Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor and River Song

The Tenth Doctor Adventures #5.1 - 5.3

by James Goss, Lizzie Hopley, Jonathan Morris

The Doctor knows that River Song is a part of his future. A maddening, intriguing, but inevitable part.

Their lives are becoming inextricably intertwined, but in these early days – for the Doctor at least – they must navigate their relationship without too many spoilers.

Whatever her past, and the Doctor’s future, holds, River will make sure that he has fun untangling the mystery...

1. Expiry Dating by James Goss

The first time the Doctor met River Song, he saw her die. And now she’s asking him on a date. Well, not a date, exactly... More of a mission.

But the Doctor isn’t at anyone’s beck and call. Or so he thinks. With billions of lives hanging in the balance, can the Doctor afford not to do whatever River wants? Whichever one of him she asks?

2. Precious Annihilation by Lizzie Hopley

When jewels become lethal in the London of 1912, both River and the Doctor turn up to find out why.

A mystery takes them centuries into the past, and onto the high seas, where a superstitious crew edges towards mutiny.

The star-crossed couple are about to find out that, while gemstones inspire jealousy, love can be the deadliest treasure of all...

3. Ghosts by Jonathan Morris

River and the Doctor meet on the most haunted planet in the galaxy. The Doctor’s not sure it’s an ideal date - until they discover a mystery.

Something is wrong with the ghosts. Something might even be killing them...

And as the Doctor and River investigate, the truth of what’s happening on the planet of ghosts may prove deadly for them both.

Genres: Doctor Who, Audiobook, Science Fiction, Fiction, Time Travel, Science Fiction Fantasy, British Literature

Audiobook

First published November 25, 2020

About the author

James Goss has written two Torchwood novels and a radio play, as well as a Being Human book. His Doctor Who audiobook Dead Air won Best Audiobook 2010. James also spent seven years working on the BBC's official Doctor Who website and co-wrote the website for Torchwood Series One. In 2007, he won the Best Adaptation category in the annual LA Weekly Theatre Awards for his version of Douglas Adams' novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.

Reviews

[Lady Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely liked the last story the best. I loved the dynamic between these two characters! I’d love more of these types of stories (standalones), but a series of interrelated stories would be amazing, as well!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended for fans of David Tennant as The Doctor and River Song as his companion. These three stories build on their relationship following their original meeting in "Silence in the Library."

[Taksya · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Expiry Dating by James Goss
Dopo averla vista morire e averla uploadata nel computer della Biblioteca, negli episodi Silence in the Library e Forest of the Dead, il decimo Dottore incontra nuovamente River Song e, poco alla volta, inizia a conoscerla veramente... cercando di non farsi coinvolgere nei suoi piani.

2. Precious Annihilation by Lizzie Hopley
Nuovo incontro tra River e il Dottore, nel tentativo di impedire la distruzione della Terra e cercando di risolvere il problema agendo a secoli di distanza.

3. Ghosts by Jonathan Morris
Il Dottore riceve un invito da River e si reca sul pianeta più infestato dell'Universo... solo che River non l'ha contattato e neanche lei sa dire come sia arrivata su quel pianeta.
Scoprire cosa sta decimando i fantasmi servirà a farli sopravvivere?

Tre storie divertenti ma con un retrogusto amaro, con continui rimandi alla futura finedigitalizzata di River.
Tennant e la Kingston si calano nei loro ruoli alla perfezione e il gioco di spoilers tra i due è perfetto e gli ascoltatori si possono godere ogni riferimento.
Poca sorpresa per la gueststar del primo episodio, visto che il quinto Dottore è in copertina, ma il suo utilizzo è estremamente divertente.
L'esistenza di avventure post Biblioteca per il Dottore e pre per River giustificano la reazione di quest'ultima negli episodi TV e aprono ad innumerevoli nuovi scenari... non che la Big Finish si sia mai tirata indietro.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are honestly among top 10 highlights of this month and trust me, this month has been great for me so far. If you love The Doctor and River's adventures together, you must listen to these.

