The Ghost of Margaret

Fourth Doctor Adventures #12.6

Released: 21 June 2023

Listened: 7/23/23

Margaret has had enough. After the last story, where she came pretty close to doom, she wants to get off the ride, although she’s sad and her life is still empty. Unfortunately, in putting her back, the TARDIS jumped a time track, which isn’t clear until after they’ve already left (the Doctor not being one for goodbyes), leaving Margaret stranded in a “nowhere place,” with manifestations of her depression out to get her. Oddly, Captain Ray Hunter turns up, one of the soldiers from “The Friendly Invasion.” He’s 30 years older, as we’re in Margaret’s present. Apparently Margaret sent for him, but she doesn’t remember doing that. So we’ve got timey-wimey, and spooky dreamscapes, and time slippage. It’s a fairly tight story, as it’s mostly concerned with Margaret’s personal anxieties. In the end, she manages to decide what she wants, which is a nice closing to her story. There are enough stories here that it doesn’t feel like Margaret outstayed her welcome, but few enough to justify her not coming up again later.