"The Spectre of Lanyon Moor"
by Nicholas Pegg

The Spectre of Lanyon Moor, by Nicholas Pegg, is the second audio adventure for the Doctor and new friend Evelyn Smythe. It's also the first time Nicholas Courtney has reprised his role as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart for Big Finish Productions, and the first time his character has encountered the Sixth Doctor. The story sees the TARDIS arriving on Lanyon Moor in Cornwall, where archaeological research teams have discovered some strange electrical signals, and local legends speak of a spectre haunting the moor. The Brigadier has been sent by UNIT to investigate, and he joins the Doctor and Evelyn to take on a hidden alien threat.

The best word to describe this story, as its writer unashamedly confesses in its sleeve notes, would be "traditional". In terms of its characters and settings, for example, everything is slightly stereotypical and familiar. The sound effects and description of the moor paint a vivid visual picture of the play's environment within the first few minutes, and characters like Mrs Moynihan (dog-loving middle-aged jolly-hockey-sticks type, who Evelyn astutely likens to Joyce Grenfell) and Professor Morgan (Welshman taking pride in his heritage) are little more than exaggerated cliches. Rather than taking away from the realism, though, this serves to help the story along, because the plot can kick off instantly without being held back by too much set-up; and the stereotyped first impressions the audience gets of certain characters make later twists and turns all the more surprising and effective.

But "traditional" also decsribes the type of story - it's very much a good old-fashioned Who-by-numbers. In terms of its mood and tone, it's reminiscent of one of those gothic-style Fourth Doctor horror stories that work so well, with some wonderfully dark moments. It manages to take standard story elements - aliens stuck on earth, strange things buried underground, benevolent characters turning evil, and so on - and reuse them in a way that's comfortingly familiar, without being generic or overly derivative. Perhaps this is because the Sixth Doctor's television episodes were often quite different or experimental compared to what one would consider "normal Who"; putting his character in an adventure like this one is something that hasn't happened before, and it helps to contribute nicely to the slight re-imagining of his character.

Both Evelyn and this "new" Sixth Doctor impress as much as they did in their first outing, with both principal performers impressing. In a story full of familiar themes and identikit characters, Evelyn is perhaps the most innovative and original element, just as she was in The Marian Conspiracy; there really hasn't been a character quite like her in Doctor Who, and Maggie Stables lights up every scene she performs in, invigorating the story with her character's curiosity and charm. Colin Baker continues to shape his character in new and exciting ways, developing the Sixth Doctor's softer side nicely, but reminding us of his feistier characteristics in a well-pitched clash with Professor Morgan.

Nicholas Courtney is clearly very familiar with the character of the Brigadier by this point, playing him with a tangible ease which makes his scenes a particular joy. It's great to have him back in a brand new adventure, and especially to see him take such a significant role in the storyline. The promise of him finally acting alongside Colin Baker doesn't disappoint, and the two have an instant rapport which makes for great listening. The other guest actors are equally strong, with Susan Jameson my personal favourite, going suitably over-the-top with Mrs Moynihan's exaggerated personality and relishing every line of dialogue. James Bolam is also good, gently underplaying his role to great effect, and the ever-versatile Toby Longworth is predictably impressive too.

The only thing that jarred for me in this adventure is its conclusion, which tonally seemed a bit unsuitable given what comes immediately before. The final scene is well-acted, and I can see what effect it was aiming for, but it seemed to jar a little in context. However, the effect of the play as a whole is undiminished: The Spectre of Lanyon Moor is a phenomenal story, in which the Sixth Doctor's new adventures continue to impress. Top stuff.