Tales From the Tardis: Short Stories Worth a Read

by Theresa Gauthier  

The Doctor Who Storybook is something of a misnomer. The title made me think of a children’s picture book, and I’m not saying children won’t find the stories appealing, but it is, by no means, a picture book.

Each Doctor gets a chance to shine in this collection starting with Jodie Whitaker’s 13^th Doctor in the delightful story “Gatecrashers.” Featuring her companions Yaz, Graham, and Ryan, the story provides a good springboard for the rest of the book showing the Doctor and companions in a typical difficult situation. Labeled a terrorist, the Doctor still manages to set things right. The joy here is reading the interaction of the characters so reminiscent of the television show. 

The First Doctor, Ian, and Barbara running from the Daleks make a new friend—or do they? The Second Doctor, sans companion, but once again at the mercy of his people, finds himself taking on tasks of their choosing. The Third Doctor and Jo Grant deal with a strange set of circumstances involving the air—or lack of it—in a seemingly normal area of England. Ever wonder what the Doctor and Romana were up to during the Doctor Who episode The Five Doctors? Wonder no more as the story “Punting” by Susie Day tells all. 

Actor Matthew Waterhouse, who played companion Adric during the Fourth and Fifth Doctors’ incarnations, wrote a story for Adric and Nyssa that takes place in Earth’s past. The pair end up traveling on the Mississipi River before slaves were freed. Waterhouse created a compelling tale that leaves you wishing for more.

It was “Interstitial Insecurity” that I read with the most excitement. Written by Colin Baker, who played the Sixth Doctor, the story takes place during his episodes The Trial of a Time Lord and sheds light on what happened to him—his concern over whether or not he’d attacked Peri, his confusion over his own actions, and his betrayal by the very system meant to find the truth.

Learn a bit more about the Seventh Doctor’s attempt to keep the Daleks from getting their “protuberances” on the Hand of Omega in “The Slyther of Shoreditch” while the Eighth Doctor, Fitz, and Trix deal with Neanderthals.

Moving into New Who from Classic Who finds the War Doctor pulling a fast one on allies and enemies alike during the Time War in “Decoy” by George Mann.

It’s “Grounded” by Una McCormack that gives us the most poignant tale as we learn a bit more about a somewhat marginal Doctor Who character, Clive Finch—the character in Rose who provides backstory on the Doctor to Rose while The Nestene Consciousness copies Micky outside in the car.  As seen through the eyes of his son—presumably the kid who says, “Dad, it’s one of your nutters,” when Rose comes to the door—we see just what sort of a man Clive was.

“The Turning of the Tide,” by Jenny T. Colgan tells the story not of the Tenth Doctor but of his copy living comfortably with Rose in the parallel universe. It’s a complex tale full of true Whovian adventure.

The next story takes place during the Eleventh Doctor’s time in the TARDIS, but tells us all about the Encyclopedia Gallifreya—and of course Eleven’s copy is one of a kind.

Fans of the Master incarnation as Missy will be pleased to find her, Bill, and Nardole in the Twelfth Doctor story, “Pain Management” as Missy makes an effort to be altruistic that doesn’t quite work as she intended.

There’s one more story—told in correspondence—and it’s a quick read. 

There are two Doctors who technically don’t make an appearance in the collection; the Fifth and the Tenth. The Fifth’s Doctor’s tenure being represented by companions Adric and Nyssa while the Tenth Doctor is represented by Rose and the copy of Ten who stayed in the parallel universe with her and her family. These stories are good enough that—while I can’t say you won’t miss them, I can say they’re worthy of the place they took in the collection.

Compelling and exciting, and with a Whovian twist in each tale, this collection of short stories is one I’m sure I’ll read again.