The Return of the Doctor

The Doctor did this…

The Whisper

Synopsis

Having saved the peaceful Zaarians from an evil alien threat, the Doctor and Yaz sail off to their next adventure. Only this time, Yaz wonders if they’re moving on, or running away.

Convincing a grudging Doctor to return to the planet, they are shocked to find the Zaarians in turmoil. What did the Doctor do? Why is the city in ruins? And what’s that voice in Yaz’s head…?

Review

Since the show’s return in 2005, writers have been fascinated in exploring the consequences of the Doctor swooping in and saving the day. It is the series arc for Series One, with the Ninth Doctor’s actions in The Long Game contributing to the return of the Dalek Emperor. It is something that the original run did do on occasion in the pair of Peladon stories in the Third Doctor’s run, and to a lesser extent in Timelash, set on a world that had previously seen the Third Doctor and Jo Grant visit. It is fertile ground for a story, and first-time Doctor Who writer Rory Thomas-Howes attempts to do this within one story.

You want arrogance, mate, look in the mirror.

The Thirteenth Doctor

The Return of the Doctor starts in bombastic fashion, seeing the Doctor, Yaz and Talpa save the Zaarians from an alien threat. Whilst Talpa recovers, the Doctor and Yaz leave. It’s a moment that feels very usual – it’s something that we’re used to seeing at the end of a story, however, here, this is simply what happens before the opening theme music plays. The Doctor does not stick around to say goodbye. It is only because Yaz is determined to see what the consequences of them saving the armadillo-like aliens that the Doctor even entertains it, and the interference of the Whisper that leads them coming back 10 years rather than 10 days later. It’s definitely a solid set-up for a story, and the type of story that we didn’t see the Thirteenth Doctor have on television.

Rory Thomas-Howes hits the ground running with his first story for Big Finish and it is clear that he understands what works about the Thirteenth Doctor’s era. With the Thirteenth Doctor’s TARDIS team being reduced from three to just one companion, that strength is the relationship between her and Yaz. Thomas-Howes has observed that there are not many, if any, stories which really try and strain the relationship between this pair. With the Whisper, who sows doubts in the mind, affecting Yaz, it does give a fascinating new dynamic. It’s just a shame that this is an artificial force causing those doubts rather than the fact that Yaz is with the Doctor for the entirety of this incarnation, which gives her an opportunity to call the Doctor out on her nonsense. By making the Whisper responsible, it does take away another fascinating possibility for the story.

This is a character-driven story rather than a plot-based one. That is something that allows Mandip Gill to really shine as Yaz. We get development relating to her experience working for the police in her reluctance to walk away, which is something the television show very rarely. Gill makes Yaz’s increasing doubt in the Doctor really work, and the part where she needs to hold her breath really tense. Having been in an overcrowded TARDIS, she takes the opportunity with both hands to really shine here.

Although the Doctor is sidelined in this story, it’s another really strong outing for Jodie Whittaker. It shows a different side to this incarnation of the Doctor and the character more generally. The Doctor reveals the impact of people waiting for her to return in this story from Reinette to Amy to Bill. The Doctor doesn’t want people to rely on her, because she’s seen the harm that that can cause. Having another companion become increasingly resentful towards her genuinely wounds her.

Where the story falls down is the world building. I think the Zaarian world is really uninteresting and lifeless. We have armadillo humanoids but they might as well just be humans for the amount of development that this gets. Considering that the story is an hour long, it feels like a wasted opportunity to make a really memorable world. The guest cast does their best, but I don’t think that there is enough flesh on the bones. One of the Zaarians mentions another having had marital issues. Whilst I’m not saying that armadillo aliens cannot have marital issues, it feels very banal.

Verdict: The Return of the Doctor tells a good character-driven story, but struggles with length and world building. 7/10

Cast: Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan), Will Kirk (Talpa), Belinda Stewart-Wilson (Vashir), Charlie Kelly (Azaan) & Stephan Bessant (Exalt Taav).

Writer: Rory Thomas-Howes

Director: Bethany Weimars

Music and Sound: Joe Kraemer

Release Date: 9 September 2025

Cast Notes

• Will Kirk played Henry Cuthbertson in The Merfolk Murders.
• Stephan Bessant also played Julius in The Council of Nicaea.

Best Quote

You’re about to rob the universe of it’s loudest voice. At least let me flap my gums one last time.

The Thirteenth Doctor

Previous Thirteenth Doctor review: Vampire Weekend

For more Thirteenth Doctor reviews, click here.