Absolution (BFM audio story)
- You may be looking for the Zygon-centric audio story published by BBV or the Erimem novel.
Absolution was the one hundred and first story in Big Finish's monthly range. It was written by Scott Alan Woodard and featured Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, India Fisher as Charlotte Pollard and Conrad Westmaas as C'rizz.
It was Westmaas' final regular story in his role and saw C'rizz sacrifice himself; to this end, C'rizz joins a small group of companions who died whilst travelling with the Doctor. The consequences of his demise were felt by Charley, leading her to voice a desire to leave the Eighth Doctor's company.
Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
Confession. Penance. Absolution.
The TARDIS breaks down in a forbidden sector of space. Ghostly voices cry out for salvation and only C'rizz, the Doctor's Eutermesan companion, can answer their call — for only he knows the secret of the Absolver. But will he use it to rescue his friends or save the universe?
The Doctor's sins are catching up with him and the infernal beast Borarus is hungry. Time is running out and Judgement Day is at hand.
Welcome to Hell.
Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor - Paul McGann
- Charley Pollard - India Fisher
- C'rizz - Conrad Westmaas
- Aboresh - Robert Glenister
- Cacothis - Christopher Villiers
- Lolanthia - Natalie Mendoza
- Straith - Tony Barton
- Phelgreth - Geoffrey Breton
Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Cover Art - Alex Mallinson
- Director - Barnaby Edwards
- Executive Producers - Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs
- Music and Sound Design - Simon Robinson
- Producer - Sharon Gosling
- Script Editor - Alan Barnes
- Writer - Scott Alan Woodard
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
Places[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Utebbadon-Tarria is in or near the constellation of Aries.
- The Citadel is protected by a induction barrier. The people living outside the barrier are called Outlanders.
- One of the places outside the barrier is the Wood of Suicides.
Religion[[edit] | [edit source]]
- C'rizz is a member of the Church of the Foundation. As a part of his religion, he "saves" people by killing them. Their voices are trapped in his head and their souls are contained within the Absolver.
- According to the Doctor, every culture in every galaxy has a concept of Hell.
- The people of Utebbadon-Tarria believe in the Forsaker and Borarus.
Species[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Hellions are transdimensional parasites who home in on chaotic eddies in the probability stream.
- Scatterfish are creatures native to Eutermes.
Culture[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Charley's favourite nursery rhyme is "Oranges and Lemons".
- The Doctor references Through the Looking-Glass.
- The Doctor quotes from Measure for Measure.
Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor has met Hieronymus Bosch and Powhatan.
Beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Sherva is a hot drink served on Utebbadon-Tarria.
Biology[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Charley's blood type is AB-negative.
Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]
- An experimental dimensional probe accidentally caused a localised inversion of the time-space continuum, turning Utebbadon-Tarria into a place resembling Hell.
- The Doctor's TARDIS has a reciprocation circuit and empathic circuits.
Gallery[[edit] | [edit source]]
Original cover art
Illustration by Cliff Robinson from DWM 388
Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- This story introduced a third variation of David Arnold's theme arrangement, which reintroduced the opening sting and slightly altered the ending credits
- This story was previewed in Doctor Who Magazine issue 388 with an illustration by Cliff Robinson.
- This is the last audio drama to feature C'rizz, as played by Conrad Westmaas, until The Battle of Giant's Causeway in 2024.
- This audio drama was recorded on 26 and 27 June 2007 at The Moat Studios.
- This story was originally released on CD and download.
- This story was set after the 1996 Doctor Who TV Movie.
- This story takes heavy inspiration from John Milton's famous epic poem Paradise Lost.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Shortly before his death, C'rizz refers to his mate L'da, whom he killed in the Kromon biosphere as she had been transformed into a Kromon queen. (AUDIO: The Creed of the Kromon)
- After C'rizz's death, Charley tells the Doctor that she wants to go home. The Doctor tells her that home is "back aboard the R101", where she met him for the first time in her personal timeline on 5 October 1930. (AUDIO: Storm Warning)
- Later in his personal timeline, the Doctor would meet C'rizz on one further occasion when he and Lucie Miller encountered his younger self while he was travelling with him and Charley in an American frontier town in the 1870s. This encounter was observed by the Sixth Doctor and his companion Evelyn Smythe. (AUDIO: The 100 Days of the Doctor)
- Charley mentions C'rizz's moonstone pendant. (AUDIO: The Next Life)
External links[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Official Absolution page at bigfinish.com
- Absolution at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- DisContinuity for Absolution at Tetrapyriarbus - The DisContinuity Guide
