Your Gateway to the Universe of Doctor Who

I only have very minor things that stop this from getting five stars, but gosh I really enjoyed this. Doctor Who is never going to stop with 'young woman whose live is linked to the fate of the universe' and it works for me every time. Molly is a very effective counterweight to the Doctor as we learn more about her past, and also interrogate the Doctor's psyche with a dreamscape where the Daleks have gone peaceful. The reveal of them waking up in a home to help megalomaniacs is funny, but does take some of the air out of the whole thing. Overall, Dark Eyes has been just fantastic.

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“73 YARDS: RUBY'S LONG WALK INTO HORROR”

Following the intensity of Boom, 73 Yards slows things down—but not in a comforting way. Instead, it plunges Ruby into an eerie, isolating nightmare, where the Doctor’s absence is keenly felt. This Doctor-lite episode, filmed early in production while Ncuti Gatwa was still busy with Barbie, places Ruby at the centre of a terrifying alternate timeline where she is relentlessly pursued by an unknown force.

What starts as a classic Doctor Who folk horror—complete with a mysterious fairy circle on the Welsh coast, a small pub filled with wary locals, and an unsettling figure always lingering at exactly 73 yards—soon takes on a far greater scope. Ruby’s seemingly supernatural stalker remains silent yet ever-present, signing something to her from a distance. The mystery builds immediately, with every person who dares to approach the woman reacting in sheer terror before fleeing from Ruby forever.

FROM FOLK HORROR TO POLITICAL THRILLER

One of the episode’s greatest strengths is its ability to shift tones so effortlessly. The pub scene is a highlight, where Ruby, the outsider, becomes the subject of teasing and eerie ghost stories from the locals—setting up a rich, atmospheric unease. The pacing allows this scene to breathe, which makes the sudden transition into something much larger all the more jarring.

What follows is an unusual but gripping structure: we watch Ruby live through years of her life, abandoned by loved ones, unable to form meaningful connections because of the woman who haunts her. The horror of isolation grows as we see her mother and even Kate Stewart of UNIT turn away from her in fear. Then, out of nowhere, 73 Yards transforms into something entirely different—a political thriller.

Enter Roger ap Gwilliam, a rising far-right politician, dubbed “Mad Jack” and portrayed by Aneurin Barnard with unsettling charisma. He is a dangerous populist force, climbing the ranks toward becoming Prime Minister, a man whose future leadership threatens the world itself. Ruby, despite everything, is drawn into his orbit, determined to stop him before he gains access to nuclear codes. This unexpected shift into political commentary is bold, timely, and unnerving—especially because ap Gwilliam is all too believable.

But what exactly is his connection to the supernatural events that have plagued Ruby’s life? That remains deliberately ambiguous. 73 Yards thrives on unanswered questions, much like Midnight or Blink, but with an even more abstract and symbolic edge.

AN UNEXPLAINED HORROR

The nature of the mysterious woman remains unresolved. Who is she? Why does she inspire such fear? Why does she turn everyone Ruby loves against her? We never hear what she says to those who approach her, but whatever it is, it drives them to abandon Ruby instantly. That, in itself, is more terrifying than any monster.

The horror elements are accentuated through clever direction—Dutch angles, extreme close-ups, and unsettling quick cuts create a sense of claustrophobia, especially in the pub sequence. The music, too, is masterfully used, creating a thick atmosphere of unease. This is a story where the tension never fully lifts, lingering long after the credits roll.

Yet, despite the lack of answers, there is a poetic symmetry to the ending. Ruby, now an old woman, lies on her deathbed, the mystery woman finally approaching her—before seemingly becoming her. The implication? Ruby was being warned all along, haunted by a future version of herself sent back to prevent the very life she just endured. It’s a haunting, cyclical resolution that raises as many questions as it answers.

MILLIE GIBSON CARRIES THE SHOW

If anyone doubted Millie Gibson’s acting ability before this, 73 Yards should put those concerns to rest. With Gatwa barely present (though looking fantastic in his costume when he does appear), this is entirely Gibson’s episode—and she absolutely delivers. Ruby’s journey from curious traveller to haunted, isolated warrior is gripping to watch, and Gibson sells every moment with emotional depth and nuance.

