Audio #4: The Land of the Dead

TARDIS crew; 

• Fifth Doctor

• Nyssa 

Notable Characters;

• Monica- Interior designer 

• Brett- Monument planner

• Tulung- Employee of Brett

• The Permians- Prehistoric beings and main enemies 

Part One

This was a good listen to kick off the audio adventure, it perfectly established the setting and introduced the supporting cast and their roles with relative ease. There was also a great sense of danger which I'll get to shortly. It was certainly better than the introductory part of Whispers of Terror! 

It begins with the wonderful familiar sound of the TARDIS materialisation. Already established from the CD artwork, the Fifth Doctor and Nysaa were the Doctor-Companion pair for this adventure, something new that hadn't been seen before! The location was Earth, more specifically Alaska. There was talk of the planet and its people, referring to them as Tegan's people. The pair were talking of where they had just recently left Tegan at Heathrow airport in Time-Flight. She would soon be reunited in the TARDIS though in the next TV adventure of Arc of Infinity. I did like how this was set between the two. 

There was a strange energy reading picked up, something unrecognisable to the TARDIS. What could it be? It must be special if the TARDIS couldn't work out what it was, or was the time machine malfunctioning? It was unclear. By this point, you could tell it had been a fair amount of time since Sarah Sutton had played Nyssa in the early '80s, she certainly sounded different than she did in her original run as companion. 

Brief danger quickly escalated as a sudden dematerialisation was heard. An aeroplane was close to smashing into the TARDIS, not that the plane expected to see a hovering police box as Nyssa pointed out. We were then taken away from the TARDIS and the familiar cast we know to Mr. Brett and Monica, talking about construction plans of sort. Monica was angered at the lengthy time deliveries take. She seemed an impatient women. She described how the area seemed to have a special charm. They continued talking and it was revealed that the installation they were currently in progress of was nearing its end after three years. The TARDIS now materialised again, in the same location but in a different time, similarly to in The Ark. They were in 1994, thirty years in the future of their near crash, but the same unrecognisable energy reading was still being tracked. The Doctor, like always, was curious.  

More supporting cast were introduced in the names of Tulung and Gaborik. The latter didn't seem too much of a nice guy. They were talking about money and what the effect would have once the installation would be finished. The Doctor and Nyssa had left the TARDIS in search of more information about the mysterious energy reading. They had a tracking device with them and the readings were seeming to increase. The Doctor gave Nyssa, although she seemed disinterested, a history of how America and Alaska specifically were founded. 

As the pair continued their trek, Nyssa claimed of hearing something, she had the feeling that somebody was watching them. They came across an impressive building, it was noticeably incomplete. Tulung referred to himself as Koyukon, was that an Alaskan tribe, or an alien species? 

Danger struck again for the Doctor and Nyssa as a loud sound was heard for a second time, a massive hybrid creature greeted them. Another one was behind, the pair were trapped! This was a thrilling sense of danger. It was dusk, and Nyssa used the lack of daylight to her advantage to sneakily get away, she needed to find help. But thankfully, she was able to distract the hybrid creatures so that the Doctor could escape. The time travellers quickly headed for the building, they needed safety. 

Brett was the next guest cast member to be introduced, claimed to be rich, but also seemed to be 'distant.' What was affecting him, was it something to do with the strange energy emissions? The Doctor and Nyssa entered the building, where they first met Gaborik, then Tulung. Nyssa was affected from the venture and had a headache. She needed rest. She did though see how the energy readings on the tracking device were clear now, whatever they were looking for, the TARDIS crew were right on top of it! 

After greeting a few people, outside was checked to see if the hybrids remained. They were however gone. The Doctor planned on waiting until the morning to follow their tracks. He was curious. As was I, what were giant creatures doing in mid '90s Alaska? 

The TARDIS crew were to meet Brett, and he would decide if they could spend the night. There was talk from Tulung of the area and also of the death of his father thirty years ago, a time the TARDIS was briefly in Alaska. Brett was a millionaire, and he welcomed them with open arms. Nyssa though was still suffering from her headache, she was staying to rest while the Doctor was to be shown around the building. There was a sad reference to The Keeper of Traken and how Nyssa lost her father thanks to the Master. Tulung made it clear he missed his late father. He explained how an exhibition party visited the sight, and in suspicious circumstances that Brett's father was the soul survivor, something the millionaire doesn't like to talk about. 

