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Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles: Old Soldiers by James Swallow
02/02/2008 . Source: Sue Davies 
CD. pub: Big Finish ISBN: 978-1-84435-292-0. 60 minute CD. Price: £ 8.99 (UK). Non UK £11.50). voices: Nicholas Courtney and Toby Longworth. Buy Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles in the USA - or Buy Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles in the UK  check out web sites www.BigFinish.com
Reminiscing is probably a key hobby of retired soldiers. After all, if they survive the conflicts they serve in they should be able to tell someone. If the Official Secrets Act binds them, then how frustrating having to internalise them and deal with the unbelievable. Thus we meet the Brigadier as he is raising a glass to his comrades. By necessity, this is not for public consumption. One of his comrades was the Doctor and what the Brigadier saw, he would never be able to share. The two of them didn't necessarily see eye to eye but they enjoyed a healthy and respectful relationship.
A particular adventure that comes to the Brigadier's mind took place in a scloss called Kreigskind, a UNIT research operation. An old friend sends for his help but when Lethbridge-Stewart arrives, it is already too late. His friend is in the hospital wing and the Brigadier decides to stay and see if he can help but then the ghosts start arriving and although they are apparently phantoms, they are able to kill. Happily for the situation, the Doctor offers his help to solve the puzzle of the ghostly killers.
'The Companion Chronicles' continues with this offering from the Brigadier. It's been a long time since he shared his adventures with Doctor Number Three but it's as if he's never been away. The sound of Nicholas Courtney's voice transported me back to the days of Jon Pertwee. Cheekily, he also offers his interpretation of Pertwee's voice and this adds a different dimension to the reflective narrative. Courtney has a beautiful and mellifluous tone and it should be aired more often. Voice-overs for chocolate would do it for me. It's very attractive and he makes a compelling storyteller.
Overall, the story is not that original but Nicholas Courtney tells it well and dramatically and it is a good way to pass an hour with an old soldier like 'The Brig'.
Sue Davies
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