Salvation Nine [AUDIO/2022.8.17]

★★★★☆

  I've noted in the past that Christopher Eccleston, in his first few Big Finish releases, sounded a bit uncomfortable back in the role... as if he was still finding his feet getting back to being the Doctor. Well, by Salvation Nine that nitpick is no longer necessary -- he's well and truly a commanding presence, stopping invasions and hatching impossible plans. What's wonderful about this particular adventure is that it allows Eccleston to show the utmost compassion, his genuine affection towards the Niners (reformed descendants of Sontarans) and his unbridled joy at discovering Sontaran babies being grown being highlights. It's so different from the Ninth Doctor we usually see; he's vulnerable, and he intentionally puts himself in that position because he has a duty of care and wants to believe in a bit of good in a bad universe. 

  Timothy X Atack is a name I see often with many new Big Finish releases, and if Salvation Nine is anything to go by, I have no complaints. It's a comparatively simple premise -- what if the war-hungry and bloodthirsty Sontarans managed to become good? -- but it's done with just the right amount of humour and drama, and the actors bring such warmth to their characters. It's one story that I wish was made as a four-parter, but since Big Finish seems to be reluctant in giving New Series Doctors a classic format, I'm going to take this as it is. Then again, as it stands Salvation Nine is a very good adventure that shows how powerful the Doctor'ss hope is in getting things solved. It shows the importance of remembering history, even the grisly bits, and there's a particularly lovely bit that shows Gaznak and Lopps being trained by the Doctor to become Sontaran and slowly getting themselves too comfortable with their roles. For me, it rearffirms the fact that even against an army, the Doctor's always willing to trust a single glimmer of hope. I find that incredible in a character.