Star-Crossed: Archipelago

"We're sailing towards islands that no longer exist."

Writer: Tim Foley

Format: Audio 

Released: May 2024

Series: Ninth Doctor Adventures 3.12

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, River

Synopsis

River Song has one last request. If the Doctor undertakes a dangerous journey with her on the planet Fortuna, she'll never bother him again. But this is no ordinary voyage. 

As the storms batter their tiny vessel, the travellers are confronted with some brutal home truths. There is a captain in search of a husband. There is a ship in need of a light. And there are lovers lost in the maelstrom who will always be islands apart. 

Verdict

Archipelago was an outstanding episode to conclude the Star-Crossed twelfth volume of Ninth Doctor Adventures! After two meetings of the Ninth Doctor and River Song, something that ought not to have been possible, this was a fantastic and highly emotional finale to their time together. It’s nice that despite everything we know about this incarnation as a battle hardened Doctor especially pre-Rose, River got to see the Doctor she knew and loved. The story itself before we got to the emotional stuff was really intriguing and there was no messing around in pairing up the Doctor and Rived, as should be the case for this third encounter. The novelty had worn off. The mission that River had enlisted the Doctor for regarding Thaddeus Grey and his signal was interesting, but he wasn’t having any of it. He could see the time storm that his husband was trapped within and didn’t fancy the voyage. This Doctor took things as they were and could see the dangers of the storm. He knew that Harvey wouldn’t be alive so his reaction when he found out just how long it had been since Grey took on a voyage was amusing. River was a little guilty but she saw the good and hope of the situation despite the signal having been broadcasting for twelve years. There really wasn’t much hope at all! I enjoyed the concept of temporary time very much and with how many different incarnations of the Doctor that River has now met, it’s become a little cliche for the memory wipe to happen to keep that first meeting in Silence in the Library intact. Once Grey was eliminated from the story due to the storm, the effects and threat of the coral oncoming were intriguing. It was a slow killer and River being knocked out for a while allowed the Doctor a chance to see into his future. The idea of him reading River’s diary of spoilers is also blasphemous and her reaction was one of genuine shock and horror. It was so fun to hear the Doctor comment on him not understanding the whole wedding of The Wedding of River Song extract along with lovely mentions of the Silence and the Weeping Angels. The Doctor and River really do go through a lot together and now the Doctor knew it all. He’d had a sneaky peek when he really shouldn’t have. Whilst I did think this episode was sensational because of the emotional pull, I do think there’s a blaring continuity error. The Doctor seeing the Daleks mentioned and not making a big deal of it considering this was before Dalek felt a bit off. River touching upon the Time War and almost using it against the Doctor in not wanting him to use it as an excuse for his personality and traits was powerful stuff, as was this Doctor’s brutal honesty. He couldn’t love. He wouldn’t. Not in this incarnation. But once the resolution was found and it would have to involve them completely forgetting everything about each other and their meetings over this series, some semblance of love was found. They shared details they never had or would and that brought them closer. Closer than ever before. It was a lovely line from the Doctor that despite this being the most romantic he’d ever been according to River, he would do this and have a whole future to challenge that. He could see that he would marry her and love her, and that’s rather nice. Overall, a tremendous finale!

Rating: 10/10

Star-Crossed: Face of the Apocalypse

"I am driven by love."

Writer: Lizzie Hopley

Format: Audio

Released: May 2024

Series: Ninth Doctor Adventures 3.112

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, River

Synopsis

After locking onto an unusual algorithm, the TARDIS lands in a hi-security Intergalactic Bank where the computerised system only recognises one face – River Song. The Doctor discovers River dismantling the main computer and immediately suspects her of something dodgy...

But a case of stolen identity becomes far more serious as River's face starts to appear throughout history and the Bank vaults start filling up with Temporal Prisoners. Is River the victim of a sting or a bored computer nerd? One thing's for certain, the 'glitch' is no longer a glitch and is on its way to destroying all of spacetime, starting with Prisoner Number One.

Verdict

Face of the Apocalypse was another entertaining episode to continue my way through the Star-Crossed twelfth volume of Ninth Doctor Adventures! I think it's good that for this story the Doctor is fully aware of River and we don't have to worry about any kind of memory loss thing at the conclusion (presumably that will come in the next episode) so this is just a solid adventure with an incarnation of the Doctor and his wife that couldn't be any more different. The Doctor's reaction when he sees the only recognisable face as River was wonderful. I really liked that there was continuity with Swipe Right in having the computer glitch come from the Matchmaker system and I do wonder if there will be any kind of overlapping arc resolved in the finale other than erasing the Doctor's memory. I thought the Intergalactic Bank setting here worked very well and River's shock at being the face and claiming it was doing false advertising was very amusing. Her face was everywhere and that computer glitch meant there was drastic effects across time. Nearly every face either was River or highly based on it. She was the fashion with her curly hair all the range. River's reaction to arriving at the Louvre and seeing that she was now the Mona Lisa was wonderful. Of course it was a much better painting! The Doctor knew something was clearly wrong. His joy at seeing the Spore and the significance it had across all of civilisation was intriguing. It's good, especially in this incarnation, to hear the Doctor in a joyous mood and encounter someone he admired. The story of the Cronny, if that's how it is spelt, being the Chronicle that sparked an entire religion and pacifist nation was fantastic. The reaction of Keetree to the Doctor and River bringing the Spore home was amusing as she wasn't exactly thrilled! She was having a good ol' time without him and was actually getting on better without him. What good was he anyway? He didn't pay attention and didn't do much in showing his love for her. However, the way that changed as he revealed his drawings to her and how she was in every one was quite lovely. She felt a little guilty and his love for her shone. That was a lovely moment. The Doctor needing to provide some inspiration to get the happy couple back to inspire the future he knew was good as that felt a little out of his comfort zone. I wasn't entirely sure about the Doctor using Abel against itself by showing that the TARDIS wasn't exactly a computer, although I entirely disagreed with the concept of the time machine not working when someone it didn't like or approve of tried to use it. What about the Master in Utopia? I feel like there are a number of examples where that wouldn't be the case. It was still fun though for the smugness of the Doctor to shine through. He knew he'd won in the end. The shock of River seeing the TARDIS dematerialise and therefore the Doctor leave was good, but she knew he'd come back. It was an eventful end though with not everything falling perfectly into place! As a whole, this was another strong episode and a fun outing for the Ninth Doctor and River. It's a shame there's only one more to go! A great listen. Talk about couple power! 

Rating: 8/10

Star-Crossed: Swipe Right

"We only cater for couples."

Writer: John Dorney

Format: Audio 

Released: May 2024

Series: Ninth Doctor Adventures 3.10

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, River

Synopsis

There are strange rumours about the planet Crell. People have been vanishing. The mysterious Matchmaker is keen to get the populace paired up via his special dating app... but rejecting too many suitors can have fatal consequences. 

It's precisely the sort of thing the Doctor would want to investigate. But unfortunately it's also precisely the sort of thing River Song would want to investigate too. The Doctor and River are on a collision course  – but this time it might not be a match made in heaven.