It was revealed that the building was to be used as a museum or monument of sort and use aspects of the land. It would show different habitats in different areas. It was certainly an intriguing idea. Brett was to take the Doctor to his 'greatest achievement.' He showed him the sea room where there was actual implanted coastline. And life. The Doctor wasn't impressed at all. He though was now to meet Monica, she was the interior designer. Dinner plans were made and the Doctor, Nyssa, Monica and Brett were to dine together. At the meal, it was claimed that the food was of interesting choices but Nyssa though was still sporting her headache and was hoping to walk it off with Monica. She took Nyssa to the sea room in the hope that the sea air would help clear her head. She was left alone within, but it had a worsening effect it seemed. Nyssa was riddling, claiming there was 'something from the sea.' 

Tulung revealed how he didn't approve of the separation of habitats and animals from nature and putting them in a museum. He preferred cultures to be widespread. However, a sudden disturbance occurred and the whole wall of a room was completely smashed. Were they under attack? It was unclear, but danger was in full throttle and the Doctor quickly searched for Nyssa. He found her in the sea room, but the door was locked and her riddling was continuing. She claimed something was coming for her, that it was all around her, and that it 'wants to kill us all!' 

A sensational cliffhanger to a very good, solid introductory part! I looked forward to seeing what it was that's affecting Nyssa, what the giant creatures were and how Nyssa becomes un-riddled! 

Part Two

This was a very good second part of the audio, it was a wonderful listen. Immediately following on from the fantastic cliffhanger of the previous part, the Doctor was attempting to open the door in which Nyssa was close to being killed by the 'something' that was coming. The Doctor was aided by Gaborik in trying to rescue Nyssa, she was told to walk to the door but inside it was dark and she couldn't really see. Finally, the Doctor and Gaborik wedged open the door and the riddling Nyssa squeezed through the gap. She'd just about escaped and her riddling seemed to have stopped. 

She explained how the creatures she saw were the same that trapped the Doctor and her outside on their way to the building, a museum of sorts scalping different types of lands and habitats into their own room. Nyssa described how the creatures weren't natural and that it seemed as though they were multi-species. One thing she was certain on was that they were hostile. The Doctor thought it made sense and the unique energy readings could lead to the fusion of flesh. 

Tulung and Gaborik both made spiritual references and referred to Sebna, a sea spirit who once drowned in being betrayed by her Father. Sighting her revenge, it was claimed she ruled at the bottom of the sea. She was the ruler of Adlivum, the land of the dead. 

Tulung was comforting Nyssa, still a little affected from her altercation in the sea room. Using light, the creatures were seen, they were massive! There was one inside the building itself, trapped it seemed! The Doctor, curious as ever, used a laser scalpel to gain a sample of the creature. The creature's flesh was boiling, but it seemed it wasn't flesh at all. It was just bone. They were different to those that trapped the Doctor and Nyssa outside it seemed, but I couldn't be sure. The Doctor also took samples of the rock fragments that came with the creatures. He was interested as to how calcium bones had become animated. It was a great little concept! 

The Doctor and Nyssa were both eager to analyse their samples, something I loved from the companion, Nyssa is intelligent and is curios just like the Doctor which I Iove. They couldn't risk going to the TARDIS as it was too far, but they needed analytical equipment. 

Meanwhile, Gaborik seemed annoyed at the current scenario and was further making spiritual references, claiming that Adlivum was stirring. There was a quick humorous reference to the thought of the Doctor and Nyssa being in a relationship but the Doctor quickly pointed out they were just 'good friends.' Monica was having a little fun with the Doctor, continuously finishing his sentences. It was all a bit petty. 

