Circuit Breaker

"He just sat there dreaming of metal."

Writer: Guy Adams

Format: Audio

Released: December 2020

Series: The Robots 3.02

Featuring: Toos, Poul

Synopsis

Poul has returned to Kaldor City... and Toos is doing her best to help his recovery. After troubling events in a local hotel, he finds himself with another crime to investigate. But are there some mysteries that shouldn't be solved?

Verdict

Circuit Breaker was another excellent episode to continue my way through the third volume of The Robots! This follows a format that worked well in the previous volume as we move away from the overarching story between Liv and Tula to focus on the nostalgia and hallmarks of The Robots of Death in the form of Toos and Poul. Their relationship was brilliant to continue exploring here and I like how they're clearly elderly statesmen on Kaldor. Their names mean something and that really does go a long way. I really enjoyed the exploration of robophobia and Poul in particular admitting freely that he had it was incredible. He didn't just admit to it but he then described how he felt when he saw a Robot and that was a powerful moment. He was almost ravaged and gushing at the mouth with his what felt like hatred. Toos seemed to think there was a distinction between hate and fear but I think the former is caused by the latter. Either way, his character development here was fantastic and just added to the politics of this spinoff range. It has so much going for it. Ullmann was a really good character and I enjoyed the service she was providing when it came to the Robots. She offered a place where people could fulfil their fantasies and with Robots involved, that does sound like it would be sexual. She was quick to point out that she offered nothing dirty but you would be surprised by how many non-sexual fantasies there were when it came to her facility! Tell your boss where to go? Say something to your partner you've been putting off? It was all available here and unbeknownst to himself, Poul was a frequent attendee! That was a fantastic revelation and just the very idea of Poul investigating the murdering of Robots and a couple of actual people also frequenting at the hotel when he was the culprit was magnificent! That hatred and fear really was enormously strong. New memories were created that were so insufferable to him that they just weren't retained. That feels almost impossible to comprehend but here we were! Ullmann's reaction when he explained the situation and said of course it was him was superb. She was pretty dumbfounded and given the revelations and flashback sequences that followed, how could you blame her? She was just running a business. I thought the moments towards the end where Ullmann was convincing Poul of what he needed to do and that involved removing Toos, he was sinister beyond belief. It was clear that she was actually going to be the target of his attack and the 'her' that would be removed, but just waiting for that moment was a delight. It was almost akin to the War Master in how devilish it felt! I look forward to hearing more of his descent into madness and just how Toos will try and control that waits to be seen. It's all very exciting as we head into the finale now and I'm awfully looking forward to when all of these elements join together. Poul claiming self defence in the least genuine way possible was magnificent to continue his breakdown. Overall, an excellent listen! 

Rating: 9/10

The Mystery of Sector 13

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

Writer: Robert Whitelock

Format: Audio

Released: December 2020

Series: The Robots 3.01

Featuring: Liv, Tula

Synopsis

Liv is investigating the Sons of Kaldor – looking out for any unusual activity on Kaldor. But when her hunt leads her to an abandoned warehouse, she may have bitten off more than she can chew... And while she's away, Tula is finding that some problems lie a little closer to home.

Verdict

The Mystery of Sector 13 was an excellent episode to kick off my listening of the third series of The Robots! I am delighted to get stuck back into this acclaimed spinoff range during Liv's year back home away from the TARDIS amidst the Ravenous series of Eighth Doctor Adventures and she's very much settled in that position now. There's a lot going on as she investigates the Sons of Kaldor and I like the continuity that has from Do No Harm with her still following the trail. It's an exciting prospect to have her in full investigative mode because she really is rather good at it! There was a lot going on here and hearing the familiar voice of Jon Culshaw was a welcomed treat because he's a very solid actor that since this release has gone on to bring both the Brigadier and the Twelfth Doctor to a whole new lease of life at Big Finish. But here he plays a very intriguing character in the form of Vash Sorkov. I don't often make notes about the stories I'm blogging but I knew I would be writing this entry over half a day later from listening to it and my description of him was simply 'the mysterious one'. Given how the episode ended with the cliffhanger finish on him not existing on Kaldor by either name or appearance, I think that's is pretty darn accurate! I think he's an exciting character because just how is he on Kaldor and what is he up to? He clearly has significant control and the threat in the episode surrounding Sector 13 was really strong. Heightened emotions and potential robophobia came from the supersonic protection in the vicinity. That was good stuff and I liked how for Tula everything tied together in a logical explanation. I'm a huge fan of hers as Liv's sister and she really is the co-lead for this series which is tremendous. I liked how she was digging deep to find that history was literally being deleted from public record. That scale of revisionism was exciting and I'm very excited to hear that continue. The link to Toos and the events of The Robots of Death still linger strong and I'm excited for another inevitable appearance from her. She's told the records that she's off world but Tula thinks she is hiding on the planet in plain sight. She's not far wrong! Tula has more problems though in the form of Skellen who is a really shady character. I'll be stunned if he's not part of the Sons of Kaldor because he wasn't exactly encouraging towards Tula and her investigation. He certainly didn't want her findings made public! He was pushing for everything to keep them on the down low for the time being. I'm a big fan of all of the politics that is playing out in the episode and keeping Liv and Tula right at the heart of it is exciting stuff. There's a lot of intriguing and scheming going about and that keeps me very interested as the series rolls on. Overall, a fantastic start to the series that has instantly got me reinvested in the series and what's to come! The cliffhanger was fantastic and I can't wait to listen to the next episode tomorrow. A brilliant start!

Rating: 9/10

Peace at Last

"There are many lies in war."

