Smoke and Mirrors.

1 episode. Approx. 67 minutes. Written by: Steve Lyons. Produced by: John Ainsworth. Directed by: John Ainsworth. Performed by: Janet Fielding, Tim Beckmann.


THE PLOT

The Doctor answers a summons from an old friend: Harry Houdini (Tim Beckmann), the legendary escape artist. Houdini has called the Doctor to an English fairground in the 1920's to investigate a fortune teller he suspects is using alien technology to simulate a connection to the spirit world.

It's all rather routine, and the Doctor and his companions have few concerns about breaking into the fair at night to search the fortune teller's tiny booth. But there's far more afoot than a simple charlatan with a dodgy crystal ball. An old enemy has laid a trap - and the Doctor has walked right into it!


CHARACTERS

The Doctor: Enjoys the fairground atmosphere, and is dismayed by Nyssa and Adric wondering "what's the point" of the carousel, particularly when they are bewildered when he tells them the point is to have fun. Though he appears to walk blithely into the trap that's been set for him, he does sense that something's amiss and takes a few sensible precautions - such as having his companions wait outside as a lookout while he and Harry go into the fortune teller's tent. He likes Houdini personally... but he's not blind to his friend's faults, and never shows the same open trust in him that he does in his actual traveling companions.

Adric: His overbearing tendencies are on full display as the story opens. He scoffs at Tegan for not seeing how a fortune teller is able to guess so much about her ("Isn't it obvious?" he sneers at her), and makes a show of being unimpressed by Houdini. His virtues are also shown, however, as he uses his mathematical skills to figure out the trick behind a "ghost show" at a critical moment. When Tegan is able to save him with some quick thinking, he is genuinely surprised - indicating that he thinks of the loudest of the group as stupid, or at least less intelligent than himself.

Tegan: Adric may be surprised at Tegan thinking quickly (and well), but that's because he's too wrapped up in himself to pay attention. Tegan's acerbic asides are frequently observant, such as when she acidly asks how the Doctor can get them to the 1920's fairground so easily when he can't manage to get her to Heathrow Airport. She's star-struck by Houdini, and her complaints ease off considerably once she meets him. Her basic loyalty to her friends is shown multiple times: When Nyssa is under hypnosis, she knows exactly what appeal to make to get her to shake it off, if only temporarily; she doesn't hesitate to run into a dangerous situation to rescue Adric; and she is the first to step forward to help the Doctor at the story's climax. 

Nyssa: Gets the least to do of the regulars, but she doesn't get wholly forgotten. Her closeness with Tegan doesn't stop her from trying to restrain her friend's impulsive streak, with several moments that see her trying to get Tegan to think before she acts (mostly without success). She is the first of the group to fall under the villain's spell, though not so completely that she isn't able to break free when ordered to kill her friends.


THOUGHTS

Smoke and Mirrors, the 5th Doctor entry in the 50th anniversary "Destiny of the Doctor" series, is a Season 19 story. This is no bad thing - As readers of my reviews have likely noted, I rate that season very highly overall. But this period of the show does come with the burden of three companions, which tended to end up being one companion too many on television.

Writer Steve Lyons makes that potential burden into an asset. It's obvious that he knows this Doctor Who era well, and he has a wonderful grasp of the characters. Not only does he give each of them something to do - He tailors his script to the characters' strengths. Nyssa is rational but a bit hesitant to act; Adric's overbearing traits are there, but he is also able to puzzle out things that the others might miss; and Tegan is quick to act, rash but willing to step in when the others might hang back. The dynamic between the three didn't always (or even often) work on television, but Lyons makes splendid use of them here.

The story is well-structured and marvelously paced. It starts out small and inconsequential. When Houdini reveals that he's called the Doctor here to investigate a fortune teller, you half-expect the Doctor to snap at him for such a trivial summons (It's lucky for Houdini that he ended up with the 5th Doctor instead of the 4th or 6th). But as soon as the group breaks into the fairgrounds at night, Lyons' script and Big Finish's excellent production introduce disconcerting elements. It's all too deserted and too quiet, making us very aware that something sinister is lying in wait. Then, once the reveal is made at the midpoint, it moves like lightning and doesn't let up. 

Janet Fielding's reading is largely excellent. Her narration is well-judged, and her speaking voice for the narration is noticeably more subdued than her "Tegan" voice, making it very clear when she's shifting from narration to dialogue. She effortlessly recaptures her Season 19 Tegan persona, and also channels Sarah Sutton's Nyssa with startling accuracy. She doesn't attempt to imitate the Doctor or Adric, which is probably a good choice, but she does deliver their lines with the appropriate emotions and attitudes to reflect their characters.

Overall, I was impressed with Smoke and Mirrors. Like all the "Destiny of the Doctor" stories to date, it feels right at home within its era. But the superb pace, clever structure, and near-perfect balancing of the regulars combine to make this a cut above most of this anniversary audio series. 


Overall Rating: 8/10.


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