Verdict

Swipe Right was an excellent start to the Star-Crossed twelfth volume of Ninth Doctor Adventures! Judging from recent comments released from Big Finish from Christopher Eccleston himself, it appears that this is the final boxset in the range at least for the moment. That's a shame as it's been a sheer delight to get so many brand new episodes with the Ninth Doctor, but if we're going to be finishing then at least we're doing it with a bang! The prospect of uniting the Ninth Doctor with River Song is something that excited me so much when this release was announced and it certainly didn't let me down for this opener. The dynamic between them is fascinating because they couldn't be more different. This is not the Doctor that River Song knows well. He's far from it. He's probably the most alien to her of them all and that's saying something! I must admit I didn't think a story of this name and description would be well suited to the Ninth Doctor but it was actually fantastic. It felt modern to do a take on online dating at an intergalactic scale and the Doctor getting his way in by claiming to be meeting up with Beth was nicely done. She was expecting Julian but who she got instead was someone far more interesting. Her position as an asexual was used really well and that was a unique take on a sexual preference in Doctor Who. I can't recall seeing it before and I liked how it sparked the basis for the resolution. The Matchmaker is a fun little villain name and whilst I did think it was entirely predictable for it to be a computer, it was still a fun moment when the knowledge was learned by the others. It's always amusing to hear the Doctor being one step ahead of the game! The banter between the couple running the joint where the bulk of this story took place was wonderful and the constant use of the word darling almost got unsettling! It was a good laugh though and the comedic value at the end of the Doctor having defeated the Matchmaker and telling them they could now break up was tremendous considering they'd been together for six years and pre-dated the computer! The entire concept of the computer wanting people to couple up for their happiness and productivity worked really well, although having a limit on rejections made things a little difficult. You couldn't be too picky like Beth as that meant you would often get stuck with the final option. That was happening to her. Julian also got on the wrong end of things but River Song stepped in wonderfully to save his life. I thought the initial reaction of the Doctor to learning of River Song's presence and their supposed marital status was great and I like that with two more episodes to come, there's room to play with. We had no memory wipe here and that's exciting. It broke River's heart though that when the Matchmaker needed a completely loveless and unromantic person to take it down, the answer was the Doctor. That wasn't the man she knew and adored. It really did have a big impact on her to see the Doctor embrace that status and use himself to restore normality with the Matchmaker gone. It's exciting to think what might be coming next with this pair as there's strong potential there with a dynamic unique to any incarnation and River. She felt right at home in a dating episode whereas the Ninth Doctor didn't on paper. He even admitted this kind of thing just wasn't for him, especially in this incarnation. It was a fascinating listen and I look forward to more. Overall, a strong listen! 

Rating: 9/10

Rogue

"This is so Bridgerton."

Writers: Kate Herron & Briony Redman

Format: TV

Broadcast: 8 June 2024

Series: 14.06

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor, Ruby

Synopsis

The Doctor and Ruby land in 1813, where guests at a duchess's party are being murdered, and a mysterious bounty hunter called Rogue is about to change the Doctor's life forever.

Verdict

Rogue was a great episode to continue the ongoing series for the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby! There was no messing around in getting our TARDIS duo into the thick of the action in this one as we see them all dressed up at a nineteenth century party. The regalia on show here was top notch and I loved the addition of establishing the setting as specifically Bath, even though the location really wasn't important. It's a city that is fond to me as the place I went to university for my undergraduate and I absolutely fell in love with the place. It's also where I met my love so it's an important place in my life so having Doctor Who go there and dabble in its history was magnificent. This one is a rather simple story at heart which is refreshing but there's still enough time to get the Susan Twist character arc in with her being featured as a portrait. I felt sure she would just be a party goer but this was a nice way to keep it going and for Ruby to recognise the face once again. Just who is she? Well, it's not long before we find out which is so awfully exciting. Of course, the threats in this episode are the Chulder shapeshifting family and they bring a nice little twist to that kind of creature. The little neck crank and just their eyes gave them a strong sense of evil. It was nicely done. Their whole orchestration of the party and their roles was very interesting and it's quite barmy but also really great that they were cosplayers. Incorporating a cosplay group of villains into an episode that is so obviously based upon Bridgerton is a lot of fun. The Netflix series itself is referenced on numerous occasions in the story and I think it definitely will just go down as 'the Bridgerton episode' which is absolutely fine. I'm not a fan of that kind of period drama but I can appreciate it and it works well for a Doctor Who setting. The Doctor himself is right at home and this story really does become all about his relationship with the titular character. Rogue is a modern day Captain Jack if there ever was one, except whereas it was the Ninth Doctor meeting him in The Empty Child, we have a much more flamboyant incarnation here. Right from the off the chemistry between the Doctor and Rogue is off the charts. They try to one up the other and they're so similar. The different reactions to their respective ships was really well done and I liked how Rogue initially took the Doctor as the Chuldur shapeshifter he was hired to kill. The Doctor being somewhat rationale about his profession was unexpected but it just worked to have them with different morals and philosophies. They were contrasting figures for the most part and that helped make them work. The scene where the Doctor tries to prove he isn't who Rogue is looking for and shows his past faces was incredible and it was lovely to acknowledge all of that history, even in a show that is trying to pass off as a Season 1 when it absolutely isn't. One certain element that was acknowledged was the existence of Richard E. Grant's alternative ninth incarnation from Scream of the Shalka! That's a lot of fun and canonising that as the Doctor's past is tremendous. Big Finish will be licking their lips! It's harmless and cheeky and just works to set fandom alight. I'm all for it. Ruby tricking the Chuldur into thinking she had become one of them was a great twist, especially when the Doctor trapped her with the rest of the family on a dimensional trap door to who knows where. Rogue and the Doctor sharing a kiss was a powerful moment after the earlier tease and he knew how much Ruby meant to the Doctor so he took her place in a selfless sacrifice. It was a little sudden and certainly unexpected, but the line at the end of 'find me' certainly makes me think he'll be back at some point. It would be a shame if he wasn't! I thought the design of the Chuldur out of their disguise was a little silly and a struggle to take seriously, but the method of how they took the form of those they cosplayed was brutally horrifying. The state of those corpses! Overall, a strong episode with a main plot that got overshadowed to be honest! 

Rating: 8/10

The Church on Ruby Road

"This story isn't a fairy tale."

Writer: Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson

Format: Novel

Released: January 2024

Series: Target 181

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor, Ruby

Synopsis

Chance. Misfortune. Coincidence. These are the weapons of choice for the Doctor's latest enemies. And those enemies are very, very hungry...

For Ruby Sunday, this Christmas Eve is a birthday she'll never forget. It's the day she joins the Doctor aboard a Goblin ship. The day she learns of dangers from beyond the universe. The day her life really begins... or, perhaps, the day it ends.

