Fans of vintage ‘Doctor Who' continue to be well-served by the growing collection of brilliantly-designed narrated soundtracks on vinyl LP from Demon Records. ‘The Rescue', which was the third story the second season of the iconic science-fiction series, originally airing in 1965, is another welcome addition to the range.
This short but memorable two-episode adventure is presented on 140g translucent red vinyl. Although both episode exist intact in the archives, an audio experience, with scene-setting narration by companion actor Maureen O'Brien, provides a unique way of enjoying this classic adventure.
‘The Rescue' wastes no time but tells a compact tale in just fifty minutes, introducing new companion Vicki in the process. The brevity works in its favour. This is a brisk adventure that has more than enough story to keep listeners engaged. You can tell it is from the pen of an established ‘Doctor Who' writer. David Whitaker, who also acted as script editor on the show for a time, contributed classics such as ‘The Crusade', ‘The Power of the Daleks' and ‘The Evil of the Daleks'.
The TARDIS lands on the planet Dido in the 25th Century, where the Doctor (played by William Hartnell) and his companions Ian and Barbara (William Russell and Jacqueline Hill) discover the solitary survivors of a crashed spaceship who appear to be under threat from a terrifying figure known as Koquillion. As the narrative unfolds, the Doctor finds his way to the truth behind the menace. ‘The Rescue' gives listeners a satisfying morality tale that is full of heart.
The highlight of ‘The Rescue' is the introduction of new companion Vicki, played by Maureen O'Brien. Coming in after the departure of Carole Ann Ford as Susan, O'Brien's debut is a memorable one, and she immediately makes a strong impression. She is especially effective at conveying anger and upset when Barbara accidentally kills her pet, mistaking the poor creature for a monster. The Vicki we meet is moral and courageous, but also intelligent, curious and loyal. Building the short story around the introduction of the companion is a sensible move that ensures she can hit the ground running. O’Brien’s performance resonates with vulnerability, and she feels like a natural addition to the TARDIS crew alongside Ian and Barbara after onto two short episodes.
William Hartnell himself is on strong form in ‘The Rescue'. There’s a lovely balance between his more mischievous, playful side and the quieter authority that defined his interpretation of the character. Moments of humour sit comfortably alongside the moral seriousness of the story, reminding listeners why the First Doctor remains such an important foundation for everything that followed in the series. Having left his granddaughter Susan on Earth, he immediately assumes a grandparental role in looking after Vicki. Although there are no familiar alien monsters (such as the dreaded Daleks) in this one, ‘The Rescue' scores highly for originality, especially as the threat in the story is much closer to home.
This vinyl release is a treat for collectors. Housed in a stylish illustrated sleeve featuring the mysterious Koquillion, it’s exactly the sort of high-quality presentation fans have come to expect from Demon Records’ Doctor Who range. Pick it up at an independent record store as party of Record Store Day 2026 on 18th April.
While ‘The Rescue' may not be a groundbreaking story, it is, for the period, unusually character-driven, and that's one reason why it stands out. If anything, it is something of a hidden gem. As an audio experience, it’s both a nostalgic listen for long-time fans and an accessible entry point for anyone curious about the earliest years of ‘Doctor Who'.
Cast: William Hartnell, William Russell, Jacqueline Hill, Maureen O'Brien, Ray Barrett Writer: David Whitaker Director: Christopher Barry Running time: 50 mins Released by: Demon Records Release date: 18th April 2026 Buy ‘Doctor Who – The Rescue'
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