From their humble beginnings in the fan community, Nicholas Briggs and his Whovian chums have come so very far. Big Finish continue to produce some of the greatest audio dramas ever, and aren’t showing any signs of letting up yet. As well as their long-standing monthly Doctor Who range, they have also branched-out into other areas, creating original, spin-off and tie-in series.

I think one of the key factors in the success of Big Finish Productions’ output is the quality of the writing. Every story the company produces seems to be lovingly polished and worked into a tight, presentable product, helping along the rest of the production process. Those guys have always pushed the envelope, delivering rich stories with unconventional plot twists and characters. The Doctor Who Unbound range is a case-in-point. Each of these stories presents a possibility that is interesting because of its desire to be unpredictable and brave, taking us out of our comfort zone.

I’d agree with the sentiment that Big Finish have always seemed to champion in this respect: You might as well risk being met with criticism for being original and daring rather than churning out predictable, stale stories. Yes, we get the fan favourites (Daleks, Cybermen, Ice Warriors, etc.), but they never just retread the ideas surrounding these well-established characters. Whenever another story which features the Daleks is released, the team always try to make them do something different. They are always pushed in a new direction, or have an impact on the story in a way they never have (Brotherhood of the Daleks springs to mind).

As a student specialising in sound, I also appreciate the quality of the productions Big Finish puts out. The sound design and editing of these productions continues to inspire and excite me. I often find it quite hard to pick apart the soundscape, asking myself how a particular effect is created, which is a credit to the skilled editors who do work for Big Finish. I find myself cringing at explosions or violent death, shivering at the sound of an icy breeze, or recoiling in fear at the scream of a Dalek in battle.

Big Finish have added a new under-layer, they have expanded the Doctor Who universe, which could often seem quite narrow on television, particularly during the 1980s. In particular, Colin Baker’s Doctor has seen significant development over the years, making him more likable, accessible and providing the rationale behind his brash persona and, indeed, dress sense (have a listen to The Sandman). He seems to be the favourite Big Finish Doctor, his tremendous acting able to punctuate through that brash, colourful coat and into the audio receptors of our brains. Not that the other Doctors are bad, of course, it just seems as though Colin has found his medium to shine as the Doctor. It’s almost as if the TV version of his character was a foundational blue-print that would later be justified by the audio dramas.

On a more personal level, having recently acquired an iPod (we don’t all have the money!), Big Finish Productions have relieved the monotony of so many long bus rides. I live a little while out of the town centre, where I study, and not being able to drive, busses are usually the only option for me. I hate busses, and so my only source of relief has been the world of Doctor Who. It’s the best kind of escapism, and is sometimes quite strange, to be sat above a throbbing diesel engine whilst listening in on the Good Doctor’s exploits. There is one, very slight, negative side-effect of listening to such thrilling adventures on the bus. I often miss my stop.

So, I thank you Nick, Barnaby, Jason, David, and anyone else who has ever been involved with Big Finish, for injecting a little space and time into the mundanity that often plagues me.