Verdict

The Church on Ruby Road was an excellent novelisation of last year's Christmas Special! After seeing that my local library had stocked this book, I couldn't help but get it on hold and delve into the first bit of prose for the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby. It's both of their first full story and it works perhaps even better in a novelisation format which is a delight to say. I honestly think that's because it feels a little less Christmassy and silly in a novel whereas on screen it had that lighthearted and loose feel. That of course was absolutely great but I think the book does take things a little more seriously. The Goblin King is presented as a strong threat and hearing the inner thoughts of Ruby regarding her birth parents and the disappointment she feels when there is no trace adds to the emotional pull. This is such a strong debut for a companion and we learn so much about her. She's a foundling and likes the word a lot when Davina uses it on the television show designed to reunite her with her genetic family. I fully understand now why there was an extra scene involving the Doctor saving the woman and pushchair shopping on Christmas Eve from the falling giant snowman decoration because without it we really wouldn't have had much of the Doctor at all until nearly halfway. That's a long time. I thought the introduction to Carla and Cherry were terrific here and I love just how much the love Ruby has for her mother is shown. It's obviously reciprocated and Cherry is there for some strong humour. The gag of her not getting a cuppa remains delightful. I liked the subtle way the importance of Mrs Flood was presented even though she only features intermittently, but I must say the moment where she breaks the fourth wall and shows her knowledge of a TARDIS doesn't have the same impact. Maybe because I knew it was coming? Or the fact you can't really address the reader in the same way breaking the fourth wall is done on screen. I think the coincidences and bad luck on show in the book are tremendous and I really like how the Doctor explicitly linked things back to The Giggle and the Toymaker. This was the leftover impact of his legions and the Doctor was actually excited by the chaos. This was something he didn't understand and he was keen to take on this new world of rules. The Goblins are a lot of fun and the little hints at their presence throughout the book were brilliantly done. They always felt present which was perhaps not achieved on screen. Before reading, the thing I was fascinated to read the most was how the Goblin Song would come across when novelised. It could have gone wrong but it was actually magnificent. It was just as catchy on the indents and I really enjoyed the surprise Ruby had at coming up with her own lyrics. The humour of the Lulubelle name at the new foster child was good, but the scene that had me smiling was when Carla kept naming all of the coincidences after the Doctor revealed he was an orphan. Ruby caught on right away. Another tremendous sequence was the Doctor aiding Ruby as she tried to retrieve Lulebelle from the Goblins. The cover obviously takes the image from them on that unsteady ladder and it's a fine representation for the book. The Doctor having to go back in time and save Ruby once the Goblins take her for their King and change the course of history is fantastic and I can't wait to come back to it (presumably) in the series finale that's due in the next couple of weeks. There's so much potential there. Just who is Ruby's birth mother? Did she see that the Doctor had to kill the Goblin King to prevent disaster? And just who is Mrs Flood? It's all so exciting and this is a lovely time to revisit the start of the mystery and arc encompassing the series currently airing. And it's just a darn good and fun story whilst having a huge emotional pull. It's a wonderful introduction to Ruby and a fine first full outing for the Fifteenth Doctor. What's not to like? Overall, a terrific read. 

Rating: 9/10

Department X

"There's a basement full of corpses in the freezer."

Writer: James Goss

Format: Audio

Released: March 2011

Series: Torchwood BBC Audio 05

Featuring: Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto

Synopsis

G. R. Owen is the last of Cardiff's old department stores. Times are hard and the ancient firm has gone into administration. But who are the Administrators? What goes on behind the shutters at night? And why are customers disappearing? Torchwood are already investigating. 

G. R. Owen is the site of their oldest unsolved cases, and Jack is determined to solve it before the store closes forever – which is why Ianto is working undercover in gentlemen's fashions and Gwen is in handbags. 

Are the new mangers really aliens? What connection do they have to the mysterious G. R. Owen himself? And is Jack the only one looking for the Department of Curiosities, last seen in 1905?

Verdict

Department X was an excellent audio to continue my way through the Torchwood Tales collection! This was a really pleasant listening experience and just worked right from the off. With these Torchwood audios usually going over two hours, they can sometimes be difficult to maintain attention and grip the listener but this one had no such trouble. I think a shop is a fantastic setting for a story in the Doctor Who universe which we obviously saw utilised very well in both Rose and Closing Time, but now it was Torchwood's time to have a go and they absolutely nailed it. I thought the history there with both Jack and Torchwood was very intriguing and added a depth of mystery to what was already an interesting prospect. As a relative local to Cardiff, I can't quite remember when the bulk of St David's shopping centre was opened but it feels right that it would be around the time this story was written and that ties in nicely to the dwindling performance of G. R. Owen as an old department store. It was a good reminder of days gone past with it outlasting the likes of Woolworths and Pound Paradise, but now it was on its last legs. The administrators were called in and quickly took over proceedings, but they had an off feeling right from the start. The fact they were surveying the employees and being interested in the species was interesting and I was really intrigued in what they were after. The result was actually fascinating as we learned all about the Department of Curiosities which was a Torchwood mystery dating back decades. I thought that was exciting and Jack having knowledge of the past and having even tried to solve it himself on more than one occasion was very exciting! The shop itself was now due to close so Jack saw this as his final opportunity to solve something that hd gone amiss for Torchwood for a very long time. I thought it was a little obvious that the Department of Curiosities would lie in the basement, or at least the door to it, and Ianto slipping through was excellent. He and Gwen were undercover in unconventional means at the store which was a delight to listen to, especially with Gwen described as a sex worker thanks to her position in the makeup section! But now Ianto encounter Gareth who turned out to be the G. R. Owen himself which was good. Learning about his past and how he nurtured wingless birds and had done the same with the alien parasite that had housed itself within him was brilliant. I didn't see it coming but it made sense for this to be where it was hiding. It was causing torment and Gareth didn't entirely realise it. Jack and Gareth encountering each other again felt like a big moment despite us not knowing much about the store founder. I loved the moment the administrators utilised the store intercom to announce special offers including Ianto's life. That was magnificently evil. Their fascination with the Department of Curiosities too as representatives of Firestone Finance was terrific and I liked their whole purpose of profiting from failing businesses, even alien ones. Absalom and Valentine were strong characters as the heads of this transaction, but by the end the former got a little more than he bargained for in becoming the new host of the parasite. The use of the dimension gate was really well done and I liked how Cardiff and the Rift helped with the department and the coming of the administrators. One last thing I should commend is the narration from Kai Owen. Considering Rhys didn't really feature he did a wonderful job in bringing the story to life. It was exciting and engaging which is all you can ask for really! Overall, a terrific listen! 

Rating: 9/10

Killing Time: Unfinished Business

"The pain is exquisite."

Writer: James Goss

Format: Audio

Released: August 2021

Series: War Master 6.04

Featuring: War Master

Synopsis

For centuries, the Stagnant Protocol has been forgotten by the universe: an empire populated by a race that can never advance... a race the Master seeks to seize control of. 

Unfortunately for him, he has a rival – Calantha – and she understands how to manipulate the system better than he could ever hope. His only chance of defeating her lies in the hands of some old acquaintances, whether they realise it or not. 

One thing, however, is certain. Whichever of them may win, the Stagnant Protocol is destined to lose...

Verdict

Unfinished Business was a great episode to conclude what has been a very strong Killing Time sixth series of adventures with the War Master! I really liked how things came full circle here with the Master back to tackle Calantha after everything that happened in The Sincerest Form of Flattery opener. He was out revenge and crikey did he play the long game! He was more than prepared to take her on and the charade both parties played in feigning friendship with each other was tremendous. I was a big fan of that as we really were waiting for the first one to blink. Both were strong characters though and always believed they had the upper hand. Calantha first appointing the Master to a political position was quite intriguing and a little unexpected so quickly, but he was soon forced into retirement which was where things got rather shocking. We don't often see or hear the Master in a vulnerable position but having him at the mercy of Calantha was a bit of a surprise, even if he did show a supreme amount of confidence for the predicament he was in. Calantha's evil really came out here as if it was needed after setting a plague out on her own people, but when she was taunting the Master with a sandwich and not even eating it all I couldn't help but feel sorry for the Time Lord. He was putting on a brave face but you could clearly hear the anguish and hunger in his voice. The timeframe of how long he was locked up behind the forcefield barrier was unknown, but it was clearly considerable. The fascination with the wallpaper was magnificent and how that came full circle at the end when he got the upper hand was just marvellous. The political nature of the episode was strong and whilst the pace was a little slower than the previous two episodes and admittedly not as interesting with no familiar past characters, it really did grow as the Master came into his own. I liked exploring the society of the Stagnant Protocol a little more and Calantha being questioned on the whereabouts of her parents in an apparently immortal population was very good. There was a real subtle evil to her which I don't think was wholly explored. The inclusion of the Time War element to the story was welcomed and whilst we didn't actually hear the Daleks featured, we did get their ambassador which was more than sufficient. Calantha striking a deal with them regarding the gate to the time lock was good and I loved how that just played right into the Master's hands. And at his own retirement no less! His reemergence was terrific and he didn't hesitate in showing his control over the lock. The Daleks were clearly wiped out before even emerging and there did seem to be some sort of loose Time Lord loyalty there for the Master which was a nice touch. The fear and shock Calantha displayed when the Master did emerge was good and the first time we've really heard her show some form of weakness. It certainly wasn't a strength this time around but she did try to spin it as a miracle. But the Master was quick to reveal the truth about the plague. He had the cure and was fully in control of it, after waiting all the while and going hungry. That kind of determination and failure to give in was admirable. There aren't too many others who could have carried that out! Overall, a really strong finale to what was a fantastic boxset overall. 