📝VERDICT: 9/10

A bold, unsettling episode that shifts between folk horror, psychological thriller, and political drama with impressive fluidity. It never fully explains itself, but that’s part of its power—lingering in the mind long after the credits roll. Millie Gibson proves she can carry an entire episode, while the chilling concept of an ever-present, unexplained horror makes 73 Yards a standout.

Really cute and sweet coda to the Sarah Jane Adventures 💖💖💖

Daniel Anthony will look young forever, he's great

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“THE MYRIAPOD MUTINY: A SCHOOL TRIP GONE BUGGY”

The Myriapod Mutiny, part of the Origin Stories collection, takes us back to Ryan and Yaz’s school days, offering a glimpse into their childhood struggles and the early roots of their friendship. Set during a school trip to a natural history museum in their seventh-grade years, the story explores their personalities, challenges, and social dynamics long before they met the Doctor.

Ryan, battling dyspraxia and the dismissive attitude of his teacher, is the awkward but enthusiastic one—keen to learn but often underestimated. Yaz, on the other hand, is sharp and determined but lonely, bullied, and a little embarrassed by Ryan’s nerdy interests. The two have drifted apart over time, but when they get lost in the museum, they’re forced to rely on each other once more.

This contrast between them is well handled, showing how Ryan’s excitement over things he finds cool can sometimes come off as embarrassing to Yaz, who is more socially aware. Yet, beneath that surface awkwardness, there’s a strong connection between them, and the story does a good job of bringing it back to the forefront.

ALIEN INSECTS AND INTERGALACTIC CIVIL WAR

The Myriapods—alien centipedes and millipedes—are the story’s main sci-fi hook. Between the moments of Ryan and Yaz’s school trip adventure, we get snippets of the Myriapods’ history and conflict. The two factions, the Side-steppers and Under-trotters, have been stranded on Earth for centuries, locked in a battle that neither side can win until they are finally set loose once more.

It’s a simple but effective concept. One side wants to invade the planet, the other exists only to serve, and their eternal struggle has been brewing in the shadows of human history. The descriptions of their movements, sounds, and behaviour are vivid, bringing to mind the insectoid horrors of The Green Death and other Doctor Who stories featuring creepy crawlers.

THE SECOND DOCTOR: HOBO WITH A RECORDER (AND A SONIC?)

Things take a turn for the truly Doctor Who when Ryan and Yaz stumble upon none other than the Second Doctor, fully in galactic hobo mode. His characterisation is mostly spot on—playful, inquisitive, and carrying his trademark recorder. However, there are a couple of oddities.

Firstly, there’s a strange moment where he comments on Yaz’s clothing, which feels like an unnecessary attempt to emphasise that he’s a character from the ’60s. While historically accurate attitudes can be important in storytelling, Doctor Who has never been overly concerned with realism in that regard, and it just feels out of place here.

Secondly, the sonic screwdriver is used in a way that feels more modern than classic. At this point in the show’s history, the sonic was just that—a screwdriver, occasionally used as a tool but never the magic wand it would later become. Here, it’s wielded in a manner more fitting for a later Doctor, which feels like a slight misstep.

That said, his presence adds a nice dynamic to the story, and it’s always fun when past incarnations turn up unexpectedly.

A POSSESSION, A QUICK FIX, AND A MEMORY WIPE

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Doctor Who story without some classic tropes. One of the oldest tricks in the book—the possessed companion—makes an appearance, with Yaz briefly taken over by the Myriapods so the Doctor can communicate with them. It’s a predictable moment but serves its function well enough.

What’s less satisfying is the resolution. The solution to the Myriapod crisis is ridiculously simple, almost to the point of being anticlimactic. Yaz’s brief connection to the Myriapods gives her the insight needed for the Doctor to swiftly lure the invaders into the TARDIS and take them away, neatly solving the problem without much struggle. It underlines the light-hearted nature of the story but does feel a little too easy.

