Big Finish – Rose Tyler: The Dimension Cannon 2: Other Worlds Review

Rose Tyler is back with the Dimension Cannon series after the success of the original box set released in 2019. Picking up after the series 2 finale TV story Doomsday in 2006 Rose is trapped in another dimension on a parallel Earth where her universe is dying. She is searching desperately for the Doctor travelling to alternative universes by using a dimension cannon.

I can understand why the premise of the Dimension Cannon series appeals to fans. I remember the impact of the finale of Doomsday on me at the time and what I thought was a really bold idea to almost kill Rose off however she is rescued (somehow at exactly the right moment) but separated from the Doctor. The emotional notes of their performance from both Billie Piper and David Tennant as they stood in separate universes gave me the feels for a good few months. To explore how that broken Rose came to be the Rose in Doctor Who series 4 who is a somewhat more battle-hardened and more experienced space/time traveller is an attractive one.

2.1 Saltwater by Alison Winter

Rose is on an alternate Earth where there is something stealing the salt from the oceans. There are understated shades of the 1960s Cuba crisis in this story as this world is on the brink of nuclear war. There are protests in the streets and this could be an authoritarian regime. There are some sober moments as Rose’s “parents” in this world who believed in government cover-ups are no longer alive.

The boxset includes Rose’s mum Jackie Tyler (Camille Coduri) who is a welcoming anchor that Rose needs to travel to all these worlds. Clive Finch (Mark Benton) is also here. He died in the TV series but I assume was happily exploring conspiracy theories on “Pete’s world” and now is a part of the team. There is quite a bit of fun in the story with a doppelganger Clive from the “Saltwater” world interacting with his counterpart.

Rose doesn’t have a Tardis so you don’t get a big stand-off with the aliens in this story as per “The Christmas Invasion”. It is more subtly realised as Rose and President Gilbert have to work out a way to communicate with the aliens who are draining the seas first. I rather like the way that President Gilbert and Rose’s exchanges develop partly from his inquisitiveness as a scientist as he slowly realises, she doesn’t belong in this world. Working together the world can be saved and pulled away from the brink.

2.2 Now is the New Dark by AK Benedict 

An Earth stuck in the Middle Ages is an interesting concept. The dank, slimy, cold atmosphere created and sounds remind me of Victorian London. I like the touches of the familiar as well as the scenario of arrested development for this parallel Earth. Clive and Rose travel together to this Earth and get caught up in the drama of a series of unsolved murders. Clive brings the sparky humour when sparring with the zealous assessor played by Victoria Jeffrey who is meant to try to solve the murders but seems more interested in convicting her suspects by diagnosing their “humour”. This was a system of medicine detailing the supposed makeup and workings of the human body, adopted by Ancient Greek and Roman physicians and philosophers based on blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. 

It’s lovely that Camille Coduri gets a more prominent role in this story than Jacqueline who befriends Rose. Camille and Billie feel really comfortable together so even though this version of Jackie is a stranger. Camille brings the same chatter to her creation with a slight shyness which warmed this listener’s heart. 

2.3 The Rogue Planet

Easily the best of the three stories and part of the reason is this parallel world isn’t too dissimilar to our world. Jackie and Rose are travelling together this time to this world. All too often Jackie is left worrying at home as Rose bursts through using the dimension cannon from one world to the next so having them together is a real treat. It allows for a far more emotional exploration of what their relationship could have been if neither had met the Doctor but fulfilled their potential through taking different decisions and chances. 

It had to happen eventually and this is a spoiler Jackie and Rose have their modern counterparts here. “Rosie” and “Jackie Prentice” are interesting in their own right as their mother-daughter relationship has broken down. It’s a taste of what could have happened if Jackie Tyler wasn’t always so protective of Rose. Jackie loves babies and one of the most fun if awkward moments is when Jackie asks Rose if she will ever settle down. Knowing what we know happens in Journeys End with Rose getting a human Doctor and having lots of little Tylers or Doctors running around is an unnerving thought.

As our characters are drawn together it’s brilliant to explore their differences. Rosie seems far more mature and grounded than Rose more like a younger Jackie at times getting on with a difficult life bound with responsibilities. Rosie clashes with Rose as insecurities arise for both women. Curiosity gets the better of both Jackie and Rose at times and they have to learn to not get attached. However Rose realises there is a lot she wants to save in this world.

It’s another reality but as in the first story “Clive” here is a scientist and Mark Benton flourish allowing his character to be clever. Much like “Saltwater” there is a threat to this world from the stars. If you know about astronomy then the rogue planet title of the story will give you a clue as to how dangerous this world becomes for Rose and Jackie. If there is a weakness it is that the solution to the rogue planet raises an ethical dilemma which is probably far too quickly reasoned away. In real life, this solution would induce fear and riots. There’s a mention of Donna and Bad Wolf which is a nice link back to Rose and to the tv series. 

Does this box set work?

I must admit it was a jolt going back in time 16 years and hearing Billie Piper being a young Rose again. Just a reminder of how much time has passed. Knowing the final resolution that Rose eventually finds the Doctor probably makes this box set more of a curiosity for those who adore the character. There were times in the tv series when Rose showed a jealous side that made her immature and petulant but it isn’t much of that on show here. Separated from the Doctor does give her some pause and a chance to grow up. The boxset has to set up Rose to be a substitute Doctor in many respects albeit thinking outside the box but with doubts about herself. Rose is driven by a need to find the Doctor but what is clear is that being with the Doctor has made Rose capable, more capable than she knows. 

I didn’t listen to the first box set but I do love as a concept the idea of alternative Earths. It’s always the what-ifs of different paths taken that throw up so many interesting possibilities and keeps the box set fresh and going in such different directions. All the stories are bittersweet as these worlds are only temporarily saved because the darkness is still coming. The strength of this series is really seeing how Rose reacts through the process. Rose flits in and out of all the alternative Earth but always she is aware of the bigger picture, of finding the Doctor to save all the universes from the destruction coming.

Rose carries her heart with empathy but with a Clive character on hand to understand and decipher the technical babble and mum Jackie as a comfort blanket who brings some much-needed lightness. The last story does end on a cliffhanger leading into the third set of stories due in September 2023 which are already recorded. Grab your popcorn Rose lovers I think it’s going to be a bumpy ride! 

7.5 /10

Rose Tyler: The Dimension Cannon: Other Worlds, available from Big Finish.