Doctor Who: Short Trips - Volume 1

Doctor Who: Short Trips Audio #1

by George Mann, Jamie Hailstone, Dorothy Koomson

Eight fantastic new adventures in space and time with the Doctor and his companions, featuring stories from many of Doctor Who’s most popular authors from the worlds of television, print, comics and audio, as well as new talent and fresh voices... and read by your favourite Big Finish actors!

Rise and Fall by George Mann
Read by William Russell
On a distant planet, faces bloom in the air for a fraction of a second before disappearing. Will the Doctor and Ian solve the puzzle?

A Stain of Red in the Sand by David A McEwan
Read by David Troughton
Aliens lurk in the corridors of a block of flats, as a sculptor creates a strange statue of a girl called Zoe. But where is the Doctor?

A True Gentleman by Jamie Hailstone
Read by Katy Manning
A young boy finds himself part of the adventure when the Doctor helps him fix his bicycle tyre...

Death-Dealer by Damian Sawyer
Read by Louise Jameson
Leela gets more than she bargained for when she tries to buy a very unusual knife in an alien market...

The Deep by Ally Kennen
Read by Peter Davison
Nyssa's attempts to fix the TARDIS' chameleon circuit land everyone in hot water...

The Wings of a Butterfly by Colin Baker
Read by Colin Baker
A visit to his old tutor leads the Doctor into a closer involvement with the history of the planet Byxor than he may have liked...

Police and Shreeves by Adam Smith
Read by Sophie Aldred
Like all Shreeves, San loves to absorb electricity. But her landlord finds out about her alien abilities. Then the Doctor and Ace get involved...

Running Out of Time by Dorothy Koomson
Read by India Fisher
A young man is on the run. But he can't remember why he is running - or who is following him...

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies, Time Travel

Audiobook

First published November 1, 2010

About the author

George Mann is an author and editor, primarily in genre fiction. He was born in Darlington, County Durham in 1978.
A former editor of Outland, Mann is the author of The Human Abstract, and more recently The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual in his Newbury and Hobbes detective series, set in an alternate Britain, and Ghosts of Manhattan, set in the same universe some decades later.
He wrote the Time Hunter novella "The Severed Man", and co-wrote the series finale, Child of Time.
He has also written numerous short stories, plus Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes audiobooks for Big Finish Productions. He has edited a number of anthologies including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy and a retrospective collection of Sexton Blake stories, Sexton Blake, Detective, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock.

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over all, a nice anthology of not so much short stories as short vignettes and character sketches.

(1) Rise and Fall: Just after the events of Reign of Terror, the Doctor & Ian find themselves in beautiful, almost primordial world but are they out of temporal synch with the indigenous inhabitants? Fascinating and read beautifully by William Russell. (3/5)

(2) A Stain of Red in the Sand: A bit disappointing. Really tangential. (2/5)

(3) A True Gentleman: Katy Manning does a nice job with this one. (3/5)

(4) Death-Dealer: Louise Jameson reads this 4th Doctor story in which Leela dies. An interesting little sequence that perhaps teaches a the Doctor more of a lesson than Leela. (3/5)

(5) The Deep: Well, this was ... bizarre. And I loved that Peter Davison read it. My favorite so far. (4/5)

(6) The Wings of a Butterfly: Written & read by Colin Baker. How about that? Pretty darn fun too. (4/5)

(7) Police and Shreeves: This was interesting and entertaining. (3/5)

(8) Running Out of Time: A rather haunting story featuring the eighth Doctor. This tale spans many years in the life of the supporting cast and in some ways prequels such stories as Eleventh Hour and The Girl Who Waited. (3/5)

[Emilija · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty decent anthology of short stories, one for each of the Classic Doctors. Some were more memorable than others, my personal favourites were the Sixth and Seventh Doctors. Others were not as memorable, but all still worth a listen.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise and Fall was what I heard, a what a great little concept for a story. Enjoyed that.

[Sidney McKidney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was alright. "Rise and Fall" and "The Wings of a Butterfly" were probably my favorites. "A Stain of Red in the Sand" was interesting, but it didn't have enough context to be more than just kind of weird. "Running Out of Time" was fairly disappointing, and didn't feel particularly Doctor Who-y at all.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this was enjoyable. It was exactly the length I needed for a car journey and while waiting (since I was early).

