The Splintered Gate

"You may be going on a long journey."

Writer: Justin Richards

Format: Short Story

Released: April 2003

Printed in: Short Trips: Companions 02

Featuring: Ian, Barbara 

Synopsis

Adventures in time and space are no fun if there's no one to share them. The Doctor has taken along many people on his travels – humans, aliens and robots. Did he really care for any of them? What in their previous life fitted them for the role of companion – and how did they cope after they left the TARDIS?

These seventeen stories look at the Doctor's trusty companions, before, during and after their travels with the eccentric Time Lord. Discover the truth about Romana's regeneration, find out what happened when Zoe encountered the Doctor again, and learn which of his companions the Doctor cared for the most...

Verdict

The Splintered Gate was a very interesting little story to continue my way through the Companions edition of short trips prose. I say little in the literal sense because at barely six pages, this particular adventure must surely go down as one of the smallest and shortest stories I have ever blogged! That fact alone makes it a fun blog to write and I actually managed to get this one read and blogged whilst on holiday, as planned given its incredibly short length. Whilst Gemma was in the shower between daily activities and going out for food, it was the perfect opportunity to keep with the blog and get another adventure in the bag. I'm not normally a fan of the first person perspective for storytelling, but I don't really think this story could have worked any other way. It was a nice little twist to go back in time and feature Ian and Barbara prior to the events of An Unearthly Child, and I think that could be done again with Susan included which would really make me sit up and take notice. We got a lovely hint here as to how Ian felt about Barbara when he hoped that he had spotted her whilst he was holidaying in Dorset, but alas it wasn't to be unfortunately for him. I find it incredibly amusing that the title of the short story comes from the fact that Ian got a splinter from a wooden gate. That really is something else and I don't think anything comes close to being so literal for a story title. Especially for something so ordinary in human life. Having a passage describing how Ian was able to pluck out the splinter was just amusing but I did like the image of him unclenching his fist so long after removing the splinter and that resulting in his hand being awash with blood. For a palm reader, that must have been most unexpected and it's fair to say that she was stunned and horrified, so much so that she ran away out of Ian's presence before he could explain the situation. Ian then attending a party of Barbara's was nice and somehow the writing of just ordinary events for characters we know that so much will happen to was great to read. Normal life for this pair is not what we know of them so it was just a nice inclusion. Ian being introduced to Rosemary who was another palm reader was good and I really liked how she took it upon herself to give Ian a true reading, whilst also keeping emphasis on the meaning of the blood that soaked his hands the first time he wanted a reading. She was a good and interesting character and I liked the temptation she provided to Ian with her comment about the journey he would soon go on, and then stealing his money as he was refusing to pay for the service she provided. A service he thought was a sham. He was a man of science so he couldn't resort to this. I liked that. The feeling of just pondering on the future as the story came to a close was intriguing and despite it being set prior to Ian and Barbara going on their travels aboard the TARDIS, it was a perfect opportunity for reflection which was nice. Overall, not a huge amount happened but it was a good little read! 

Rating: 7/10