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Reviews > Doctor Who: The Legacy > Ruins of Self II - Chapter Four
Chapter Four Review by Sally Wiget The second half of "Ruins of Self" begins with a chapter that starts and ends the same way - with a shuttle landing, an apt symbol for change. It's a sprawling sort of chapter that cuts between scenes and viewpoints and themes smoothly, and somehow manages to misplace the character of the Doctor entirely. This is another chapter that, while it isn't as completely continuity-heavy as the first half of the story was, still contains a lot of wrapping up from previous storylines, even as it reintroduces the reader into galactic politics as they stand after months of gallivanting across time and space. We find the Martians returned to Mars (there's a great line about that from Commander Xzanlyr's point of view, in which he states, "It was the first time he had ever been to his home world"), and we find a surprising and familiar figure in the Federation President - one Alf immediately recognizes. There are also a number of small, well-written character moments scattered throughout the quickly moving political side of the story--not only Xzanlyr's 'homecoming,' but also Nick once again dealing with the effects of alcohol and his pain over what he considers the Doctor's betrayal, King Garet of Peladon's musings on the state of his planet in relation to the Martians, and Alf taking a political turn even as she's still trying to deal with her mixed feelings for Nick (another great moment involves Alf instinctively flinching away from Nick's anger, even as she tells herself this is her Nick and that he isn't angry at her). Bar a few grammatical mistakes (split infinitives! Oh the horror!), this is a well-written story that balances political issues with character issues and leaves the reader intensely curious about what will happen in the next chapter. And while the Doctor was in his way present throughout the chapter, it'd be especially nice to actually have him physically in the next chapter.
Chapter Four Review by Paul Clement After three chapters of in depth plot and shattering revelations, chapter four gives us a story couched in consequences. The events of the last chapters have left their mark on the main characters and the effects are now beginning to show. Nick appears to be the most openly affected, his need to try to blot the memories out and his uncharacteristically impolite nature being the most evident examples. Alf meanwhile is unaware of the revelations about the Doctor, but she is aware that something profound has happened to change the relationship between Nick and the Doctor, and her feelings for Nick are further shown as she looks to find a way to help Nick release some of his pent up feelings. Perhaps the biggest sign that all is not well is the absence of the Doctor, and in some ways this is the more worrying one. While Nick is quite open in his unhappiness, the Doctor's reaction to the revelations he has faced is hidden from view of the reader. As he hides within the Tardis, we can only speculate as to the effects this has had on him. The story itself has a stronger storyline than it had in the first three chapters, and it's nice to see Alf and Nick in a position where they don't appear to be added on as an afterthought. The return of the Martians is welcome, and we are treated to some great characterisation from the authors, as they give more depth to the nature of the Martians and their belief in a honourable way of life. There are some nice touches to this chapter, such as the President of the Federation being unveiled as Koschei, surely something that will be expanded upon in the later stories. The fact he knew that the Doctor had been to Voga without being told by either Nick or Alf raises a few questions that I look forward to finding the answers to. While the scenes detailing the Martians seem to flow by, the scenes based on Peladon seem to jar somewhat, perhaps the change from one writing style to another. And this brings me to the one negative point I really have to raise with this chapter. Despite the whole chapter being well written, the writing styles of the two authors are quite dissimilar and don't marry well together at times. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with the scenes written by either Andie or Betty, but more that with most writing collaborations, the line between one writer and the other seems more seamless and less easy to spot. The storyline itself, although fairly simple compared to that of the last three chapters, works extremely well and manages to capture the interest. I'm looking forward to reading the next few scenes featuring the Doctor to see how he reacts to the last chapters revelations, but hope that as the story goes on, it becomes harder to define where Andie stops and Betty starts or vice versa. |
