It’s okay its just agin I kinda wanted more but I do think Tegan and river work well

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

“DEAD RISING: TEGAN, RIVER, AND A DEADLY MYSTERY”

Dead Rising shifts the focus to Tegan as she meets River Song for the first time under grim circumstances. Tegan is under interrogation for the deaths of human colonists, while the Doctor and Turlough remain frozen in cryogenic sleep. Meanwhile, River has arrived to uncover the truth behind the increasingly strange occurrences—colonists keep dying, only to return days later.

This story leans more heavily into the overarching arc of the set, as River not only investigates the colony’s bizarre resurrection phenomenon but also attempts to keep Tegan safe from the relentless pursuit of Ganley. While Dead Rising delivers on its eerie atmosphere and unsettling mystery, it doesn’t fully explore its strongest ideas, making it a solid but slightly underdeveloped entry in the series.

RIVER AND TEGAN – AN UNEASY ALLIANCE

Much like Driftwood did with River and Ace, Dead Rising plays with the dynamic of a classic companion encountering River’s enigmatic nature for the first time. Tegan, ever sharp-tongued and suspicious, spends much of the story questioning River’s true motives. There’s a fun push-and-pull between them, with Tegan's natural scepticism clashing against River’s cryptic confidence.

However, as the story unfolds and the danger intensifies, a genuine bond begins to form. Unlike Ace, who was largely able to hold her own, Tegan finds herself more reliant on River, and River in turn becomes increasingly protective of her. This adds a layer of emotional depth to the story, particularly as River starts to fear she has made a mistake that could cost Tegan her life.

A COLONY OF THE LIVING DEAD

The story’s central mystery is a strong one—colonists who die, only to return days later, seemingly alive again. The explanation, an alien radiation that induces a death-like coma, is a clever idea, but it’s not explored as fully as it could have been. That said, the reveal that these resurrected people are becoming something insect-like is deeply unsettling, drawing comparisons to the Wirrn from The Ark in Space. The sound design helps sell this transformation, making the creatures feel tangible and eerie even without a visual component.

A nice bit of continuity ties Dead Rising to Driftwood—this colony is made up of the same people who survived the events of that story. This adds an extra layer of weight to the situation, as River once again finds herself entangled in their fate. Interestingly, the solution to the crisis here mirrors elements of Driftwood, reinforcing the idea that history has a way of repeating itself in unexpected ways.

ACTION, ESCAPE, AND A BUILDING THREAT

Where Driftwood was focused more on tense, real-time problem-solving, Dead Rising leans more into action and suspense. River spends much of the story trying to keep Tegan alive, dodging both the colony’s dangers and the continued threat of Ganley. While this provides plenty of momentum, it sometimes overshadows the mystery itself, which could have benefited from a bit more depth.

Still, the story delivers several gripping moments, particularly as River realises she may have made a terrible mistake in her efforts to protect Tegan. The growing trust between them adds emotional weight to the climax, making for a satisfying, if slightly rushed, resolution.

📝VERDICT: 8/10

Dead Rising is another strong but slightly underdeveloped entry in this River-and-classic-companions saga. It has a fantastic concept, a solid mystery, and an engaging dynamic between River and Tegan. The eerie nature of the resurrected colonists, with their insect-like transformation, is effectively creepy, and the sound design helps bring them to life. However, the core idea of alien radiation-induced comas isn’t fully explored, and the story leans more on action than deeper thematic exploration.

That said, the emotional beats land well, particularly in the growing bond between River and Tegan. The continuity links to Driftwood add a satisfying sense of progression, and the increasing threat of Ganley keeps the arc moving forward. While it doesn’t quite reach its full potential, Dead Rising remains an entertaining and suspenseful adventure.

Really good story, with the dynamic between River and Tegan being the highlight. I liked the intrigue behind the story, the concepts were good. The ending felt a little rushed, but ah it was good!