Protectors of Time: The Turn of the Tides

"The Moon actually shook!"

Writer: Nina Millns

Format: Audio

Released: March 2022

Series: Eighth of March 2.03

Featuring: Jo, Rani

Synopsis

In the footsteps of Sarah Jane Smith, Rani Chandra is investigating strange weather phenomena, calling on an old friend for help – Jo Jones! But UNIT is also on the case, led by science officer Jac. Soon all three women will be on a mission to the Moon...

Verdict

The Turn of the Tides was a great little adventure to conclude the Prisoners of Time second series of The Eighth of March! I really loved the idea behind this one and reuniting Jo and Rani together some years on from the events of Death of the Doctor was wonderful. I loved that Rani featured and she was all grown up from where The Sarah Jane Adventures concluded and just having Big Finish take on that spinoff show is fantastic and I do hope it is the start of more to come. I thought the premise of the plot was pretty simple and it was nice that both Rani and Jo were investigating the strange weather patterns that were occurring. Although, I'm not sure strange cuts it enough when it comes to what was happening as the patterns were so extreme that even the Moon was shaking! I thought that idea was excellent and obviously the impact that could have on the tides and the planet were very high indeed. The inclusion of Jac was a nice touch to represent UNIT and having the modern version of the organisation blending with Jo was fantastic given her history and stature there. Rani also having been trained by Sarah Jane when it came to paranormal activity and journalism was a lovely touch and Jo admiring her and the woman she had become was lovely. This was probably my favourite representation of women in the series with no obvious male influence, whereas in Stolen Futures we had Romana alongside Biroc and then Noah was around in Prism. This was an all women show though and the trio quickly heading to the Moon was great! The reaction of Rani when it came to finding out that they would actually pilot the ship themselves was fun and I loved how Jo differed in going along with the classic ways and not using modern technology. The UNIT continuity with Project Indigo transporting them to UNIT Gibraltar was excellent and I really liked that with the time difference from The Stolen Earth that it seemed to be in operation now. Matasar made for a good enemy and the twist with Rio standing alongside her true brother worked well and did surprise me a little. Mellissa was also a very good character to feature and her having history with the Doctor and Jo was nice and the former companion was clearly delighted to see her again. Jo taking the initiative and getting to the top by feigning New Earth and New Time was delightful and it was lovely to hear her in action once again. I also really liked Rani's reaction to being in space and comparing it now with what Sarah Jane had said. As a whole, this was a really enjoyable adventure and it was great to have Jo back as her elderly self and reunited with Rani who was wonderful to see all grown up and developed. It was nice for Jac and UNIT to offer Rani a more permanent job at the organisation and I do wonder if this will end up with her featuring in the UNIT spinoff in the future. I'd really love that. However, for now this was just a delightful story to play out highlight the women at their best! 

Rating: 8/10