Writer: Tim Foley

Format: Audio

Released: July 2026

Series: Rutans vs Sontarans 1.04

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley, C'rizz

Synopsis

On the precipice of peace it stands...

After the destruction of a major stronghold, the Sontarans propose something extraordinary. More extraordinary still, the Rutans say yes. The Doctor, Charley and C'rizz are on hand to watch history being made. 

Yet history has other ideas. A plan that has taken centuries is about to come to fruition. The Melmoth is returning.

Verdict

Peace at Last was an excellent episode to conclude the first series of Rutans vs Sontarans! This has been a terrific quartet of stories that has really done a fine job of exploring the eternal war between the Rutans and the Sontarans. I mean, the names were just switched around so this is the second series of the same premise in my opinion but I really hope we get another! There's so much potential and a huge playground of war to play around with when it comes to these two foes. This gave us a strong explanation of why the Eighth Doctor was popping up in Rendition and Grave Moon that actually made sense as instead of aiding Melmoth as she thought, he was actually tampering with her bomb that would see all of the Rutan Host separated from the collective. Her scheme was dastardly and I must admit I didn't see the reveal of her being Selina Carr coming! That was a really strong moment as she was a fun character throughout in the form of a news reporter. I really liked that we returned to an old faithful trio of the Eighth Doctor, Charley and C'rizz and even though I have been playing catch up for over a decade, this felt like a nice bit of nostalgia. I thought C'rizz was utilised really well with his nature being comparable to that of the Rutan but he was the only one of his kind in the universe and that really did mean something here. He was able to be reasoned with slightly with the Rutan and that made him a strong companion for this series. The very idea of a peace treaty between the Sontarans and Rutans is pretty much unfathomable so hearing that play out in the pre-credits was quite spectacular. It was clear the Sontarans in particular were never going to see a ceasefire as honourable, but just the fact they were using it as a plan was excellent. General Greff was an intriguing character in the Sontaran chain of command and him being the driving force behind a massacre of over 200,000 Rutan force with his codename was terrific. He was the driving force behind not actually seeking peace and I'm actually surprised any of the Sontaran kind would entertain the idea, especially considering some had been cloned specifically for the peace talks! That really is a change from the norm. The Doctor having memories of his involvement in Rutan poetry was great and a fun callback and I really liked how Melmoth was almost confused and angered by his lack of memory of his involvement in her life. Of course, it had yet to happen for the Eighth Doctor at this point in his life but we soon heard all that play out very nicely. I loved that he reminisced on seeing some old friends in the form of Zoe and Peri too. A really nice touch. The idea of Melmoth getting the perfect death and reuniting her with the collective to go into peace was quite something, but that would prove problematic as her memories returned. Memories in particular of the events of Betrayal at the House of Sontar where Division kickstarted the war and caused her so much harm. Hearing Melmoth actually mutter the word division but the Doctor not recognising that she was saying it capitalised was fantastic! He obviously thought she meant the division between herself and the Rutan collective but that was far from the case. She blamed him and it's staggering to think of the scale of her very existence. She really has had an eternity of suffering and she didn't exactly get a happy ending! Overall, a really strong finale to what has been a brilliant series. I hope we get more with these two races because they're just terrific! A tremendous listen.

Rating: 9/10

Run Fast, Be Kind: The Second Death

"I knew it was my last goodbye."

Writer: Alfie Shaw

Format: Audio

Released: July 2026

Series: Twelfth Doctor Adventures 1.01

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Ash

Synopsis

During the last days of history, a lone wanderer crosses the wastes of Kersarin. Everywhere he goes, he delights those he finds with stories and songs. He provides a little hope in the dark. 

His name is Ash Wilton, and there's one thing that Ash knows for certain. You don't get time travellers at the end of the universe. 

Verdict

The Second Death was a great episode to kickstart the Twelfth Doctor Adventures! Unfortunately, we haven't yet got Peter Capaldi portraying the Twelfth Doctor at Big Finish but Jon Culshaw does a really solid job stepping into his place. I'm hopeful that one day we will get Capaldi bringing the role back to life but for now this is the next best thing and it's really good. It is a little difficult to try and separate Culshaw's take on this Doctor from his excellent portrayal of the Brigadier, but one man can only sound so different! He's an excellent performer and I'm a big fan of what we have here. I think this premise of this series is really exciting as it starts to exploit what is a potentially huge gap between The Husbands of River Song and The Return of Doctor Mysterio. So much can potentially happen between those two Christmas Specials so this is the perfect place for a brand new companion. I love the idea of a weekly release for the series too and whilst it is a shame that it is download only, I like the excitement of building each week across six episodes. That's a good length for an audio series and we already know that the finale is essentially a part two to this episode. That's certainly a unique way to go about making a series but I'm intrigued to hear how it all plays out. I think it's clear that Ash has met the Doctor before and the TARDIS building a reputation across three hundred years shows the scale of things. It seems Ash will interfere in his own past which is fun as a prospect but I'm getting way ahead of myself here! It also though does appear that he's been in the TARDIS before which was strange as he didn't really react to the whole bigger on the inside thing at all. That feels like a big talking point! I thought the Kersarin setting was strong and I liked the world building that occurred there. Obviously there's a lot going on and the Doctor joins in the middle of conflict. It felt futuristic which I liked and the dynamic that's going to come from Ash being companion as someone from hundreds of years ahead of us is fascinating. He's a very strong character already and it feels like he's going to be a challenge for the Doctor which is always fun. He's going through a lot emotionally here as Harry became a Desolate and was then brutally shot in cold blood. That was a powerful moment as it was already enough that the synthesiser transferred him. The threat of the Krondat plague was good and I do like problems that are on something of a natural scale. Disease is difficult to beat so having a cure from the synthesiser was good even if Ash and Harry weren't exactly welcomed because of the latter's change of body. The Doctor touching upon his recent goodbye to River Song was a rare show of real emotion for the Twelfth Doctor and it was powerful stuff. He really did seem solemn and downbeat but I love that in their final goodbye from his perspective that River pushed him to travel like he used to. How could he be the Doctor otherwise? I like that River is the one to convince him to be himself even if he had to experience her death all over again. As if Forest of the Dead wasn't bad enough, he's now had to go through it all over again but with a lifetime of building a relationship and marrying the woman! So he could relate to Ash here and I thought that was good with them having a shared feeling to build on. I don't think the Doctor would have invited him to stay on as a companion if he wasn't going through what he was at this time. I'm looking forward to revisiting events here in the series finale but now we have four exciting episodes with a new companion every week! Who says we're in the Wilderness Years again? Great stuff. Overall, a very good listen.

Rating: 8/10

Masters of Time: True Nemesis

"You can't run a universe on your own."

Writer: Andrew Smith

Format: Audio

Released: July 2023

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 4.04

Featuring: Kate, Osgood, Harry, Naomi

Synopsis

Under Missy's guiding hand, the Vulpreen are ready to strike out, to establish themselves as the new Masters of Time. 

UNIT's confrontation with Missy in the depths of Portugal's Douro Valley will decide the fate of not just the Earth but the whole Universe.

Verdict

True Nemesis was a very good episode to conclude the Masters of Time fourth series of UNIT: Nemesis! This spinoff range, or at least this section of UNIT as a spinoff range of its own, concluded in strong style with the long awaited and much drawn out return of Missy! It wasn't quite as impactful as I would have hoped given the trouble she caused in Dark Water/Death in Heaven alongside the Cybermen in killing Osgood and terrorising the entire planet, dead and alive. But it was good to acknowledge those events and Missy's reaction to seeing Osgood still alive was delicious. She was quite surprised as she was convinced she had already killed her and yet here she was! Confirmed as human too. That was a really interesting detail because I'm not sure if it is ever revealed which version survived? That feels pretty revolutionary and yet Osgood tried to brush over it. I understand from her point of view why but as a listener my ears perked up immediately! Michelle Gomez is always delightful and hearing her voice in my ears makes me happy. She's a staggeringly good and refreshing incarnation of the Master as Missy and her claim to be trying to save the universe was initially something that sounded like it could be brushed off, but here she was. I always knew that she was going to betray Lord Varliss at some point and he even expected it too because he was also using her, but she was genuinely doing it for the good of the universe. She was almost  doing her Time Lord duty in continuing the work of her race after they had trapped them in the Void dimension. She needed to put them back because their very presence was causing problems with time and reality. They were something that didn't belong and Missy was utilising the arches to actually send them packing. Kate didn't seem too hesitant in making an uneasy partnership with the Time Lady which was terrific and certainly a formidable duo! I thought Missy's interactions with Varliss were just as expected as well as she was almost mocking their supposed partnership. She had given Vulpreen some orders and that certainly didn't go down well. It was a little difficult to take Varliss seriously around Missy because there was only ever going to be one winner! Missy has a sublime quality of somehow not feeling threatening but at the same time being to switch from comedy to ruthless evil in a split second. It was a little bit predictable and scientific mumbo jumbo in the way the Vulpreen were sent packing with Osgood doing some good jiggery pokery and their relationship with time being almost like a sickness. Varliss survived and he accepted defeat by the end and saw that Missy was his true enemy. He garnered respect for Kate and didn't kill her when he could have which was something reciprocated back. That was certainly unexpected but I liked that amongst the two opposing commanders! Missy being within the super arch to see her sent packing seemed pretty final too which was a nice touch, but we know she always survives no matter the incarnation. Overall, a fitting finale for what has been a really consistent series and four boxsets! I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey. A great listen. 

Rating: 8/10

Masters of Time: The Destiny Labyrinth

"You have to go through and stop her."

Writer: Alison Winter

Format: Audio

Released: July 2023

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 4.03

Featuring: Kate, Osgood

Synopsis

The UNIT team find themselves travelling through various epochs in Earth's history. The only guide they have is working for the enemy, and the Vulpreen are hot on their heels. Help comes from a new friend, a young healer who already has a curious relationship with time.

Verdict

The Destiny Labyrinth was another very good episode to continue my way through the Masters of Time fourth and final series of UNIT: Nemesis! I am trying my best to judge the episode in isolation and taking that approach with some generosity allowed me to not drop the extra mark I was going to because I must say this does feel like an awful long way to get to the finale. If we didn't know Missy was coming then I think things would feel different, but we've had three episodes now since the reveal that she was partnering with Lord Varliss and yet she still hasn't appeared! It seems a bit of a strange one but at least the anticipation is built for what is set to be an explosive finale. I liked the round the world feeling of this episode and it almost felt a little like The Chase or the middle of The Daleks' Master Plan on a smaller scale which was good fun. The Arches were utilised in really interesting ways and I enjoyed the difficulty and dilemmas that come from them only going way. Starting off in Niagra Falls but a few thousand years into the past was really intriguing and with that attraction being extremely high on my bucket list, I'd love to have seen how it looked before it was fully formed into its modern day appearance. It really was a round the world and times trip and it was good to have the language acknowledging that with the constant references to both where and when. That really was an important distinction! Michel was a terrific character to basically become a UNIT companion for the episode and his ability to see into the future was fascinating. Right from the off he knew that the UNIT members were not of his time and had seen things he couldn't really comprehend. They were from so far and long away. Finding out that he was actually Nostradamus was incredible and that really was a big revelation for me as I hadn't read the cast list. It was tremendous. Osgood suggesting that his ability to see things potentially being derived from the Arches and the gateways was a fun concept and I love how basically everything has an answer in Doctor Who. It really is uncanny. The hunt for Lorraine was good and I really do admire how far Kate will go to save somebody. This was an extensive and dangerous mission but she was unwavering in her determination to bring her home and free her of Missy's pull. The latter happened but Lorraine had to get shot to be free which wasn't exactly a win! She did manage to help in her final moments by telling Kate which Arch would be the one to get her to Missy, and I have a funny feeling that with his pretty serious injury here, Josh might not make it out alive. Missy has a habit of killing UNIT employees and I somehow don't see it stopping here! I also think it's an interesting setup moving into the finale as well to have Osgood and Jimmy going through a different Arch. I'm excited to hear how everything connects and for Missy to finally make her appearance. It has all the ingredients for a spectacular finale so fingers crosse it doesn't disappoint! Overall, another very decent episode to continue the series. It's nothing if not consistent! 

