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{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image           = The Quantum Possibility Engine.jpg|
|image             = The Quantum Possibility Engine.jpg|
|range           = Main Range
|range             = Main Range
|number in range = 243
|series            = ''[[Main Range]]''
|number         = 243
|number in range   = 243
|doctor         = Seventh Doctor
|number           = 243
|companions     = [[Ace]], [[Melanie Bush|Mel]]  
|doctor           = Seventh Doctor
|featuring       = [[Narvin]]
|companions       = [[Melanie Bush|Mel]], [[Ace]]
|enemy           = [[Josiah W. Dogbolter|Dogbolter]], the [[Krasi]]
|featuring         = [[Narvin]]
|setting         = [[Solar System]]
|enemy             = [[Josiah W. Dogbolter|Dogbolter]], the [[Krasi]]
|writer          = [[Guy Adams (writer)|Guy Adams]]
|setting           = [[Station 14]] and [[London]], [[82nd century]]
|director        = [[Jamie Anderson]]
|writer           = Guy Adams
|music           = [[Joe Kraemer]]
|director         = [[Jamie Anderson]]
|sound           = Joe Kraemer, [[Josh Arakelien]]
|producer          = [[Nicholas Briggs]]
|cover           = [[Simon Holub]]
|music             = [[Joe Kraemer]]
|publisher       = Big Finish Productions
|sound             = Joe Kraemer, [[Josh Arakelien]]
|release date   = [[16 October (releases)|16 October]] [[2018 (releases)|2018]]
|cover             = [[Simon Holub]]
|format         = 4 parts, 2 CDs
|epcount          = 4
|production code = BFPDWCD243
|publisher         = Big Finish Productions
|isbn           = ISBN-978-1-78178-835-6
|release date     = 16 October 2018
|prev           = The Dispossessed (audio story)
|format           = 2 CDs<br/>Download
|next           = Warlock's Cross (audio story)
|production code   = BFPDWCD243
|soundcloudtrailer = https://soundcloud.com/big-finish/doctor-who-the-quantum-possibility-engine-trailer
|isbn             = ISBN 978-1-78178-835-6 (physical); ISBN 978-1-78178-836-3 (digital)
}}{{Audio stub}}
|prev             = The Dispossessed (audio story)
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the two hundred and forty third story in [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]]'s [[Big Finish Doctor Who audio stories|monthly range]]. It was written by [[Guy Adams (writer)|Guy Adams]] and featured [[Sylvester McCoy]] as the [[Seventh Doctor]], [[Sophie Aldred]] as [[Ace]] and [[Bonnie Langford]] as [[Melanie Bush]].
|next             = Warlock's Cross (audio story)
|soundcloudtrailer = soundcloud.com/big-finish/doctor-who-the-quantum-possibility-engine-trailer
}}{{audio stub}}
{{you may|Quantum Possibility Engine|n1=the device}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the two hundred and forty third story in [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]]'s [[Big Finish Doctor Who audio stories|monthly range]]. It was written by [[Guy Adams]] and featured [[Sylvester McCoy]] as the [[Seventh Doctor]], [[Sophie Aldred]] as [[Ace]] and [[Bonnie Langford]] as [[Melanie Bush]].
 
Notably, it saw the return of [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]], an early ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' comic character, who had previously appeared on audio in 2002's ''[[The Maltese Penguin (audio story)|The Maltese Penguin]]''.


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
[[Seventh Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Ace]] are locked up. [[The TARDIS]] is gone. Things just couldn't get worse, could they?
[[Seventh Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Ace]] are locked up. [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] is gone. Things just couldn't get worse, could they?


