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The Fourth Doctor Adventures #1.5
Doctor Who: Trail of the White Worm
The legend dates back to Roman times, at least: a great White Worm, as wide as a man, slithers out of the rocks of the Dark Peak Gap to take animals, sometimes even children, for its food.
When the Doctor and Leela arrive in the wilds of Derbyshire, only to get caught up in the hunt for a missing girl, they soon discover that the legend of the Worm is very much alive – even now, in 1979.
Worse still, it seems that the Doctor isn't the only renegade Time Lord on the trail of this deadly and mysterious Worm...
When the Doctor and Leela arrive in the wilds of Derbyshire, only to get caught up in the hunt for a missing girl, they soon discover that the legend of the Worm is very much alive – even now, in 1979.
Worse still, it seems that the Doctor isn't the only renegade Time Lord on the trail of this deadly and mysterious Worm...
Audio CD
First published May 31, 2012
About the author
Alan Barnes
86 books14 followersAlan Barnes is a British writer and editor, particularly noted for work in the field of cult film and television. Barnes served as the editor of Judge Dredd Megazine from 2001 until December 2005, during which time the title saw a considerable increase in the number of new strip pages. Among other strips, Barnes originally commissioned The Simping Detective. He also wrote a handful of Judge Dredd stories involving alternate universes or featuring a young Dredd.
He worked for five years at Doctor Who Magazine and progressed from writing strips to becoming joint editor in 1998 and sole editor from 2000 until 2002. He subsequently contributed the ongoing Fact of Fiction series of articles to the magazine. Barnes has also written or co-written a number of Doctor Who audio plays for Big Finish Productions.
He has written a number of books on cult films (including James Bond, Quentin Tarantino and Sherlock Holmes) and his book The Hammer Story, co-written with Marcus Hearn, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Non-Fiction in 1997.
He worked for five years at Doctor Who Magazine and progressed from writing strips to becoming joint editor in 1998 and sole editor from 2000 until 2002. He subsequently contributed the ongoing Fact of Fiction series of articles to the magazine. Barnes has also written or co-written a number of Doctor Who audio plays for Big Finish Productions.
He has written a number of books on cult films (including James Bond, Quentin Tarantino and Sherlock Holmes) and his book The Hammer Story, co-written with Marcus Hearn, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Non-Fiction in 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 18, 2018
Great to hear the Master again.
May 26, 2017
"Whisht, lads, haad yor gobs..." Coming from the part of the country that I do, I am very familiar with the legend of the Lambton Worm, on which the first half of this two-parter is loosely based. Having said which, Bram Stoker's adaptation of the tale, Lair of the White Worm, is clearly used as much of the source material here, including transposing the original legend to Derbyshire.
The Doctor and Leela arrive outside a Peak District village in 1979 as it is being menaced by the aforementioned wyrm. For the most part, this early half of the story is rather good, setting up the mystery and having Leela encounter the Master (as is clearly indicated on the cover, so I don't consider this a spoiler), whose involvement with things is also initially opaque. The explanation for the wyrm is a bit daft, but, on the plus side, the story is sprinkled with references to the time period, from Lord Lucan to Pan's People, and Leela is given a decent action role.
And then the Master's allies turn up, and the story takes a bit of a nose-dive. As will be apparent to fans from the title and cover of the second half, The Oseidon Adventure, these are the Kraals, one of the less dramatically successful of the Fourth Doctor's TV foes. They don't really work any better here than they did in the original TV story (which, notably, is also quite good until they actually turn up), and the fact that the main human villain is a ridiculous pantomime character doesn't help, either.
The parts where the focus is on the Master, rather than the Kraals and their bumbling ally, work a little better, and there's more than one plot twist taking advantage of Oseidon's android technology. But the damage has been done, and any human element of the story, as seen in the first half, has departed in favour of megalomaniacal scheming.
So, four stars for the first half, and just three for the second, although it's far from a complete loss. It is, though, a bit of a pity that Big Finish didn't make it clearer that this is a two-part story, considering that the two halves are sold separately. You have been warned.
The Doctor and Leela arrive outside a Peak District village in 1979 as it is being menaced by the aforementioned wyrm. For the most part, this early half of the story is rather good, setting up the mystery and having Leela encounter the Master (as is clearly indicated on the cover, so I don't consider this a spoiler), whose involvement with things is also initially opaque. The explanation for the wyrm is a bit daft, but, on the plus side, the story is sprinkled with references to the time period, from Lord Lucan to Pan's People, and Leela is given a decent action role.
