Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #106503 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-30
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio CD

Customer Reviews

And so concludes an era...
Big Finish's Eighth Doctor has been through a lot in the last twelve months. He has gained a new companion on BBC7 and in the Monthly Series release before this, 'Absolution', he lost C'Rizz. This story follows on from that story and picks up the threads it left dangling. It is a story about the end of a relationship and coming to terms with that.

It is entirely appropriate that we end as we began - with Alan Barnes. He created Charley in the audio adventure 'Storm Warning' and shifted their relationship forward in 'Neverland'.

The script for 'The Girl Who Never Was' is much more complex than that of 'Storm Warning', spreading its narrative over multiple time zones. Complicated narrative structures can sometimes be the kiss of death for an audio as the medium requires concentration and engagement at the best of times but this holds up nicely with strong lead and guest performances keeping attention and a few superb twists along the way.

It is a script that draws together on what has come before however so unless you have heard previous Eighth Doctor and Charley stories you will likely feel lost and much less engaged. Likewise if you have never liked this pairing the story will likely leave you cold as much of its appeal is linked to its audience hoping that the Doctor and Charley do not part on bad terms.

In fact the strong emotions of Charley and the Doctor superbly contrast with the cold, emotionless Cybermen who serve as the physical threat to the Doctor and Charley. They sound excellent (Cyberfans: picture The Invasion Cybermen with Tenth Planet voices) but in many ways they are not the focus of this story. However I felt that this worked well and ensures that there is an action story there alongside the emotional journey of the Doctor and Charley.

'The Girl Who Never Was' is a very enjoyable audio adventure, mixing character drama and the return of one of the most popular 'monsters' in the Doctor Who canon. Whilst it will not suit those who have not been following the Eighth Doctor and Charley arc closely, for those who have it is a touching and emotional close to a memorable era of Doctor Who.

journey's end
Another audio adventure for the eighth doctor who, and his companion charley pollard. the story is four episodes long, each of twenty five minutes duration, spread over four discs. and each disc as usual ends with roughly fifteen minutes worth of interviews with those involved in the production.

This is the last story for charley. that is not a spoiler because those who have been following the range will be aware of this, and the blurb on the box makes it clear. It follows on directly from the end of the preceding eighth doctor story, absolution, so this is not a story to come in on if you've not been keeping up with the range.

But it's an excellent one for her to go out on. arriving on earth lands the tardis crew straight into a mystery involving a ship lost off singapore. some people are after it's cargo. but there's far more on board than meets the eye.

This is one of those stories where the plot involves time travel and paradoxes and you will have to keep your wits about you in order to concentrate on it, but it benefits those who do, because there's a great story and plot here, and all the cast are superb.

There are two great cliffhangers. The first is spoiled if you read the cast list on the back of the box. and the second by the cover picture on the box.

And when you get to the end of episode four, do not turn the cd off right away. let the disc play to the very end. That's all I can say without spoilers.

A very strong audio indeed, one of the best eighth doctor ones, and a fitting finale for charley

The end of an era...
Doctor Who audio adventures are the best out in the whole world of who these days, the big finish team love to do brilliant and exciting stories that keep you hooked, even if the story has sad undertones. So we have had a load of brilliant adventures with the eighth doctor and Charlie Pollard, played brilliantly by India Fisher. But nearly all good things come to an end.

The cybermen are very much in the background in this story, but that does not mean this story isnt terrific. This story has very strong characterisation. The tight dialogue between the Doctor and Charlie is right on the nail for me. Paul is as excellent as ever. But i love the cyberplanner. A touch of the invasion, without being too much of a touch if you get what i mean. I love the cyubermen voices in this story too, somewhere between the new series and the tenth planet.

The elements all come together and gell to make the death of Charlie very moving and unexpected. The last scene with the doctor reading the note Charlie left for him is one of the best scenes in big finish who ever. This story definitely has class with plenty of fresh ideas and great acting. An enjoyable romp! Im glad to see that India hasnt finished quite yet though, for she is back in The Condemned, cant wait til thats out...