Rating: 8/10

Killing Time: The Orphan

"Whoever controls the medication controls the people."

Writer: Lou Morgan

Format: Audio

Released: August 2021

Series: War Master 6.03

Featuring: War Master, Nyssa

Synopsis

For centuries, the Stagnant Protocol has been forgotten by the universe: an empire populated by a race that can never advance... a race the Master seeks to seize control of. 

Unfortunately for him, he has a rival – Calantha – and she understands how to manipulate the system better than he could ever hope. His only chance of defeating her lies in the hands of some old acquaintances, whether they realise it or not. 

One thing, however, is certain. Whichever of them may win, the Stagnant Protocol is destined to lose...

Verdict

The Orphan was another excellent episode to continue my way through the Killing Time sixth series of War Master adventures! This series keeps excelling and honestly give me an entire boxset of the Master encountering companions he's previously tormented. I'm not sure you could get any stronger than the likes of Jo and Nyssa, but I'm sure separate encounters with the likes of Tegan, Peri, Martha and Clara wouldn't go amiss! That's hopeful for the future. For now, what we got was great and this was another powerful story. It made sense to utilise Nyssa's medical abilities and background when it came to the plague and with her being in desperate need of some help to find a cure for the plague threatening the Stagnant Protocol, the War Master was only too keen to volunteer. The emergence of him as the helper to Nyssa was expected but it was still a delicious treat. Derek Jacobi seems to have stepped up a gear during this series which has been tremendous to listen to as the real evil of this Time War incarnation is on full display. I'm a huge fan and the way he slowly let Nyssa work out what he had done and who he was worked so well. The pair did seem to actually fashion something of a working relationship based on respect, but the Master didn't exactly show her too much compassion when a mistake of hers led to a patient death. The scale of the plague was explained well here and I liked that it could transfer from one person to another by the slightest of touches. Nyssa had introduced some iron clad shutdown procedures for the Varnomium ship, but they were child's play when it came to the Master escaping. He was always one step ahead and having Nyssa actually infected and suffering was a strong dynamic. The significance of the serum the Master obtained in A Quiet Night In was established brilliantly as he simply bypassed the defences by not being infected. It's not often we actually get to see the Master win so for him to walk out having done what he wanted and leaving Nyssa behind was quite something! It's a treat when the good guys don't always win and a little refreshing. The moment where Nyssa realises disaster has struck and the plague is spreading rapidly amongst her patients was heart wrenching as we hear her entire body of work on the plague come crashing down. She blames herself initially but then works out that thanks to what she knows of science, there can only be one possible answer. And before she knows it the lightbulb clicks of who the 'doctor' really is. It's the Master in a brand new face. I loved how she questioned if he stole this one too but he just took everything in his stride. The way he calmly stated how he was close to her father was incredible as from The Keeper of Traken onwards, the Master really does make things hard for Nyssa. Her entire world and family are destroyed by him so for them to be reunited here is a big occasion. She's horrified but also determined that he won't get out with the plague. She can't believe that even he would test it on people, but the Master was playing the fast game and wanted quick results. Testing in a laboratory wasn't for him. The warning message that was left on the Varnomium with Nyssa relaying that they were a plague carrier and for nobody to approach was a little sad as that seems to indicate no means of rescue. Might this really be the end of Nyssa's story? It's an emotional way but I like to think the ambitious nature of the conclusions means she will somehow managed to have escaped. Regardless, the Master is looking forward and to finish what he started in The Sincerest Form of Flattery. He's got what he wanted to confront Calantha as we look set for a very exciting finale! Overall, an excellent episode. 

Rating: 9/10

Killing Time: A Quiet Night In

"Don't trust anybody here."

Writer: Lou Morgan

Format: Audio

Released: August 2021

Series: War Master 6.02

Featuring: War Master, Jo

Synopsis

For centuries, the Stagnant Protocol has been forgotten by the universe: an empire populated by a race that can never advance... a race the Master seeks to seize control of. 

Unfortunately for him, he has a rival – Calantha – and she understands how to manipulate the system better than he could ever hope. His only chance of defeating her lies in the hands of some old acquaintances, whether they realise it or not. 

One thing, however, is certain. Whichever of them may win, the Stagnant Protocol is destined to lose...

Verdict

A Quiet Night In was an outstanding episode to continue my way through the Killing Time sixth series of adventures with the War Master! After a decent opener of The Sincerest Form of Flattery to set the Master on his route for revenge against Calantha, this brought us more down to Earth and united the Master with an old friend. The history between the Master and Jo is obvious as she was there at his very first on screen appearance in Terror of the Autons, so to have her meet a new incarnation here was an absolute treat. Honestly, right from the off this was just tremendous and I think for sure this is the best story from the spinoff series thus far. The atmosphere was just sublime and the background music was really creepy and provided that haunting feel. It was uncomfortable at times and that was before Jo was even aware of who her uncle actually was. The prospect of the Master being the uncle of Jo was incredible and I loved the later knowledge of the hypnotic spores. He'd placed them in her nursery rhymes book as a child and now the second dose on the invite to the party at her uncle's home was another significant dose. She was well and truly under the spell of the Master and he'd been playing the long game of implanting into her mind that he was her uncle. It was so well done and Derek Jacobi was just delicious as the evil Time War incarnation. He absolutely relished what he'd done to Jo and that was powerful stuff but was the Time Lord at his very best. Jo literally lost everything in this episode and was almost taunted at the end. The Master challenging her on if she really was the one to choose to leave the Doctor in The Green Death was sensational and whilst she knew she left because she fell in love, the Master questioning if that was a true memory was fascinating because she had just experienced firsthand how her memories could be manipulated. The Master chuckled in announcing that Jo's uncle had died years ago and the house was just constructed from her memories of it as it had been torn down as well. She was well and truly under the spell and he needed something very important from her. She needed to infiltrate UNIT to obtain some serum in a very protected vial, so the Master just got her the job there. The knock on effect of that in his past life with Jo becoming companion to the Doctor is excellent and so fun to think about! Without the Master then Jo wouldn't have joined UNIT? All for one vial so the Master can take on Calantha and show she's not as in control as she claims. The mystery of the house throughout the episode was magnificent and I liked the constant background noise because when it did stop that silence was incredibly eery. The housekeeper actually being a robot was a good twist and the Professor helping the Master with the experimentation on Jo was great, but then even he lost his memories when the Master departed and he had what he wanted. I'm actually surprised he was spared! The Master using Jo as an 'ordinary person' to break through the Doctor's lock on the vial was intriguing stuff as Jo didn't want to believe that's how the Doctor had seen her. But the Master pushing on that as the vial was unlocked and mocking her for the Doctor never coming back was extraordinary. That laugh as he was victorious and left Jo and the house behind with her distorted memories was an incredible conclusion. And now he's out for torment on another old 'friend'. Jo can relate as now the Master has stolen her uncle, we look set for Nyssa to see the man who literally stole her father. An exciting encounter awaits as the story has really kicked into gear! Overall, just a superb listen.

