Doctor Who - Audio Details

Twenty years ago, an expedition made up of representatives from a number of worlds disappeared on the planetoid Etra Prime, including the newly inaugurated President of Gallifrey, one Lady Romana. Some time later, many of their dead bodies materialised on the planet Archetryx.

Today, Archetryx hosts a delagation from the many planets who have time travel capabilities, including the Monan Host and representatives from Gallifrey. However, as the Doctor finds himself drawn to Archetryx, it becomes evident Etra Prime is being used as a weapon to destroy Archetryx. But why? What is the secret of the Gravity Wells and what is the significance of the crystals adorning the mutants that exist down there?

And just why does the incumbant President of the High Council of the Time Lords allow a Dalek Task Force to land on Gallifrey?

Objectively, it seems daft that conversationless monsters should be considered such a privilege to write for.  But objectivity has no place when it comes to Daleks.  They are about childhood terror ans excitement, and shall always be potent symbols for all that is nasty about the universe, studies in pure, faceless hatred.  And, of course, their evil defines all that is good in that greatest of heroes, the Doctor.  It really was a privilege to write Daleks as dangerous and unpleasant as I always wanted them to be.

For pure hatred with many faces, picture the Big Finish team glaring at me on the chilly weekend of recording.  I had landed upon them the largest cast and probably the longest script they'd dealt with to date.  Still, the work proceeded quickly with a top cast, led by Colon Baker, Maggie Stables and Lalla Ward making it the most Elementary of Apocalypses.

Steve Cole, March 2000