Uranus

"They turned a planet into a spaceship?"

Writer: Craig Hinton
Format: Short Story
Released: October 2005
Printed in: Short Trips: The Solar System 07

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Mel

Synopsis

The Doctor takes Mel to Cressida - a moon of Uranus and the prime location to witness the collision of the Maleficent with the seventh planet. The Doctor is keen to ensure that nothing goes wrong as the collision is the catalyst of something extraordinary three billion years in the future...

Verdict

Uranus was an excellent continuation of The Solar System edition of the Short Trips collection of stories! I really enjoyed this one and it might just be my favourite from the collection yet. As we get further and further away from the Sun, the familiarity of the planets and my knowledge, personally, seems to get less so I am reading with a large amount of interest concerning the planet itself. While this one wasn't quite set on the planet of Uranus itself, the planet had a prominent role in the plot of the adventure which I thought was really good. The setting instead was on Cressida and I liked that it was a prime viewpoint for the impending collision between Uranus and the approaching asteroid of the Maleficent. One hundred years in the making and the clash would make more than just a pretty sight. The Doctor had to make sure that nothing went wrong as the collision would give birth to something incredible three billions years into the future. I thought the 41st century setting was very good and this story serving as a sequel of sorts to The Daleks' Master Plan was absolutely brilliant! I really didn't see that coming but as soon as the Space Security Service were mentioned, I had hoped for a reference but I actually got a great deal more. The appearance of Branko Chen, grandson of Mavic Chen, was superb and I loved how he attempted to restore a Chen as Guardian of the Solar System. It was how it was supposed to be. He didn't actually do an awful lot but his presence and his plan being put into action made for compelling reading. This was a hugely exciting story with quite a lot of tension which really was most welcomed. The action was fantastic and tense, albeit a little quick given the format, but I was hooked throughout and that's obviously a big positive. I really liked Mel as the companion in this one and her relationship with the Doctor was written very well. I particularly thought the moment where she explained the clear distinctions between the Sixth and Seventh Doctors was very good. Things were getting different with this incarnation and everything had an ulterior purpose. Mercy befriending Mel only to not be who she said she was made for a good twist and I really liked how the Doctor was one step ahead of the game. He already knew she couldn't be who she said she was and saw that her time ring sent her back to whence she came. Prentis made for a lovely character and his past with the Doctor was decent, even if I'm not a fan of past relationships being made when they haven't previously appeared in Doctor Who. The callousness of the Doctor to put Prentis in the pilot's seat to ensure that the Maleficent collided with Uranus stunned me but it did fit the personality of the Seventh Doctor. He was a daring incarnation and it was made less awful by Prentis having a purpose to his death and becoming immortal. His broadcast had stopped Branko Chen in his tracks and he was proud to help. The ending with the Doctor visiting Uranus three billion years into the future for a mysterious version of Prentis to emerge and recognise the Doctor's voice was a poignant touch. Overall, a fantastic adventure!

Rating: 9/10