Rating: 10/10

Killing Time: The Sincerest Form of Flattery

"The real people know when they're being lied to."

Writer: James Goss

Format: Audio

Released: August 2021

Series: War Master 6.01

Featuring: War Master

Synopsis

For centuries, the Stagnant Protocol has been forgotten by the universe: an empire populated by a race that can never advance... a race the Master seeks to seize control of. 

Unfortunately for him, he has a rival – Calantha – and she understands how to manipulate the system better than he could ever hope. His only chance of defeating her lies in the hands of some old acquaintances, whether they realise it or not. 

One thing, however, is certain. Whichever of them may win, the Stagnant Protocol is destined to lose...

Verdict

The Sincerest Form of Flattery was a decent start to the Killing Time sixth series of adventures with the War Master! This was a very political affair which was intriguing and this is certainly an incarnation well suited to that environment and type of story, but I can't help but being left with a feeling of wanting a little more. The reference to The Master of Callous series with the Master having his own vineyard was strong continuity and this episode really did feel like it could fit in with that second series of the range. This did feel a little contained for a Time War era adventure but I think that will be okay as there is clearly more to come in the series. This looks set to be more of an ongoing adventure across the four episodes with the Master accepting defeat at the hands of Calantha this time around, but he would be back. Sometimes you have to lose the battle to win the war and that's exactly what he was thinking here. I thought Calantha was a really strong character and the idea of her almost being an equal to the Master was quite something, especially in this incredibly devious and conniving incarnation. He seems one more than willing to play the long game, even more so than his predecessors, so having someone to try and defeat is brilliant. As a Torchwood listener from Big Finish, I was more than familiar with Alexandria Riley so it was nice to hear a familiar Welsh accent! She played the role well and the course of the relationship between the Master and Calantha was developed very nicely. Going from a simple guard with the Master claiming he allowed himself to be captured to now having her rise through the ranks to Minister for Internal Affairs was fantastic. I liked the political direction. The concept of the Stagnant Protocol was fascinating as I am intrigued by the Master's wants with a population that cannot advance. He came to offer Calantha children but she wasn't interested due to her own political ambition. It said a lot about her to put herself above the future of her race. She just wanted power. That was someone strong to oppose the Master. It was fun throughout the episode to have her always one step ahead of the Master and whilst his calm demeanour remained evident, it was clear that frustration was building. She was certainly impressive and he admired what she had done with the spreading of the plague. She even banished her own son to the outer worlds to try and tackle it at its source, even though she was very much in control of things. The demonstration of it being in play just as it was to be revealed that there actually was no plague was intriguing. It's fun for the Master to set his sights now on bringing the plague to her and who knows what consequences that will have on the already stagnant population. I suspect that is where Nyssa might fit in given her medical expertise. I'm excited to hear where both Nyssa and Jo fit in and react to a new incarnation of the Master given their respective histories with the Time Lord, especially now in a Time War setting. The Master somewhat trying to distance himself from the actions of the Time Lords whilst enjoying posing as a mediator was fun. He was a Time Lord when it suited him. That's the Master at his best serving his own means, and now a full plan is in action and I'm excited to see what dastardly direction he sends the series in moving forward! Overall, an intriguing start that sets things up well but could have done with a bit more action and excitement. 

Rating: 7/10

Dot and Bubble

"We work and then we play."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 1 June 2024

Series: 14.05

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor, Ruby

Synopsis

The world of Finetime seems happy and harmonious. But an awful terror is preying on the citizens. Can the Doctor and Ruby make them see the truth before it's too late?

Verdict

Dot and Bubble was another good episode to continue the ongoing series! This was a very unique episode and a rather different change of pace from last week's 73 Yards and initially it had a vibe of being a little more uplifting and feel good, but it was far from that by the end! The idea of the story focusing on the younger population being ingrained in the world of any form of social media was good and taking that to a futuristic setting worked well. I thought the bubble was good and I loved just how reliant the population were on their bubble. Right from the moment they woke up they needed to catch up on what everyone else was doing. It was a bit mad and whilst I certainly have a presence on social media, I'm not flaunting myself to the levels here! I don't have Instagram or TikTok and mainly use it for gossip on the likes of football, WWE, darts and television shows, but this was a whole new level. The idea of communicating via the bubble whilst working in the same room of your so called friends was just mad. I work from home and I'm not a fan of a call at the best of times, but some sort of interaction is needed! This was awful. The involvement of the Doctor and Ruby basically being restricted to scenes within the bubble was intriguing and I liked that aspect of the episode. It was a unique format that really did have a modern vibe. I find it fascinating that Russell T Davies proposed the idea at the heart of this story for Matt Smith's first series way back when and it would be interesting to see how it would have worked then. Especially with the Doctor not being at the front of the deep racial tones in the episode. This was powerful stuff and it was only partway through that it was obvious that the bubble users were all white. Sure, they were rich and entitled but that was obvious just from the way they carried themselves. Two hours of work! Bless them. I thought Lindy was unlikeable pretty much from the start with her attitude of being stuck up. She's not the kind of person I would be able to get along with or take seriously. Ruby's reaction to her comments when the Doctor offered to save her was exactly how I would think of her all the time. It's only when you look back that you realise why Lindy blocked the Doctor immediately and is then stunned that he's in the same room with Ruby. The comments about the way he looks are shocking when the true thoughts of the rich kids is revealed. The Things were a bit silly and looked grotesque, but they were a little difficult to take seriously. The way they just consume people is brutal and horrifying to see, but their slow nature meant they were a pretty forgettable monster if I'm being honest. The efforts in the direction to make them seem fearful were appreciated though! Lindy not being able to walk without the directions of the bubble was a little laughable and it was nice that she got help from Ricky September. He was a fun character and his determination to save her was admirable. So the moment she used her knowledge of him and his true birth name after we realised the population were being killed off in alphabetical order was a stunning moment. I didn't see it coming and showed just what kind of person she really is. The dot killed him pretty swiftly then! The Doctor offering to save the rich kids who'd escaped was admirable but the line about contamination referring to the Doctor's skin colour almost floored me. It's had a big impact on me since finishing the episode and I love how this turned quickly from not being about millennials on their phones. It became about white supremacy and even now these survivors were off to the woods and lands to start anew. Perhaps my favourite moment of the episode though is the Doctor and Ruby recognising the mysterious woman claiming to be Lindy's mummy. I love that they recognise her now and I can't wait to find out who she is! Overall, a decent episode to move forward. 

Rating: 7/10

The Crash of the UK-201

"I know that this ship is going to crash."

Writer: Jonathan Morris

Format: Audio

Released: December 2018

Series: Early Adventures 5.04

Featuring: First Doctor, Vicki, Steven

Synopsis

You can’t change the past, every time traveller knows that. What’s done is done and cannot be unwritten. But what if it isn’t the past any more? What if it’s now the present?

The spaceship called the UK-201 was intended to fly to the Earth colony of Astra. But it never made it. Crashing on the planet Dido, a tragic chain of events was set in motion leading to the death of almost all of its crew and a massacre of the indigenous population.

The only survivor of these events was a young girl called Vicki. Rescued by the time traveller known as the Doctor, she’s been travelling in his ship for some time.

So when she suddenly wakes up in her cabin on the UK-201 again, without her friends, a few days before the accident, she’s faced with a stark choice... Can she stop the crash from happening? And if she can, should she?

