What happens after the Doctor saves the day? The second tale in The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures series sees the aftermath of her planet-saving actions.
After the shape-changing hen do shenanigans of ‘Vampire Weekend’, Yaz and the Doctor’s second outing involves them in the fate of an alien planet.
The Return of the Doctor
Velazarr is home to a peace-loving, charmingly West Country accented armadillo-like species. Once she’s saved their civilisation, the Doctor is keen to make her usual swift exit. However, for once, she’s forced to return and confront the consequences of her actions. Rather than saving the Zaarians, it appears she’s been responsible for their descent into violence!
As we explore what’s gone wrong on Velazarr, writer Rory Thomas-Howes introduces their society. The Zaarians live both above and below ground, and create tunnel systems using their powerful claws. The main representative of their species is Talpa (Will Kirk), who aided the Doctor as a teenager and now reconnects with her as an uneasy ally.
However, while there is an alien threat in play, the main villain here is doubt as relationships, and the wider society, breaks down due to a lack of trust. The mistrust seeded between the Doctor and Yaz gives the two regulars plenty to get their teeth into in-between scenes of claustrophobic action.
The guest cast is rounded out by the taciturn Azaan (Charlie Kelly), the thoughtful Vashir (Belinda Stewart-Wilson) and the Zaarians insincere leader Taav (Stephan Bessant).
In Summary
‘The Return of the Doctor’ provides a solid background of action and adventure, while focussing on the show’s central partnership. There’s an emotional workout for Mandip Gill, as Yaz doubts the Doctor’s motives and her feelings shift from doubt to anger – it’s the kind of material we wish she’d been given on television. Meanwhile, Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor confronts her actions and her desire to move on quickly.
This is a great Big Finish debut story from writer Rory Thomas-Howes, and we hope it’s the first of many.
Doctor Who – The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: The Return of the Doctor is out now. It’s available as a digital download to own, or as a download to own with Collector’s Edition CD, only from Big Finish.
Next Time: ‘Lionesses in Winter’ by Lisa McMullin
The third outing for the Doctor and Yaz will take them back in time for a right royal Christmas.
England, 1183 – The court of Henry II. The Doctor and Yaz gatecrash a right royal – if terrifyingly dysfunctional – family Christmas as Henry’s estranged wife Eleanor returns to spend Yuletide with the fam. The Doctor and Yaz uncover an imposter amongst them, but who are they really? And what do they want?
Joining the regulars, the guest cast includes Debra Baker, Ammar Duffus, Kevin Mathurin and Dolly Webb.
Doctor Who – The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Lionesses in Winter is out in November 2025. It’s available to pre order now from Big Finish now.