Audio #8: Red Dawn

TARDIS crew; 

• Fifth Doctor

• Peri

Notable Characters; 

• Lee Forbes- Commander of Mars Excursion Group

• Susan Roberts- Member of Mars Excursion Group

• Tanya Webster- Member of Mars Excursion Group

• Paul Webster- Member of Mars Excursion Group

• Lord Zzaal- Ice Warrior

• Sstast- Ice Warrior

Detailed Plot; 

Part One

A pretty good introductory part to an audio I've been looking forward to for quite some time. Relatively short at 20 minutes, this part was a typical opening part with not too much happening that brought about danger or even threat. It simply established the setting and gave the basis of a possible plot. 

It began with a spaceship launch in America, Houston to be specific. The countdown had commenced and the ship had lift off and ascended into space. The TARDIS was heard materialising at what I presumed to be the destination of the rocket ship, that just seemed logical. It had been a little while since my last Fifth Doctor story, The Land of the Dead, so it was great to hear Peter Davison was the Doctor alongside Peri whom I'd not heard since Whispers of Terror and is a long time favourite companion of mine. The Doctor presumed they'd landed somewhere close to Earth, but jokingly claimed they could be a 'few thousand light years' away. Peri was eager to go outside but the Doctor was making his final safety checks. He explained how the gravity outside was a third (1/3) of what she was used to on Earth. Once the Doctor was satisfied, the pair exited the TARDIS. At this point I realised the rarity of a Fifth Doctor and Peri story, only two were broadcast on TV and that includes Peri's introductory story where she's not really a companion yet. So as they left the TARDIS, I was looking very forward to the adventure! 

The pair weren't too impressed with the foul shell of nitric oxide but they were intrigued by the apparent shell-like structure they were in. Peri was fascinated by the walls and the Doctor was definitely interested in the wall texture. This structure was certainly unique and the Doctor wasn't too sure what to make of it all. A bit more exploring then? 

Meanwhile, the Mars Excursion group were heard inside the rocket ship and it was pretty obvious by the name of the group what the destination was. It was interesting how it was claimed 'Webster sent his family' up. I was hoping to get more information about the crew members and who Webster was. A member of NASA maybe? The ship was now descending to Mars. 

The Doctor and Peri came to a door and although there was no clear doorway, they were certain of an exit. It was the same mysterious texture of the walls that had intrigued the TARDIS pair before. As the Doctor apparently leaned on the door, it opened and the travellers walked through. However, there were now problems for the rocket crew. It seemed as they planned on landing, the descending engines had failed! After an attempt to reboot they were again functional but then the landing radar failed. Things didn't look good. Two seconds before aborting, a lock on was made and the descent path could be made. Although the air outside above Mars was full of dust and the path certainly wasn't clear. The landing lock was fully established and with the help of the rocket computer the ticket would be able to descend to the planet surface. 

The rocket successfully landed on Mars was only around half a mile away from an anomaly. I was interested as to what the crew of this ship considered to be an anomaly, it seemed it was some sort of raised bump in the surface, almost like a shell. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Peri had counted seven large ice blocks on their search for, well nothing in particular to be honest. The Doctor was interested as to how the large blocks were always close to doorways. Peri suggested that the machines to open the doors were inside the ice. It was though a mystery, and the Doctor was fascinated! 

Lee Forbes, the Commander, exited the rocket and stepped down the ladder to the Martian surface. It was red of course and he claimed this was man's biggest step so far. He'd got sight of the anomaly and whilst talking back to NASA (I presumed) in Houston, he made a revelation! He said it's 'oh my god-.' But was cutoff. The audio back to Earth was lost. Inside the shell structure, the Doctor seemed to recognise an air lock, a lock that needed hands to be opened. Life? The Doctor of course didn't know that he was on Mars, the planet of a familiar foe... 

Commander Forbes was now back on the ship, alive and well, but he seemed different, somewhat shocked. He described to his crew; Susan, Tanya and Paul, how the anomaly was actually a structure and seemed to be the cause of the break in audio transmission. It was clear that this structure was what the Doctor and Peri were wondering about inside. 

