Review: ‘The Tenth Doctor Adventures: Volume 2 – Infamy of the Zaross’ (Audio)
By James Aggas
‘Infamy of the Zaross’ kicks off the latest set of ‘Tenth Doctor Adventures’. And right from the start, it slots into the era of series 2 absolutely seamlessly.
It’s not just the inclusion of Ten, Rose and even Jackie that gives Infamy of the Zaross that distinctive series 2 style. There’s also the story it tells.
Initially, we seem to get a standard alien invasion story. But then, the Doctor starts to notice some strange things. Why doesn’t he recognize the alien invaders? And why are they only invading Norwich?
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This is one episode that’s tricky to review, as it has a brilliant twist on the usual alien invasion formula that’s best not spoiled. It’s definitely the kind of story that would fit both the last decade and this one. Which is exactly what makes it such a perfect story for Big Finish.
Fame and importance
There are a lot of interesting themes in this episode. One of the most significant is fame and how important someone can be. Again, this is the kind of theme that makes it fit right in with the Russell T Davies era of the show. Many of his stories liked to explore just how important even one ordinary life could be. Infamy of the Zaross explores that idea in a really fresh way, which I greatly enjoyed.
The inclusion of Jackie Tyler is also fantastic. She’s been in a couple of releases this year, including The Ninth Doctor Chronicles and The Lives of Captain Jack. But for the first time in a Big Finish story, we actually get to hear her talking to Rose again. Or rather, Rose as played by Billie Piper.
Rose
Speaking of which, Piper is fantastic to listen to as Rose. It’s been a long time since she really played the character. In fact, while she was in The Day of the Doctor in 2013, Rose herself was last seen in The End of Time, Part 2 in 2010. So it’s been close to 8 years since she last played the role.
Honestly, judging by her performance in Infamy of the Zaross, it doesn’t show. Once again, her and Tennant make a really great team. If I’m honest, in some ways, I think she’s even better written than in some of her television stories. Her character is handled brilliantly in this story by writer John Dorney, and it shows a firm grasp of what made the character so successful in the first place.
Infamy of the Zaross is a great release by Big Finish that matches the best of series 2. It’s fun, it’s big, it’s dramatic, and it completely matches that era. A great way for the second volume of The Tenth Doctor Adventures to begin.
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