Doctor Who - 8th Doctor Adventures Series 4 Part 1: Reviewed

The final series of the Eighth Doctor Adventures is lengthy at 10 (+1) episodes, so I've split it up into two parts. This is also apparently by far the best series so I'm rather excited to get into it.

4.1 Death in Blackpool by Alan Barnes

Death in Blackpool feels a bit weird as a series opener, since it carries directly on from the end of series 3, ties up the Auntie Pat storyline, and sees Lucie depart the TARDIS (it was also released half a year before the rest of series 4, as a Christmas special). I think it would have been better as the series 3 finale, but I suppose it also works as a hook for series 4. Either way, this is the best 8DA so far 100%. Death in Blackpool is a real tearjerker, and sees the consequences of the insane ending from The Zygon Who Fell to Earth finally come into play. Lucie's beloved Auntie Pat, who she adored as a kid, was actually a Zygon in disguise the whole time, after Pat's death in that Zygon episode. This is the type of story that only Doctor Who can really do, and it's brilliant. It's quite a dark Christmas episode (hello Chimes of Midnight also) but there is still a lot of levity, provided mainly by the lovable 'Santa' who is a fantastic addition to the cast. This story is very emotional, and Sheridan Smith and Paul McGann bring their absolute A-game for this one. The Doctor's sheer panic at Lucie's car crash injury is palpable, and Sheridan Smith is just incredible throughout. Lucie's realisation at Auntie Pat's lie is a brilliant moment, and so is her departure from the TARDIS. Death in Blackpool is an excellent start to series 4 and my favourite 8DA.

9/10

Special Release - An Earthly Child by Marc Platt

Not an 8DA, but An Earthly Child is essential to the story of series 4 and fits in here. After Lucie's departure in Death in Blackpool, the Doctor visits his granddaughter Susan, 30 years after The Dalek Invasion of Earth. It's an emotional reunion (although they had seen each other again in The Five Doctors), and the interactions between the Doctor, Susan, and her son Alex (played by Paul McGann's son Jake!) are the obvious highlights, with some fantastic performances. It's just a shame that the actual plot of this story is so lackluster. The aliens that Susan calls on for help aren't all that interesting, nor is the political drama that accompanies it. The xenophobia allegory is quite simple and the whole thing is just a bit cliched. Still, the character interactions are really fantastic, making this an enjoyable story in the end.

7/10

4.2 Situation Vacant by Eddie Robson

TRAVELLER IN TIME AND SPACE seeks male or female companion with good sense of humour for adventures in the Fourth and Fifth Dimensions.

Situation Vacant is tremendously fun and just a delight to listen to. After Lucie's departure, the Doctor is on the hunt for a new companion, so he hosts a sort of job interview for four hopefuls. These four potential companions are varied and interesting and the cast is fantastic (and includes Joe Thomas of Inbetweeners fame)! The X-Factor/Apprentice spin on Doctor Who is a neat idea and executed very well, and the various twists and turns throughout lead to Situation Vacant being a really fun romp.

8/10

4.3 Nevermore by Alan Barnes

Nevermore is a bit of a mess really, throwing in a hodge-podge of Edgar Allen Poe references (I assume, at least, I'm not familiar with him at all) at the detriment of a solid script. The whole thing's a bit confusing, there's a quite a bit of boring expositional battles that I was half falling asleep to and the Ravens don't really do much of note. As new companion Tamsin's first proper story, Nevermore does not give her anything to work with at all, she just feels like a stock companion. The side characters are actually quite good and the shenanigans with the cat are an entertaining distraction but this whole thing was just a bit incoherent that I didn't find it very enjoyable.

5/10

4.4 The Book of Kells by Barnaby Edwards

The Book of Kells is a fun 11th century adventure featuring the return of The Meddling Monk! Barnaby Edwards' script is really fantastic, allowing for Tamsin to finally come into her own after the disappointing Nevermore, and the supporting cast are excellent too. I really enjoyed the Doctor realising that it's the Monk, but then getting it wrong at first, it's a novel idea, and one that gets both a lot of drama and comedy squeezed out of it. I found the pacing a little off, and I was genuinely confused about what Olaf and Sitric were doing as they felt pretty irrelevant, but The Book of Kells is still a really great story.

8/10

Despite the misstep that is Nevermore, series 4 of the 8DAs starts out very strong!