There's a lot to like about this story, a Brig era unit story involving a villain doing some political scheming. Harry, Benton, The Brig, references to the UNIT dating controversy and UNIT's change of name in the revival. Giant Monsters!

But overall, I don't know, this story felt somewhat forgettable, and the connections back to the previous story kind of felt tacked on. In fact one of the references to said story doesn't make sense in context The Doctor saying they were sent here thanks to Rose's boyfriend an her remarking that "he's not my boyfriend", even though part of the point of that story was that Rose and Jack weren't meant to know that Mickey was there.

The teases for the next story, a new companion and Jack's backstory, seem interesting... but that's the last two pages, and cant' really give it credit for that.

So yeah, overall a story that I did really enjoy, but I think I think I should've enjoyed more than I did.

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

“OFFICIAL SECRETS: NINE, UNIT, AND KAIJU MAYHEM”

Official Secrets throws the Ninth Doctor, Rose, and Jack into a very Invasion of the Dinosaurs-esque adventure, complete with giant monsters wreaking havoc, shady government officials, and a corrupt corporation pulling the strings. There’s a lot of potential in this mix of classic UNIT-era storytelling with the faster-paced, action-heavy approach of the Ninth Doctor’s run. However, while the spectacle is certainly there, the story ultimately feels a little undercooked.

A MONSTER STORY THAT LACKS BITE

The core premise—massive kaiju appearing and disappearing at random, controlled by a man named Yaxley via mysterious apparatus—is a solid one, but the execution is a bit hollow. The monsters are visually impressive, and the large splash pages dedicated to them give a sense of scale, but they don’t end up being much of a threat. They exist largely to provide big action beats, which, while exciting, don’t leave much of a lasting impact.

UNIT RETURNS—BUT SOMETHING FEELS OFF

The return of UNIT should be a highlight, but it doesn’t quite land. With Benton and Harry leading the charge in the Brigadier’s absence, there’s something that doesn’t quite feel right about their roles. The story never fully explores the dynamic between them and the Doctor’s team, and despite Jack spending time with Benton and Rose with Harry, the interactions don’t leave much of an impression.

The Brigadier himself does eventually appear, and thankfully, he feels authentic to his television counterpart. His dialogue is spot-on, and it’s easy to imagine Nicholas Courtney delivering the lines.

Nurse Mishra, the new UNIT character, is predictably a double agent, but this twist lacks weight due to the minimal development she receives before the reveal. She ultimately betrays the Albion corporation, but the story barely allows her double-agent status to have any real consequences before she flips sides again and ends up joining the TARDIS crew.

A RUSHED STORY WITH UNDERDEVELOPED ANTAGONISTS

For all the focus on action, the actual plot explanations are glossed over too quickly. UNIT’s role becomes increasingly passive as the story progresses, and several key elements—like Yaxley’s family and Deano—are seemingly forgotten by the end. The Albion Corporation, which should be a major presence, is only briefly touched upon, with Director Corrigan appearing in a handful of scenes before being conveniently taken down via a TV interview. The Doctor never even meets the villains directly, and their motives remain frustratingly vague.

NINTH DOCTOR ELEMENTS THAT WORK

Despite its issues, the story does succeed in capturing some Doctor Who staples, particularly from the Ninth Doctor’s era. His disapproval of UNIT’s reliance on guns is present, as is his ability to take charge of a situation like a battlefield general. There’s also the recurring theme of a scared, lonely child accidentally unleashing danger upon the world, much like The Empty Child.

HARRY SULLIVAN’S BIG MOMENT

One of the best moments comes when Harry Sullivan punches a government minister after he criticises UNIT for being useless. It’s a great character beat that reminds us why Harry is such a beloved companion.

UNEVEN ARTWORK

The artwork is a mixed bag. While the large panels and kaiju designs are striking, the character likenesses are noticeably off. Rose, Benton, and Harry, in particular, look nothing like their TV counterparts, which can be distracting. The overall style is serviceable, but it lacks the polish needed to elevate the story.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

Official Secrets has the right ingredients for a fun Doctor Who adventure—UNIT, government conspiracies, a shady corporation, and kaiju-level destruction—but it doesn’t quite bring them together in a satisfying way. The story feels rushed, the antagonists are underdeveloped, and the action takes precedence over meaningful character moments. Still, there are flashes of fun, particularly with the Brigadier’s return and Harry’s standout moment. A decent but forgettable attempt at merging classic and modern Doctor Who sensibilities.