The same goes for the narrative structure it also provides some smooth transitions between the interrogation and flashbacks. Her script clearly illustrates Aymius’ perspective, by letting him express freely in his mind for the audience to comprehensively understand his thoughts. I love how Eugenie Pusenjak’s winning Short Trip is told in first-person a first for the Paul Spragg Memorial Opportunity.

It truly captures the spirit of the RTD Series 4/Specials era! That’s who the Doctor is: a time traveller who helps people to make them, and others, better. As a lifelong fan of the tenth incarnation, his involvement with Aymius’ life has a number of positive outcomes and twists along the way. Nobody would want to endure such a painful experience of being charged to talk, right until running out of Droobles.ĭespite the Doctor not being the lead protagonist, he is quick to identify that something isn’t right on Skaz. This all reminds me of the “One Word Test” from the 2012 Christmas special, The Snowmen, along with the Smartsuits from the Series 10 episode, Oxygen – without being derivative, of course (I would say more of an homage). Sort of like having a Pay As You Go SIM card, which also requires topping up credit from personal savings. The idea of having to pay to utter words is not only clever and distinctive, it’s also nightmarish when you even try to think about it (such as linking your tongue chip directly to your bank account). I love the use of ‘talking’ terminologies as a recurring theme for the plot, along with the excellent name for a currency.

But all he can do is just summarise with key words, rather than full sentences, because every inhabitant on the planet Skaz has a tongue chip implanted which charges one Drooble per word. Literally.ĭuring a police interrogation, Aymius tells the story about his ties to the Garrulous Liberation (aka GLIB), a proscribed organisation, and how he met the Tenth Doctor. Those grab the listener’s attention: original storytelling with a unique concept about limiting individual rights to have a voice, which is why words always matter. And so does the intriguing premise surrounding Aymius Todd, with consequences that would inevitably take away his freedom for good. Everybody has the right to free speech, as it says on the tin.

Doctor Who by Eugenie Pusenjak