Each little story was a fun short little adventure with the Doctor. Definitely kept me entertained.

The one with the whales... that totally gave me Douglas Adams vibes and I loved that.

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not, I think, an audio adaptation of the old BBC print anthology, but a set of new stories, one for each of the first eight Doctors. One about the Doctor and his friends encountering a civilisation for whom time passes more quickly was well done, though very similar to the Star Trek: Voyager episode with the same plot. In the second story a sculptor makes a version of Zoe out of memory meat to help the Doctor. The third Doctor repairs a bicycle. Leela gets herself killed. The story about the fifth Doctor, where Nyssa tries to fix the chameleon circuit and inadvertently creates a new species of giant whale, has a nice Hitch-Hiker's reference and was my favourite in the collection. Colin Baker writes his own story, which involves the Doctor making even more of a muddle of time than usual. Sophie Aldred narrates a story featuring Ace, and India Fisher reads one about a disastrous adventure for the eighth Doctor. I enjoyed this audiobook a lot. It had the exuberance of the old annuals.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't record Big Finish stuff on here because I consider them audio dramas, not audio books, and so something separate from my reading goal, but since Short Trips are short stories read by a single performer...
I really liked most of these; I think my favourites were "The Wings of a Butterfly" (predictably since it had the Sixth Doctor in it but I thought it was a fun handling of the premise) and "Death-Dealer". I mostly really enjoyed the others too but unfortunately didn't really get on with the very last story.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this idea. Each story is short, ranging from 10 to 25 minutes, I believe. So it's not a huge commitment. I just wish that each story had multiple voice actors rather than just one person narrating. It was probably most confusing when Peter Davison voiced both The Doctor and Nyssa. Not a huge difference in the voice.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

あらすじ

"Rise and Fall” by George Mann

バーバラとスーザンが衣装部屋遊んでいる間にターディスが到着した惑星に降り立ったドクターとイアン。2人の前に次から次へと浮かび上がるエイリアンの顔。初めてみる現象にドクターは興奮するが次第にこの星の住人とは時間の流れが異なり、走馬灯のように見えているのだと気がつく。

”A Stain of Red in the Sand” by

インディゴが恋人のロジャーの部屋を訪ねるとロジャーはゾーイという名前の少女の彫刻を作っていた。インディゴはロジャーのキッチンの窓から遥か遠くでドクターとケアテイカーという昆虫型生物が死闘を繰り広げているのを眺めるのを日課としていた。

"A True Gentleman" by Jamie Hailstone

毎年夏にドクターがホリデーを過ごしに訪れるコテージの大家の息子がお使いでミルクを買いにいった帰りに転んで自転車を壊してしまい、通りがかったドクターが自転車を直してくれることに。

"Death Dealer" by Damian Sawyer

バザールでリーラにお金について教えたドクター。試しに好きなものを買ってみるといいとお金を渡す。ドクターがジェリー・ビーンズを探しに行っているうちに、リーラは短剣を見つけそれを買うことにする。ところがお金を払った途端にリーラは店主に買った短剣で刺されてしまう。ドクターが駆けつけた時には毒が全身に回りリーラは息絶えていた。

“The Deep” by Ally Kennen

旅を少しでも安全にしたくてターディスのカメレオンサーキットを修理したニッサ。ドクターはドクターは試運転としてポリスボックスが絶対に存在しない場所深海に飛び込む。するとターディスはクジラに姿を変える。

“The Wings of a Butterfly” by Colin Baker

学生時代の時の恩師デュオザラスの講義を聴くためにギャリフレイに戻ったドクター。そのデュオザラスから、彼が研究していた惑星ビィクサーが何の兆候もなく突然消滅した原因を探って欲しいと頼まれる。ビィクサーという名前に聞き覚えがあるような気もしながらすぐに原因を調べに行くドクター。その間にデュオザラスは早まったことをしたと後悔しドクターを止めに行こうとするが、ドクターは既に原因を調べて戻ってきたところだった。ドクターによるとビィクサーが滅びた原因の発端はとある男のズボンの縫製ミスにあったという。あまりのバカバカしさにデュオザラスはドクターになんとかできないかと相談するが、そもそも縫製ミスは行員がドクターのターディスでの到着を目撃したせいで起こったことだった。

