TDP 814: STAR COPS - MOTHER EARTH 2 from @BigFinish

@TinDogPodcast reviews the frankly brilliant STAR COPS - MOTHER EARTH 2 from @BigFinish   This title was released in November 2018. It will be exclusively available to buy from the BF website until December 31st 2018, and on general sale after this date. It’s the near future, and mankind has expanded its presence in space. Maintaining law and order among this network of space stations, satellites and moon outposts is the responsibility of the International Space Police Force, known colloquially as the Star Cops. Their leader is Commander Nathan Spring. It’s been months since the last attack by Mother Earth, the activist group opposed to mankind’s expansion into space. It’s believed that the group is finished. But instead, Mother Earth is about to renew its campaign. This time with even more ferocity and violence. 2.1: Dead and Buried by Guy Adams At Lunar Interments, the moon’s graveyard for the wealthy, the caretaker has noticed something odd in the burial records. Odd enough for him to call in the Star Cops. Devis isn’t happy at being assigned to what he thinks is a mundane case. Not when Nathan and Kenzy are off to investigate a burglary at the home of billionaire businessman Ben Alexander. A break-in where the burglar has finished up dead. But in the lunar resting place of the dead, Devis will find himself racing against the clock to save his life and hundreds of others. 2.2: The Killing Jar by John Dorney The Charlie Chaplin is a second-hand space station operated as a space-tourism hub by entrepreneur Martin Thane. When Nathan receives reports that serious accidents and even a death have been caused by Thane flouting safety laws, he decides to investigate. An accident investigation soon becomes a murder enquiry. And as the Star Cops hunt for the killer, the station becomes a death trap threatening everyone on board. 2.3: Moonshine by Roland Moore A friend of Kenzy’s on the space station Coral Sea has been dismissed for possession of alcohol and sent back to Earth. She believes his claim that he was framed, and when she learns of his subsequent suicide she and Devis travel to Australia to investigate. A difficult enquiry is not helped when Kenzy’s former fiancé, a Police Superintendent, appears on the scene. On Moonbase, Nathan is expecting an official visit from a powerful dignitary. So it’s not a good time for there to be a fatal incident that may be the work of Mother Earth... 2.4: Hostage by Andrew Smith The Star Cops are under intense pressure in the face of continuing Mother Earth attacks. The very existence of the International Space Police Force is in jeopardy. Kenzy and Priya are responding to a murderous Mother Earth explosion at a moon outpost when one of the workers, Mary Ward, takes a hostage and makes demands, accusing others of trying to kill her. She appears to have snapped under pressure. As the crisis develops, dangerous secrets are revealed. Secrets that some will be prepared to kill for. And die for.   Please note: Star Cops features some mild swearing and content which may not be suitable for younger listeners. Written By: Guy Adams, John Dorney, Roland Moore, Andrew Smith Directed By: Helen Goldwyn Cast David Calder (Nathan Spring / Box), Trevor Cooper (Colin Devis), Linda Newton (Pal Kenzy), Rakhee Thakrar (Priya Basu), Philip Olivier (Paul Bailey), Nimmy March (Shayla Moss), Andrew Fettes (Mac Thirwell), Vikash Bhai (Ben Alexander), Amy Downham (Lyra Fox), Will Chitty (Martin Thane), Tor Clark (Rebecca Driscoll), Timothy Hofmeier (Phil Bovey / Vernon Hollis), Craig Armstrong (Barney Hillier / Theodore Gallow), William Gaminara (Godfrey Miller), Sarah Sutton (Mary Ward), Emily Carewe (Sally Newell). Other parts played by members of the cast. Producer David Richardson Script Editor Andrew Smith