Set in London in the near future, and U.N.I.T. is about to cede its authority to a new organisation.
This is a free short story to introduce the series.
Set in London in the near future, and U.N.I.T. is about to cede its authority to a new organisation.
This is a free short story to introduce the series.
UNIT: THE COUP
I like this strategy: using a free Doctor Who Magazine giveaway CD to produce a 25 minute “prologue” of sorts to a longer miniseries. Simon Guerrier’s script is tight and efficient, and though it paints in broad strokes it lays down what I presume are some of the upcoming thematic elements of the UNIT series: we see the British government trying to absorb their branch of UNIT into the new, national ICIS organization, and the policy changes that go along with it. Yes, ICIS comes across as a stereotypical Orwellian bogeyman group, but with their attempts to suppress civil rights, promote torture, and employ violent diplomacy, their actions don’t necessarily sound so clichéd. We also see a moment the new series of Doctor Who has tried to portray: the moment when the existence of aliens is inescapably revealed to humanity, narrated, of course, by Nicholas Courtney’s Brigadier (now General Sir) Lethbridge-Stewart. And we see the emergence of the Silurians, this time extending an olive branch rather than loading a third eye — presumably the start of this relationship will be portrayed as the series continues. It’s absolutely Courtney’s play: while Siri O’Neal’s Emily Chaudhry is introduced, she’s second fiddle to the old stalwart, and in less than 30 minutes he uncovers a conspiracy, introduces the Silurians to humanity on a live BBC broadcast, and shoots down a helicopter! Ridiculous it may be, but Courtney has enough credibility in the role that the Brig could start levitating and we’d believe it. The production is stellar: despite its short length, sound designer David Darlington gives “The Coup” an epic feel, with an impressive battle on the streets of London overwhelming the listener right from the start. The music is brilliant, too — it’s melodic and thrilling in equal parts, the sort of incidentals I miss in the current BF Doctor Who range. Credit director Ian Farrington as well: this doesn’t feel anything like a feeling-out process, but rather a confident, assured debut of a new series. Overall, “The Coup” is impressive from top to bottom, and as a brief introduction it’s excellent — it’s probably the best DWM release of them all, honestly.
8/10