The Dark Flame (audio story)

was the forty-second story in Big Finish's monthly range. It was written by Trevor Baxendale and featured Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor, Sophie Aldred as Ace, Lisa Bowerman as Bernice Summerfield and Steven Wickham as Joseph.
It was the second Main Range audio story to be branded a "side step" into the lore and storylines of the Virgin New Adventures series. It was also the final to do so until Benny's appearance in 2009's Benny's Story.
== Publisher's summary ==
A thousand years ago, the evil Cult of the Dark Flame infiltrated every star system in the galaxy. In the history books the Cult is legendary, its despotic leader a terrible memory.
But for some the Dark Flame still burns. For some, its horrifying power is the ultimate goal. All that is required is for the right people to be in the wrong place and time...
An archaeologist and his robot are on the poisonous world of Marran Alpha, where they will uncover a hideous relic. The Doctor and Ace are on their way to the deep space research centre Orbos, where Professor Bernice Summerfield is soon to start the countdown to universal Armageddon.
Four acolytes of Evil.
Three mad scientists.
Two companions.
One Doctor.
== Plot ==
=== Part One ===
to be added
=== Part Two ===
to be added
=== Part Three ===
to be added
=== Part Four ===
to be added
== Cast ==
* The Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
* Ace - Sophie Aldred
* Bernice Summerfield - Lisa Bowerman
* Joseph / Victor Farrison - Steven Wickham
* Remnex / Vilus Krull - Andrew Westfield
* Slyde - Michael Praed
* Lomar - Hannah Smith
* Broke - Toby Longworth
== Crew ==
* Cover Art - Lee Binding
* Director - Jason Haigh-Ellery
* Executive Producer - Jacqueline Rayner
* Music - Andy Hardwick
* Producers - Gary Russell and Jason Haigh-Ellery
* Sound Design - Gareth Jenkins
* Writer - Trevor Baxendale
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Energy and radiation ===
* Black light is defined as not the uv-light.
* The Doctor is sensitive to a parachronic time field.
* The Doctor describes himself as the butterfly of the butterfly effect.
=== Species ===
* The Doctor observes that "sleep is for Chelonians."
== Gallery ==
The Dark Flame cover.jpg|Original CD cover
DWM 328 DARKFLAME.jpg|Preview illustration by Martin Geraghty featured in DWM 328
== Notes ==
* This audio drama was recorded on 26 and 27 January 2003 at the Moat Studios.
* Big Finish's later New Adventures-era stories would be Companion Chronicles, The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield, novel adaptations or The Seventh Doctor: The New Adventures.
* This story is set between the novels All-Consuming Fire and Blood Harvest.
== Continuity ==
* Black light as an energy source first appeared in TV: The Mysterious Planet.
* The Cult of the Dark Flame is revisited in the AUDIO: The Draconian Rage.
* The Doctor recalls his former companion Melanie Bush's departure. (TV: Dragonfire)
* The Doctor refers to Ace's time with the military. (PROSE: Deceit)
* Benny mentions the Ogrons. (TV: Day of the Daleks)
* Waking Ace, the Doctor tells her "we've got work to do." (TV: Survival)
== External links ==
* 
Category:Bernice Summerfield sources
Category:Bernice Summerfield audio stories
Category:Stories set in the 26th century
Category:Audio stories that use the Keff McCulloch theme
Category:Seventh Doctor Main Range audio stories
Category:2003 Main Range audio stories