Dating, disinformation, and a monster under your bed—or at least under your podcast mic.
Short Synopsis
Ruby tries to live normal after TARDIS life, falls for podcaster Conrad, who turns out to have a dark agenda involving conspiracy, lies, and something called the Shreek.
Extended Storyline
Ruby Sunday is off-duty from time-travelling. She’s trying to build a life without the Doctor, which is a bit like quitting caffeine cold turkey for someone who binge-watches sci-fi: doable, but weird. She’s dating now. She has a routine. She even agrees to be a guest on a podcast called Lucky Day, hosted by Conrad Clark—a charming podcaster who seems to adore Ruby almost as much as he adores dramatic lighting and pronouncing “truth” with a capital T.
Conrad has two things going for him: he witnessed the TARDIS once as a kid (New Year’s Eve, 2007) and he’s convinced that UNIT is covering up everything alien. He wants proof, presumably because nothing says “hero” like being able to shout “Fake news!” while livestreaming. Ruby trusts him (somewhat), or at least gives him the benefit of the doubt. This is Doctor Who, so we all know this benefit of the doubt is gonna be picked apart.
Cue the Shreek: creepy, gooey, alien monster-thing, often lurking, often glowing with red eyes or green slime. Conrad gets marked—literally coated in green goo—after spotting the Shreek again in adult life. Ruby gives him the antidote (yep, she’s got a medical kit now) and UNIT assures her the Shreek is in containment. All is good… until it isn't.
On a weekend escape with Conrad and his friends (because yes, romantic weekends still happen even when your boyfriend has been slimed by an alien), things go sour. Flashing lights, creeping shadows, Conrad starts acting brave—too brave. Ruby notices. She should’ve noticed sooner, but love is sometimes blind… and maybe a little naive.
Then the twist: the Shreek attack? The “multiple Shreek” appearance? It’s fake. Conrad has orchestrated a “Think Tank” prank—or more sinister than prank—out of disinformation activism. Costumes, social media livestreams, bodycams, camera angles, and lies. He wants to expose UNIT, make people distrust them, all while looking like the hero. Because in the modern age, nothing makes you look like a hero like accusing the protectors of protecting.
Ruby is crushed. She feels betrayed. Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (UNIT boss, with her unflappable face) is furious. She gets to show righteous anger. And in UNIT’s command center, things get messy: social media backlash, #IStandWithUNIT trending (yes, even in sci-fi shows hashtags are real now), public trust wobbling like a wobbly table at a café.
Conrad infiltrates UNIT, with a body cam, with swagger, with lies. He taunts Ruby. He taunts Kate. He claims everything—the monsters, the danger—was a manipulation. But nature (or Doctor Who plot necessity) intervenes: the real Shreek is accidentally released (Kate, in a moment of “Well, let’s teach him a lesson,” lets containment slide). The creature shows up face to face with Conrad. He crumbles. His bravado vaporizes under alien breath. Ruby intervenes (with a taser—yes really), saves him—well, wrestles danger down—and things get physical, emotional, messy. He’s bitten. He’s caught. Owner of signature chest-beating monologues. Couch-spilling betrayal.
Meanwhile, UNIT scrambles to contain monster, clean up the livestreamed ruin, and salvage public faith. Ruby, emotionally exhausted, admits she’s still not over leaving the Doctor; that life after adventures is hard when you still see the shadows those adventures leave. Kate gives her space. The Doctor appears in a brief arrival (classic cameo), admonishes Conrad quietly, with looming threat about his future: “this path won’t end well,” etc. True to Who form.
The very last moment: Conrad in a cell, Mrs Flood (always Mrs Flood) jingles keys, whispers “It’s your lucky day,” he smirks, cameras off, tension electric. The Doctor watches him from the TARDIS—not much said, just a warning in his eyes. The door closes.