‘THE SPLINTERED GATE’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

Ian meets a Fortune Teller(s) before the First Doctor and Susan

This story is by Justin Richards and it features Ian and Barbara. It takes place before the events of ‘An Unearthly Child’! Yes! This story has Ian and Barbara as school teachers at Coal Hill School before they meet the First Doctor and Susan. It’s fascinating to discover what Ian and Barbara are like here.

‘The Splintered Gate’ has Ian on holiday in Dorset where he meets a Fortune Teller who tells him that he’s about to go on a long journey in space and time with a woman. The Fortune Teller is called Rosemary…or is it Rosy Parks. I’m not sure if there are two Fortune Tellers in this short adventure. 😐

This story could have showcased Ian and Barbara well in how they’re depicted as school teachers before they joined the Doctor and Susan in the TARDIS. But this story is rather short and it ends abruptly, which left me unsatisfied. I did read the ending twice upon revisiting the tale to check this.

To be fair, it was easier to follow this story especially as Justin Richards writes in the first person from Ian’s point-of-view rather than a non-supporting character. It would have been better to have the story told from two perspectives – Ian and Barbara’s. I’m not sure what Barbara’s involvement is.

The title of this story refers to Ian getting a splinter when he touches a gate whilst on holiday in Dorset. When he meets Rosy Parks and she sees his bloodied hand, she flees in terror from it. When he meets Rosemary at Coal Hill School, she’s not scared. Maybe there are two Fortune Tellers in this.

‘The Splintered Gate’ rating – 5/10