The Turning of the Tide

"The animals were pulling the skeletons apart to try and drink the marrow."

Writer: Jenny T. Colgan

Format: Short Story

Released: October 2019

Printed in: The Target Storybook 12

Featuring: Meta-Crisis Doctor, Rose

Synopsis

"We're all stories in the end..."

In this exciting collection you'll find all-new stories spinning off from some of your favourite Doctor Who moments across the history of the series.

Discover what happened next, what went on before, and what occurred off-screen in an inventive selection of sequels, side-trips, foreshadowings and first-hand accounts – and look forward too, with a brand new adventure for the Thirteenth Doctor.

Each story expands in thrilling ways upon aspects of Doctor Who's enduring legend. With contributions from show luminaries past and present – including Colin Baker, Matthew Waterhouse, Vinay Patel, Joy Wilkinson and Terrance Dicks – The Target Storybook is a once-in-a-lifetime tour around the wonders of the Whoniverse.

Verdict

The Turning of the Tide was a very good story to continue my way through The Target Storybook! This was probably the most unique setting within the collection yet but it was actually a brilliant use of the Tenth Doctor era. There are so many stories from this time in Doctor Who history so presenting us with something brand new and hardly done before was a wonderful idea. It's a really good move to take us into the parallel universe of what is so often dubbed Pete's World and see how Rose and her Meta-Crisis Doctor are getting on following the ending of Journey's End. Well, things have certainly been eventful that's for sure! Rose is pregnant which is an incredible development and it really is nice to know that she and the Meta-Crisis Doctor had engaged in a relationship and followed through on what we already knew that couldn't be said by the Doctor at the end of Doomsday. The issue of trying to pick a name and eventually setting on being referred to as Corin was amusing, although I don't fully understand why he couldn't just have continued to go by Doctor. Even if he was part Donna! My favourite element of the story was undoubtedly tackling the lack of the sonic screwdriver and the TARDIS, with specific reference to no TARDIS translation circuit. If that didn't get a mention them I'm sure it would have slipped my mind but I'm so glad that it was referenced because it was a fantastic thing to consider. Clark stepped in to fill that role as the little metal worm who was an amusing if not slightly annoying character. His warning of the Cask Men served its purpose and I thought they made for decent enemies. The sighting in the fog provided a good atmosphere to what was a pretty lengthy adventure as far as short stories go. Their plan being to take the water from the Earth was extraordinary in scale, but when it came to impressing the Cask Men had that in abundance with their ship which was described as something close to overwhelming! It worked well. Festle made for a good head of the Cask Men and I enjoyed her interaction with the Doctor very much. His battling with not quite being the Doctor was a little difficult to read at times because it must have been incredibly frustration. He wasn't quite Time Lord and having to actually think slower was a really intriguing part of the story. One thing I liked about that though was how it gave Corin a newfound appreciation of all of those human companions he had. That was very nice. I thought Clark's involvement in defeating the Cask Men with the screech was pretty good and quite similar to A Quiet Place Part II which I watched in the cinema this evening. He was still a little annoying with his neediness but the line towards the story's end when Corin instructed Rose it was time to start pushing was a delight as he took it as him being talked to! That was very clever indeed and a fun little moment to finish on. But now, the Meta-Crisis and Rose were going to go on an adventure unlike any other. An adventure that I myself am due to set sail on any day now! Overall, a very good adventure.

Rating: 8/10