I remember back in early 2024 after the release of the Ninth Doctor box set where he meets Bernice Summerfield and coming away with yet another meh feeling, I said back then that I was no longer interested in following the Ninth Doctor Adventures, what started out with a lot of promise and fresh new ideas for the Ninth Doctor quickly fell into a holding pattern with a very repetitive format and no real sense of taking the Ninth Doctor in any interesting directions. I've always said the Ninth Doctor per the expanded universe feels creatively shackled by the rules established in his brief run on TV. I was really hoping Big Finish would break away from that mindset and really take some chances with the Ninth Doctor, we almost got something like that with Callen and Doyle but they quickly chucked that idea out the window. Plus this whole buying box sets that mostly consist of one great story while the other two were either average or rubbish was just not worth it anymore. So I said if I were to buy another Ninth Doctor release it'd have to have at least two stories written by writers I've a lot of confidence in. So sure enough Star-Crossed gets announced with John Dorney and Tim Foley as writers and I went "dammit!"

The story of the entire box set revolves around the Ninth Doctor's encounters with River Song and it did an excellent job of showcasing what makes him so different from the other Doctors River's had adventures with and what makes the Ninth Doctor so unique from the others altogether, it all comes to a head in Archipelago, which at the time seemed to mark the end of the Ninth Doctor's Big Finish audios and I gotta say. You couldn't ask for a more perfect story to go out on.

River has called the Doctor for one last favour much to his annoyance, but he has found himself stranded on the planet Fortuna, a world ravaged by powerful time storms which is preventing the TARDIS from leaving. With no other choice, the Doctor must embark on a voyage with River Song and a skimmer captain into the eye of the storm itself to find the captain's long lost husband. River has her own personal reasons for undertaking this journey whereas the Doctor's convinced no-one could survive in such conditions. But brave the storm they must as the skimmer's battered by temporal phenomenon and as their journey stretches on and on, the Doctor and River must confront some very harsh truths about one another.

On top of being my favourite Ninth Doctor story, this is my favourite Doctor/River story. Tim Foley previously had a great River Song tale in the Friend of the Family box set and here he really nails the reality of the Doctor and River's relationship that I never thought Big Finish would address. The reality being that the Doctor doesn't see their relationship as love or a marriage between equals, it's just River knowing the Doctor's future and what he's meant to do according to her diary. The show and Big Finish have previously glorified the Doctor and River's complicated relationship whereas I've always seen it as just them filling out the roles they already know is written down, and the fact that the diary binds them to never have the freedom to make their own choices in their relationship. This story not only confronts that harsh truth, but it throws in a massive reveal that the Ninth Doctor breaks the one rule between him and River no other Doctor has done. What follows is the Ninth Doctor and River, now stuck on a skimmer adrift and slowly being consumed by corral, going through their own Heaven Sent ordeal but in a glass half full sort of way as the Doctor suggests forgetting what's written in the diary and actually get to grow their relationship their own way. The second half is so beautifully written with Eccleston and Alex Kingston putting in some of their best work as they spend what feels like decades living out their lives in a tiny cabin. It features another great reveal as to why River went on this journey to begin with and the significance of the captain's husbands which leads to an incredible and tragic ending for the Doctor and River as he's worked out the solution to this entire ordeal. It does go for that factory reset ending that you often get in River/Doctor stories pre Silence in the Library, but given all the revelations and what they go through in this story, that was never in question and the way it's done is very well handled.

The stale as the Ninth Doctor Adventures had gotten at this point, this finale didn't deserve to be this much of a masterpiece, and yet here we are. I'd already suspected given there were no further releases announced, but shortly after this release Eccleston confirmed he'd be stepping away from Big Finish for the time being, which I felt was for the best. I knew eventually Eccleston would be back, but a break was certainly needed rather than just another series of standard box sets with the occasional worthwhile story. Thankfully the series is set to begin again, this time taking the approach of single story releases which is a much better alternative to buying box sets and having Billie Piper return as Rose will certainly freshen things up a bit. Only time will tell if the new series is on par with this work of art or even surpasses it.

📝8/10

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

"Archipelago: Lost in Time and Tide"

Tim Foley’s Archipelago serves as a reflective and evocative conclusion to the Star-Crossed set, leaning heavily into atmosphere and character-driven storytelling. Told primarily from River Song’s perspective, it feels akin to an instalment of her own Diary of River Song series. Foley weaves a stormy, otherworldly setting that mirrors the turbulent emotions and evolving dynamics between River and the Ninth Doctor, crafting a poignant and layered narrative.

The premise—Nine and River navigating a treacherous alien voyage in search of missing individuals—takes a backseat to the interplay between its characters. Christopher Eccleston delivers a brooding, moody Doctor, his tension with River providing much of the drama. Alex Kingston’s performance brings River’s sharp wit and emotional complexity to the forefront, creating an intriguing clash of perspectives as they navigate their mission.

Foley’s narrative thrives on mood and introspection rather than action, with the alien threat emerging gradually to underscore the story’s themes of loss and consequence. The haunting, temporal disturbances subtly affect the crew, particularly the ship’s Captain, adding an eerie undertone to the proceedings. The atmospheric sound design and performances immerse the listener in this storm-lashed world, where every gust of wind and flash of lightning carries emotional weight.

The heart of the story lies in its exploration of the Doctor and River’s evolving relationship. The climactic moment when Nine breaks their agreed-upon rule by reading River’s diary is both shocking and deeply moving, unearthing vulnerabilities in both characters. Their final scenes, stripped of distractions, are a masterclass in emotional storytelling, revealing layers of trust, betrayal, and affection.

Foley’s conclusion is bittersweet, elegantly tying up the loose ends of their shared adventures while maintaining the integrity of the timelines. The mechanism by which both Nine and River forget their time together is beautifully rendered, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices they make to protect the universe and each other.

Final Thoughts:

Archipelago may lack the high-octane action of earlier entries in the set, but its focus on atmosphere, character, and emotional depth makes it a standout. As the waves recede, the memory of this story lingers—a fitting farewell to an unforgettable partnership.

really enjoyed how they fully fleshed out and explored nine and rivers dyanmic across the full set, especially here. the scene where he reads her diary? incredible. i liked that the predictable mind wipe was both ways and done differently for a change! really happy with this small arc and hope for more 9 arcs in future!

Aside from a mediocre performance from Kingston, this is an incredibly impressive story from Tim Foley and Helen Goldwyn. I honestly can’t say I’ve ever heard the 9th Doctor as authentic as he appears on TV, but the finale of the 9th Doctor Adventures finally delivers an episode that far surpasses most of his TV episodes and actually delves deep into who 9 is. His brokenness and amazement at simple wonders is a juxtaposition no other doctor does quite like him. It feels right for him, and I’m so glad we finally got a story that focuses solely in on this part of the character, and it reminds me why I love dr who.