Just the Two of Us

"They're Time Lords. They do the rehab out of order."

Writer: Stephen Cole

Format: Short Story

Released: July 2024

Series: I, TARDIS: Memoirs of an Impossible Blue Box 11

Featuring: Fourteenth Doctor, Donna, Fifteenth Doctor, Ruby

Synopsis

The Doctor has a unique bond with their TARDIS. They've always loved the 'old girl' for the way she's gone looking for trouble anywhere in the universe. The Doctor says they stole the TARDIS from Gallifrey. The TARDIS disagrees... she stole them. She hasn't always taken them where they want to go, but she's made sure to take them where they needed to be.

For the TARDIS is dar more than just a time machine crossed with a spaceship. Her life reflects the Doctor's life – a shared wanderlust and longing to explore. Now you can revisit the Doctor's adventures as seen through the eyes – or the flashing rooftop light, at least – of the TARDIS. From the time the Doctor stole her from Gallifrey to her latest adventures with the Fifteenth Doctor, the TARDIS reflects wittily on her epic, incredible history – past, present and future! 

Verdict

Just the Two of Us was a decent little story to continue my way through the I, TARDIS: Memoirs of an Impossible Blue Box collection! Serving as the penultimate adventure in the book this brings us basically right up to date with the time of publication. Reading when I am after the airing of the Fifteenth Doctor's second series gives me a sense of incompleteness, but that's nothing on the story or release itself! It's my own fault for taking around a year to (nearly) complete the collection. I have had a mixed relationship with this book so far but this was a good story and I think that was largely down to it being somewhat smaller than the ten that came before it. The Fourteenth Doctor's era was only a fortnight on screen after over a year of waiting so that was quickly glossed over, although I did enjoy the TARDIS reacting to the regeneration at the end of The Power of the Doctor and a familiar face taking the reigns. The TARDIS even acknowledged that the Doctor's clothes changed with him now which was fun. I really enjoyed that the TARDIS decided for herself to change the console room desktop theme because this face was familiar and she knew it didn't match the darker and organic feel of the Thirteenth Doctor's design. That's still comfortably the worst design we've had on the show and it's no surprise that she jumped at the opportunity to change! I know I was happy to move forward. We saw it depicted as this Doctor's console room in Liberation of the Daleks and Destination: Skaro which was more than enough of a glimpse! I thought the story starting with that latter Children in Need special was good and it was intriguing for the TARDIS to touch upon the genesis of the Daleks being a time locked event. But there she was! Right at the very beginning. The damage she caused there was fun and I enjoyed her retelling that. I enjoyed the TARDIS deciding specifically during The Star Beast to change her interior design and the description of it being an upgraded and upscaled cathedral version of her first control room was delightful. I was surprised at how quickly Wild Blue Yonder was glossed over because there was an opportunity to explain why the HADS reacted there and just say they were activated. Similarly, The Giggle was quickly discussed when there was so much going on there with a bigeneration, reuniting with Mel, and the TARDIS being split into two. This story almost felt rushed in parts when there really was no need to do so. I thought the TARDIS referring to some of the Fifteenth Doctor's events as almost in the future was intriguing and I think it's clear that this book was released prior to its events concluding. I mean, in the Journey Log for The Legend of Ruby Sunday/Empire of Death there's no mention of Sutekh having been clinging onto her for centuries! Also, I'm not convinced even the TARDIS should have retained memory of the events of 73 Yards, but what do I know? Ruby being the sole entry into the Stray Log was nice and I thought the Foundling was an adequate nickname. It allowed some strong detail on what we knew of her, although it didn't feel finished which is right given her story was not finished at the time of publication. That's always an issue with a release like this because for the TARDIS, her story will never end! This could so easily be updated with each era akin to the current Fifteen Doctors, Fifteen Stories release. I must admit, I hope that isn't the case. I thought a little more detail on the Journey Log for the Fifteenth Doctor era stories in particular would have been welcomed, but I did enjoy The Church on Ruby Road describing the Goblins as baby-gobblin'. That was fun stuff. Overall, a few missed opportunities but a strong recount of much of the current era. A decent read! 

 

Rating: 7/10