Doctor Who: Technophobia: The Tenth Doctor Adventures.

The Tenth Doctor Adventures #1.1

by Matt Fitton, David Tennant (Reader), Catherine Tate (Reader)

When the Doctor and Donna visit London’s Technology Museum for a glimpse into the future, things don’t go to plan.

The most brilliant IT brain in the country can’t use her computer. More worrying, the exhibits are attacking the visitors, while outside, people seem to be losing control of the technology that runs their lives.

Is it all down to simple human stupidity, or is something more sinister going on?

Beneath the streets, the Koggnossenti are waiting. For all of London to fall prey to technophobia...

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Short Stories, Time Travel, Media Tie In

Audio CD

First published May 31, 2016

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening again as I've been listening to death and the queen so much and wanted to decide which of the other two stories to get in german next.

LOVED this! It was so wonderful to hear Catherine Tate as Donna again! Matt did a brilliant job of capturing the Tennant/Tate era. The story, set on Earth in a couple years time, had exactly the right feel. There were also loads of women characters, including a woman CEO of a tech company. Donna was hilarious and Tennant had some good lines too. He did get a *little* too full of himself at the end, but despite that this was still brilliant. The plot was a lot of fun and some fantastic character moments. I'm SO happy Big Finish brought this pair back to us! I actually felt my heart racing as it started. Can't wait to hear the next two.

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Last time I saw somebody that jumpy, they were standing on a supernova!"

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was a wonderful start to the new Donna and Doctor series! I didn't expect to just smile at hearing the two of them together again. I must have really missed them. The story was a pretty good Doctor Who romp. Lots of interesting characters, Donna being generally awesome, and entertaining performances.

Can't wait to listen to the next one.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something really odd is happening. You know what, I'm usually having more fun when something really odd is happening, but this is just, well... Really odd. I don't like it.

This was so much fun! It perfectly captures the tone of David Tennant's Doctor, and just listening to him and Catherine Tate reunited was worth it. Their bickering is as adorable as always, and the story (people being made terrified of technology to the point where they were barely functioning- they got that scared of voice recognition software, ATMs, even cars) was really interesting. I really liked how it even follows the same outline as the show (a little scene to set off the story, the theme, the story, and the theme again). Now on to the next one!

[Nigar Osmanlı · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten, my dearly beloved, oh, how I’ve missed hearing you say “Ah, would you look at that?”

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun adventure to listen to (though less of the great banter I was hoping for between the Doctor and Donna). Everyone is suddenly becoming terrified of technology and the Doctor/Donna need to find out why...

It was as simple plot line but what really makes these audio adventures fun is getting to hear David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprise their roles from the show. It feels like listening to an episode from the show. Though at times the soundtrack and incidental background noises can make it difficult to hear the actors' voices so Big Finish really needs to do some work on getting the audio quality at a point where you don't have to constantly turn the volume UP to hear what the heck is being said and then frantically turn it DOWN when fast action stuff starts to happen.

[Tricia Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I loved listening to the Doctor and Donna on another adventure. I really miss them a lot. David Tennant and Catherine Tate are wonderful in this and I could easily picture them in my mind. I'm so glad I bought this audio, so I can listen to it again and again.

[Julia Sarene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun story that had me well entertained and hooked from start to finish!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one, A bit cheesy, as most of the audio drammas tend to be, but still, it was amusing, and a fun listen.

[Marcel Driel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp with a brilliant idea at the core, which honestly deserved a better story than this. But Tennant was good and Tate was bloody brilliant.

[gonza · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun was had by all.

David and Catherine carry the story on their backs.

[Ruhm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Donna, I've missed you so much.

[Lauren (WesterDrumlins) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a lot of fun! Not a lot really happens but I had a great time listening to it.

[Juliana Lira · Rating 5 out of 5]

After this, I wondered why I haven't listened to any other Big Finish adventures with the Doctor! That was so good, well produced and so fun to listen! I have been missed a lot 10th & Donna and their comeback couldn't be better! The plot itself is a classic DW story with an interesting villain and plot development. I liked it a lot :)

Pretty sure I'll follow this series <3

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly marvelous fun with the Tenth Doctor and Donna. Magic! A really great pair of actors together again. It's a celebration!