Of course they could. Things can always get worse — the new [[President of the Solar System]], [[Josiah W Dogbolter]], didn't get where he is in life without learning that. That's why he has a [[Quantum Possibility Engine]]. It's a wonderful machine, creating a wonderful [[Solar System]]. And with this wonderful device, he can bring happiness and peace to all.
Of course they could. Things can always get worse — the new [[President of the Solar System]], [[Josiah W Dogbolter]], didn't get where he is in life without learning that. That's why he has a [[Quantum Possibility Engine]]. It's a wonderful machine, creating a wonderful [[Solar System]]. And with this wonderful device, he can bring happiness and peace to all.
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* [[Narvin]] - [[Seán Carlsen]]
* [[Narvin]] - [[Seán Carlsen]]
* [[Josiah W. Dogbolter|Dogbolter]] - [[Toby Longworth]]
* [[Josiah W. Dogbolter|Dogbolter]] - [[Toby Longworth]]
* [[Hob]]/[[Soldier Robots]]/[[Alex (The Quantum Possibility Engine)|Alex]] - [[Wayne Forester]]
* [[Hob]] / [[Soldier Robots]] / [[Alex (The Quantum Possibility Engine)|Alex]] - [[Wayne Forester]]
* [[Captain Regent of the Krasi]] - [[Jules de Jongh]]
* [[Regent (The Quantum Possibility Engine)|Captain Regent of the Krasi]] - [[Jules de Jongh]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* Mel knocks her fellow TARDIS travellers out with a [[sonic disruptor]].
* Mel knocks her fellow TARDIS travellers out with a [[sonic disruptor]].
* She seeks to settle a debt with the [[Speravore]]s.
* Dogbolter demands [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] and the [[TARDIS manual]]. Mel later reveals that he duplicated the TARDIS and left the original intact. Mel herself learns tricks about piloting a [[TARDIS]] by reading the manual.
* Dogbolter is based on [[Station 14]], a diplomatic station on the edge of the [[Solar System]].
* Narvin has had [[Narvin's sonic screwdriver|his own sonic screwdriver]] made.
* Narvin has had [[Narvin's sonic screwdriver|his own sonic screwdriver]] made.
* Narvin implies that the [[Criminal Investigation Department|American CIA]] has ties to the [[Celestial Intervention Agency]].
* Narvin implies that the [[Criminal Investigation Department|American CIA]] has ties to the [[Celestial Intervention Agency]].
* [[Time Lord]] and [[Speravore]] technology is combined to create the [[Quantum Possibility Engine]].
* [[Time Lord]] and [[Speravore]] technology is combined to create the [[Quantum Possibility Engine]]. Specifically, Dogbolter has made use of a [[dimensional stabiliser]], a [[temporal manifold]], a retrofitted [[reality gate manipulator]], and a Sperovore [[possibility tracker]].
* The Quantum Possibility Engine does not allow for [[free will]].
* The Quantum Possibility Engine does not allow for [[free will]].
* In the new timeline, Narvin works for [[Kaltron, Inc.]]. When he's late for work, they send him threatening [[emoji]]s.
* In the new timeline, Narvin works for [[Kaltron, Inc.]], as an [[air oven]] designer. He is continually surprised by others' lack of knowledge around "simple" technology, like [[vortex manipulator]]s and [[dimension dam]]s.
* The Doctor works as a [[caretaker|cleaner]] at Kaltron, and is fired after he corrects Narvin's equations on his [[white board]].
* The Doctor works as a [[caretaker|cleaner]] for Narvin, and is fired after he corrects Narvin's [[equation]]s on his [[white board]] to better account for ''[[x (mathematics)|x]]''. He also thought up a new risotto recipe, but Narvin refuses to give him a piece of paper and pen to write it down.
* In the new timeline, Ace is a [[police officer]]. She meets the Doctor, and is prepared to give him [[phone number]]s to help him find a new job, but the strange little man informs her he doesn't have a [[mobile phone|phone]].
* [[Alex (The Quantum Possibility Engine)|Alex]], Ace's boyfriend, works as a [[newsreader]]. When he's late for work, they send him threatening [[emoji]]s.
* Mel damages [[Hob]] by shoving him into a [[hot tub]]. Dogbolter later discovers his robot while trying to relax in it.
* Mel damages [[Hob]] by shoving him into a [[hot tub]]. Dogbolter later discovers his robot while trying to relax in it.
* The [[Krasi]] wage war on Dogbolter's Solar System. Retroactively, Dogbolter makes a major point in his original [[campaign speech]]es about defending against the Krasi.
* The [[Krasi]] wage war on Dogbolter's Solar System. As a species, they are ruthless, but forever obsessed with public image, wanting to appear benevolent. Retroactively, Dogbolter makes a major point in his original [[campaign speech]]es about defending against the Krasi.
* Dogbolter eats [[bell fly|bell flies]].
* Dogbolter eats [[bell fly|bell flies]].
* Dogbolter says that if it were the [[Crenin]] or the [[Duelph]]<!--spelling unclear--> waging war, he could handle it easily.
* Dogbolter says that if it were the [[Crenin]] or the [[Duelph]]<!--spelling unclear--> waging war, he could handle it easily.
* News broadcasts are produced automatically, through [[algorithm]]s and [[special effects]], with [[Narvin]] and Dogbolter's [[CGI]] profiles on hand so they can go straight on air.
* News broadcasts are produced automatically, through [[algorithm]]s and [[special effects]], with Alex and Dogbolter's [[CGI]] profiles on hand so they can go straight on air.
* The Doctor once played [[marbles]] with [[Virginia Woolf]] on [[The Strand (street)|the Strand]].
* The Doctor once played [[marbles]] with [[Virginia Woolf]] on [[The Strand (street)|the Strand]].
* The Doctor expects to see the [[Lyceum Theatre]], and recalls that he took [[Sarah Jane Smith]] there once to see [[Henry Irving]]'s ''[[King Lear]]''. They were kicked out after the Doctor dropped his [[choc-ice]] on one of the Earls.
* The Doctor expects to see the [[Lyceum Theatre]], and recalls that he took [[Sarah Jane Smith]] there once to see [[Henry Irving]]'s ''[[King Lear]]''. They were kicked out after the Doctor dropped his [[choc-ice]] on one of the Earls.
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* Attempting to replicate human behaviour, [[Hob]] [[sneezing|sneezes]] continually, annoying Dogbolter.
* Attempting to replicate human behaviour, [[Hob]] [[sneezing|sneezes]] continually, annoying Dogbolter.
* Dogbolter sold off the majority of the system's military ships to the [[Foom]], leaving only three or four left at their disposal.
* Dogbolter sold off the majority of the system's military ships to the [[Foom]], leaving only three or four left at their disposal.
* The Doctor tells Ace that Narvin has a [[superiority complex]].
* As people evacuate major cities, Narvin, Ace and the Doctor are caught in a [[traffic jam]].
* When he gives his broadcast address to the people of the [[Solar System]] via [[security camera]], thanks to Alex, the Doctor is on the corner of [[Theobald's Road]] and the [[Grays Inn Freeway]]. This is also where Mels reunites with them, via [[the TARDIS]].
* Dogbolter has the Solar System [[insurance|insured]], and hoped for more destruction. After [[transmat]]ting away, he blows up [[Station 14]], also insured, destroying three [[Krasi]] fleet ships in the process.
* [[Narvin's TARDIS]] is a [[Type 400]], "top of the range". Narvin loses his ship so he has to ask the Doctor to take him back in the "scrap" which he refers to the Doctor's own [[The Doctor's TARDIS|Type 40 TARDIS]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
[[File:The Quantum Possibility Engine Alternate.jpg|thumb|Alternate cover.]]
[[File:The Quantum Possibility Engine Alternate.jpg|thumb|Alternate cover.]]
* This audio was recorded on [[9 March (production)|9]] and [[10 March (production)|10 March]] [[2018 (production)|2018]] at [[The Moat Studios]].
* This audio was recorded on [[26 March (production)|26]] and [[27 March (production)|27 March]] [[2018 (production)|2018]] at [[the Moat Studios]].
* Unusually, the credits for this story are delivered "in character" by Hob.
* Other than the bonus story, ''[[The Maltese Penguin (audio story)|The Maltese Penguin]]'', this is the first story in the [[Main Range]] to feature [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]], a character originally from ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' comics in the 1980s.
* Other than the bonus story, ''[[The Maltese Penguin (audio story)|The Maltese Penguin]]'', this is the first story in the [[Main Range]] to feature [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]], a character originally from ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' comics in the 1980s.
[[File:The Quantum Possibility Engine (DWM 532).jpg|thumb|right|''The DWM Review'', [[DWM 532]].]]
* An [[DWM illustrated previews|illustration]] by [[Jamie Lenman]] represented this story in ''The DWM Review'' of [[DWM 532]].


