Doctor Who review: Asking for a Friend is one of the best stories ever made by Big Finish

The Doctor goes to therapy and we find out exactly how he thinks in Asking for a Friend, an episode that stands out as one of the very best Doctor Who stories that Big Finish has ever made.

In some ways, Asking for a Friend by James Goss is a rather small Doctor Who story. It only really focuses on three key characters. The stakes are relatively small, too. While the universe is dying, this isn’t about the Doctor saving it, not this time. With David Warner playing the role, it doesn’t even feature a canon Doctor.

But that doesn’t stop Asking for a Friend from being one of the very best Doctor Who stories that Big Finish has ever made. And that’s saying a lot.

The basic concept of the second episode in Doctor Who: The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield: Ruler of the Universe asks a simple question: what if the Doctor went to therapy? Naturally, this leads to even more questions. What would it be like to get inside his head? How does he see the universe? And how would that affect his poor therapist?

This would usually be fascinating enough, but what makes the idea especially intriguing is what’s also happening when it’s explored: specifically, when the Doctor is trying to manage the many responsibilities of running the universe. As explored in the previous episode, The City and the Clock, he’s starting to take his new role as president of the universe very seriously. And it’s a position that he absolutely hates.

Giving therapy to the Doctor? How bad can it be…?

(Photo: Actor David Warner. Image Courtesy Big Finish Productions.)

Excellent performances

Unsurprisingly, David Warner – perhaps one of the greatest British actors still working today – is just fantastic in this story. He’s been wonderful to listen to as the Doctor from another universe throughout these stories, but Asking for a Friend features him at his very best.

Getting to explore how the Doctor thinks and how he truly sees the universe gives us so many great speeches from him, which Warner delivers perfectly. His thoughts on how he doesn’t like to look at the long-term view, or how much he really hates his new responsibilities, are fantastic to listen to.

Annette Badland is also great in this story as the Doctor’s therapist Guilana. Guilana is meant to be professional, and for much of the time, she tries hard to act it. But you do get hints of friendship between her and the Doctor at times. Or at least, something close to it, which the Doctor really needs.

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A strained friendship

This is especially clear when we hear the flashback sequences between the Doctor and Benny. These moments are essentially the reasons why the Doctor needs therapy now more than ever. In the previous episode, the Doctor’s and Benny’s friendship became strained, and that’s even more true here. Lisa Bowerman continues to be brilliant as Bernice, but she’s not explored quite as much as the Doctor is in this one.

The standout moment for me is the final session, which is both gut-wrenching and a disturbing take on our favorite hero. It features truly fantastic performances from both Warner and Badland, and highlights exactly why giving the Doctor therapy is a very dangerous idea.

Asking for a Friend is such a brilliant story. The small, intimate focus provides us with a radically fresh exploration of our favorite Time Lord. And even when that incarnation is one that we’re less familiar with, that doesn’t stop the episode from being a fantastic drama in its own right. In short, Asking for a Friend isn’t just the best reason to check out Ruler of the Universe, but might be one of the greatest Doctor Who stories ever made by Big Finish.

What are your favorite Doctor Who stories from Big Finish? Do you think the Doctor’s mind should be explored in more detail on television? Just how dangerous would being the Doctor’s therapist be? Let us know in the comments below.