Causeway: The Time You Never Had

"I devour impossibilities."

Writer: Tim Foley

Format: Audio

Released: November 2025

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures 15.02

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley, Audacity

Synopsis

The yesterday of opulence

Tomorrow soft and ironclad

Beyond the merry Oculus: 

The time you never had.

Verdict

The Time You Never Had was an excellent story to conclude the Causeway series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! I am unsure if this is the end of the Causeway story arc because things were left open which I liked, but it does also serve as a strong finale to basically the entire run of Audacity as companion so far. She took centre stage again given the temporal issues at play which meant the Doctor couldn't Charley too close to the action given that she was meant to die during the events of Storm Warning as was referenced. Charley being aware that she was the only survivor is great and I am loving returning to the early days of her travels. I'm still adjusting to Audacity as a companion as I do find her a little boring but that might just be because of her status and where she is from. There needs to be something more engaging for her and this story did a good job in getting that by having two versions of her! I was excited by the name of the episode and the writer because Tim Foley does some magnificent stuff, especially when things get complicated with time. This wasn't actually all that complicated despite having two converging timelines but it certainly gave depth to Audacity with one version of her having been around for years. Mr Barabbas being the supervisor was a strong reveal and I can't believe I didn't put two and two together with the boxset's cover art! Of course it was going to be a Silurian. Well, that's how we know them by from Doctor Who and the Silurians but that name has been corrected since with a lot of contradictions ever since! The Doctor addressing that here was fun but it feels like that has come up a lot recently with the airing of The War Between the Land and the Sea. That's no bad thing of course. I thought the continuity from Lost Among the Stars was strong with Audacity still understandably reeling from the fact she literally died. That would take its toll on anybody but the Doctor was a little inconsiderate in not checking in on her for a few days. I did admire her lust for learning about the future and just information but reading an encyclopaedia cover to cover sounds a bit excessive! I loved that she had a list of where, when and who she wanted to visit whilst in the TARDIS though as that's something I would definitely do. I love a list. The TARDIS being vulnerable can only happen sparingly to have a big impact and that's exactly what happened here and it proved to be pivotal to the story with Audacity being split on a quantum level into two timelines. Her relationship developing with Barabbas was really good and it was obvious after so much time together and them both being of an intellectual persuasion that they would fall in love. After all the years together though they had never admitted it to each other which seems baffling. Audacity definitely felt the same but didn't want Barabbas to say it as an apology. He was worried about losing her when timelines converged that could see her return to the Doctor and Charley which I understood, but he was a tad too possessive for my liking. The Doctor working on a plan to keep both timelines in tact was strong and utilising the Causeway was excellent. That organisation was tremendous and I love how we were at its origins here and the Copenhagen setting in particular was very strong. It's a lovely city so it was nice to have a familiar yet unique city as the base for part of the story. The Doctor was holding nothing back when it came to Causeway and his interactions with Peter Mansfield in particular were full throttle. He was consumed with the job but not as much as he was with Veronica Hayes who intriguingly knew the Doctor was UNIT's Scientific Advisor which was good fun! Her having an allergic reaction to the Silurian tongue strike that was only meant to knock her out but actually killed her sent Mansfield over the edge in a strong way. He was devastated. The tension was high but the Doctor and particularly Charley playing their part in keeping things somewhat civil was very good. Audacity dreaming of her future with Barabbas when back in the TARDIS was poignant but a lovely suggestion that the other version of her lives on with the Silurian alternately. Overall, an excellent conclusion to the story and with the conversation between the Doctor and Annika at the end, I get the sense things might not quite be finished yet. 

Rating: 9/10

Causeway: Lost Among the Stars

"Perhaps the dead still haunt these ruins."

Writer: Rochana Patel

Format: Audio

Released: November 2025

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures 15.01

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley, Audacity 

Synopsis

The Doctor wants to find a challenge for Charley and Audacity. All of time and space awaits, with wonders beyond their wildest dreams and darkest nightmares, but are they truly ready to venture further out amongst the stars?

Verdict

Lost Among the Stars was a strong start to the Causeway series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! This one feels like a subtle sort of build up after hearing the word Causeway mentioned in quite a few episodes within the last few Eighth Doctor Adventures series featuring this particular trio, but in saying that I'm unsure if I would have picked up on them if I didn't know the name of this release well in advance. I'm essentially all caught up now with the Big Finish run of the Eighth Doctor which honestly I didn't think I ever would be given the life he's been given on audio so this is rather delightful. I must admit I'm still very much on the fence regarding Audacity as companion as I'm not sure she brings an awful lot to the table. I don't find Jaye Griffiths to be all that engaging in this role which is a shame and I'm sure not the faults of her talent but more so the bland character in which she is portraying. I'm just not all that interested in someone who amazingly doesn't seem all that interested in travelling in the TARDIS! The privilege she has and she just doesn't quite seem to fit in and she's not really bothered about trying to change that. Thankfully, one of my all time favourite companions in the form of Charley Pollard is around to balance things out and I like the bravado she shows being the experienced companion, even when she hasn't been travelling for all that long. The continued references to Storm Warning are a stark reminder of just how early on this is and that's wonderful. I thought the Nautilus ship was a very strong setting and with the mysterious atmosphere and the threat of an unseen creature, I got very strong The Well vibes which is absolutely a positive. The feeling of unease I had watching that Fifteenth Doctor episode weren't quite replicated here, but the picture painted in my head was very similar which is tremendous. It also did have vibes of its sister episode Midnight with the way what Charley described as a demon was teasing her whilst not quite being seen. That certainly has it in strong company! I thought the threat of both Charley and Audacity perishing was quite something and whilst I never believed that either were actually dead when they went off the radar, I almost hoped the latter was for a strong impact. I thought the 55th century setting was brilliant if for nothing else that we got some ageism towards the companions in regards to when they were from. They were almost deemed as neanderthals with their proximity to the Iron Age and how little they might know. But they took it upon themselves really well to wear the spacesuits on the rescue mission. It was admirable that they even tried to save Typhon given the circumstances but Charley not being prone to the infection was terrific. I thought Audacity getting to be taken over by the villain was strong and finally provided her with something good to do, but I do think the Doctor could have reacted more to her death. He was awfully confident or lacking in emotion considering the apparent finality of her fate. I liked the story and Charley gaining the upper hand was a predictable finish given her lack of infection, but it was emotional that brought her together with Audacity when the temperature dropped and she was able to be saved. Overall, a really strong atmosphere and setting but the threat needed to be a little more cutthroat for me. Still, a great start to the series! 

Rating: 8/10

The Final Quest

"The grim joy of battle."

Writer: Steve Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: November 1979

Printed in: DWM 8

Synopsis

The Fourth Doctor tells a tale from the Gallifreyan archives of a Sontaran out for revenge. 

