Doctor Who review: The Harvest (Seventh Doctor audio)

Continuing our retro series of Doctor Who audio reviews, we look at the introduction of a new companion in Seventh Doctor story The Harvest.

Once again, as with Arrangements for War, we move away from reviewing Doctor Who audios focused on the Forge with The Harvest.

This is a pretty important audio in its own terms though, as it introduces one of Big Finish’s own completely original companions: Thomas Hector Schofield. A nurse working at St Gart’s Hospital, it’s through his eyes that we experience the events of this story.

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It’s an approach that works extremely well, especially as companion introductions haven’t always been told this way. While Russell T Davies was good at beginning a companion’s story through their eyes in his era, The Harvest was released back in June 2004. Almost a year before Doctor Who had even come back!

Hex comes across as an instantly likable character. This is in part due to a great performance by Philip Olivier. I remember being initially surprised by his casting, as I mainly recognized him from British soap Brookside.

It becomes clear why he was cast very quickly. He’s just absolutely perfect for the role of Hex. He brings a strong sense of innocence to the role, and feels like a very down to Earth character. So of course, when he meets first Ace and then the Doctor, that’s when everything in his world turns upside down.

The Cybermen are given a very different take in The Harvest.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC.)

Dan Abnett

Another thing that helps with both Hex’s likability and the story is, of course, Dan Abnett’s excellent script. Dan Abnett has written for a great deal of British science-fiction, including comics and novels. He usually brings a strong sense of both fast pace and action to his work, while also writing excellent characters.

The Harvest is another clear example of this. Abnett has written a very strong science-fiction story that moves along at a great pace. But he also makes sure to ground it and includes many interesting and three-dimensional characters.

He also puts a great new spin on a very old enemy: the Cybermen. It’s an unusual take that leaves the audience guessing across the whole story. The Doctor thinks he knows what’s going on, but has he simply made a mistake this time?

The Harvest is a fantastic story that works on a number of levels. It’s an excellent introduction to a great companion. It merges the everyday with epic sci-fi action. And it presents an interesting new take on an old enemy. Overall, The Harvest is a very strong Seventh Doctor audio.

Have you listened to The Harvest? Did you enjoy Hex’s introduction? What did you think of the fresh take on the Cybermen? Let us know in the comments below.