The Doctor returns to Piir hoping for a good meal – but instead finds things changed beyond all expectation.

Christopher Cooper’s tale for the Eleventh Doctor is one of those that uses audio to good effect – had it been a televised tale, a good chunk of the budget would have had to go to the creation of the new species involved, but instead here certain auditory tics, and portions entirely in the alien language, very successfully sell the concept. Jacob Dudman’s portrayal of the Doctor is spot on, to the extent that you really feel like you can see the puzzlement, righteous anger and determination on the Time Lord’s face at the appropriate moments.

There’s a lot of familiar concepts in here (which I won’t spoil, but you will recognise when you come to them), but that’s something that applies to many of the very best Doctor Who stories, and Cooper provides a different spin in places. Lee Adams’ sound design gives differing perspectives on events, and director Nicholas Briggs ensures that we feel the ticking clock in proceedings.

Verdict: A good solid piece of Doctor Who. 7/10

Paul Simpson

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