Verdict

The Final Quest was a terrific little comic strip story to continue my reading of The Return of the Daleks graphic novel collection of back-up tales! I think the back-up tales idea is so good and would absolutely be something I would love to see return to the pages of Doctor Who Magazine, even if it was just in prose rather than a full on comic. But I'm so glad that in these early issues of what was then Doctor Who Weekly, they were keen to explore the world beyond the Doctor and after the Daleks in the graphic novel's titular story and the Cybermen in Throwback: The Soul of a Cyberman (which I blogged back in 2021), it feels only right that it was the turn of the Sontarans! I thought the Fourth Doctor acting as the narrator to bookend the four-page story was great stuff and definitely just gives it that feeling of being contemporary to the time when it was released. I do think that's important and it isn't just a needless appearance. It's very rare that I blog a story where I don't include my usual 'Featuring' line above the synopsis but I don't think Ketsu warrants that with this being his singular story! I could almost just put Sontarans but the fact he's named and the only of the race to feature takes away that ability for me. I thought the Doctor referencing Linx and The Time Warrior was a nice touch although surely with the story basically being extracted from the archives on Gallifrey that The Invasion of Time was the reference to make? I'm being picky there of course and I actually enjoy the quirkiness of the Fourth Doctor referring to a serial in which his previous incarnation featured. I liked the concept behind Ketsu as a vicious Sontaran and knowing what we do about their race that's an impressive feat! I like how Sontarans are bound by honour so for someone as revered as Ketsu to be disgraced in having a defeat was excellent, especially when nobody else was around to see it! As far as Ketsu was concerned, he hadn't been defeated and him deleting all evidence of the event was impressive. But knowing Sontarans like we do, that wasn't going to be enough and he would be out for revenge. He was on a quest to find the ultimate weapon to put right the wrong that plagued his dreams. Even seeing a Sontaran sleep felt different but I really liked how it was made clear he was doing so to preserve energy. A Sontaran doesn't simply rest! I liked how Ketsu felt like he was always one step ahead of the game and in arriving on Aleph-777 to finally find the weapon that will rid him of Levanaxus nightmares, he was eager to pursue. He was so intent on revenge and finding the weapon he so desired to rid himself of his defeat that he didn't realise he was clearly in a trap. He went off hunting straight to Omega-666 knowing that the locals couldn't get beyond the next star in their solar system and encountered an inhabitant who was goading the Sontaran. That was fun to see and I knew what was coming immediately but it was still a fine moment. The Omega Green Plague certainly looked deadly and the imagery and illustration of it consuming Ketsu as he was soon to die was quite spectacular even in black and white! Overall, a really strong use of the Sontarans and their desire to war and a brilliant example of how to tell a story with a limited page count. A great read! 

Rating: 8/10

Presents of Mind

"I'm complaining about a dog that talks."

Writer: Mark Wright

Format: Audio

Released: December 2025

Series: Christmas 1.03

Featuring: Sarah Jane, Harry, K9

Synopsis

On the Winter Solstice, Sarah and Harry are filled with festive anticipation for their trip to Aunt Lavinia's house. What they aren't expecting is to be trapped on a train during a frosty alien assault. 

Can they get home for Christmas, or will this journey turn into their longest night?

Verdict

Presents of Mind was a fun little episode to continue my way through the Christmas boxset! I really enjoyed the Smith & Sullivan spinoff series earlier this year and I like how this another instalment basically serving as a bonus. I don't think it's been decided yet as to whether the range will continue but I do hope it will as it's really fun to basically have a continuation of K9 & Company and fill the gap in Sarah Jane's life between A Girl's Best Friend and her own Big Finish spinoff. I think a feature role of Aunt Lavinia was fun because she was a little sceptical about the life of Sarah Jane and Harry. But having now experienced things first hand, it did appear that she was going to have a little more leniency towards things. However I'm not so sure judging by her scepticism at the end despite going through everything she did over the course of this episode! I thought the setting was very 1970s and getting involved with the Winter Solstice was intriguing because that was not the kind of Christmas story I was expecting. I appreciated that because not everything needs to be festive and we got enough of that with Harry having a Christmas present in hand for Sarah Jane. I'm really enjoying their relationship but I'm not sure how I feel about them seemingly becoming a packaged item. I hope things don't get romantic as I don't think they had that kind of chemistry in the TARDIS and they just feel like really good friends. Lavinia seems to indicate that they might become more, but I guess we'll need another series now to see if that comes into fruition! The Frankenite crystal that Harry had obtained on their travels with the Doctor as a present for Sarah Jane was a good element of the story because it was realistic as a threat. In its natural habitat it was harmless but now on Earth it exposed a lot of telepathic and mental issues. Sarah being thrown psychically into the past and a childhood Christmas with Aunt Lavinia in the 1950s was quite powerful after she inadvertently upset her aunt by mentioning that Christmas never felt special. I thought that was a little heartless and slightly out of character for Sarah Jane which was a shame. It was harmless and no intent at all but she's usually better at thinking before she speaks! She got a newfound appreciation though by the end of the episode which was nice. I thought the reference to The Ark in Space from Harry was good in recognising similarities to past situations and that is just going to be natural with the extent of their travels in the TARDIS. The story was a pretty simple one at heart really in that the crystal was out of place and that meant the psychic creature just wanted to get home. That tied in nicely with the Winter Solstice and the historic superstition surrounding it. I'm interested in that kind of history and still need to visit Stonehenge! But Lavinia actually playing a crucial role was fun as she realised Sarah was actually telling the truth all along in getting her vision of the past. That was good that she could experience it too even with her sentiments at the close of the episode. Overall, a solid episode which felt very real life. I just think a little more urgency and action (yes I know there was a train crash!) for Sarah and Harry could really push things to the next level. Still, a good continuation of the series for sure. 

Rating: 7/10

Legacy of Blood

"I bring death to all vampires."

Writer: Justin Richards

Format: Audio

Released: December 2025

Series: Christmas 1.02

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Leela, Ellie

Synopsis

It's 1962 and Ellie Higson has lived a long time. Her adventures alongside those inimitable investigators, Professor George Litefoot and Henry Gordon Jago, have long since faded into memory. So why is Ellie suddenly being plagued by her most harrowing recollection of those bygone days?

Drawn to the village of Dunstanton-on-Thames, Ellie is reunited with the Sixth Doctor, on the trail of an ancient evil. As the ice sets in, old friends and enemies return, and the Green Knight is invited out of his prison...

Verdict

Legacy of Blood was an excellent story to continue my way through the Christmas boxset! I was a little sceptical about actually listening to this episode at this moment in time because whilst I’m a huge fan of the Jago & Litefoot spinoff, I haven’t completed it yet. I’m not far off now as I’m on Series 12 as the next boxset to purchase, but I understood from the preview and the synopsis that this was almost something of a love letter to the series. Thankfully, it payed homage in a beautiful way and focused on the events of some early series which was a delight. It was also a bit of a throwback to hear the name of Gabriel Sanders once again. The ordeal that Ellie underwent thanks to him was something she was still suffering from greatly even all these years later. It’s so sad to think that she had to live on without both Jago and Litefoot but this episode did a stellar job as a tribute. This really was a rather lovely way to get to say goodbye with a reunion of Ellie alongside not only the Sixth Doctor but Leela too! I had no idea she was returning in this episode so that was a real delight as she was there right at the start in The Talons of Weng-Chiang which felt right to bring everything full circle for them. Her reaction to finding out that the Doctor had travelled with Jago and Litefoot in Voyage to the New World and Voyage to Venus was very amusing but I had no idea how poignant those references would be by the end. I think the threat of Vampires is excellent and they’re no stranger to any of the Doctor, Leela and Ellie. I mean, Ellie was one! Her connection with that species has been something I’ve been so invested in since it happened early on in the Jago and Litefoot range and I always hoped for it to play a major plot point again. At last I get my wish here as the lead back into Series 5 of the spinoff range was rather beautiful. Even seven decades later Ellie was still hit hard by not having her two chums around and who could blame her as everything came flooding back to her when it came to Litefoot’s sealed letter. I thought the way the professor was able to play a role in events from the past was glorious and Ellie actually asking for a sign from them both and then hearing the TARDIS dematerialising was stunning. The Sixth Doctor not immediately recognising her felt a little demeaning and much in line with the character played on screen rather than at Big Finish. But he was definitely showing a more ruthless side here with Vampires at play. The history they have with the Time Lords is extensive and fun to play around with. I loved the exchange when he challenged Leela on why she was here and obviously she had been sent by the Time Lords to recover the Chranemesis which was an interesting artefact. The concept of it as something that could burn vampires was excellent, but the Doctor was more concerned with why she hasn’t aged. She lived on Gallifrey which ought to be enough of an explanation but the reference to Annihilation and Leela drinking vampire blood to cure her blindness was very emotional! I loved that the savage stood up for herself. The setting of Dunstanton-on-Thames was strong and it turning out to be mostly a village of Vampires was quite something! That was a really strong concept, as was the arrival of Vaanaxyr! Again, I had no idea Ice Warriors were featuring here so that was a real treat especially a vampiric one! Leela getting to discuss honour with him was brilliant and it was nice for her to dissect his history and what happened with his father. He eventually came around to helping and hadn’t actually tasted blood despite his condition. The Doctor using all the character elements of the story and their vampiric history to find a cure was really well done and then we got a nice five minutes or so at the end to reflect which I enjoyed a lot. Overall, a magnificent tribute episode! 

