Review: Eighth Doctor Audio - Grand Theft Cosmos

The latest audio review from the forum was written by Peri-Peri and continues her look into the second series of the new Eighth Doctor Adventures.

Here's to crime, Doctor!

The Doctor and Lucie visit nineteenth-century Sweden and become embroiled in an attempt to steal the infamous Black Diamond.

But the stone is guarded by forces not of this world...

Admittedly, there isnt much to go on in that synopsis.

So what's good with it? I'm not even going to waste time raving about how great Smith and McGann are in this adventure so instead I will open with a gush about scene stealer Christopher Benjamin who is known to fans old and new as either a certain Henry Jago from Talons (and the Jago & Litefoot spinoff audios) or as Colonal Hugh from The Unicorn And The Wasp. As always, he is completely brilliant in this story as Tardelli and is completely captivating in his performance. The Headhunter, the antagonist for much of the last series of audios makes a very welcome return in this story also which was a great little surprise. The story itself is well written and has some great humour in what is essentially the Doctor and Lucie starring in 'Oceans Two'. The story breezes along nicely for the most part but really picks up towards the end where we get to see a new side to the Eighth Doctor and he becomes interestingly cunning and deceptive, but also reveals his more excitable side. Lucie trying to be posh and pass herself off as Tara Palmer Tomkinson is particularly funny and Sheridan Smith really shows her comedy roots throughout the story. The soundscape effects in this audio are the best they have been all series and this is one of the best audios of the series too.

But what's wrong with it? The return of The Headhunter was very welcome, but in what is quite a comedic story the character lost some of her threatening edge. Again, because the story is quite lighthearted and fun, the times where they try to present actual peril or threat is hindered by the fact that at the same time everyone is on a bit of a camp jolly. This isnt so much a criticism though because the story is meant to be a camp jolly and it succeeds very well at that.

Final Verdict: A witty and very enjoyable romp through Sweden with great performances all around and one of the strongest Eighth Doctor BF releases to date.

Grand Theft Cosmos gets 4/5 TARDIS's

Extra Information: 60 minutes long on one disc with cast interviews included.

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