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TARDIS Guide

Review of The Terrible Shame of a Tree by MrColdStream

30 January 2025

This review contains spoilers!

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

THE TERRIBLE SHAME OF A TREE – LOGGING TROUBLE IN THE ENDLESS ARBORETUM”

The Terrible Shame of a Tree kicks off Eternity Club 3 with a thoughtful yet adventurous tale centred on Derek the Tree. While the Suspension of Geren celebrates their birthday, Derek pointedly refuses to attend. Concerned, Bernice joins him and soon finds herself entangled in a conflict that is both deeply personal and wildly dangerous.

CHAINSAWS, FLAMETHROWERS, AND CAPITALIST GREED

Their journey takes them to the Endless Arboretum, where they encounter a group of comically evil logging company employees—chainsaw-wielding, flamethrower-toting capitalists who see rare hoar trees as nothing more than profit. The story strikes a perfect balance between humour and genuine critique, skewering the idea of destroying nature for financial gain without ever feeling heavy-handed. The standout villain is Tree Surgeon Alkaran, played with gleeful malice by Jaye Jacobs, making her an instantly detestable antagonist.

DEREK’S SECRET AND A TWIST WE ALL SAW COMING

This episode is a fantastic showcase for Derek, shedding new light on his character. We learn that he himself is a hoar tree—an unsurprising but satisfying twist. His absence from the party stems from shame, believing he isn’t good enough for his own kind. His internal struggle adds a compelling emotional core to the story, making his eventual arc all the more rewarding.

Meanwhile, Alkaran’s vendetta against the hoar trees escalates, culminating in a harrowing sequence where she begins sawing off Derek’s branches in a brutal form of torture. The stakes feel high, and the tension is genuinely gripping.

A BEAUTIFUL, ROOTED RESOLUTION

The climax offers a moment of poetic justice, as hoar tree saplings take root and bloom, symbolising renewal and resilience. Derek, in a touching resolution, chooses to stay and protect them, finally embracing his place among his own kind. It’s a heartfelt ending that delivers a sense of both closure and hope.

VERDICT: A STRONG, CHARACTER-FOCUSED OPENER

The Terrible Shame of a Tree is an excellent start to Eternity Club 3, blending adventure, humour, and emotional depth. It’s a standout episode for Derek, offering development that feels both meaningful and satisfying. The villains are entertainingly over-the-top, the themes are well executed, and the ending is genuinely moving. A fantastic blend of comedy and commentary.

📝97/100


MrColdStream

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