Rating: 9/10

The Return of the Daleks

"The slave has destroyed the masters!"

Writer: Steve Moore

Format: Comic Strip

Released: October-November 1979

Printed in: DWM 1-4

Featuring: The Daleks

Synopsis

A long time ago on the planet Anhaut, the Daleks were defeated. Nobody quite knows how, but when they return for revenge secrets are discovered and it makes for one hell of a story. One that could be adapted for the big screen...

Verdict

The Return of the Daleks was an excellent little comic strip story! This actually kicked off my reading of the graphic novel collection of the same name and it did so in spectacular style. I'm no stranger to stories not featuring the Doctor given the extensive number of Big Finish spinoff series, as well as the likes of Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Class on screen to name a few, but the comic strip format is definitely one that has potential to explore the Whoniverse beyond the Doctor so I'm delighted to get stuck in. I didn't realise when I was reading that the story actually was printed in the pages of the first four issues of what would become Doctor Who Magazine and that quirk just makes it all the more impressive. I know Doctor Who comics came before that magazine in the likes of TV Comic and TV Action (please hurry with the collection of those stories, Panini!), but DWM is the birth of a whole new comic era that is still ongoing today. The Daleks are obviously going to be first choice when it comes to delivering a comic strip without the Doctor, but keeping things current with the first part being introduced by the Fourth Doctor is intriguing to me. How did he learn about the events of this story? In such detail as well? It's fun to ponder on but what a story it is. I like the idea of the Daleks having been defeated on Anhaut some eight-hundred years ago and the mystery of not quite knowing how was fascinating. I have degrees in History so delving into the planet's archives was really fun. I was a little sceptical that nearly nobody knew what a Dalek looked like despite their name having such a profound presence in society, but from there things became rather glorious. The concept of making a movie about the Daleks' defeat in history and being able to play with the end due to a lack of historical records is great stuff, but when the Daleks themselves invade the filmset then that'a all the recipe for a marvellous adventure. Glax as the would-be filmmaker was a fun character and even after everything that had happened, he was still thinking of how he could turn events into a film. That was good fun. Hok Nepo as the big local movie star getting cast in the role of General Nor-Din was fantastic because the returning Daleks thought he was the real deal when invading the filming even after all this time! That was a glorious little twist. The truth regarding Nor-Din and him setting up the vortex defence so those faced with a Dalek return could find the means of defeating them again was admirable. He had gone through so much to rid them and the mental strain it had taken showed everything about the toll. It was literally draining him. I thought Kuay as the Dalek servant that brought them back to Anhaut was a fine character and when the Daleks got what they wanted from her she was surplus to requirements. She escaped extermination and quickly defected against the Daleks and utilised the crystal inside her head to link with Nor-Din's contraption and send the Daleks packing rather emphatically. It was an explosive end to what was a fascinating comic strip adventure! I was a huge fan. The artwork was really impressive too which is always a bonus in the comic strips! Overall, a terrific read. 

Rating: 9/10

Unholy Night

"We wish you a Missy Christmas."

Writer: Noga Flaishon

Format: Audio

Released: December 2025

Series: Christmas 1.01

Featuring: Missy

Synopsis

Stranded on the frozen planet of Jul, Missy must face her worst nightmare: the most darling Christmas celebrations imaginable!

Hounded by hospitality, she will need all her wit and malice to survive Noel Falls and its nauseating citizens. For while you can visit any time you like... you can never leave.

Verdict

Unholy Night was a terrific little start to this (hopefully) first series of Christmas specials! With no televised special coming in 2025, I think it's wonderful that Big Finish have picked up the baton with an official festive release and who better to start with than Missy? She quite clearly screams cheer and joy and would be perfect to bring in the season of giving. I'm being sarcastic of course and that's actually what makes her a tremendous match for this kind of adventure. I am an enormous fan of Michelle Gomez's incarnation of the Master and she was on fine form again here. She had blended into the intriguing setting of Noel Falls seemingly with ease as she was donning an accent and seemingly enjoying herself as she ingratiated with the locals, but once she got Kevin down a side-street her true feelings were revealed and she was far from pleased! She'd been on the planet for three weeks and Kevin was a supposed accomplice come to rescue her. I thought the story had strong echoes of The Chimes of Midnight which was intriguing for myself having just read the novelisation, but the Christmas theme and Missy in the lead were more than enough to differentiate it. But I could easily draw the parallels listening to this the same day I completed the book. A place where you couldn't escape and something repetitive and mysterious going on. It didn't quite have as an enigmatic feel but the atmosphere was still one of being questionable. Something always felt like it wasn't right which was fun to experiment with. Missy's relationship with Tom in the story was quite something and whilst it's not that surprising that she was sought after for a romantic relationship, she thought the very idea was cute. It's not something we've explored much at all with this incarnation and Missy falling in love just doesn't seem possible. She would eat any man alive! Or woman for that matter. But Tom was nothing if not persistent and that was just a bit annoying for Missy. I thought that was really good to play with especially when Missy wasn't always allowed to be her true self. Her interactions with Mayor Evergreen were really strong and I liked how she knew how dangerous Missy was but at the same time was far from afraid to stand up for herself. She was almost giddy and excited by the prospect of Missy besting her and whilst that was always going to happen, I appreciated her confidence! It's always good when the villain feels like they're in control until they're not. It's almost comical to not refer to Missy as the villain here but I did find myself rooting for her which is testament to the strength of character. She was not enjoying the perfect Christmas celebrations and the imagery of her surrounded by that festive cheer was good stuff indeed. Kevin getting acclimatised was fun stuff and after making plans with Missy for considerable criminal activity across the galaxy, he'd found love in the form of Sandra and wanted to stick around. So naturally Missy's response was to murder her right in front of him without even remembering her name. Bloody brutal! I thought the conclusion was fine if not predictable in how Missy got the better of Noel Falls and made her way out with quite the impact, but as a whole this was still a really strong and fun opener! It's always going to be where Missy is concerned. 

Rating: 8/10

The Chimes of Midnight

"She was being haunted by herself."

Writer: Robert Shearman

Format: Novel

Released: October 2025

Series: Big Finish Novelisation 02

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley

Synopsis 

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring..."

But something must be stirring. Something hidden in the shadows. Something which kills the servants of an old Edwardian mansion in the most brutal and macabre manner possible. Exactly on the chiming of the hour, every hour, as the grandfather clock ticks on towards midnight.

Trapped and afraid, the Doctor and his companion, Charley, are forced to play detective to murders with no motive, where even the victims don't stay dead. Time is running out. 

And time itself might well be the killer...

