The Stuff of Nightmares (BBC audio story)

The Stuff of Nightmares is the first story in the Hornets' Nest arc, a series of five audio dramas featuring Tom Baker as the Doctor alongside Richard Franklin as Mike Yates. It is the first time Baker has reprised the role since Destiny of the Doctors in 1997.

Publisher's summary
''‘Wanted: retired army Captain for light household duties and fireside companionship. Must tolerate mild eccentricity and strong scientific advice. Knowledge of Giant Maggots, Super Intelligent Spiders and Prehistoric Monsters a positive boon.’''

Responding to an advert apparently worded for him alone, Captain Mike Yates (retired) is reunited with a ghost from the past. But why has the Doctor, that mysterious traveller in Time and Space, sent for his former UNIT acquaintance? Trapped by a horde of vicious creatures in an apparently innocuous English country cottage, the two old friends are on the brink of an enormous adventure. As the Doctor relates his recent escapades, it becomes clear to Mike that they – and the Earth at large – are facing an enemy of unimaginable power and horrific intent. The nightmare is only just beginning...

Plot
Mike Yates is travelling on a train to visit a small cottage after being attracted to an odd advertisement. He senses something supernatural about the whole thing and isn't looking forward to the visit. He arrives at a cottage, called 'The Nest' where he knocks on the door. The housekeeper, Mrs Wibbsey answers and escorts him to the living room. There he is met by a familiar face, the Doctor.

Both friends catch up on their history, Mike can't believe how the Doctor doesn't seem to have changed at all. The Time Lord explains that it had been a while since he last met Mike, he had now been adventuring with Giant Rats, killer Robots and a skull from the dawn of time. After a quick recap over their past lives, the Doctor explained to Mike that he needed him for help with something important.

more to be added

Cast

 * The Doctor - Tom Baker
 * Mike Yates - Richard Franklin
 * Mrs Wibbsey - Susan Jameson
 * Percy Noggins - Daniel Hill

Continuity

 * The Doctor's advert refers to "Giant Maggots", "super intelligent spiders" and "prehistoric monsters". Giant Maggots appeared in DW: The Green Death, Super intelligent spiders were the villains of DW: Planet of the Spiders, and "prehistoric monsters" refers to the events of DW: Invasion of the Dinosaurs.

Timeline

 * The Stuff of Nightmares occurs after ST: The Fear
 * The Stuff of Nightmares occurs before AG: The Dead Shoes