The Invasion of E-Space

Companion Chronicles #5.4

Released: 13 October 2010

Listened: 7/16/22

This Companion Chronicle takes place rather late in Romana’s tenure in the TARDIS, when Adric is present, but K-9 isn’t. In good Companion Chronicle style, the Doctor gets sidelined early and stays that way for at least half the story. That allows Romana to take the lead, but also allows her to spend a little time with Adric, whom Romana admits she hasn’t given much of a chance. It’s kind of her to realize that Adric really didn’t fit in with his home society, and doesn’t have many alternatives. Of course, the story is written by Andrew Smith, Adric’s creator, who always puts him in a good light. The other speaking role goes to Suanne Braun, a well-known actress who’s also appeared in Stargate and Red Dwarf, so she gets a bigger role than usual as a police inspector investigating a series of murders. Oddly, though, she doesn’t interact with Romana all that much, but carries the narration for parts of the story where Romana’s not around. She also sounds enough like Lalla Ward that it can cause confusion. It’s no fault of this story, but the whole “search for the CVE” thing is starting to get a little tired. This is also the final appearance of Lalla Ward in this part of the project, although she’ll be back later in various Main Range stories, and in Gallifrey.