The Doctor needs help from Osgood… well, one of them anyway…

Una McCormack’s highly enjoyable tale for the 12th Doctor and Osgood wraps up this first box set in style, with Ingrid Oliver once again bringing the Doctor-fangirl to life opposite what I think is, to date, Jacob Dudman’s best performance as Peter Capaldi’s incarnation. McCormack gives us plenty of scenes focusing on Osgood, and her wonder at finally getting a trip in the TARDIS, and doesn’t forget the particular quirks of the 12th Doctor, and his relationships with other people.

It’s a good mix of political wrangling, espionage and more blatant action, with an underlying message about the way in which people can be manipulated without their being aware of it. Helen Goldwyn’s direction makes it feel as if there are far more than just two actors involved with help from Lee Adams’ sound design and an unobtrusive score from Ioan Morris.

Verdict: A strong finale to what I hope is a run of these adventures. 9/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order The 12th Doctor Chronicles volume 1 from Big Finish