Medicinal Purposes was the sixtieth monthly Doctor Who audio story produced by Big Finish Productions. This story marked the first appearance of Robert Knox played by Leslie Phillips. This is the second and final Big Finish audio drama in the main range in which David Tennant appears.
Publisher's summary
The infamous body snatchers William Burke and William Hare are at large. The local prostitutes dull their fear with cheap whisky. The graveyard owls are hooting. Business is good.
When accidental tourists the Doctor and Evelyn Smythe stumble upon one of Britain's most lurid, illuminating chapters in history, a simple case of interest in the work of dedicated man of science Doctor Robert Knox, quickly turns sour.
Just what is that time-bending Scots mist? Whatever it is may put the very fabric of the universe under threat...
As always.
Plot
to be added
Cast
- The Sixth Doctor - Colin Baker
- Evelyn Smythe - Maggie Stables
- Doctor Robert Knox - Leslie Phillips
- Daft Jamie - David Tennant
- Mary Patterson - Glenna Morrison
- William Burke - Kevin O'Leary
- Billy Hare - Tom Farrelly
- Old Woman - Janie Booth
References
Individuals
- Daft Jamie's name and nationality causes the Doctor to recall his former companion Jamie McCrimmon. He regrets that he never told Jamie, who risked his life for him on many occasions, that he thought that he was a very brave man.
- Evelyn describes Daft Jamie as a "decidedly odd looking young man."
- The Doctor refers to the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
TARDIS
- Knox bought his Type 70 TARDIS from a Nekkistani on Gryben.
Literature from the real world
- The Doctor superstitiously refers to Macbeth as "the Scottish Play."
- Dr. Knox refers to Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, who would not be born until the 1850s. The Doctor realised that Knox mentioned the novel as a test for Evelyn, whom he correctly believed may be another time traveller.
Earth locations
- The Doctor and Evelyn visit Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Notes
- This story was featured in the preview section of Doctor Who Magazine issue 347 with art by Martin Geraghty.
- This story features David Tennant in his second and final appearance in the main range of Big Finish Doctor Who audio stories prior to taking on the role as Tenth Doctor in 2005. He had previously played Feldwebel Kurtz in AUDIO: Colditz.
- Janie Booth (Old Woman) previously played System in AUDIO: The Harvest and would later play Eve Morris in AUDIO: The Gathering and a hospital patient in TV: Dead Man Walking.
- Leslie Phillips would later reprise his role as Dr. Knox in AUDIO: Assassin in the Limelight.
- Although it is not stated in the story itself, Daft Jamie's real name was James Wilson and he was 18 years at the time of his murder`in October 1828. Mary Patterson was the same age when Burke and Hare killed her on 9 April 1828
- This audio drama was recorded on 18 and 19 March 2004 at The Moat Studios.
Continuity
- The Doctor and Evelyn would encounter Knox once again in Washington, D.C. in April 1865. (AUDIO: Assassin in the Limelight)