Izzy's Story

Main Range #123

Released: 28 July 2009

Listened: 7/11/21

This one is even more over cartoonish than the last, but that’s fitting for a character from the comics. Even more fittingly, the plot revolves around Izzy trying to use time travel to get a copy of a rare comic, because she’d never seen the end of a story. When the aliens and other time travelers turn up, things get really strange. The story is written by Alan Barnes, who created Izzy in the comics, so she’s written accurately (as far as I can tell). Jemima Rooper is fantastic as Izzy, with breathless enthusiasm and total sincerity about nerdy stuff; it’s a shame this is her only appearance. The comic itself is a thinly veiled parody of Judge Dredd, so that’s nice for folks who get the reference. There’s also a swipe at gender issues in comics and fandom in general, which is even sharper now given some fans’ objection to Jodie Whitaker. Again, the Doctor mostly seems to be enjoying himself, and certainly enjoys Izzy’s company, deadly danger or not. It’s good to see him having fun, given the amount of pain waiting for him later in life.