Verdict

The Chimes of Midnight was an outstanding novelisation of one of the very best Big Finish audio dramas there is! I was so excited when these novelisations were released because it's just such a wonderful idea and a whole new way to enjoy a story that's as good as this one. I would go as far as saying that this is a perfect Doctor Who adventure across any format. It really is astonishingly good and I was intrigued to see how it would fare in prose, but it absolutely succeeds just as well which is a huge compliment! That strange and eery feeling was very much present which is a magnificent feat without any complimenting sound effects. I also thought the characterisation of the Eighth Doctor and Charley was tremendous and it's wonderful that this pairing get a full length book together. I think it's great that in what are hopefully just the first Big Finish novelisations that we get pairings exclusive to Big Finish. If this is a reader's first time introduction to Charley as companion then it's a great one! Sure, it would be beneficial to know the backstory of what happened in Storm Warning with her being saved from the R101 despite history recording her as dead, but I feel that was more than explained here which was magnificent. The titular story is actually one of very few audios that I have listened to more than once and that's down to the Covid Tweetalong so the story elements were certainly familiar, although I completely forgot that Edward Grove being alive was referring to the Edwardian house! I feel like I remembered just before reading the word that served as the revelation and I was kicking myself for forgetting. Twice! It's just an incredible setup and the story does a better job than any other in being suited for the Doctor and companion that feature. The Eighth and Charley are the epitome of Edwardian so the staff here were fantastic characters to go alongside them. Mr Shaughnessy as the butler is quite someone with how committed to the role he is and the bluntness everybody had towards Edith (or sometimes Mary) as the scullery maid actually became a tad say. They really did see everybody as just the sum of their role in the house, and the murders occurring was not a sad occasion to them but more so an inconvenience to the running of the household. Especially at Christmas! Despite the published date, I read this two weeks prior to Christmas so I was feeling festive which I do think would have helped enhance my enjoyment of what is already a classic! Mrs Baddeley is a fine character and it just wouldn't be the novelisation without it not being Christmas without her famous plum pudding! I think that's become such an iconic phrase and I just love it. The description of her murder with her being stuffed full of her own plum pudding is definitely the most gruesome of the bunch! Well, either that or Mary with her knitting needles stabbed into her head and her walking like antennae. I think the emotion that comes from the paradox breaking as Charley remembers Edith and her being saved and therefore Edith not committing suicide to join her in death is incredible stuff. It was presented so strongly in prose which was impressive. Charley professing her love for the Doctor throughout the book is a stark reminder of her feelings early on in her travels and the way she was teased throughout for him not feeling the same way provided a lot of sympathy. I could say so much more but I'd probably just be repeating previous feelings on story elements from the two blog entries I already have published of the audio format of this story. But just what a joy to read. Quite simply divine. It absolutely works in prose just as well as it did on audio and that might just be the biggest compliment I can give it. A perfect story. 

Rating: 10/10

A Ghost Story for Christmas

"They need a medium."

Writer: Alan Barnes

Format: Comic Strip

Released: December 2025

Printed in: DWM 624

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor

Synopsis

The Fifteenth Doctor arrives at the BBC in the 1970s amidst a walkout in the wake of something paranormal at TV Centre. 

Verdict

A Ghost Story for Christmas was a good little story to serve as the Doctor Who Magazine comic strip Christmas special! I think it's a very good move to go festive with this one and not just have one part of a much bigger adventure. It feels Christmassy and that's good despite it being more of a ghost story which is something I personally associate more with Halloween. It only feels like yesterday since it was Halloween so to now be right into the festive season has been sprung upon me! I'm writing this blog entry nearly a month prior to the published date which is a little funky but it's good to get ahead. I do find the continuity for the Fifteenth Doctor comics to be a little all over the place at the moment as we're jumping around from a companion to no companion which means the timeline is constantly shifting either side of Joy to the World. It's not the biggest issue in the world but I just think the comic strip format is being a little wasted and to be honest that's felt like the case for a number of years now with the exception being Liberation of the Daleks. That showed what the format and placement can be used for in carrying the current adventures of the Doctor for over a year! Now, after the events of The Reality War we don't really have a current Doctor which is strange but I don't see why we wouldn't stick with Belinda as the latest companion? She could certainly do with some more stories off screen and the Vindicator would definitely need the extra readings! I thought the characterisation of the Fifteenth Doctor here was strong and that's actually quite difficult to achieve without a companion in my opinion. His enthusiastic and bubbly nature means he's best when bouncing off somebody else in discussion. His dubbing of the paranormal investigators here as Fred and Daphne was great because who doesn't love a Scooby Doo reference? I thought the story had strong Hide vibes which is a big compliment and I absolutely adored the reference to Shada with the strike at the BBC and the Doctor landing in something looking very much like Professor Chronotis's room. That was magnificent and really niche which I appreciated an awful lot. That's where this format is wonderful and that was also seen with the flashback to the Eighth Doctor and Izzy. A little more on that would have been welcomed. At its heart, the story is a pretty simple one really and I think that's why it doesn't quite get a higher rating from me because it was almost too simple! That's certainly the case when it comes to the resolution as I thought that was far too quick and I was flicking through the pages I was almost getting excited that we may have a much needed two extra pages for the story as I was thinking there's no way the adventure can conclude in one page from the fifth onwards! But alas it did with the Hunter being returned to the mirror with the Doctor simply recapturing it within at the push of a button. That made sense but it was just very quick. Something alluding to that being the way to defeat it earlier on would have been beneficial. The Doctor taking the mirror image away was fun and I loved the legend behind it of the creature coming out at moonlight, but with it now in the Time Lord's hands I don't think it'll be seeing moonlight again anytime soon! Overall, a good little comic strip adventure for sure that would have benefited from a few more pages to add depth to the resolution. 

Rating: 7/10

Dare You

"Even aliens can fall on hard times."

Writer: Lisa McMullin

Format: Audio

Released: December 2025

Series: Ninth Doctor Adventures 4.03

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, Rose

Synopsis

Something or someone is playing truth or dare with the people on the Powell Estate. And it's dangerous to play games with a Time Lord. 

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can REALLY hurt you.

Verdict

Dare You was an outstanding audio adventure to continue my way through the fourth series of Ninth Doctor Adventures! This really does seem to have rounded out a Powell Estate trilogy rather nicely and whilst that does serve as a great reintroduction to the era of Series 1, I do hope we can now take the Ninth Doctor and Rose beyond Earth which barely happened on screen. Now's the chance with the nine episodes remaining over the next year and a half to really push the boundaries, but this was a solid start in doing that in a familiar setting! I'm loving the emphasis on Jackie because she really is a fun character and injects charisma and humour into a story with ease. I thought the performances of Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper once again were mesmeric in bringing back to life their characters of two decades ago and it really does feel incredibly authentic. Touching upon the events of Father's Day here as well was brilliant in terms of chronology and the emotional state of Rose. The insinuation that she might subconciosuly blame the Doctor for him being dead despite him always having died in 1987 is quite incredible. But the mind plays tricks and gets us questioning and that's where this episode excelled. The concept behind the Hellion was really impressive and it definitely had vibes of being part of the Pantheon that would challenge the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctors. It was a cosmic mischief maker and that's got great potential but I think the fact it was also immature added a lot. For Rose it was actually something of an emotional leaver which I admired and showed why she's a very good companion. The discussion on those internal desires that could become a consumption was marvellous and I loved the idea of the fear of falling actually being a desire to fly. That's somewhat beautiful. Digging deep into the Ninth Doctor being a Time Lord here felt good because that wasn't exactly always at the forefront on screen, but for him he would be incredibly dangerous without filters. The Hellion taking away his natural restraints and throwing him into the Void was really fascinating stuff. I enjoyed how the curiosity of the Doctor got the better of him in being consumed by the words and the desire to explore what might happen when the Hellion got what it wanted. The fact all of the desires of those on the Powell Estate were linked to silly things was quite amusing and I couldn't blame Jackie for wanting to topple the impressive display of baked beans in a supermarket! And touching upon the urge to step off a platform at a train station really resonated with me as I use that mode of transport a lot and I can confirm that urge absolutely exists! The way the Hellion spoke the title of the episode was freaky and worked really well in highlighting it as something evil. But Rose was on hand to show compassion and she would be the filter now for the Doctor that the mischief maker had taken away. I thought that was a lovely touch. I also liked exploring what Rose may be scared of and the Bad Wolf reference there was a delight. That just enhanced the authentic feel. I liked how the Doctor had to go back into the Void once he was pulled out and he was going to be ruthless to the Hellion, but Rose had a made a promise and with some companion convincing the mischief maker was grateful for the mercy that was shown. The Doctor still has a dark side as was clear here despite his filter being removed and Rose describing him as the scariest man she knew only perpetuated that which I loved. Overall, easily the best of the series so far and sets things up further moving forward which really excites me! A marvellous listen. 