Rating: 8/10

Masters of Time: Traitor's Gate

"I can take him from the moment of birth to the moment of death."

Writer: Sarah Grochala

Format: Audio

Released: July 2023

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 4.02

Featuring: Kate, Osgood

Synopsis

Osgood is a prisoner in the Tower of London, which is now a Vulpreen base. To rescue her friend, Kate must devise a plan to raid her former headquarters. 

Inside the Tower, the Vulpreen are determined to access the Black Archive and the hugely dangerous alien technology it contains. How long can Osgood keep them out?

Verdict

Traitor's Gate was a great episode to continue my way through the Masters of Time fourth series of UNIT: Nemesis! This felt like an improvement on the opener but still had a feeling of filler with the wait for Missy's arrival continuing, but it was good filler nonetheless. I thought Osgood had a really strong outing here and despite being in the capture of the Vulpreen for six months as a prisoner by now, she was staying firm and strong. I love how she always uses her intelligence and it's no surprise that she has followed in the Doctor's footsteps in becoming Scientific Advisor to UNIT. Hell, by publication date she's head of the Black Archive and that's quite fun given her proximity to it here. Sorgan was a decent character and it was nice to put another name to a member of the Vulpreen, but he wasn't quite as domineering in his presence as Lord Varliss. The way things developed between those two was strong though as Sorgan wasn't exactly impressing in his service considering he had been inside the Black Archive with Osgood some fifty times over the course of ten days yet still believed she had just arrived! That was wonderful and Osgood keeping a straight performance each and every time was impressive. She knew what was happening and ensured that Sorgan just kept on forgetting. That obviously didn't go down well with Varliss and he made it known. He also told of how Sorgan's brother was execute for his own failure and Varliss was there when it happened. This was new information and it seems not all Vulpreen are in his service unto eternity. I thought it was good to suggest strife amongst the Vulpreen camp and I wonder if that is due to Missy's involvement as partner. I'm suggesting a lot here without much evidence but the Vulpreen come across as a race that won't take instructions and orders from a woman too kindly. She has provided them with the technology to have an arch field though which is helpful and I like the concept behind trying to make them genetically coded to just the Vulpreen. If it's only them that can travel from place to place instantaneously around a half time-frozen planet then they really would be unbeatable. It scarcely bares thinking about. I thought Ashley was a really strong character and I liked how he was one of UNIT's members impacted by the time control that the Vulpreen have. The level of that is pretty staggering and I don't think the scale of that has been demonstrated to the full extent yet. No wonder Missy is revelling in the shadows! Lorraine was a fun character too and it was clear she wasn't all she said she was when she was interacting with Kate. Osgood working out she was a traitor was excellent and again showcased her fine qualities. She really led this episode well. I thought the use of a time knife was good and allowed Kate to one up Varliss who was both impressed and shocked by her tenacity. The use of a raven as a cloaked communication device was certainly unique too but Osgood knew right away what it was. She got the knife out and now all roads lead to Missy. It's still a reunion I am very much anticipating but I hope we don't have to wait until the finale! Let's have an episode of Missy in full control. The hunt for Lorraine to fix her is good and they know it's a trap, but they've still got to follow. Overall, a great listen to continue the series!

Rating: 8/10

Masters of Time: One Way or Another

"Up until now, it's been prologue."

Writer: John Dorney

Format: Audio

Released: July 2023

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 4.01

Featuring: Kate, Osgood

Synopsis

Kate leads an attack on a Vulpreen prison camp, unaware that UNIT friends are being held there. As paths converge, Kate and Osgood have different perspectives on the attack and specific dangers to overcome.

Verdict

One Way or Another was a decent episode to kick off my listening of the Masters of Time fourth and final series of UNIT: Nemesis! After a very strong cliffhanger finish to conclude Time of the Vulpreen last time out, I can't help but feel like there was a feeling of being underwhelmed by this story. It wasn't bad by any stretch of the imagination and even when a little shorter at forty-five minutes or so it maintained its quality, but it just felt like filler. I don't think that is the best way to start a series, especially the final boxset of an epic saga! Even Kate herself with her narration mentions everything up until this point had been prologue before we move on into the boxset! That felt a tad disrespectful to the listener. Other than the line and reaction of Kate realising that Missy was now partnering with Varliss and not the Eleven, I don't feel like much advanced at all. It was still entertaining action and it was good to basically have two sets of UNIT operatives. They had been split up by everything that had happened with the Vulpreen in control of the planet and that was actually a situation that seemed to have been in place for six months or so now. That's a considerable amount of time! But the Vulpreen with the aid of Missy were in control. The concept behind the super arches was decent and I like how only one was needed at the origin of the journey intend and not the destination, but it was the use of freezing time here that was really exciting. I am very much looking forward to that being utilised moving forward. We've already seen it on screen with Missy in Dark Water and now she's here to cause chaos once again. I really do think given how much she was referenced that she should have featured in this episode, but I guess it does just keep me full of anticipation for her impending arrival. It's going to be a delicious reunion with Kate and Osgood. I thought it was nice to have Harry and Naomi feature a little more in this episode as I think they've been somewhat underutilised in this spinoff range and I'm not entirely sure why! They have a lot to offer as former companions of the Doctor but it just feels like they're relegated to the backbenches for some reason. Granted I'm not quite listening to Naomi's stories in release order, but a recent Seventh Doctor sale at Big Finish will see me catch up somewhat! I still don't know too much about her and that feels a shame as a companion now at UNIT. The way the story ended with a bomb going off was pretty explosive but it never felt possible that any of the UNIT regulars would actually perish. Varliss didn't quite have the same authoritative feeling and that might be testament to Kate for knocking him down a peg. Information was gathered and all sights look set to be headed for the Black Archive which is exciting because pretty much anything could be there and that means almost anything can happen! Kate seems angry and that's rather dangerous as we move forward with the series. Overall, a good little start but now I'm keen to get stuck into business.   

Rating: 7/10

The Decayed Master Part One

"You're not daddy, you're a monster!"

Writers: Lauren Mooney & Stewart Pringle

Format: Audio

Released: July 2026

Series: Dark Gallifrey 6.01

Featuring: The Master

Synopsis

Christimas 1896 at the beautiful and secluded Longmoss House. Diana Blount has lived here all her life – but since her father died, Longmoss has lost its magic. 

Now the money's running out, and Mother says Diana must prepare to marry. This will be her last Christmas at Longmoss, running wild with visiting cousin Charlotte and evading the watchful eye of the one remaining servant, matriarchal housemaid Niamh, 

Then one day, in the shut-up East Wing, Charlotte and Diana's games and ghost stories begin to get out of hand. The veil is thin at Longmoss, and something is trying to get through – something with a Master to serve.

Verdict

The Decayed Master started in fine fashion with this really intriguing and quite delicious opening part! This is definitely the right way to go about things and felt like a big world building exercise for what is to come in the next two parts that will complete this adventure. That works perfectly with the Master as he loves a long game and despite being in a decayed state here in his final incarnation, he still has enormous patience and that usually makes the payoff all the sweeter. He didn't feature much at all in this part but his presence was alluded to just enough to remind us that he will be coming. Just knowing the story is what it is was sufficient as everything that was happening at Longmoss felt like the Master was ripe to take advantage. I thought the relationship between Diana and Charlotte was really nice and that familial bond was nice to experience even if they weren't wholly familiar with one another thanks to the distance they were apart. The Victorian era was captured really well as they discussed arranged marriages and the money that came with having a husband, but these two women were somewhat progressive and modern in not just blindly accepting that. The idea of marriage at seventeen didn't exactly seem exciting! Even if Mother had gotten married herself when she was just eighteen. It really is a whole different time. I thought Longmoss House itself was really good and I just like the image that comes from a family home in the Victorian era. It feels big and somehow I can just picture the family in their traditional Victorian attire. That gives the story a historic feel and definitely brings the atmosphere to life. I mean, the arrival of the Master at the cliffhanger also instantly makes things darker and I just love the idea of him being on the hunt. Niamh as a housemaid eventually revealing she was so much more was excellent and I love that she's a Time Lord on the run from the Master. She's actually called Naada and I can't wait to learn more about her and why precisely the Master desires capturing her so much. The concept of the skiproads is also intriguing as I do enjoy the potential of tears in time and reality. Naada coming through made a very slight and easily controlled tear, but the Master followed her through without any similar kind of care and gentleness. That feels like it's going to play a bigger role moving forward and I'm very excited to hear it. I do expect to hear more of the Master himself now moving forward and the prospect of him being on the hunt in this incarnation is exciting and potentially something that could be literal! Who knows how much of a desperate state he is in at this point in this incarnation? The East Wing being home to time disruption was also good and Naada warning about that in her housemaid guise was great. She was really protective and I liked that. Even being on the run and hiding in the Victorian era, she was still trying to do good and ensure safety. It was her job after all so it's nice that she was taking it seriously I like the tension that built to the cliffhanger and the Master emerging to find Naada which is a lovely setup for the next part. I can't wait to hear where things move from here as the story moves into its next chapter! Overall, a fine start to the story and a great listen! 

Rating: 8/10

London, 1965

"It's like an orgy!"

Writer: Paul Magrs

Format: Audio

Released: January 2022

Series: Beyond the Doctor 03

Featuring: Ian, Barbara

Synopsis

It's Spring 1965, and at last two time travellers have returned home after many adventures with the Doctor. Yet the world has moved on in their absence, and settling back in proves harder than expected. 

For Barbara, salvation appears in the form of kindly Angela Leamann, who offers Miss Wright a roof over her head in return for a series of 'psychical sessions'. 

Ian, meanwhile, discovers a hidden talent and joins London's growing literary science fiction scene. He sees no harm in drawing upon his experiences with the Doctor – even when his ideas are picked up by a bigshot in television. 

Unsuspectingly, the ex-schoolteachers are being drawn into an invisible web...

