Doctor Who review: Project: Lazarus (Sixth and Seventh Doctor audio)

Continuing our look back at the Forge and Nimrod, we take a look at their second appearance in Sixth and Seventh Doctor audio, Doctor Who: Project: Lazarus.

Project: Lazarus is really two Doctor Who stories in one. The first half focuses on a very direct sequel to Project: Twilight, as the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn are reunited with their friend Cassie Schofield.

The second half is set a long time later for the Doctor, towards the end of his Seventh self, as he faces the consequences of his earlier actions. Because these two halves are so distinct, yet are, of course, closely related, I’ll be reviewing them separately.

Parts 1 and 2

This is probably the stronger half of the story. It doesn’t just deal with the unresolved threads of Project: Twilight storywise. It also deals with the emotional impact, too.

The Sixth Doctor’s and Evelyn’s reunion with Cassie is a bitter one. It’s what makes the story so strong. Arriving two years later, Cassie is a changed woman in many ways. But is that change really down to purely her choice? Or is there something else going on?

The return of Nimrod is a more than welcome one. Especially as he’s far more of a villain in this story. He wasn’t exactly a sympathetic character in the previous story. But here, he’s not afraid of sacrificing innocent lives for the greater good. Or even those lives that are simply of no use to him.

The ending of this half is an incredibly tragic one. It leaves Six and Evelyn in a very bad place, and makes for a great cliffhanger. Not for the next half, but for the following Six and Evelyn story, Arrangements for War. Overall, the Sixth Doctor’s side of the story is a very satisfying opening half.

The Sixth and Seventh Doctors both feature in Project: Lazarus.

(Image credit: Doctor Who/Big Finish Productions.

Image obtained from: Big Finish Productions.)

Parts 3 and 4

Set many years later, the Seventh Doctor returns to the Forge once more. He hasn’t forgiven Nimrod for what he did. But he’s got bigger problems, as the actions of the past come back to haunt him.

This half focuses on a lot of interesting ideas. Particularly as the Seventh Doctor meets one familiar face that he definitely wasn’t expecting to show up! Hearing McCoy’s Doctor working opposite this character makes for some great banter.

However, as great as this idea is, overall, it’s not quite as strong as the first half. Mainly because it lacks the sheer emotional impact that the first half included.

That’s not to say that the Seventh Doctor’s side of the story isn’t still a great listen, however. Like the first half, it’s very grim, gritty, and Nimrod continues to play a very major role. Overall, it just about resolves the story nicely.

Summary

More from Winter is Coming

Project: Lazarus is an interesting experiment in Doctor Who. Telling one single story across two incarnations is a fascinating idea, and it’s great at focusing on the strengths and flaws of each incarnation’s character.

It’s also an excellent sequel to Project: Twilight. Cavan Scott and Mark Wright do an excellent job of revealing more about the Forge, and making the story a little bigger than before. At the same time, of course, they continue to remember what made the original story so great: a strong focus on dark, gritty horror.

Project: Lazarus, while not perfect, is still an excellent entry in the Forge trilogy. It’s strange to think it took seven years for the final story of the trilogy to be released. Then again, a great deal was being set up for that story. Far, far more than just the return of the Forge…

Next. Torchwood One: Machines review (audio). dark

Have you listened to Project: Lazarus? Did you enjoy the approach it took at telling a story of two Doctors? Which side of the story did you prefer more? Let us know in the comments below.

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