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“PATIENCE – TIMEY WIMEY WHIPLASH ON A STRANGE PLANET”

After the TARDIS spent two box sets grounded in time but not space, Stranded 3 finally blasts off with Patience, taking the crew to an alien planet for a moody, metaphysical mystery. Tim Foley’s script uses the premise not for spectacle, but to split the characters apart—literally and emotionally—and explore their perspectives. It’s an intriguing start that promises much, but ends up as a somewhat uneven exercise in style over substance.

TEMPORAL TRICKS AND JUDOON TURNS

The narrative structure is non-linear, tangled in time loops and overlapping realities, with each character encountering different facets of the same puzzle. This sort of storytelling has long been a Big Finish hallmark, but it’s starting to feel well-worn. While the title Patience is a neat meta-joke, referring both to the plot’s themes and the experience of the listener trying to piece it all together, it’s a slow burn that never fully ignites.

The big twist—that Mr Bird is behind the Judoon operation—is a satisfying callback to the first Stranded set, bringing a much-needed sense of cohesion to the larger arc. The Judoon themselves are unusually fun here, with one delivering an absolutely hilarious, personality-filled exchange with the Doctor. It’s a rare instance of giving the rhino-headed space cops more than just grunts and legalese, and Nicholas Briggs provides suitably differentiated vocals to hide the usual familiarity.

A PLANET OF EMOTION

The story is more interested in character dynamics than plot mechanics. Foley’s decision to separate the leads pays off in how it develops their relationships. Liv and Tania’s ongoing romance remains the emotional heart of Stranded, and their scenes—filtered through conversations with Helen—are intimate, moving, and wonderfully performed. It feels like a natural progression of their arc, maintaining emotional continuity even when the narrative jumps around them.

Andy has now fully stepped into the role of comic relief, his warmth and clumsy charm bringing necessary levity to what can be an emotionally heavy series. His presence recalls Rory Williams, not in imitation but in function—a loyal everyman amid gods and monsters.

THE STORY THAT FELL TO EARTH

Unfortunately, the Doctor is somewhat underutilised here. Much of his involvement consists of narrating a story-within-a-story that feels disconnected from the actual events. While Paul McGann’s delivery is typically assured, the material lacks impact and coherence, and doesn’t quite tie into the emotional stakes of the episode.

The climax also suffers from a lack of weight. After a lot of build-up, the resolution flies by, offering little fallout or reflection. It’s one of those Stranded entries where the end arrives too abruptly, leaving the listener wanting more closure.

ATMOSPHERICALLY SOUND

Where the story shines is in its sound design. Despite minimalistic elements, the audio conjures vivid scenes of an alien world, complete with shifting weather and echoing silences. The alien landscape feels tangible, strange, and lonely. The Judoon voices are also impressively varied, adding colour to what could have been a monotonous alien presence.

📝THE BOTTOM LINE: 6/10

Patience is a solid opener for Stranded 3, full of intriguing character work, atmospheric soundscapes, and a welcome Judoon twist. But the overfamiliar timey-wimey structure, rushed resolution, and sidelining of the Doctor make this more of a tonal table-setter than a standout story.