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The Doctor Chronicles #11.4B
Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles, Volume 4.5: Broken Hearts
He took her apart, and she told him she was fine. She lied.
He saved their world, and told them they’d be safe. He was wrong.
He saved their world, and told them they’d be safe. He was wrong.
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Audiobook
First published November 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 21, 2025
The 150 Prompt Doctor Who Reading Challenge - Tenth Doctor - 12) I'm Sorry. I'm So Sorry: A Book That Broke Your Heart Or Made You Feel Deeply.
This was such a beautiful story. Even though I haven't listened to the Eleventh Doctor Chronicles, there was such a deep and emotional feeling to this story that even though I haven't listened to the rest of the story, it felt a bit like a gut punch between the two characters, and it makes me want to listen to the rest of the series.
I also loved the Eighth Doctor statue. Eighth is my favourite Doctor, so I honestly just loved that a lot.
This was such a beautiful story. Even though I haven't listened to the Eleventh Doctor Chronicles, there was such a deep and emotional feeling to this story that even though I haven't listened to the rest of the story, it felt a bit like a gut punch between the two characters, and it makes me want to listen to the rest of the series.
I also loved the Eighth Doctor statue. Eighth is my favourite Doctor, so I honestly just loved that a lot.
December 1, 2023
I enjoyed this one. Its a very heavy story in the fact that it is basically dealing with where we last left off with 11 and Valarie. So because of the Doctor using Valarie's cybernetic enhancements for scraps in the last story as he was recovering from being weird (I can't remember tbh), Valarie is rightfully mad at the Doctor and decides to leave and then some adventure comes along and distracts them. Basicallly this all leads to the Doctor offering Valarie a key to the TARDIS and she refuses and snaps her fingers to open the TARDIS not needing a key (which considering the next set shows her with Cyberman arms... it doesn't look good for her and the Doctor).
This was obviously a much-needed therapy episode as Valarie has been through some TRAUMA with the Doctor. I'm guessing this was too reliant on listening to the last story and couldn't be included in the next set so it became its own thing which I respect.
This was obviously a much-needed therapy episode as Valarie has been through some TRAUMA with the Doctor. I'm guessing this was too reliant on listening to the last story and couldn't be included in the next set so it became its own thing which I respect.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2023
The last episode left a lot of emotional fall-out.
Valerie and the Doctor needed to work and talk through a lot.
11 may look and act like a funny Clown, but he can be extremely cruel and cold.
This story packs some emotional punch, as it should do.
I think it is well done, interesting story.
It even has a call- back to previous Time War stories.
Very well performed.
Great addition to the range.
Valerie and the Doctor needed to work and talk through a lot.
11 may look and act like a funny Clown, but he can be extremely cruel and cold.
This story packs some emotional punch, as it should do.
I think it is well done, interesting story.
It even has a call- back to previous Time War stories.
Very well performed.
Great addition to the range.
January 7, 2024
It was okay, I guess. Some aspects of it were rather off-putting, and I don't think it reflected well on Valarie.
Providing a little more follow-up for the trauma Valarie experienced in "Curiosity Shop" was a good idea. Handing off the script to a writer known for self-inserts -- and one who admits she wrote out of anger and rage at what happened to Valarie in "Curiosity Shop" -- was maybe not a good idea.
First things first. "They" is a plural pronoun. An individual is not a "they." That individual is a "he" or a "she." I get that it's all fashionable these days for people to claim they're "non binary" or something and adopt a "they" for themselves, which is ridiculously narcissistic, but also destroys all attempts at clear communication. When we're talking about individual characters, using "they," particularly in an audio drama where there aren't visuals to let us know who is being talked about, made for confusion at times. And it was definitely overused here to the point of cringe, pulling me out of the story every time. Knock it off. Write for clarity not for social media points. I can't wait for this stupid gender garbage to work its way through the culture like an undigestible bolus working its way through the gastrointestinal system until it is eventually expelled like the pile of s*** it is.
Second, this is another case where it seems that modern writers are attempting to deconstruct the Doctor, tear him down to nothing so that he can be built back up in the image of modern culture. (See, for example, the recent TV episode "The Star Beast" where the Doctor is scolded for being "male-presenting" and must grovel and cower before a woman and a woman-pretender.) The producer of this series makes sure to tell us in the commentary that some internet commenters didn't like that the Doctor called his Tardis "sexy." So of course, here they have Valarie scolding the Doctor about that, and we're told that he'll never use that term for the rest of the series.
