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Ghost In The Machine

The fourth release in the eighth series of the Companion Chronicles

I was never fond of the narrated style of the Companion Chronicles, But the Mahogany Murderers from series three is what got me listening to them. That story wasn’t narrated, Jago and Litefoot had met and recollected their stories, virtually the same thing but it worked better.

This isn’t narrated, its set in the present.

The TARDIS has landed and when Jo returns to the console room, the Doctor is not there, but outside in the dark, unconscious. The Tardis log is beside him with use me written on it, so Jo make an audio recording of her adventure.

I think Jo has been better served by the companion chronicles than most, or perhaps its Katy Manning whose quite versatile. ‘Find and Replace’ and ‘The Scorchies’ being one’s one that stand out for me.

Part one is mostly Jo on her own, finding a door concreted up with skellingtons on the floor - not the most promising start for her. And an audio recording of scientist Benjamin Chikoto that seems to change?

Part two seems full of characters, and its easy to forget that there are only two actors in this. There is a moment where you think that this is it for Jo, even though you know her story continues, it still manages to captivate you.

Its quite atmospheric, the dark the loneliness and hopelessness of the situation. This make good use of the medium, the ‘monster’ in this being an entity existing in audio form. I’m sure its been done before, but  maybe as I’m struggling to remember an example, its been done well or  differently than before.

Well recommended.

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