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* Narvin mentions [[dimension dam]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'') and [[vortex manipulator]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child (TV story)|The Empty Child]]'', et al.)
* Narvin mentions [[dimension dam]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'') and [[vortex manipulator]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child (TV story)|The Empty Child]]'', et al.)
* [[Emoji]] are again established as a major form of communication for [[human]]ity in far-future centuries. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smile (TV story)|Smile]]'')
* [[Bernice Summerfield|Bernice]] considered spending an evening with Woolf. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Highest Science (novel)|The Highest Science]]'')
* Upon regaining his memories, the Doctor refers to himself as a [[caretaker|cleaner]] of the [[universe]], cleaning up little messes along the way. The [[Tenth Doctor]] would later find "maintenance man of the universe" to be a rather apt self-description, along the same line of thinking. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Waters of Mars (TV story)|The Waters of Mars]]'')
* Narvin calls [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] "scrap", as it is [[Type 40|woefully out-of-date]]. Other [[Time Lord]]s have made similar comments. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Claws of Axos (TV story)|The Claws of Axos]]'', ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'')
* The Doctor says he's never bothered to read the [[TARDIS manual]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]'') On other occasions, he's stated that he has read some of it, and strongly disagreed with it. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]'', ''[[Amy's Choice (TV story)|Amy's Choice]]'')
* Ace is shocked that the Doctor tells Mel that friends don't keep secrets from each other or plan their own schemes. ([[TV]]: ''[[Ghost Light (TV story)|Ghost Light]]'', ''[[The Curse of Fenric (TV story)|The Curse of Fenric]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Nightshade (novel)|Nightshade]]'', ''[[Love and War (novel)|Love and War]]'', ''[[Deceit (novel)|Deceit]]'')
* The Doctor works as a cleaner in Dogbolter's alternate timeline. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Harvest (audio story)|The Harvest]]'')
* Mel speaks with an AI construct of the Doctor. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Power of the Doctor]]'')


