The Brink of Death [AUDIO/2015.8.17]

★★★☆☆

  If most of the fandom weren't very annoying about it, I would more openly suggest that The Brink of Death is comparable to -- and even eligible for a double bill with -- The Power of the Doctor, in that both adventures are regeneration stories about an old foe of the Doctor's who takes over their entire existence, leaving them in a state of purgatory with little apparent chance of returning. I can't wait for people to go on claiming that Chris Chibnall somehow stole the idea from Nicholas Briggs; the nerve of some people.

  Brink of Death is a comparatively quieter affair, less bombast and more reflective momentum and contemplation on the Doctor's actions and influence, and that makes it just as strong, at least in the script. The one real gripe I have with this audio drama is its handling of the Genesta scenes; it's either with the direction or Liz White's performance, but they aren't as engaging as the rest of the audio. It is slightly made better, though, with the fact that Genesta's entire existence becomes a point of psychological torture towards the Doctor -- she's a reminder of himself when he left Gallifrey, and even that's seemingly taken away from him as it's revealed that the Valeyard's been pretending to be her (and what's worse, it's never stated how long the Valeyard's been her). Breathtaking and heartbreaking turn from Colin Baker, lemme tell you. He is magnificent in this one, and by the end when he confronts his mysterious evil future incarnation (or weapon devised by a "secret Time Lords black ops group") for the last time, he becomes this ultra-Sixth Doctor that's willing to quite literally sacrifice his own life for the continued existence of the Time Lords. I cannot overstate how powerful that moment is... and you simply have to listen to it to believe it.

  The Brink of Death, however dramatically strong I believe it to be, is undeniably a fitting end to Colin Baker's Doctor. It gives the actor plenty of room to perform his heart(s) out, and it details a high-concept plot by the Valeyard to destroy the Time Lords through infecting the Matrix. Disquieting, somber and reflective, it's a world away from the type of bombast one would usually expect from Nicholas Briggs, and this unexpected approach of him really works to drove home the Doctor's inevitable death. The most impressive aspect of this audio drama, however, is the willingness to address how the Doctor would lose his moral squeamishness and become more pragmatic -- ruthless, even -- in his efforts to thwart oppressors and save the oppressed. It's genuinely solid, a real treat for Sixth Doctor fans like me... and I won't lie, I shed a tiny tear or two by the end. This is a fitting end to the Old Sixie we Big Finish listeners know and love, a lovely ode.