Verdict

London, 1965 was an excellent story to continue my way through the Beyond the Doctor miniseries from BBC Audio! This has been one I have been dying to listen to ever since it was released. The title is obviously a play on that triumphant moment at the end of The Chase when Ian and Barbara used the Dalek time machine to return somewhat home, and this does a really a good job in picking up the pieces and following them as they try and settle back into normal life after nearly two years away and thought missing. That really is difficult to try and comprehend as imagine just trying to reintegrate yourself into society and not really being able to explain where you have been and what you have experienced for two years! Was it maybe even longer for them? Who knows how long in their own personal timeline that they were on board the TARDIS. The title is also a fun nod to a Twitch marathon of Classic Who back in 2018 where it became something of a social media meme for quite a while. I think that's good fun and I just love the idea of people binging this show for the first time truly from the very start. Ian and Barbara are rare companions from the black and white era where not too much of their run is marred by missing episodes. So you do basically get a complete run of their experience in then TARDIS and they're the first true companions so their departure should be a huge moment. It's also important to remember that despite them becoming good friends with the Doctor and Susan, and then Vicki, they didn't choose to travel the universe. Even though she was under Leamann's spell when she said, Barbara's remark about being kidnapped by the Doctor was incredible! There really isn't any arguing with that though. Just go and watch An Unearthly Child for confirmation! I really like the simplicity of the title too as whilst there's no exclamation mark that Ian says the line with as they return, this story is basically Ian and Barbara living their life soon after in London, 1965. I think that just works brilliantly and is good fun. The idea of them becoming distant after everything they experienced together just feels impossible but Leamann was good in her role. She was tapping into things with Barbara and the idea of her adventures in the TARDIS actually being past lives was a wonderful concept. A fun allusion was made to The Aztecs and her being a goddess whilst her uncanny recollection of the French Revolution was a lovely nod to The Reign of Terror. I really enjoyed how Leamann and even Harmer with Ian were trying to tap into their TARDIS trips for information about the Doctor. That followed up Bessie Come Home rather nicely and the mention of Penumbra was intriguing because I have looked ahead and know the title of the final release in the series. I'm enjoying that continuity already and look forward to hearing it develop further. It's working for me at the moment. I wasn't expecting the resolution being linked to The Web Planet and thanking the Animus with them being in the mind of Barbara and leaving untapped psychic powers within, but they came to great use here! Ian was right, his experiences over the last two years or so would certainly make a tremendous television show. The idea of him writing scripts was lovely and I was surprised Barbara was at odds with him over that. Hell, his scripts might even have potential for numerous spinoffs across who knows how many different formats. Overall, a fantastic episode! 

Harmer with Ian

Rating: 9/10

The Warren Legacy

"They turn up periodically and try to kill my family."

Writer: Julian Richards

Format: Audio

Released: September 2018

Series: Short Trips: Rarities 3.04

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Romana I

Synopsis

On a dark and stormy night, the Governor of a colony has some mysterious visitors. The Quell can make a particular problem go away, and all they ask in return is something that didn't exist in the first place. 

On a dark and stormy night, Lord Samuel Warren has some mysterious visitors. The Doctor and Romana can make a particular problem go away. 

That's if the Quell doesn't kill them all first...

Verdict

The Warren Legacy was a great audio adventure! These hidden gems that are the Rarities within the Short Trips range continue to be of high quality and this was another terrific listen. The thirty-five minutes were an absolute breeze to get through and I think a large part of that is down to the narration/performance of Stephen Critchlow. He was absolutely tremendous with his impression of the Fourth Doctor being particularly good. He nailed the mannerisms and intonations that make this incarnation instantly recognisable and it's just great to have something that feels authentic without the indomitable presence of Tom Baker. This works really well and whilst the concept doesn't feel unique, it's nice to do it in a slightly different way with different characters. Getting to blog a story with the first incarnation of Romana feels something of a rarity in itself to me personally as I really couldn't tell you when the last time I covered a story in which she was present. She's not my favourite incarnation of Romana by any means but it was nice to revisit her here. It's been a long time as I say! The description of her famed white coat was really good in capturing the scene. The span of this episode was really good as well as we covered the Warren family all the way from Medieval period up to some of their members being on a colony world! That is a considerable number of generations for the story and history surrounding the Quell and how the family were saved by the Doctor and Romana was passed down to be told through! So I guess it's testament to the trust that was put in each family member who passed it down their family tree. I think that's really nice and I kind of wish I had something like that in my family. The closest we probably have is a photo album now in my own possession that was started when I was born by my wonderful Nan who kept it prominently in her home before moving out recently as maintenance got a bit too much. The Quell felt a little bit like the Trickster in Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? in how they came and offered something to ensure that history was changed. This was similar in that Lord Warren wanted the thorn in his side for all of his life to have never existed. The only thing the Quell wanted in return was his first born. That seemed like a good deal considering that didn't yet exist and it seemed Warren made plans right there to end the family legacy. If the first born would be taken then it was just easy to be selfish and disregard the family past and future for your own benefit. I thought the way the older Warren knew all along that the Doctor and Romana were the very article from their family story was great and made them both seem a little silly as they listened to what they ought to have already known and experienced. Except time doesn't quite work like that! That worked out really well and concluded things neatly as the Quell were, pardon the pun, quelled. Samuel Warren might see out the family line after all. Overall, a great episode! 

Rating: 8/10

Adversary of the Daleks

"You have no idea what I'm running from."

Writers: Dulce Montoya & Dan Watters

Format: Comic Strip

Released: July 2026

Printed in: Circuit Breaker #1

Featuring: Fugitive Doctor

Synopsis

The Doctor is sent across time and space into her deadliest conflict yet – her first encounter with the Daleks!

The Doctor arrives in Thessaloniki in Ancient Greece where she discovers that even the gods fear strange visitors from across the universe.

