9. The Diary of River Song Series 09: New Recruit

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River Song

Available October 2021

Written by Lizbeth Myles James Kettle Helen Goldwyn Lisa McMullin

Starring Alex Kingston Daisy Ashford

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UNIT - the secret organisation established to deal with the odd and unexplained on Earth and beyond.

The redoubtable Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart leads the troops, and for scientific guidance relies on two brilliant advisors: Cambridge genius Dr Elizabeth Shaw, and UNIT’s newest recruit - that mysterious traveller in time and space known as... River Song.

9.1 The Blood Woods by Lizbeth Myles
With the Doctor indisposed, Liz is a little put out to find that the Brigadier has brought in another scientific advisor to take his place.

But when Liz and River investigate otherworldly goings-on in an English village, they soon find themselves relying on each other to survive.

9.2 Terror of the Suburbs by James Kettle
Liz has moved house. It seems she’s found a suburban utopia - until River Song arrives.

There is more to Fetter Bailey than manicured lawns and endless soirees. Dangerous creatures prowl the hedgerows, and something lurks in the freezers...

9.3 Never Alone by Helen Goldwyn
River believes Intertraxia is ahead of its time, but it’s already shipping innovations in entertainment and computing around the world.

When a dead man is found with alien technology implants, UNIT investigates. Liz and River are about to discover that those connected to the network are never alone...

9.4 Rivers of Light by Lisa McMullin
In a Yorkshire mining town, strange temporal distortions and rivers of light crossing forests are enough to get the Brigadier’s attention, and UNIT is mobilised.

But the Doctor is back, and he wants to know who’s been messing around in his laboratory. River’s reasons for being on Earth are about to be revealed...

**THIS TITLE IS NOW OUT OF PRINT ON CD**

Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart © Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence.
With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar

Recorded on: 8-10 and 15-16 June 2021

Recorded at: The Soundhouse

Jon Culshaw and Alex Kingston (c) Tony Whitmore

Alex Kingston and Tim Treloar (c) Tony Whitmore

Tim Treloar, Alex Kingston, Jon Culshaw, Daisy Ashford (c) Tony Whitmore

Reviews

The Diary of River Song: New Recruit is an unabashed love letter to the Pertwee era... All I can say is more, please!
SciFi Pulse

With Liz’s professionalism meeting River’s flamboyance, with the clash between their differing expertise, and with Kingston and Ashford’s charismatic and commanding performances, there’s definitely more to be explored here.
We Made This

The Diary of River Song: New Recruit is a release which was almost perfect for late October, with each episode essentially playing on horror tropes and phobias in odd ways, even if the tone of the stories aren’t outright horrific in nature. The performances are brilliant with Alex Kingston and Daisy Ashford being the highlights in every episode, while Tim Treloar and Jon Culshaw come close behind. Highly recommended. 8.25/10
Indie Mac User

Never Alone by Helen Goldwyn
...the combination of Alex Kingston’s River and Daisy Ashford’s Liz has been one of the most successful partnerships we’ve had in this series, and has given us new angles on a companion who’s not received as much attention as she deserves. Another enjoyable outing for the two doctors... 8/10
Sci-Fi Bulletin

The Diary of River Song: New Recruit is a mixed set of stories, very well produced and an entertaining listen. The casting works really well, and we hope to hear more of them in future productions. 4.5/5
Cultbox

Liz never asked for an assistant. That was the Brigadier’s call, but he’s not letting her wiggle out of getting one, either. Not having the Doctor around for their first meeting was smart on writer Lizbeth Myles‘s part, because it gives River and Liz a chance to get to know each other without any outside interference.
Comiccon.com

The attention to detail and these (behind the scenes) features make this box set, as ever, a great experience... The actors are excellent with Daisy Ashford, daughter of the original Liz Shaw, Caroline John, immediately believable, sharing and enhancing original voice patterns. Alex Kingston is a force of nature and River Song is a powerful character. The Doctor and Brig have a small input here but it all adds to the atmosphere. You could almost be there; some of us were.
SF Crowsnest

The thing that makes New Recruit worth picking up, is the chemistry between its leads. Kingston proved herself as a recurring character turned sometimes lead character in her appearances in televised Who and, of course, in her earlier Big Finish sets. Ashfield, meanwhile, had been neatly taking over her mum's role, catching much of the cadence and attitude of those 1970s performances. Put together in these four episodes, the results are engaging and delightful, with a sense of a quick friendship and mutual respect coming out of the first episode and building throughout the entire set... if Big Finish ever wanted to do a "Song & Shaw" set, this reviewer would happily give it a listen.
Warped Factor