And then the Master's allies turn up, and the story takes a bit of a nose-dive. As will be apparent to fans from the title and cover of the second half, The Oseidon Adventure, these are the Kraals, one of the less dramatically successful of the Fourth Doctor's TV foes. They don't really work any better here than they did in the original TV story (which, notably, is also quite good until they actually turn up), and the fact that the main human villain is a ridiculous pantomime character doesn't help, either.
The parts where the focus is on the Master, rather than the Kraals and their bumbling ally, work a little better, and there's more than one plot twist taking advantage of Oseidon's android technology. But the damage has been done, and any human element of the story, as seen in the first half, has departed in favour of megalomaniacal scheming.
So, four stars for the first half, and just three for the second, although it's far from a complete loss. It is, though, a bit of a pity that Big Finish didn't make it clearer that this is a two-part story, considering that the two halves are sold separately. You have been warned.
October 3, 2019
This Dr. Who audio ticks quite a few boxes for me: Tom Baker, The Master, Lair of the White Worm, Snake people, serpent metamorphosis.
The Doctor and Leela arrive in Dampton in the Wilds of Derbyshire where a mysterious you know what (white worm) is running rampant. However the Doctor soon ascertains that the worm is the least of his worries and that there is a something or other (The Master) who is far more dangerous....
I really enjoyed this one - being a full radio drama the production is top notch and this really draws you in. The story is great fun with elements of Hammer's The Reptile and Lair of the White Worm as well as Doctor/Master awesomeness. The script is witty and there are some great one liners. Tom Baker is fantastic as always but Rachel Stirling is also worth mentioning here as the wonderful Mrs Demesne Furze.
The one down side is that it is only half the story and ends on an almighty cliff hanger so you really need to have The Oseidon Adventure on hand to see what happens next.
The Doctor and Leela arrive in Dampton in the Wilds of Derbyshire where a mysterious you know what (white worm) is running rampant. However the Doctor soon ascertains that the worm is the least of his worries and that there is a something or other (The Master) who is far more dangerous....
I really enjoyed this one - being a full radio drama the production is top notch and this really draws you in. The story is great fun with elements of Hammer's The Reptile and Lair of the White Worm as well as Doctor/Master awesomeness. The script is witty and there are some great one liners. Tom Baker is fantastic as always but Rachel Stirling is also worth mentioning here as the wonderful Mrs Demesne Furze.
The one down side is that it is only half the story and ends on an almighty cliff hanger so you really need to have The Oseidon Adventure on hand to see what happens next.
August 3, 2022
Trail of the White Worm is more evidence of Big Finish's efforts to make the 4th Doctor adventures feel like a continuation rather than a rewrite. The production features a brilliantly over-the-top performance from Michael Cochrane, a superbly sinister performance from Geoffrey Beevers, and a nicley modulated performance from Rachel Stirling. Tom Baker is by this point falling back into the role. The story itself is classic in structure, even when it contains elements that could not have been done in 1977, such as Col. Spindleton's tank and helicopter. Alan Barnes seems to be aiming for Robert Holmes in the writing, using quirky and very English characters, mixing offhanded joking and serious danger. The major complaint that I have is that it has not much new, that the writer has tried a little too hard to recreate 1977 without stretching the form just a bit.
February 19, 2018
Une aventure un peu plus intéressante que les précédentes au niveau de l'action et des rebondissements. De plus, on accordait une importance encore plus grande aux mots et à ce qu'il pouvait receler ou laisser entendre
Seule déception est que l'aventure n'est que le premier épisode laissant peu de place à une belle clôture bien que l'épisode réussit à bien se terminer sur lui-même en ficelant un peu tout ce qu'il avait à ficeler avant de laisser sa place (à quelques exceptions près, mais je verrais si elles sont adressées dans l'épisode suivant).
Bref, bien écrit, bonne action, se distingue des autres et fait bien avancer l'histoire.
(le meilleur exemple étant le "snake" (serpent) "worm" (vers) / "wyrm" (dragon, de retour au serpent) & finalement le "wormhole".
Seule déception est que l'aventure n'est que le premier épisode laissant peu de place à une belle clôture bien que l'épisode réussit à bien se terminer sur lui-même en ficelant un peu tout ce qu'il avait à ficeler avant de laisser sa place (à quelques exceptions près, mais je verrais si elles sont adressées dans l'épisode suivant).