“Police and Shreeves” by Adam Smith

地球に住み着いたシュリーヴのサンが自分を犯罪に利用した大家のハーパーという男をブリゲディアに化けて調査をドクターとエースに依頼する。

“Running out of time” by Dorothy Koomson

カフェで働くジェフには5年前より以前の記憶がなかった。とある部屋で目覚め、パスポートで自分の名前がジェフ・スミスと知るが、理由はわからないが追われていた。2年間逃げ続け、この街にたどり着いた。今まで見つからずに平穏に暮らせていたが、ついに追っ手がカフェに現れた。その追っ手はドクターと名乗っていた。



感想

短編集なので英語のリスニングの練習にちょうどいいかと思ったのだが、シュールな話も多く英語難民にはかえって難易度が高かったかも。英語が聞き取れていなくてわからないのか、単にわかりにくい話なのかの見極めがなかなかつかず。イアン役のウィリアム・ラッセル氏の1stドクターのマネが絶品。

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like this set (and potentially the first four volumes) was going for ‘something for everyone’, and with reasonable success. There’s the surreal, the heavy, the intriguing, the ingenious, the casual, the silly, the fun. Certainly, some stories are a lot (a lot) better than others, but the majority suit the short story format well and I was largely pleasantly surprised.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a collection of eight very short stories each featuring a different doctor. Some stories were definitely better then others but they were all good. There are four or five more in this series and I am looking forward to listening to them.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read, some stories are better than others.

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea, but maybe I just don't have enough background info on these doctors.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first one.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good Dr Who stories.

[Charles Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 short stories (10 to 26 minutes long) from each of the first 8 doctors. More light entertainment than canonical importance.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love short stories about the doctor

[Viviana · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Audiobook]

[Felecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful collection of 8 short stories, each featuring a different Doctor (1-8). For the most part, they focus on a few brief moments. Looking forward to more from this series.

[Cameron Turnbull · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Rise and Fall: 5 Stars
The best short trip in this volume. The concept (that I shan’t spoil here) is so well done

2. A Stain of Red in the Sand: 1 Star
This is the first, and hopefully last, 1 star review I can give. The plot is nonsensical and I am unable to follow it as the author likely intended me to do so

3. A True Gentleman: 4 Stars
A lovely story showing the best of the 3rd Doctor. Despite having to deal with a possible alien menace, he still makes way to look after the inhabitants of Earth in small ways

4. Death-Dealer: 3 Stars
This is one that grew on me after it ended. It’s a strange premise but a very ‘trust the process’ feel to it

5. The Deep: 2 Stars
An interesting premise but very poorly executed. I can see what the author was going for, however I just don’t get it

6. The Wings of a Butterfly: 5 Stars
Colin Baker shows his skill as not just an actor but also a dab hand at the pen. This story is both funny and paced very well

7. Police and Shreeves: 3 Stars
The idea of an alien coming to Earth to feed on electricity is actually quite interesting. Unfortunately the story wasn’t given enough time to shine as I think the premise and idea could work well as a full story

8. Running Out of Time: 3 Stars
A nice solo 8th Doctor to round out the 1st volume. It’s nothing out of this world but still an enjoyable listen, trying to uncover who this man is that the Doctor is trying to help

Overall this is a mixed bag of stories. The good outweighs the bad however that’s not by much. It’s clear why they went with longer short stories after the 4 (very) short story volumes

[Billy Martel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by story…

Rise and Fall: One of my new favorite First Doctor tales. 5/5

A Stain of Red in the Sand: Wait, what? 2.5/5

A True Gentleman: A wonderful little Third Doctor story. I love these smaller, in-between style stories. Makes the big stories feel more significant. 4.5/5

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://apolloreborn.blogspot.kr/2012/...

[Sara Habein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dig these. They're more like short story audio-collections in that there is more narration than most of the Big Finish. Some stories are better than others, but overall this is a good set.

[Silvia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only listened to "Rise and Fall".

[Sockich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rise and Fall - 3/5
A Stain of Red in the Sand - 2/5
A True Gentleman - 3/5
Death-Dealer - 3/5
Running Out of Time - 3/5

[Debra Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories. Very good

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid, Who-ish fun. No more or less than that.