The Dead Shoes [AUDIO/2009.10.8]

★★★★☆

  I think it's a stroke of brilliance that Paul Magrs decided to make the Doctor and the Hornets meet each other out of order. Not only is it an exciting idea in general, it provides a clever trail of clues for the Doctor to follow. It's an engaging way to link a five-part boxset; I wouldn't have expected any less from this writer, whom I consider to be one of Doctor Who's most unique. 

  Magrs likes to wear his influences on his sleeve, and as the title literally suggests, this story is a homage to 1948's The Red Shoes... which is all the better in my eyes because I absolutely love that film. A pair of supernatural ballet shoes taking control of the dance from the dancer, a dollhouse with creepy playthings in which the Doctor and his friend Ernestina find themselves in their shrinked forms, and an unmistakable air of twisted fantasy — oh yes, this really is something to sink your teeth into. When you close your eyes listening to an audio production and you can see the Technicolor nightmare pan out inside your mind's silver screen, you know this is a remarkable adventure. You truly appreciate how well it's written, performed and produced. The Dead Shoes is a delicious piece of work, a truly wonderful showcase of the Fourth Doctor in a twisted fantasy setting... and I can't wait for more of Hornets' Nest.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ  

  For now, Mike Yates seems to be little more than a listener to the Doctor's shenanigans concerning the Hornets. I would call this something I enjoy less than most, but I can't lie to myself — I could listen to Tom Baker narrate to his heart's content all day. Besides, I'm sure Yates has his moment to step in the TARDIS soon.