Bref, bien écrit, bonne action, se distingue des autres et fait bien avancer l'histoire.
March 16, 2018
This is it, the peak of the season. The final episode will have to be pretty incredible to beat this episode. While many writers try and update the series to the current decade, this is unrepentantly 1970s. Lovecraftian Elder Gods, Leela being primitively competent yet constantly under estimated, humour, pompous gits, etc etc etc
If you liked Image Of Fendahl, Stones Of Blood, or even K9 & Co then this story will float your boat. Even if you are not familiar with 70s Who, or Robert E Howard, HP Lovecraft and their ilk, I can’t recommend this highly enough.
10/10
If you liked Image Of Fendahl, Stones Of Blood, or even K9 & Co then this story will float your boat. Even if you are not familiar with 70s Who, or Robert E Howard, HP Lovecraft and their ilk, I can’t recommend this highly enough.
10/10
July 28, 2018
This was GREAT!!
It had suspense, was thrilling, had excellent actors and excellent use of music and sound effects. It was nasty, funny, interesting and I just wanted to keep listening. I couldn't care much for the two teenagers(?) but they're important to the story so I'll let it slip. Everything else was amazing, and I actually would really love to have seen this as a real story in the TV-series.
It had suspense, was thrilling, had excellent actors and excellent use of music and sound effects. It was nasty, funny, interesting and I just wanted to keep listening. I couldn't care much for the two teenagers(?) but they're important to the story so I'll let it slip. Everything else was amazing, and I actually would really love to have seen this as a real story in the TV-series.
February 11, 2019
A fun story that sets up the next one. The Trail of the White Worm is a good story, and Geoffrey Beevers & Louise Jameson are fantastic as the Master and Leela. Both of them and a joy to listen too. Tom Baker is Tom Baker. What I mean is at times he feels too much like his real self and less like the Doctor. Renaissance Man and Iceni, had much stronger performances.
I won't say too much about the story since there is a lot going on, but I think people will have an enjoyable time with this one.
I won't say too much about the story since there is a lot going on, but I think people will have an enjoyable time with this one.
October 13, 2021
For a story that ends on a cliffhanger, it's actually entertaining. Best portions , Leela takes on a remote controlled tank and wins, the banter between the Doctor and the Master is very amusing. The surprise of the Master's involvement is however telegraphed by his image on the cover art, minor complaint.
Truth is having Geofrey Beavers back to voice The Master is always a treat and having the Master back to face off against Tom Baker's fourth Doctor is something wonderful any worthy of a multi story arc. Looking forward to the next story in this arc.
Truth is having Geofrey Beavers back to voice The Master is always a treat and having the Master back to face off against Tom Baker's fourth Doctor is something wonderful any worthy of a multi story arc. Looking forward to the next story in this arc.
February 18, 2022
Episode four of Big Finish’s Fourth Doctor Adventures is a new story complete with monsters the Karls and the Doctor’s old nemesis, The Master, voiced by Geoffrey Beevers who played the Master in “Keepers of Traken”. The convoluted plot gets a bit muddy to follow, but the story is fun. unlike earlier stories, this is actually a two part story which is finished in episode 1.6 “The Oseidon Adventure “.
February 1, 2017
A fun romp in the woods with The Doctor (Tom Baker!!!), Leela, and The Master. I really enjoyed hearing Geoffrey Beevers play The Master and shall seek out more of his performances. He plays BAD so well.
March 9, 2018
Not a bad Part 1! It also reminded me of that bonkers Peter Capaldi movie, The Lair of the White Worm, which deals with the same creature. I'm not wild about the Doctor referring to Leela as "Savage" as a nickname, however "primitive" her origins. It's unnecessary.
May 16, 2021
A fantastic set up for what's to come for the series final! We got the daleks and the master in a single series, you really can't grumble 😍 this was great and i feel like im one of the few who enjoyed this one and gave it full marks in stead of 3 or 4 stars!
November 28, 2017
entertaining and funny
March 5, 2018
In which we learn that Leela thinks that the Doctor is often annoying, how wormholes are built and than the Master is still very much alive . However this is only part 1 of the story.
February 20, 2022
some funny jokes in the dialogue. Geoffrey Beevers very strong as the Master in audio form.
January 20, 2024
This audio suggests why the Decayed Master looks different between the Pratt and Beevers portrayals, which is a question I literally never asked to have answered.
