Operation Dusk [AUDIO/2023.6.27]

★★★★☆

  I just love the way Sylvester McCoy pronounces 'Vashta Nerada' -- it's so very special.

  Operation Dusk is exactly the kind of 'using new series monsters for a classic Doctor' story I like, one that focuses on expanding either the Doctor's or the monster's history by creating a world or alien culture and taking a detailed look at it. The aliens among the World War II climate who have a history with the Vashta Nerada give us a fascinating, interesting look at how greed and so-called justice leads to cruelty, and McCoy does a great job in part 2 portraying the moral outrage the Doctor has over how a world has decided to enslave the piranhas of the deep into their own private execution device. I love these details that come to play, and I love the conspiracy/mystery plot as well; Alfie Shaw really outdid himself this time.

  It also helps that I love the Seventh Doctor, Harry and Naomi dynamic. It's reminiscent of the Virgin New Adventures team of the Doctor, Roz and Chris, except with a much less businesslike, cold Doctor at the helm, and everyone involved has a great time bouncing off one another. Naomi and Harry in particular prove to be a fantastic duo I would gladly listen to for ages. These three work so well with something like Operation Dusk, an intricately plotted World War II infiltration/conspiracy tale about the Vashta Nerada and the member of the Forge intent on abusing it. This is the kind of audio drama I wish Seven had more in his monthly range days, and I'm glad his boxsets are proving to be high-quality of late.