Expiry Dating: 5/5 stars
The Doctor and River writing each other letters through time and space! River knows about a bunch of stuff yet the Doctor is clueless as to what's going on until the last moment? That's just the basic of their relationship in season 4. I love it.

Precious Annihilation: 5/5 stars
There are so many good characters! Not as in morally impeccable, I meant very well-written and fleshed-out characters for an audiodrama. I usually hate it when there are a lot of chracters and accents but well, this story is just exceptional that I had to make an exception.

Ghosts: 4/5 stars
You know a collection is good when the lowest score you can give it is 4 stars out of 5. Also, it is about the ghosts on the most haunted planet in the galaxy! How do you hate a good ghost story? The good thing about this story is that the main mystery is not complicated. Yet the simpleness kept me from guessing it right. But I had to dock a point because while it's a good mystery, it didn't make the Doctor and River interact as much. River also sounded like she's only there to ask questions which was exactly the point but I still didn't like it.

---

I really don't know how to react to things like a normal person anymore. As soon as I saw this, I literally made "asdkfajdf" noise like if someone was with me, they'd have legit thought I was choking on something.

[Liawèn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audio book was just perfect.

I love that they it wasn't planned but then David Tennant was available and suddenly everything went quickly and voila, we have this amazing box set.
I was always intrigued by 10th's and River's relationship. We don't learn much but get so much out of the two episodes the characters are on TV together.
We know that River knows the Doctor better than anyone and the Doctor trusts her without knowing her. It was so interesting that Alex Kingston didn't know that she would come back after the two episodes. Steven Moffat had this idea and ran with it. That just shows his genius.

Let's come to the epiosdes:

The first one 'Expirary dating' is my favourite from this box set and also very high on my all-time favourite BigFinish stories. River asks the Doctor to meet her at the Apocalypse vault and he isdoing everything to not go there because he doesn't like to be told what to do. I also like that the Doctor and River are communicating through letters, which is always a great way to build a story. We also get to know how well River knows the Doctor and how little he knows her. I knew from the very beginning that River had to have a greater plan in the end and she did. The small cameos from the other Doctors were very funny too. A love sick Doctor going on Ace's nerves because he can't stop talking about River is a very funny picture :-D
And of course in the end River gets exactly what she wants and the Doctor learns that he can trust River and she is better than he thought even though she uses guns and kills people sometimes.

The second story 'Precious Annihilation' saw the Doctor and River in London and travelling through time. I always love the stories that bring the Doctor and his companions to London, especially when it's historic London. River and he Doctor meet because gems are exploding and they are part of a treasure that has pieces placed all over the world. They have to save the world together which brings them to 17th century London and on a ship of the East India Company. My favourite quote: 'Where did you come from?' 'I came with the witch, in a box.' And I think that that sums up the Doctor and River pretty well :-D

In the last story the Doctor and River meet on the most haunted planet in the universe. It was pretty clear from the beginning that something was very wrong. I liked the side characters very much. Especially after we learn who they are and the whole story unravels.
It's quite haunting to be chased with the Doctor and river over the planet by the mist hoping that they can solve the mystery. The whole story arc was well built and it took me quite some time to figure out what was going on but once I did, I thought it was so cleverly constructed.

All in all I have to say that I really enjoyed this box set and I'm definitely going to re-listen to it. River and the 10th Doctor are two of my favourites in the Whoniverse and I always wanted to know ore about them. Especially after reading the novelization of Day of the Doctor where we learn that 10 is only in Elizabethan England because of River. We, as viewers/readers/listeners, knew that they met again after River's first appearance, before she meets 11 in 'Time of Angels'

I hope they soon find the time to make more stories of River and 10 because I really like their dynamic and I mean there's nothing better than driving to and from school with David Tennant and Alex Kingston in my radio :-)

Without wax,
Liawèn

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest 10th Doctor fan but I did enjoy this. The first story was a lovely epistolary adventure. Another funny story by James Goss. What I was not expecting was the utter sweetness of the 5th Doctor being all romantic!
The 2nd story around the cheapside hoard was a nice scifi time travelling adventure.
The 3rd story was a really nice and spooky adventure.
A highly enjoyable set with strong stories. Definitely one I'd recommend.

