The Auntie Matter
Right from the start, Series 2 of the Fourth Doctor Adventures has a very different feel to it than the first. Beginning with what has been described as a light hearted romp is a very good way to open a series, which, at its core, has to be one of the most emotional for everyone involved.
I feel I cannot talk about The Auntie Matter, and indeed this series of Tom Baker adventures, without mentioning the late Mary Tamm. This series being her last, I hope she gets the credit she deserves for her role, and no doubt she will from Big Finish. For me, she stole the show in this episode, and I am sure that the biggest point of these travels will be Romana’s return as opposed to the Doctor’s. I may not have anything new to add about her life, I have never met her and only know her through Doctor Who, but I really do wish I had met her, a brilliant woman, and The Auntie Matter really is focused around her character, giving her a chance to shine.
The plot of The Auntie Matter is enjoyable enough. An alien crashed to earth many years ago, adopted a child and became its Auntie, and every time he fell in love, she would take the body of his lover, wipe his memories and send him away to find fresh meat. However, it is not this aspect of the tale that I enjoy, it is the interaction between the Doctor and Romana, or lack of it should I say? It is only during the first and last scene that these two are together, the rest of the time they are having the same adventure, and helping each other, but neither realising the other is involved. Jonathan Morris’s writing is superb, it is an idea that, to my knowledge has never been done before and just works so perfectly. The jokes he can make out of the circumstances, and that final moment when they realise the truth is priceless. What it does also allow though is a chance for both characters to shine by themselves, instead of treading on each other’s feet as it so often happens in these types of story.
Other than this, what makes this episode so entertaining is Romana’s lack of common sense on history. Despite being a companion whose intelligence could match the Doctor’s, her innocence in some subjects is startling. Mixed with the equally baffling Reggie, it makes the perfect mix for companions, neither of which are stupid, but have no idea what to do with each other. Priceless!
And so, The Auntie Matter is an impressive start to the new season. You can hear the joy both lead actors are having, and so it should be, it is a very fun episode to listen to. So it may lack the grit and dangerous feeling of the first series, but it shouldn’t need to, these upcoming episodes
should be for that. For now, I am content to sit and listen to these two parts, safe in the knowledge that there are more on the way. Oh, and the return of K9!
This review is written with the greatest of respect and care to the memory of the late Mary Tamm, and to the family and friends of those who knew her. May she forever rest in peace.