In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: The Skin of the Sleek

Synopsis: On the planet Funderell you can walk on the ocean. The surface holds you when you move, but if you stand still, you sink. Lights shift in the fathoms and great shapes move beneath your feet – schools of giant electric eels known as Sleeks.

There is no solid land and the only locals are the Wavewalkers, hunters who live in floating villages. But recently some strangers have arrived, pursuing their own distinct agenda.

When the Doctor and Romana lose the TARDIS to the deep, they need help. Which makes finding a fellow Time Lord on the planet very useful. The fact that Time Lord is Sartia, an old friend of Romana’s, is even better!

But this is a planet of secrets. Be careful when you explore its depths. You may just drown.

Note: The adventure continues in Doctor Who – The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Thief Who Stole Time

Review: As I’ve said before, the problem with these two-part stories is that the first part is almost all set up and exposition. Doctor Who: The Skin of the Sleek is no different. However, writer Marc Platt makes the structural necessities bearable through world building. Funderell is exquisitely dreamlike, and listeners don’t mind the obligatory information dump, because we want to know about this fantastic world of stories and sea gods.

As ever, Tom Baker and Lalla Ward are perfect. They’re joined by Joannah Tincey, who is awesome as Romana’s frenemy — her Master, if you will. I really hope Sartia survives this story, because she’s a great addition. I’m looking forward to the day when the actual Master shows her how small of a fish she truly is.

• You can purchase Doctor Who: The Skin of the Sleek here. 

Written By: Marc Platt

Directed By: Ken Bentley

Cast

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Lalla Ward (Romana), Joannah Tincey (Sartia), Alan Cox (Eamonn Orensky), Kieran Hodgson (Klick Chervain), Des McAleer (Blujaw Skaldson), Alex Wyndham (Linnis Skaldson), Jamie Newall (Greygul), Jane Slavin (Frithra). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Producer David Richardson

Script Editor John Dorney

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs