Rose and Clive arrive on a world where it’s not stopped raining for decades…

It’s a mark of the attention to detail that Big Finish bring to a project that, where possible, they try to get original actors to reprise their roles. Sure, we know Billie Piper, Camille Coduri, Shaun Dingwall and Mark Benton are present and correct in their series 1-4 roles, but for this tender tale from Lisa McMullin, they’ve also brought back Ellie Garnett as Caroline – Clive’s wife in our universe, who was amazed at the idea of a woman who shared her husband’s interest in the Doctor. It’s a very nice touch, and makes the scenes between Clive and Caroline even more affecting than they are.

McMullin also gives the Tyler family dynamic a twist as well, with the introduction of Rob Tyler (leading to one of Billie Piper’s best-delivered lines so far in this set when she realises who he is). Joe Jameson works well in the role, and there’s some lovely moments between him and Dingwall, particularly as the story comes to a close.

This whole set is treading a very fine line tonally – we don’t want to come away too depressed from listening to it, but there’s a fundamental problem in each new dimension we visit. Helen Goldwyn holds things together well, and Joe Kraemer’s score and sound design aid considerably in setting the mood.

Verdict: A fine blend of drama, humour and apocalypse. 8/10

Paul Simpson