Verdict

Adversary of the Daleks was an excellent comic strip to really kick off the main meal offerings that make up the Circuit Breaker multimedia event! This is actually a pretty monumental comic story because it depicts the earliest chronological meeting between the Doctor and the Daleks. That feels like a ludicrous statement but it's true! It's part of the whole basis behind the entire story arc with the Fugitive Doctor being the earliest known incarnation so she's the most likely to not have interacted with the strange and mysterious artefacts that need returning to their own time. The throwbacks to Calling the Doctor were good but I thought the comic strip did an impressive job in setting the scene for any readers who hadn't yet found their way to the UNIT website for the first story in the event. It's pretty simple but it just works. It's also really good to expand upon the character and personality of the Fugitive Doctor and she definitely isn't quite the version we would know. That was touched upon very nicely by both Osgood and Andrew as she didn't match the files at all. I was intrigued with how open they were to the Doctor herself about that because they were basically telling her what she was like in the future. I feel like we may have some early character development over the course of this event by the time we get to the Big Finish conclusions. That's my prediction and it feels very exciting. The concept of the Doctor not knowing the Daleks feels almost incomprehensible at this point in fandom but if the Fugitive Doctor truly does predate the First Doctor then the events of The Daleks are yet to come. So here she is encountering them for the first time which is brilliant. The silhouette of her encountering the Dalek in the Greek setting was wonderful. I thought the design of the red Dalek here was also magnificent and definitely felt retro which fits with the implied setting and timeline. I must say, I was reading this comic strip as a Kindle version because my local Forbidden Planet didn't have the physical version in stock and I just couldn't wait! Maybe being a digital version made this all the better, but I thought the artwork was absolutely astounding here. It was so vibrant and the colour just shone off the page. The new design variant for the Fugitive Doctor's costume is also wonderful and she just suits the comic strip format perfectly! I thought the Mitikili were quite fun as the alien race impersonating gods but they were just there as refugees from the Daleks. The Doctor making them apologise was a bit of a shock and a stark reminder of how different this incarnation is. She isn't the buttered up version Osgood and Andrew knew about and she was keen to imprint that on them. Osgood's reaction of shock that the Doctor yelled at the Greeks after witnessing a genocide was powerful stuff but I actually sided with the Doctor here. It really wasn't her fault and if they just followed instructions the whole trojan Dalek might have worked! That was a terrific image. The Doctor disposing of the Dalek exterminator arm was good in returning that somewhere close to the right time and species, and there's certainly tension in the air amongst her and the Black Archive staff. Continuing to explore that going forward is exciting stuff. Overall, a brilliant read! 

Rating: 9/10

Fixers: Much Ado About Racing

"Heartbreak sustains me."

Writer: Fio Tretheway

Format: Audio

Released: July 2026

Series: Seventh Doctor Adventures 9.03

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Ray

Synopsis

When the TARDIS arrives at the start of the Intergalactic Championship Rally, the Doctor and Ray are caught between two rival racers. And for Ray, long-buried feelings resurface. Something is at work here: something feeding on heartache and regret. And love among the race-crafts isn't all that's at stake...

Verdict

Much Ado About Nothing was a great episode to conclude the Fixers series of Seventh Doctor Adventures! This was a really intriguing and unique story which I was glad about and despite the obvious Enlightenment vibes, this really did feel different. I don't think it was perhaps the best idea for the audio format, but I certainly appreciated the sound effects that came with this episode. They were considerably different to pretty much anything we've come across from Big Finish before which was good and certainly felt refreshing for the audio format. It was good stuff and the pace was rattling along. That's a good thing because things did feel lighthearted somewhat when it came to the Intergalactic Championship Rally which is ironic given the parasite that was literally at the heart of the story. It was basically there right from the start which was good and it had consumed Ray's mental thoughts to such an extent that she thought the voices in her head were just her own. She was going through a lot emotionally in this episode which I thought was really strong. I don't think it's any secret that Delta and the Bannermen was a pretty camp serial and Ray fits in perfectly there, so to have her questioning her sexuality was unexpected. It was a bit of a shock to her too which was really powerful stuff as she started to realise she might actually like girls that way. I was kind of glad that she had that conversation with herself and not the Doctor as it was important that she came to her own internal conclusion. The actual setting of the Rally was fun and the history between Boots and Mercury added a whole other level to the dynamic of competition. Ray being told to rile up tension amongst them with their past love was good and even shocked the Doctor. I wasn't overly sure about his insistence on keeping a fixed point in time intact and honestly that element got forgotten about! I didn't even consider it until the Doctor's line at the end. It just wasn't the focus and it shouldn't have been so no issues there. I liked how it was a female-centric story focused on love. So inserting a parasite that fed on heartbreak was brutal. It's an intriguing concept and I'm surprised it hasn't happened more. It worked really well in manipulating events to cause more hurt and the race between Boots and Mercury was perfect for that. Those two realising each other was more important than victory was really nice as when one was in peril, the other wasn't interested in victory. Not dying was also a bit more important than victory which was good to make clear. I thought it was great how love came together to provide the impetus defeat and it was always going to be that way, but sometimes predictable is the way to go and the way it should be. Ray reflecting on things at the end was a really nice touch and I thoroughly enjoyed her own personal growth and reflections. It's important and was some excellent character building for a companion who I hope will be sticking around for a long time to come. Overall, a great episode to conclude a very solid series! 

Rating: 8/10

Fixers: Oil and Water

"I wouldn't enslave a species for profit."

Writer: James McDermott

Format: Audio

Released: July 2026

Series: Seventh Doctor Adventures 9.02

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Ray

Synopsis

Visiting the Norfolk coast, the Doctor and Ray discover something very wrong with Blakeney's seals: they're bloated, mutated, and killing people! With grieving boater Anne, they investigate the cause... Is there something in the water? What does it want with the sea life? And what are its plans for humanity?