So a handful of anhedonics on Twitter object to this, and the producers just cave in. How about not catering to a bunch of blue-haired Tumblristas who wouldn't know "sexy" if it ever walked into the room. Oh, these modern writers have no problem with making things "sexual" but they have no clue about "sexy." So this affectionate little phrase, which is cute, has to go because SOME PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET didn't like it. Is that not the problem with the modern age right there? Can we stop rewarding people for shouting "I'm offended!" from their keyboards?
Bring sexy back!
But those are all minor gripes.
The major gripe is that "Broken Hearts" undid the heroism of Valarie in "Curiosity Shop." In that episode, Valarie sacrificed parts of herself over and over -- to save the Doctor, and to save that world. She made a willing sacrifice! This makes her a hero! So what does writer Lisa McMullin do here because she's so angry? She takes away Valarie's agency and instead makes her a victim of the Doctor. All so we can have an hour of Valarie angrily shouting at the Doctor, reacting negatively to everything he says, and him reduced to blubbering "I will try to do better."
She has turned a willing act of heroism into unwilling victimhood. She took away one of the best things about Valarie's character in the same way that Valarie's own parts were taken away in "Curiosity Shop." And in doing so made Valarie into something less.
Good job doing exactly what you criticized the Doctor for doing.
Providing a little more follow-up for the trauma Valarie experienced in "Curiosity Shop" was a good idea. Handing off the script to a writer known for self-inserts -- and one who admits she wrote out of anger and rage at what happened to Valarie in "Curiosity Shop" -- was maybe not a good idea.
First things first. "They" is a plural pronoun. An individual is not a "they." That individual is a "he" or a "she." I get that it's all fashionable these days for people to claim they're "non binary" or something and adopt a "they" for themselves, which is ridiculously narcissistic, but also destroys all attempts at clear communication. When we're talking about individual characters, using "they," particularly in an audio drama where there aren't visuals to let us know who is being talked about, made for confusion at times. And it was definitely overused here to the point of cringe, pulling me out of the story every time. Knock it off. Write for clarity not for social media points. I can't wait for this stupid gender garbage to work its way through the culture like an undigestible bolus working its way through the gastrointestinal system until it is eventually expelled like the pile of s*** it is.
Second, this is another case where it seems that modern writers are attempting to deconstruct the Doctor, tear him down to nothing so that he can be built back up in the image of modern culture. (See, for example, the recent TV episode "The Star Beast" where the Doctor is scolded for being "male-presenting" and must grovel and cower before a woman and a woman-pretender.) The producer of this series makes sure to tell us in the commentary that some internet commenters didn't like that the Doctor called his Tardis "sexy." So of course, here they have Valarie scolding the Doctor about that, and we're told that he'll never use that term for the rest of the series.
So a handful of anhedonics on Twitter object to this, and the producers just cave in. How about not catering to a bunch of blue-haired Tumblristas who wouldn't know "sexy" if it ever walked into the room. Oh, these modern writers have no problem with making things "sexual" but they have no clue about "sexy." So this affectionate little phrase, which is cute, has to go because SOME PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET didn't like it. Is that not the problem with the modern age right there? Can we stop rewarding people for shouting "I'm offended!" from their keyboards?
Bring sexy back!
But those are all minor gripes.
The major gripe is that "Broken Hearts" undid the heroism of Valarie in "Curiosity Shop." In that episode, Valarie sacrificed parts of herself over and over -- to save the Doctor, and to save that world. She made a willing sacrifice! This makes her a hero! So what does writer Lisa McMullin do here because she's so angry? She takes away Valarie's agency and instead makes her a victim of the Doctor. All so we can have an hour of Valarie angrily shouting at the Doctor, reacting negatively to everything he says, and him reduced to blubbering "I will try to do better."
She has turned a willing act of heroism into unwilling victimhood. She took away one of the best things about Valarie's character in the same way that Valarie's own parts were taken away in "Curiosity Shop." And in doing so made Valarie into something less.
Good job doing exactly what you criticized the Doctor for doing.
