Wave of Destruction

Fourth Doctor Adventures #5.1

Released: 12 January 2016

Listened: 6/20/22

As we move into the full season of Fourth Doctor Adventures, it looks like the Adams-style sensibility is continuing, if not quite as overtly. The story is set in the 1960s, with the Vardans trying to invade a planet that’s currently swimming in radio waves. Which gives the characters the opportunity to say things like “modulated frequency wave cancellation signal generator,” which they do, in full, many times. I’m not sure that the science actually works the way it’s described, but that doesn’t matter too much, as it’s all technobabble. More fun is the pirate radio station “Radio Frantic,” which is described as having remarkably catchy jingles, and darned if they’re not right. Some of these may be stuck in your head for days. “Exasperated Romana” is back here, even though she does get some plot to do on her own. She’s particularly dismissive of shopping for shoes and 60’s plastic handbags. I can see why that style may not be to her taste, and she probably doesn’t want to shop simply as a distraction for a young woman who’s witnessed traumatic events. But still, someone who wears outfits as fabulous as hers must spend some time shopping and accessorizing. Kind of a forgettable kick-off to the season.