The Nine: Shellshock

"The war machine of the future."

Writers: Simon Barnard & Paul Morris

Format: Audio

Released: June 2022

Series: Fourth Doctor Adventures 11.04

Featuring: Fourth Doctor

Synopsis

When the TARDIS lands behind German lines at the height of the First World War, the Doctor finds himself inadvertently transported to a hospital full of traumatised soldiers. They're suffering from shellshock but also something else. Something causing vivid nightmares that chill the blood. Something not of this place.

Things are not quiet on the Western Front.

Verdict

Shellshock was a great story to continue my way through The Nine second half of the eleventh series of Fourth Doctor Adventures!  This does seem to be a slightly random and perhaps misleading umbrella title for this portion of the series as I don’t think the titular villain of the Nine will be appearing outside of The Dreams of Avarice which feels a tad strange! This was an improved story though and that might be down to my love of history. I’m a sucker for a World War setting and throwing the Fourth Doctor onto the German side of the First is exciting stuff. The atmosphere was certainly tense and this more comical and smiley incarnation is not one that suits wartime. And that’s exactly why it worked because he was so out of place and it was no surprise for him to be accused of being a spy on multiple occasions on both sides! The idea of the Doctor getting caught up between each party of the War worked well and I enjoyed how he didn’t want to pick sides. It’s often easy to forget the Doctor doesn’t have a national preference despite his British centric history on Earth. He helps humanity on a planetary basis which is sometimes difficult to remember. Continuing to travel solo, I thought the relationship he garnered with Hanna Schumann was terrific. I really enjoyed her profession as a nurse and whilst there were some derogatory comments about her gender and it being wartime, she stood up brilliantly and arguably stole the show. She was excellent companion material and the Doctor thought she’d make a strong interrogator which was nice to hear. The emotion that came from her ending was strong as she actually wished to have taken the Doctor up on his offer of travel but he’d made a hasty retreat after showing back up after a few weeks. That was a big shame as I think there’s a lot of potential with her which sadly seems like it’ll go untapped. The military command hierarchy dominated the rest of the main characters which was really good. Hans was great and I also thought Doctor Sturm offered a lot. However the main villain of the piece was clearly General Reinhardt and his desire to change the thinking of soldiers. The use of the device was unethical as far as Hanna was concerned and she didn’t like how it was unnatural. Those who were subjected to it would become focused on purely being a soldier without often thinking for themselves. They were overridden with drive. I thought the development of what was happening to the soldiers over the course of the story was decent although once the truth came out I almost thought it was a tad less interesting. It was far from bad but I prefer keeping things grounded in history. Although I did like the scale of the creature that had been around for years and years feeding on and encouraging warfare. The concept there of it influencing war and making a connection in the mind was excellent and perhaps came a little too late to have the full impact. It was original and I liked how the Hundred Years War in particular was seen as something to make a big impact. And now as humanity advanced at the start of the twentieth century the introduction of technology into warfare meant the creature was on a whole different level. That was exciting stuff! I really loved the reaction of the Doctor towards the end when the TARDIS emerged seemingly from nowhere thanks to the HADS sending it forward in time after the explosion. I could just hear the smile on the Doctor’s face which was marvellous. I thought the way the creature kind of just petered out was fine and I think the focus was rightfully on Hanna at the end. I’d love to hear more of her but unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be getting my wish. Overall though, a strong story to continue the series!

Rating: 8/10