Originally released : December 2025

Listened to: December 2025

Written by Lisa McMullan

Starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper

Context: Back to this great doctor, back to 2005, fantastic!

THE REVIEW

What I thought: now I am writing this a wee while after I listened to this one, so memory is hazy and I am well behind with my reviews of my BF listens (far easier to write these in close proximity to listening to them, new year’s resolution there) so this may be both inaccurate and brief, my heart is in the right place though.

The notion of instrusive thoughts, both from a personal and professional perspective is something I am well aware of, the darkness of the mind and what it can make us do.

The Hellion is a great idea for a villain, well-suited to take on this version of the Doctor and the angst and loneliness he feels about the loss of his people and planet. As in the last episode, the Powell estate and its residents are a crucial part of the episode, a real ensemble piece that cracks along nicely. There is humour in here but the story turns dark quickly, and we see the endless depths of the doctors (potentially dark) power. Another great edition to this run of 9th Doctor Stories.

Rating: 4 out of 5 intrusive thoughts: I bloody loved the last release, so this one had a lot to live up to. This one continues this strong run, I think it’s a really great episode, such a fantastic idea, how could I not like this one, being a Psychologist and all. A brave subject matter to tackle in a Dr Who episode pulled off with style.

What I felt: happy, completely hooked into this one, cant recommend this one enough.

What am I left thinking?

• Just poor old Nervy Steve
• Just in general, where do they go from here?!?!?!

Memorable bits

• Nervey steve!
• Jackie
• Taps on the shoulder