The Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) have been bouncing back and forth between the Powell Estate, and the mystery behind all this is finally solved in Thirteen O’Clock, by Robert Valentine. Directly continuing from Pandemonium, the TARDIS arrives at the Tyler home residence but with Jackie and other neighbours having vanished… except for Milton Fry (Will Chitty). At the same time, Saffron Windrose (Indigo Griffiths) turns up in search of the Time Lord, as their past comes back to haunt them.
That’s right! We have a sequel to Station to Station (from Back to Earth), also written by Valentine, because the Grimminy-Grue (Dan Starkey, who also voices the Cabbie) is back after the Doctor supposedly banished him. And the main villain isn’t working alone. He is using the sinister Mrs Crook (Sophie Thompson), who talks in rhyme and resides in Flat 13, as his servant. Love her terrifying voice acting in this.
Originally planned to be released on 18th June, but later rescheduled for the 29th, the script neatly interweaves the overarching narrative and Station to Station without trying to make it a rehash of the latter. Upon my first listen, I had shivers down my spine as the story progressed. Not just because of the horror elements of the plot, but the performances and sound design impressively evoke a claustrophobic atmosphere. And although I don’t have a fear of the number 13, I figured that the Doctor would bring up Triskaidekaphobia, which immediately reminded me of the Wizards vs Aliens serial The Thirteenth Floor (adapted from an unmade Sarah Jane Adventures script of the same name).
It’s been three years since the Doctor and Saffron first met inside Underbridge railway station, during one of his pre-Series 1 solo adventures, and she has since matured into a monster-hunting investigator. If Saffron returning wasn’t fun enough, having her meet Rose is my personal highlight of the story. There’s a bit of competitive rivalry between the two, but it’s very much a stark contrast to the events of School Reunion, as Saffron met the Doctor once while Sarah Jane Smith travelled with him as a full-time companion. This is what I love about Big Finish; televised companions meeting others introduced on audio. And I wholeheartedly recommend (re)listening to Station to Station, in order to understand the backstory behind Saffron Windrose and the Grimminy-Grue.
While I won’t spoil the Grimminy-Grue’s motives, I couldn’t be more impressed with how the story arc is thoroughly resolved, and also the Doctor and Rose’s relationship being tested further. It all goes back to the Doctor’s refusal to “stay in one place for too long”, otherwise he’ll bring danger and death; just as Clive Finch warned Rose in the Series 1 opener. That’s exactly what’s been happening to the Powell Estate since the very beginning, him believing that everything is his fault. Even with the repercussions of The Long Game, it foreshadows the pivotal moment in Bad Wolf where he is utterly horrified that he “made this world.” The Doctor is still experiencing PTSD from the Time War, but the only thing he can do is keep Rose out of harm’s way.
Overall, Thirteen O’Clock is a powerful climax for the first half of 9DA Series 4. It brings a strong balance of nostalgic, by mixing in the familiar elements of the TV episodes with Station to Station.
When a story arc comes to a conclusion, it’s always best to make it gritty and tense. Absolutely fantastic.
And coming in August: the Doctor and Rose are off into the future as they join the Knights of Atlas on their space expedition to find the Vesterbold in Dark Tides, written by Tim Foley. Make sure you check out this nostalgic “Next Time” style trailer!
The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Thirteen O’Clock is available now from Big Finish.
