A review by thoroughlymodernreviewer
Doctor Who: Tip Of The Tongue: Fifth Doctor: 50th Anniversary by Patrick Ness
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
On the one hand, I really appreciated that Ness decided to focus not on the Doctor and Nyssa, but on two teenagers in 1940s America. That ground-level kind of storytelling always works as a nice contrast to the eccentricities of the Doctor. And Jonny and Nettie certainly make for great characters, too. But that being said, the Doctor and Nyssa’s absence throughout the story was quite palpable. They really only come into focus in the climax, and I would’ve liked to have perhaps seen more of them figuring out what, exactly, was going on before they turned up to save the day.
I love the idea behind the story, though. Weaponized truth is always such a fascinating concept for science fiction, and it’s a trope Doctor Who’s played with before (most notably in Matt Smith’s final episode, “The Time of the Doctor”). Here, it feels like Ness could’ve pushed it even further, though. He flirts with the prejudices of the time, but I wish we’d gotten to hear from more normal people, rather than the alien antagonists at the heart of the story.
At the end of the day, “Tip of the Tongue” is a lovely little tale. It’s well-paced, not too short and not too long. Jonny and Nettie are well-developed as characters, immediately endearing and sympathetic. And the central story is well executed, too. Ness crafts an engrossing, deeply enjoyable tale here, and it’s well worth a read even if the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa frequently fade into the background.
I love the idea behind the story, though. Weaponized truth is always such a fascinating concept for science fiction, and it’s a trope Doctor Who’s played with before (most notably in Matt Smith’s final episode, “The Time of the Doctor”). Here, it feels like Ness could’ve pushed it even further, though. He flirts with the prejudices of the time, but I wish we’d gotten to hear from more normal people, rather than the alien antagonists at the heart of the story.
At the end of the day, “Tip of the Tongue” is a lovely little tale. It’s well-paced, not too short and not too long. Jonny and Nettie are well-developed as characters, immediately endearing and sympathetic. And the central story is well executed, too. Ness crafts an engrossing, deeply enjoyable tale here, and it’s well worth a read even if the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa frequently fade into the background.