cover image Doctor Who: The Lost TV Episodes Collection 1: 1964–1965

Doctor Who: The Lost TV Episodes Collection 1: 1964–1965

John Lucarotti, read by a full cast. AudioGO, library edition, unabridged, 12 CDs, 10.75 hrs., $89.95 ISBN 978-1-4084-6751-0

Hardcore fans of this long-running, offbeat sci-fi television series will likely enjoy these recordings of the show’s lost episodes. Other listeners, not so much. While Doctor Who—like all science fiction and fantasy franchises—can work well as a radio play or audiobook, this collection (because the audio is taken directly from television episodes) makes use of jarring voice-over narration to elucidate scenes without dialogue. Not much can detract more from the tension of the fatal clash than a play-by-play voice-over that describes what’s happening so listeners can follow the action that was visible on TV. Adhering so closely to the TV format disrupts the storytelling, and less devoted followers of the time-traveling doctors will be better served by other audio adaptations. (June)