The Wintertime Paradox has been a smashing success for me so far.  I've really loved or at least appreciated all the short stories.  It does feel only natural that not all of them would work for me.

This one was a bit of a struggle.  I was pleasantly surprised to get a classic era Doctor after every story thus far has focused more on the modern era.  It's a cool idea for a story, taking place on an alien forest world, populated by humans that journeyed here long ago but have forgotten their past and history almost entirely.  The Doctor is being dragged off to be sacrificed to the forest by an unnamed woman.  She is a believer, but has some doubts after her wife was sacrificed.

That's pretty much the story - the Doctor and a woman travelling around, talking of faith and their belief system.  On paper, it really feels like a story I should have liked or enjoyed.  Instead, I was just kind of bored.  If this had a stronger purpose or focus on We Will Feed You to the Trees, I probably would have enjoyed that more.  I do like the doubt present in the woman.  We are told the story from her perspective and her growing sense of dread that her wife was sacrificed for no purpose was interesting.

This is also the first time Sophie Aldred's reading of the story didn't work for me.  Normally her voices and delivery are great, but here it felt a little flat.  Weirdly, her impression of the Seventh Doctor felt a little off.  I've heard her do this voice in stories like The Haunting of Bryck Place and I feel like she did a better job there.

📝5/10

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

A WINTRY TALE THAT DRIFTS AWAY

This Seventh Doctor story exudes a wintry atmosphere, capturing the chill and mystery of the season. While the writing is undeniably strong, its overly descriptive nature struggles to hold my attention throughout.

The plot has a timey-wimey quality, which complements the enigmatic nature of the Seventh Doctor and adds depth to the alien creatures featured. Both are characterised with care, showcasing the Doctor’s layered personality and the uniqueness of his otherworldly counterparts.

Despite these strengths, the story lacks the narrative momentum needed to truly captivate, leaving it feeling more like a beautifully painted scene than an engaging adventure. Fans of rich description and subtle character work might enjoy this more, but it may not resonate as strongly with those looking for a gripping tale.