The Eighth Doctor Adventures Series 2 Episode 6 - The Zygon Who Fell To Earth

It was always going to difficult to follow up one of the most iconic Doctor Who monsters, it was even going to be harder on audio. But I think ‘The Zygon Who Fell To Earth’ just scrapes through with credit.

Despite their cult status, The Zygons have only appeared once in Doctor Who. The 1975 serial – ‘The Terror of the Zygons’. There we had to contend with the deep-sea creatures that had a fetish for copying bodies and playing around with mythical monsters, in the Highlands of Scotland. Here we have the beautiful setting of The Lake District as the Zygon rallying point.

This audio sees the return of Lucie’s ‘Auntie Pat’ (Lynsey Hardwick) last seen in ‘Horror of Glam Rock’. She now runs a guesthouse with her husband and former pop star, Trevor (Steven Pacey). When two mysterious music moguls turn up, in order to lure Trevor back into the business, something is amiss. What are they really up to?

It’s a pretty decent effort but one aspect about the televised episode, that I didn’t like, was the use of a secondary monster. I think it distracted from the plot (and looked ridiculous!) and I believe the Zygons should have been more menacing. Here the Zygons do have an air of menace but it isn’t really enough for me to share the same love that some Doctor Who fans seem to have for them.

The performances, as usual are top notch. However, I didn’t feel that the audio was set in 1984. I just felt there was a lack of references that where there in the 70’s-set ‘Horror of Glam Rock’ There are a couple of nods to the original story, so classic fans will feel happy!

Overall, it’s a decent effort but not as good as it could have been.

3/5

Next Week: As the series is coming into its last story, we have the first instalment of a two-parter. ‘Sisters of Flame’ in July and then ‘Vengeance of Morbius’ in August. I wonder what those stories are about? (*slaps hand on forehead*).