Then comes the inevitable mind wipe. As soon as it becomes clear that young Ryan and Yaz are having a genuine adventure with the Doctor, the looming spectre of this will have to be erased hangs over everything. And sure enough, by the end, their memories are wiped, ensuring that they don’t remember any of this when they meet the Doctor again in their Thirteenth Doctor years.

It’s not a bad ending in itself—after all, it’s necessary to preserve continuity—but it does raise an eyebrow. Did the Doctor wipe his own memory as well? Why doesn’t he recognise them years later? It’s an unfortunate loose end that the story doesn’t bother to address.

📝VERDICT: 7/10

A fun, light-hearted adventure that explores Ryan and Yaz’s childhood struggles and friendship against the backdrop of a classic Doctor Who alien invasion. The Myriapods are a creepy and well-described menace, and the Second Doctor’s appearance adds an extra layer of nostalgia, even if his characterisation has a couple of missteps.

The resolution is a little too convenient, and the memory wipe—while necessary—feels like a lazy way to maintain continuity. Still, it’s an enjoyable read, particularly for fans of Ryan and Yaz, giving their characters more depth before their time in the TARDIS.

I... I have no words to explain how much this book means to me. As a very passionate trans Oz/Wicked and 13th Doctor fan, this has changed my life (for Good).

I don't even know where to start! This whole thing is such a beautiful homage to L. Frank Baum's creation. The references to the book and the movie are just so sweet and entertaining to see as a fan of both! But the way they handle the narrative, creating parallels between each character and their Oz counterpart to analyze their personas... Incredible. Wonderful. Ryan's kindness is so, so highlighted here along with his love for Graham (taking care of him all the time, hurting so much as he has to helplessly watch him lose himself), Yaz (the way their chemistry is unmatched, always looking after the other) and The Doctor (protecting her whenever he can because she needs it too). Graham's intellect is so underrated in my opinion, and I love how this book keeps on reminding us (even when he can't be himself) that he's so needed in the fam. And Yaz <3 My beloved Yaz <3 (you can tell she's my favorite companion tbh) Her courage is something I have always admired about her character because it always shows up when needed the most, even when she's the most scared of all. I think that is why the Doctor trusts her so, so much and one of the things she needs is to rely on Yaz's courage more. Well, the Doctor needs to rely on them more, and that's exactly what this book shows too. She'd feel useless if those skills were taken away from her, but they're taken away from her fam because that's exactly where her strength relies. It's also such a majestic, endearing insight into the fam. It warms my heart.

But the highlight and MVP, of course, is Dorothy (and K9/2-2, too!). At first I wasn't expecting anything to be confirmed. I kept wondering if she was just heavily trans coded or if this was a real thing happening. To my surprise, it was the latter, and I have never been this happy. I already loved her even before realizing she was trans. Her storyline is so heartbreaking, but nobody's doing it like her! A trans girl running away from her abusive household to find her dream in LA and finding herself traveling with the Doctor and finding her strength to come out as herself in a land where everything is possible and she can finally be the bookworm and reader she always ought to be. Honestly, my dream, too. A trans girl looking up to The Doctor and Yaz is the peak of queer positivity and support. Now this is a clear example of how crucial it is to befriend your fellow queers!!! God, if I had just had a book like this a few years back... I think every DW trans fan needs to read this. As well as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz because I can assure you, it is so meant to be read by queer people.

My only criticism would be that I expected more from Missy and 13 interacting. Or more of Missy as a whole. They have exactly the same dynamic as Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked, and I can't stop thinking about it now. If Dorothy is, well, Dorothy, and the others are the rest of the cast... The Doctor has to be the Good Witch! And I adore that, so, so much. Wicked's Glinda is very similar to her, in my opinion, but I need to expand on that thought on my own later...

Overall, extremely entertaining. Read in just one night and now I wish it had been longer. Friendly reminder that trans women are women! Trans rights are human rights! The Doctor is a trans icon. And oh, Dorothy, you will always, always be loved. (Never forget to be kind, brave, clever and, most importantly, yourself!)