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“STRANGE LOOPS: A PLANET IN RUINS AND A FORGOTTEN PAST”

Strange Loops brings the TARDIS to a devastated alien world where civilisation has collapsed in a matter of decades, leaving behind acid rain, poisoned lakes, and towering, decaying structures. The Doctor has been here before, but his memories of the planet are missing—stored within Sapling. As a result, he must rely on Sapling’s fragmented knowledge to piece together what happened. This premise sets up an intriguing mystery, but the execution leaves something to be desired.

The source of the planet’s downfall is revealed to be the Orphan, a dangerous Time Lord weapon imprisoned and exploited by three scientists to control the world. Unfortunately, the Orphan never quite becomes a compelling character—feeling more like a plot device than a genuine presence in the story. The same can be said for the Golden Triangle, the ruling elite, who fail to leave much of an impression.

Perhaps the most meaningful moment comes at the end, when Sapling sacrifices himself, embedding his roots to stabilise the TARDIS and prevent it from breaking apart. Given Sapling’s connection to memory and growth, it’s a thematically fitting part of his arc.

The artwork effectively conveys the bleak, polluted state of the planet, with greys and greens dominating the landscape. Natural beauty has been replaced with industrial decay, and even the air itself is toxic. However, while the setting is visually compelling, the story doesn’t spend much time exploring it before shifting focus to the Orphan’s backstory.

📝VERDICT: 6.0/10

Strange Loops starts with an intriguing mystery but ultimately lacks emotional depth. The Orphan is an underwhelming character, and the supporting cast fails to make much impact. However, Sapling’s sacrifice provides a bittersweet and fitting conclusion to his journey, giving the story some much-needed weight. The worldbuilding is interesting but underutilised, making this an uneven but not entirely forgettable entry in the Sapling arc.