[The Post Monument · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expiry Dating - 3.5 stars
Precious Annihilation - 2 stars
Ghosts - 3.5 stars

Overall - 3 stars

[A room full of books~ :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOODNESS-- I had extremely high expectations of this box set (I mean, how could I not?), and even just the first story not only met them, but totally blew them out of the water!

Story #1: Loved the surprises (won't spoil, don't worry 😁); the dialogue was utterly brilliant-- I was grinning, "aww"-ing, and outright laughing my way through this the entire time; and both the character- and plot-writing was genius. I enjoyed the heck out of this, and it was absolutely top-tier. 👍👍

Story #2: This one seems like a slightly more 'normal' script, but that's only because it comes right after that amazing first story-- on its own merits, this one is actually quite good as well. I loved the uniqueness of the whole thing with the jewelry; that the poor gems dealer character felt so heartbreakingly real; the reasoning behind the overarching plan and the Doctor's refutation of it; the explicit confirmation that the Doctor does indeed love River Song, thanks to the antagonist literally reading his mind and saying so out loud (as if we actually needed any more confirmation of that after what we've seen both onscreen and in other audios, LOL 💘 -- but hey, I'm certainly not complaining! 😉😁👍)... the more you think about it, the better this one gets.

And story #3: While I did figure out the twist about the Doctor and River a ways before the writer probably intended (though, I mean, River saying the bit about 'the Doctor without the screwdriver' the second time basically spelled it out, LOL, so...), but regardless I quite enjoyed this one too. The spooky setting; the ghosts and what's really behind them; what the mist is; the "oh crap" moment when the Doctor accidentally lets slip River's future to her; etc.-- all great stuff.

(Also, those little pointed references to digital afterlives scattered throughout this set... that hurt 😅, but on purpose, of course, and in a good way-- tying into the already-established future of a certain character to give these stories even more poignance.)

So, yeah, this is definitely a must-listen set. 👍👍

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three original Doctor Who adventures featuring the Tenth Doctor and woman who knows more about him than he knows about himself, Professor River Song.

(1) Expiry Dating: Have you ever wanted to have an adventure with the Doctor that unfolded in an epistolary format? Well, here you go! The Doctor and River Song have what can only be described as one of the most convoluted and complicated relationships imaginable. And now they are pen pals. And to top that, because: why not?, their exchanges are crisscrossed through time. Because if you’re River Song, why would you do anything simple - particularly when it involves The Doctor. This is filled with all the wonderful shenanigans, that we all know, love and have come to expect, when ever River Song is involved and the epistolary format just makes everything all the more hilariously interesting.

(2) Precious Annihilation: Who in the right mind would want to steal exploding jewelry? Who else but the irrepressible Professor River Song. And the Doctor is just as baffled by her presence as he was when he first met her. Alex Kingston and David Tennant have great chemistry and it shines through even scene they perform.

(3) Ghosts: Another delightfully silly and clever bundle of timey-whimey stuff that seems really only conceivable when the Tenth Doctor and River Song are involved. This one didn’t quite play out as fun as I’d hope it might, but it was still shamelessly entertaining.

[Ellen Schoener · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is great to have 10 and River back together!
And they are about as brilliant here as you would imagine.
Near perfect performance and it fits right into the performances we know and love from TV.
I personally liked the first story, Expiry Dating, the best.
It is that type of timey-whimey breathless story that suits River so well.
However, this story, by nature, has to be compared to a similar premise in the last Captain Jack boxset- in the story R&J. And I just have to say, R&J still is better and is among one of the cleverest stories Big Finish has done in a while.
Expiry Dating is still very fun, and very well written and performed, but it just cannot quite reach R&J.

The second story is more standard and did not do too much for me. I still enjoyed myself, but it was much less of the event I was expecting.

The last story, Ghosts, again, is very clever, with a fun setting and premise.
However, I did call the twist pretty early on.