December 5, 2023
I feel it's safe to say that we deserved some emotional fallout after the events of Curiosity Shop and it turns out Lisa McMullin felt the very same way. So here we are with a surprise release, The Doctor and Valerie are back and I'm excited to see where this story takes them!
Valerie needs some time away from The Doctor, but when The Tardis takes them off course to a dying world. It seems they only have each other for company and on a planet with a climate that's manipulated by their own emotions their feelings towards one another might very well be the death of them. But The Doctor's been to Iptheus before and it seems his past is about to catch up with him, as he has to face the consequences of The Time War...
Lisa McMullin has written an absolutely heartbreaking and beautifully atmospheric story. It's a story that explores the cruel side of our favorite Timelord and how sometimes even The Doctor has to make bad decisions for the better good. Valerie was stunning in this and it's so nice to see a companion stand up to The Doctor and not allow themselves to be swayed by his silliness. The story of this one is simple, yet clever. The emotional weight Lisa McMullin brings together for this tale is incredibly well done and almost brought me to tears.
Overall: It's an incredible audio that we honestly really needed after Curiosity Shop and Lisa McMullin delivered! 10/10
Valerie needs some time away from The Doctor, but when The Tardis takes them off course to a dying world. It seems they only have each other for company and on a planet with a climate that's manipulated by their own emotions their feelings towards one another might very well be the death of them. But The Doctor's been to Iptheus before and it seems his past is about to catch up with him, as he has to face the consequences of The Time War...
Lisa McMullin has written an absolutely heartbreaking and beautifully atmospheric story. It's a story that explores the cruel side of our favorite Timelord and how sometimes even The Doctor has to make bad decisions for the better good. Valerie was stunning in this and it's so nice to see a companion stand up to The Doctor and not allow themselves to be swayed by his silliness. The story of this one is simple, yet clever. The emotional weight Lisa McMullin brings together for this tale is incredibly well done and almost brought me to tears.
Overall: It's an incredible audio that we honestly really needed after Curiosity Shop and Lisa McMullin delivered! 10/10
November 30, 2023
This special is a vital bit of reconciliation for the Doctor and Valarie after the events of last set All of Space and Time. Stripped down to the barest of essentials a Doctor Who story can be (two actors, four characters, one desolate alien planet), this character piece is deftly performed. Frankly I am baffled from the behind the scenes a story like this wasn’t always intended for the run, but I am very glad they added this. It gives Valarie some proper moments to confront the Doctor and gets some really interesting answers from him.
There’s some light continuity with a Eighth Doctor - Time War story which Lisa McMullin also wrote, adding a tragic epilogue to what was otherwise quite a light hearted adventure. Very fitting for the Time War.
All in all, another stellar entry in this new 11th Doctor era Big Finish are carving out. It remains on course to be one of the company’s best.
There’s some light continuity with a Eighth Doctor - Time War story which Lisa McMullin also wrote, adding a tragic epilogue to what was otherwise quite a light hearted adventure. Very fitting for the Time War.
All in all, another stellar entry in this new 11th Doctor era Big Finish are carving out. It remains on course to be one of the company’s best.
November 30, 2023
Excellent story. This release was needed because the previous story in this range, “Curiosity Shop,” made me really dislike the Eleventh Doctor. What Eleven did in that story to his current companion, Valerie, was reprehensible and almost unforgivable. Thankfully, this release explores the emotional fallout from the Doctor’s actions and goes a long way to mend Eleven and Valerie’s relationship. This special will not make sense without having listened to the previous 3 stories of Eleventh Doctor Chronicles Vol. 4.
“Broken Hearts” also ties in plot elements from the Eighth Doctor range, specifically “The Famished Lands” story from Eighth Doctor Time War 3. If you’re a long time listener of the Eighth Doctor audios, this story rewards you for that. But you’re not required to know all the Eighth Doctor continuity in order to enjoy the release.
“Broken Hearts” also ties in plot elements from the Eighth Doctor range, specifically “The Famished Lands” story from Eighth Doctor Time War 3. If you’re a long time listener of the Eighth Doctor audios, this story rewards you for that. But you’re not required to know all the Eighth Doctor continuity in order to enjoy the release.
