Absent Friends (audio story): Difference between revisions
m (Bot: Cosmetic changes) |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
|writer = [[John Dorney]] | |writer = [[John Dorney]] | ||
|director = [[Ken Bentley]] | |director = [[Ken Bentley]] | ||
|producer = [[David Richardson]] | |||
|music = [[Jamie Robertson]] | |music = [[Jamie Robertson]] | ||
|sound = [[Benji Clifford]] | |sound = [[Benji Clifford]] | ||
| Line 26: | Line 27: | ||
|prev = The Sonomancer (audio story) | |prev = The Sonomancer (audio story) | ||
|next = The Eighth Piece (audio story) | |next = The Eighth Piece (audio story) | ||
}}{{audio stub}} | |||
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the first story in the audio anthology ''[[Doom Coalition 3]]'', produced by [[Big Finish Productions]]. It was written by [[John Dorney]] and featured [[Paul McGann]] as the [[Eighth Doctor]], [[Nicola Walker]] as [[Liv Chenka]] and [[Hattie Morahan]] as [[Helen Sinclair]]. | '''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the first story in the audio anthology ''[[Doom Coalition 3]]'', produced by [[Big Finish Productions]]. It was written by [[John Dorney]] and featured [[Paul McGann]] as the [[Eighth Doctor]], [[Nicola Walker]] as [[Liv Chenka]] and [[Hattie Morahan]] as [[Helen Sinclair]]. | ||
| Line 32: | Line 33: | ||
[[Earth]]. The late [[20th century]]. Across the world, the [[mobile phone]] is gaining popularity as more and more people decide to join the digital age. But for the residents of a sleepy [[England|English]] [[town]] sitting in the shade of a new transmission mast, that ubiquity has a troubling cost. | [[Earth]]. The late [[20th century]]. Across the world, the [[mobile phone]] is gaining popularity as more and more people decide to join the digital age. But for the residents of a sleepy [[England|English]] [[town]] sitting in the shade of a new transmission mast, that ubiquity has a troubling cost. | ||
When [[the TARDIS]] veers off-course, [[Eighth Doctor|the Doctor]] and his [[companion]]s find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you. And sometimes the future does as well. | When [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] veers off-course, [[Eighth Doctor|the Doctor]] and his [[companion]]s find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you. And sometimes the future does as well. | ||
== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
''to be | In [[1998]], [[Angus Selwyn|Mr Selwyn]] of [[Superville Com]] watches a press conference that he recently gave, apologising for the eyesore of a transmission mast being put up in [[Calcot]] and offering each of the residents there a free [[mobile phone]] which he believes will change their minds. He receives a phone call and tells his boss that he believes everything went according to plan. | ||
Although [[Eighth Doctor|the Doctor]] intended on returning to [[Gallifrey]] to inform [[Padrac]] of recent events, [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] materialises in Calcot, which [[Helen Sinclair|Helen]] immediately recognises as [[England]]. The Doctor decides to give the TARDIS a complete overhaul whilst [[Liv Chenka|Liv]] and Helen enjoy a weekend in the country, taking them to get rooms at the local [[pub]] and giving them [[debit card]]s. Thanks to [[River Song|an archaeologist]] having left without paying there are two rooms, but Helen instead decides to go to [[London]] to see her family. Liv, although hesitant, agrees to cover for her. | |||
[[Phillip Cook|Phillip]] knocks on the TARDIS door and assumes that the Doctor is a [[police officer|policeman]] sent to deal with nuisance calls that began when the mast was put up. Having found nothing wrong with the TARDIS, the Doctor heads to the pub. | |||
On her way out, Liv hears the [[landlord|landlady]], [[Kate Drury|Kate]], on the phone with somebody who keeps pretending to be her dead son and lets her know that she can talk to her. Liv bumps into the Doctor, who tells her that the TARDIS must have been brought to Calcot by an external force, and claims that Helen is [[sleep]]ing and should not be disturbed. They head to the TARDIS. | |||
In London, Helen tries to pay her [[taxi]] fare with her debit card and is confused by the decimal system. She arrives at her childhood home, which has since become [[flat]]s, and calls the agent to find out who lives there. | |||
Liv tells the Doctor about Kate's nuisance call and the free mobile phones, raising the Doctor's suspicions and prompting him to go with Liv to speak to Phillip. | |||
Helen rings the [[doorbell]] and meets her brother [[George Sinclair|George]], claiming to be her own daughter and using the name Ruth. | |||
Phillip tells the Doctor and Liv that he has been receiving phone calls from someone doing a flawless impression of his ex, [[Colin (Absent Friends)|Colin]], who died in a [[car crash]] in the late [[1980s]] and sounds like he did when they met twenty years prior. He also tells them of Kate's son, who died at the age of eight at a [[level crossing]], and that SuperVille Com have an [[office]] at the mast. | |||
