‘The Old Rogue’ (ST/Audio)

‘THE OLD ROGUE’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

Arkinen, Destroyer of Galaxies with the Fourth Doctor, Romana and K-9

This story is by John Grindrod. It features the Fourth Doctor, Romana II and K-9; and is read by Louise Jameson. I enjoyed this short story as it does echo the Douglas Adams period of ‘Doctor Who’ from Season 17. It was a little confusing at first, but as the story progressed it got more interesting.

The Doctor, Romana and K-9 visit a café in Catford on Earth, run by a former destroyer of galaxies called Arkinen. The Doctor checks up on Arkinen to see how he is. Arkinen who is inside the body of a human called Sid, knows the Doctor well and holds a grudge against him with ending his endeavours.

I enjoyed the humour that resonated throughout this story. Louise Jameson reads this tale amazingly well, though I don’t why it wasn’t Lalla Ward who read this story. The tale is taken from Arkinen’s point-of-view. He reflects on his role in human society, detesting being a prisoner and owning a café.

In the story, there’s a flashback scene featuring the Second Doctor and Jamie where they stop Arkinen and his terrible spree of destroying galaxies. It’s an intriguing scene and it was quite unusual to have a flashback to the Second Doctor and Jamie being featured in this Fourth Doctor short story.

There are also references to Arkinen being visited by the Fifth Doctor and his companions (presumably Nyssa and Tegan) and by the Third Doctor and Jo. I like how the story ended with Arkinen being tempted to return to his old life and I found it amusing when K-9 was told to go outside.

‘The Old Rogue’ rating – 8/10

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The previous story For the Second Doctor was ‘Seven to One’ (ST/Audio) For Jamie was ‘The Nameless City’ (Puffin/Audio) For the Fourth Doctor was ‘The Lying Old Witch in the Wardrobe’ (ST) For Romana was ‘The Lying Old Witch in the Wardrobe’ (ST) For K-9 Mk II was ‘Destiny of the Daleks’ (TV)	The next story For the Second Doctor is ‘Dreams of Empire’ (Book) For Jamie is ‘Dreams of Empire’ (Book) For the Fourth Doctor is ‘City of Death’ (TV) For Romana is ‘City of Death’ (TV) For K-9 Mk II is ‘City of Death’ (TV)
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