#HarrySullivan

Short Trips #9.8

Released: 29 August 2019

Listened: 2/13/22

Yes, this title is pronounced “Hashtag Harry Sullivan,” which makes it hard to alphabetize, and neither Sarah nor Harry should understand the meaning of the word. Yet that’s what the story is about: The TARDIS crew is on a ship full of journalists orbiting a resort planet and running low on life support, because the celebrities won’t allow the paparazzi to land. Amazingly, the Doctor’s usual bluster and charm is ineffective, so the solution is to make Harry temporarily famous. Writer Eddie Robson clearly intends this to be a commentary on the attention marketplace of the early 21st century, and there’s a certain new-series flavor about it, which makes Harry and Sarah stand out somewhat. It’s read by Louise Jameson, as sadly Ian Marter and Elisabeth Sladen are both unavailable. However, Jameson is an excellent narrator, putting just enough impression in the characters’ voices to achieve the effect.