ALL-CONSUMING FIRE

The second episode of Big Finish‘s adaptation of All-Consuming Fire continued from the first, beginning with a “mission report” from Ace who doesn’t seem to be very involved in the adventure right now.

The usual issues with audio adventures arise, such as not really being sure what certain noises and reactions are all about.  Fortunately, the narration by Dr Watson that’s prevalent in Sherlock Holmes adventures guides us through some of the more confusing aspects of the story.  This narration can’t be underestimated here as it makes the audio far more accessible.

The third episode introduces Professor Bernice “Benny” Summerfield into the mix.  I don’t know anything about this character, or her relationship with the Doctor, or what she has to do with anything.  She’s inserted into the story for no apparent reason that I can see, and she immediately proceeds to take over everything.

First Dr Watson gives over his narration duties to “Benny” and she is, by no means, any substitute for Watson’s vocal narration.  I kept wishing she would just go away and let Richard Earl return.

Then we lose the Doctor and Sherlock from the story, and Benny steps in for both of them.  Why?  I’m here to listen to a Doctor Who / Sherlock Holmes adventure.  I’ve no interest in Bernice Summerfield whatsoever.  Never bought a book or audio of the character and, based on this intrusion, I probably never will.

I’ve started, but not finished, the fourth episode and, thankfully, normality has been resumed.  Richard Earl is back giving us Dr Watson’s view of the goings-on, and the Doctor and Sherlock are back to the fore.  Better still, Ace has finally been released from her “pre-credits reporting” and is in the adventure with a bang.

She doesn’t feel much like any Ace we remember from the TV series – there’s no reason given as to why she was sent off on her own to report on the activities on an alien planet while the Doctor stayed on Earth, or how she knows so much about everything without assistance from the Doctor.  She’s pretty much used just to fill in a few blanks, and then to take Dr Watson on a mountain-climbing trip to see where the Doctor and Sherlock have been taken.  In this respect, she comes across as a near-clone of Benny.  Still, at least we know Ace.

Once I’ve listened to the rest of the adventure, I’ll post more.