Stage Fright

The Last Adventure #3

Released: 17 August 2015

Listened: 8/13/20

This is another entry in the Sixth Doctor’s “Last Adventure” boxed set, and within the context of that set, the Valeyard is getting close to realizing his plan, and no longer needs to hide his involvement. He’s putting on private plays that re-enact the Doctor’s first five regenerations (with added melodrama), kill the novice actors he’s recruited, and give him their life energies. He’s rented out Henry Gordon Jago’s theater to do this, which gives Jago, Litefoot, and Ellie the opportunity to turn up and get involved. Flip is the first “modern day” companion to meet Jago and Litefoot, and her reaction to them is a lot more fun than Leela’s or Romana’s, who take them at face value. Flip leans more on the pop-cultural references than usual this time out, name-checking both Star Wars and Harry Potter at different points, to the Doctor’s consternation. Her characteristic fearlessness is put to good use within the plot, as we find out there’s one thing she is afraid of: performing on stage. The Valeyard is also full of references and foreshadowing as well, even hinting at Flip’s destiny, which we’ll see before too long. Although it’s a little self-indulgent, I think this is one of the more enjoyable stories in this part of the project.