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Situation Vacant

Publisher's Details

Release Date: July 2010

Writer: Eddie Robson | Director: Nicholas Briggs

Synopsis

"Traveller in time and space seeks male or female companion with good sense of humour for adventures in the fourth and fifth dimensions" began the ad that brought the four hopeful adventurers Theo, Asha, Juliet and Hugh to a conference room of a Greenwich hotel.

Their morning task is to uncover what lies behind the disappearances of nineteen scientists from the science conference in the same hotel. Is this just an exercise the Doctor has set up for them or is there really something sinister going on? More importantly, are they up to the challenge?

"Now if you're quite finished complaining, we have some missing scientists to find."

Review

The idea behind Situation Vacant is an interesting and risky one. Interesting because it's a novel way of introducing a new companion and risky because it's Apprenticeesque way of selecting a companion may not please everyone. The story is fairly light-hearted and light on science fiction, which is usual for introductory episodes. I thought it was a good audio overall, helped largely because it was written by one of my favourite Big Finish writers, Eddie Robson.

There are a few twists in the story and it's not as straightforward as the Doctor choosing a companion after a series of artificial tasks. The dangers his four would-be companions face turn out to be very real and they all have hidden agendas.

In true Apprentice style the four hopeful companions, Hugh, Theo, Asha and Juliet don't get on with each other. Theo initially points out that the Doctor puts the two oldest contenders (Theo and Juliet) together and the apparently bumbling Hugh is initially unable to help with the afternoon task due to his hay fever.

The best contender is, however, the Hotel manager Rachel who turns out to be more helpful than the four contenders and it is a small shame that the plot twist isn't that none of the contenders get to be his companion. However the Doctor does make a reasonable choice – and one that leaves us knowing little about them.

As I mentioned at the start of the review it's an easy going storyline that's split into two thirty minute episodes. Nevermore, which is released next month, is when the series starts proper. I'm looking forward to it.

Reviewer: Dan Ludlow