Raiding a Miniscope comes with its own perils…

Unlike the first two stories in this collection, both of which were set shortly before the events of the episode they’re connected to, Guy Adams’ Peepshow fits in and around the Robert Holmes classic Carnival of Monsters, with events initiated by or happening to the Doctor and Jo affecting River and her companions – although, thanks to her foreknowledge, this can be both a blessing and a curse. This Back to the Future II-esque romp is what I’d anticipated for the entire set, but it works better as a conceit when used sparingly.

Alex Kingston and Clive Wood – playing Dibbsworth, another human caught up in Vorg’s contraption – make a fun bickering couple, with Dan Starkey and Adams himself contributing Sontarans and Ogrons, the former closer to their original concept than the more comedy variety we’ve got used to with Strax. I’d half expected River to get some time with Jo – maybe a heart-to-heart between those who loved the Doctor, given the impending break up between the third Doctor and Miss Grant – but what’s there is a better handling of the situation. Howard Carter’s sound design draws from the original TV serial and uses the Drashig effect well (they’re back to their old selves, rather than the variant heard in the most recent Tom Baker run).

Verdict: An interesting interpolation into a classic tale. 8/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order The Diary of River Song Volume 6 from Big Finish