"There's something very unsettling about a mirror with no reflection."
Writer: Lizbeth Myles
Format: Audio
Released: March 2022
Series: Eighth of March 2.01
Featuring: Romana, K9
Synopsis
Romana and K9 have stayed in E-Space to help an ancient and noble people, freed from their shackles. But first they must heal divisions in the ranks, and those who see a very different future for the Tharil race...
Verdict
Stolen Futures was a good start to the Protectors of Time second Eighth of March series to celebrate International Women's Day! I think this is such a good idea and I honestly think it should become an annual tradition. The first series was great and I'm glad that we get a follow up, and who better to start with than Romana II? She's probably my all time favourite companion and having her in the lead in E-Space was great placement. It was an action-packed start and I liked how Romana was very clearly in charge on the ship her little gang were infiltrating. They were freeing Tharils from stasis pods which I liked but Lupan showed she would be a problem when she shot her gun. Romana was not best pleased. The Tharil also killing the captain was less than ideal and was not what Romana stood for. K9 was terrific and I liked that he was alongside Biroc. This was much better continuity wise from Warriors' Gate than my recent listening of The Kairos Ring which explored Romana's life after the Doctor. The mirror theme was good and I liked the concept of it only showing darkness. The past was obscured on the planet of Tharil ruins. The strong interference that took place was decent and I liked that Romana and K9 were flung away as a result. I thought the chase from the Gundan could have been improved with the likes of birds and snakes not quite transitioning well into audio, but the time shift from Tyro that saved them was nicely done. He was an intriguing character as a Tharil that was free of the gateway and even had a Seer that was surrounded by mirrors acting as previous gateways. Romana being shown a future of war was excellent and I liked that Lupan was deemed to have some involvement too when it came to the Tharils freedom meaning the death of the crews. She would go onto attack a space part so Romana had to warn of the imminent time storm which was a good direction to go in. Lupan's desire to only stop when the human ports and means of travel had gone was interesting and it was the only way she would think they had freedom. Tyro and the Seer limiting what Romana saw in her future was hardly subtle but it was terrific that she knew she was in a trap, and walked straight into it willingly. The threat of her being trapped with the time winds still was good but more should have been made of it in mu opinion. Lupan being there seemed sudden but she worked well in looking into her future too long and being consumed by it. Her showing the way out by drinking the poisonous fountain was a shock but it wasn't all it seemed. Tyro also being in the past was a nice gathering of foes and his desire to return to feudalistic ways should have been more prominent. Biroc going so far as to drink from the fountain too seemed odd but I did like that he proved it was his choice and that time had no bearing on it. The threat of Romana continuously regenerating was exciting but a little random, as Tyro got a little maniacal but she was able to echo to K9 to destroy the mirrors. I thought it got a little confusing and timey-wimey when Biroc aided in going back to the moment right before the mirror were destroyed with their past selves being washed into the present. I was more on board with needing to destroy the mirror on both sides. I liked the little twist that the Seer was the one who brought everyone together to stop Tyro after the threat of the futures under him she saw. After all was settled, Romana wanting to learn more of the gateways and get a better understanding of her new universe was a nice way to leave things for more potential E-Space adventures. Overall, a decent start!
Rating: 7/10
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