[Shawne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm an idiot who bought this box set the second it was released but... never listened to the audio dramas on it until now, a good eight years later 😩🤦🏻‍♀️

While that level of stupidity is on me (and something the Cognoscenti in this story would love), I'm actually glad to encounter this cracking little romp now after the specials. Matt Fitton's smart, pacy audio play - about a London a few years into Donna's future descending into technophobic chaos - zips along like a missing Doctor and Donna adventure from Series 4. I loved everything about that series except that we didn't have enough adventures spotlighting the Doctor and Donna as a duo (they kept getting separated or having to share the limelight with returning companions). So this was really welcome!

I loved the dynamic Fitton establishes here between the Doctor and Donna, who have clearly been travelling together for a while now. Their level of comfort around and respect for each other is matched only by their affectionate banter, and it's lovely to witness. I especially enjoy how Fitton made sure to highlight Donna's intuitive intelligence here, and how the solutions and insights she offers - even unintentionally - stay with the Doctor and help him solve the mystery at hand. Love him giving her credit for everything she suggests and observes too 🥹 It really underscores just how great this partnership has always been, and it's always a joy to see (well, hear) it in action.

Proper good banter and nicely paced too, with enough tension built in to have me on edge when the story takes little twists I'm not expecting. (Always love it when Donna has to take on the role of the Doctor when he's off doing his own thing or somehow incapacitated - that feeds perfectly into the larger overarching theme of their series/relationship so it's fun to see it come to the fore again here.)

I will say the one odd decision is to have Donna and Bex go off to take the subway in the midst of a technophobia meltdown??? what did they think was going to happen, and who the heck would be driving the trains or operating the stations?! lol

in terms of cute-as-hell continuity:
"Does it involve running the hell out of here?"
"Donna Noble, you've read my mind."
🤣🤣
I love these idiots and I love how these lines echo into the past of Series 4 and into the future of the 60th Anniversary specials - from "there's an outrageous amount of running involved!" to "I'm already running!"

And, of course, that David Tennant and Catherine Tate are absolutely brilliant in these roles - their chemistry sparkles, in whatever medium they work in, so it comes as no surprise that it fairly crackles through this audio too. They're both such smart, intuitive actors that their dialogue, banter and interplay feel natural and lived-in, and it really is a joy just to hear the Doctor and Donna together again. Ably accompanied by an excellent supporting cast, including Niky Wardley as Bex with an X, who will later return to play Nat, Donna's own companion in Donna Noble Kidnapped.

All in all - a really fun, solid romp with a cracking script, excellent atmospheric sound design and a brilliant voice cast.

[Mackenzie Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Doctor Who: Technophobia’ is a thrilling audiobook that brings back the beloved Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble in a brand-new adventure. Packed with humour, suspense, and that signature Doctor Who blend of sci-fi mystery and social commentary, it’s a must-listen for fans of the show.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot is gripping, full of twists, and feels like a natural extension of the ‘Doctor Who’ universe. The concept is both relevant and chilling, tapping into modern fears about our dependence on technology while delivering the high-stakes adventure we expect from ‘Doctor Who’.

Character: ★★★★★
David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor is as brilliant and charismatic as ever, balancing his usual energetic charm with moments of deep concern for humanity. Donna Noble is sharp, sassy, and utterly irreplaceable. Her dynamic with the Doctor is just as strong as it was on-screen, bringing humour and heart to the story. The supporting characters are well-developed and add depth to the narrative, making this feel like a fully realised episode rather than just an audio drama.

Setting: ★★★★☆
The setting perfectly captures the ‘Doctor Who’ feel - futuristic yet grounded in reality, with a touch of eeriness that makes the technological threat all the more immersive. London is a fitting backdrop for this kind of story, blending familiar urban life with sci-fi elements.

Engagement: ★★★★★
From start to finish, ‘Technophobia’ keeps you hooked. The pacing is excellent, with moments of tension, humour, and action seamlessly woven together. The banter between the Doctor and Donna is electric, making every exchange a joy to listen to. The unfolding mystery creates a sense of urgency, ensuring that the listener is constantly engaged.

