Spaceport Fear
After one quite disappointing release and the mind boggling escapade that followed, it is very relieving for Big Finish to get back to what it does best, and normally, tell a great story in an even better way. This is the first story that I have listened to since beginning my Subscription back in December where I have been able to understand it fully, or even finish all four parts. Don’t misunderstand me, I love the Wrong Doctors, but I found it so hard to follow that it is currently sat on my side waiting for a re-listen before I even touch the review for it. And so, with February’s Spaceport Fear came the hope for a simple, yet brilliant story. Thank goodness that happened.
The premise of the story is basic. The Doctor and Mel get separated from the TARDIS in Tantane Spaceport and have to get to the Control Tower to get it back. However, to do so they have to get through the tribes of Economy and Business and the terrifying Wailer, while working out Elder Bones’ secret. The initial idea put me in mind of the Face of Evil, the 1977 Fourth Doctor story, and it is indeed very similar. Two tribes apparently at some form of war, with one being reduced to savages and another still holding onto some form of previous life. This was even done to some extent in The Whispering Forest only a few years ago. However, what sets this one apart is that it doesn’t focus heavily on the origins of the colony or their differences from our world. There are, of course, the obligatory mutations of contemporary words and fears of experiences new to the tribes, but taken for granted by the Doctor and Mel (lighting and phones being a key example here), but they do not overpower the main task of reaching the control tower.
Despite being one of the key selling pointes of the story, the setting of the Spaceport is not as necessary as the writer and producers let us believe. It could, quite easily be set somewhere else and work just as brilliantly. On the other hand, what it does do is lend the story a sense of
believability. With area such as baggage reclaim and duty free being key in telling the story, it shows a link with a modern airport, which made it a lot easier for me to picture, while things like the moving walls that would not be believable had it been set in 2013 are suddenly common features. This is the future after all, who knows what we may develop.
What does drag this story down is, unfortunately, the actors. Don’t get me wrong, not a single actor is bad in these episodes, all of them play the part to the best of their ability. What did annoy me was how Beth Chalmers, a very talented actress in every story she has ever been in, was
disappointingly cast in two leading roles. In the Spaceport, she played both ’Galpan’, the leading woman from the tribe of business and ‘Beauty’, the key woman from Economy. Giving them both important roles throughout the four parts necessitates two different actresses, to simply avoid confusion for the listener. And the latter is exactly what happened. When I wasn’t trying to work out who she was playing, I spent my time trying to think of a link between them that could explain why they were so similar, a link that never appeared. I would like to make it clear that I do not wish to insult Beth Chalmers, she is a very talented actress and works well in the parts she plays, but it should have not been done.
On a final note about the story, the monster created by Gallagher is a smashing one. The Wailer is not a new concept by any means, but it gives a brilliantly threatening menace into the serial, with its echoing wails being heard throughout the Spaceport. With the oppressive darkness creating a claustrophobic atmosphere, the screams really do put the ‘fear’ into ‘Spaceport Fear’
And so, while it may not be the most complex, monster laced, mind boggling epic that we have been treated to over the past few months and years, it did manage to hold my attention clearly throughout. After the rollercoaster of quality that has ridden the Big Finish main range over the past few months, it is nice to get back to basics, simply a brilliant story that lives up to its name without disappointment. It’s just what the Doctor ordered.
The premise of the story is basic. The Doctor and Mel get separated from the TARDIS in Tantane Spaceport and have to get to the Control Tower to get it back. However, to do so they have to get through the tribes of Economy and Business and the terrifying Wailer, while working out Elder Bones’ secret. The initial idea put me in mind of the Face of Evil, the 1977 Fourth Doctor story, and it is indeed very similar. Two tribes apparently at some form of war, with one being reduced to savages and another still holding onto some form of previous life. This was even done to some extent in The Whispering Forest only a few years ago. However, what sets this one apart is that it doesn’t focus heavily on the origins of the colony or their differences from our world. There are, of course, the obligatory mutations of contemporary words and fears of experiences new to the tribes, but taken for granted by the Doctor and Mel (lighting and phones being a key example here), but they do not overpower the main task of reaching the control tower.
Despite being one of the key selling pointes of the story, the setting of the Spaceport is not as necessary as the writer and producers let us believe. It could, quite easily be set somewhere else and work just as brilliantly. On the other hand, what it does do is lend the story a sense of
believability. With area such as baggage reclaim and duty free being key in telling the story, it shows a link with a modern airport, which made it a lot easier for me to picture, while things like the moving walls that would not be believable had it been set in 2013 are suddenly common features. This is the future after all, who knows what we may develop.
What does drag this story down is, unfortunately, the actors. Don’t get me wrong, not a single actor is bad in these episodes, all of them play the part to the best of their ability. What did annoy me was how Beth Chalmers, a very talented actress in every story she has ever been in, was
disappointingly cast in two leading roles. In the Spaceport, she played both ’Galpan’, the leading woman from the tribe of business and ‘Beauty’, the key woman from Economy. Giving them both important roles throughout the four parts necessitates two different actresses, to simply avoid confusion for the listener. And the latter is exactly what happened. When I wasn’t trying to work out who she was playing, I spent my time trying to think of a link between them that could explain why they were so similar, a link that never appeared. I would like to make it clear that I do not wish to insult Beth Chalmers, she is a very talented actress and works well in the parts she plays, but it should have not been done.
On a final note about the story, the monster created by Gallagher is a smashing one. The Wailer is not a new concept by any means, but it gives a brilliantly threatening menace into the serial, with its echoing wails being heard throughout the Spaceport. With the oppressive darkness creating a claustrophobic atmosphere, the screams really do put the ‘fear’ into ‘Spaceport Fear’
And so, while it may not be the most complex, monster laced, mind boggling epic that we have been treated to over the past few months and years, it did manage to hold my attention clearly throughout. After the rollercoaster of quality that has ridden the Big Finish main range over the past few months, it is nice to get back to basics, simply a brilliant story that lives up to its name without disappointment. It’s just what the Doctor ordered.