Girl in a Bubble (audio story): Difference between revisions

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|companions      = [[Melanie Bush|Mel]], [[Hebe Harrison|Hebe]]
|companions      = [[Melanie Bush|Mel]], [[Hebe Harrison|Hebe]]
|enemy            = [[Patricia McBride|Purity]]
|enemy            = [[Patricia McBride|Purity]]
|featuring        = [[Elise (Maelstrom)|Elise]], [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]]
|featuring        = [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]], [[Elise Kaplan|Elise]], [[Elizabeth Rodden|Lizzie]]
|setting          =  
|setting          = [[Sheffield]], [[2000s]]
|writer          = [[Jacqueline Rayner]]
|writer          = [[Jacqueline Rayner]]
|director        = [[Helen Goldwyn]]
|director        = [[Helen Goldwyn]]
Line 21: Line 21:
|production code  = BFPDWDR0604
|production code  = BFPDWDR0604
|epcount          = 2
|epcount          = 2
|isbn            = ISBN 978-1-83868-890-5 (physical); ISBN 978-1-83868-891-2 (digital)  
|isbn            = ISBN 978-1-83868-890-5 (physical)<br/>ISBN 978-1-83868-891-2 (digital)  
|series          = ''[[The Sixth Doctor Adventures]]''
|series          = ''[[The Sixth Doctor Adventures]]''
|prev            = Time-Burst (audio story)
|prev            = Time-Burst (audio story)
|next            = The Corruptions (audio story)
|next            = The Corruptions (audio story)
}}
}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the first story in the audio anthology ''[[Purity Unbound (audio anthology)|Purity Unbound]]'', produced by [[Big Finish Productions]]. It was written by [[Jacqueline Rayner]] and featured [[Colin Baker]] as the [[Sixth Doctor]], [[Bonnie Langford]] as [[Melanie Bush]], [[Ruth Madeley]] as [[Hebe Harrison]], [[Cherylee Houston]] as [[Elise (Maelstrom)|Elise]], [[Toby Hadoke]] as [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]] and [[Imogen Stubbs]] as [[Patricia McBride|Purity]].
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the first story in the audio anthology ''[[Purity Unbound (audio anthology)|Purity Unbound]]'', produced by [[Big Finish Productions]]. It was written by [[Jacqueline Rayner]] and featured [[Colin Baker]] as the [[Sixth Doctor]], [[Bonnie Langford]] as [[Melanie Bush]], [[Ruth Madeley]] as [[Hebe Harrison]], [[Cherylee Houston]] as [[Elise Kaplan|Elise]], [[Toby Hadoke]] as [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]] and [[Imogen Stubbs]] as [[Patricia McBride|Purity]].


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] arrives in [[Hebe Harrison|Hebe]]’s [[Flat|flat]] but it’s not how [[Sixth Doctor|the Doctor]] and [[Melanie Bush|Mel]] remember it - and neither is Hebe! In [[Patricia McBride|Purity]]'s new timeline, Hebe Harrison lives in a grand penthouse with armed guards and a live-in factotum - [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]]! - and if she ever leaves her sanctuary the world will end.
[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] arrives in [[Hebe Harrison|Hebe]]'s [[flat]] but it's not how [[Sixth Doctor|the Doctor]] and [[Melanie Bush|Mel]] remember it - and neither is Hebe! In [[Patricia McBride|Purity]]'s new timeline, Hebe Harrison lives in a grand penthouse with armed guards and a live-in factotum - [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]]! - and if she ever leaves her sanctuary the world will end.


Are these strangers the ones who have been sending her messages? And can this reality be undone without losing Hebe forever?
Are these strangers the ones who have been sending her messages? And can this reality be undone without losing Hebe forever?


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
''to be added''
=== Part one ===
[[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Melanie Bush|Mel]] learn that [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]] is [[Hebe Harrison|Hebe]]'s [[bodyguard]] and [[butler]], looking after her as she believes that it is unsafe for her to ever leave [[Hebe Harrison's flat|her flat]], and are kicked out, but not before the Doctor can give Ron an [[SOS button]] for Hebe to use if she needs their help. [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] remains in Hebe's [[bathroom]] as the Doctor believes that the ship has a fondness for Hebe and will help her gain the [[memory|memories]] of her real self.
 