Verdict

The Crash of the UK-201 was a decent story to conclude the fifth series of Early Adventures! I am a big fan of this range and I hope to see it return one day to expand on the era as we're only getting one boxset a year at the moment with each of the First and Second Doctors. This was a fascinating adventure and unlike anything that came before it in the series. This didn't feel like a story that could have worked on television back in the 1960s or one that would even have been attempted, but that was absolutely fine. The modern releases being able to take the characters from the Classic era and bring them into bigger stories that have a different feel is brilliantly done. This is a bold and brave idea and whilst a little more clarity and explanation other than some TARDIS shenanigans would have been welcomed regarding how Vicki came to be inhabiting her previous self, it was an intriguing exploration into her character. It's almost a what might have been regarding the events we saw the aftermath of in The Rescue which is really strong. I loved the mentions of Dido and Bennett, especially with the latter getting caught and admitting to his murderings. He wasn't even on the ship manifest which was fun and it was lovely to get an insight into the early stages of his plans. We even had a little mention of Sandy from Vicki towards the end when she had sent history back on course. The lack of the Doctor in the story didn't hurt things as this was all about Vicki. Sure, Steven was there to bounce around but she had created a whole new life for herself. When realising she was on board the UK-201, it would only be natural for her to prevent it crashing. I'm in the middle of watching the Final Destination franchise for the first time at the moment so I almost half expected the survivors to now be killed off in even more devastating circumstances, but alas this was kept somewhat non-gory. Definitely the right approach. Vicki using her foreknowledge was good but she was getting a little greedy. One small change and the course of history and her entire life was thrown into chaos. Insinuating that without Vicki the Doctor, Ian and Barbara wouldn't have landed on Mechanus in The Chase seems a little odd to me, but I can definitely get on board with Vicki's actions impacting Steven. It was a mighty big paradox. She had built a relationship with Jeran and now had two daughters which was lovely to hear! Steven was quite chuffed for her, but then they became the basis of Vicki's torment as things got a little out of control. Her realisation of her power to go back was good and was an intriguing concept! But then she tried changing things involving her husband and that meant all sorts of things fell out of order. She couldn't get ahead of the game and went from having children she didn't recognise to then not even meeting her own husband. It was emotional torment for Vicki which was quite sad. I thought the moment where she had to let the ship crash and say goodbye to her father as she knew he would go off to die was tough to hear. The resolution was a little underwhelming in having the Doctor and TARDIS do some jiggery pokery and have Vicki returned, with the means to send Steven on her timeline surely above the technology we knew of the era, but it was still a thoroughly enjoyable listen. A big character story for Vicki which we didn't get on screen other than her debut. A good listen nonetheless. 

Rating: 7/10

River of Death

"I do not know the ending the almighty has written for me."

Writer: John Peel

Format: Audio

Released: March 2024

Series: BBC Audio 23

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Peri

Synopsis

A visit to the Grand Canyon begins with disaster for the Doctor and Peri, when the TARDIS plunges into a ravine. The travellers' only hope is to descend to the valley on foot and then track the course of the Colorado river. Their perilous journey is fraught with danger, even before they encounter a band of 19th Century explorers led by Major John Wesley Powell. Joining the watery expedition, the Doctor and Peri begin to despair of ever seeing the TARDIS again. As food supplies dwindle, so do the group's options. This is a journey which some of them will never return.

Verdict

River of Death was an entertaining release in the BBC Audio Originals range! I believe this now brings me right up to date in completing every release so far in the range and that's very exciting to say! I was once again listening on Audible thanks to threatening to cancel my free trial resulting in another credit which was a fun little surprise. Two audios for free and a quick cancellation shortly after concluding this adventure meant this was a very happy listener even before completing the story. I do think it perhaps went a little long which probably contributed to losing a mark on my rating, but it was still a good listen. I was struck to find that John Peel was the writer as he's more associated with Dalek stories so to get something completely different from him was most welcomed. I'm a big fan of his work in prose so it was an enjoyable first experience of his writing on audio. The pairing of the Sixth Doctor and Peri are one of my favourites so it was lovely to revisit them here, especially with Nicola Bryant in the narrator role! It really does help having one of the main characters' actor as the narrator. It provides a sense of authenticity in my view and that only aided the listen. She carried the story well. It was intriguing as a fan of Big Finish and the development we've heard of the Sixth Doctor over the years that this episode really did feel like it could slot on somewhere during Season 22 on screen. The Doctor wasn't as grouchy or lacking in compassion as we did see on screen in times, as evidenced by him waiting over Peri after she drifted into sleep shortly after falling into the river, but he wasn't the softer version of the incarnation we hear for Big Finish. It's an interesting depiction of the character which I liked. The offer of the Doctor to his companion to go anywhere in the universe and Peri wanting to visit somewhere on Earth was met with dismay, but when she explained her will to see the Grand Canyon tourist free he actually agreed with the choice. I liked the links back to her trip with her father when she was ten years old, but I do think a little bit too much reliance was placed on Peri's knowledge gained during that visit. I thought the danger of the TARDIS arriving on a cliff edge at the Canyon was great as if the doors were facing the other way it would have been a disaster! The TARDIS actually plummeting into the river was a strong basis for the story and the plot relying on regaining it worked very well. I liked how there was no obvious threat other than the elements, with the lack of food and drink a very real issue. I enjoyed the educational element of the episode as I never knew how Colorado got its name, but finding out about the colours in the river and the Spanish naming it as the colour red was wonderful! That was fascinating and most welcomed. I thought the encounter with the explorers including John Wesley Powell was nicely done and the journey they went on was entertaining. There was a lot of action with even Peri going over board at one point! It did get exciting, but I do think unfortunately this was dwindled by how long the story went. It did seem to unnecessarily drag out towards the end as the explorers split into two camps and went their separate ways. It was decent for the TARDIS to have been picked up along the way as it was clear it wouldn't have passed a certain point in the river, but then we seemed to get a little rushed by the whole tribe and discussion of the gods. The Doctor checking on the fate of their explorers was a nice touch in the TARDIS and it's good to know that they would not perish. Overall, a more than decent audio that was probably just hurt slightly by going too long. A well worthy listen though!

Rating: 7/10

Free Comic Book Day 2024

"Someone's trying to scare me."

Writer: Dan Watters

Format: Comic Strip

Released: May 2024

Printed in: Free Comic Book Day 2024

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor, Ruby

Synopsis

The Fifteenth Doctor faces a fearsome new threat!