Now, Tulung and Nyssa were to head to another building, home of useful, state of the art analytical equipment. The rock fragment was the subject of analysis. The bone creature that was still trapped, was now seeming to be coming loose. If it was free then havoc could wreak within the building! It was radiating great amounts of heat, readings that were off the scale! The Doctor was interested, and noticed that there were no joints in the body structure of these giant creatures. He concluded that the bone was in fact flesh and the blood ran inside. It was years old, millennia upon millennia years old. It had been hibernating, all of the creatures had, it was ancient. Like a fossil, it had somehow been preserved. 

While talking to Tulung, Nyssa made an emotional reference to Logopolis and describing how her home planet of Traken was destroyed. She talked of the headache she previously had that caused her to riddle, it was the effect of the mysterious energy readings and now Brett was suffering similarly. It seemed the energy readings could be caused by the creatures, however it was just as possible that it was vice versa. 

Monica was talking to the Doctor about her job and it seemed all she cared about was her reputation and the money that comes with it. She seemed stubbornly selfish, although she did well to hide it. There was also talk of Brett and his obsession with his masterpiece museum, it was growing and he was becoming inpatient. His drive was caused by the 1964 accident in which his father was the only survivor. Nyssa told him that his father certainly did escape, in a yellow aeroplane, one that nearly hit the TARDIS as seen at the begging of part one. Nyssa described seeing it, before suddenly the creatures attacked! In a silent struggle, their seemed to be not much occurring. But Nyssa and Tulung were safe, it was claimed they were protected by the spirits. The latter claimed though that the spirits were angry at the different aspects of land being taken for the museum. Land was being tarnished. 

The Doctor meanwhile was worried about Nyssa and was hoping she'd arrived at the analysis building safely. He though became more worried for his own safety when after concluding that the walls were thin, the trapped creature wasn't trapped at all. It was burrowing through to the Earth room! The Doctor was very interested in how the creatures could see, as all that was visible were eye sockets, not actual eyes. With an apparent absence of eyes, the creature definitely could see, or at least sense, the presence of the Doctor. The Doctor and Monica fled upstairs, while Gaborik, unaware of the giant creature who was now free, and as the Doctor pointed out, probably fast and hungry, entered its path. The creature quickly consumed Gaborik and seemed to strip the flesh from him almost instantly. 

Nyssa and Tulung however seemed to have somehow killed a creature that was attacking them also. Tulung claimed that Nyssa was in contact with Sebna and it was she who had saved them. The Doctor and Monica had got away from the giant creature, while Nyssa and Tulung had arrived at the building and could carry out their analysis. Nyssa, being from the highly advanced Traken, laughed at the primitive tools, but would make use of them. Back at the museum and the creature seemed to be waiting, praying, patient. It wasn't making its move. 

Nyssa made a wonderfully exciting discovery! The rock fragment was around 260 million years old, while the first dinosaurs were only around 230 million years ago! These creatures, whatever they were, were before the dinosaurs. It was very exciting. Back at the museum and Brett claimed he felt an ancient evil, and it seemed he was right. Nyssa phoned the Doctor, and with the threat of the giant creature it was pretty humorous when the Doctor said he'd be really annoyed if it was the wrong number. But it was Nyssa, and she told him of her analysis. She also described how Tulung's health was improving, but they could hear something outside. Brett though was still sick, and had hold of Monica, he seemed desperate. 

Nyssa continued talking and thought that within the creature was a bioelectric field. The Doctor though didn't seem surprised and thought that the age made sense, however, he was approached by a creature! But it seemed to have mutated. The skeleton was bigger, more upright, quickly approaching. The phone line seemed down and the Doctor was toast. 'Dinner time so soon?' A fantastic cliffhanger! I looked forward to seeing it resolved and also the advancement of the plot in the next part. 

Part Three

Just like the two previous parts, this was a very enjoyable listen. I found myself enjoying Nyssa a lot more here and she certainly sounded a lot more like herself back in her original run, she was a companion I greatly loved! The third segment sees the resolution of a great cliffhanger that ended the last part. A giant roar was heard and it momentarily seemed as though the Doctor's days were numbered, but it wasn't a roar of aggression, more of pain. The creature portrayed a lack of stamina, it was disorientated and collapsed. Luck was in the Doctor's side no doubt! The Doctor quickly worked out what happened, due to the creatures being from such an ancient time, they were bolsted by materials that were around then, such as the water in the sea room. They thrived upon the stuff they knew, but when they were away from it and came across materials from their future, modern synthetic ones, they became stunned. It confused them, they couldn't process the information. 