In recounting how [[Patricia McBride|Patricia]] came into possession of [[Tannus Vallon|Vallon]]'s [[time suit]], the Doctor and Mel realise that this [[timeline]] is impossible as they would never have met her without [[Elise Kaplan|Elise]], whom Hebe and Ron have no knowledge of. They go to the [[Tudor Tea Rooms]], where they are served bland mush based on their [[nutrition]]al needs and offered [[black market]] [[condiment]]s by [[Mick (Girl in a Bubble)|Mick]], and research the world and Patricia's [[law]]s on a [[PurePad]], coming to realise that Patricia inherited a fortune from her great-grandparents, [[Patrick McBride|Patrick]] and [[Mary McBride|Mary]], thanks to the Doctor giving away information on [[Blair Athol]].
 
Hebe starts remembering Elise and parts of her adventures, including the [[Gillean|Sheega]], after finding and touching the TARDIS. She also receives the latest of several cryptic [[poem]]s from somebody who claims to have known her in the past and which she interprets as threats. When she feels the need to return to the TARDIS despite Ron's protests, she remembers the Doctor and calls out for him.
 
=== Part two ===
The Doctor and Mel return to the flat after Ron presses the SOS button and find that Hebe is remembering her real life thanks to the TARDIS, just as the Doctor had hoped. When she talks about her [[disability]], he realises that the Tudor Tea Rooms, unlike the other establishments, had a [[wheelchair ramp]]. Ron learns about his real life and blames himself for Patricia's [[prejudice]]s because of his relationship with Elise, but the Doctor assures him that he was not responsible and goes with him to Tudor Tea Rooms despite the [[curfew]].
 
Mel theorises that Patricia has let Hebe live in the flat to ease her conscience and looks at the poems that Hebe has been receiving, deducing that they are a message from Elise trying to stir her memories and point her towards [[Evelyn Smythe|Evelyn]]. She notices that the [[envelope]] smells of [[spice]]s and contacts Mick, who delivered the poems and helps her realise that the [[Purity Palace]] care homes are [[prison]]s and that Elise is being held at [[The Towers]]. When the authorities arrive, Hebe allows herself to be captured and Mel and Ron go to the Tudor Tea Rooms.
 
[[Beryl Tudor]] tells the Doctor and Ron how the late [[Evelyn Smythe|Evelyn]] showed her what was wrong with Purity's world and set up the [[Forty Martyrs]], a group which helps people with faked results for physical and IQ tests and smuggles people to safety where necessary. In the morning, the Doctor bribes [[Fred (Girl in a Bubble)|Fred]] into letting him, Mel and Ron into The Towers to find Elise, who was brought from the real world by Purity and serves as a connection between the two timelines. Purity has already worked out from Hebe, however, that the Doctor planned to rescue Elise and shoots at her, but Ron takes the shot for her. The Doctor tries to convince her to restore the timeline, but she instead imprisons him, Mel, Hebe and Elise.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
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* [[Hebe Harrison]] - [[Ruth Madeley]]
* [[Hebe Harrison]] - [[Ruth Madeley]]
* [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]] - [[Toby Hadoke]]
* [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]] - [[Toby Hadoke]]
* [[Elise (Maelstrom)|Elise Kaplan]] - [[Cherylee Houston]]
* [[Elise Kaplan]] - [[Cherylee Houston]]
* [[Beryl (Girl in a Bottle)|Beryl]] - [[Kacey Ainsworth]]
* [[Beryl Tudor|Beryl]] - [[Kacey Ainsworth]]
* [[Mick (Girl in a Bottle)|Mick]] / [[Fred (Girl in a Bottle)|Fred]] - [[Barnaby Eaton-Jones]]
* [[Mick (Girl in a Bubble)|Mick]] / [[Fred (Girl in a Bubble)|Fred]] - [[Barnaby Eaton-Jones]]
* [[Patricia McBride|Purity]] - [[Imogen Stubbs]]
* [[Hebe Harrison|Young Hebe]] - [[Connie Farrow]]
* [[Hebe Harrison|Young Hebe]] - [[Connie Farrow]]
* [[Patricia McBride|Purity]] - [[Imogen Stubbs]]


