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The Founding Fathers


The Companion Chronicles  The First Doctor 1.3


Steven’s grand daughter takes him to visit the Doctor, yet its not the actual Doctor and there they tell a story of an adventure they once had where they met Benjamin Franklin.


So perhaps a little more unusual, in that what’s happening with the current Steve is as, if not more, interesting as the story that’s being narrated.


The narrated story tells of the TARDIS arriving in Leicester in 1762, with it being quite warm the Doctor takes off his coat and throws to back into the TADIS, and inadvertently locking the crew out of the TARDIS. Getting back in is a little tricking and the only man that can help is Benjamin Franklin.


It is more of an interlude than a full blown adventure. It takes time to win the trust of Benjamin. A storm is needed to help open the TARDIS lock. And there’s someone who may not be quite who they seem. 


It does feel a bit pointless to included someone famous and not do anything that interesting with them. You get the impression that something will happen that might affect the course of history but it comes to nothing. 


Having listened to a few Steven stories lately, The Dalek Occupation of Winter - where Steven has to get a job, An Ordinary life - where Steve has to get a job and now this one - where Steven has to get a job. It does feel a bit repetitive.


The real interest is the current Steven. I gather that this carries on from the previous audio, The War To End All Wars cc 8.10. I’ve not heard it but from what I’ve read it answers some questions raised here. The Doctors mind being copied in the Savages etc. Really this is what I would have liked more of. With the Early Adventures doing ‘proper’ first and Second Doctor stories, this could have been an opportunity to expand on what happens after companions left the TARDIS.


Lisa Bowerman and Alice Haig both play parts in this audio, but both aren’t given enough to do, and it feels a waste.


All in all a reasonable audio. But as with other BF audios, its not clear on what story it wants to tell.

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