We’ve got some exciting news on the Doctor Who front this week. Up first, there’s a new Doctor Who audio drama on the way all about the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and River Song (Alex Kingston).
The history between River and the Doctor is complicated, filled with all kinds of wibbly-wobbly time/space twists. The basics are that she’s the daughter of Amy Pond and Rory Willams daughter, both companions of the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), but she has a relationship with the Doctor all her own.
Although River was most often paired with the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), we were introduced to her during Tennant’s run on the show, in the season 4 two-parter “Silence in the Library” and “Forest of the Dead.” At the time, we had no idea how important she would become to the overall story. River was always fun on the series, but also mysterious. Now we’re finally digging deeper into her connection with the Tenth Doctor specifically thanks to the Big Finish audio series.
David Tennant home recording for Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor and River Song. Image Courtesy Big Finish Productions
This is a gap in the story I’ve been itching to know more about! Both Tennant and Kingston will take part in three new adventures coming this November, starting with a story called “Expiry Dating” by James Goss. That will be followed by Lizzie Hopley’s “Precious Annihilation” and Jonathan Morris’ “Ghosts.”
"The Doctor knows that River Song is a part of his future. A maddening, intriguing, but inevitable part.Their lives are becoming inextricably intertwined, but in these early days – for the Doctor at least – they must navigate their relationship without too many spoilers.Whatever her past, and the Doctor’s future, holds, River will make sure that he has fun untangling the mystery…"
The audio series is now available for preorder through the Big Finish website.
Alex Kingston home recording for Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor and River Song. Image Courtesy Big Finish Productions
If you wanna know more, here are synopses for all the stories. Mind the spoilers:
“Expiry Dating”
"The first time the Doctor met River Song, he saw her die. And now she’s asking him on a date. Well, not a date, exactly… More of a mission.But the Doctor isn’t at anyone’s beck and call. Or so he thinks. With billions of lives hanging in the balance, can the Doctor afford not to do whatever River wants? Whichever one of him she asks?"
“Precious Annihilation”
"When jewels become lethal in the London of 1912, both River and the Doctor turn up to find out why.A mystery takes them centuries into the past, and onto the high seas, where a superstitious crew edges towards mutiny.The star-crossed couple are about to find out that, while gemstones inspire jealousy, love can be the deadliest treasure of all…"
“Ghosts”
"River and the Doctor meet on the most haunted planet in the galaxy. The Doctor’s not sure it’s an ideal date – until they discover a mystery.Something is wrong with the ghosts. Something might even be killing them…And as the Doctor and River investigate, the truth of what’s happening on the planet of ghosts may prove deadly for them both."
And if you thought that was all the Doctor Who-related news we were getting today, then buckle up: we’ve got one more (very exciting) item. For the very first time, Jodie Whittaker, Matt Smith and David Tennant have come together as past and present Doctors for a virtual Doctor Who panel.
Check it out below:
Did you ever imagine a world where the Tenth, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Doctor would (sort of) be in one place? Now, if we can only get them to do an actual episode together…
Moderated by IGN’s Terri Schwartz, the Doctors Who discuss what this franchise has meant and still means to them. It’s an emotional, entertaining ride that will have you logging into HBO Max right after to binge old episodes of the show Doctor Who (they’re all on there, by the way).
Happy watching, fellow Whovians!
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h/t Radio Times