== Crew ==
== Crew ==
''to be added''
''to be added''


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
''to be added''
* [[Hebe Harrison|Hebe]] has an [[eel]] named [[Elise (Girl in a Bubble)|Elise]] which she received on her eighteenth [[birthday]].
* [[Ron (The Mindless Ones)|Ron]] considers contacting [[Purity Patrol]].
* [[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]] mentions [[poet]] [[Charles Churchill]].
* The Doctor gives Ron an [[SOS button]] for Hebe.
* Hebe researches [[seaweed]] at the [[Development and Organisation Centre for Tidal/Ocean Research]].
* [[Melanie Bush|Mel]] suggests going to the [[Peacock Café]].
* [[Beryl Tudor]] runs [[Tudor Tea Rooms]].
* Beryl asks for the Doctor and Mel's [[Nutri-Need Docket]]s.
* The Doctor asks for a glass of [[water]].
* [[PurePad]]s are handheld [[computer]]s.
* The [[Purity Charter]] provides for three free [[meal]]s a day.
* [[Mick (Girl in a Bubble)|Mick]] offers the Doctor and Mel [[ketchup]], [[mustard]] and [[peri-peri]].
* Mel mentions [[Carol Varley|Mrs Varley]], who used to joke about all the old people living in [[Pease Pottage]].
* [[Birth licence]]s are required.
* Ron offers to make [[tea]] for Hebe.
* [[Purity Palace]]s are for women who have contributed to society and been unable to return to full [[health]] after giving [[birth]]. [[The Lawns]], [[The Elms]], [[The Lodge]], [[The Towers]] and [[The Willow Pond]] are five of the six near [[Sheffield]].
* Hebe makes [[coffee]] for herself and Mel.
* Mel recognises [[poem]]s by [[Emily Dickinson]], [[Christina Rossetti]] and [[Oscar Wilde]].
* [[Evelyn Waugh]] is a poet.
* The [[envelope]] smells of [[garlic]], [[chilli]]s and [[vinegar]].
* The [[Forty Martyrs of England and Wales|Forty Martyrs]] were [[execution|executed]] for their faith.
* [[John Payne]] was accused of conspiring against [[Elizabeth I]].
* [[Nicholas Owen]] built [[priest hole]]s.
* Mel transcribes ''[[Ulysses (book)|Ulysses]]'', ''[[Lady Chatterley's Lover]]'' and ''[[The Tiger Who Came to Tea]]'' from memory.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
''to be added''
* ''Girl in a Bubble'' was recorded at [[the Soundhouse]] and remotely in [[January (production)|January]] [[2022 (production)|2022]].
* The first story of ''[[Purity Unbound (audio anthology)|Purity Unbound]]'' was originally to be written by [[Ian Potter]]. However, Potter, a resident of [[Sheffield]], instead asked to write ''[[Time-Burst (audio story)|Time-Burst]]'' due to its setting. ([[BFX]]: ''Time-Burst'')
* Young [[Hebe Harrison|Hebe]] was voiced by [[Jacqueline Rayner]]'s niece, [[Connie Farrow]], over a Zoom call. ([[BFX]]: ''Girl in a Bubble'')


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
''to be added''
* The Doctor gives Ron an [[SOS button]] for Hebe. [[Evelyn Smythe|Evelyn]] previously gave SOS buttons to Hebe and Elise. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Rotting Deep (audio story)|The Rotting Deep]]'', ''[[Maelstrom (audio story)|Maelstrom]]'')
* Mel believes that Patricia is dead. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Time-Burst (audio story)|Time-Burst]]'')
* Mel recounts how Patricia took [[Tannus Vallon]]'s time suit. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Chronomancer (audio story)|Chronomancer]]'')
* Hebe joined the Doctor and Mel after calling them to [[Albatross Alpha]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Rotting Deep (audio story)|The Rotting Deep]]'')
* The Doctor remarks that Mel has a "somewhat tangled" timeline. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ultimate Foe (TV story)|The Ultimate Foe]]''; [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Wrong Doctors (audio story)|The Wrong Doctors]]'')
* Hebe remembers the [[Gillean|Sheega]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Tides of the Moon (audio story)|The Tides of the Moon]]'')
* The Doctor and Mel remember meeting [[Elizabeth Rodden]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Purification (audio story)|Purification]]'')
* Elizabeth tells the story of [[Patrick McBride|Patrick]] and [[Mary McBride]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Time-Burst (audio story)|Time-Burst]]'')
* The Doctor knows that Evelyn had a [[heart condition]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Thicker Than Water (audio story)|Thicker Than Water]]'')