Commander Forbes and Susan Roberts planned on reaching the nearby structure for closer examination. They admired its large scale and seemed to find an entrance. The two entered the shell and were shocked to greet the startled Doctor and Peri! It was a great thing to imagine, the first humans on Mars and they enter a an anomalistic structure only to find people already there! There was initial shock and confusion from both parties. 

Tanya was on the ship with the Paul and the female had gotten word that Lee and Susan had found 'company.' Peri was feeling the effects of the freezing temperature now and was taken back to the rocket ship by Susan for the spare thermal suit. The Doctor wasn't eager to go where Lee wanted, and that was the centre of the structure. The Doctor admitted he'd been avoiding that. Commander Forbes was now interested as it opened, revealing a huge chamber. It was medieval styled and within many blocks of ice were bodies! The temperature was quickly warming and the blocks were cracking. Whatever was inside would soon be out. The Doctor told Peri and the rest of the rocket crew to stay put and as the cracks opened the Doctor suddenly realised where he was. Mars. The Ice Warriors were coming! 

A fantastic cliffhanger but I could see it coming from the CD artwork, nonetheless, I look forward to a new Ice Warrior adventure and I hope justice is done after the Peladon tales and Cold War. 

Part Two

An interesting part, again rather shorter than normal audios, with actually a minimal amount happening, it was mainly conversation but it still managed to be quite enjoyable. It began with the usual repeat of the previous part's cliffhanger but in this case it repeated nearly two minutes of the climax! Needing to fill time by the looks. Once the part finally got under way, it was magnificent to hear the Ice Warriors had awoke. A new classic adventure with the brilliant villains, let's just hope they're like they were with Troughton, evil, not good as with Pertwee. 

The Doctor described how they were Ice Warriors to Commander Forbes and I was intrigued how an Ice Warrior described their species' name as an 'adequate description.' Did the Doctor just name an old time foe of his? It seemed that this story was being set in the early days of the Ice Warrior history as they had no knowledge of the Doctor after he introduced himself. Meanwhile, inside the rocket ship Paul described how his father, the person that had sent members of family (Paul and Tanya) on this voyage, knew that the anomaly was an alien structure. The Webster Corporation were behind the venture to Mars, with the backing of NASA of course. Paul seemed to know that they'd encounter aliens but now his true intentions were revealed. He just wanted the alien technology. 

Zzaal, an Ice Warrior Lord, described how the doors that previously intrigued the Doctor were designed to be opened for good intentions. That was interesting to me. What did the Ice Warriors consider 'good?' Suddenly, Susan returned from the ship into the medieval-like chamber and she was armed, threatening the Mars natives. Feeling obviously threatened, the Ice Warriors attacked and their familiar sonic using technique was heard. It brought back some great memories of '60s Who. Susan though wasn't dead, she was still just about breathing. Sadly, the Ice Warriors wanted to help relieve her pain. I didn't like this! The Ice Warriors are traditionally villains, evil, ruthless aliens. Not courteous! It again seemed I would be disappointed in this story with a lack of evil intent from the once great enemies. Zzaal though did give a tremendous account of some Martian and Ice Warrior history. He described how the chamber was the final resting place of Izdaal, a heroic Ice Warrior. The other Ice Warriors, like himself and Sstast, were his guards. 

Back on the ship, Paul and Tanya, now joined by Peri, presumed that it was the Ice Warriors who'd blocked the contact to Earth. Tanya though, thanks to Peri's brilliant influential plea, worked out how the signal had been blocked, intriguingly, it couldn't of been done by the Ice Warriors. It had to have been Forbes or Roberts, they'd intentionally blocked the signal and issued a new password and made it impossible for a system reboot. For some reason, a crew member didn't want the occurrings on Mars to be reported back to Earth. 

