From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho.moderated
From Address: jphalt@aol.com
Subject: Re: jphalt's Doctor Who reviews

THE NIGHTMARE OF BLACK ISLAND (BBC AUDIO)

2 episodes. Approx. 138 minutes. Written by: Mike Tucker. Produced by:
Kate Thomas. Read by: Anthony Head.


THE PLOT

Nightmares have come to life in the Welsh village of Ynys Du. Every
night, as soon as the children begin to sleep, the monsters come out -
hideous creations which stalk the woods and the coast near the disused
lighthouse on Black Island. The villagers shut themselves in their
homes or the local pub in each night, waiting for daylight to grant
them sanctuary.

Mutterings from the locals lead the Doctor and Rose to the private
nursing home of Nathaniel Morton, an old recluse who does not take
kindly to questions from strangers. Morton and his nurse, Peyne, bar
them from the home - but not before they get a glimpse of several
slumbering figures, all attached to machinery that is clearly alien.

As the night draws close, the monsters begin to emerge once more - and
with the plans of Peyne and Morton nearing completion, this may just
be the final night for Ynys Du!


CHARACTERS

The Doctor: Anthony Head does a terrific job of capturing the 10th
Doctor's enthusiasm, and he does it without compromising the Doctor's
inherent intelligence. His voice may not be anything like David
Tennant's, but he gets the intonations just right. This makes it very
easy to "hear" Tennant in the reader's line deliveries.

Rose: Head does a fantastic Rose, capturing her personality even
better than Tennant did in his three audio readings. The story is a
strong one for Rose, with writer Mike Tucker splitting her up from the
Doctor and giving her a strong role with a young companion of her own.
The bond Rose develops with Ali Hardy, a genuinely well-written child
character, is one of the freshest and most enjoyable parts of the
book.


THOUGHTS

The Nightmare of Black Island is one of many (too many) new series
audiobooks that feels like something straight out of the classic
series. Its setting, a sleepy Welsh fishing village with a nearby
lighthouse, with aliens hiding in the home of a wealthy recluse, would
fit right in with the Jon Pertwee/early Tom Baker period of the show.
With only the most minor touch-ups, you could replace a few character
names and seamlessly place this same book anywhere between Seasons 8
and 15. In fact, it feels more like something that belongs there than
with the new series.

It also happens to be a good story.

Mike Tucker's story may follow a familiar template, but he writes it
well. He takes the trouble to address the usual logic gaffes of such
tales. Why don't the villagers get help? Or take their families and
get out? It turns out there is an explanation which makes sense within
the story. The Doctor's psychic paper gets him into Morton's home
once... but when he clearly isn't acting the part, he doesn't get to
stay for long and doesn't fool anyone into thinking that he actually
is whoever the paper claims him to be.

Characterizations are above average for a Who novel, with well-drawn
backstories for critical guest characters. Nathaniel Morton's
background is largely delivered in one chunk of exposition. This could
be deadly - but the story infuses enough emotion into it that it
becomes arguably the best scene in the book, transforming a one-note
villain into a fully formed character. Bronwyn, a local eccentric who
helps the Doctor, has a backstory that is revealed in more gradual
bits and pieces. Her story is also infused with emotion, and linked to
Morton's in a way that lifts both characters' tales.

A well-written book, seamlessly abridged for audio and given a
terrific reading by Anthony Head. It's not in the top ranks of the new
series Who books, its formulaic storytelling and over-easy resolution
working against its best elements. Still, it's well above average for
the range. Well worth a listen.


Overall Rating: 7/10.

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