The Ice Kings

9️⃣🔽 = VERY ENJOYABLE!

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

“ICE, ICE BABY!”

Niel Bushnell brings us straight into the classroom, where the Twelfth Doctor crashes a history lecture held by Professor Irene Hyde. That lesson turns into a trip to 1806 and dangers lurking onboard the trading ship Favorite, captained by Fredric “Ice King” Tudor.

The beginning of the story functions as an introduction to Irene as a new one-off companion; it comes with all the usual questions and explanations.

Irene emits a similar kind of energy and excitement for history as Barbara or Evelyn, without being quite as memorable. She is experienced, educated, logical, and determined, which makes her likeable even when she's faced with danger. She's also given a proper and satisfying exit by the end of the story.

Tudor remains somewhat underdeveloped, and the story doesn't do much in terms of teaching us more about him, his crew, or the historical event depicted here.

The Nekkre are a scary and deadly alien threat well worth waiting for. Bushnell writes the action scenes with them very well but doesn't delve very deeply into their backstory.

Maureen O’Brien is a good narrator, but her voice for Twelve sounds very off—less like an angry Scottish man and more like an Ice Warrior with a sore throat.

This isn't the most fast-paced of stories, but the interesting characters, vivid descriptions of the ship, and atmospheric wintry setting mean that it's never boring.