What is the secret of Intertraxia?

Helen Goldwyn pens the third tale for the Season 7 River, which once again sees her teamed up on an investigation with Liz Shaw. It’s a story with plenty of twists and turns – and a wander into territory that was mined a lot during the New Adventures, with computer mental landscapes, although none of those was ever accompanied by a version of the theme tune that’s quite so appropriate. (And don’t jump the end title track in your haste to get to the credits – Howard Carter has more fun with that as well.) Goldwyn gives us a predominantly female line up, with Emma Swan’s Pippa reminding me of so many ‘Donkey’ (as in Shrek)-like students I’ve encountered over the years.

It almost feels a shame that there’s only one more story after this – the combination of Alex Kingston’s River and Daisy Ashford’s Liz has been one of the most successful partnerships we’ve had in this series, and has given us new angles on a companion who’s not received as much attention as she deserves. I’m hoping that the finale doesn’t close the door completely…

Verdict: Another enjoyable outing for the two doctors… 8/10

Paul Simpson

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