Эдди Робсон / Eddie Robson - Доктор Кто / Doctor Who - New Eighth Doctor Adventures 4.08 - Пленник солнца/Prisoner of the Sun

It feels a little like we’re coming into the closing straights of the Eight Doctor Adventures – only two stories left after this, and it’s back to the main range. And the question the whole series has been leading up to – is Lucie going to remain with the Doctor or depart, in one form or another – has hardly been asked, let alone answered.
A brave decision, then, to have another story without her presence. And not a bad one: Prisoner of the Sun is a strong, self-contained story that works well Lucie-light, exploring the Doctor’s drives and morals through the medium of an impossible dilemma.
The premise is simple: the Doctor is a prisoner in a space station, using the station’s computers to control the stellar radiation emanating from the system’s sun. It’s a self-imposed exile: he could escape at any time - of course he could, he’s the Doctor. But he remains for the simple reason that he doesn’t know if he’s being had or not. According to his gaolers and the station’s instruments, the system’s two billion inhabitants will fry if he doesn’t control the bursts. And two billion people would be a lot to have on your conscience – but what if it’s all a game?
I say it’s Lucie-light – that’s not exactly true. Sheridan Smith is very much in attendance, playing robot assistants Chloe and Daphne, each of which has Lucie’s personality and voice thanks to a handy plug-in module the Doctor made for them. Testament to her acting skills, the two are distinctly different in subtle, indescribable ways. Well, not that indescribable: Daphne is pretty-much the Lucie we love; Chloe would go for your jugular. But the distinction is well-played, as one has come to expect from Ms Smith.
There are a couple of conceits too far (look away now, ye who fear spoilers): Chloe’s escape, discovery of the Tardis and subsequent subversion by Hagan felt a little convenient, for example. And I have a bit of a problem with the Doctor’s gaolers, the Mercurials. Introduced as creatures of mercury able to reform after injury, they are exotic, alien and wonderful creations. And then they open mouths. And for the rest of the play they come across as nothing more than the provisional wing of the Dorking Women’s Institute – they’re a bit aggressive, but apart from that (well, probably including that) they’re from Surrey. Aliens are great, but as a listener I want more than just to be told they’re alien – I want to experience it in their words, their deeds, their strange and exotic moral codes.
But those are minor quibbles. Writing and performances are good. Anthony Costa off of Blue is actually pretty good. The story is strong, with the dilemma, and the mystery of what’s really going on, beating out a good rhythm right to the end. All in all it’s a lovely little aperitif before the main course, and next month’s play Lucie Miller – when questions start to get answered.- Nic Ford, OutpostSkaro, February 2011