This is part of a series of reviews of Doctor Who in chronological timeline order.

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I'm not sure I like this one as much as the previous Krillitane story in the set, but it's still very good. There's a real sense of suspense because if you've listened to The Krillitane Feint you already know that the Zoe in this is an impostor. The brilliance comes from the fact that you aren't sure if she even knows she's actually a Krillitane. There's a lot of hints that she's lost her memory and it makes you think that maybe she'll turn out good only for an excellent little twist in the middle to prove otherwise.

7/Ray is a fun combo but Ray really doesn't get all that much focus here (I'm sure she will somewhere else though). There's also a lot of continuity being stitched together here with the Older Zoe companion chronicles stories being referenced along with Tales of the TARDIS. It even shows us the long-necked Krillitane that 10 later mentions! As someone who is going through this stuff in timeline order I wholeheartedly approve of stuff like this.

All in all, solid story and I'm excited to hear more of Ray.

What should be a fairly generic story is made better by great performances and amazing character drama that adds depth to the 7th Doctor.­

I'll admit that Ray is underutilised and is just a generic companion, but other than that and the very simple plot (which again, is fine as it's done this way to focus on emotions and character work), I have no criticisms.

Ray is so baby girl

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

“The Krillitane Relic: Echoes of the Past and Shadows of the Present"

Seven faces a ghost of Zoe's past, but a lack of surprises and a by-the-numbers narrative make this adventure a missed opportunity.

A Random Pairing and Missed Companion Potential:

Pairing the Seventh Doctor with Ray, the companion from Delta and the Bannermen, feels like a fresh deviation from his usual Big Finish companions. However, the choice ultimately adds little to the narrative. Ray is given the traditional companion role of asking questions and reacting to events, but her presence feels interchangeable—Mel, Ace, or even no companion could have worked just as well. The story misses an opportunity to make Ray a more distinctive part of the adventure.

The Zoe Twist That Isn’t:

The story revolves around the intriguing concept of Zoe’s doppelgänger, a Krillitane copy from The Krillitane Feint. The Doctor’s confusion over why “Zoe” doesn’t remember him, combined with her mysterious presence, should create a compelling emotional thread. However, the mystery falls flat because the audience already knows the truth from the start: this isn’t the real Zoe. The reveal lacks impact, and the emotional weight that should accompany the Doctor’s lingering attachment to his past companions isn’t fully explored.

That said, Wendy Padbury deserves praise for her performance. She seamlessly transitions from the seemingly innocent “Zoe” to the sinister Krillitane, capturing both sides of the character with flair. Sheila Hancock also excels as the Krillitane Captain, managing to make her character’s transformation from likeable to menacing quite effective.

A Familiar Setting, A Predictable Plot:

The cryogenic space station for the rich and dying is a serviceable but uninspired backdrop, reminiscent of similar settings in Doctor Who lore. While the concept provides a functional playground for the Krillitanes’ plans, it doesn’t bring anything particularly unique to the table.

The story unfolds in a straightforward manner. The first act introduces the Doctor and Ray, while the guest characters debate their identities (a trope that feels overused). The Doctor spends much of the plot pondering why Zoe doesn’t remember him, while the Krillitane gradually reveal their hand. The third act delivers some action-packed moments with ray guns and the Krillitanes in humanoid form, but even this feels more perfunctory than thrilling.

A Thoughtful but Rushed Conclusion:

The story’s resolution is simple, offering little in the way of surprises. The emotional crux of the episode—Seven realising he needs to let go of his past and stop chasing ghosts—has potential but feels underdeveloped. Given the rich history between the Doctor and his companions, this could have been a poignant moment, but the rushed pacing robs it of its emotional depth.

"Verdict: Serviceable but Forgettable"

The Krillitane Relic is a functional but unremarkable adventure. Its premise—a Krillitane doppelgänger of Zoe and the Doctor’s struggle with his past—has potential, but the predictable narrative and lack of tension hold it back. Wendy Padbury and Sheila Hancock deliver strong performances, but even their talents can’t elevate the script beyond mediocrity.

Fans of the Seventh Doctor or Zoe may find some enjoyment in the nostalgic elements, but this story is unlikely to linger in the memory.

📝59/100

It's a hard launch for the Seventh Doctor and Ray, who finally gets her crack at being a companion! I like the decision to make her in her 40s as opposed to fresh out of Delta and the Bannermen. This story must be listened to after the previous Krillitane story in the set, because it deals with where the fake Zoe has got to and her scheme in order to revive the Krillitanes. The Doctor is so excited to meet Zoe and catch up he never considers she could be evil until it's almost too late. It's a fun story, and the Scottish/Welsh TARDIS duo was good to listen to. Great continuity work too for us sickos, it's set before Zoe's President or fake Zoe would obviously be recognized and the Krillitanes have 'very long necks' which is how the Tenth Doctor said he looked last time he encountered them in School Reunion.

from the trailer this morning (which i was at first sad it spoiled post s6b zoe with 7) was so deceptive lmao. as soon as the last krillitane ep ended i knew it would be the krillitane!zoe in this one. really great story dealing with the doctor's grief and turmoil surrounding zoe/jamie's exits. i do kinda suspect that something will happen to 7 in the future maybe he finds out about s6b, it certainly teased that. really good concept with the krillitane, and a clever way to deal with them too! ray was alright, didn't think either a bad or good thing about her she was kinda just there? keen to hear more of her!