Separated from the Doctor, Lucie Miller has to protect a young boy…

Andrew Smith’s second Doctor Who contribution this month sees the return of Sheridan Smith to the role of Lucie (“Bleedin’”) Miller in this harder-edged tale, as the young Blackpool girl finds herself having to step into the Doctor’s shoes after the pair are separated during an attack. Smith (S) doesn’t try to give an imitation of McGann’s Doctor, more of a general impression, but in doing so, provides an interesting slant on how Lucie “hears” the Time Lord, to add to the excellent job Smith (A) does with the script.

It’s a smaller scale conflict than some in which Lucie has found herself but this allows Smith (both A and S) to delve into what makes her tick. Some of the Big Finish-created companions have maybe gone on longer than needed but there are others such as Lucie, whose departures came at a time when there was clearly more to be discovered about them, and this story does more than just reinforce her core attributes.

Verdict: Solid work from sound designer/composer Steve Foxon and sensitive direction from Lisa Bowerman add to the sterling work from The Smiths to make another strong addition to Lucie Miller’s adventures. 9/10

Paul Simpson