Doctor Who: The Jade Pyramid

By: Martin Day

Narrated by: Matt Smith

Matt Smith reads this exclusive audio story featuring the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond.

Intercepting a distress call, the TARDIS is drawn to a Shinto shrine in medieval Japan, where the Doctor and Amy are met by village elder Shijô Sada. He explains that the ogre-like mannequins surrounding the holy site are harmless guardians, called Otoroshi.

At the heart of the temple is an ancient jade pyramid, so sacred that only the monks may look at it. But the Shogun, the ruler of Japan, wants to possess the pyramid and has ordered seven samurai and a band of soldiers to come to Kokan and seize it.

Whilst the Doctor is tracked by a ninja assassin, Amy discovers what happens to trespassers at the shrine. Soon the secrets of the jade pyramid - and the towering Otoroshi - will be known... Written specially for audio by Martin Day, The Jade Pyramid'is read by Matt Smith, who plays the Doctor in the acclaimed hit series from BBC Television.

©2011 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2011 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Good story, not so good story telling

I loved Matt Smith as Doctor Who, but Matt Smith's narration here was as flat as an overnight coke

Doctor Who in samurai Japan.

Matt Smith as the Doctor in a rousing adventure in medieval Japan. Aliens, samurai and adventure galore.

Meh.

Hate to say it, but Matt Smith is not the vocal actor that David Tennant is. He doesn't do a terribly impressive job with his vocal characterizations, and it's hard to hear the difference between him as narrator and him as Doctor. And the story is just.... lame. Straightforward. Dependent on luck rather than any skill. And the surprise is kind of a so-what. Why is any of the important stuff here, in this time and place? Why's it important? How is it supposed to connect to the overall story or the distress signal that supposedly lead the Doctor and Amy here? This doesn't really tell us anything. Go get a different episode.

Great short story

Love this story, great for a quick who addiction fix. Matt Smith does a great performance.

I've had better

Great actor, not so great narrator. Story line not bad... David Tennant is vastly better. Matt doesn't take enough care.