TV screen - yes, in this story, she's actually a likable character with some great lines! Top notch acting from everybody involved!

Gareth Roberts and Clayton Hickman are brilliant writers, both of whom have given us some amazing content in The Sarah Jane Adventures. Gary Russell is a fantastic director too.

The setting is interesting, with the jumping from planet to planet trying to collect the three greatest treasures of the Generios system in order to prevent the Cylinder from destroying Generios.

My favourite line is Mel's "Don't talk about giving up because I'm a Bush and Bushes never do!" - It was really inspiring but thanks to all the humour in the story, all it made me think of was the sort of bush you find in gardens.

As I mentioned previously, The One Doctor is a story that's absolutely full of hilariousness. The Jelloid, two Doctors, one of which isn't really The Doctor and so much more. Oh, and some of the music used in the story just makes me feel really happy for some reason!

I would definitely recommend this as a first Big Finish audio, I just can't fault it. Just as good as The Chimes of Midnight, which as I said in the previous review, is just as good as classics like City of Death and The Caves of Androzani. Honestly, when Mel Bush is a good character, you know you're in for a good story.

Overall Rating: 10/10

You can buy The One Doctor for £2.99 download or £5.00 CD here.