Rating: 10/10

Hellion = cosmic mischief maker

Deadly Strangers: The Gloaming

"Just a little girl lost in a dream."

Writers: Lauren Mooney & Stewart Pringle 

Format: Audio

Released: December 2024

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures 14.03

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley, Audacity 

Synopsis

The Doctor, Charley and Audacity arrive on Gloaming, a luxury sleep clinic in orbit around a dead world. Gloaming is filled with wealthy Sleepers, dreaming through the dark ages of their world in suspended animation.

But something is growing here, creeping into minds and poisoning dreams. Something the Doctor fought long ago...

Verdict

The Gloaming was an excellent audio to conclude the Deadly Strangers series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! This was certainly the best in the boxset and it coming in the finale is a great thing. I'm going to jump right ahead and dive into the surprise return of the Mara which was fantastic! I didn't see it coming and whilst I did work it out once the first hint was provided within the story, I really should have been paying more attention to the cover artwork for the boxset! Except, was this really a return at all? The Doctor referencing the likes of Kinda and Snakedance when it comes to his previous encounters with the Mara was magnificent, but this wasn't quite the same creature he'd fought and defeated before. That was a really intriguing element which I really enjoyed. This was a newborn Mara which was exciting but also convenient for the Doctor in that it became considerably easier to defeat. It almost feels like the Mara is being cheated on when the companion is not Tegan because her relationship with the creature was deep to say the least. The focus was firmly on Charley here who became possessed by the Mara and having the setting of the Gloaming where the wealthy came to sleep was excellent. That's a place rife for the Mara to have some easy pickings in digging deep into their desired prey's subconscious. I thought the story had strong Sleep No More vibes which is a big positive and I was worried whilst writing the synopsis that it would be a bit of a knock off. Thankfully, it was far from it and exploring the Mara as a nightmare was marvellous. I thought Audacity improved here as companion and it was good for her to be the one that realised she and Charley had been drugged into sleep through the tea by Meryl. She was an intriguing character who was clearly also going through a lot in her current predicament. Dekkar was a bit of a snobbish character which was absolutely the intent and it sold really well alongside Franz just what awful people the trio made. The fact they had abandoned their entire people and planet to burn whilst they came to just sleep it out and pay their way into the future was terrible. It's an incredible concept and did represent that kind of rich-kid stereotype very nicely. I definitely had a raised eyebrow opinion of them all. I thought exploring deep sleep was good and I love the potential that comes from it because as humans are we ever more vulnerable than when we're sleeping? That's quite scary to consider as well and the presence of the Mara invading from within is dark stuff that I really enjoy exploring. I thought the Doctor standing up to the Mara was really impressive and the discussion they had about regeneration and linking that to the snake form and how he shedded his skin was brilliant. That was really strong stuff. I was impressed with his confidence in saving Charley and freeing her of the Mara's pull and I feel like her love for him also played a part, but it also allowed for some tremendous references. Getting throwbacks of early Main Range adventures with the likes of Sword of Orion and The Stones of Venice getting mentioned as good times for Charley to draw back on was fantastic. I also liked the logic behind the newborn manifestation of the Mara dying out without a host. That makes sense and also develops the background of the species a little which I can appreciate. Another mention of the Causeway in the form of an investment peaked my ears as that's the title of the next boxset so I'm keen to hear how things play out from here. Overall, a fantastic finale! 

Rating: 9/10

Deadly Strangers: Women's Day Off

"Hey, hey, it's women's day! Equal say and equal pay!"

Writer: Lisa McMullin

Format: Audio

Released: December 2024

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures 14.02

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley, Audacity 

Synopsis

Iceland, 1975. Charley and Audacity are thrilled to discover that the women have gone on strike. All of them. With potentially disastrous consequences for a girl called Kyla – and everyone she comes into contact with.

Verdict

Women's Day Off was a great story to continue my way through the Deadly Strangers series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! This was just a really solid story from start to finish that had a very strong historical setting. One thing I love about Big Finish is the fact that budgets are no issue so we can very easily have a story set in Iceland. It's a country that is firmly on my bucket list and I shared the same thoughts about the Northern Lights as Charley and Audacity. They were both giddy at the prospect of seeing them in person for themselves, but the Doctor had a different idea of course. The fun that came from the TARDIS being the one to decide was good and thankfully for the companions (and the listener!) it was indeed Iceland in which we arrived. I was surprised we didn't come to the capital of Rekyjavik but I don't think it really mattered on the day in 1975 in which the TARDIS had landed. The situation was the same everywhere and I thought that was just magnificent as this was not something I was aware of having occurred. I'm sure I would learn about when I do eventually get to Iceland as I tend to visit the National Museum of most capital cities I visit! But the very idea of the entire female population going on strike was incredible. Not just from work if they did so but from being a mother and cooking in the kitchen. I applaud them all. Some of the men's comments about how hard it was to look after children and them not even knowing how to cook chicken showed how reliant the male population were on their female counterparts. I'm a big advocate of equality and women's right and during my History degrees I highlighted the role and underrepresentation of women in the likes of the Great Famine in Ireland and the Death Walks within the Holocaust. So Charley and Audacity getting involved in the strike marches was good fun, although I was less a fan of the latter getting a bit too involved when it came to her fire lighter being mistaken for a gun. That could have changed all of history right there! Kyla was a strong character who built a good relationship with the Doctor and whilst it was clear what was happening with her telekinesis, the build up to it being brought out into the open was good. It was pretty simple in that she had been exposed to what Jefred was out searching for, but he was a bit of a useless character in all honesty. The story was all about her and I liked how she sought comfort in her English teacher Mrs Gunnar. She was another strong character who had a lot of patience and understanding. She may even be better placed being a therapist than a teacher in how she was able to calm and reason with Kyla! Her making things happen just by saying them put her in a vulnerable position that she really didn't want. It wasn't power she desired and she just wanted it all to stop which became rather emotional. I thought the ending was good in just basically calming everything down, but it was a little bit of a shame to put the historical significance of the day to one side. Overall though, a really strong story. A great listen! 

Rating: 8/10

Deadly Strangers: Puccini and the Doctor

"Love has so many definitions."

Writer: Matthew Jacobs

Format: Audio

Released: December 2024

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures 14.01

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley, Audacity 

Synopsis

Inspired by his friends, the Doctor takes Charley and Audacity to Milan to meet Puccini and hear the music of love.

But the Doctor is not the only alien entranced by humanity. The mysterious Tura is setting riddles, and for those who answer, the experience is transformative...