The Doctor also explained the growth of the creature, describing how it used Gaborik's life energy to grow, and if it consumed more humans, it had the potential to gain intelligence. A frightening thought! The creatures were similar to the Krillitanes, the villains in School Reunion, they took what they eat and implanted it upon themselves. They literally were what they eat. 

After the phone line went down at the conclusion of the previous part, we didn't know what state Nyssa was in, but thankfully we heard her and she was safe. The phone line had been cut, the creatures doing? Did they have the knowledge and intelligence to do so? Tulung though was now once again suffering from the sickness that seems to make people riddle and rabble. Nyssa, using her Trakenite intelligence, worked out that the energy from the generator was confusing the creatures roaming outside and in turn attracting them to the home of the analysis. 

It was described how the people who were helping to build and add to the apparent museum had actually helped to revive these creatures by digging up the rock they were hibernating and preserved within. Nyssa though needed to turn off the generator, she figured that if it was off the creatures would no longer be attracted to them and it would be safe for the pair to leave back to the house. But it was dark, so it was a struggle, but Nyssa did her job and turned off the generator. The creatures hadn't left, but they were certainly calmer. The lack of the generator seemed to help Tulung as well as he quickly seemed to have got rid of his sickness. Nyssa knew they had to get back to the house, and she believed that once they got there they would be safe under the guidance of the Doctor. I liked this from Nyssa, it showed she had complete trust and belief in the Doctor. 

Back at the house (soon to be a museum I thought) and the collapsed creature was still stunned, out on the floor. The Doctor wanted it wrapped in synthetic material hoping it would keep it down. Brett meanwhile was suffering from the ever close sickness that had affected Nyssa and still partially was affecting Tulung. He went outside, was it safe with creatures roaming and him in the state of mind that he was? The Doctor knew they had to go after him but needed to keep the collapsed creature down, it couldn't escape. 

Tulung and Nyssa also headed outside, but in a different area for a different reason. They entered the vehicle they'd travelled in for the analysis and planned to escape back to the house. Momentarily the vehicle stalled and it seemed they were trapped, but after brief danger it soon worked and the pair were away. Tulung, very much superstitious, believed Nyssa was his guardian spirit, claiming she knew truths after she revealed about knowing the events of 1964. 

Back at the house and the collapsed creature was stirring. The Doctor and Monica quickly needed to try and smother it in synthetics but the creature became too powerful. All they could do was run. But as the creature rose, the Doctor noticed that it was hurt and it went away in a different direction. The Doctor wanted to follow it. The creature entered the sea room, it was believed the sea is where this creature originated from, and upon entry it affected the other sea animals within the room. It was hungry and wanted to feed. 

Nyssa and Tulung now arrived back at the house, they were safe, just about. The Doctor now planned on blocking the routes in and out of the sea room to prevent the creature from escaping. Still realising that Brett was outside, they were worried and now wanted his help. Tulung was angry at Brett, claiming it was he who brought these creatures here- and I guess he wasn't wrong. The Doctor was focused on preventing the creatures escape, he couldn't risk many of these creatures possibly being together, breeding and possibly colonising. In a plan of blockage, the Doctor brought Nyssa up to date with the events. 

Outside, Tulung had left the house and had found Brett. He talked of how he blamed him and during their conversation there were many references to spirits and what happens to them upon death. Tulung described how Brett's father was a coward, leaving on his own in 1964. Brett though talked of ancient superstition and how a god got bored and decided to make life harder. He made men mortal and this sparked fear. This was something I found interesting, as despite my Atheist beliefs, I'm very intrigued about ancient mythology. It was a frightening thought that the first men learned of death. But now, these creatures had brought a 'special' death with them. Brett claimed he understood the scenario, and he wanted to take Tulung to the site of where these creatures were brought back during the digging of their rock. It was claimed to be the place that binds them. 

