Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor The Sapling Volume 3 – Branches

The Eleventh Doctor and his companion, Alice Obiefune, have both lost some of their memories, but they haven’t gone far. They’re inside the Sapling, a living plant created as a weapon of destruction. But with the Doctor and Alice nurturing it, can it become more than just an intelligent weapon? Because the Doctor and the universe have never been in more danger. Will the Sapling be their salvation or the instrument of their demise?

A lot of intriguing ideas ricochet around the plot of Branches with breakneck speed — including a member of the Silence that even his own people can’t remember — and, although the plot feels jumpy at times, it remains an enjoyable, high-concept romp in tune with the spirit of the Eleventh Doctor.

The Doctor is rarely so clever or so compassionate as he is here, striving to save worlds, friends, and foes. You really sense the old man behind the young face, the sense of loss that weighs him down, even with some of his memories missing. And although Alice doesn’t get the same chance to shine here as she’s had in previous adventures, she still proves to be a companion worthy of the show’s extensive history.