The Eighth Doctor Solo

As with all Big Finish Doctors, there needs to be a part of their tenure where the writers can stick stories that feature the Doctor alone, without companions. The real-world reason is usually budgetary, or actor availability, or a general feeling that having an additional character around would complicate the story. In this case, we can assume a gap after the Liv & Helen era, the only such gap currently in the Eighth Doctor’s era. Fitting into that spot are two main plotlines: The “Time Lord Victorious” multimedia story from James Goss, which covered the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Doctors; and the “Pre-Time War” stories, which cover the period when the Doctor was actively trying to stay out of the war, but before he was dragged in, during the next section. That means he’s mostly appearing in stories as a supporting character, rather than as the protagonist. Plus a couple of other bits and bobs that require the Doctor to be solo.