Verdict

This untitled comic strip that comprises the Free Comic Book Day 2024 release from Titan Comics was a wonderful start and preview of what's to come in their Fifteenth Doctor comic series. I'm very excited for what's to come from Titan as there is a lot of potential there and they can really expand the comic strip adventures for Doctor Who beyond what Doctor Who Magazine are able to do. There's clearly more of a budget and it's just great to get a full comic rather than just six pages. For a free release, this was tremendous. I was reading on the Kindle app for the first time and it took me panel by panel which was an intriguing little experience, but one I was eternally grateful for. I thought the characterisation of both the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby was pretty spot on whilst delving into the depths of continuity and setting things up for the series proper to come. The concept of a sound in the vortex was intriguing, especially when it was one clearly targeted at the Doctor. Someone trying to scare him with the sound reverberating across past nightmares in his life was excellent and some of the artwork we saw was magnificent! The depiction of Skaro in particular where the Doctor saw the Daleks born was brilliant and really impressive. Then we saw the sound vibrate across numerous places that have caused hurt to the Doctor from the likes of Metebelis III and his regeneration in Planet of the Spiders to facing his own grave itself on Trenzalore in The Name of the Doctor. And as if that wasn't enough we bounced to his encounter with the Devil in The Satan Pit and the famed Library where he saw River die in Forest of the Dead. They were some incredible choices and the Doctor didn't take too kindly to being threatened. I thought Ruby was a little bit of a background character in this story but that's more so because of its length as a free release. I'm sure she will shine when things kick off proper. I thought the artwork was pretty strong and I liked the almost rough and shaded feel. It felt gritty and that was good. I do think the scale of the TARDIS wasn't captured properly in the comic strip and the console did seem a little off compared to what we see on screen, but these are just minor details. For a free release, they were more than sufficient! The 1739 setting once the TARDIS had caught up with the sound was strong and I liked encountering Dick Turpin as the fastest highwayman in the land. The Doctor didn't take too kindly to him having a Cyber weapon and wasted no time in chasing after him on the horse! That was entertaining stuff and a good injection of action into the comic strip. Turpin actually recognising the Doctor was unexpected and it's exciting to set up some sort of story arc here with his god. We saw a glimpse of the crazed figure in the crowd when Turpin was to be hanged and unleashed an almighty scream as he realised the god would not be saving him, and I don't think I recognised him as someone from the Doctor's past! That seemed to be confirmed with the Doctor suspecting that people trying to scare him hadn't met him yet. I thought that was a great line and really showed just how powerful the Doctor can be. It was fun for him to claim Ruby as the Princess of Notting Hill with the psychic paper and I think that might be the first time we've seen that device used for this incarnation? I may be wrong. Ruby reacted in a fun way to being considered royalty. The god waiting and housing a gallery of evil collections was intriguing and I'll be interested to see the connection with Cybermen! Overall, a quite excellent comic strip! 

Rating: 9/10

Bad Influence: The Baron Robbers

"It's not revenge, it's justice."

Writer: Lou Morgan

Format: Audio

Released: May 2024

Series: Missy 4.03

Featuring: Missy

Synopsis

Bored and stranded in the 14th Century, Missy is looking for a way out. Any way at all. Luckily the spectacular ruby owned by Edward, the famed Black Prince, might be just what she needs to get her broken vortex manipulator working again. But someone else is after the ruby too – and the question is, who want its more... and how low are they prepared to go to get it?

Verdict

The Baron Robbers was a great little episode to conclude the Bad Influence fourth series of Missy! I absolutely adore this spinoff and much of that is down to the sheer brilliance of Michelle Gomez as I have mentioned in the previous blog entries for this series. She just steals every scene she's in and this was no different. Once again she had a feeling of superiority which was wonderful and I enjoyed her reaction to being in the fourteenth century. That's quite a place to have Missy stranded with her vortex manipulator once again playing up. The lack of technology means she needs to be innovative, but when she spotted a fascinating ruby in the possession of the Black Prince, she knew it was more than that. It was a means out as a spital and that was really intriguing. I enjoyed the continuity with Bad Apple Brigade quite a lot in having Solaire encounter Missy for the first time here. I was surprised that came so soon and whilst I wasn't sure if we would get it at all, I was half expecting it in a future series of which I'm sure there will be. We have to get Missy back to the Master TARDIS at some point! Missy reacting in a way which showed she knew him but not how or why was good. She was quite shocked to be fair and that's understandable considering she's just come from meeting him for the first time. I wonder if we'll ever reach a point on audio where we will get to hear Missy and Solaire actually in their relationship, but I must admit I do question the legitimacy of this from the Time Lady's perspective. I thought the format of this episode was fun as Missy was thrown into making a plan with Anne and Richard on how to steal the ruby. They were disgruntled people who felt they were just getting justice for being wronged by the Black Prince and not getting what they felt they deserved. Their youth always made Missy seem much superior and the comedy that came from her gag of slipping that she planned to jump off into another century once the ruby was in her possession was great stuff. Hearing the prospective plans of Missy and Anne & Richard in action was entertaining and it was good to get a glimpse of what might happen. Distractions, scheming and snooping. It was the Missy series at its best. One thing that brought the rating down of this episode down slightly for me was the fact that Missy just happened to have an exact replica of the ruby in her possession. Even addressing the coincidental nature of that in the story didn't do much to help things in my opinion. I know the Missy series is whacky and full of fun but it still felt too much of a stretch. You definitely wouldn't get away with it in a typical Doctor Who story so I don't see how it would work here. It was a little disappointing. Everything else was good fun and I thought Missy posing as a doctor (but absolutely not liking the word!) was fun stuff and the whole thing with the leeches when she goaded Solaire into taking what she claimed was the ruby was tremendous. It was good fun to label him a demon when he confronted her in front of the baron! I thought Missy being aided along by Sir Kay was great and the insinuation at the end of the court of King Arthur was intriguing. Might we be getting Missy in Camelot in the next series? I'll buy anything regardless though as I just adore Michelle Gomez. She's tremendous and Missy looks set to have a lot of fun with where she is heading next. And that can only bode well for what is (hopefully) to come. Overall, a great episode to conclude a thoroughly entertaining series! 

Rating: 8/10

Bad Influence: Bad Apple Brigade

"I'm filling up with sap!"

Writer: Freddie Valdosta

Format: Audio

Released: May 2024

Series: Missy 4.02

Featuring: Missy

Synopsis

Missy finds herself stranded on Brownsea Island with a troop of girls sent there to improve themselves. But these girls are troublemakers, and Missy has a few lessons to teach them. 

Only, they're not alone. Something lurking in the woods has history with Missy – but for her, that might be the future...

Verdict

Bad Apple Brigade was another fun story to continue my way through the Bad Influence fourth series of adventures for Missy! This loosely followed on from how things finished in Missy and the Time Assassin with Missy being somewhat stuck. I thought it was fun for her to tackle being without her vortex manipulator because of water damage as surely you would think that something that could literally travel in time would not be susceptible to something so rudimentary! Even iPhones these days are somewhat immune to water damage unless plunged down the toilet or dropped in the bath for a considerable time! Alas, it was entertaining for Missy to be on Brownsea Island and with the setting of the early twentieth century, she wouldn't be finding anything that could help with her repairs. Her interaction with Miss Cressler was a superb way to start the adventure. Missy seemed to push her off a cliff simply because she found the teacher annoying! That was brilliantly Missy though and the anticipation for it to happen was great. I was smiling before it even happened. Is it bad that I was looking forward to Missy doing the dirty work and sending her flying? The comment from Cressler in saying how she wouldn't wish to swim in the sea below was the nail in the cabinet for her. There was only one direction for her from there! Missy was more interested in the two younger girls that were being reprimanded for some crimes by having what she thought was a camping trip. That was amusing as Missy would understandably not be aware of an English disciplinary system at this point in time. The isolated setting of Brownsea Island was excellent and I really enjoyed exploring it. It was unique and I'm a big fan of remote places like this. It worked well and there was a lot of potential. It's also exciting to be surrounded by sea as evidence by the Cressler fall. Agnes and Grace were strong characters and the relationship they shared was strong. I liked how they tried to use folk tales and scary stories for a fear factor whilst also being quite philosophical in debating on whether trees had feelings. Was the screaming what the wind was? That's a scary thought. Do apples scream when bitten in? I like exploring things like that. It's good to talk about so getting Missy's input was wonderful as she obviously sees things a little differently. Her past with Solaire was intriguing to explore and it was amusing for Missy to have her own version of River Song. She hadn't met Solaire before her encounter with him here, whilst he had been waiting for her for nearly a millennium! I liked the adult content with Missy having cheated on Solaire, on his birthday no less! It was good to see the development of Solaire in understanding what had happened, or rather yet to happen, and Missy had him wrapped around her little finger. She was always in control. Grace and Agnes trying to help Solaire get revenge on Missy was amusing as the poor things couldn't stand a chance, but I liked their efforts. Missy actually using Solaire to fix her vortex manipulator and extract the water and therefore fixing the damage was fun stuff, if not a little silly. I do think the shift from fearful to barely frightening easily scared girls when in normal form was interesting and perhaps made a little too much of a mockery, but I was entertained so I can't complain too much! Overall, another enjoyable episode to continue what has been a fun series so far! 

