Brief Summary
This video provides a quick guide to the Big Finish classic Doctor Who stories featuring the sixth Doctor with companions Constance and Flip. It covers their adventures in chronological order, highlighting key plot points, character dynamics, and overall quality of each story. The video also touches on the historical context and behind-the-scenes information related to these audio dramas.
- The Dream Team: Constance and Flip are the perfect mix of companions.
- Strong Stories: The Behemoth, The Middle, and Static are top-tier adventures.
- Controversial Content: The Lovecraft Invasion deals with difficult themes.
Intro
The video introduces the concept of Big Finish's classic Doctor Who audio dramas, focusing on the companions Constance and Flip alongside the sixth Doctor. It explains that these stories aren't released in strict chronological order, and the video aims to guide listeners through the adventures of this "Dream Team" in a structured way.
The Dream Team
Constance and Flip are described as the perfect companion pairing for the Sixth Doctor due to their complementary personalities. The Sixth Doctor's strong personality is balanced by the duo, preventing him from dominating the narrative. Their dynamic is highlighted through excerpts of their interactions, showcasing their banter and camaraderie.
Quick Silver
The first story, "Quick Silver," involves the Doctor taking Constance home, though not exactly as expected. Constance's backstory is explored, revealing her husband's affair and presumed death. The Doctor encounters an alien named Kinar, who seeks his help to avoid being drafted into a war. The story unfolds in Vienna in 1948, where Constance's husband is found alive with a new wife, and Flip is introduced after being grabbed from her wedding reception by the Valal using a Time Scoop. The narrative blends soap opera elements with sci-fi, treating all characters with fairness. The Doctor intimidates the Valal by projecting a giant version of himself in Time Lord robes. Flip decides to stay with the Doctor and Constance, marking the beginning of their friendship.
The Behemoth
Their first trip takes them to 18th century England in "The Behemoth," a pure historical story requested by Colin Baker. The story explores dark chapters in Britain's past, specifically slavery. While "Peter Lou" is serious, "The Behemoth" is a melodrama where each crew member finds an admirer. Constance considers joining the abolitionist movement, while Flip is pursued by a plantation owner who wants her as his bride. Lady claraa, a rhinoceros, is also part of the story. The narrative delves into the plight of slaves and the moral complexities of the time. The first half of the story focuses on Flip and Constance reacting to the 18th century, while the second half deals with slavery. The Doctor convinces a slave rebellion to disarm, promoting a non-violent approach.
The Middle
"The Middle" is described as Terry Gilliam-esque, with the TARDIS team arriving on a planet where life is easy until age 35, after which people are sent to "the middle" for work or "the end" to fight in a war. Constance ends up in the middle, the Doctor ends up at the end, and Flip stays in the beginning. The story is full of twists and turns, with the team split up but ultimately reuniting to win. Mark Heap from "Spaced" plays the sinister manager of the middle. The story explores themes of societal roles and the value of different age groups.
Static
"Static" is hailed as one of Big Finish's masterpieces, a horror story set in an 80s caravan park where static picks up voices of the dead. An impenetrable mist descends, time stops, and the dead arrive. The story involves a young couple dealing with a family tragedy and an eccentric war veteran who destroys electronics. The Doctor and Constance end up in World War II, while Flip is in the modern day. Constance dies, and the aliens reveal themselves as the static. The Air Force in World War II was calling dead airmen back for Intel. David Graham, at age 91, plays a 20-something caretaker.
Cryer the VTR
"Cryer the VTR" is considered the weakest of the Constance and Flip stories. The trio lands on a mountainous planet inhabited by the volas, who are preparing for first contact with the Ice Warriors. The story involves political intrigue, feuding royals, and a revolution. Constance is adjusting to being resurrected as a tree clone. The story feels like a reskinned tale, blending elements of "The Dark Crystal" with Ice Warrior lore.
Scorched Earth
"Scorched Earth" is set in a newly liberated French village at the end of World War II. The team witnesses the abuse of a local girl accused of collaboration. Flip wants to help, but Constance is unsympathetic, leading to a strong disagreement that almost destroys their relationship. The story explores the complexities of justice and forgiveness in the aftermath of war. The Doctor sends a fire-based alien to Berlin. The story is disjointed, with a dramatic first half and a silly second half.
The Lovecraft Invasion
"The Lovecraft Invasion" involves an alien that brings imagination to life taking up residence in HP Lovecraft's brain. The Doctor and Flip enter Lovecraft's mind, while Constance and Calypso Jones deal with the real world. The story attempts to address Lovecraft's bigotry but does so in a flawed way, with characters talking about it without Lovecraft showing much change. The story is set in the last months of Lovecraft's life when he was trying to be a better man, making the portrayal feel unfair. Calypso Jones, a 51st-century bounty hunter, is introduced. The story references many of Lovecraft's works and includes the character Randolph Carter.
Final Thoughts
The video concludes by ranking the Constance and Flip stories, with "Static" taking the top spot and "Cryer the VTR" in last place. Despite some flaws, the overall run is considered one of the strongest in Doctor Who history and a perfect starting point for new listeners.