Fantastically, Zzaal showed and described to the Doctor the Wall of Memories. It portrayed how the oncoming red dawn prediction had been forsaw and that there'd been an organised evacuation. It was this red dawn that had killed Izdaal, the once great Ice Warrior of obvious authority. It was described as a noble death, dying to save the rest of his race. Zzaal explained how he stayed to protect, and was made a Lord in his younger days. Izdaal's guards were placed in suspended animation, protected, waiting for a race of high intelligence to develop on Earth to free them from statuesque conditions. A huge risk, but now it'd payed off. 

Ice Warrior Sstast went to the rocket on the orders of Zzaal and wanted to simply escort the trio to the chamber. Paul though was ruthless and killed the Warrior with nitrogen. There was some sort of communication device on the alien's arm and he retrieved it. He'd sadistically gotten his alien technology. He was pleased and happy, having got what he came for. Peri and Tanya though weren't impressed. 

Back in the structure and things didn't look good for Susan, she was dying having too much sonic exposure. So uncharacteristically of the original Ice Warriors in their first two appearances, Zzaal offered his condolences and apologies. Susan died. 

The Doctor talked back to the ship now and knowing the race was honourable, valuing Zzaal's word, he described Sstast was on his way to escort the trio in. Paul though described what he'd done and still seemed a threat. He was armed and demanded no other Ice Warriors come to the ship. Paul tied up the already dead Sstast, he wanted the alien trapped and taken back to Earth. He even seemed to attack it to ensure it remained dead. Sstast was dead, and trapped. Zzaal was not happy, in fact he was outraged! 

Immediately, the Lord Ice Warrior gave his orders. They wanted Sstast to have an honourable death and that meant blowing up the rocket! Paul meanwhile was excited by the prospect of an intergalactic war, he certainly wasn't right in the head! He sickeningly wanted to clone a human but include the DNA of the Ice Warrior to create 'Earth Warriors.' A sadistic plan. Danger though soon aroused for the trio on the ship as the hatch had become red hot. Pail shockingly wanted lift off and quickly took the procedures necessary to ensure it! Ignition was rushed but Paul was having his way and didn't care about leaving Lee and the Doctor stranded on Mars. Paul's only interest was in taking the Martian back to Earth. Zzaal though was determined to not let Sstast be taken and launched the defence chamber. The Earth vessel was tracked and now the target was acquired. The weapon systems were locked on and now the Doctor was mightily worried for his companion's safety! Reasoning was useless and now the target was locked on, Zzaal fired... 

A fantastic cliffhanger to a part that improved as it went along with all tbf danger and excitement occurring in the climax. I look forward to seeing what's next, and if the Ice Warriors do become villains! 

Part Three

Now this was more like it! A thoroughly enjoyable penultimate part that more than made up for my disappointment thus far due to the Ice Warriors' lack of villainous style. It begins on the rocket ship and it turns out that Sstast is still alive. Peri attempted to free the unconscious Warrior but Paul was in command, flaunting the gun of the Ice a Warrior. The ship did though detect the incoming missile, Tanya was ordered to fly the ship to safety. Problems continued though as the ship had low fuel and now Sstast was free, and knocked Paul out cold! 

Back on the Mars surface and Zzaal wanted to fire another missile but the Doctor was having none of it and took the Lord's communicator, altered the frequency causing a disrupting sound that was clearly affecting the Ice Warriors. The Doctor had taken control. On the word of Zzaal, the Doctor stopped the disruption and so uncharacteristically, the Ice Warriors took the defeat and stood by their promise, offering their trust back to the Doctor. 

The Doctor was now communicating back to the ship that'd avoided destruction from the missiles and the Time Lord was only concerned with the safety of Peri and the rest of the crew. Attempts began to talk the ship down. However, most of the rocket systems were shot down, but Zzaal and also the Doctor seemed to believe the ship was in better condition than the instruments suggested. Now though, the crew did need to get suited to avoid breathing in the fumes from the missiles. 

