Doctor Who news: Companions find themselves divided in Scorched Earth – out now!
By James Aggas
In today’s Doctor Who release Scorched Earth, Constance returns to her home time of the Second World War with her friends the Doctor and Flip. But this time, are they on the same side?
Following last month’s opening story Cry of the Vultriss, the Sixth Doctor’s current season on audio continues today with the release of Doctor Who: Scorched Earth. The story is set at the end of World War 2, which is a particularly important setting for one of the Doctor’s companions: Constance Clarke.
You see, when the Doctor first met her – back in 2015’s Criss-Cross – Mrs. Clarke was originally a WREN at Bletchley Park, doing her bit for her country. Originally, when she decided to travel with the Doctor, it was going to be a temporary thing. She wasn’t even interested in having adventures, she just wanted to find her missing husband. She had always intended on going back to the war and finish what she’d started.
But a lot has changed since then. Constance has had many adventures, both with the Doctor and with fellow companion Flip. Her husband had made a new life for himself without her. And Constance has gone through something traumatic, something that changed her on a fundamental level. When she returns to the war, will she be ready for it?
Constance, the Sixth Doctor and Flip feature in this audio. But are they on the same side this time?
(Image Courtesy: Big Finish Productions.)
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Divided companions
Scorched Earth presents a different perspective on World War 2. Taking place in a small village in France, the story focuses on the country’s liberation from German occupation. But it also focuses on the harsh justice against those that they saw as collaborators. What sounds especially intriguing is that this time, this isn’t something the Doctor’s companions can agree on.
Colin Baker gives us a glimpse of what to expect from Scorched Earth.
"It’s a very clear story, set in an interesting time, with all the attendant confusion in having Constance – someone so closely involved in that event – ahead of her time, participating in it. It also exposes quite a nice tension between Flip and Constance because of the treatment of a collaborator in a French village. Those things happened."
This definitely sounds like an exciting story to listen to. While there’s an alien monster in this audio, it’s the focus on the historical setting and the personal conflict between the Doctor’s companions that really makes Scorched Earth sound promising. Like yesterday’s release Shadow of the Sun, this is already a story that we’re eager to listen to.
You can listen to Scorched Earth yourself by purchasing it on CD and download directly from Big Finish’s website.
Next. Review: Shadow of the Sun is an impressive production. dark
Do you enjoy Doctor Who stories set during the Second World War? Or stories featuring a genuine conflict between the Doctor’s companions? Let us know in the comments below.