Storm Warning [AUDIO/2001.1.22]

★★★★☆

  Storm Warning was the perfect occasion to start off the Eighth Doctor's new lease of life on audio — David Arnold's new title theme is absolutely gorgeous (shame that this particular variation of Arnold's theme was only used for four releases!), Paul McGann is all fired up and ready to go on some intergalactic adventures, and India Fisher brings in the charming companion and the seasons-long arc that she brings with her.

  I have such fond memories listening to this a long time ago as one of my first Eighth Doctor audios, taking in Alistair Lock's (a Big Finish contributer whose name deserves to be mentioned more) beautiful music and sound composition and being whisked off from my boring household to the airship R101, with its revving engines in the distance and wind brushing the side of the windows. It must have been such a relief to them when they gave the finished product a look and realized just how good it was, not just as an introduction piece to both Doctor and companion but as a Doctor Who story period — Alan Barnes brings a lot of imagination in the Triskele, their social structure and the way they're divided between those of law, science and war (at one point, I had a chuckle thinking that if this was a New Series story, the Doctor would probably have been chosen as a representative of the latter, no doubt kicking off a character insight moment). On the other side of the table, Fisher is given terrific material as the Edwardian adventuress, getting to show her bravery and compassion in equal measure. She's practically every new companion's dream; she works perfectly as the eyes and ears of the audience, she strikes an instant chemistry with the Doctor, and she's the most fun company around. 

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ  

  If you've never listened to any Eighth Doctor story pre-Dark Eyes, don't let yourself miss such a treat. If you've never had any experience with the Eighth Doctor, this is a wonderful way to start. If you're not familiar at all with Doctor Who audio dramas and the expanded universe in general, the answer is the same. All I can say more about Storm Warning is that I've listened to it countless times and have never been bored by it, not even once. It's bursting with life, helmed by an energetic romantic Doctor, and vitally important to oncoming events. 

(original post)