Doctor Who review: Torchwood crosses over into Stranded: Must-See TV
By James Aggas
The Doctor has a mystery to solve at Baker Street, while a certain secret organization appears in the third episode of Doctor Who: Stranded.
After establishing the series in Lost Property and giving us something rather ordinary in Wild Animals, things start to get mysterious in Doctor Who: Stranded. When the mysterious Mr. Bird moves in, the Doctor discovers something strange at his house in Baker Street. The residents’ TVs aren’t behaving as they should be, even when they’re unplugged. What’s the cause of it? And how is Mr. Bird involved?
After finding himself lost in the previous two episodes, the Doctor is finally given a genuine and strange mystery to solve, and he’s loving it. Of course, he’s also worried, especially when he finds out exactly what the televisions are doing. But he’s clearly happy doing something that makes him feel like the Doctor once more.
We also find out a lot more about Tania in this episode, as her relationship with Liv develops. It’s clear that the two are really starting to care about each other. But it’s also clear that they’re both keeping secrets. We know why Liv is keeping quiet about her life before Baker Street. But what is Tania hiding? And how does she know Sergeant Andy Davidson?
In this episode, Tom Price joins the cast of Doctor Who: Stranded as Sergeant Andy from Torchwood!
Image Courtesy: Big Finish Productions.
Sergeant Andy
As Torchwood fans surely know, this isn’t Andy’s first appearance in the Doctor Who universe. Originally introduced in its darker and more adult spin-off series, the character has seen a great deal over the years and has developed considerably as a result, both on and off the screen.
So it’s fantastic to hear him crossover into Doctor Who at last. What’s particularly interesting is that – while this is set long before the Doctor eventually encounters Torchwood from his perspective – the setting of Stranded is the modern-day, and therefore years after they’ve already met the Doctor.
As such, Andy is trying to do his best to keep his distance and not let the Doctor find out about Torchwood too early. It’s a nice instance where the audience knows much more than the Doctor does, and it works extremely well. It’s a good reminder that, however modern Stranded is, it does feature a much earlier Doctor, and feels like a strange fusion of both Classic and New eras that works extremely well.
More from Winter is Coming
- For All Mankind finally gives us information in Episode 405, “Goldilocks”
- Watch a stunning VFX breakdown of The Wheel of Time season 2
- Of course Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon) thinks Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen) should rule Westeros
- Confirmed: The Last of Us season 2 will air in 2025
- Final season of Star Trek: Discovery will have “a lot of action, a lot of adventure, a lot of fun”
Mr. Bird
Along with featuring characters familiar to us, we’re also introduced to someone brand new. Mr. Bird is rather central to this episode, and yet we learn very little about him. We learn that there’s more to him than meets the eye. (Which is kind of obvious, with a name like “Mr. Bird”.) But who is he really? And what is his agenda? These are questions that will more likely be answered in future box sets.
What I can say about the character is that Clive Wood was a great fit for the part. He can come across as polite and charming, but he also knows when to bring menace to the role, too. I’m excited to hear more from him. (Especially after listening to The Human Frontier, which featured Wood in a great role.)
Must-See TV is an episode that pushes the arc of Stranded forward. Not too much, but just enough to know that the series isn’t purely about the Doctor learning how to live an ordinary life. There are many questions raised in this episode and very few answers. But, more importantly, it’s also another great slice of drama for the series.
Next. Bitter vs sweet – Comparing two reunions for Ace and the Doctor. dark
Do you think Torchwood should have crossed over into Doctor Who more on TV or audio? Should Sergeant Andy himself appear in the Thirteenth Doctor’s era? Let us know in the comments below.