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“Winner Takes All: A Video Game Invasion with a Dose of RTD-Era Nostalgia”

Jaqueline Rayner’s Winner Takes All, the third entry in the New Series Adventures line, captures the spirit of the RTD era with remarkable accuracy. From the outset, the novel immerses you in a world of contemporary drama and extraterrestrial intrigue, with Nine and Rose’s lively banter, Jackie’s irrepressible charm, and Mickey’s bumbling loyalty all feeling like they’ve stepped right out of Series 1.

Rayner’s style is effortlessly readable, blending domestic realism with sci-fi absurdity in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. Unlike the previous novels, which struggled to nail the tone of the revival series, Winner Takes All feels like a missing episode, complete with moments of humour, tension, and heart.

The plot revolves around the Queevils, a race of small, spiky aliens who orchestrate an invasion of Earth via an addictive video game that unwittingly turns players into pawns in their war. It’s a delightfully 2000s concept, reminiscent of both Douglas Adams’ wit and Ernest Cline’s Armada. While the critique of video game culture now feels dated, it’s delivered with enough charm to remain engaging.

The final act stands out for its intricate tension, forcing the Doctor into a juggling act of controlling Rose through the game, guiding Mickey, and managing the larger crisis. Each character plays a crucial role in resolving the conflict, giving the climax a satisfying sense of teamwork and ingenuity.

The Queevils themselves are memorable, with a mix of silliness and menace that wouldn’t feel out of place in an RTD-era episode. However, their enemies, the Mantodeans, lack the same impact and fail to become a truly compelling threat.

The human cast is more hit-and-miss. Darren Pye, a petty school bully turned troublemaker, is entertainingly obnoxious but one-dimensional. Robert, a dreamer obsessed with escapist fantasies, feels like a misstep—his story attempts to mirror RTD’s focus on ordinary lives caught in extraordinary events but never quite lands emotionally.

The novel also cleverly ties into the Bad Wolf arc of Series 1 with subtle nods that fans will appreciate, further cementing its place as an authentic slice of Doctor Who history.

📝Verdict: 7/10

Winner Takes All succeeds where its predecessors faltered, delivering a smart, funny, and engaging tale that perfectly captures the RTD era’s blend of domestic drama and intergalactic hijinks. While some elements falter, the overall execution and strong characterisation make this a standout entry.