A very fun and enjoyable trio of stories.
And everything you could wish from a reunion of 10 and River.

[April Mccaffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good, strong 3.5 stars for this boxset.

Very fun, loved Expiry Dating with the letter exchanges. And especially LOVED the moment Ten talks about Jane Austen reminding him of Romana to River.

And loved having Five and Six in. It was very cute seeing Five being all love-struck and of course, bombarding her with letters. Typically, they all ended up in her junk mail. And loved 6th Doctor's voicemail.

All three stories were very enjoyable. Was great to hear Ten and River bicker with each other.

[MrColdStream · Rating 4 out of 5]

DOCTOR WHO: EXPIRY DATING

Written by James Goss
Directed by Nicholas Briggs
Starring: David Tennant, Alex Kingston
Released in November 2020

CHARACTERS: 9
ATMOSPHERE: 7
WRITING STYLE: 9
PLOT: 6
INTRIGUE: 6
NOVELTY: 7
ENJOYMENT: 7

TIMEY WIMEY THOUGHTS:

I love the idea of the Doctor and River having a dialogue by sending letters to each other from across time and space, both trying to outwit each other in their characteristic ways. This is more than just a gimmick, though, as it carries the story forward in unexpected ways. While the overall plot is centred on time travel shenanigans, it is much less action-packed than the average Tenth Doctor story, which is both refreshing and a slight disappointment. The unusual structure of the story turns tiresome after a while, and a distinct lack of action makes the story feel overlong.

David Tennant is spot-on perfect as the Doctor, taking listeners right back to 2008 or 2009 and showcasing loads of charm and sparkles around the equally impressive performance from Alex Kingston. Peter Davison and Colin Baker appear in fun cameos, helping to shape the fragmented nature of River's meeting with her husband. It also allows for some fun playing around with the Doctor's different incarnations.

7,3 = 4 stars

----

DOCTOR WHO: PRECIOUS ANNIHILATION

Written by Lizzie Hopely
Directed by Nicholas Briggs
Starring: David Tennant, Alex Kingston
Released in November 2020

CHARACTERS: 9
ATMOSPHERE: 8
WRITING STYLE: 7
PLOT: 8
INTRIGUE: 8
NOVELTY: 7
ENJOYMENT: 8

TIMEY WIMEY THOUGHTS:

Unlike the first story on this set, this historical adventure with explosive jewellery feels like a combination of a typical Tenth Doctor story and a leftover from a Diary of River Song set. David Tennant and Alex Kingston are on top-form, going at each other like the old married couple they are, while also working marvellously well together. It's hilarious seeing the Doctor being pushed around by River, effectively making him the companion. The plot is a fascinating period mystery with an authentic feel and a good supporting cast.

The mystery moves along swiftly, with surprising plot details embedded into the story. There's an ominous atmosphere present at all times, mostly thanks to the historical setting. I love the over-confident Tenth Doctor from the 2009 Specials, who steals the show during the final act. Then there's the ominous connection to Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead, which gave me chills...

7,8 = 4 stars

----

DOCTOR WHO: GHOSTS

Written by Jonathan Morris
Directed by Nicholas Briggs
Starring: David Tennant, Alex Kingston
Released in November 2020

CHARACTERS: 10
ATMOSPHERE: 10
WRITING STYLE: 9
PLOT: 9
INTRIGUE: 10
NOVELTY: 8
ENJOYMENT: 9

TIMEY WIMEY THOUGHTS:

Ghosts cleverly plays around with typical ghost story tropes and places the Doctor and River Song in the middle of a ghastly planet, using an atmospheric soundtrack and tense writing to weave an eerie story for our heroes to explore. The brisk pace and marvellous sound design make this a story you will never find boring, as well as one you don't want to listen to alone in the dark.

This story handles some classic sci-fi and horror concepts intriguingly, keeping the audience in the dark in the same vein as the characters. The solution turns a bit convoluted, though, and requires a relisten or two to fully grasp. Still, Big Finish deserves a huge shoutout for the clever writing and editing and the beautiful performances. The ending is filled with emotion and makes even the coldest soul tear up.