Listenability: ★★★★★
David Tennant and Catherine Tate are phenomenal, slipping back into their roles effortlessly. The voice acting is flawless, with fantastic performances from the supporting cast as well. The sound design, music, and effects all enhance the storytelling, making it feel as immersive as a full television episode.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
For fans of ‘Doctor Who’, this is an absolute treat. It’s nostalgic yet fresh, bringing back one of the most beloved Doctor-companion duos in a story that feels completely in line with their era. The humour, emotional depth, and sci-fi intrigue make it a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Whether you’re a longtime Whovian or just looking for a well-crafted audio drama, ‘Technophobia’ is a fantastic experience.

‘Doctor Who: Technophobia’ is a brilliant return to the Tenth Doctor and Donna’s adventures, packed with witty dialogue, a compelling mystery, and top-notch performances. Highly recommended for fans of the show and anyone who enjoys sci-fi storytelling at its best.

[Jamie Revell · Rating 4 out of 5]

After sixteen years of making audio plays featuring the first eight Doctors, Big Finish finally got the chance to launch a series with the tenth, allowing Tennant and Tate to reprise their characters from the TV show.

This first story, sensibly enough, is set in the present day, with the Doctor and Donna visiting an exhibition of modern technology before the inevitable alien invasion kicks off. This feels very much like a NuWho episode, and not just because of such obvious trappings as the returning actors and the use of Ten's version of the theme tune. For one thing, it's only an hour long - half the length of BF's standard stories, but closer to the length of a modern TV episode. The style of the invasion, the frequent use of the sonic, and even the running joke about people assuming that the Doctor and Donna are an item, all feel like they've popped right out of series four.

Tennant and Tate effortlessly pop back into their roles, adding to the feel that this is just an episode we didn't get to see. In fairness, while this is clearly written for Donna, it wouldn't have required much tweaking to be used with most other companions, but Ten's energy undeniably adds something you wouldn't have got from earlier Doctors.

As for the plot, as the title indicates, it's largely about the way our lives today are governed by technology, and how an excessive fear of the new could cripple us. While it wouldn't have had the same impact had it been set in, say, the '70s, the presence of mobile phones, tablets, and Siri are more window-dressing than the central point - the story is more about mistrusting them than it is about the items themselves. (Whereas The Bells of Saint John, for instance, is largely about wi-fi).

To be sure, the real boost here is getting to hear the characters again after an (at the time) eight-year absence, but it's also a reasonable - if not exceptional - story. For fans of the modern series this is a must, and a good jumping-on point for BF audio adaptations in general.

[MindProbe · Rating 2 out of 5]

as someone with a specific fondness both for post-2005 Doctor Who series openers (I genuinely love pretty much all of them - even New Earth!) and for Matt Fitton as a writer, I should really be the perfect mark for him doing a such a clear pastiche of that kind of story. and as a pastiche it nails a lot of the basic feel of that mode of Who, it gets the pace and tone and dialogue patter of this era down to a T for the most part, but for me it can't help but look a bit empty next to the episodes it openly invites comparison to.

each of Russell T Davies' series openers have something major going on in terms of character, and a lot to establish and set in motion for the series as a whole. the fact that they then manage to feel like breezy, breathless crowd-pleaser romps is a matter of Russell T Davies just being ridiculously good at his job. here, there is nothing to establish or set in motion, and the story doesn't really find a satisfying reason to exist without the sense of drive and purpose that this sort of thing normally has to ground it. its alien threat, the Koggnossenti, are well-performed and at times quite funny, but the story isn't enough of an outright comedy to justify itself fully on those terms. it's got a bit of a tech satire vibe, as you might expect, but it's not a subject it has anything in particular to say about any more than Partners in Crime has anything much to say about diet culture - it's essentially just a backdrop, not really the point. but in this case it's difficult to identify a point at all beyond emulating the superficial style of a Doctor Who episode from 2008, without the substance that made those stories worth telling in the first place. it's entertaining enough on that level if it's a style you enjoy, Fitton has a talent for keeping to a respectable quality baseline even whilst being one of Big Finish's most prolific writers, hitting the mark more often than not and almost never dropping the ball completely, but this is definitely one of the weakest of his I've heard.