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 65: Line 110:


{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Purity Unbound audio stories]]
[[Category:Two part audio stories]]
[[Category:Sixth Doctor audio stories]]
[[Category:2023 audio stories]]

Latest revision as of 13:58, 10 May 2024

RealWorld.png

Girl in a Bubble was the first story in the audio anthology Purity Unbound, produced by Big Finish Productions. It was written by Jacqueline Rayner and featured Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor, Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush, Ruth Madeley as Hebe Harrison, Cherylee Houston as Elise, Toby Hadoke as Ron and Imogen Stubbs as Purity.

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

The TARDIS arrives in Hebe's flat but it's not how the Doctor and Mel remember it - and neither is Hebe! In Purity's new timeline, Hebe Harrison lives in a grand penthouse with armed guards and a live-in factotum - Ron! - and if she ever leaves her sanctuary the world will end.

Are these strangers the ones who have been sending her messages? And can this reality be undone without losing Hebe forever?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Part one[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor and Mel learn that Ron is Hebe's bodyguard and butler, looking after her as she believes that it is unsafe for her to ever leave her flat, and are kicked out, but not before the Doctor can give Ron an SOS button for Hebe to use if she needs their help. The TARDIS remains in Hebe's bathroom as the Doctor believes that the ship has a fondness for Hebe and will help her gain the memories of her real self.

In recounting how Patricia came into possession of Vallon's time suit, the Doctor and Mel realise that this timeline is impossible as they would never have met her without Elise, whom Hebe and Ron have no knowledge of. They go to the Tudor Tea Rooms, where they are served bland mush based on their nutritional needs and offered black market condiments by Mick, and research the world and Patricia's laws on a PurePad, coming to realise that Patricia inherited a fortune from her great-grandparents, Patrick and Mary, thanks to the Doctor giving away information on Blair Athol.

Hebe starts remembering Elise and parts of her adventures, including the Sheega, after finding and touching the TARDIS. She also receives the latest of several cryptic poems from somebody who claims to have known her in the past and which she interprets as threats. When she feels the need to return to the TARDIS despite Ron's protests, she remembers the Doctor and calls out for him.

Part two[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor and Mel return to the flat after Ron presses the SOS button and find that Hebe is remembering her real life thanks to the TARDIS, just as the Doctor had hoped. When she talks about her disability, he realises that the Tudor Tea Rooms, unlike the other establishments, had a wheelchair ramp. Ron learns about his real life and blames himself for Patricia's prejudices because of his relationship with Elise, but the Doctor assures him that he was not responsible and goes with him to Tudor Tea Rooms despite the curfew.

Mel theorises that Patricia has let Hebe live in the flat to ease her conscience and looks at the poems that Hebe has been receiving, deducing that they are a message from Elise trying to stir her memories and point her towards Evelyn. She notices that the envelope smells of spices and contacts Mick, who delivered the poems and helps her realise that the Purity Palace care homes are prisons and that Elise is being held at The Towers. When the authorities arrive, Hebe allows herself to be captured and Mel and Ron go to the Tudor Tea Rooms.

Beryl Tudor tells the Doctor and Ron how the late Evelyn showed her what was wrong with Purity's world and set up the Forty Martyrs, a group which helps people with faked results for physical and IQ tests and smuggles people to safety where necessary. In the morning, the Doctor bribes Fred into letting him, Mel and Ron into The Towers to find Elise, who was brought from the real world by Purity and serves as a connection between the two timelines. Purity has already worked out from Hebe, however, that the Doctor planned to rescue Elise and shoots at her, but Ron takes the shot for her. The Doctor tries to convince her to restore the timeline, but she instead imprisons him, Mel, Hebe and Elise.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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