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

"APOKALYPSIS: A NEW LEASE ON (TEMPORARY) LIFE"

Big Finish may have laid The Diary of River Song to rest, but River herself is back in a new series set after Forest of the Dead. Apokalypsis kicks things off by reintroducing her in a rather neat and logical way: her consciousness, stored in the Library, is now placed into a cloned body – though with a limited lifespan. It’s a simple but effective way to bring her back for more adventures, setting the stage for what appears to be a mission-based format before she inevitably returns to the digital afterlife.

A FUTURISTIC MURDER MYSTERY

The story takes its time to establish its world, introducing the futuristic city of Shangri-La, a sleek, tech-heavy metropolis filled with robotic servants. The sound design does a great job bringing the city to life, with robotic voices that are particularly well-executed – the taxi robot being a standout. The atmosphere is immersive, setting the stage for a mystery-laden detective story, which fits River’s skillset perfectly.

Alex Kingston is, as always, a delight in the role, carrying the story with her signature wit and charm. The detective-noir elements work well, giving her plenty of opportunities to sleuth around and banter with suspicious characters. Garrison Clay, the ambitious tech billionaire at the heart of the intrigue, feels like a compelling mix of real-world moguls with their grand (and often dubious) visions of the future. He has a lot of potential as a recurring figure in this series.

A SLOW BURN WITH A PROMISING HOOK

While Apokalypsis is rich in atmosphere and setup, it’s light on actual narrative momentum. There’s a lot of conversation and world-building, but not much in the way of action or dramatic tension. It feels like a spiritual successor to The War Doctor Begins, aiming to flesh out a well-loved character in a new context, but this opening instalment doesn’t quite hit the ground running.

The climax feels somewhat underwhelming, but the cliffhanger does leave things on an intriguing note. And while it’s odd that they’re reusing The Diary of River Song’s theme tune, it’s a strong piece of music, so no complaints there!

📝VERDICT: 6/10

Apokalypsis is an atmospheric but somewhat slow-moving start to River’s new series. The premise is solid, the setting is well-realised, and Kingston remains as entertaining as ever. However, the story lacks urgency, and the plot development feels a little too gradual. If this is a taste of the kind of adventures to come, the series has potential – but it needs to pick up the pace.