The Sinestran Kill

Fourth Doctor Adventures #8.1

Released: 16 January 2019

Listened: 4/25/22

With the Doctor at loose ends, he answers a signal indicating unusual technology being used on Earth in 1978 (when the story would have aired, if this had been a TV season). Investigating, he discovers an area of London that’s having some trouble with organized crime. WPC Ann Kelso patrols the area, but doesn’t normally deal with the gang unit. Except the Doctor knows there’s more going on here, and it turns out that both the gangsters and their targets are aliens, or being controlled by aliens. All we know about this group right now is that they’re called the Syndicate, and that’s what this boxed set is all about. Ann has all the hallmarks of a good companion right from the start, being logical, open-minded, cool under fire, and yet empathetic. She even comments that she would expect to freak out after seeing a giant insectoid alien, but she didn’t. Equally unflappable is DCI Neilson, played by Frank Skinner, comedian and super-fan. Fortunately, Neilson was in Special Branch for several years, so he’s conversant with UNIT in general and the Doctor specifically, which really saves a lot of time in this story. Writer Andrew Smith was in an anti-terrorism squad himself during his time in the police, so his knowledge of procedure adds a little bit of realism to the story. It’s a pretty good kickoff, and the gangsters give it some 70s flavor.