Embrace the Darkness will probably be remembered as the weakest of the second season of McGann audio's from Big Finish. However, this doesn't mean it's a bad story, just overwhelmed by the company it keeps!

The Doctor is determined to get to the bottom of the centuries old mystery of why the sun of the Cimmerian system when dark. But when he and Charley arrive aboard an automated rescue craft, sent to evacuate any survivors of a base on Cimmeria 4, his curiosity becomes replaced by an urgency to help those caught up in a possible disaster.

Darkness has fallen in the Cimmerian system and the inhabitants what to keep it that way. While Charley helps the base personnel on Cimmeria 4, the Doctor races against time to complete their mission and activate a network of artificial suns.

But something is waiting beyond the darkness. An ancient enemy ready to move as soon as there is light. The Doctor could be about to condemn a whole civilisation!

The basic idea behind Embrace the Darkness is intriguing. Nicholas Briggs has woven a fascinating tale around the old 'base under siege' idea, working with a smaller than usual cast who give their all to their various characters. And having everything set in the darkness, which wouldn't work on TV, works wonderfully well here. The finale, which could have been cliché, is well handled and incidental music helps heighten tension in all the right areas.

For a change, Mr Briggs just wears two hats this time, writing and directing. He has resisted the urge to also play a part in the action this time, as he often does in his own work. But for all that he makes an excellent job of both the script and the direction.

All in all a solid and competent adventure. Among other, lesser stories this would stand out but given the previous tales in Season 28 (Invaders From Mars, Chimes of Midnight and Seasons of Fear) as well as those still to come (Time of the Daleks and Neverland) it seems Embrace the Darkness will forever be remembered as the 'other story' of McGann's second season.