Start to Finish: 2.02 - Helicon Prime

Image (c) Big Finish Productions Ltd

The series 2 Second Doctor story sees Frazer Hines return to the role of Jamie McCrimmon for the first time since The Two Doctors, for a space-bound whodunnit set in the period when he was the Doctor's sole companion: Helicon Prime.

The Doctor lands the TARDIS on Helicon Prime, the ultimate luxury resort, housed in a great space station surrounded by the calming influences of the Golden Section. Nothing bad is supposed to be able to happen here; and then someone is murdered. The Doctor and Jamie, accompanied by singer and sonic sculptress Mindy 'Voir, seek to find out why.

In one sense, this is another of the melancholy Chronicles, as Jamie narrates the tale to a nurse during a brief moment of recollection, but in another it is a much more straightforward adventure story, as Jamie is a character ill-suited to melancholy. In telling a story of his past, he is enlivened by recalling the danger and excitement, rather than purely nostalgic. As with Mother Russia, the framing device is brought in as the denouement for the recalled story.

Frazer Hines provides an impressive set of voices, with a little help from Suzanne Procter as Mindy 'Voir and a few vocal effects for the more alien characters, but it is his performance as the Second Doctor that sells the piece. Hines brings his deep regard for an old friend to the role and recreates Patrick Troughton's tone and intonation to the life, and makes a fine stab at the voice. As in Mother Russia, his understanding of the original actor, coupled with Jake Elliot's script, makes for a truly convincing Doctor.

The story, unfortunately, is less strong than the characters, with the final twist in particular less convincing than it should have been. It's a good romp, however, with a strong collection of science fiction conceits.

Episode 3 of the series brings one of my favourites to the fore, as the late Nicholas Courtney brings the Brigadier's point of view to bear on a tale of Old Soldiers.