The 9th Doctor and Rose have to make an emergency landing and have to sort an error of their own making…

Niel Bushnell’s contribution to the BBC Audio line takes us back to Series 1, with the Ninth Doctor travelling with Rose Tyler. It’s fascinating hearing this after multiple stories with Christopher Eccleston reprising the role, but at a time in this Doctor’s timeline that’s quite different from this period – we’ve got used to the more Moffat-esque take that’s in those audios, whereas this is the pricklier side of the incarnation, who’s prone to be rude and snappy at times, but who is slowly (as is clearly acknowledged here) changing as a result of his travels with Rose.

Adoja Andoh doesn’t try to provide impersonations of either Eccleston or Billie Piper, but does capture their intonation and inflections, meaning we’re absolutely clear at all times as to who is speaking. Peggy, the grieving artist whom the time travellers meet, is a nicely drawn character, whose style of life was not well regarded by too many at the time – but which to Rose, from 20 years later, seems normal.

It’s always handy for these sorts of stories when the alien creature possesses one of those already cast, but David Roocroft’s sound design adds the necessary unusual qualities to Andoh’s performance.

Verdict: A well told tale that fits neatly within Series 1. 8/10

Paul Simpson

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