Speaking of the Rosalita storyline, I am relieved that Adams wisely did not find a way to dovetail it with the David and Patrick storyline. To do so, I think, would have stretched credibility, which is always a hazard when dealing with a historical. Also, Rosalita's husband is given just enough nuance to avoid making him a cartoon monster but a more complex, troubled man. The poverty porn aspect that bothered me melts away more or less save for one moment at the tail end of the story in favor of what I think is Adams' point--namely, the different levels of tribalism and how focusing on higher levels can help, rather than hinder, people as a whole. I also admit that I found some resonance between the efforts in the play and the efforts of modern New Yorkers when faced with crisis.
Jamie Glover has grown on me as Ian, arguably because Ian has a more active role than in the other serial in this set, 'The Destination Wars' (which we will get to, I promise!). I'm still not sure about Jemma Powell, which is weird considering that Powell played Barbara in previous Big Finish audios prior to her participation in Adventures in Space and Time, but Bradley continues to delight as the first Doctor. I love how Bradley manages to bring elements of both the original, sharper, near dangerous interpretation of Hartnell with the softer but cranky version he ended up doing in the later part of his tenure to his interpretation.
You would think that Adams' style, which emphasizes quirkiness and unconventional narrative approaches, would not fit well into the historical mode, but here's a showcase for his versatility. I certainly recommend this serial!
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