When the Wolves Came

"I've moved you to outside the danger zone - a bit north of London... I think it's called Bedfordshire. You'll be safe here."

Writer: Moray Laing

Format: Short Story

Released: September 2014

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 2015

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara

Synopsis 

With Earth devastated in the 22nd century following a ruthless alien invasion, Simon can find no survivors. Running from wolves, he finds solace in the form of a blue police box...

Verdict 

When the Wolves Came was a fantastic little, and I do mean little, short story adventure from the 2015 Annual! Although not directly referenced, perhaps due to the younger child audience aim, the story being set during or prior to the events of The Dalek Invasion of Earth was just magnificent! It really did depict the devastation of the Dalek conquest incredibly well. Simon was alone in the city and he'd just found no survivors. That's how ruthless the Daleks had been. Not one survivor for Simon to join up with up. The only food he could find was a tin of baked beans, and he was being hunted by wolves. I think that just captures the scale and mass of the Dalek invasion terrifically. It wasn't just the humans that were affected, naturally. Food was short. So the Wolves were hunting, and if humans would be the supply then for them so be it. I loved how the TARDIS seemingly refused to leave the devastated 22nd century until Simon was saved and well, safe back with his parents. Alive. It was just wonderful how as he ran to the TARDIS, the doors opened wide for him and slammed shut on the Wolves. He was safe. With the Twelfth Doctor, I'd usually think that if someone just walked their way straight into the TARDIS then he'd go ballistic! But instead the Doctor thanked Simon which was a bit of a shock. Despite this, it was still Clara giving him the comforting welcome inside and helping him deal with the sheer amazement that was the TARDIS and its whole bigger on the inside malarkey. To be fair, it is quite an incomprehensible concept so going into it after being chased by Wolves must have been overwhelming! The TARDIS breaking free from whatever it was keeping it in the 22nd century was lovely, because it seemed like she wanted to save Simon. With Daleks on the loose planning to take over the planet and use it as a travelling device, Wolves would be a harsh way to go. So the Doctor took Simon to his parents in the safe area of Bedfordshire. Hmm, I'm not so sure about the Doctor's memory in regards to that! But the blend between the current series and Doctor and the early Classic era was superb. It's just a shame it was only 2 pages long! Though what we got was a wonderful little read. 

Rating: 8/10