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

“THE Y FACTOR – DODO GOES UNDERCOVER AS ALIEN FUNGI SPREAD IN POST-WAR LONDON”

Rounding out the Companion Chronicles: Families  box set, The Y Factor places the First Doctor and Dodo smack in the middle of a foggy, suspicious 1947 London. Post-war paranoia and creeping fascism are the backdrop, as Dodo gets the rare chance to take centre stage in an audio that gives her welcome agency and purpose. Narrated with charm by Lauren Cornelius and acted alongside Stephen Noonan’s Doctor, this story is a gently-paced, quietly charming historical-sci-fi hybrid with a few choice moments of intrigue.

Dodo is the driving force throughout, doing most of the legwork as she pokes around a mysterious research facility while the Doctor does a fair bit of scene-hopping and occasional Venusian aikido. Dodo’s companion for much of the story is Edith, a spirited 74-year-old jujitsu expert who easily steals every scene she’s in. She’s an utter delight—witty, sprightly, and more capable than most UNIT soldiers.

Edith and Dodo form the emotional heart of the piece, and their slow uncovering of a Nazi-sympathising conspiracy involving a mysterious "paperweight" is satisfyingly low-key at first. There's a whiff of Remembrance of the Daleks in how a seemingly ordinary post-war setting harbours deep, dangerous secrets.

FUNGUS AMONG US

By Part 2, the plot properly kicks in with the realisation that the “paperweight” is actually a transmat leading to a crashed alien spacecraft buried beneath London. There’s a classic Hartnell-era pulpiness to this twist—fungal aliens that feed off the evil thoughts of humans and amplify them into violent actions. It’s exactly the sort of lo-fi sci-fi threat that would have fit neatly into The Sensorites or The Ark.

The alien influence isn’t especially action-packed, and Sanderson—the story’s Nazi-adjacent antagonist—is more of a lurking presence than a true villain. Still, the concept of gendered immunity to alien control (women being immune) adds an interesting thematic layer, even if it could have been explored in greater depth.

There’s a notable absence of large-scale stakes, and while that isn’t always a problem, it does mean the story often feels like it's meandering rather than building. Still, the gradual revelations and slow-burn tension offer a very era-appropriate pace—reminiscent of early Hartnell historicals or the sci-fi-tinged The Space Museum.

NOONAN’S DOCTOR AND A VENUSIAN TWIST

Stephen Noonan continues to refine his take on the First Doctor, blending the charm and eccentricity of William Hartnell with a few playful flourishes of his own. Here, he dials up the confusion a touch, misnaming Dodo as “Susan” and Edith as “Barbara,” which adds authenticity to the portrayal. He also gets to show off a bit with a surprise burst of Venusian aikido—a neat Easter egg for fans, even if it’s a clear nod to a Third Doctor trait.

Noonan’s chemistry with Cornelius is growing, though the Doctor feels slightly more peripheral here than in The Demon Song or The Incherton Incident. Still, his scenes are full of gentle humour and moments of genuine curiosity, keeping the energy afloat even when the plot itself meanders.

PRODUCTION NOTES

As with the other stories in the Families set, this is a Companion Chronicle in spirit and structure. Lauren Cornelius does most of the narration and character work, slipping easily between Dodo’s thoughts and dialogue, and giving real life to the supporting cast. Her range continues to impress, and her scenes with Noonan feel authentic to the 1960s tone the story is emulating.

Sound design is subtle but effective. There’s a decent balance of moody post-war ambiance and sci-fi weirdness, while the music remains understated, allowing the story’s slow pacing to maintain its deliberate tone.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

The Y Factor isn’t a game-changer, but it’s a charming and character-led finale to this First Doctor set. Dodo finally gets a story that centres her with intelligence and initiative, paired beautifully with the scene-stealing Edith. The central mystery is a little too slow to unfold and Sanderson is underused, but the blend of alien intrigue and post-war paranoia is enjoyably Hartnellian. With fungi-fuelled fascism, a judo-chopping Doctor, and a wholesome Dodo-Edith double act, it’s a solid if understated adventure.