The Artist at the End of Time [AUDIO/2023.6.14]

★★★☆☆

  The Artist at the End of Time is certainly a step above Past Lives (thank heavens for that), but it still lacks the energy and imaginative excitement that I hoped something with a synopsis like this would bring to the table. Don't take this for me slagging off the adventure, however; I still think it's very entertaining and a host to many wonderful moments (mainly between Jenny and the Curator). I just wish this was a tad bit longer than the hour-long runtime mandated by the Once and Future tagline, because James Goss clearly had many more ideas to explore and such little time.

  What absolutely works, however, is the dynamic between a war-torn Doctor wearing the Fifth Doctor's face and personality and a melancholic, mysterious Curator. Both Peter Davison and Colin Baker shine brightly, bringing real-world chemistry into the banter between the two characters and adding such depth to the tale. It's not so much focused on the Doctor (the main character Doctor whose journey we're following, anyway) as it is on the Curator, as he morosely indulges in his hobby of drawing art only to realise that rich enthusiasts of his work are causing total destruction. See, this is a fantastic concept, and it's even more tantalising that the execution is pretty well done -- I just think there could have been more had it been longer. More examples of the Curator's art, more mind-bending concepts with the notion of art that can lay waste to planets, that sort of thing? The finished product has a rushed feeling to it, whereas Past Lives was pretty much stagnant, and it's the biggest letdown of the production.

  Still, I ended up enjoying it a lot. What is Jenny doing here, you may ask? Georgia Tennant is Peter Davison's daughter, and that's the only reason she's here. I'm not complaining about what fits with "canon" and what doesn't when she brings such a fun energy to the adventure. Take your notions of fixed timelines and shove it down where it hurts. The Artist at the End of Time is an entry of the 60th anniversary series worth your time, and you won't regret giving it a chance. There's drama -- genuinely touching moments and the like -- and there's plenty of jaunty fun to be had as well. Davison had a much mroe fun time recording this story than Tom Baker did recording his, and it's so apparent listening to it.