A Whimsical and Warm Welcome Back

Vampire Weekend marks an upbeat, fun and, above all, warm return for the Thirteenth Doctor and Yasmin Khan, for the first time in the immersive medium of audio. It’s a moment that many of us have long awaited: a continuation of a Doctor-companion dynamic filled with potential, now unshackled from the inevitable constraints of television. Whilst the plot may be light on complexity, the purpose of this opening story isn’t to dazzle with narrative intricacy. Instead, it’s to re-establish tone, character, and connection — and in this, it’s a triumph.

It’s true that the story itself is relatively simple (some might even call it “generic”), yet this is Doctor Who, where even the “generic” is a genre-colliding rollercoaster. Foley’s script manages to weave together gothic horror, slasher flick thrills, science fiction concepts, and moments of delightful absurdity into a uniquely “Doctor Who” adventure. The result is a tonal balancing act that pretty much perfectly evokes the feel of an energetic series opener: breezy, bold, and brimming with joy.

Thirteen Returns: A Whirlwind of Curiosity and Compassion

Jodie Whittaker’s portrayal is, simply put, electrifying. From the very first scene, she recaptures her incarnation’s distinctive energy; she’s quirky, brilliant, compassionate, and just that little bit awkward (don’t we just love her for that? 😍). Her Doctor is as irrepressible as ever: leaping from whimsy to wonder, from the silly to the scientific, with those trademark quickfire transitions of pace and tone and a beautifully pitched performance all-round.

Moments like the Doctor landing the TARDIS in the middle of a hedge maze during a crisis (because she’s a “silly Billy”) perfectly encapsulate Thirteen’s endearing unpredictability. Yet beneath the zaniness lies the same old whip-smart intellect and that fierce determination. One scene in particular has the Doctor using her sonic screwdriver to investigate and tinker for a protracted period. The soundscape buzzes, pulses and burbles electronically, the Doctor engrossed in her task whilst other characters talk. It’s a quintessentially “Doctor Who” moment. It’s also a delightful point of connection between two of Doctor Who’s most hands-on incarnations; both the Thirteenth and Third Doctors share a deep, joyful engagement with technology that adds a richly practical edge to their brilliance. This was an aspect I adored during Jodie’s televised run as the Doctor and I’m thrilled to see it crop up so early in this new audio era.

A More Rounded Yasmin Khan: Mandip Gill Steps Up

Of course, it isn’t all about the Thirteenth Doctor. Despite being one of the most loyal companions, Yasmin Khan never really had the opportunity to shine as solo companion on screen. Set in the narrative gap between Revolution of the Daleks (where Graham and Ryan leave the TARDIS) and The Halloween Apocalypse (where Dan joins the crew), this audio series finally gives Yaz the chance she so desperately deserved. Mandip Gill seems to relish the opportunity to return to the role, and the audio format gives her more room than ever to explore Yaz’s inner world. With a larger slice of the dialogue and a story that dips into Yaz’s everyday life back on Earth, Gill delivers a performance that feels emotionally richer and more grounded.

One of the most touching moments in Vampire Weekend comes when Yaz reflects on how different it feels to travel alone with the Doctor. Previously, when Thirteen was “in the zone,” Yaz had Graham and Ryan to bounce off, to help her process the weird and wonderful. Now, without that buffer, she’s navigating a more daunting, and perhaps more intimate, dynamic. This isn’t a major plot point — it’s touched on quickly before the story moves swiftly forwards — but it’s delicately acknowledged, and it speaks volumes. It hints at a key strength of the new Thirteenth Doctor Adventures audio range: the chance to dig deeper into character psychology and relationships. The prospect of using this format to explore the complexities of Yaz and Thirteen’s bond is an exciting one. Already, we see the seeds of something deeper being sown. If the audio range continues in this vein, fans of character-driven storytelling are in for a rewarding ride.

A New Sonic Landscape: Joe Kraemer's Inspired Score

Another standout element of this release is the evocative and inventive score by Joe Kraemer. In a series so defined by its sound, Kraemer walks a fine line with aplomb. His music both honours and evolves from Segun Akinola’s distinctive work during the Thirteenth Doctor’s era. There are sonic echoes of Akinola’s minimalism and ethereal textures, but Kraemer also brings his own flair; often warmer, more orchestral, sometimes eerier.

The result is a score that feels utterly in tune with Thirteen’s universe but still distinctly new. It’s a vital part of the story’s atmosphere—enhancing moments of tension, humour, and awe with precision and personality. If this is the musical blueprint for the range moving forward, then it’s a very promising blueprint indeed.

Whoniverse Vampire Lore Reimagined: Familiar, yet Fresh

Tim Foley’s spin on vampire mythology is both respectful of past lore and refreshingly inventive. Drawing on stories like State of Decay, Project: Twilight, and Goth Opera, the audio introduces us to a truth vampire — one of a breed of psychic interrogators bred for wartime by the Blood Lords. It’s an eerie and clever concept, firmly rooted in the Doctor Who mythos yet with a unique narrative twist.

Whilst not the most threatening vampire we’ve encountered in Doctor Who, the threat of the antagonist here is more than sufficient for the nature of the story. The truth vampire represents a fascinating reworking of the classic vampire archetype, one that avoids the obvious whilst staying true to the tone and lore of the show. There’s a sophistication here in how the story expands vampire lore whilst maintaining such a light touch.

Minor Quibbles: Voice Confusion (Fair Point) and Tonal Expectations (or "Why I don't think this is an issue")

No story is perfect, and Vampire Weekend is no exception. The most notable issue is that the supporting cast, though well-acted, can sometimes be difficult to distinguish on voice alone. This is especially true given that one actor voices two of the friends attending Gina’s hen party. When all we have to go on are vocal cues, the similarities in delivery occasionally make it hard to track who’s who. It’s a small issue, but it does break immersion occasionally.

Another potential sticking point for some listeners might be the tone. Those expecting a full-blooded horror tale may find this outing a little tame or lightweight (I might even go so far as to say ‘bloodless’). I do not believe this to be a problem, however. Vampire Weekend is the first story in a brand-new run. Its job is to reintroduce, reset, and re-energise. Now is not the time to traumatise or terrify. There’s plenty of room for scarier, weightier fare in future releases. As a new stepping-on point, this story succeeds brilliantly in offering something that feels different from Jodie and Mandip’s televised run, yet wholly in keeping with the Thirteenth Doctor’s era. That’s no small feat.

Conclusion: A Bold and Brilliant New Beginning

Vampire Weekend is a joyful, tightly paced, and emotionally smart reintroduction to the world of Thirteen and Yaz. It’s not a reinvention and it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it confidently reaffirms what made this Doctor and her most loyal companion so special, all the while teasing new emotional depths and unexplored dynamics. Jodie and Mandip take to the audio medium effortlessly. The performances are superb, the writing sharp, the music exceptional, and the atmosphere unmistakably Doctor Who.

If this is the tone-setter for a brand-new season of adventures, then consider me all in. Quirky, clever, and quietly character-rich, Vampire Weekend doesn’t just welcome us back — it opens the door to something thrillingly limitless.

Final Verdict (tl;dr): A witty, warm, and wonderful return for Thirteen and Yaz. Minor hiccups aside, it’s a confident and inventive start to what promises to be an exciting new era.