by Jamie Hailstone

Sonicbound Publishing, out now

An episode guide to the Tenth Doctor.

Starting with a brief description of David Tennant’s career prior to Who, Jamie Hailstone’s short episode guide is an amalgam of material easily available on the internet (cast lists, synopses), and behind the scenes details (gleaned for the most part from Doctor Who Magazine or its companion The Complete History).

Hailstone’s own reviews form a small section of each entry – and these could have done with a proofing eye (episode titles are misquoted, characters’ names misspelled, cross-references missed – e.g. for The Doctor’s Daughter, there’s a reference to the Big Finish adventures, but none at all to her appearances in the Titan comic strips – all of which should have been picked up.)

The tone is nicely casual – it feels as if you’re hearing the opinions of a mate in the pub, one who doesn’t really ever rock the boat. You almost hope he’s going to say that Midnight is rubbish or some such – but it’s the usual contenders, such as Daleks in Manhattan that get short shrift,

The author includes entries for Tennant’s four extra screen appearances – the two animated serials, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and The Day of the Doctor – but in line with the series subtitle (On Screen…) there’s mention but nothing more of his Big Finish appearances, or indeed the BBC Audio / AudioGo stories that Tennant himself narrated.

If it had come out at the end of Tennant’s period as the Doctor, or even for the 10th anniversary of his departure, then I could understand its publication, but as it is, it’s an odd addition to the Who shelves.

Verdict: Not breaking any new ground, but a solid appreciation of Tennant’s time in the TARDIS. 6/10

Tom Conway

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