9,2 = 5 stars

----

OVERALL SCORE: 8,1 = 4 stars

[Jamie Revell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three unconnected stories, all featuring the titular characters. Obviously, there’s some suspension of disbelief required here; it’s clear that River hadn’t met the Tenth Doctor before Silence in the Library and hard to argue he met her again before The Time of Angels. But, if you can get over that, it’s the only pairing of River and a modern Doctor we’re likely to get on audio any time soon.

Expiry Dating – The first story deals with the issue of the ‘extra’ meetings surprisingly well. It’s clearly set not long after Silence in the Library and is structured in such a way that River is as much a mystery to the Doctor at the end of the story as she is beforehand. It’s primarily (but not entirely) an epistolary story, following a series of letters exchanged between the two as she tries to get him to take part in a scheme that goes against his principles. There’s lot of hopping about between different worlds, elements of humour and general weirdness, and a story that builds on the relationship that River has with the Doctor, but that he hasn’t experienced yet. Plus, there’s the occasional tie in to the classic series, although not in a way that should be confusing to those who have only seen the modern one. A little different than the usual, and quite fun. 4 stars.

Precious Annihilation – Here, however, the pair are working together as if that’s already a normal thing for them. It’s loosely based around an obscure, but real, historical event where a 17th-century jeweller’s hoard was discovered in the basement of a demolished building in 1912. In this version, the hoard turns out to contain a deadly alien substance that leads the Doctor and River back to its origin in 1633. (Oddly, this keeps being described as “Tudor” and “Elizabethan” when it’s a full three decades too late for either of those descriptors). It’s a decent story, if stronger on the alien elements than on the historical background, but not much more than that. A weakness is that it doesn’t really go anywhere with the Doctor/River relationship and that any regular companion would probably have fit the story just as well. 3.5 stars.

Ghosts – The Doctor meets River on a planet used only as a cemetery and that, perhaps unsurprisingly, has the reputation of being “the most haunted planet in the galaxy”. The Doctor doesn’t believe in ghosts, but there’s little question that things that certainly appear to be ghosts soon appear. It’s a clever story, with apparent oddities in the early parts turning out to be deliberate hints in the later section. While it’s probably not going to be any great surprise to anyone to discover what the ghosts are, what they’re doing on the planet is less obvious to begin with, as is the nature of the monster that’s stalking the living. But it all ties together with a neat twist and a touching conclusion. 5 stars.

[Bree Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My feelings for you, oh, if you look at them one way they’re an explosion that soars beyond time… But if you look at them another way, well they’re basically a plate of spaghetti dropped on the floor. Finding my way to you, you finding your way to me! Well, it’s a lifetimes work, several lifetimes’ work. And sometimes I worry it’s taking more of my life than yours.”
—
“I have two rules: first, no one tells me what to do. Second, apocalypse vault. I never visit anywhere that sounds like an Iron Maiden concept album.”

The first story, Expiry Dating, was such a wonderful exploration of the Doctor and River’s early relationship. I really love the framing device of various messages and correspondences, it really emphasizes the idea that they’re in the early stages of friendship. James Goss is also a master at coming up with weird and intricate storylines that relate directly to the growth of the characters he’s writing. He has the character voices and traits down perfectly, this story was 10 and River at their finest.

The character development was subtle but absolutely wonderful. We see River longing for the Doctor to feel for her how she does him, while also acting evasive and aloof when they actually interact. We also see the Doctor’s loneliness catch up with him as River outsmarts him, which ties very well into the post-Donna era this takes place in. Easy 5 stars.

The second story, “Precious Annihilation” by Lizzie Hopley, was very forgettable. It was enjoyable enough but very below average for a Big Finish story. 1.5 stars.