The Doctor though, an expert in pretty much everything ancient, present and distant future, described these creatures as Permians. Creatures from the Permian era of Earth, a fair few million years before the dinosaurs came about. He described the catastrophe that caused them to become extinct, along with 96% of other life on Earth. It was far worse than what wiped out the dinosaurs. It was put forward the sadistic possibility of the Permians eating themselves and using their own energy, but in turn were killing themselves. The Doctor thought they'd occasionally have to hunt each other so they would not evolve too far, but they often consumed other species and used their parts to grow and adapt. This confirmed the possibly that these creatures seemed multi-species. There was also talk that the Permians had an empathic link with other species, and could even control them to some extent making hunting them easier. The hybrids were in danger. 

The blockage of the Earth room burrow was now under way. Using the age from which the creatures were from, I liked how by now the Doctor had named these creatures. It's certainly better than just calling them 'creatures.' 

The site of the dig was open, but Tulung was reluctant to enter without Nyssa, whom he believed would protect him. Brett, eager to show Tulung something within, returned to the house and by force after Nyssa refused cooperation, took her away. They were to go to the dig, Nyssa was confused and annoyed by all the superstition. The Doctor though told her to do as they say and he assured her he'd find her, he certainly was confident despite the pressure, but that's something the Doctor thrives upon as we've seen (or heard and read) countless times. 

But a terrifying revelation was made, a vital mistake from the Doctor. The Permian was inside the sea room, home to materials that were originally on Earth 260 million years ago. The Permian could harness the power of the ancient material. Gallons upon gallons of ancient sea water, the barricade came free, the Permian escaped and a terrified scream was heard! Was Monica consumed?

A fantastic part! Wonderful cliffhanger! 

Part Four

The conclusion of this story was very well done, a great part to finish off a great story. After the magnificent cliffhanger of the previous part, it seemed that Monica was dead after hearing a terrified scream, those screams though briefly continued before silence fell. Was Monica dead? We'd have to wait to find out as the focus turned to Nyssa who was being kidnapped of sorts by Brett and Tulung. 

Tulung still believed Nyssa would keep him safe, that she was undoubtedly his guardian spirit. It was revealed that Brett had a surprise in store for Tulung, but what was it? Whatever it was, he was eager to show it off. Meanwhile, Monica had in fact survived, but for how long? There were Permians all around! Or so it was thought, Monica mistook bones as the Permians, she was embarrassed. But a Permian was in fact close by, a different one to the one that was previously burrowing. It seemed to be adapting before the Doctor and Monica's eyes, who'd found safety on the stairs. They had a plan. They were trying to cover the Permian in paint, with it being synthetic it would affect it. They tried coating it, and as more paint covered the giant creature, it grew weaker and collapsed. 

The Doctor now had to worry about Nyssa and the state of minds of her kidnappers. He worked out that an individual disturbance on a person prolongs the riddling sickness, and with Brett and Tulung both disturbed by the 1964 event, they would both suffer more lengthy. They were affected by post traumatic stress trauma. It sounded pretty fancy. 

The Doctor, understanding the growing power of the Permians, realised that he couldn't fight them no longer and would have to let them roam free. His primary focus was on rescuing Nyssa. He was interested of the nearest settlement, a few miles away, and wanted it protected, but also could get help from there. 

Meanwhile, Brett and Tulung closed in on the surprise. The sight, unseen due to its darkness, was described as an inspiring one. Nyssa was forced to reluctantly hear the air of the sight. Some reward. Tulung cleared the entrance, and his surprise was waiting. Not risking an escape, Nyssa was tied up near the entrance to prevent escape but still apparently needed to protest Tulung. This was where my sinister opening quote was heard. 

Back at the house and the Doctor's focused switched due to lack of action from the Permian within the sea room. He entered, curious, along with Monica and they found it a giant mess. It was basically trashed. The Permian had escaped it seemed, it had built a passage way? Or had it only discovered it? They couldn't be certain it had escaped that way though. It could be anywhere. Meanwhile, the paint covered Permian was waking up. The pair had no choice but to go through the newly found passage way. They'd no idea where it would lead, but they couldn't risk consumption. However, what they were doing was a great risk in itself! They could run straight into the other Permian! 

