Doctor Who review: Death in Blackpool (Eighth Doctor audio)

Before the fourth and final season of the Eighth Doctor Adventures truly begins, we have the Christmas special Death in Blackpool, as the Eighth Doctor confronts the consequences of one of his biggest mistakes…

Christmas 2009 was a pretty sad time for Doctor Who fans. On Christmas Day, the first part of the Tenth Doctor’s last adventure, The End of Time, had been broadcast. For fans hoping for lighter fare with the Eighth Doctor’s Christmas special, there was no such luck. If the title Death in Blackpool hadn’t been a giveaway, then the announcement that it would be Lucie Miller’s departure story definitely was.

Within minutes, you can see exactly where the story is going when a very old friend shows up. Or, in this case, aunt. That’s right, Auntie Pat, who previously appeared in Horror of Glam Rock and The Zygon Who Fell to Earth, is back. And Lucie couldn’t be happier to see her.

More from Winter is Coming

However, both the Doctor – and the audience – know something that Lucie doesn’t. The Pat she sees in this story is the one she remembers growing up. But it’s not the real Patricia that she met in the previous two stories. She died, years before Lucie was born, and the “Auntie Pat” she’s always known has always been a Zygon in disguise. Worse, the Doctor has known about this, but has never told Lucie.

What’s really great about this story is that the plot is kept really light. It’s not about the end of the universe. There’s no timey-wimey epicness to distract us. Instead, the story focuses on the consequences of Pat’s and the Doctor’s choice, and how long it will be before Lucie finds out.

It’s not that there isn’t a villain at all in Death in Blackpool, or that something terrible doesn’t happen to one of the major characters. But writer Alan Barnes keeps it really simple, focusing primarily on the drama. And considering that kind of deep, emotional drama is one of his best strengths, (especially when he wrote Neverland), that was a fantastic choice on his part.

The Eighth Doctor says goodbye to Lucie Miller in Death in Blackpool. (Photo credit: Doctor Who/Big Finish.

Image obtained from: bigfinish.com.)

Goodbye, Lucie

It isn’t quite all doom and gloom, however. There is a drunk Father Christmas who somehow ends up with them. He gets quite a few funny moments, although it has to be said, even he has a sad story to tell. But he does get something of a happy ending, at least.

Having said that, he’s pretty much the only one. Death in Blackpool wraps up the Auntie Pat trilogy in a very satisfying and definitive way. Lucie’s final scene is, unsurprisingly, a truly gut-wrenching moment.

Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith both give great performances in that scene. The Doctor wants Lucie to forgive him, but it’s too difficult for her. She thought the world of the Doctor, and his terrible mistake is one she can’t forgive him for.

The whole of Death in Blackpool is a dark, depressing, but ultimately, very satisfying listen. It’s a wonderful story, and a great exit for Lucie Miller. It also sets up season four in a big way. Not just plot-wise, with the Doctor needing a companion once more. It also sets things up in terms of tone, too. The Doctor has had to face something terrible in this story. Unfortunately for him, there’s worse to come in season four. Much, much worse…

Next: Retro review: The Time Warrior (Third Doctor story)

Have you listened to Death in Blackpool? What are your thoughts on it? What’s your favorite companion departure story? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Home/Doctor Who