It's a real shame that just a few weeks after I posted a thread heralding the present series of Who as one of the most consistent in the programs history - "without a clunker in sight", that Forest of the Night had to come along and render that paraphrase wildly inaccurate.

Thank goodness then that this week's episode of the Eighth Doctor Adventures: Lucie Miller, on BBC Radio 4 Extra more than makes up for the utter dross that was TV Doctor Who's output this week. I don't know how many of you are following this series or have already heard it, but this really was one of the finest episodes of Doctor Who I've encountered in any medium. Sheridan Smith is brilliant in it. I've added a link below if anybody fancies a listen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pwcys

I heard it yesterday, and very much enjoyed it. And it ended with [spoilers!!]

When I recommend radio programmes on BBC Radio 4 or Radio 4 Extra some people respond that they only listen to radio for music which is a shame when they're missing some really good programmes.

Sadly 4Extra has lost its daily Sci-Fi in recent months but still has a couple of hours at weekends including Doctor Who. I enjoyed a lot of SF over the last five years or so.

I've actually had Lucie Miller for a while now, but never listened to it because I had no idea it had quite a bit of set-up. So last week after Prisoner of the Sun, I listened straight ahead. It certainly was a terrific finale to the fourth season.

Has there ever been any acknowledgment or comment on the similarity between the characters of Lucy Miller and Donna Noble? I assumed that one must have served as inspiration for the other but both their first stories The Runaway Bride and Blood of the Daleks were written around the same time in 2006 so this couldn't be the case, could it?

Get ready for To The Death next week, if you've never heard it it's simply stunning.

How are they similar? Lucie is a 20something from Blackpool (just like Clara!), Donna is a 30something from London. The only similarity I can see is that both Lucie and Donna can be sarcastic sometimes - and both actresses are known for comedy.

It's not so much the age but more the characterisation and how they fit narratively. Consider this: The Doctor is alone after a heart wrenching farewell to a former companion when suddenly there’s a shouty girl magically appearing in his TARDIS without explanation, demanding to be taken home and being intensely critical. The Doctor and her fight a lot, but eventually grow to become best friends.

Now, am I describing Ten and Donna, or Eight and Lucie? Exactly.

And they both worked as office temps!

I really like her as a companion. Loved Death in Blackpool.

What I've found about the Big Finish audios is that they merge characterisation and emotional moments really well with the adventure. You emotionally invest in it and the companion's relationships with the Doctor.

I also think without the visual aspect, they play the companion/Doctor role as being a strong friendship without any accusations of romance.

Lucie Miller is my favourite companion.

The Eighth Doctor and Lucie are my favourite pairing in DW (yes, even better than Ten and Donna). I was so extremely chuffed when she got a mention in Night of the Doctor.

She was funny, sparky, clever, sarky and very very brave.

To The Death is a wonderful episode, though very emotional.

It was first on Radio4 early last year, iirc. I'm longing for them to get round to airing "Dark Eyes", the next Eighth Doctor Adventure.