Brett revealed the surprise to Tulung, bones were scattered on the floor. Believed to be just those of the Permians. It was believed these creatures were present in 1964, with the exhibition party being trapped within the area, that was sealed by the cowardly father of Brett who, although sealed off the Permian, left his party to die. Brett tried to justify the decision saying how he was trapping the spirits. Tulung rubbished these claims though referring to the inquest that concluded the dig became sealed by a collapse. Brett though thought that this was the truth that was revealed. He didn't seem to be fully functional in the mind. Nyssa was angered, still tied outside and helpless. 

Tulung though made a horrific discovery, the bones weren't just Permian remains. Human as well. Brett's theory seemed proved right. He left his party to die. Tulung saw a finger, with a ring identical to one his mother owned, it was his father! Tulung was outraged that this dig had the possibility of being exhibited. It was disgusting! 

In a fantastic and clever u-turn, the passageway that the Doctor and Monica had walked through led straight into the dig site and they ran into Tulung and Brett. But Permians were closeby, with Nyssa still tied up outside! Monica quickly untied her, she was safe momentarily at least. There was a desperate idea, throw the dead remains of the Permians at those now active, they could possibly think they were under attack from their own species and be confused. But the Permian that consumed Gaborik seemed to be in control and had quickly gained intelligence. They gained ability and intelligence at a rapid pace, it was a scary thought of what would happen if the Doctor was consumed with him being a Time Lord! The Permians realised they weren't to fight amongst themselves, it didn't make sense. 

The Doctor cleverly now realised that if there were dead remains present, something must've killed previous Permians. They needed to work out what, and quickly! Nyssa pointed out the sooty entrance, and the Doctor realised it was fire. An ancient force to fight an ancient being. Brett though was stupidly thinking that he was special and because his father escaped in 1964, he was the only one that could kill them. But he was wrong. 

One dynamite stick was present thanks to the vehicle travelled in. The explosion aroused and there was the sound of a massive attack! It sounded brutal but it wasn't enough. They were distracted and disorientated, but alive. The Doctor was angered of the possibility that they could take over a future that wasn't theirs. Nature decided their time was up a long time ago. 

Back at the house, hoping Permians would follow, the Doctor had a plan that was last resort. He was going to lead Permians into the house and through a passageway created between the Earth and stone rooms. He was going to instruct the passageway be covered in highly flammable materials. He planned on trapping and destroying the Permians. The Doctor attempted to lead them through, Tulung was waiting, ready to ignite. The Doctor gave the call and Tulung set the passageway alight! The Permians were heard struggling, still alive, it was claimed they understood what was happening. But silence struck, smoke was piling throughout the house and the Doctor, Nyssa and co escaped the house, which was now up in flames. The Permians were destroyed. 

Dawn was upon Alaska, and it was all over. The Doctor again gave a concluding explanation and Monica was angered at how the Time Lord always seemed to be right. The Doctor talking with Nyssa, didn't seem to want the navigation of the TARDIS fixed, he liked the constant danger. They headed back to the TARDIS and I guessed the events of Arc of Infinity followed for them in which they'd be reunited with Tegan. 

My analysis; 

Overall, I really enjoyed this audio adventure! It was consistently good staying at the same standard which I liked. There were three very good cliffhangers! I thought the support cast were also very good and the house/monument setting of Alaska was really good. The Permians sounded intriguing, but I'm not sure how big the house was if they were described as giant (my only real issue). I really liked the linking of 1964 and 1994 and how the TARDIS was in both times. It really tied in nicely! The riddling sickness was a good addition to the danger in the story and I also liked the night setting. It added to the mystery. It was fantastic to have Nyssa back who by the end certainly was herself once more, and I like how she was able to be the soul companion in an adventure with her Doctor. The relationship between Brett and Tulung was also of interest, but there was minimal confusion over the hybrids and what the building actually was. But overall, great! 

Rating; 9/10- Minimal confusion and the issue with the Permian height cause The Land of the Dead to drop a mark.