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“The Pit: Too Many Strands, Too Little Depth”

A scattered narrative with ambitious ideas that struggle to coalesce into a cohesive whole.

A Confusing Web of Characters and Locations

Neil Penswick’s The Pit opens with a barrage of seemingly disconnected plot strands, from the Doctor and Benny exploring a jungle planet, to Justice Police investigating juvenile murders, to shapeshifting thieves and killer androids. While this ambitious sprawl has potential, the frequent jumps between characters and locations—ranging from a barren planet to Victorian London and beyond—make it challenging to engage with the narrative.

The jungle planet serves as the story's hub, but it takes far too long for the disparate characters and threads to converge. The eventual meeting of these characters feels less like a carefully constructed narrative and more like a random coincidence, akin to the device used in The Highest Science.

Historical Detours: William Blake and UNIT

One of the more intriguing aspects of The Pit is the inclusion of William Blake as a supporting character. His philosophical musings and discussions with the Doctor about Gallifrey’s past and religion add an intellectual layer to the story. However, his impact on the plot is minimal, making his presence feel more like a curious aside than an integral component.

Similarly, UNIT’s brief involvement during a visit to 1990s Stonehenge is a tantalising glimpse of the organisation in the VNA series. Yet, their role is disappointingly inconsequential, and they vanish as quickly as they appear.

Sidelining the Leads

Both the Seventh Doctor and Benny feel underutilised. The Doctor alternates between clownish antics and philosophical detours, while Benny is frustratingly sidelined, spending large portions of the book with an android on a raft or aimlessly hanging around. Her usual proactive nature is notably absent here, and the dynamic interplay between her and the Doctor is sorely missed.

Themes and Missed Opportunities

The book touches on fascinating themes, such as Gallifrey’s ancient lore, portals connecting time and space, and the concept of alien drugs influencing civil wars. However, these ideas are introduced haphazardly, with many playing little role in the main plot. The Hunters, the Yssgaroth, and the attempt to revive Gallifrey’s dark history are compelling on paper but lack the narrative focus to make them impactful.

An Uneven Climax

The finale brings the characters to a hellish planet dominated by a castle, where the story finally ties together. The action-packed climax delivers a sense of stakes, with the return of the Hunters and the introduction of Kopyion, a guardian from Gallifrey's ancient past. Unfortunately, these elements arrive too late to compensate for the disjointed buildup. The high-stakes finale feels almost like a different book entirely, disconnected from the earlier meandering threads.

Verdict: Overstuffed and Underdeveloped

The Pit is a novel brimming with intriguing ideas but suffers from poor pacing, scattered focus, and underdeveloped characters. While its exploration of Gallifreyan lore and the inclusion of William Blake provide flashes of interest, the book ultimately collapses under the weight of its ambition. Fans of the VNAs may appreciate the attempt to push boundaries, but the lack of cohesion makes this an uneven and frustrating read.

📝50/100