Verdict

Puccini and the Doctor was an excellent start to the Deadly Strangers series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! I think this might just be the best story of the bunch since Audacity came aboard the TARDIS and I hate to say it but I think it's because she became a bit more of a background figure. When she wasn't the focal point as the main companion I think she was actually utilised much better and complimented Charley who is undoubtedly the main attraction. She's still having lingering feelings following on from Storm Warning which is fascinating and I must admit I didn't have Charley down as someone who would be drawing. Audacity stumbling upon her artwork of the Doctor was fascinating stuff and I was surprised a little in how open the Edwardian adventuress was in admitting she had a crush. Some of the locals in Milan though were claiming that Charley was in love and that does seem a step too far from my memories of the early Eighth Doctor stories in the Main Range. Has it just been too long in listening to them that I forgot Charley was besotted with the Doctor? That doesn't quite feel right. It presents an intriguing dynamic within the TARDIS though and Audacity being there as a third wheel certainly adds to it. I find the title of this episode a little misleading as you would expect everything to be centred around the Doctor's relationship with Puccini, but that wasn't actually at the forefront for the most part and that's because of the brilliant Princess Tura. I thought she was a mesmeric character and I loved her obsession with love. She wanted to learn from the human race and in particularly their aspect of creativity. Everything they did seemed to be for love and she was very open in expressing that. The Doctor knew immediately that she wasn't of Earth and he didn't hide the fact he was of a similar elk either which was good. I liked the policy of honesty there. I was entranced by her riddles but she was clearly not used to being challenged or having someone of a similar footing taking her on. She was one who had power and reduced people to blossom trees if she fancied, even with that aftershave scent! She had a garden of former people that were now trees which is not the typical outside decoration! The Doctor solving all of her riddles in front of a live audience was excellent and whilst he wasn't after the prize of marriage, he didn't exactly want the loser's fate of being thrown overboard with the promise of being turned into a fish as a courtesy. It sounded in jest but knowing what we did this was very much an actual prospect! I thought Elvira was a strong character to compliment a really strong guest cast and I also liked how Charley had a love interest in the form of Massimo. I thought the way things ended were pretty neat and simple with Tura accepting the fate and love still being something she didn't quite understand. And it was also incredible to think that her species had not yet experienced death! Overall, a very strong start to the series! A terrific listen.

Rating: 9/10

Capricorn: I Was a Monster!!!

"She can taste my ecstasy."

Writer: Joseph Lidster

Format: Short Story

Released: March 2002

Printed in: Short Trips: Zodiac 10

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Romana II

Synopsis

Take a TARDIS trip through the constellations, as the Doctor travels to twelve thrilling tales inspired by the mystical zodiac. 

Telepathic fish, miniature lions and twin planets are the least of his problems, as the Doctor – all eight of him – faces the Capricorn Killer, endures a mind swap with the Machiavellian Master, and dances with Death herself. 

And that's not the half of it – as the two K9s can attest.

Verdict

I Was a Monster!!! was a great story to continue my way through the Zodiac edition of Short Trips! This was probably the best adventure to come out of the book so far and it really is a long time coming. I’ve made no secret that my enjoyment of this collection has been varied and I’ve found everything to be pretty inconsistent. Not many have even bothered touching upon the overlapping Zodiac theme, but here we are in having the Capricorn Killer! It’s certainly that Joseph Lidster got the memo of what was required here with the collection which was terrific. I thought the focus on the unnamed murderer was really interesting and he quickly developed some rather sadistic tendencies. The format of the story in the view of both almost being a diary extract and also a fictional script scene was certainly unique and I appreciated that. It was rather refreshing and certainly gave a new perspective to this story that others in the book probably didn’t have or execute efficiently. I really liked the moment that the Capricorn Killer was bitten by the supposed Vampire and my only qualm was that we didn’t get more information on who this beautiful woman was. Is she still at large? I thought the story basically just staying with the Killer and his lust for fame was definitely intriguing and I don’t think the adventure could be any more representative of 2002. So much Big Brother! Even the day 36 extract in the story just referenced that it was inside the Big Brother house. Amusing stuff. All of the pop culture references were a nice little throwback to my childhood which provided some nice nostalgia. The killer’s annoyance with not getting to the height of fame was pretty disturbing as was the description of him killing. He was doing it for the fame now which is not the usual motive! The lines about the victim or the murderer wasting time with lipsticks or hair gel on their last day was really powerful and a stark reminder of how quickly things can end in life. The Capricorn Killer represented that perfectly. I found the internal thoughts and obsession fascinating and it almost felt like a documentary on paper! It was an incredible insight. It almost felt out of place then when the Fourth Doctor and Romana showed up for the final couple of pages. They weren’t really missed which is testament to the quality of the story but one incarnation or another needed to show up! I thought the ruthlessness of the Doctor was a bit of a surprise but with Romana present it’s impossible not to draw parallels with State of Decay and touching upon the war between Time Lords and Vampires. Romana was apologetic for the actions of the Doctor, in which he incredibly just put the spear through the killer's heart to round things out, but it was business as usual for the Time Lord! Overall, a really strong and original character piece that didn't need the Doctor or a companion at all which says everything about its quality. A great read!

Rating: 8/10

Doctor Who and the Pescatons

"Fish who can build a spacecraft and fly off to other planets."

Writer: Victor Pemberton

Format: Audio

Released: July 1976

Series: Radio Play 01

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane

Synopsis

The Fourth Doctor and his companion Sarah battle against some of the most heinous foes to emerge from the outer universe: The Pescatons. The Doctor finds himself in the capital city of London, where the popultion is bewildered and trembling beneath the violent onslaught of a merciless invader. 

Who or what is the mighty Zor, whose green slanting luminous eyes glare out from the dark of night like giant emeralds? What is the powerful alien force that is bringing Earth's civilisation to a standstill, threatening to annihilate everything in its path?

This is the story of a dying Planet, of a Deadly Weed, and the merciless Creatures themselves. It is a Challenge to the Doctor – a frightening race against time...

Verdict

Doctor Who and the Pescatons was a bang average audio adventure, but one of those that feels like a privilege to listen to given that it's nearly five decades now since it was first released! I've known about the existence of it for a long time now as it's fair to say that it has a reputation amongst fandom and I've even read the novelisation over a decade ago, but it was delightful to actually dive into a Classic era audio that was released during the peak of the television run for the Doctor and companion that feature. It's a weird quirk but I can remember the exact train journey where I read the novelisation but I'd be lying if I said I remembered a huge amount of the book's details! So in that regard it did largely feel like a new story which is a good thing, especially as the audio came before the novelisation. It was wonderful to hear both Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen in their prime taking on the roles of the Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith for audio, but it's clear that this is one of the first efforts from Doctor Who in doing the audio format. I think the decision to have a lot of narration is a flawed one and that made the story very descriptive which I don't think was beneficial at all. When we have basically a full cast adventure, that amount of narration should not have been necessary. Sure, it was good to have things from the perspective of the Doctor as that's actually quite rare but it just became overboard. After reading the novelisation, I was pretty surprised to find that this story was barely forty-five minutes long. It's clear that it's trying to be a two-parter in the vain of an on-screen serial and we had a decent cliffhanger to boot, but the very concept of the Pescatons is just a bit meh. It doesn't strike me as the best design and it certainly feels more tailored to a younger audience. That's not anything I have a problem with as I'm sure the story was catered more for the young fans, but for me personally it just wasn't it. Their being somewhere of a cross between fish and humans sounded fascinating but I'm not sure it actually was. It's barmy and ludicrous which is fun in its audacity, but it doesn't feel like a heinous foe as the synopsis describes! I'm not the biggest fan of when the Doctor has an unseen or unheard history with somebody important in the story and that's the case here with Zor as the leader of the Pescaton pack. I think the reliance of the rest of then species on him is good but it did make the resolution incredibly predictable which isn't the best! The scale and speed of the Pescaton invasion was unexpected and I think the incidental music could have been a little more impactful in selling the desperation of the situation. It was planet wide! I think the nature of the Doctor's narration meant there was little for Sarah to do which was a shame. It also felt a little out of place for her to question the Doctor's age because he'd encountered the Pescatons in the fifteenth century. They literally travel in a time machine together and have done for some time by this point! That felt like a glaring mistake. The Doctor playing the piccolo to bring about the accidental resolution in defeating the Pescatons with sound was amusing and I think something this incarnation in particular can get away with. Sarah's confidence in going against the Doctor's wishes and ensure he played again to test her theory was great, even if then the ending was already established as predictable. Overall, an intriguing listen more than anything to a story that sadly did leave a decent amount lacking. 

Rating: 5/10

Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman?

"Grandfather claimed that he knew what was best for me."

Writer: Adrian Mourby

Format: Audio

Broadcast: 09 July 1994

Series: Whatever Happened to... 05

Featuring: Susan, Ian, Barbara, Jo

Synopsis

A researcher interviews Susan Foreman, and various people connected with her, about the true history of her travels in time and space, and how she went from there to her current, rather unexpected position as EC Commissioner for Education. 