July 23, 2012
I went into this audiodrama with practically no expectations, and so I was shocked to discover that it was the first part of a two-part finale for the "first season" of the Fourth Doctor Adventures. Even more so, the title is quite innocuous, given where the story goes and how it ties into the larger context of the Fourth Doctor era.
I could get into those details, but to be honest, it's far more fun to allow new listeners to experience the revelations for themselves. I know it elevated my listening experience tremendously! I love it when stories of seemingly small scale turn out to be far more meaningful, especially when the title doesn't tell you what is going to happen. (Unlike, say, "Energy of the Daleks", or most of the titles for the majority of Classic Who serials!)
The titular trail of a white worm is discovered by the Doctor and Leela within the opening seconds of the story, and things take a variety of twists and turns from there. The writing is clever enough that I thought it was going to follow a couple different genre tropes before it finally zeroed in on the real target. It also doesn't beat the audience over the head with a message or two-dimensional characterization, which has unfortunately been all too common with Leela since her arrival.
I would talk about the strength of the guest cast, but since it would represent a massive spoiler, I don't want to ruin the surprise. Similarly, I can't really discuss the implications to the overall Whovian continuity. What I can say is that the production team did an excellent job of weaving this story into the existing material, and it makes a great deal of sense for these events to fit into this moment in the Fourth Doctor timeline.
Even if some of the other Fourth Doctor Adventures didn't quite work for me, I would wholeheartedly recommend this one to fans of the classic run. For all intent purposes, this "season finale" stands pretty much on its own, and this is a very good beginning to the story.
August 27, 2012
Alan Barnes has rarely disappointed me, and I'm glad to report that in his double story that ends this season, Trail of the White Worm/The Oseidon Adventure, he is on top form. Geoffrey Beevers returns as the Keeper of Traken Master, the idea being that he absorbed enough energy in The Deadly Assassin to become a bit less putrescent as the Doctor puts it. (There's nothing in The Keeper of Traken to contradict an earlier meeting between the Fourth Doctor and the Beevers Master.) In fact the standourt performance in Trail of the White Worm is Rachael Sterling, daughter of Diana Rigg who is to appear with her mother in a Mark Gatiss episode of the coming New Who season, playing a posh woman with more to her than meets the eye. The two stories are more separate than one normally gets in two-parters, though each still has both the Master (Beevers has good rapport with Baker, but isn't quite as evil as most Masters) and a wonderful demented colonel played by Michael Cochrane (who appeared twice in Old Who, as Charles Cranleigh in Black Orchid and Redvers Fenn-Cooper in Ghost Light). The Oseidon Adventure, not surprisingly given its title, is to a large extent a remake of The Android Invasion, with a lot of the same plot elements but doing it much better - particularly the confusion of identity of working out if you yourself may not unwittingly be your own android double.
November 22, 2020
Overall good book, got some great quotes in it such as..
Is this a private burglary or can anyone join?”
“Surrender the women or Blast you all to ash!”
Please don’t do that she’s just had the curtains dry cleaned!
“What’s that? I can’t hear you when you’re talking to the wall.”
“The wall is more intelligent!”
good voice actors, since they actually got some of the actors, good use of expression and good story line.
Is this a private burglary or can anyone join?”
“Surrender the women or Blast you all to ash!”
Please don’t do that she’s just had the curtains dry cleaned!
“What’s that? I can’t hear you when you’re talking to the wall.”
“The wall is more intelligent!”
good voice actors, since they actually got some of the actors, good use of expression and good story line.
March 4, 2014
The first part of a two part adventure, concluding the first season of the Fourth Doctor Adventures. I quite liked this one, and it also brought back a very familiar antagonist. The title is kind of a red herring for the actual big bad of this story, which I rather loved, but it doesn't take long before you realize who's the real enemy here so you're not kept waiting.
January 23, 2024
This was pretty fun. This series is really making me like Leela, who I was previously more or less indifferent on . The cliffhanger at the end is pretty good, although I feel like the whole thing with the worm being just discarded like that could've been done better, I don't know.
November 5, 2012
Loved it but the ending just ...ends, like it is an episode short. Presuming this is cleared up in the next story.
February 27, 2022
The Doctor and Leela battle the Master.
May 3, 2016
Would have preferred that this be a contained audio, and not continued in the Oseidon Adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2021
A great solid set-up to the finale with plenty of humour and some horror! The characters were really good in this and the white worm was an interesting idea! The cast were great in this too. 8/10
August 30, 2014
Silly. Tom Baker is always fun as the Doctor but this story turns into a bad Ken Russell spoof.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews