Changes: The Maltese Penguin (audio story)

The Maltese Penguin was Big Finish Productions' first free story to main range subscribers. The story was free to any subscribers whose subscription included Neverland. Numbered 33 1/2, it was Big Finish's first "bonus" story that was not at first released to buy (outside of being included in subscriptions). This story featured Frobisher in the lead role. It was his second audio appearance (his first was The Holy Terror); the Sixth Doctor did appear in this story but was mostly sidelined for Frobisher's story. This was also the final audio story to feature Frobisher.

Publisher's summary

"My friends call me Frobisher. My enemies call me Mr. Frobisher. And the junk mail department of the Galactic Readers' Digest call me Mrs. F R Rubbisher — but that’s neither here nor there."

It was just another quiet day on the mean streets for Frobisher, private eye. But then a dame walks into his office and into his life. A dame who is drop dead gorgeous and drop dead deadly, offering him a case he just can't refuse.

Well, he could refuse it. If he really wanted to. But he has to pay the rent.

When their paths cross, Frobisher finds himself involved in a web of mayhem and intrigue. A web of gangland killings, corrupt cops, sentient bloodstains and very rude hotel receptionists. A web of murder and deceit, treachery and fisticuffs.

That sort of web. You know. The sticky kind.

Plot

to be added

Cast

References

Josiah W. Dogbolter owns the planet Metazula Beta.
Frobisher claims that he had hired the Doctor as his assistant on many cases, although this is likely a reference to their travels in the TARDIS.
It has been three weeks since Frobisher has left the TARDIS. In that time, the Doctor has had a few adventures. In one instance, he went to a planet and helped a group of rebels overthrow the corrupt government in charge. He then travelled 100 years into the planet's future, discovered that the rebels had become corrupt, and had to overthrow them. He then "foiled three invasions of Earth, [and] saved the universe twice." In the time between his first and second appearance in the story, he saves the universe again.
Frobisher says that he left the TARDIS because he became tired of playing second-fiddle to the Doctor, as he was always the one who went on to "save the day."
Frobisher claims that he went to a private investigator college and got a "private investigator diploma," receiving second class. He notes that he would have received first class, if it were not that his tutor was against "avian species."
Since being left on his own, Frobisher has been hired to find a missing cat, whom he found eventually, noting "it was a very elusive cat."
A reference is made to the movie To Have and Have Not when Alica asks Frobisher if he can quack (to which Frobisher briefly responds "Well, no, I'm a penguin, not a duck"), noting "just stiffen your break and vibrate." Frobisher notes that it took his a few hours after that to get his beak to stop vibrating, and for him to perfect his disguise.
While looking in the mirror at his appearance impersonating the Sixth Doctor, Frobisher references the film Taxi Driver, saying "Are you looking at me? Are you looking at me? You must be, I'm the only Gallifreyan Time Lord here!"
Frobisher chooses the body of the Doctor because he finds humanoid bodies difficult and the Doctor's was one he knew well.
Frobisher wonders how the Doctor can run up and down so many stairs and corridors when his body is so unfit.

Notes

This story marks the second appearance of Frobisher in an audio play. He previously appeared in this format in AUDIO: The Holy Terror.
The case bids it "A special side-step into a 2-D universe".
Dogbolter mentions his art collection contains "an original Ridgway", referring to the artist who originally drew Frobisher and Dogbolter in Doctor Who Magazine.
This audio drama was recorded on 2 November 2001 at The Moat Studios.

Continuity

Dogbolter first appeared in COMIC: The Moderator.
Frobisher impersonates the Sixth Doctor. He had previously done so in his first appearance, COMIC: The Shape Shifter.
Dogbolter owns a painting by Gogh, but, along with his other pictures, it was put up facing the war. Dogbolter noted that they were meant to represent his wealth, rather than be decorative. The Doctor would later meet van Gogh in his twelfth incarnation. (TV: Vincent and the Doctor)

External links

Official The Maltese Penguin page at bigfinish.com
The Maltese Penguin at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
DisContinuity for The Maltese Penguin at Tetrapyriarbus - The DisContinuity Guide

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 * [[Josiah W. Dogbolter]] owns the planet [[Metazula Beta]].
 * Frobisher claims that he had hired the Doctor as his assistant on many cases, although this is likely a reference to their travels in the TARDIS.
-* It has been three weeks since Frobisher has left the TARDIS. In that time, the Doctor has had a few adventures. In one instance, he went to a planet and helped a group of rebels overthrow the corrupt government in charge. He then travelled 100 years into the planet's future, discovered that the rebels had become corrupt, and had to overthrow them. He then "foiled three invasions of Earth, [and] saved the universe twice."
+* It has been three weeks since Frobisher has left the TARDIS. In that time, the Doctor has had a few adventures. In one instance, he went to a planet and helped a group of rebels overthrow the corrupt government in charge. He then travelled 100 years into the planet's future, discovered that the rebels had become corrupt, and had to overthrow them. He then "foiled three invasions of Earth, [and] saved the universe twice." In the time between his first and second appearance in the story, he saves the universe again.
 * Frobisher says that he left the TARDIS because he became tired of playing second-fiddle to the Doctor, as he was always the one who went on to "save the day."
 * Frobisher claims that he went to a private investigator college and got a "private investigator diploma," receiving second class. He notes that he ''would'' have received first class, if it were not that his tutor was against "avian species."

Tardis

Changes: The Maltese Penguin (audio story)

Revision as of 18:55, 19 April 2015

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