Snow

"It falls here to remind me of him."

Writer: James Kettle

Format: Audio

Released: December 2021

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures: Stranded 3.03

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Liv, Helen, Tania, Andy

Synopsis

Returning to London in the 2030s, the TARDIS travellers find a sinister elite taking hold.

Baker Street now has just one lonely resident – and what's more, it is the last place on Earth where snow ever falls.

Verdict

Snow was a sublime audio adventure to continue my way through the third Stranded series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! This was just sensational from start to finish with an excellent plot, a really strong emotional pull and tremendous character development. There was so much going on at a calm pace that really just made this an absolute delight to listen to. It was magnificent. I thought the continuation of the paradoxical timeline was really good and made sense here. It was super beneficial to get a pre-departure scene as the decision was made to meet in the middle of the present of 2020 and their last visit to 2050 in Patience. Going to 2035 was exciting and it was fun for Andy to not be overly excited about the prospect because it was sooner than when he had been already! He was of course along for the ride and I'm finding his continued presence alongside the Eighth Doctor good fun. Never would have I imagined he would basically become a companion to a Classic era Doctor but I'm all here for it. He's really good. I thought the continued development of Liv and Tania's relationship was strong and undoubtedly the central piece of this audio. They had a little spat that meant the latter didn't fancy the latest trip in the TARDIS and whilst I think the question of whether Liv would stay behind with her once the TARDIS was healed was fair, the method in which Tania went about it was a little harsh. It was subtle pressure and that didn't need to happen. Liv is new to relationships but she's doing really well and going at her pace is the right move here. She shouldn't have to make a decision before she's ready, but I think her encounter in the future means she's more than made up her mind now! The emotional toil she went through in seeing Tania die in 2035 was extraordinary! It was incredible stuff and I felt really sorry for her. She firmly believed that the event was now a fixed point in time as a result of them leaving without her in 2020. Fifteen years had gone by for this older Tania but she was still on hand to save Liv and Andy from a Divine Intervention ambush. The fascism potential in Britain just with Andy wearing shorts and showcasing Aryan qualities was powerful stuff. A lot can change in fifteen years and that was evident here! Andy was very shocked by the state of the country he once knew. The idea of diverging and possible futures is something I'm a big fan of and you could sense the glee in Liv's voice when the Doctor confirmed to her that this future didn't have to happen. Of course, she wasn't the only one feeling grief as Ron was mourning the loss of his partner Tony after five years. The concept behind the sentient snow was good and I love the idea of it only snowing in the garden of the Doctor's house on Baker Street. The grief of a time traveller was a powerful thing and I like the logic behind that. The snow then passing onto Liv when Tania passed was excellent and sent a very strong message of what she was going through and how much she truly cared for Tania. The role of Zakia as a member of Divine Intervention shocked Helen and that was another good element of the audio to explore. The organisation utilising the families as threats and the good behaviour needed to release them being of their children was superb villainous qualities. There was a lot to hate about them! I am very intrigued to see where things conclude for this boxset as the paradox continues to be explored, but for now this was an outstanding episode! I love the emotional attachments.

Rating: 10/10