Things weren't clear, far from it, on the planned descent. The rocket would burn up on re-entry into the atmosphere but the Doctor had a plan. He explained to use the retros to slow down the ascent. Tanya told how they needed a six second burst to get going, they needed to get close to the surface, and they weren't too far away. 

The descent began, no burning up, but the rocket was dropping at some speed! Ironically, the main chamber in which the Doctor, Zzaal and Forbes were in was the exact point of impact! It was going to land right on top of the Ice Warriors! The Martians described how they had a ship though and that the Doctor and Forbes would accompany them. The Doctor, somewhat chillingly, would have to use Susan's air suit. 

The rocket was now falling but with seemed help from the Ice Warriors, the descent was slowed as impact occurred. 

The Doctor and Forbes quickly exited as the ship landed. Outside, the Doctor and Lee saw the vessel, looking relatively intact. The Ice Warriors accompanied them and even they explained how Mars was now too cold, even for them. Life couldn't exist with no water, the 'world is dead.' The Ice Warriors genuinely seemed sad! As they opened the hatch, Peri and Tanya were safe and now Paul awoke. Sstast had taken the entire trio as his prisoners and now Zzaal was in command. There was a question of execution due to attacking the Warrior whilst at peace. A hint of what the Ice Warriors can and should consistently be. They did though not kill the trio, although it was only Paul responsible. Zzaal explained how they may send them home after all. The Doctor admired the 'noble' decision. Zzaal was being extremely patient. The Ice Warriors had changed ever so much and were nowhere near their best as seen in a The Seeds of Death. 

Back by the tomb of Izdaal, Paul was pretty much being an arse playing around by the sacred temple. Intriguingly, it seemed Tanya knew about Izdaal before she was told! Was she hiding something? Conflict soon aroused by the tomb and Paul had gotten ahold of a detonator and threatened to detonate the protected tomb. The Ice Warriors were sworn to protect the great Warrior so now Paul gave his terms. He wanted an Ice Warrior ship. Paul was in control of both the Ice Warriors and the Doctor too. 

The terms were agreed to and Paul was given a vehicle of sorts to get to the ship. He ordered Tanya and the Doctor to go with him and he kept to his word, giving the detonator back. He knew Tanya was clever and wanted her to fly the ship, he'd even force her by the looks, still seeming to have the gun of Sstast. Paul's patience with the Doctor was waring thin, and he attempted to attack/kill him! Not the best of cliffhangers but the part was by far the best of the audio so far!

Part Four 

Sadly I didn't get the thrilling and improved climax I had hoped for in this story. It was relatively mixed and despite the part being short, it somehow seemed to drag. The cliffhanger resolution was frankly awful. After Paul threatening the Doctor's life saying 'time to say goodbye Doctor,' the part began with Paul immediately relieving any thought of threat and simply saying 'just so we know where we stand.' He told the Doctor to wave goodbye to his friends, who he was claimed he'd never see again. Webster still had the Doctor in his control as he was armed, pressuring Tanya now too. 

It seemed now that the Ice Warriors along with Peri and Forbes were out in a vehicle of their own and were attempting to rescue the Doctor and Tanya. Although noble and good news for the Doctor, I despised how Zzaal gave his word that the Doctor wouldn't die. That's not the Ice Warriors we were first introduced to, and what they should have remained! 

Inside the promised Ice Warrior ship, Tanya magically had started the engines! Paul was instructing lift off, it seemed Tanya was a genius. It was explained how Sstast had sent an Ice Warrior ahead to cut out the hatch of the ship and if successfully activated then the engines would stop. Success had occurred and the ship's lift off was halted. The trio inside were now stuck. Zzaal, Peri and co returned to the defence chamber and planned on communicating with Paul from there. Paul had plans of communication also, hoping to get himself a bargain. 

Things soon changed for Zzaal though and he intended on sending a sonic charge smack bang into the middle of the ship that Paul was in control of! They figured that they had to destroy to avoid being destroyed. They felt threatened by the possibility of Paul's ability to attack from the ship, Zzaal claimed Webster had left no choice. 

