Tomb Ship

"You won't be alone when you die."

Writers: Gordon Rennie & Emma Beeby

Format: Audio

Released: May 2014

Series: Monthly Adventures 186

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Nyssa

Synopsis

The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Nyssa to a vast pyramid, floating in space. A tomb ship – the last resting place of the God-King of the Arrit, an incredibly advanced and incredibly ancient civilisation, long since extinct. 

They're not alone, however. Another old dynasty walks its twisted, trap-ridden passages – a family of tomb raiders led by a fanatical matriarch, whose many sons and daughters have been tutored in tales of the God-King's lost treasure. 

But those who seek the God-King will find death in their shadow. Death from below. Death from above. Death moving them back and forward, turning their own hearts against them. 

Because only the dead will survive. 

Verdict

Tomb Ship was another great story to continue my way through the Monthly Adventures and the latest trilogy for the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa! This followed on nicely from Moonflesh but I wasn't expecting the casual and seemingly throwaway line of the TARDIS door latch being stuck to become quite so significant. The return of Hannah Bartholemew was not expected in the slightest so her emergence at the end of part three was a big surprise. It does seem a bit random and I expect it will become more significant in the next story as the Doctor tries to return to 1911, much to the chagrin of Nyssa, but for now she was a fun addition I guess. I'm not really sure what she added as I don't think she made a huge impact in the previous story, but I'm not disappointed or annoyed that she is around and hope she offers more in the next adventure where she will be present from the start. The part one cliffhanger is not a new one but it's one I really enjoy as the Doctor and his companion being separated from the safety and sanctuary of the TARDIS is always exciting. It brings a heightened sense of vulnerability and walls moving making the HADS trigger was not entirely different to what would happen in Wild Blue Yonder. I liked the parallels there. The setting of the tomb in space was exciting and on paper it sounds perfect for Doctor Who. It worked well and I liked the exploring the scale of it at over a mile. That's some ship! Virna was a fascinating character and she really was consumed by the discovery of the resting place of the God-King of the Arrit. I must admit that when I saw the insect-like creature on the story's cover art I was a little worried as I'm not a massive fan of the larger insects such as the Zarbi, but they were not featuring too much and I appreciated how Virna likened the Arrit to the Wirrn in appearance. It's certainly what I thought of based on appearances. Virna's relationship with her numerous children was honestly baffling and horrifying. The fact she was willing to sacrifice two of her sons just so she and the Doctor could reach the tomb was a bit of a disgrace but it perfectly highlighted how consumed she was with the task. She had come a long way and that kind of made her fate at the end of the story all the sadder. Heff and Hisko were a good pair of characters and I liked that Nyssa was involved there too and wasn't exactly threatened at being held hostage under the instructions of their mother. She could easily fight her way out if needed. It was Jhanni that was the standout child for me as she was the daughter left behind on Virna's last voyage to the tomb. She'd been fending for herself for goodness knows how long and she wanted revenge on her mother. The way she challenged her to say her own daughter's name was terrific. She was a superb character and I must say I'd honestly rather it was her coming in the TARDIS instead of Hannah! She had a lot going for her and I definitely would love to hear more. The Doctor struggling when trying to create the mind link with the God-King was good and it's quite rare that a plan like that doesn't actually come off! Nyssa was on hand to save him and we soon delved into the true resolution of the God-King activating the self destruct and going nova with Virna alongside. It was an emotional end and she got so close, but all in all it's probably the fate she was always going to be given. Overall, a thoroughly entertaining adventure! 

Rating: 8/10