Quantum of Axos

Tenth Doctor, Classic Companions #3

Released: 14 September 2022

Listened: 11/3/22

The final story features Ace, in the present, and in her current role as CEO of A Charitable Earth. It’s a little tricky to say where this falls in Ace’s personal timeline, but it seems to be before Sarah Jane’s funeral, and possibly after “The Power of the Doctor,” although the story is purposely vague about that, and Big Finish probably couldn’t have known anything about Ace’s role in that story (or did they?). Ace is in full control here, very much the CEO and investigator, sniffing out alien goings-on right away. Although admittedly, it’s Axos, which have been trying to find a hole in their time-loop since the 1970s, and don’t appear to have adapted all that well to the 21st century, despite the fact that mimicking other life forms is their thing. Once again, the emphasis is on the companion’s relationship with the Doctor, rather than on the main plot. Unlike the others, Ace has changed a lot since her time in the TARDIS, and it’s good character growth. Fortunately, Sophie Aldred plays it brilliantly. It helps that we’ve just recently seen her on TV, but she presents a sharp difference to 1989 Ace, even vocally. It looks like this story ends here, and they don’t really have plans for more, which may be for the best, given that the TV series is getting more prone to pulling in classic companions.