Audio CD review
Starring the voices of Paul McGann, Sheridan Smith, Kenneth Colley, Alexander Siddig
Big Finish
Release date Out now

The Doctor and Lucie are separated as the Time Lords take an interest in their affairs once more...

It's an odd coincidence that the DVD of the classic fourth Doctor story The Brain of Morbius hits the shops at the same time as this sequel, which concludes next month. Although the story is consciously designed so that it can stand alone for newcomers, those who know the earlier story get a clue much sooner in the proceedings as to what's going on.

Alexander Siddig plays against type as a policeman with a difference, making a good foil for Sheridan Smith, who's given the lion's share of the dramatic development in this episode. Like this season of the parent programme, the "Doctor-lite" episode focuses on the companion, with Smith rising well to the challenge. The CD extras explain some of the reasoning behind the way she plays Lucie, and it's good to see the gobby Northerner of her earliest stories making a reappearance. Peter Quentin

VERDICT: 7/10
This is most definitely the first part of a two-parter, rather than two linked stories, with far more questions posed than answered. Roll on Morbius's reappearance – let alone his vengeance.