Return of the Rocket Men [AUDIO/2012.11.10]

★★★★☆

  The Rocket Men series from Big Finish's Companion Chronicles range is genuinely fantastic; it allows both First Doctor companions on the spotlight to develop and express many emotions through a tense, gut-wrenching and (in the case of Steven) near-fatal experience. The eponymous space criminal gang looks at first glance to be a gimmick more than anything, but with the magnificent efforts of John Dorney and Matt Fitton, it's suddenly one of the defining villainous forces of the range. No wonder they keep getting brought back, they're vile and vicious in an all too human way and therefore strikes a different tone to the variety of alien monsters the show has in abundance.

  Peter Purves audibly leaps at the chance to take a complex heroic role, fulfilling his 'destiny' as the savior of himself and a ghost risen from the grave who has to sacrifice his life to save the day. Steven's emotions are in turmoil here, faced with the seeming inevitability of the end of his life and the physical and psychological pain that Van Cleef exerts on him. It's easy to see why Tim Treloar impressed the Big Finish crew so much; with his performance as Van Cleef, he's almost a force of nature (human greed) hellbent on making everyone in his way miserable. He's a much more complex character than Ashman, and Treloar plays him to the hilt. It's not easy to stand side by side with the superb Purves and even exceed him in some cases, but this crazy actor does it. They're both magnificent. 

  Return of the Rocket Men is a great Companion Chronicle with plenty of emotions and a sterling directorial hand from Lisa Bowerman, led by two stunning leads at their prime. What is there not to enjoy? It's an incredible work of drama, and of character development within one of my favourite First Doctor era companions.