Deeptime Frontier

"I'm in the mood for a good story."

Writer: Matt Fitton

Format: Audio

Released: April 2019

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures: Ravenous 3.01

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Liv, Helen

Synopsis

Stranded on a desolate world by a dead TARDIS, the Doctor and his friends are trapped, surrounded by creatures from Time Lord nightmares - the Ravenous...

Elsewhere, on the edge of the vortex, a Gallifreyan research station takes on board an extremely dangerous artefact. Are the Time Lords sowing the seeds of their own destruction?

And if one Ravenous creature rattles the Doctor’s nerves, what will happen when the whole clan is hunting him?

Verdict

Deeptime Frontier was an outstanding start to the third Ravenous series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! After a fantastic finale to the second box set in the form of Seizure, this was a fantastic way to kick off the next box set! It didn’t surprise me to learn after listening that this was actually set to be the second box set’s finale but had to be delayed due to a bereavement of writer Matt Fitton. It was just brilliant and after a relatively slow build up towards the Ravenous, this one went into so much detail on their origin and background! I absolutely loved it. It was a phenomenal description of what the Ravenous are and their historic link with the Time Lords. I loved the idea of all Time Lords subconsciously being scared of them because of early Gallifreyan interactions with them and the prospect of the high and mighty race being scared of anything is just fascinating. I loved the idea of them looking slightly like clowns too with that white providing a quite horrifying image. The idea of clowns in numerous societies developing from the lore of the Ravenous is really good and just works. I thought the resolution to the cliffhanger at the end of the last box set was quick with the Doctor, Liv and Helen stuck on a planet with no TARDIS that was due for vaporisation and surrounded by Ravenous. Rasmus was on hand to transport the trio and the Time Lords getting involved in Ravenous business again is exciting. I thought incorporating Liv’s medical expertise was really good in dissecting a Ravenous corpse but she could find no apparent sign of death. That was intriguing but then it turned out it wasn’t dead at all! The concept of the Ravenous all being one clan works well, but I love the history and potential of that not always having been the case. The Doctor suggesting that one clan was allowed to survive by the Time Lords out of guilt was excellent and no wonder they were ravenous for the species. Why consume a puny human when you could have a Time Lord to feast upon? The story behind Brallix was really intriguing and I loved the idea of them being moved mid-regeneration. The fate of having a Ravenous within was quite spectacular and from there she was consumed. Talk about living up to their name! Visteron was another really strong character and her foreshadowing of events for the Time Lords and ambiguously alluding to the Time War was good stuff. The discussion on dark chronons and the search for an alternative fuel source was a strong incentive for the Gallifreyan presence. Why wouldn’t they take the opportunity to find a potential replacement for the Eye of Harmony? The Ravenous laying a trap and actually being hidden within the darkness that the Time Lords were mining was brilliant and I thought the cliffhanger finish was really strong. The Doctor had gotten to engrossed in what was happening and was convinced the Ravenous would follow him so he just left his companions behind! That was quite surprising, but even more so when the truth about Daria came out in her feeling responsible. I liked the idea of it being a Time Lord problem to solve but the Ravenous seemed to be one step ahead which angered the Doctor. Things are a bit of a mess for him at the minute now separated from companions and the Eleven having his TARDIS. It could definitely be going better! But what a way to set up another series. I’m very excited to listen moving forward! Overall, a sublime series opener. Just excellent. 

Rating: 10/10