Rating: 8/10

Bad Influence: Missy and the Time Assassin

"How often do you get to kill one of your idols?"

Writer: David Quantick

Format: Audio

Released: May 2024

Series: Missy 4.01

Featuring: Missy

Synopsis

Missy gets to meet a hero. But James Blakelock, Time Assassin doesn't quite live up to the legend – although he is very easy on the eye. 

Although she has places to be and species to annihilate, Missy can't help herself, so she tags along on James' next mission. After all, a little bit of assassination never hurt anyone...

Verdict

Missy and the Time Assassin was a really entertaining start to the Bad Influence fourth series of Missy's own spinoff series! Honestly, let's keep the Missy series going forever because Michelle Gomez is just tremendous. She offers so much and really just has an inane ability to draw you in as the listener. She's a scene stealer from the moment she speaks and that was very evident here. It's not often we see Missy or any of her male incarnations awestruck but she almost fainted when James Blakelock revealed his identity. That was a fun moment as it almost made Missy seem or feel inferior which is not something we ever see or hear. Blakelock was a very fun character as a Time Assassin and his reputation as not being a very good one made it all the more fascinating that Missy was a fan. The focus on the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as a pivotal event that led to World War One starting was excellent and I really do wish this was the basis of the entire episode purely because of my love of history. Alas, it wasn't to be but Blakelock getting in touch with the would-be assassin and offering ten million krone to not assassinate him was tremendous because that actually set in motion the events that would lead to it! Insinuating that he was just going to throw rocks at the car as believed was the first failed attempt to make a point but then seeing how assassination would shape things is incredible. And it's a lot of fun. I think you can get away with that in a Missy series. Missy is the perfect incarnation to be fanboying and I don't really think another could pull it off, so to have her wanting to go on a mission with Blakelock was brilliant. The chemistry between the pair was fun and I like how Missy constantly refers to eating her companions. It is a constant reminder that actually she is quite evil and that was on display at the end on the nameless World orbiting the nameless System as she attempted to just shoot Blakelock dead. She didn't even care for his last words but his forcefield protected him and she was quite disappointed not to have thought about that. It was good to see her one-upped briefly. The whole plan of Blakelock to increase his reputation by capturing Missy who was deemed one of the great murderers was audacious for someone who believed himself to be an idiot. To be fair, he'd worked out that a number of murders in history were committed by the same person with a moniker mostly close to 'Master' which was impressive, but trying to trap Missy and playing a really long game to get her in position was just a death wish. She'd eat him alive. That wasn't quite what happened but I never felt like Missy was in danger. I can't ever imagine that happening other than when the Doctor is around. She was almost mocking in the effort Blakelock went to in order to get her when he wanted her, but she was quick to do a quick transition of the vortex manipulator and a child's wristwatch. That was very amusing. I liked how a future version of Blakelock turned out to be the member of Galactic Police come to arrest him, and Missy was gone before that reveal happened. Could we perhaps get a return from the Time Assassin in the future? It is possible and it was just fun to hear how he had planned two years in prison to save himself and prevent himself from being made a mockery once again. Of course, he could have just gone back in time a little further and prevented the entire idea regarding Missy, but he didn't think about that. Missy ending up back on Earth again was fun and leads nicely into the next episode. We're rolling! Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable listen! 

Rating: 8/10

73 Yards

"She's definitely following me."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 25 May 2024

Series: 14.04

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor, Ruby

Synopsis

Landing on the Welsh coast, the Doctor and Ruby embark on the strangest journey of their lives. In a rain-lashed pub, the locals sit in fear of ancient legends coming to life.

Verdict

73 Yards was a very intriguing episode to continue the ongoing series! It was clear from the trailer and the preview in Doctor Who Magazine that this one was going to be a little bit different, and that was certainly true! With no opening titles either, the tone was really set for something unique. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the episode to be honest. It's an absolute standout performance for Millie Gibson as Ruby which is wonderful after how Gatwa shined as the Doctor in Boom last week, but I'm not entirely on board with everything that happened. I was a big fan of the Welsh setting being a patriotic Welshman myself, and just seeing the gorgeous clifftops was a delight. This really is a scenic nation. I thought the comment about castles being drowned in blood as a sign of English oppression was strong and as a Plaid Cymru voter, I was well on board with that feeling of being oppressed. The Doctor barely features which was a bit of a surprise to me, but these Doctor-lite episodes sometimes become classics. I've seen some strong reviews for the episode describing it as an instant classic and whilst I don't entirely agree with that, I can see why some fans and critics may think so. It's a big journey of exploration for Ruby and she seems so out of place in the Welsh village pub. The lack of music there for me was unsettling and I was a big fan of the atmosphere throughout the episode. The Doctor breaking the fairy circle had some unsettling consequences as he vanished without trace and the TARDIS was also left abandoned and seemingly locked from the inside. This was a clever way though for Ruby to get home and give us a glimpse of her family life once again. After the Doctor crashed into their flat in Space Babies, I liked that Ruby could come clean about things a little. She didn't hesitate in mentioning the woman that was following her. She was a fascinating figure throughout the episode and downright scary. Never approaching, but always 73 yards away. Wherever Ruby went, she was followed at a distance. The duration of the episode for Ruby was quite incredible as we see her come to terms with no longer being the Doctor's companion. Her encounter with Kate was a welcomed treat and I liked how she highlighted how things are getting supernatural. The consequences of the Fourteenth Doctor's actions in Wild Blue Yonder really are becoming felt now. Ruby recognising the hiker who we have seen in every episode this series was intriguing andI look forward to discovering just who she is. There haven't been any hints yet other than the fact she can be almost anywhere and anywhen. I wonder if she's connected to Mrs Flood who had a fun and uneventful reminder of her presence after her incredible breaking of the fourth wall in The Church on Ruby Road and knowledge of a TARDIS. The political element of the episode for the second half was intriguing as the Doctor forewarned her of Roger ap Gwilliam being a bad representation of Wales as a Prime Minister from 2036. Ruby being in the future and joining his political campaign as a way to stall it and prevent the nuclear actions he was encouraging was excellent. She thought that was her purpose. The scenes at Cardiff City Stadium for the political campaign after his election were incredible for me as I have a Cardiff City FC season ticket so seeing it used for something other than football and in a mainstream way was wonderful! Ruby using that stadium to get the figure following her close to the Prime Minister was terrific. I really enjoyed how any encounter with the figure up close sent the person running and with some severe distain for Ruby. I can't believe we don't know what was said! And why the 73 yards? They were two questions left unanswered that brought the rating down for me. Particularly the former one. Ruby growing old and the figure finally coming close and being revealed as her as time caught up with her was emotional, but I think there needed to be a bit more interference from Ruby to stop the Doctor from breaking the circle this time around. The whole Bad Jack story was good, but does this really stop it from happening? It would appear not as obviously Ruby's relationship with her mother Carla would still be in tact, but that look in the taxi could break through timelines! It was outstanding. Overall, a shining episode for Ruby but it's a shame she won't actually remember any of it happening. Some unanswered questions leave me with a somewhat uneasy feeling, but this was still good stuff. 

Rating: 7/10