In the third story, “Ghosts” by Jonathan Morris, the plot is what stands out. The setting is atmospheric, the story has many twists, and it all comes together very cohesively and satisfyingly. I love the idea that these ghosts are holograms from a crashed colony ship, and the mystery about why they’ve turned into holograms keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This story also seems to act as the beginning of the Doctor and River’s romantic relationship, especially at the end when the their holograms die and she calls him “My Love.” The dynamic shift is subtle, but it seems clear that throughout the last two stories, they’ve gotten to know each other increasingly better until we get to the point when they’re working together and trust each other implicitly. And that’s the catalyst for their romance.

I also really like that Morris’ story dealt with the theme of death, which leads right into the Doctor’s finale. 4 stars.

[Kyle Berk]

Astoundingly lovely adventures.

I’d say the best thing across these three adventures is how the tenth Doctor’s relationship evolves with River Song.

I’ve previously read the novelization of the Day of the Doctor and within that River is the person that gets ten to England and chasing after the Zygons. Meaning that at least by Steven Moffat’s thinking and within continuity, so this adds to ten encountering her more which is lovely because ten is like a warm cup of tea. He’s one of my absolute favorites, and David Tennant is voicing him in this and is in top form. Alex Kingston is of course playing River Song and I don’t know that anyone one else ever could have been River at least not as we have her. The character interplay is half the fun here.

But the three adventures all suit the pair quite well.

The first is exchanged primarily through letters between the pair. Where River wants something but we don’t know what yet. It plays out in a very surprising and lovely way. It might be my favorite of the set.

The second is a mystery where the Doctor gets to surprise River with the lower class of London and a sea faring adventure with jewels that influence people. Which has a climax that shows the instincts and convictions between Ten and River.

The third story is likely the most clever with how the climax plays out. It also manages to give you a conversation you’ve always wanted the Doctor and River to have.

As a boxset this is lovely. I think if you’re interested in the Ten and River dynamic this is a must. It’s a big blockbuster of a set.

An absolute delight.

Wilfredo Acosta does wonderfully with the sound engineering (remotely).

Nicolas Briggs kills it in directing the actors as not a moment is the tops.

James Goss, Lizzie Hopely, and Johnathan Morris have all come with great concepts for stories and a nailing of the dynamic between the key pair to these adventures.

And Matt Fittion’s curating of these stories and ideas have led to three adventures that I’ve had a great time listening to.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing. The Tenth Doctor tragically knows River’s fate but cannot say anything. The first story involves a correspondence between the two, but the Fifth Doctor gets involved in the mixup. He and Ten vaguely recognize each other, seemingly placing this post-“Time Crash” from both their perspectives. It’s funny seeing how desperate Five is to get in touch with River. By contrast, Ten is frustrated with her, still unsure what to make of her. The ending is pretty funny, given River’s revisions.

The second story is my least favorite, but still a fun 1912 story. In the third story, I’m baffled by Ten’s assertion that ghosts aren’t real. Surely The Doctor must have encountered ghosts, right? In any case, there is a very clever twist, and some heartfelt dialogue at the end.

Also, I’m surprised that the picnic in Asgard wasn’t covered. I just looked it up and apparently this event was covered in a short story from The Legends of River Song and features the Eleventh Doctor, which I find odd given that River asks the Tenth Doctor if they’ve had a picnic in Asgard.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expiry Dating: A fun if unoriginal Big Finish story. It largely concerns the Doctor and River responding to each other via space/time telegrams. There's an entertaining date with the Fifth Doctor and River, and David Tennant plays the Tenth Doctor's frustations at being used by River as a means to an end very well.

Precious Annihilation: A brilliantly bonkers audio, about explosive jewellery. The Doctor and River share some fun banter here, with one favourite line of hers for me being River comparing the Doctor to a tax collector. The pace is a little slow to begin with, but once it picks up, it's great.

