Ruler of the Universe: Truant

"He can't take our planet away from us."

Writer: Guy Adams

Format: Audio

Released: September 2017

Series: New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield 4.03

Featuring: Unbound Doctor, Benny

Synopsis 

The President of the Universe has run away. Bernice has to hunt him down, but he's too busy having fun. Evil warlords! Impossible escapes! Sinister plans! The Doctor's on an adventure.I 

Verdict 

Truant was a great story to continue my way through the Ruler of the Universe fourth series of the New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield! I’m really enjoying this series and hearing the Unbound Doctor having to deal with the pressures of being President of the Universe, but he was getting more and more flustered for a very different reason this time around. I thought the episode began in a very fun way with the Doctor showing up to thwart dangers and stop evil like we know of the version in the true universe, except when confronted by the Doctor those trying to do wrong simply shut up shop and surrendered! That was. Xx.b a very amusing and showed the reputation the Doctor had. It would be reputable enough but add that with being the President of the Universe and he was a rather formidable figure! He was getting quite angry that nobody was putting up a fight and I thought that was perfect for this Unbound incarnation of the Doctor. He’s rather grumpy and to the point despite his charm and I think that works very nicely. He was annoyed by the end of the first five minutes or so when everyone he we was encountering just keeled over. He even wanted to know if he’d be offered to be destroyed so at least he’d have something to try and avert. That wasn’t the case though as he was just continuously offered surrender. I thought it was very fun to have Benny chasing after the Doctor around the universe and despite him seemingly always being one step ahead, she had promised to get him. The way she tracked him down was good and I thought it was hilarious that she encountered some of those offering their surrender to the Doctor with their hands still up despite him being nowhere in sight. That was rather amusing. Killian being played by Catrin Stewart was a lovely surprise and it was great to hear her in another Doctor Who story even if it’s not playing her trusty Jenny. It was good for her to get the chance to do something else and she pulled it off wonderfully. The focus on the Silvan invasion was good but it seemed the Doctor was too late to stop the invasion as it had already happened! They were far too late and Benny’s readings showed that they were actually the people of Kellor which was a fun surprise! Talk about late! They were way out of their depth time wise and I was intrigued that the Doctor was blaming himself for not saving them. Benny having to explain to him that he couldn’t possibly be everywhere and stop everything was nice but he didn’t quite see it that way. He felt like he’d given up and regretted the moments where he wasn’t offering his help. That’s what he was good at! I thought the way Benny obtained the information and even bio signature of the Silvan online through her phone was amusing and the very idea of the Doctor having his own phone was terrific! Especially in this incarnation with his grumpy nature. Imagine him just browsing on the web or picking up the phone for a call. I just couldn’t envisage it. I thought the conclusion was brilliant and brought the continuity of the last two series around very nicely as we had the return of the Mother Superior! The Doctor was being arrested for neglecting his responsibilities as President of the Universe. The articles of impeachment had been put in place and it looks set to be an Unbound version of the Doctor on trial! That should be rather fun and I’m looking forward to the Master getting involved. Overall, a great episode!

Rating: 8/10