Best Friends

"Only ask a question if you are sure you want to know the answer."

Writer: Justin Richards

Format: Short Story

Released: August 2007

Series: Doctor Who Files 10

Featuring: Captain Jack

Synopsis

It's nearly the end of the Victorian era and Captain Jack gets word of a famed variety act that can answer any question from any one with absolute accuracy. Jack thinks he has the question that cannot be answered though and puts it to the test...

Verdict

Best Friends was a wonderful short story to continue my way through the Doctor Who Files! I think this might just be the best of the series so far and that's an absolute delight to say. There is a lot of potential when it comes to a book focused on Captain Jack because where would you start when it comes to picking when and where the adventure takes place? There's an abundance of choices and I quite like how this one kept things relatively simple in going to the late-Victorian era. Torchwood has been well and truly established following the events of Tooth and Claw and now Jack is in the time period after the events of The Parting of the Ways. I thought the use of a variety act felt very much of the period which I enjoyed and I liked how it just felt true to the Victorian era whilst having that sci-fi twist. The concept of somebody being able to answer any question no matter how secret or hidden is terrific and just perfect for the Whoniverse. What provides them with that ability? How did they get it? It's all good to play into and I liked that Jack knew the significance of the alien behind Anthony Bradshaw's incredible gift. To us readers, the name Lawphoram doesn't exactly mean much and is just another simple alien name, but I liked that Jack understood it and showed just how extensively he has travelled to. I mean, he is originally a Time Agent so it's not much of a surprise but with no Doctor around it's good for him to feel like a standout and very knowledgable character. Of course, he is the one carrying and leading this adventure and this felt more mature as well than some of the other stories in the series. I'm not sure if that's because of Captain Jack himself and his more adult oriented character or if it was just the quality of the story. I think it helped that there was a crowd onlooking as Jack challenged Mr Sutton as the Overseer and took him up on the challenge. One hundred guineas were coming his way as far as he was concerned and the question being how would Jack die was just brilliant. I didn't see it coming but once it did I couldn't believe it took me by surprise. I think it's clear that Jack is still getting to grips with his immortality and I firmly believe he genuinely wanted to know the answer. I also think he knew he wouldn't get one and that's why he was so brash in taking up Bradshaw on the challenge. I liked the simplicity in which the young lad answered that he didn't know because that just felt innocent. It confirmed he wasn't making things up and I appreciated that. The shock and awe that came from Jack having the unanswerable question was brilliant and that led Sutton to flee, but Jack was already two steps ahead and knew that would happen. Sutton didn't have anything close to the money and was spending what they earned like there was no tomorrow. Jack of course wasn't bothered on the financial side, but he wanted the alien involvement inside Bradshaw's head to stop. Sutton should not be profiting on it, especially when it was literally eating the young lad alive. It was from him that it fed and that was a strong bit of trepidation. The simplicity in which Jack broke the connection was good and I thought it was really poignant for him to visit Bradshaw later in life. The way the whole best friends comment from the voice in his head and then to Jack spun full circle by the end of the adventure was pretty brilliant. I loved it and it genuinely felt emotional! Overall, a really fantastic little story.

Rating: 9/10