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"THE TWILIGHT KINGDOM: JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS WITH LITTLE TO ILLUMINATE IT"

Following the surreal experimentation of The Natural History of Fear, The Twilight Kingdom takes a more traditional Doctor Who approach. The Doctor, Charley, and C’rizz arrive in a jungle, stumble across a body, and soon find themselves entangled with a group of soldiers on a mission. Their journey leads them into a mysterious cave system, where something ancient and powerful lurks.

It’s a classic setup, but one that ultimately feels too restrained for its own good. The story holds its secrets tightly, and rather than building tension, this slow drip of information results in an adventure that struggles to maintain engagement.

A LACKLUSTRE ATMOSPHERE AND FORGETTABLE CHARACTERS

Unlike the eerie, dreamlike quality of the previous stories in the Divergent Universe arc, The Twilight Kingdom never quite manages to evoke a strong sense of place. The jungle setting feels underdeveloped, and once the story moves into the caves, it becomes even more indistinct. There are glimpses of intrigue—strange alien voices, rat-like creatures skittering in the darkness—but these elements never amount to much.

The supporting cast, a band of soldiers caught up in the mystery, have potential, but they blend together too easily. Without strong characterisation to make them stand out, they serve more as plot devices than as compelling individuals. This is especially disappointing given that military figures in Doctor Who often bring either tension or moral dilemmas to the table—here, they provide neither in a memorable way.

A WEAK SHOWING FOR THE LEADS

One of the biggest issues with The Twilight Kingdom is how little it gives the main trio to do. The Doctor, Charley, and C’rizz rarely shine, and their dynamic, which has been so central to this arc, feels oddly muted. Charley and C’rizz, in particular, struggle to stand out, making it difficult to invest in their journey. The Doctor remains his usual self, but even Paul McGann’s charismatic performance can’t inject much energy into the script.

C’rizz’s presence in the Divergent Universe arc has, so far, been defined by his inner turmoil and moral struggles. However, this story does little to develop his character, making him feel almost redundant here. Given how previous stories have explored his psychological depth, this feels like a missed opportunity.

A REVEAL THAT LANDS WITH A WHIMPER

For a story that withholds its secrets for so long, The Twilight Kingdom needed a strong payoff. Unfortunately, the final episode’s big reveal lacks the impact required to justify the slow build-up. The truth behind the mysterious forces in the cave feels underwhelming, failing to deliver the kind of shocking or thought-provoking twist that might have elevated the story.

📝VERDICT: 3/10

The Twilight Kingdom has all the ingredients of a solid Doctor Who adventure—an eerie setting, a mysterious threat, and a group of characters caught in the middle—but it never quite comes together. The slow pacing doesn’t build tension, the supporting characters blur into the background, and the main trio feel underused. While not a terrible story, it’s ultimately one of the most forgettable entries in the Divergent Universe arc.