Ghosts: Easily the greatest of the Tenth Doctor and River Song Big Finish set. A brilliantly spooky and atmospheric story concerning the most haunted planet in the universe, and an eery fog that's consuming its tourists. Although the twist that the Doctor and River we are following are the ghosts is obvious, it doesn't detract from the story, and its eery tone makes it a Big Finish highlight.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expiry Dating:
8/10
Verdict: Optional

Really fun story, 10 and River's chemistry here is adorable, and don't get me started on that other character who starts doting after her. River is very devilish here, almost a villain at points, which I shouldn't like, kind of do a bit. I love how grumpy 10 is, it's one of those aspects to his character that gets looked over often, just one of those things that remind me that he's actually hundreds of years old. The format to these, being told through letters, is also pretty adorable. The conclusion is also pretty wholesome.

Precious Annihilation:
7/10
Verdict: Optional

Really fun, this story is built on Tennant and Kingston's acting and chemistry, and it works extremely well on that. Otherwise it's a pretty basic DW plot, with any other case this would probs be a 6/10.

Ghosts:
7/10
Verdict: Optional

Very predictable twist, but I gotta say I'm a sucker for this twist. Love the setting and even though the twist is so predictable, the ongoing mystery is really fun, and 10 and River are great as always.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a mixed bag. I've put reviews until the individual episode titles. As a whole, if you like River Song and the Doctor together, you'll probably enjoy this set of episodes. And there are several points throughout where knowledge of River's ultimate fate gives certain scenes more portent. But I think I like River Song better in her own series. Even though she encounters earlier versions of the Doctor in those episodes she's also trying to avoid saying too much about their future or disguises herself (or wipes his mind or rewrites history or employs other devices so that he doesn't remember her). Here, because this is a Doctor who is allowed to know her, she's overly flirty, and that frequently detracts and distracts.

[Nikolai · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Expiry Dating (3.5/5) - Cute epistolary story that felt very in keeping with the Doctor and River Song’s storylines at this point.

2. Precious Annihilation (3/5) - The story ended up in a faintly interesting place by the end but I had a hard time keeping the storyline in place until then, the villain was nebulous, and it was ultimately a bit forgettable.

3. Ghosts (4.5/5) - A very cool story about the Doctor and River Song investigating a haunted planet and some strange mists. Some plot holes that don’t really make sense… until they suddenly do. You can kind of see the “twist” coming before it happens but still very enjoyable.

[Jamie Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good solid fun

Story 1 - listened to this a few years back but remember really enjoying it. Was a fun format being told entirely through back and forth communications but was a story that was more than just a format gimmick, it was really fun.
Story 2 - my least favourite of the set but a good classic romp with Ten and River. This truly is a great pairing and it's lovely seeing them play off each other
Story 3 - a very interesting story with a really fun setting and resolution. I found myself really engaged by this

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Expiry Dating” is easily the best story of the bunch, followed by “Ghosts”. Both stories make great use of the audio medium, and the timey wimey nature of the Doctor and River Song. “Precious Annihilation” is more of a dud for me, unfortunately. It’s not bad, just kind of generic. Still, the set overall is great for fans of the Tenth Doctor. And those longing for more of Ten and River should feel plenty satisfied here.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tenth Doctor and River Song is a brilliant pairing for audio adventures. We just didn't get enough of the two on the TV show. This collection of three stories begins to correct that oversight. The first drama is excellent. The middle drama is solid but not very memorable. But the final drama, Ghosts, is the shining gem of the set. It's rather sublime from start to finish. These audios would be great for new listeners as well as for hardcore fans of Doctor Who.

[Samael Kovacs]

So the first and the last story are the best, second one was okay but with some great funny moments in it.

It was quite nice to get a bit more about these two and I personally wouldn't have minded a season with just them.

Their chemistry is just amazing in every story.

Would highly recommend it to any 10th Doctor fans.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather enjoyed this set - the 10th Doctor and River only had a short amount of time together in the TV show, so it's good to hear them back for another bunch, and without having to shoehorn in the forget/retcon/mindwipe reset that are in some of the audios with River with earlier Doctors.

[Joseph S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, the third story is only 53 minutes so I shouldn't give this five stars but...

[Eva Praskova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful for Dr. Who fans which I of course am :)

[Rachel Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 great stories

[Debra Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

River invites the doctor on a few adventures.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghosts story is a terrific tale of sentient holograms and novel artificial life. River is annoying.