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Doctor Who: The Catalyst by Nigel Fairs
01/06/2008 . Source: Sue Davies 
CD. pub: Big Finish ISBN: 978-1-84435-293-7. 60 minute CD. Price: £ 8.99 (UK)) read by Louise Jameson and Timothy Watson . Buy Doctor Who: The Catalyst in the USA - or Buy Doctor Who: The Catalyst in the UK  check out web site www.BigFinish.com
Leela travelled with the Fourth Doctor from 1977 to 1978 Earth-time. A savage woman from the Sevateem tribe, she joins the Doctor in a series of adventures, remains true to her roots and never abandons her natural style of dress. Leela meets and stays with a Gallefreyan in the story 'The Invasion Of Time' and now appears in a series of spin-off audios called 'Gallifrey'.
In this new audio story, Leela is an old woman re-living an adventure she once had with the Doctor, faced with a new threat but is philosophical about dying a warrior's death. She goes back to the days of her travels with the Doctor and recounts a visit to a house of explorer Lord Douglas. It seems that the owner has been a traveller with the Doctor to places his family know nothing about and together they have brought back something terrible hidden deep within a prison. When Leela and Jessica, the daughter of the house, accidentally encounter it, they unleash a catastrophic series of events that ultimately lead to Leela's imprisonment in her old age.
Despite being an audio story, there are several passages of performance which heighten the drama beyond that of an audio book. There are also some atmospheric sound effects which add to the overall mood.
This series of 'Companion Chronicles' has been very successful and a new series is already being planned. It doesn't sound like it should be as there is the notable absence of the one thing that should make it a success, the Doctor(s) themselves. However, if the story and the teller are strong enough they do work very well. Louise Jameson has a very rich voice which successfully brings Leela to life again. She doesn't succeed in capturing Tom Baker's own richness but this is an impossible task unless you are Tom Baker or perhaps Jon Culshaw from 'Dead Ringers'.
Overall, it's a good yarn with a pleasing circularity that gives a sense of satisfaction at the end. In keeping with the current TV back-story, Leela refers to the loss of Gallifrey and her family and having lived far beyond her expected span. The CD also includes a few minutes of behind the scenes interview with Louise Jameson.
Sue Davies
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