The Quantum Possibility Engine [AUDIO/2018.10.16]

★★★☆☆

  It feels like ages since I've heard Toby Longworth in Big Finish's monthly range. He and Robert Jezek represent a very special era of the audio company's long history (mainly the early years, when stories would branch out to other expanded universe timelines and include the most creative characters from their worlds), and I'm very happy that they gave Longworth another shot at the lovely Josiah W. Dogbolter. He just makes every adventure better, that Dogbolter, doesn't he? As I said — one of Doctor Who's best villains.

  The Quantum Possibility Engine came out in 2018, but it feels very much like a 2001 ~ 2004 production in terms of the comic-like atmosphere (courtesy of the presence of Dogbolter, of course) and the willingness to inject well-written comedy. There's a sharp contrast between this and its monthly range peers of the year, and I still remember how much of a nostalgia trip it was back when I first listened to it. Sylvester McCoy is having a lot of fun playing the Season 24/25-adjacent Seventh Doctor, allowed to let go of the master manipulater reigns for a moment and simply wander around being silly. He spends most of this adventure being a cleaner — Narvin's cleaner — and it's the funniest thing ever. Sophie Aldred is yet again written as her Ace's early-days self, and while she always puts in the effort, I got the feeling halfway that we've seen rather enough of young Ace in recent years. I really do miss the Ace that travelled with Hex and matured over the long years.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ  

  Rule of thumb at this point is that a Doctor Who audio drama is bound to be at least vehemently entertaining when Josiah W. Dogbolter's around, and The Quantum Possibility Engine only strengthens the notion. Guy Adams makes a light-hearted, fun four-part adventure that reminds me of Douglas Adams and his style of cosmic humor — never ever a bad thing, is it? The concept is creative, the execution backs up the novelty, and every cast member seems to be delighted at the chance to realise something with a spark of imagination for once. A cute, comfy audio story this is, and I hope more adventures from Big Finish prove to me that the company still has a few tricks up its sleeve.