Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Karen Henson, David Shaw-Parker, Tom Alexander, Stuart Denman, Samantha Beart.
If the end of the 1960s was the supposed era of free love, enlightened thinking, ugly military intervention and the culmination of the space race between the Soviet Union and The United States then the beginning of the decade could be viewed as calculated insanity, a planet being taken to the absolute brink, musical genius, a steel nerve by undoubtedly the finest President in 20th Century America and the start of the sprint to be on the moon first.
As part of the special set of stories involving Colin Baker, Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy in three tales revolving around the events of 1963, the Doctor’s sixth incarnation, aided by the American Peri, finds himself parading as a Russian Scientist from Moscow University investigating the apparent loss of a Cosmonaut on the far side of the moon and one that spells possible disaster for humanity in 1963: The Space Race.
After the humour of the previous story 1963: Fanfare For The Common Men, this is a radical and true Doctor Who story that gives the glimpses of the profound political statements that the early writers of the television programme would have been proud to have penned. With the ever increasing macho-like stance between America and Russia, with every other country looking on, taking sides and praying that if the inevitable happens that they will be spared, 1963: The Space Race pulls at the heightened tension between these two nations and adds into the mix the issue of animal rights, sexual and gender choices and vegetarianism.
Many stories in Big Finish’s illustrious career have hinted at the big story, the tale in which undisguised politics can come to the forefront but perhaps not since The Brotherhood of The Daleks has this had the chance to really stand out. 1963: The Space Race takes all these important elements and gives Colin Baker the reins on a story that fits his particular Doctor incarnation well. The differences between ideology, between sexual preference and the way humanity looked at the way it treated animals, especially during the space race, is enough to make the sixth Doctor spin fire and hand out compassion on an equal level.
Jonathan Morris’ script is a mixture of delight for the way he pulls together these seemingly disparate strands and the pressure felt as the traitor is revealed and the Russian space command is overrun by those they have abused. At times tantalisingly historically stimulating and science fiction thought-provoking, it never veers far from being a near classic. Nicola Bryant is in fine form as she takes Peri’s natural Americanism and buries it deep as she finds herself conflicted between East/West and the greater good. A wonderful portrayal by the respected companion!
Anniversaries come and anniversaries go but Big Finish has pulled out all the stops for this particular 50th celebrations.
1963: The Space Race is available to purchase from Worlds Apart on Lime Street, Liverpool.
Ian D. Hall