In a brilliantly shocking revelation, Paul revealed all about Tanya, who up until now had seemed pretty normal. He explained how Tanya was cloned from Martian DNA that had been salvaged on an expedition eighteen years ago. Tanya was seventeen. She was shocked, the Doctor less surprised as it now explained her knowledge of Izdaal and the Ice ships. 

Negotiations soon began between Zzaal and Paul, in return for the Doctor, Paul wanted an Ice Warrior of his own! Zzaal agreed in order to prevent the ship's sonic cannon from destroying the tomb of Izdaal. Surprisingly though, Zzaal offered himself as the hostage! But it was a clever sacrifice as he left Sstast in charge with one simple order. Paul remained alive as long as he, the Lord Ice Warrior himself, did. He'd the order of deploying the sonic charge the moment Zzaal died, should that occur. 

Paul sadistic plan was to create the ultimate warrior, blending human DNA with that of humans. The Doctor and Forbes both made detailed reference to the Brookings Report and the history of its origins were interestingly told. They both described how in difficult circumstances where any alien artifacts or life were found then communication was void. It didn't make much sense but it was demanded it be followed. 

Zzaal had now arrived at the ship with the Doctor, Tanya and Paul and was honouring his word. Paul however immediately broke his word and wouldn't yet allow the Doctor to leave. Zzaal, so uncharacteristically of the Ice Warriors, bid his farewell to Sstast. Zzaal watched the dawn rise, begging a last wish, he witnessed the 'Red Dawn.' Sstast, prepared for the worst, had the charge primed and ready. The Doctor was blaming himself for the problems and now Zzaal was satisfied at seeing the red dawn. But the heat was killing him! He warned the Doctor how Sstast would stand by his word and deploy the sonic charge soon. The Doctor explained how it was the ultra violet and the thin atmosphere that was killing Zzaal. On his home planet, even he needed a protective suit. He plead to the Doctor and Tanya to save themselves, they ran. Zzaal died and this made Paul gutted. He'd lost his prize. The Doctor and Tanya ran whilst Paul stood still. 

Sstast had the target position locked but Peri plead to not fire, trying to give the Doctor as much time as possible to escape. The charge was fired, the ship was almost instantly destroyed on impact, Paul was caught within and now dead. The Doctor and Tanya had ran to safety, just about. They returned to the chamber and Sstast explained how there was hope for the humans, some like Forbes, understood honour. 

Getting ready to leave, Tanya described how she wanted to stay on Mars, as an ambassador of sorts. Sstast wanted to now learn on Zzaal's vision, and take his place. The Doctor and Peri went back to the TARDIS, Peri wishing to see normality and plant life, will she ever get it?

My analysis; 

Overall, Red Dawn was a big mixed bag and wasn't what I was hoping for. I was really hoping to get redemption on the Ice Warriors after the Peladon tales and Cold War in which I thought the once brilliant villains were sadly mistreated. I was saddened how the Ice Warriors were treated as 'good' again, it's just not what they are to me! They were outstanding villains in The Ice Warriors and The Seeds of Death but in the three TV stories and now one audio adventure since, they've been massively changed, certainly not for the better. However, there were good aspects of this story. If the alien species wasn't the Ice Warriors then my final rating would certainly be higher. The story itself was mostly very good! I really liked the guest cast, particularly Tanya. Her revelation was excellent. The cliffhangers were really mixed and Paul was a unique character, who certainly could have been better. The idea of Izdaal seemed good, but was just so un-Ice Warrior! Zzaal was good though, as was Sstast, but as I've mentioned a number of times, the Ice Warriors have to be evil! The chamber was good and part three was fantastic! It was great to have the Fifth Doctor and Peri in a non-introductory or non-regeneration adventure so that was fantastic! Sadly though, it fell short of my expectations. 

Rating; 7/10- maybe generous, just make the Ice Warriors evil in the next appearance and I'll be happy!