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“WILD ANIMALS: ANGRY BIRDS, CLEVER PHONES, AND A VERY HUMAN TRAGEDY”

A warm, witty, and ultimately gut-wrenching slice of life with the Doctor grounded and grieving.

With Wild Animals, John Dorney picks up the baton from Matt Fitton’s Lost Property and runs with it in a more focused, emotionally charged direction. Where Fitton laid the groundwork for the Baker Street milieu, Dorney zooms in on its most compelling characters—the Doctor, Liv, Helen, and newcomer Tania Bell—tightening the narrative while building a more intimate, character-driven story. The result is a quieter, more reflective piece that delivers some of Stranded’s most poignant and profound moments.

While still heavily grounded in the domestic realism that defines this box set, Dorney’s script offers something Lost Property lacked: narrative clarity. Rather than juggling a crowd of characters and multiple mysteries, Wild Animals chooses a single thread—an apparent burglary gone wrong—and explores how it ripples through this close-knit group. The danger is mundane, but that’s precisely what makes it hit harder.

THE DOMESTIC DOCTOR: PART CHEF, PART DETECTIVE

Paul McGann continues to shine as a version of the Doctor we rarely see: adrift, frustrated, and very nearly defeated by the crushing banality of modern life. There’s a lovely blend of humour and pathos in the way he sulks about smartphones and Angry Birds, but Dorney’s script ensures this isn’t just comic relief. It’s a reflection of the Doctor’s increasing dislocation—he’s lost not just his TARDIS, but his purpose. That sense of malaise seeps into every one of his scenes, and McGann plays it beautifully.

We’re also treated to some glimpses of the classic Doctor bubbling under the surface. His offbeat detective work—interrogating police officers, waving around chilli powder, and making bold deductions—reminds us that the Doctor’s still in there somewhere. But even these moments are tinged with sadness; he’s acting out not because he’s inspired, but because he’s desperate to matter.

LIV, HELEN, AND TANIA: A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN TRIANGLE

As much as this story centres on the Doctor’s downward spiral, it also gives his companions space to grow. Liv and Helen are adapting far better to life on Earth, even if they remain worried about their emotionally floundering Time Lord. Liv in particular emerges as a stabilising force—not only for the Doctor, but also as a character who is beginning to find unexpected companionship on Earth.

That companionship, of course, comes in the form of Tania Bell. Rebecca Root continues to impress in this story, delivering warmth, wit, and subtle strength. The budding relationship between her and Liv is handled with immense care and tact. Their scenes together are charming, natural, and filled with a lovely understated chemistry. Dorney treats Tania’s transgender identity with the same care—present, acknowledged, but never the defining element. It’s an effortlessly inclusive and respectful piece of writing that enriches the world of Stranded.

A SUDDEN SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM

For most of its runtime, Wild Animals feels like a gentle character piece with light tension bubbling under the surface. And then, without warning, it punches you in the gut.

The burglary scene is a masterclass in tonal shift. What begins as a seemingly simple domestic break-in suddenly explodes into real, lasting consequences. The stakes may not be apocalyptic, but they feel more real than most alien invasions. The story takes the violence seriously—both in how it’s portrayed and in how the characters respond. The Doctor, in particular, is deeply shaken. For a man who’s faced down Daleks and gods, it’s a jarring reminder that not all battles are won with clever words and sonic screwdrivers.

And that’s what Wild Animals does so well. It forces the Doctor—us—to reckon with the idea that tragedy can happen without meaning, without cause, and without aliens. It’s not just about the Doctor being stranded on Earth. It’s about what happens when he realises Earth doesn’t always play by the rules of his story.

DORNEY'S STRENGTHS: DIALOGUE, DETAIL, AND DEPTH

Dorney’s writing is full of grace notes. He peppers the script with humour—about food, tech, relationships—but it’s never flippant. Every line feels lived-in, and every scene serves a purpose. Even minor details like cooking or phone games become meaningful in the context of a story that’s all about finding purpose and joy in the mundane. His dialogue sparkles—each character distinct, funny, and layered. It’s deceptively hard to write a story this quiet and still make it feel essential. Dorney does it with ease.

📝VERDICT: 10/10

Wild Animals is a standout entry in the Stranded series—funny, reflective, and unexpectedly devastating. John Dorney crafts a story that’s as grounded as it is gutting, showcasing the vulnerability of the Doctor and his companions when faced with the randomness of real-life tragedy. It's a masterclass in small-scale Doctor Who storytelling: no monsters, no mayhem—just people, pain, and pepper spray.

If Lost Property was a warm welcome, Wild Animals is the heartbreak that reminds you what’s at stake when the Doctor stops running.