Okay this script feels very much like a diary of river song script it feels like there’s nothing really changed from the previous range idk I kinda want more from life and death of river song

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

“DRIFTWOOD: RIVER AND ACE FACE A DEADLY COUNTDOWN”

Driftwood pulls River Song into a high-stakes, real-time adventure alongside Ace, as the two women find themselves trapped aboard a spaceship with only an hour to live. With an alien threat slowly invading the ship, Ace and River must work together—despite Ace’s deep scepticism about her mysterious new ally. The story is full of tension, urgency, and some great character moments, but while the setup is strong, the execution doesn't quite capitalise on its full potential.

ACE, RIVER, AND A RELUCTANT ALLIANCE

One of the biggest draws of Driftwood is the dynamic between Ace and River. Ace, who has been separated from the Doctor, is already on high alert, and when River arrives on the scene, she immediately distrusts her. River, of course, knows Ace and has the benefit of her vast experience—but she keeps her cards close to her chest, playing into her usual air of mystery. This push-and-pull relationship is at the heart of the story, and it works well, allowing for plenty of great banter and moments of begrudging respect.

Sophie Aldred shines once again as Ace, bringing her trademark mix of recklessness and determination to the role. This story gives her a fair bit of physical action, making her a crucial part of the solution rather than a bystander. From swinging her baseball bat to throwing herself into danger to save the ship, Ace is in full force here, reminding us why she remains one of Doctor Who’s most beloved companions.

River, meanwhile, gets to show off her intelligence and manipulative streak, especially towards the climax, where she uses her words rather than weapons to outsmart the alien threat. The contrast between River’s cunning and Ace’s direct approach creates a fun dynamic, and by the end, there’s at least a grudging understanding between them.

THE MENACE LURKING IN THE SHIP

The invading alien is an intriguing concept—a predator that can travel through wires and manipulate metal, making it an especially terrifying foe in the confines of a spaceship. The idea of a creature that can lurk within the very structure of the ship itself is a strong one, and it forces the characters to think on their feet as they try to escape.

However, while the story does a solid job of maintaining tension, the actual presence of the alien is somewhat lacking. The characters frequently tell us that it's coming, but we don’t feel its full impact until the climax. Given the stakes—the ship is filled with thousands of people in cryo-sleep—it’s surprising that the scale of the threat never quite feels as overwhelming as it should. The story hints at the disaster that could unfold if the creature spreads, but because we don’t hear much about the sleeping passengers, the urgency feels somewhat muted.

VENJEN, GANLEY, AND THE SUPPORTING CAST

One of the highlights of Driftwood is the android Venjen, who proves to be a surprisingly likeable and helpful presence. While android characters in Doctor Who can sometimes lean into cold, logical stereotypes, Venjen has a distinct personality that makes him stand out. His fate towards the climax adds an extra layer of tension, as the alien takes hold of him, forcing River into a last-ditch effort to outwit the threat.

The story also subtly ties into the overarching arc of the box set when Ace encounters Ganley, a man who is out to kill her for her future actions. While this subplot doesn’t take up much of the runtime, it helps build anticipation for the action-packed finale to come.

A STRONG BUILD-UP, BUT A SLIGHTLY UNDERWHELMING PAYOFF

The real-time structure of the story helps to keep the tension high, with the sense that every second counts as River, Ace, Charlana, and Venjen struggle to escape. However, while the urgency is well executed, the resolution feels a little too easy. River’s climactic confrontation with the alien is well-written, with her sharp words being her greatest weapon, but the lack of real engagement with the creature before this moment makes the final battle feel slightly underwhelming.

The final scenes focus more on the larger arc of the set, setting up the next step towards the finale. While this adds some intrigue, it also reinforces the feeling that Driftwood is more of a stepping stone than a fully realised standalone adventure.

📝VERDICT: 8/10

Driftwood is an entertaining, fast-paced story that makes good use of real-time storytelling and delivers some great interactions between River and Ace. The lurking alien threat is conceptually strong, but its impact on the story could have been greater. The stakes—thousands of lives in danger—are somewhat diminished by the lack of focus on the sleeping passengers, and the alien itself feels more like a background menace than an ever-present danger.

That said, the character work is excellent, with Ace and River’s uneasy alliance being the highlight. Venjen is a surprisingly engaging android, and the brief tie-ins to the larger arc help build anticipation for the finale. While Driftwood doesn’t quite deliver on all its potential, it remains an enjoyable, tense adventure that showcases the strengths of its lead characters.

I liked that the arc played a part in this one, but overall it felt pretty standard. Base under siege, cool concept but its not really explored enough to warrant a higher rating imo. The concept of the creature being in the wires is so cool and could've made for some great imagery and scenes but it kinda just... felt like a standard villain?

I am curious about the arc, and the villain though!