Verdict

Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman was a pretty abhorrent yet incredibly fascinating and intriguing story to listen to! I don’t think this is like anything I’ve ever listened to before and I don’t think anything will ever come close to being similar to be honest. I’m not even entirely sure if it is assumed to be part of official continuity, but given the glaring errors within the story I would say that it isn’t. But the fact it’s released as part of the BBC Radio Episodes Collection alongside other stories that a firmly official, this is a fascinating interpretation of what might have happened to Susan after the events of The Dalek Invasion of Earth. She was clearly angered by her grandfather’s decision to leave her behind with David and her comments about being in love were actually quite surprising. But at the same time she was sixteen snd it was understandable why she was saying at that age you’re always in love with somebody. I thought the story did an interesting job in humanising Susan which didn’t sit right with me. I thought the way she referred to her home planet in such a nonchalant way as Galley was shocking and almost derogatory! I liked the line about her parents and the suggestion that the Doctor retired before leaving Gallifrey with Susan was again really interesting even if things don’t entirely line up with established continuity. One thing I was really annoyed about in the story was the representation of Ian and Barbara. The way The Chase was essentially completely ignored or just altered to be wrong in suggesting that Ian and Barbara returned to Totter’s Lane immediately after they departed in An Unearthly Child was baffling. Rumours circulating around Ian being involved in Susan’s disappearance was also uncomfortable. I wasn’t against her thinking he was dashing, but suggesting that he and Barbara weren’t together was rubbish. They are destined to be a couple! I thought the inclusion of Jo was a little strange given she has no connection with Susan, but I liked that she was on hand to defend the image of the Doctor. Susan accusing her grandfather of always travelling with a young woman and having sexual implications for that choice was just dreadful. There’s no need for that as we know the Doctor, at least up to the point of his seventh incarnation as was the case when this story was released, is anything but romantic! I’d almost describe him as asexual. Susan having knowledge of each her grandfather’s subsequent incarnations is intriguing as I like the idea of her still having a relationship with him and knowing that he did come back to 2164 following the Dalek invasion. Barbara living in Mid Wales was humorous for me personally as that’s where I was born and I could actually see her settling down there, but the representation of her character was very poor. Susan now being a part of the European Commission was a little strange but I could see her being involved in politics. To he honest though, I think that opinion comes from me knowing her from other stories later released as being older and more mature, but the essence of the character is there. I am dumbfounded by the suggestion that other aliens and people from other times were running the EC though. The story felt unnecessarily political there even though it is intended to be satirical. I am shocked that Susan didn’t really consider herself a Time Lord as it’s often easy to forget that Gallifreyans don’t all fit that definition. It’s fun to ponder on even if I disagree with it! Overall, I thought this was a bit of a mess. Susan shouldn’t know about the Menoptera or Ian being knighted as The Web Planet and The Crusade came after her departure! The representation of Susan’s fellow companions was very poor and the image painted of the Doctor was terrible. I firmly disapprove of this interpretation and I don’t think this is what happened to Susan at all! Still, a really intriguing listen at the same time partly because of how bad and wrong it was. 

Rating: 4/10

Saggitarius: Five Card Draw

"He'd forgotten how his other personalities could clash."

Writer: Todd Guerrier

Format: Short Story

Released: March 2002

Printed in: Short Trips: Zodiac 09

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Peri, Sixth Doctor, Third Doctor, Second Doctor, First Doctor

Synopsis

Take a TARDIS trip through the constellations, as the Doctor travels to twelve thrilling tales inspired by the mystical zodiac. 

Telepathic fish, miniature lions and twin planets are the least of his problems, as the Doctor – all eight of him – faces the Capricorn Killer, endures a mind swap with the Machiavellian Master, and dances with Death herself. 

And that's not the half of it – as the two K9s can attest.

Verdict

Five Card Draw was a very fun little story to continue my reading through the Zodiac edition of Short Trips! This was a very quirky adventure and whilst I’m usually a sucker for a multi-Doctor story, this did become a little bit of a mess at times. But it was a fun mess! I found the choice to include the Sixth Doctor was exciting in meeting different incarnations, but for the Fifth to be considered the current Doctor and the story be told from his perspective was a little strange. It’s usually the latest incarnation of the Doctor that has that role so it was a little weird at times for the Fifth Doctor to be the only one referred to as the Doctor. The nicknames assigned to other incarnations were interesting to say the least, but it did feel a little harsh to refer to the First Doctor as old man. I did like the caveat of that though with it being clear that the events of The Tenth Planet and his regeneration were very near. The Second Doctor being called a hobo is something I’ve always found a bit strange but the aristocrat description of the Third feels right. As does calling the Sixth a jester! The hatred that his attire gets never ceases to amaze me as it just screams the Doctor with how audacious it is! I thought the interactions between the Doctor were quite fun but the descriptions did make it a little difficult to follow at times. I liked that the First Doctor was the one to take the lead and insinuating that he wasn’t brought there but came by choice was terrific. The use of the titular card game to see which incarnation would set things right outside of the TARDIS was quite fun, but it always felt that the Fifth was going to be the one to get the nod. I’m surprised no incarnation volunteered! I enjoyed the discussion about regeneration and the deep conversation about whether a decapitation would prevent renewal was fantastic. They all seemed to be in agreement that with the head detached from the body the brain couldn’t trigger cell regeneration. Not the nicest of prospects! I thought the role of Peri in the story was interesting with the Doctor keen to basically keep her away. The predecessor wasn’t quite ready to tell her about regeneration yet which is ironic given what happened at the end with her seeing the Fifth Doctor and being shocked. It said a lot to the Fifth Doctor that he would regenerate with Peri at his side and it was coming very soon indeed. I thought the prospect of the Fourth Doctor declining arrival was a fun dig at The Five Doctors, and it also worked in them not wanting the Seventh around because of how he would manipulate things. And the Eighth Doctor not answering the call was of interest for sure. Talk about that hair! I sensed some jealousy for sure. Overall, some fun interactions and certainly a unique adventure! A good little read. 

Rating: 7/10

Last Christmas

"It's time to start living in the real world."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 25 December 2014

Series: 2014 Christmas Special 

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara

Synopsis

The Doctor and Clara face their last Christmas. Trapped on an Arctic base, under attack from terrifying creatures, who are you going to call? Santa Claus!

Verdict

Last Christmas was a pretty average Christmas Special which is a big shame to say as the first festive episode for the Twelfth Doctor. This serves as part of the sporadic modern era rewatch I'm currently having alongside my partner Gemma that we've slowly been getting through for over four years now. This is the first time we have watched this episode together and I went into it fully with the knowledge that this was my least favourite Christmas Special, and by some distance. I remember at the time of broadcast and my only rewatch in the year following that one of my main qualms was how on the nose the story is in referring to Santa as fiction. I really don't like that and it took less than five minutes for us on the sofa to turn to each other and state how we wouldn't want our four-year old son Albie watching this. It's such a shame because he's slowly starting take an interest in Doctor Who. He was engaged with The Robot Revolution this year and sat through Aliens of London which we put on because of his insistence on removing my Slitheen and Space Pig figures from the collection room I have, but I just couldn't put even the idea of Santa not being real into his head. The magic of Christmas is so special at this age and imagine spending Christmas Day with your young one considering that it might be just his mum and dad putting presents under the tree! That really upsets me as this is the first time watching the episode since becoming a parent. There's no way I would want him watching this whilst he still believes! I think the reunion between the Doctor and Clara after them both lying to each other at the end of Death in Heaven was a bit rushed and should be something more focused given that it literally led to them departing. The Doctor didn't have time to consider how Clara had been grieving knowing that Danny didn't actually come back and Clara could barely react to the Doctor describing how Gallifrey wasn't where he thought it was. That deserved more focus. I think Nick Frost actually plays a decent Santa and I do enjoy some of the interactions he has with the Doctor. On paper, a meeting between the Doctor and Santa is a bucket list item so it is nice that we do get some strong moments. There's a loose competition between the pair which is fun to play around with. It's also lovely to get Dan Starkey in a role that's not a Sontaran! I think the Dream Crabs are a strong monster and they look rather disgusting which is certainly the aim. Imagine one of them over your face as you sleep! No thank you. But the whole dreams within dreams and then oops no there's one last dream is not a format I enjoy. In parts it was also so obvious that they were within a dream and whilst it is fun to explore the subconscious, it's also strange watching things you know aren't real. And enough with Danny Pink now! I have never been a big fan of his and just when he goes and dies here he is again popping up. The internal conflict he has with the Doctor was strong stuff though. I thought the ending was good on an emotional level with the Doctor and Clara being reunited, but the moments where Clara was an old woman were honestly terrible. The makeup was shocking and it just doesn't work with the original actor because you could see Jenna Coleman's youth shining in her eyes! And she wasn't all that great at sounding elderly. But the Doctor failing to see age in his companions is a lovely sentiment. Overall, a strong villain and some fun interactions, but a lot to bring this one down unfortunately. I won't be rushing to watch it for a fourth time! 

