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The Ghosts of N-Space Review Format Reviewed: CDReview This adventure is the second of two produced by the BBC in the 90's featuring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor. Nicholas Courtney and Elizabeth Sladen again reprise their roles as the Brigaier and Sarah-Jane Smith, Jeremy Fitzoliver also returns here and Barry Letts is once again the author of the play for Radio 4. The story is much aking to the style in which The Paradise of Death was produced and it even includes several references to it. This time the story features ghosts, fiends, immortality, souls caught between this world and the next all set in Sicily with the backdrop of the mafia. Some of my criticisms of The Paradise of Death are answered here, as all of the story fits better with the overall plot, and there is not as much wastage. What is confusing though is the use of the term N-Space. In the e-space trilogy of the Tom Baker TV era, the term N-Space was used to describe 'Normal' space, i.e. the dimension you and I occupy. Here, N-Space is used to describe 'Null' space, described as the void between this life and death, within which people can become trapped and we see them as ghosts in our reality. This departure from continuity is somewhat surprising and does little for the Doctor Who universe overall. Sarah and the Brigadier once again give strong performances, attacking their roles with the gusto we have come to expect from them. Jon Pertwee also seems more into this story, or, as I suggested might be the case with The Paradise of Death, he was feeling much better when this was recorded. Richard Pearce playing Jeremy Fitzoliver gives another over the top performance, and this again detracts from the quality of the piece as his role seems largely to be playing for laughs. The guest cast is all fairly strong though, and nobody here turns in a poor performance. Much like The Paradise of Death, incidental music again is largely confined to indicating a scene change. There are a couple of times when it spills over into other parts, but for me, if I want to watch an episode of Sienfeld I will do it. Special effects though again have the full treatment and are very good. Thay are all in keeping and none stand out or show the play to be what it is, a bunch of actors standing in a recording studio. Overall, this story will appeal mainly to those who are very fond of Jon Petwee's work. Despite probably being a better polished production, this story was less appealing to me than The Paradise of Death, and will linger shorter in the memory. They were very courageous efforts, but sadly not quite up to scratch for my liking as so much more could have been done. Rating:  Back to BBC Audio Index |