Horror of Glam Rock

Eighth Doctor Adventures #1.3

Released: 14 January 2007

Listened: 9/10/21

Paul Magrs provides what may be the greatest Big Finish title of all time here. Even better, it stars Bernard Cribbins shortly before he appeared as Wilfred Mott on TV (the extras are impressive for his interview alone). The TARDIS lands in 1974 at a highway services station frequented by touring glam rockers. There’s an alien menace taking advantage of one of the acts, but the menace part is kind of perfunctory, even the resolution. The focus is more on the characters and how they react to being trapped in a dangerous situation, much like “Midnight” would do later. Cribbins and Una Stubbs are both fantastic characters with very different attitudes that add flavor to the story. In addition, Lucie meets her Auntie Pat and inadvertently reveals that she’s from the future, giving Pat some info she shouldn’t have, and setting up other stories down the line. Lucie’s relationship to the Doctor seems far more trusting and cordial than it did in the previous story, or the following one, which reflects the order in which they were recorded, but it’s a bit of a snag in the development of their relationship. Be sure to stick around for the glam-rock version of the theme tune; it’s worth it. This one’s a favorite from this season, not to be missed.