Rating: 6/10

Lionesses in Winter

"My baby boy died but his ghost grew up."

Writer: Lisa McMullin

Format: Audio

Released: November 2025

Series: Thirteenth Doctor Adventures 1.03

Featuring: Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz

Synopsis

England, 1183 – The court of Henry II. The Doctor and Yaz gatecrash a right royal – if terrifyingly dysfunctional – family Christmas as Henry's estranged wife Eleanor returns to spend Yuletide with the fam. The Doctor and Yaz uncover an imposter amongst them, but who are they really? And what do they want?

Verdict

Lionesses in Winter was another great audio to continue the bimonthly releases of Thirteenth Doctor Adventures! There's definitely a theme of vampires floating around which is intriguing and I wonder if that's just gentle continuity making a nod to Vampire Weekend as the series opener, or if there's something more at plat with a long term arc? Either way I like it and the concept of Yaz not having a reflection feels like something we must be coming back to. Whether we will or not is yet to be determined, but it's something for me to look out for in the next release. One thing I must say is that despite the high quality of the series so far and how absolutely delightful it is to have Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill back in their roles as the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz, the repetitive nature of the cover art is now becoming a little strange for me. They have all followed the same format and even colour schemes aren't too far removed which makes them really lose a sense of identity for me and that's a bit of a shame. Still, it doesn't impact my listening but is just more of a general comment now that the fourth episode cover has also been revealed. The story at hand was definitely a fun one as having the Doctor and Yaz at a royal gathering is always going to be fun, especially when the former introduces herself to the monarch by sitting on his throne! Now, I like the idea of doing a festive episode especially for this incarnation of the Doctor as we never got it on screen, but I'm not sure how much Christmas would have been celebrated in the manner we know it today back in the twelfth century! That was a little bit unbelievable with Eleanor mentioning to Henry II about Christmas decorations. They're seven centuries too early! That was a tad off-putting in terms of historical accuracy as it felt more modern than medieval, but I guess you can get away with that a little with no visuals? Regardless, one thing that this episode was above anything was just fun. Inserting the Doctor and Yaz into the family dynamic of the royals was amusing and them reflecting on their pasts together was hilarious. They had lost two of their three children which must obviously be heartbreaking, but it was their discussions about family infighting and turmoil that had a comic feel. It was obviously a serious matter for a child to try and usurp their father from the throne, but even Eleanor had gotten in on the act at some point as well! That was quite something and it made for an intriguing dynamic at the dinner table that's for sure. Henry trying to reconcile with Eleanor despite numerous affairs was admirable and it was clear there was still an affection there between the pair. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to study this period of history across my degrees so I was learning as well which I thought was done very well. The threat from the mirror dimension and the threat of Prince Philip supposedly returning from the dead was strong. The infiltration and using the grief of parents was a powerful topic, especially when they had both seen the ghost of their lost boy growing up. That was deeply disturbing! He of course didn't sound like Philip but Henry believing it being a gift from God showed how much of a stranglehold religion had on people at this time. I thought the way the fake Philip was repelled back into its own dimension was good and I like the idea of this universe rejecting him. Alys getting to travel in time when they went back to 1267 was also a nice touch and I loved her reactions. Overall, a bit of a quiet one for Yaz but that's no bad thing. She'll have plenty of time to be the focus. A great listen! A fun festive episode.

Rating: 8/10

Grandfather Time: The Voord Alliance

"I am looking at my corpse."

Writer: Andrew Smith

Format: Audio

Released: March 2025

Series: Susan's War 3.02

Featuring: War Doctor, Susan

Synopsis

When a Time Lord operation goes wrong, Cardinal Rasmus sends in Susan and the War Doctor. The mission's leader was his daughter, and he needs to know if she survived.

On the ocean moon of Sarros Minor, they fin unlikely allies against the Daleks. But how far can Susan really trust the Voord?

Verdict

The Voord Alliance was a great episode to conclude the Grandfather Time third series of Susan's War! I'm really loving the partnership of Susan and this war-torn version of her grandfather and it's good that he really does feel grandfatherly. It's probably the gravelly voice and the appearance in my mind of looking like a stereotypical grandfather, but it's clear that he cares for her in a very paternal way. I didn't quite get that sense with the Eighth Doctor and that's because he's a dashing and younger incarnation I imagine. The dynamic here works brilliantly and it's wonderful to have Susan stand up for herself, even where the Doctor disagrees. She's her own woman and at this point she's very firmly grown up! It's good to evolve the character beyond what we saw on television without losing the essence that makes Susan a wonderful character. Tapping into her past here by having her meet the Voord again was brilliant although I was expecting her memories of meeting them to be more focused on The Keys of Marinus than Domain of the Voord so that Early Adventures audio getting some love here was most welcomed. It's a fantastic story and rightly made an impact on Susan. I thought the Sarros Minor setting was really strong and I was intrigued by the extent Cardinal Rasmus was going to in order to send the Doctor and Susan there. It was a mission that was firmly off the record with the High Council not even knowing about it. Rasmus had a familial connection with his daughter heading the operation that went mysteriously wrong there. He needed the Doctor and Susan to find her, with the latter very much in favour of offering her services. And that of course meant the former was not going to let his granddaughter go it alone! The concept of the Eradicators was strong and I liked the threat that came from the entire planet being removed from time. That wouldn't go down well with the continuously popping up voids. Their connection to the space-time continuum and the potential wiping out of the entire galaxy if the Time Lords got their way was pretty strong, if not a little vague in the scale. I thought Karita was a really good character and she certainly had companion material alongside the War Doctor. Her fate at the end of the episode in following the Doctor through back to his own time in the future of the Time War was terrific. Might we see her pop up in the War Doctor range? Maybe she already has as I'm considerably far behind there. I thought the alliance with the Voord was intriguing and it really is incredible how much this species has been extended through Big Finish. I loved the mystery of the battle that had clearly taken place between Daleks and Voord, and the confusion surrounding the fact the place looked like it had been drowned but wasn't wet in the slightest was good. I liked how time changed and the Daleks slowly returned to life and the battle then ensued in not quite the right order. I love the confusion that comes with the Time War, even if it is a bit of a head warp at times! The Daleks harking back to The Dalek Invasion of Earth in wanting to pilot the planet was another great throwback and I think more could have been made of that. It felt significant but it's such an audacious plan to have a planet-sized time machine! The way Susan played a huge part in closing the voids was good and I like how she was properly instrumental in the resolution in her own series. With the War Doctor returning to his own timeline now I wonder if the range is finished? If it is, it's been wonderful! Overall, a great episode to conclude the series.

Rating: 8/10