[Glory · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Big Finish and I could not be more thrilled to hear David Tennant kill it as the Doctor with my favorite companion. This was such a fun plot, with the highlight of course being the Doctor himself overwhelmed by his own TARDIS and collapsing on the ground with that special Tennant-flavored angst (the man is so good at feels and voices, my heart!). Donna flirting with the underground driver was adorable. And extra theme points for the working-class driver being "the 1%" immune from the villain's mind machinations. Ha! And last but not least, this is the audio that tells us Ten's ADHD, when Donna refuses to give him coffee. Neurodivergent and queer (ace, genderfluid), my Doctor is. Yes yes and yes.

Then sis and I read it again while I was in the hospital and it was like watching a whole new episode again, theme song and all. Catherine Tate returning as Donna made the whole thing even more legit. I can't believe Tennant was the only modern Doctor to come back to Big Finish (before Eccleston from this year). He understands how important these audio dramas are for the fans, because they were Doctor Who when the show was on hiatus in the 80s/90s. Tennant really is the only Doctor ever.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story in this collection is probably also my favorite, and it's titled Technophobia. Written by Matt Fitton, it's a quirk adventure, but no shorter than any of the episodes. In it, Donna and the Doctor have reunited again (not literally – it's set before their parting). There is an alien race working hard to bring humanity backwards a few steps in their technology, and this was their plan.

“Good as new. Give it ten minutes, they'll knock up another dozen landscapes. You see, the beauty of robots is they only ever do what they're told to do.”

Technophobia was fast, fun, and supremely quirky. Just the way I like it! Having the Doctor and Donna yell at one another is something that I will never get sick of. Seriously, it's so funny. Even when the world is crumbling around them, they find a way. This is a perfect listen for anybody looking for a good laugh, and really just a Doctor Who adventure in general.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read/listen!

I love the Doctor Who audio books that are narrated by David Tennant because I'm actually getting to listen to the story in the Doctor's voice. The added bonus of Catherine Tate made this even better. It was like listening to an episode of Doctor Who.

I do wish that the story had been just a bit longer, but it still felt like a full adventure with the Doctor and Donna. I enjoyed the full cast narration as well as the sound effects. It pulled me into the story that much more.

Technophobia felt like a very poignant story given the world we're living in today. We're so reliant on machines to do pretty much anything on a daily basis, and we're becoming increasingly reliant on AI to help us do even more. So what if aliens wanted to use that against us? What if they wanted to render us useless and stupid so that we became so afraid of the machines we use every day? That's basically what the Doctor and Donna are facing in this story.

Thankfully, there are a few people who do not fall victim to the aliens and their plans to make humans "incompetent" and the day is once again saved by average people and the help of the Doctor.

If you're a 10th Doctor fan, or just a Whovian in general, I highly recommend picking up this audio adventure, and all of the other ones out there. You won't regret it.

[Isiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I bought the 10 & Donna audio set from Big Finish: David Tennant and Catherine Tate are incredible voice actors, the writing is brilliant, and both 10 and Donna are in perfect form right from the get go.

Technophobia
Besides the humor, action, and 10′s unfailing energy, the best part of this episode was the fact that it nailed Donna’s characterization perfectly. We got to see her typical teasing side with the Doctor, a more flirty attitude with a train driver, her unmatched kindness towards the people she meets, and her bravery to not only do what needs to be done, but to put other people before herself.

This episode had everything a good Ten & Donna episode had and I really can’t say enough about the beauty and ease of the balance of humor, action, and bittersweet moments.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitton captures the Doctor and Donna's relationship brilliantly in Technophobia, both the humorous, witty interchanges and the serious, caring side. Donna truly grounds the Doctor, reminding him of the boundaries of adventure and the importance of saving lives. David Tennant and Catherine Tate excel with the audio format, as do the supporting cast, including Niky Wardley as Bex, Rachael Stirling as Jill and Rory Keenan as Kevin (who's Irish accent helps to offer contrast against the RP voices). The monsters - Koggnossenti - are well-developed and explored in full. You hear the return of some long-missed running-jokes too, which help bring Whovians close to the characters' backgrounds in the TV show.

Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable Tenth Doctor tale featuring the best temp in Chiswick!

Temps United :)

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently after being a big fan of Doctor Who I would be gifted two of the Tenth doctor Audio adventures. The first of the collection was Technophobia and it follows a group of aliens making humans more stupid to enslave them. The Doctor and Donna showed up before running off to figure things out. Eventually they turn the alien's own trick on themself. After using that to destroy them the Doctor and Donna turns off an Ai before running off. The Audio adventure then ended with a very long music moment.

The best moment was when the technology was affecting the Doctor, so he was forgetting everything. The story was really nice, and the music was well done, it does however kind of fall short compared to other season 4 episodes.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Noble is my favorite Tenth Doctor companion, which is why series 4 is easily my favorite of the first few seasons of the revival. So I'm glad that these audios are set within that era. The story, as the title implies, involves people becoming scared of technology. So you get exactly what's advertised. The music and the voice acting worked really well to make things feel urgent and suspenseful as everyone panics and stops comprehending how certain things like TVs and escalators work. I even liked the voice acting for the aliens in this. So if you're a Doctor/Donna fan, this is a must-listen.

[Cmoore · Rating 2 out of 5]

This time Serial Box has teamed up with The Big Finish to bring you this series of podcasted episodes... There isn't any overarching story ARC to follow, other than the Doctor, David Tennant and his companion Donna are in each episode. I've been quite curious about The Big Finish, but they've always priced themselves out'ta my pocketbook! Soooooooo I was more than happy to pickup up this 3 episode collection for just a single price... and now I know! The Big Finish (a podcast that's been around for a while) well they obviously seemingly spend all their money to get the actual actors (cool), but haven't figured out how to make an episode with decent soundtrack!

[Doc · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Brilliant!

Listening to David Tennet and Catherine Tate continuing their adventures in an audio format after the role of the Doctor has been passed on in television long ago made me smile as they each played their parts capturing the old magic of the show like a radio program allowing my imagination to fill in the gaps where I once watched timey wimey special effects. The story is not super long so don't be afraid of your device and hit play again if you want to listen to the story again and relive the adventure in your imagination as often as you like. :)

[Lewis Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

As bouncy and energetic as a typical Tenth Doctor story, Big Finish have captured the feel and energy of that era whilst inheriting its problems of unsatisfying conclusions and wasted monsters. I do think though the Cognescenti’s fiendish plan is an interesting one, and I like how we spend time with them carrying it out and making amends to it as the story progresses. I enjoyed listening to the story, and it’s exciting to hear David Tennant back in the role despite not being a huge fan of his, but I feel like this suffered from adhering too much to the Tenth Doctors era style.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

久しぶりのテナントさんドクター新作！

ドクター登場からテーマ曲、もうこれだけでも嬉しさに鳥肌がたつ。おかえりなさい、10代目ドクター！

ドクターとドナはほんの少しだけ未来のロンドンにオープンしようとしていたテクノロジー•ミュージアムに調査に来ていた。ところが、ミュージアムに到着してすぐ、あちこちで従業員たちから助けを求める悲鳴がきこえだし、ついにはミュージアムのCEOであるジルからも助けを求める声が。かけつけて話をきくと皆一様にマシンがおかしくなったというがドクターがどんなに調べても異常は見られない。やがて異変はミュージアムだけにとどまらず外にも広がり、車を運転していたドライバーがいっせいに怯えて車を捨て、ニュースを読んでいたアナウンサーは原稿が読めなくなる。ドナの言葉をきっかけにドクターはおかしいのはマシンではなく人間の方だと気がつく。
人間の言語能力を退行させ、マシンを操ることはおろか、線を引くこともできず、何もできなくなるよう仕組んだエイリアンがロンドンの地下に巣食っていた。ドナと地下鉄の運転手だけが、影響を受けることなく正気をたもっていたが、ドクターまでが影響をうけはじめスクリュードライバーの使い方もわからなくなってしまう。

ギリギリまでハラハラさせてからの、ドクターの見事な逆転劇！
やっぱり10代目ドクターはダントツにかっこいい！