The Green Gift

The Ninth Doctor Adventures Series 2 #1.1

Released: 10 May 2023

Listened: 6/17/23

This new boxed set, called “Pioneers,” kicks off a new “series” of the Ninth Doctor Adventures, not that you can really tell. Particularly, this story is again written by Roy Gill, and features Callen and Doyle, who’ve been traveling with the Doctor for a bit. He’s pretty clear that he’s looking for a good place to drop them off, because he’s “not ready” to have a companion again just yet, for all he treats them like companions. The story takes place on a generation ship, one tasked with preserving Earth’s biodiversity until they can bring it back home again (Earth having suffered one of its numerous catastrophes). Which makes this a rather unusual place for a sequel to “The Green Death.” Sorry about the spoiler, but the maggots are right there on the cover. And yet, it kinda works. Louise Jameson guest-stars as the ship’s captain. It’s clearly her, but she’s using a Northern accent that helps to separate her from Leela in the listener’s mind. Callen and especially Doyle continue to be wonderful and charming, and the story has more depth to it than you might expect. I liked this one.