BBC Sounds, June 19, 2022

Can Cleo help the Doctor save the day?

This near-double length finale for Doctor Who Redacted brings everything to a very satisfying conclusion, courtesy of Juno Dawson’s careful plotting and creation of a great guest starring role for Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. Yes, I know that’s not the normal way round, but given how much of this whole saga has been about the absence of the Time Lord, it feels appropriate to describe it this way; Salvation also has the feel of a Doctor-lite episode from the first RTD era (and there are some definite strong links to one of those). We get the answers as to what’s happening and why, and Dawson uses some familiar ideas from the TV show in different ways.

Director Ella Watts ensures Jodie Whittaker sounds like she’s enjoying reprising the Doctor on audio (remember, this was done some time after she’d filmed her final TV episode) and working with a different creative team – there’s an energy in the performance that has sometimes felt dampened down on screen. She and Charlie Craggs have a number of important scenes that fly past, while David Thomas and Arlie Adlington’s sound design is once again crucial to selling the scope of the tale. Those who’ve read David Devereux’s interview will remember they referred to a heroic Doctor theme, and that’s very clear early on. Lois Chimimba and Holly Quin-Ankrah are essential to the storytelling and it’s good to hear that one particular strand of Shawna and Abby’s own plotlines is resolved. It will be interesting to listen to this through as one story and see what the creators have left themselves to deal with for the future…

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given Whittaker’s strong involvement, this is the portion of Doctor Who Redacted that feels most like a familiar Doctor Who story, but it still has the distinct Redacted flavour to it. A sequel series, building on what’s worked in this, would be great to hear – and assuming the numbers warrant it, let’s hope BBC Sounds go for it. Particularly with either of the current TV Doctors…

Verdict: I came away from the end knowing I’ll miss hearing more next week – always a good sign – but this does wrap the opening season up well. (And do not miss the mid-credits scene!) 9/10

Paul Simpson

(Faux Target cover by Connor Johnston, used with permission)