George tells "Ruth" that he is not happy to see her as Helen's alleged robbery at the [[National Museum]] had tarnished the family name and the Sinclairs' reputation before disappearing. He apologises for treating her poorly for the sins of her mother when she goes to leave and insists that she stay, fetching some [[photo album]]s. | |||
The Doctor and Liv meet Mr Selwyn, posing as freelance [[journalist]]s, and, on the way to his office, learn that there is a locked office apparently containing sensitive information. The Doctor asks Mr Selwyn about the phone calls and he and Liv are both given free mobile phones to see what they think of them. Once they have parted, Mr Selwyn asks [[Angus Selwyn's secretary|his secretary]] to call the boss. The Doctor inspects his phone and he and Liv discuss how artificial Mr Selwyn and the others at the office looked. | |||
''To be completed.'' | |||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
| Line 43: | Line 64: | ||
* [[George Sinclair|George]] - [[Jeremy Clyde]] | * [[George Sinclair|George]] - [[Jeremy Clyde]] | ||
* [[Angus Selwyn]] - [[Ian Puleston-Davies]] | * [[Angus Selwyn]] - [[Ian Puleston-Davies]] | ||
* [[Phillip Cook]]/[[Kal Chenka|Kal]] - [[Richard Hope]] | * [[Phillip Cook]] / [[Kal Chenka|Kal]] - [[Richard Hope]] | ||
* [[Kate Drury]] - [[Anna Acton]] | * [[Kate Drury]] - [[Anna Acton]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
' | * [[Sandwich]]es are served at the press conference. | ||
* [[Calcot]] has a village green, a [[church]] and a [[pub]]. It is not far from [[London]] | |||
* After the [[Second World War]], Helen went on holidays to the [[Lake District]]. | |||
* The Doctor gives Liv and Helen [[debit card]]s with the [[PIN]] "[[23 November (releases)|23]][[November (releases)|11]]". | |||
* Helen gets a [[return ticket]]. | |||
* The Doctor runs a [[diagnostic check]] on the TARDIS. | |||
* Helen asks [[taxi driver (Absent Friends)|a taxi driver]] what "2.50" is in [[shilling]]s. | |||
* Phillip receives calls from his ex, [[Colin (Absent Friends)|Colin]], who died in a car crash in the late [[1980s]]. They met in the armed forces circa the [[1960s]]. | |||
* George gets Helen a cup of [[tea]]. | |||
* George says that [[Helen Sinclair's mother|Mrs Sinclair]] would have loved to have a granddaughter. | |||
* Mr Selwyn offers the Doctor and Liv tea, [[coffee]] and [[water]]. He says that he is partial to a [[HobNob]]. | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 54: | Line 85: | ||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
* Liv says that she has been to [[London]] ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[A Life in the Day (audio story)|A Life in the Day]]'', ''[[The Red Lady (audio story)|The Red Lady]]'') and the [[coast]] ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Beachhead (audio story)|Beachhead]]'') and might as well do "the bit in-between". | |||
* Liv recalls seeing [[mobile phone]]s in [[Stegmoor]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Beachhead (audio story)|Beachhead]]'') | |||
* Helen mentions being on the run with the police. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Red Lady (audio story)|The Red Lady]]'') | * Helen mentions being on the run with the police. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Red Lady (audio story)|The Red Lady]]'') | ||
* Helen pretends to be her daughter when she meets her brother George. [[Molly O'Sullivan]] did the same when she met an older [[David Walker]] in the [[1970s]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Eyes of the Master (audio story)|Eyes of the Master]]'') | * Helen pretends to be her daughter when she meets her brother George. [[Molly O'Sullivan]] did the same when she met an older [[David Walker]] in the [[1970s]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Eyes of the Master (audio story)|Eyes of the Master]]'') | ||
| Line 66: | Line 98: | ||
{{BF EDA}} | {{BF EDA}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Doom Coalition 3 audio stories]] | [[Category:Doom Coalition 3 audio stories]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in England]] | [[Category:Stories set in England]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in 1998]] | [[Category:Stories set in 1998]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in London]] | [[Category:Stories set in London]] | ||
Revision as of 14:38, 12 September 2020
Absent Friends was the first story in the audio anthology Doom Coalition 3, produced by Big Finish Productions. It was written by John Dorney and featured Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, Nicola Walker as Liv Chenka and Hattie Morahan as Helen Sinclair.
Publisher's summary
Earth. The late 20th century. Across the world, the mobile phone is gaining popularity as more and more people decide to join the digital age. But for the residents of a sleepy English town sitting in the shade of a new transmission mast, that ubiquity has a troubling cost.
