Doctor Who review: Eighth Doctor Adventures: Worldwide Web (audio)

As the third season of the Eighth Doctor Adventures draws to a close, the Eighth Doctor and Lucie have to stop an invasion of the Eight Legs in Worldwide Web.

Continuing directly where The Eight Truths left off, Worldwide Web features the return of the Eight Legs, the giant spiders responsible for the Third Doctor’s death in Planet of the Spiders. Bringing them back was quite a bold move. Spiders is an important story. But at the same time, it wasn’t one of the best stories that Pertwee’s Doctor had been given.

Thankfully, Eddie Robson gives another great story that uses elements from the past and gives them a very modern spin. What really helps is, like The Eight Truths, Worldwide Web features a number of great characters to focus on.

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One such character is Clark Goodman, as played by Stephen Moore. As the founder of the Eightfold Truth, he had been given some focus in the previous story. But he’s much more interesting in the finale, particularly on the journey he goes on. Initially, he was just the founder of another cult to use and exploit people.

So when he has to face what happens when the prophesies he made up come true, and all power is taken away from him, it’s really great exploring his reaction to it. He also has a great story of redemption as he tries to make up for his lies, which is really enjoyable. Moore gives a really great performance in the role, and completely sells that journey.

Speaking of great performances, Sheridan Smith gets a lot to do in this one. Playing not just Lucie but also the Queen possessing her, she’s given a great dual role in Worldwide Web. Her most impressive moment is when the Queen argues with the voice of Lucie in her head. Smith switches between the two roles so effortlessly, that it’s easy to tell which one’s which.

Goodbye, Headhunter

We’re also given another great example of the two-part structure done exactly right. Despite the fact that The Eight Truths and Worldwide Web are really two halves of one story, Robson does a great job of changing things drastically with each episode. It also allows for one brilliant cliffhanger in which the Eight Legs truly seem to win, once and for all.

But amidst this story of epic invasions and doomsday cults, there’s also a really sad goodbye to recurring antagonist, the Headhunter. A really funny and fascinating character, she’s given a great exit in this story. It’s a surprisingly moving exit, too. As a character who had first appeared in Eight and Lucie’s first story together, even briefly, it almost feels like the end of an era. Which, considering what happens in the next story, is definitely appropriate.

Next: Review: Eighth Doctor Adventures: The Eight Truths (audio)

Overall, Worldwide Web was a really satisfying finale to the season. It tied up a lot of loose ends, while still giving us an enjoyable and epic finale. It’s also a surprisingly happy finale, too, as the Doctor and Lucie head off to celebrate Christmas.

However, in retrospect, it definitely seems appropriate that these two are given some happiness at this point. Because things are about to be shaken up for both of them, as they face Death in Blackpool…

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