Its a bit of a running start in this one, as things are already in motion. Its a spaceship, the Doctor has been bitten and is dying, but also its Valerie that been bitten and is dying not the Doctor so what is going on?

So firstly, it is slightly annoying to have the pre credits sting/clifhanger: the fact that the Doctor is - minor spoiler - dead - only for a few seconds later, after the title music, to find out that, that’s not the case. Its very click baity, but its a minor quibble.

The plot itself is interesting, there are two timelines running parallel. It something we’ve experienced before, though I am struggling to give an example. However one reality has the Doctor bitten and dying and in the other its Valerie.

Time spiders are the cause, something that the Timelords had thought wiped out. The fact the Doctor seems intent to carry on with that plan and kill them is a little worrying, surely there’s a place of them too exist?

Sometimes with these types of stories, especially on audio, it can be hard to keep up with which set of characters you’re listening to, but I found it quite easy. Switching between the two versions was quite apparent, by the references to whats happening in each strand.

It is one of those stories where the the unthinkable can happen - a lot of sci fi does this; kill off major characters, destroy the ship, wipe out humanity/ the universe etc. as the reset button will put all back to how it was. And thats the only real disappointment in this.

The fact is that this is a good audio, the two plots playing out in tandem, the peril of our heroes meeting their deaths. But also there’s a reason for it, its a nicely crafted idea that rewards the listener, not just a simple cop out or poorly constructed get out clause. The resolution works well too, and great moments with the Doctor and Valerie.

A pretty good audio, recommended.