Two's Company

Once and Future #4

Released: 16 August 2023

Listened: 8/21/23

After a couple of questionable entries, we get one that actually plays into the overarching storyline, and also plays with the mashup concept that was introduced in the first story. The TARDIS lands in London, 2006, because the Doctor, wearing the Third Doctor’s body, is looking for something called “esoterium.” Harry Sullivan is part of a very secret project working with esoterium. In fact, it’s so secret that only Harry and (a person who Harry believes to be a future version of) the Doctor are involved. Except that’s not the Doctor, it’s the Eleven; just not the one you were expecting. I’m not sure where in Harry’s timeline this is, but the Doctor thinks he looks older in 2006, so I guess it’s after he got back where he belongs. Meanwhile, because it’s 2006, Jackie Tyler is around, playing with alien doodads Rose left in her room, and getting set up as a cleaner for Lady Christina deSouza. Except it’s 2006, so Christina hasn’t met the Doctor or UNIT yet. Jackie certainly has, though, and is just as terrible as always about keeping her mouth shut. (Which means nobody involved is going to remember this story; cliche, but there it is.) Although the Third Doctor gets more screen time than other “cameo” Doctors in this series, he ends up regenerating into the Sixth right in front of Harry, conveniently proving who he is. Old Sixie is perfect for this story, as he’s a fountain of snark, and Harry’s on the receiving end of most of it, not undeservedly. The actual resolution is a bit muted, but that’s fine, as it’s the interaction of the characters that’s important in this story. And it gives the Doctor another step along the path.