The latest Doctor Who Short Trips release is the wonderful Joseph Lidster story The Siege of Big Ben. It’s performed by Camille Coduri, reprising the role of Jackie Tyler, Rose’s mother.
The setting is the parallel version of Earth Jackie, Rose and the Meta-Crisis Doctor are exiled to. In The Siege of Big Ben, Joseph Lidster gives some insight into what happened next. There are still aliens to fight, versions of UNIT and Torchwood, but more than that is her long-lost husband Pete. Surely she’s happy? And what of this version of the Doctor? Created in battle, no TARDIS, a prisoner yet with the woman he (or the original he) loves. What motivates him in this new exile?
It’s all deep stuff, and fortunately, Jackie is here to deal with it in her inimical way and perhaps to help this version of the Doctor reassess his priorities. First, there’s a new alien invasion of London; Big Ben is under siege and Earth defence is down to its last line.
In style, Jackie presents events as a long piece of gossip, interspersed with glasses of wine and peanuts. This gives her the perfect vehicle for bringing others into the story as Jackie explaining what others did without having to voice them. It works very well, and Camille is a joy to listen to. Full marks to director Lisa Bowerman as well.
We have, then, a many-layered presentation of a story examining despair, exile, new beginnings and adjustment to events. Jackie Tyler is, perhaps, an unlikely hero, but this makes the story work very well. It’s her humanity, compassion, sense of what’s right and directness that make her the only person able to save the day.
It’s a great listen and over far too soon.
As ever the Short Trips range proves a delight, and Joseph Lidster is rapidly cementing his position as a master of this particular way of telling stories. The Siege of Big Ben is one of those stories that bear multiple listens because it is such a joy to listen to. Congratulations to all involved, including producer Ian Atkins who steered and script edited.
THE SIEGE OF BIG BEN / AUTHOR: JOSEPH LIDSTER / DIRECTOR: LISA BOWERMAN / PUBLISHER: BIG FINISH / STARRING: CAMILLE CODURI / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
