DOCTOR WHO: TENTH DOCTOR/ CLASSIC COMPANIONS

The Clause Of Axos

RELEASED SEPTEMBER |

Publisher

One of the joys of Doctor Who is its ability to canonically indulge in “What ifs” that elsewhere would be the realm of fan fiction. This box set takes on one used to such great effect in the TV series – what if the Tenth Doctor met a companion of his younger selves – and plays with it a little more.

In “Splinters”, the Doctor finds K-9 floating in space, waiting for the Doctor’s assistance to chase down temporal anomalies caused by the Time War. They find themselves in Cornwall, where Leela is aiding a village under siege from the monstrous Spriggan, who steals away children on their 18th birthday. But just how is Leela on Earth? The answer makes for a fun pairing and an intriguing tale.

Second up is “The Stuntman”, mostly set inside a virtual world in which the Doctor attempts to aid stuntwoman “Kasey-ann Frost” (a fun anagram) and her protective father. It’s a story that shifts

between reality and virtual scenarios in a way that just hasn’t been well realised, and while it’s always nice to hear Sarah Sutton, it would have been nicer to have more of the real Nyssa. “Quantum Of Axos”, by contrast, is a traditional story that shows off just what Who does best. Ace – now going by Dorothy

– is in Cambridge investigating a tech company when Ten and K-9 turn up to help.

It’s wonderful to be reunited with a more mature but clearly recognisable Ace, in a classic set-up (with classic villains) that includes some interesting commentary on the dangers of nostalgia. Head and shoulders above the first two, this is a compelling, entertaining tale which should delight fans.

Rhian Drinkwater

A “spriggan” is a creature from Cornish myth that delighted in evil mischief and often swapped children for changelings.