• Sweeter Than Chocolate by Peter Neiemeyer

Sweeter Than Chocolate by Peter Niemeyer 8/2/01

Evelyn is unique in the history of Doctor Who in that she is the first companion (and prior to Charley's debut in "Storm Warning", the only companion) to appear only on audio. So, we don't have a definitive take on what she looks like, her facial expressions, or her body language. But I don't feel I lack a sense of who she is or what she's like, which would suggest that the most definitive characteristics of a companion are what they say and do and how they say and do it.

CHARACTER AS FIRST DESIGNED

I haven't read any non-fiction literature regarding the design of Evelyn, but I imagine that Big Finish was looking a non-traditional companion that would work well in audio and work well with the Sixth Doctor. I imagine the lack of visuals also opened up some possibilities that may not have gone over so well in the waning John Nathan-Turner days. (Namely that the companion didn't have to be a 20-something girl.)

CHARACTER AS IT DEVELOPED

In some ways this is an unfair question to answer because, unlike most companions, Evelyn is still developing. There are at least two future stories with Evelyn in it (Bloodtide, Project: Twilight), and I hope many more.

Actually, it's this quality that has made Evelyn one of my favorites. I like the Missing Adventure/Past Doctor books, and the other Big Finish audio adventures. But all of these stories are recreating an established era, and in that recreation we can't really have anything new happen. I know that Nyssa isn't going to become a rogue Dalek assassin, and Peri isn't going to become some celestial madonna, because I've already seen those companions come and go. But with Evelyn, I don't know what's going to happen next. I don't know when she's going to leave the Doctor, or how, or why, or what will happen in the meantime, and that keeps things interesting.

(Okay, I should also admit that there have been other post-Ace companions to grow, namely Benny, Roz, Chris, Sam, Fitz, and Compassion. And I don't mean to disparage them...I just haven't been captured by the 7th/8th Doctor books that much.)

However, looking at the three existing Evelyn stories, I'd have to say that the character hasn't developed as much as been embellished upon. Once she accepts the possibility of time travel, which she does within the first part of The Marian Conspiracy, she becomes the person we essentially saw at the end of The Apocalypse Element. Despite this change, we do learn more about her as time goes on. The Spectre of Lanyon Moor demonstrated her compassion for others (the female hiker) and her willingness to take risks. Apocalypse Element also shows her as behaving coolly in a stressful situation... a nice change from the histrionics of early Who companions. And finally, there are small details, such as her love of chocolate and references to her students, that give the character a consistent feel.

ACTOR

I love her! Love her love her love her love her! I don't know why. Since this is audio, there is very little concrete observation for me to base my opinion on. But I have a very easy time imagining Evelyn, and I think she has an endearing quality that only an actor can bring to the story. Maggie Stables is the perfect Evelyn! My only request is that we have a picture of Evelyn on the CD covers. After all, Benny and Frobisher have been so recognized. Why not Evelyn?

OTHER NOTES

Best Moment (so far): Her toast to the queen at the tavern in old England. I can't really explain why I like this without spoiling it for others, but this was one of the best cliffhangers I've heard.

Worst Moment (so far): Being the key to the doors on Gallifrey. Not that it was really a bad moment, but there just wasn't much for her to do in this overcrowded story, and this one task just didn't give her the prominence I would have hoped for.

One Thing I Wish We Could See Evelyn Do: Correct the Doctor. I would love for the two to get into an argument about something and for the story to demonstrate that it was Evelyn, not the Doctor, who actually knew what she was talking about. She's not the stubborn type, but she will stand up for herself, and it'd be interesting to see the Sixth Doctor acknowledge that she does know something...