Part One - Wonderland

"Zagreus sits at the end of the world..."

The Doctor has finally made the ultimate sacrifice. To save the universe from being consumed in an anti-time explosion, he materialised his TARDIS around the bomb, destroying the ship and killing himself in the process. But as well as the universe and Gallifrey, he managed to save his companion, Charley Pollard.

But did the Doctor really die in the explosion, as most of his friends think? When Charley wakes up in the scarred and battered TARDIS, she finds her old friend waiting for her. So why does he call himself Zagreus? And why did he hit her before she ran away?

Finding a new/old friend in the depths of the ship, Charley embarks upon a weird journey, to try and discover a way to help the Doctor recover himself. But how can the military funded experiments of Doctor Stone in 1950's England help? Why does the Reverend Townsend, Stone's assistant, seem so familiar? And what is the significance of the Divergence?

Nobody really knew what would happen when the previous 8th Doctor audio, Neverland, finished on its now infamous cliffhanger almost 18 months ago. Where would the next story take us? How would it all be resolved? Who would be saved and who might be sacrificed? Now the answers are in the grasp of the listener.

And what answers they are! Wonderland, the first disc of the Zagreus trilogy, builds on what has gone before, giving us another literary theme to work through. I won't reveal which one here, but the more astute among you may guess.

Indeed, Zagreus is tough to review all round without giving away too many plot details and character surprises. But there is one major shock inclusion in part one that will make everyone sit up and take notice. Shame that they couldn't have done the same with the other two (three?) as well though.

Regulars and guests give their all to the production, with familiar voices popping up in unfamiliar places. Though Paul McGann and India Fisher must once again take the most plaudits as they slip effortlessly back into their roles, giving the impression that this could have been recorded the day after Neverland, as if they have never been away.

Also worthy of a special accolade is Nicholas Courtney, proving his versatility for any who ever doubted it to hear. His is a role pivotal to the action and he gives 110% at all times.

Wonderland is a fabulous scene setter for the action still to come. It forms the concepts and ideas for the latter discs to follow up on, while showing us that all is not what it seems. A cracking start to the anniversary special!

Part Two - Heartland

"...for Zagreus is the end of the world..."

Charley continues her journey through the past and the future, trying to find the secret of the Divergence, even though she doesn't know how or why it will help. Or indeed who it will help.

Meanwhile the Doctor is fighting his own demons, inner and outer. Is it possible for him to suppress Zagreus long enough to rescue Charley? And would she trust him, even if he did?

What is the significance of the word or name Sidratlive? How could the Lord Provost Tepesh and children's entertainer Walter Winkie possibly be of service? And could it really be that one of the Doctor's oldest, dearest friends is about to turn against him?

Heartland just piles surprise upon surprise, with revelations and shocks coming thick and fast. Each of these discs would stand up to countless listens, to get the best out of the story and pick up on what was missed the first (or even second) time through.

Again the cast are superb, the regulars even more so. The standards of this production are of the highest calibre, casting, music, writing and direction. No word is wasted, no performance below par, no note duff and no trick untried.

As for the plot, this moves along at a fast pace, leaving the listener almost breathless to keep up. As it all hurtles towards a climax in the final episode, the finale of Heartland, along with the music sting that accompanies it, are guaranteed to send a shiver down the spine. Events from long ago have come full circle.

So, everything is set for the thrilling final battle. I'm ready. Are you?

Part Three - Wasteland

"...and all of Time's a weeping."

As Charley makes some new allies, President Romana of Gallifrey receives a very special and peculiar summons. Soon both, along with Leela and K9, are embroiled in a desperate search for Rassilon's Foundry.

Meanwhile, the Doctor has been forced to become an instrument of destruction. Will he fulfil his dark destiny, or can he shake off the evil influence long enough to regain control of his mind?

As events draw towards their drastic and desperate conclusion, only one thing seems certain. Nothing will ever be the same again!

The surprises just keep on coming in Wasteland, the final part of Zagreus, with the enemy revealed at last and old friends uniting to try and avert a universal catastrophe. Pretty much usual fare for the Doctor, but this time there is a dramatic plot twist in the tale.

As a whole, Zagreus takes no prisoners, turning some established Who myths on their collective heads while bringing other, previously only half truths, into the full daylight. Sacred cows should beware, they could get sacrificed on the altar of Zagreus.

Another thing this story does well is set things up for the new Big Finish audio series starting in the New Year. It establishes a relationship between Romana, Leela and K9 to give the four Gallifrey CD's a boost when they are launched onto the Who buying public in January 2004.

When I reviewed Neverland, back in the summer of 2002, I gave it a rating of 11 out of 10. Zagreus surpasses that story by a large margin, though I am not going to give it a numerical rating with this review. Zagreus is beyond my capacity, as a humble reviewer, to rate properly. Suffice to say, this is the best audio story ever produced, by Big Finish, the BBC or any independent producer. If you haven't bought it yet, buy. If you've bought it but not listened to it yet, listen. And if you don't intend to do either of those things, then may Zagreus eat your head!

Rating - Awesome!