Bramble King

"A monster that eats traitors and liars."

Writer: Noga Flaishon

Format: Audio

Released: October 2025

Series: Halloween 1.03

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Audacity

Synopsis

The Doctor and Audacity encounter a strange vision which leads them to Walpurgis-9, a cargo ship drifting powerless through space. In their attempt to assist the ship's crew, they become entangled in their secrets and encounter the malevolent entity known as 'The Bramble King'. 

Verdict

Bramble King was a decent episode to continue my way through the Halloween series! This was certainly a different kind of tale and I think going down the folklore route is a solid option for a Halloween themed release. It ties in nicely with the essence of the day and its past. I think Audacity is a pretty solid choice of companion for that kind of adventure too, but I must say I'm finding her wholly average in the role which is a shame to say. I'm quite disappointed that we didn't get Charley alongside her and the Eighth Doctor here as she's one of the very best on audio where companions are concerned. But she wasn't interested in folklore so she got to stay behind which was actually a bit of a surprise. I don't remember her being afford that kind of freedom in the Monthly Adventures range and certainly not in the chronology of where Audacity is placed, but it's all part of the fun on expanding from what has come before. I thought the Walpurgis-9 cargo ship was a strong setting and it certainly felt eery. It didn't really fit the folklore kind of vibe though. A fairytale on a cargo ship? It didn't quite add up for me. I liked the interactions the Doctor and Audacity had with the ship's crew and the dilemma that Otto faced in whether to allow them on board because of their low levels of oxygen was great. I was expecting that to play a much bigger role in the episode by the end of the audio, but alas it seemed to be quietly forgotten. I thought Otto taking the role as the leader was good but he was also not the most likeable of characters. I think that was the intention though and I couldn't exactly blame him for putting certain interests first. He obviously knew a whole lot more than he was letting on for much of the episode with everything that came out about his son. The mythology behind the titular Bramble King was fascinating and I think there's definitely a solid creepy factor in the use of brambles moving towards you. I wouldn't fancy being chased by them! Reinka was a really lovely character and I liked how she befriended Audacity quite early on. The companion was clever in trying to work her way around the mind block that prevented her from talking about the truth about the Bramble King and the links with Otto. I thought it was all slightly too much or maybe overkill that the boy was all of the cargo, Otto's son, and the Bramble King! That's an awful lot of baggage for one boy. Gretchen was a goo character to compliment Otto and she was also showcasing the emotion behind the truth of the fairytale and the ship. Otto was finally convinced by the Doctor about what was needed to be done and he went one step further in sacrificing himself to ensure that all was paid off. I thought that was certainly emotional and brought out a different side in the somewhat ruffian demeanour of Otto, but children will do that to you. I certainly know that from experience! The sacrifice was made and the boy was saved and the Bramble King was no longer a mythological threat. It was controlled and that rounded things out pretty nicely to be honest. Overall, another solid episode to continue the set and I'm liking the variety and feel despite the overlapping theme. A good continuation! 

Rating: 7/10