It’s time to listen to and discuss The Council of Nicaea
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So… The Council of Nicaea.
How do I put this?
Uhhhh, it’s not for me.
People seem to absolutely love this one, I do not get it in the slightest. A competent script that utterly butchers the characters in order to make itself work, I am not a fan at all.
Full review here, if you enjoy, please leave a like
Yeah, I’m definently one of those who absolutely love this one. The interesting setting? Check. The great character-focused plot? Check. Powerful perfomances all around? Check. A pure historical which does everything you expect from one but still makes it feel fresh? Yes, I’m a fan
Utterly brilliant story.
I like most of the Erimem audios, but to me, this is the one that benefitted most from the dynamic she brought to the TARDIS crew. Her specific historical reference point applied to a completely different historical reference point, bringing her into conflict with the Doctor and Peri; this feels like the blueprint for how historical companions should function narratively. (Shame we rarely get them, even on audio)
I also really like its tone, as a piece of fiction dealing with a pivotal moment in Christian history. The approach it takes with the impact of the titular Council hit a certain sweet spot for me, as someone with… certain stances concerning organised religion.
Feels like agessss since we’ve had an actually good one… and this is a good one! It’s so good I actually remember it! I really thought I wasn’t going to like this one, but I found myself really enjoying it. I didn’t know much about the historical context so I learned something new, and I also thought all the characters were well done by
Yes, I think this one is a great example of Who being educational. Caroline Symcox, the writer, is an ordained minister and married to Paul Cornell.
This is a marvellous story! It’s one of those rare Fifth Doctor gems for me, with powerhouse performances from Davison and Morris, an interesting period and an educational script, and a very poignant take on the idea of rewriting history—like The Aztecs but taken much further.
I originally gave it 8/10, but upon thinking about it more, I had to up it to 9/10.
The Council of Nicaea is one of Big Finish’s most ambitious historicals—serious, thought-provoking, and refreshingly free of sci-fi bells and whistles. It offers an intense, character-driven narrative that dares to grapple with questions of morality, faith, and historical agency. Erimem shines throughout, with Caroline Morris delivering a powerhouse performance, and the ideological schisms between the TARDIS team add real dramatic weight.
This isn’t a romp, nor is it a typical historical drama—it’s something denser and more rewarding, a story that challenges its characters and its listeners alike.
You’re welcome to read my full review below (spoiler alert!):
Yup. I am probably echoing most of the praise that everybody has given this Story, but as a massive Fan of Pure Historical, this one is just superb in every Way! To me the TARDIS Team of Five, Erimem & Peri are such a perfect Fit for any kind of Historical Setting, be it pure or otherwise, from the Stories that I did with them, I usually gravitate more to their historical ones than anything else. This one is probably the best showcase for the dynamic of the TARDIS Team, especially, like already mentioned from others, for Erimem. I think her Conflict with Five is so fascinating listening to. Not to mention how well-made this entire setting feels like, for me at least I could perfectly imagine it and I think the Story uses its historical Point, as well as it’s setting to such a perfect degree.
Really what can I say what hasn’t been articulated by others much better? A superb one after a Streak of inconsistency, and just a great Drama all around!
Now imagine if they had made this exact story with One, Susan, Ian, and Barbara…
I don’t think it would have worked quite as well actually, it being a Trio suits this Story better (although it still be a 5/5 because that TARDIS Team is one of the best, so..)
I really liked this one too - Erimem’s actions make a lot more sense to me than a lot of companions (“You let us interfere there, there, and there, why is it any different here?”)
The history sounded roughly plausible, although I felt like Arius was too young, and sure enough, according to Wikipedia he’d have been at least 70 at the time of the council - but it was informative and interesting enough to make me want to find out more about the historical period, which after all was one of original goals of a time travel series!
The reasons I give it 4.5 and not 5 are firstly I think Erimem’s reconciliation at the end is a bit of a cop out, I think having her still be a bit upset at the doctor would be more convincing and maybe setup later stories better, and secondly there is the fundamental problem of Doctor Who, which is when you start to look closely at when they can and can’t interfere it basically comes down to “I already know what’s going to happen here, so we have to sit back and do nothing, but I’ve no idea what’s going to happen over there so interfere all you like”… of course we accept that as part of the setting, but stories that poke too closely at the concept of interference start to get a bit weak, in my opinion…
(edit: added spoiler tag just to be on the safe side, for new listeners who find this thread)
this is a really good story,Perimem <3
Now THAT’S how you do a pure historical… I love when the context of the historical setting creates the conflict. This and Marian Conspiracy were ones that I didn’t even realize didn’t have monsters until part 4. Excellent.