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Our hapless heroes discover Arran's horrific plans for the
people of Xoolian Major. Meanwhile, Cindy and Caelys get to
know each other better - but should she tell him that she
has only a short time left to live? And Ytzabub finds out
why Arran placed his mind inside a drinks machine...
As
with Part Eleven, there's more of an emphasis on drama than
on comedy in this instalment of the sci-fi comedy drama. With
this "season" approaching its conclusion, Revelations
proves to be a very appropriate title, as we discover, amongst
other things, the reason why Dr Proctor (Niall Stuchfield)
wants revenge on Turnidus (Nicholas Courtney) and the identity
of Madame Deephole's (Jacqueline Pearce) son. He is not at
all the character I was expecting him to be.
Some
satirical commentary about the cruelty of battery farming
also seems fairly dark and gruesome by comedy standards. Some
appalling images are conjured up in the mind of the listener
by the events that transpire. Still, this makes for a logical
extension to Chickenskin's subjugation of the Xoolian people,
while also providing ample opportunity for wordplay about
mincing!
Towards
the end of the CD, I began to suspect that writer/director/producer
Mark J. Thompson had managed to write Colin Baker, the original
incarnation of Arran Arkenstein alias Arran Hammond alias
The Editor, back into the story (following an absence of eleven
episodes). I was mistaken - not that I don't find Gareth Thomas'
pantomime villainy just as entertaining. However, I suppose
it remains a possibility for Part Fourteen, which will be
the last in this unique series...
Richard
McGinlay
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