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Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles: Helicon Prime by Jake Elliott
01/03/2008 . Source: Sue Davies 
CD. pub: Big Finish ISBN: 978-1-84435-291-3. 60 minute CD. Price: £ 8.99 (UK). Non UK £11.50. Voices: Frazer Hines and Suzanne Procter. Buy Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles in the USA - or Buy Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles in the UK  check out web sites www.BigFinish.com
Jamie McCrimmon travelled with the Doctor in the early days and was always the one asking questions. Maybe because he was a highlander and there can be only one. It's been a long time and many Doctors have been washed under the bridge since Jamie stepped in the TARDIS but now he is being forced to remember a visit to Helicon Prime. But why now?
It's supposed to be a cultural break on Helicon Prime and the Doctor is soon chatting up the ladies in the style of Patrick Troughton but something is afoot. Mysterious deaths occur and it's getting pretty serious and in some ways quite musical.
Frazer Hines is an amiable companion but although his voice is pleasant it is hard for him to carry this piece almost single-handed. He does do his best to reign in the tendency in these solo audios to put too much into it. The actress playing Mindy doesn't always sound integrated into the share scenes. This doesn't help but happily, Mr. Hines does a neat imitation of the sadly missed Troughton, which is a twist of nostalgia for us oldies. With no body language on audio, the voice is crucial. The actors must convince us and do it quickly. A story, told like this, as a narration with some acted scenes can feel displaced from the action and doesn't always work.
Overall, it is a good story with some fun to be had from the Troughton voice and has a nice little finish. Jamie McCrimmon has no memory of travelling with the Doctor and this whole dialogue is based on his recovered memory. It is good use of the continuity of the series that is so important to those of us who try to keep the faith.
Also included is a short interview with Frazer Hines and his gossip about Patrick Troughton. We learn that but for 'Emmerdale' shooting schedule (a British soap opera) Jamie would have had a decent role in "The Five Doctors". A nice touch.
Sue Davies
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