John Smith's Google Maps reviews (short story)
As part of the alternate reality game used to promote Series 13, a series of fictional reviews published by the account John Smith were published on Google Maps. The account indicated 22 reviews were posted, presumably indicating that 4 were deleted by reviewed locations. They contained references to multiple episodes of Doctor Who from both the 'classic' and 'revived' eras, as well as other parts of the alternate reality game and the recently opened Time Fracture experience.
John Smith previously had also uploaded an image of the TARDIS with the text "Find ME 14/07" painted on it, forming the fourth clue. This led to the next clue this ARG-series: an Instagram post from 14 July 2021.[1] Additionally, the review of the Science Museum hinted towards another clue, Unknown object—RHCTDM-OEI-OLOAW/0209.
The name of the file containing the TARDIS was given as: “3973 Doctor Who 0102 Ep4_working_1a".
Summary
BT Tower
John Smith was required to visit the BT Tower.
Buckingham Palace
John Smith describes how Buckingham Palace was bigger on the inside and describes it as their "kind of building".
Canary Wharf
John Smith states that Canary Wharf is the home of Torchwood and asks if that's still a secret.
Cardiff Bay
John Smith describes Cardiff Bay as a good place to recharge, stating that it had incredible energy.
Louvre Museum
John Smith states that they "pop back" to the Louvre Museum regularly to check that the Mona Lisa housed there is a fake. They then state that it is.
lastminute.com London Eye
John Smith states that the London Eye works as a great signal dish.
Tower of London
John Smith says that they still can't get the TARDIS to land at the Tower of London. They mention that they will try again and maybe visit Liz X.
UNIT HQ
John Smith says that they need some help at UNIT HQ and ask the review's readers to "step up and be the hero".
Villa Diodati
John Smith describes Villa Diodati as containing some "very interesting characters" and a "dastardly evil genius". They say that Mary was their "fav" and that they loved meeting Laura Whitmore. They then realise that they are talking about a different Villa.
Shakespeare's Globe
John Smith describes Shakespeare's Globe as being "filled with magic".
Pendle Hill
John Smith warns the review's readers not to get stuck in the mud at Pendle Hill.
River Thames
John Smith says that they love the Frost fair.
St. Paul's Cathedral
John Smith says that they caught up with an old friend at St Paul's Cathedral who had "quite the change of hearts".
Trafalgar Square
John Smith states that Trafalgar Square was a lovely forest.
The Shard
John Smith states that The Shard was a lovely place for a drive.
Statue of Liberty National Monument
John Smith states that they "could swear" they saw the Statue of Liberty move.
Alexandra Palace
John Smith states that Alexandra Palace was a great place to watch the coronation.
Science Museum
John Smith states that they have lost something at the Science Museum and asks the review's readers to let them know if they find it.
Characters
Worldbuilding
- John Smith visited the Louvre in August 2021.
Notes
- It is evident that John Smith is The Doctor. They would have to be at least in their Thirteenth incarnation as they reference the events of The Haunting of Villa Diodati and The Witchfinders.
- Every review was 5 stars.
- The review of UNIT HQ was promoting the recently opened Time Fracture experience.
Continuity
- The First Doctor was required by WOTAN to visit the BT Tower. (TV: The War Machines)
- Canary Wharf is the home of Torchwood One. (TV: Army of Ghosts)
- There are multiple Mona Lisas and the one at the Louvre is a fake. (TV: City of Death)
- The London Eye was used as a transmitter. (TV: Rose)
- The Thirteenth Doctor visited Villa Diodati. (TV: The Haunting of Villa Diodati)
- The Globe Theatre was 'filled with magic'. (TV: The Shakespeare Code)
- The Thirteenth Doctor visited Pendle Hill. (TV: The Witchfinders)
- The Twelfth Doctor visited the Frost fair. (TV: Thin Ice)
- The Twelfth Doctor met Missy at St Paul's Cathedral. (TV: Death in Heaven)
- Trafalgar Square was turned into a forest. (TV: In the Forest of the Night)
- The Eleventh Doctor once drove up The Shard. (TV: The Bells of Saint John)
- The Statue of Liberty was a Weeping Angel. (TV: The Angels Take Manhattan)
- The Tenth Doctor visited Alexandra Palace during Elizabeth II's coronation. (TV: The Idiot's Lantern)