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{bigfinish|releases/v/the-quantum-possibility-engine-1273}}
{{bigfinish|releases/v/the-quantum-possibility-engine-1273}}
{{BFA monthly}}
{{BFA monthly}}
{{Dogbolter stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Doctor Who monthly audio stories]]
 
[[Category:2018 audio stories]]
[[Category:Seventh Doctor audio stories]]
[[Category:Audio stories set in the Sol System]]
[[Category:Audio stories set in the Sol System]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 82nd century]]
[[Category:Stories set in London]]
[[Category:Stories set in alternate timelines]]
[[Category:Seventh Doctor Main Range audio stories]]
[[Category:2018 Main Range audio stories]]

Latest revision as of 19:45, 13 April 2024

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The Quantum Possibility Engine was the two hundred and forty third story in Big Finish's monthly range. It was written by Guy Adams and featured Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor, Sophie Aldred as Ace and Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush.

Notably, it saw the return of Josiah W. Dogbolter, an early Doctor Who Magazine comic character, who had previously appeared on audio in 2002's The Maltese Penguin.

Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor and Ace are locked up. The TARDIS is gone. Things just couldn't get worse, could they?

Of course they could. Things can always get worse — the new President of the Solar System, Josiah W Dogbolter, didn't get where he is in life without learning that. That's why he has a Quantum Possibility Engine. It's a wonderful machine, creating a wonderful Solar System. And with this wonderful device, he can bring happiness and peace to all.

Possibly.

Either that or tear the universe to shreds, it's hard to be sure which.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Alternate cover.
The DWM Review, DWM 532.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

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