Tom Baker is back as Tom Baker, and despite his death in King of Cats, he is back on top form in this second episode, Gobbleknoll Hall. Paul Magrs continues Tom’s story as once more accompanied by his companion Suzy Goshawk (Katy Manning) and housekeeper Mrs Frimbly (Susan Jameson) he explores heaps of goblin mischief and spooky goings on.
It’s not just Tom who’s interested in exploring local haunted house Gobbleknoll Hall; TV psychic Brian Loughdick (Stephen Critchlow) is looking for ghosts for his show Manifest Yourself, along with his presenter Marcella Doody (Diane Morgan – best known for playing Philomena Cunk). Tom is in full King of Cats mode as the four of them explore the house, avoid the jangling of glam rock and once again bump into the Sinister Presence (David Benson). Director Simon Barnard keeps everyone just about under control and the fourth wall is only breached a few times. There are even suggestions the overall story might make sense in a few more episodes.
The new characters act as great counterparts to Tom and Suzy as they split up to hunt for camera shy ghosts. There’s a mystery wrapped in a conundrum and snuck away under a tea cozy in the corner of the dining room. None of this gets in the way of the fun and madness, and the team of Critchlow and Morgan are brilliantly cast as the TV duo, with double entendre after double entendre splattering the dialogue like paintballs from an air gun tracing a path across am autumn woodland.
The reveal of the source of the mystery includes a massive Easter egg for fans of other Paul Magrs/Bafflegab titles, and it was a delight to be reminded of an earlier project.
It’s not as mad as King of Cats but is still pretty bonkers, and if you love the first episode this is a must buy. The next part, Tatty Bogle, will be released in March 2017.
BAKER’S END: GOBBLEKNOLL HALL / AUTHOR: PAUL MAGRS / PUBLISHER: BAFFLEGAB / STARRING: TOM BAKER, KATY MANNING, SUSAN JAMESON / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
