The Condemned
Some things improve with age. Listening to the Condemned when I first purchased it (probably around 2010), I found it dismal, boring and a cheap knock off of a different story. Returning to it with a new, more mature attitude has allowed me to refocus on its charms and mannerisms, and how the dynamic of the story actually reaches further than I could conceive.
The Condemned can count itself as unique above any other story in existence. It is a companion introduction story like no other. This sees the return of Charley Pollard, last seen shipwrecked in the year 500,002 when she is saved by the TARDIS. However, this is not her Doctor, but a man in a multi-coloured coat. As Charley realises who this younger Doctor is, she realises that she must protect the web of time by hiding her true identity from him. This leads to some very comic scenes as she must fake her reactions to time travel, the bigger on the inside and all manner of other problems. Originally, I found it frustrating, as I had hoped for a better continuation of her story, as there are many questions left unanswered by the end of part four. However, on my latest listen, I realised just how much this serves the story. Since Charley is so independent, it allows the story to continue at quite a good pace, rather than focus on the problems new companions can bring. Writer Eddie Robson also plays this to his advantage by splitting the two up for most of the story, allowing both Colin Baker and India Fisher a chance to become part of the story, rather than remain mistrusting of each other all the time. By bringing them together only at the end it gives them a chance to bond, as the Doctor sees that this strange woman can be trusted after all.
The real plot of The Condemned is fairly interesting. The use of the Manchester police brings dynamics which bring new and surprising twists all the way through. The murder plot has been used many times, and it does bring risks of repetition and boredom with each attempt, however
Robson manages to keep it fresh and new throughout. As the Doctor switches between suspect and investigator, only one person seems to actually want to solve this case. Played spectacularly by Anna Hope, D.I Patricia Menzies is a fantastic addition to the audio world. She is one of the most human characters that Big Finish has ever made, she is so easy to believe and relate to. Her level of sarcasm and arid humour, with a strong dedication to her job, makes her the perfect person for the Doctor to interact with. She makes every scene that she is part of memorable it’s no wonder that she has been brought back so many times. There are some instances where returning characters seem odd or
unjustified, but she truly deserved to return.
After such a promising start, the resolution of the plot, and the true nature of Sam (Played by Will Ash), does seem like a rehash of ‘The Chimes of Midnight’. In fact the final cliff-hanger annoyed me simply because it was such an underwhelming let down. Don’t get me wrong, it would be amazing, had Robert Shearman not beaten Robson to it almost six years before, and done it so much better. Part of me wonders whether this twist is to create some sort of obscure link between Charley’s past adventures and her present situation, but there is no reaction from her, so it is doubtful. As the crow flies, it isn’t an awful ending, just a disappointing one.
And so, The Condemned needs to have many repeats to appreciate it fully. The plot is good enough to sustain itself and it is definitely entertaining. It introduces new dynamics between a Doctor and his companion, which has never been conceived before. However, this plan would never have worked with any other companion. Very few are as mature or self-reliant as Charley. After all there is only one Charlotte Pollard, even if there is more than one Doctor for her.
*NOTE*: It is recommended to hear The Girl Who Never Was before this story, and follow the Sixth Doctor and Charley audios in order to fully understand their complicated journey.
The Condemned can count itself as unique above any other story in existence. It is a companion introduction story like no other. This sees the return of Charley Pollard, last seen shipwrecked in the year 500,002 when she is saved by the TARDIS. However, this is not her Doctor, but a man in a multi-coloured coat. As Charley realises who this younger Doctor is, she realises that she must protect the web of time by hiding her true identity from him. This leads to some very comic scenes as she must fake her reactions to time travel, the bigger on the inside and all manner of other problems. Originally, I found it frustrating, as I had hoped for a better continuation of her story, as there are many questions left unanswered by the end of part four. However, on my latest listen, I realised just how much this serves the story. Since Charley is so independent, it allows the story to continue at quite a good pace, rather than focus on the problems new companions can bring. Writer Eddie Robson also plays this to his advantage by splitting the two up for most of the story, allowing both Colin Baker and India Fisher a chance to become part of the story, rather than remain mistrusting of each other all the time. By bringing them together only at the end it gives them a chance to bond, as the Doctor sees that this strange woman can be trusted after all.
The real plot of The Condemned is fairly interesting. The use of the Manchester police brings dynamics which bring new and surprising twists all the way through. The murder plot has been used many times, and it does bring risks of repetition and boredom with each attempt, however
Robson manages to keep it fresh and new throughout. As the Doctor switches between suspect and investigator, only one person seems to actually want to solve this case. Played spectacularly by Anna Hope, D.I Patricia Menzies is a fantastic addition to the audio world. She is one of the most human characters that Big Finish has ever made, she is so easy to believe and relate to. Her level of sarcasm and arid humour, with a strong dedication to her job, makes her the perfect person for the Doctor to interact with. She makes every scene that she is part of memorable it’s no wonder that she has been brought back so many times. There are some instances where returning characters seem odd or
unjustified, but she truly deserved to return.
After such a promising start, the resolution of the plot, and the true nature of Sam (Played by Will Ash), does seem like a rehash of ‘The Chimes of Midnight’. In fact the final cliff-hanger annoyed me simply because it was such an underwhelming let down. Don’t get me wrong, it would be amazing, had Robert Shearman not beaten Robson to it almost six years before, and done it so much better. Part of me wonders whether this twist is to create some sort of obscure link between Charley’s past adventures and her present situation, but there is no reaction from her, so it is doubtful. As the crow flies, it isn’t an awful ending, just a disappointing one.
And so, The Condemned needs to have many repeats to appreciate it fully. The plot is good enough to sustain itself and it is definitely entertaining. It introduces new dynamics between a Doctor and his companion, which has never been conceived before. However, this plan would never have worked with any other companion. Very few are as mature or self-reliant as Charley. After all there is only one Charlotte Pollard, even if there is more than one Doctor for her.
*NOTE*: It is recommended to hear The Girl Who Never Was before this story, and follow the Sixth Doctor and Charley audios in order to fully understand their complicated journey.