| THE WAGES OF SIN by David A McIntee |
| Story ? Synopsis: Taking his first test trip since the restoration of the TARDIS, the Doctor offers Liz a trip - she picks Tunguska, June 1908, but they and Jo arrive in St Petersburg, December 1916. After spending a night in a hotel, they find the TARDIS stolen. They report it missing, and become invited to see the Empress Alexandra. They hit it off with her, and are invited to stay as her guests. Meanwhile, the Ochrana and local law enforcement agents find it odd that 3 British envoys can turn up unexpectedly, and suspect something might be afoot. Rasputin comes to the Palace, where the Doctor is surprised to see him, but otherwise unfazed. Jo is more interested. Liz is taken to meet a fellow scientist, Kuznetzov, but the Doctor begins to have suspicions about him. He goes to the railway station, examening Kuznetzov's train, where he is attacked by a gang of six men. He is saved by Kit Powell, a British spy, and ally. Later visiting Kuznetzov's apartment, he finds large sums of stolen money, and a drawing of the TARDIS. Liz is invited out to dinner by Kuznetzov, and the Doctor warns her not to let on they're on to him. Jo walks Rasputin back to his place, but rejects his clumsy expectation of her caress. She tells the Doctor and Liz about meeting him, but he is wary, and she is scornful, so Jo goes back. At dinner, Liz tells Kuznetzov that only the Doctor has a key to the TARDIS. The Doctor shares information with Kit about Kuznetzov, and Kit suggests he take a look around Kuznetzov's place. The planted money is found in the Doctor's room, and he is taken in for questioning. When he blames Kuznetzov, the Ochrana chief, Vasilyev doesn't believe him, and tries to have him killed. Liz is invited to help bring Rasputin to justice, or death. Jo refuses Rasputin's advances again. When Liz bridles at being involved, Kuznetzov threatens Jo's life. The Doctor meets up with Kit, and realises Kuznetzov is an anarchist, in league with Stalin. They kidnap Vasilyev, and explain this to him. They try to catch Kuznetzov, who is on a train headed for the Finland Station. He flees, but is shot dead in the fracas. Jo is advised that there may be a plot against Rasputin, and is asked to go to the Moika Palace, where Prince Felix has invited Rasputin for drinks, and see if there is trouble. She switches poisoned cakes and drinks with safe ones. Frustrated that Rasputin seems to survive the poison, Felix shoots him, and he is shot further times, and his body is dumped in a canal. The Doctor arrives in time to watch him drown. Liz and Jo find the TARDIS, and wait for the Doctor there. They offer to give Kit a lift back to London, now that his cover is blown. |
| Review:- A straight historical, with no aliens or even the Master? Well, it shouldn't be so surprising, as Dave McIntee was once labelled "Mr Historical". Here, we get to see a flashpoint from Russian history, with a bit of espionage and intrigue thrown in for good measure. Owing Liz a trip in the TARDIS, the Doctor offers her a chance to join he and Jo, and see any point in history. Although they miss the intended destination (see The Unquiet Dead for similar), there is a link, through the shady figure of Academician Kuznetzov, who has already been to Tunguska, a visit not recorded by history. It turns out, of course, that he isn't lying, but with his background, the achievement gets hushed up. Kuznetzov is soon the prime suspect in the disappearance of the TARDIS, and he's up to a lot more shady deals than simple theft of property. An ally of future dictator Stalin, he thinks he is running rings around everyone. For most of the time, he is, and it takes desperate measures by the Doctor to get Vasilyev to change his mind. Once the hunt is on, his tale rather dwindles, and his final death is far from appropriate enough. The main historical angle is of course the final days of Rasputin. Jo gives us the chance to see behind the rumour, to the true man. Liz, amusingly, misses the point of visiting history, and just holds to views she has taken from 'experts'. Then again, even the Doctor isn't too pleased with Jo. Of course, knowing they can't stop his death makes their realisation that he's a mildly harmless old man gain more emotional impact. And that realisation makes the murder plot all the more stupid and tragic. But love makes people do irrational things. McIntee draws his characters well, and if there is the occasional silly piece of plotting, the overall story forgives it. One to recommend. |
| Disclaimer: I own a copy. |