May 9, 2024
A very good story to finish off the second Eleven & Valarie box set. The plot is essentially two separate two-handers. The story follows the fallout from the previous story, Curiosity Shop, and how that has effected Valarie, add to this an interesting situation, and we have a recipe for a great story. Safiyya Ingar is again the star of this piece. They have so much to work with here, but that isn't to say that Jacob Dudman doesn't get to show off his abilities. The atmospheric sound design is especially good for this release. These last two parts to the second box set have been more emotional than the rest of the series up to now. They have been good, but for me, this comes at the cost of enjoyability. Overall, this box set has been good, but not great like the first one.
August 28, 2024
7V.7 Broken Hearts - 5/5
Wow. Where do I even start? This was such a perfect story. From the writing to the acting to the production and sound design and music - it was just so perfect. Dealing with the emotional fallout of the previous episode, this story follows Valarie and the Doctor as they search a ruined world with empathetic weather. In a story that’s all about Valarie’s hurt and anger toward the Doctor, the empathetic weather enhances those feelings and gives it extra poignancy. This is a tumultuous episode, both in terms of the external landscape as well as the characters’ internal feelings.
I’m so glad this episode exists. Very rarely do I see characters who go through a lot be given time to process what they’ve gone through, and Valarie absolutely needed closure after “Curiosity Shop”. On another note, there’s a subplot focused on two adorable little search-and-recovery robots who become friends. A heartwarming story in its own right, made all the more touching by the way it parallels the Doctor and Valarie’s journey as they heal their friendship. I expected this story to hit me in my feels, but I didn’t think it’d be the first Big Finish story to actually make me cry. Loved.
Wow. Where do I even start? This was such a perfect story. From the writing to the acting to the production and sound design and music - it was just so perfect. Dealing with the emotional fallout of the previous episode, this story follows Valarie and the Doctor as they search a ruined world with empathetic weather. In a story that’s all about Valarie’s hurt and anger toward the Doctor, the empathetic weather enhances those feelings and gives it extra poignancy. This is a tumultuous episode, both in terms of the external landscape as well as the characters’ internal feelings.
I’m so glad this episode exists. Very rarely do I see characters who go through a lot be given time to process what they’ve gone through, and Valarie absolutely needed closure after “Curiosity Shop”. On another note, there’s a subplot focused on two adorable little search-and-recovery robots who become friends. A heartwarming story in its own right, made all the more touching by the way it parallels the Doctor and Valarie’s journey as they heal their friendship. I expected this story to hit me in my feels, but I didn’t think it’d be the first Big Finish story to actually make me cry. Loved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2024
Je crois que le 11ème Docteur avait terriblement besoin de cette histoire.
Une confrontation entre 11 et sa compagne Valéria suite au comportement du Docteur dans l'histoire précédente. L'épisode explore leur relation, avec Valéria qui prend peu à peu conscience de "qui" est vraiment 11 et de ce que ça implique.
Je n'ai pas le souvenir d'une autre histoire explorant ainsi la relation entre la 11ème incarnation du Docteur et une de ses compagnes. Le reste de l'histoire était assez adorable, c'est vraiment juste un petit bijou de storytelling qui continue à pousser le run 11/Valéria comme un des meilleurs run de ce Docteur.
Une confrontation entre 11 et sa compagne Valéria suite au comportement du Docteur dans l'histoire précédente. L'épisode explore leur relation, avec Valéria qui prend peu à peu conscience de "qui" est vraiment 11 et de ce que ça implique.
Je n'ai pas le souvenir d'une autre histoire explorant ainsi la relation entre la 11ème incarnation du Docteur et une de ses compagnes. Le reste de l'histoire était assez adorable, c'est vraiment juste un petit bijou de storytelling qui continue à pousser le run 11/Valéria comme un des meilleurs run de ce Docteur.
November 27, 2024
I often like whenever the companions call out The Doctor on stuff. Valerie mistrusts The Doctor when she sees a statue of the Eighth Doctor and thinks Eleven might be an imposter. This is why The Doctor should always brief companions about regeneration right away. What a whirlwind learning about regeneration and that this could be The Doctor’s final face all in one day. Enjoyed the idea of weather that is informed by people’s moods. The robot subplot also has shades of The Wild Robot, weirdly enough. And in a rare instance, Eleven displays his guilt over the Time War.
February 23, 2024
I’m not crying, you are crying.
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