When the TARDIS veers off-course, the Doctor and his companions find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you. And sometimes the future does as well.
Plot
In 1998, Mr Selwyn of Superville Com watches a press conference that he recently gave, apologising for the eyesore of a transmission mast being put up in Calcot and offering each of the residents there a free mobile phone which he believes will change their minds. He receives a phone call and tells his boss that he believes everything went according to plan.
Although the Doctor intended on returning to Gallifrey to inform Padrac of recent events, the TARDIS materialises in Calcot, which Helen immediately recognises as England. The Doctor decides to give the TARDIS a complete overhaul whilst Liv and Helen enjoy a weekend in the country, taking them to get rooms at the local pub and giving them debit cards. Thanks to an archaeologist having left without paying there are two rooms, but Helen instead decides to go to London to see her family. Liv, although hesitant, agrees to cover for her.
Phillip knocks on the TARDIS door and assumes that the Doctor is a policeman sent to deal with nuisance calls that began when the mast was put up. Having found nothing wrong with the TARDIS, the Doctor heads to the pub.
On her way out, Liv hears the landlady, Kate, on the phone with somebody who keeps pretending to be her dead son and lets her know that she can talk to her. Liv bumps into the Doctor, who tells her that the TARDIS must have been brought to Calcot by an external force, and claims that Helen is sleeping and should not be disturbed. They head to the TARDIS.
In London, Helen tries to pay her taxi fare with her debit card and is confused by the decimal system. She arrives at her childhood home, which has since become flats, and calls the agent to find out who lives there.
Liv tells the Doctor about Kate's nuisance call and the free mobile phones, raising the Doctor's suspicions and prompting him to go with Liv to speak to Phillip.
Helen rings the doorbell and meets her brother George, claiming to be her own daughter and using the name Ruth.
Phillip tells the Doctor and Liv that he has been receiving phone calls from someone doing a flawless impression of his ex, Colin, who died in a car crash in the late 1980s and sounds like he did when they met twenty years prior. He also tells them of Kate's son, who died at the age of eight at a level crossing, and that SuperVille Com have an office at the mast.
George tells "Ruth" that he is not happy to see her as Helen's alleged robbery at the National Museum had tarnished the family name and the Sinclairs' reputation before disappearing. He apologises for treating her poorly for the sins of her mother when she goes to leave and insists that she stay, fetching some photo albums.
The Doctor and Liv meet Mr Selwyn, posing as freelance journalists, and, on the way to his office, learn that there is a locked office apparently containing sensitive information. The Doctor asks Mr Selwyn about the phone calls and he and Liv are both given free mobile phones to see what they think of them. Once they have parted, Mr Selwyn asks his secretary to call the boss. The Doctor inspects his phone and he and Liv discuss how artificial Mr Selwyn and the others at the office looked.
To be completed.
Cast
- The Doctor - Paul McGann
- Liv Chenka - Nicola Walker
- Helen Sinclair - Hattie Morahan
- George - Jeremy Clyde
- Angus Selwyn - Ian Puleston-Davies
- Phillip Cook / Kal - Richard Hope
- Kate Drury - Anna Acton
References
- Sandwiches are served at the press conference.
- Calcot has a village green, a church and a pub. It is not far from London
- After the Second World War, Helen went on holidays to the Lake District.
- The Doctor gives Liv and Helen debit cards with the PIN "2311".
- Helen gets a return ticket.
- The Doctor runs a diagnostic check on the TARDIS.
- Helen asks a taxi driver what "2.50" is in shillings.
- Phillip receives calls from his ex, Colin, who died in a car crash in the late 1980s. They met in the armed forces circa the 1960s.
- George gets Helen a cup of tea.
- George says that Mrs Sinclair would have loved to have a granddaughter.
- Mr Selwyn offers the Doctor and Liv tea, coffee and water. He says that he is partial to a HobNob.
Notes
- This story won a BBC Audio Award in the category of Best Online Only Audio Drama in January 2017.[1]
- This story was recorded at The Moat Studios.
Continuity
- Liv says that she has been to London (AUDIO: A Life in the Day, The Red Lady) and the coast (AUDIO: Beachhead) and might as well do "the bit in-between".
- Liv recalls seeing mobile phones in Stegmoor. (AUDIO: Beachhead)
- Helen mentions being on the run with the police. (AUDIO: The Red Lady)
- Helen pretends to be her daughter when she meets her brother George. Molly O'Sullivan did the same when she met an older David Walker in the 1970s. (AUDIO: Eyes of the Master)
External links
- Official Absent Friends page at bigfinish.com
References
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
