Thirteen O'Clock

"This is not my home. Everything's wrong."

Writer: Robert Valentine

Format: Audio

Released: June 2026

Series: Ninth Doctor Adventures 4.06

Featuring: Ninth Doctor, Rose

Synopsis

The Doctor and Rose return once more to the Powell Estate, but now the Doctor has a dreadful suspicion about the malevolent power that keeps pulling them back. The estate is shrouded in a strange fog, most of the residents have vanished, and the sinister Mrs Crook guards the ominous Flat 13.

What's more, Saffron Windrose has arrived in search of the Doctor, because once he helped her face a nightmarish entity at a railway station called Underbridge... and it's happening again.

Verdict

Thirteen O'Clock was an excellent story to continue the ongoing fourth series of Ninth Doctor Adventures! This followed the Thirteenth Doctor Adventures in essentially having a mid-series finale and after everything that has been happening in this range and the focus on the Powell Estate, it was good to wrap things up and get an explanation. I knew from the Doctor Who Magazine preview of this story that we were going to get a return in the form of Saffron and I actually think that's a good move to ensure the continuity of the range. I still remain uncertain about such an extensive catalogue of stories for the Ninth Doctor prior to Rose, but things like this just work. It's great for this to basically be a great big sequel to Station to Station which was a sublime episode so to have the Grimminy-Grew return was quite spectacular! I must admit I didn't expect that to happen and be the big bad of the last year in this range that kept things contained to the Powell Estate, but I'm all for it. I mean, I should have seen it coming with Saffron's return and the synopsis basically telling you that's what is about to happen, but it was still a great moment. The Doctor had his suspicions throughout the episode and I really appreciated the performance of Christopher Eccleston here because he showcased a vulnerable side of his incarnation. That's not exactly new for the Ninth Doctor because he admits he's scared in The Parting of the Ways but the genuine fear that came in his voice was instantly recognisable. I thought that was tremendous and showcased to any new listeners jumping on with Rose for this fourth series that the Grimminy-Grew was not to be messed with. The continued talking in rhymes give it a unique quality that instantly provides a sense of unease and mystery. That's obviously good. The setting of the Powell Estate here that was very much not in its usual state was great with it being a complete jumble. Milton being one of the last survivors on the Estate was a decent character and sharing a past with Rose that wasn't wholly recognisable was good. The Doctor not showing too much remorse for his death and just trying to convince Rose to ensure he didn't die in vain showed the urgency of the situation and just how bad things were. I liked the use of the number thirteen as the flat number containing Mrs Crook as she was a barmy character to put it lightly! She brought chaos to an already chaotic story and the Grew being her master fitted very nicely. She wasn't afraid to taunt the Doctor or Rose and that was really good. I liked the School Reunion vibes between Rose and Saffron as after the former was initially jealous, the story concluded with her asking if the latter would join them on their travels. I'd have loved that as she's a really strong character with obvious companion qualities. The Doctor and the Grew playing a game once again but this time the stakes were up. Banishment was clearly not enough because the Grew had orchestrated all recent events at the Powell Estate and now it was a duel to the death. Rose volunteering herself to be put on the line was something that didn't go down well with the Doctor, but Saffron realising that the Grew was actually answering to die in guessing the Doctor's heart's desire was fascinating. He wanted an end and the Doctor duly provided. Overall, a fantastic episode to continue the series! How about some adventures in space now?

Rating: 9/10