Verdict

Oil and Water was another great episode to continue my way through the Fixers series of Seventh Doctor Adventures! I'm really liking Ray and we got what seems like it's going to be the customary reference to Delta and the Bannermen which is terrific because it's a reminder of just how long now she has known the Doctor. And this Doctor in particular. She clearly made a big impression over the course of that serial's events, so much so that now at a late stage in this incarnation's life he's reunited with her. I'd still love to know how that came to be but that's a story for another day. It felt slightly odd that this incarnation would even have access to a sonic screwdriver as didn't see that on screen other than The Movie, but it's good continuity in keeping with the lateness of this incarnation's timeline. Ray wanting an adventure holiday was nice but often in the TARDIS the companion doesn't exactly get what they asked for! The Doctor claimed that his days of manipulation were over which actually feels like a pretty significant step, but he was still on hand to help where he was needed. Even Ra could smell trouble upon their arrival in Norfolk. That setting was good as it wasn't the typical London that is overused, and it was a nice shift to go into the late-2020s. We're basically living in that time period now which sounds horrible to say because that should be very much in the future! It was quite a few decades into Ray's future though which was a fun dynamic and hearing her try and navigate a conversation about the internet was good fun. I thought the environmental theme here was strong in having seals melded with litter and rubbish. That painted quite the picture but I was glad that there was also an alien involvement. The Fuel is a fantastic name for a villain in this kind of adventure and they were basically possessing the seal population. One of them had dragged Anne's wife below the surface and that obviously sent her into a severe state of grief. She was far from acting with a sound mind and the moment that she just ran one over in revenge was quite extraordinary. I can't say I blame her but the Doctor was outraged. A life for life is never the answer and I certainly understood that perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed Sylvester McCoy's performance here as he played it with genuine emotion on numerous occasions. That was really good and I don't think I've made it a secret that he would have to rank as my least favourite incarnation, but crikey Ray is bursting a whole new lease of life into him. I'm really enjoying this pairing and I'm glad that it will continue for at least one more episode yet! The threat that came from the Fuel's plan to use the literal fuel provided and it being within so much now as a means of oil and igniting that all at once was instantly a planetary wide threat of the most epic proportion. I didn't see that coming and perhaps touching upon that a little earlier would have been beneficial. It was still really good and solidified Ivy Boil as a bitchy villain. Again, if she was around longer I think that would have helped things even more. Ray being on hand to time things right with her own ignition and the help of Anne to bring things full circle was really good in the conclusion, even if there were still a lot of dead bodies and people to explain. It certainly wouldn't be good for business! Overall, a really good episode to continue the series! 

Rating: 8/10

Fixers: The Executor

"A whole TARDIS-full of memories."

Writer: Chris Chapman

Format: Audio

Released: July 2026

Series: Seventh Doctor Adventures 9.01

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Ray

Synopsis

In a muddy field stands an old stone dovecot. Only it's a TARDIS – with a recently deceased owner. The Doctor is named Executor of the Last Will and Testament of an old friend – Pegroninagall, 'Peg'. He has a monumental task: clearing her TARDIS of keepsakes and mementos. But this Ship may also contain whatever killed Peg...

Verdict

The Executor was an excellent episode to kick off my listening of the Fixers series of Seventh Doctor Adventures! This was a really intriguing concept and I'm amazed it's not one that has been done before. I work in finance and AML so I deal with trusts on a semi-regular basis, so hearing the word executor was not exactly what I expected after finishing my shift and giving this a listen! I hadn't read the synopsis so I was anticipating the title was meaning in the form of death. But alas it wasn't! I liked that we seem to be continuing the pairing established in The Krillitane Relic with the Seventh Doctor travelling with Ray, but I would like to get some sort of origin of how they reunited. As far as I'm aware, that hasn't happened yet across a Big Finish story so just how did the Seventh Doctor remember his friend from Delta and the Banner Men and see her join up for adventures? That has to be written one day, surely? I really like her and I might be biased because I'm also Welsh, but I think she also brings a refreshing dynamic to this incarnation of the Doctor. I don't want to say that Ace and Mel have been overdone but there are a huge number of stories with these companions, so to have a familiar face but as a new companion is a nice change. I'm a big fan. I thought it was terrific for Ray to mention her nan having a house in Llantwit Major that needed clearing out as that's not a village that gets too much recognition anywhere outside of the Welsh footballing circles! I thought the Doctor being an executor for a perished Time Lord was quite daunting but it was absolutely perfect for this incarnation. It just couldn't be anyone other than the Seventh Doctor! I thought hearing about his relationship and history with Peg was fascinating and Ray pushing on that was great. She was like all of us as the listener wanting to know anything about his past. She seemed to think that Peg might be his mother! I thought it sounded more like an old flame but that somehow feels alien for the Doctor. With her mentioning Susan, might she be her mother? I think it's right to keep things ambiguous but I can't help but speculate. I thought the mystery behind Peg's death was fantastic and hearing that she had five regenerations to go just a week ago was pretty bleak. What had she done in the last week to evoke death five times? Hearing about the Jyrock is probably the only reason this story doesn't achieve full marks. Their presentation wasn't appealing to me and just felt a tad childish which was a shame. It wasn't all that bad though considering that their appearances and dialogue was limited. That was the right move so we didn't get too much of their almost inaudible speech. I did though like the sundown as a weapon that Peg had stolen from them and it was clearly deadly! It was what caused Peg to die over and over across the week period and basically did what it said on the tin. I liked how the Jyrock were sent packing to the Vortex though in utilising the executor device that the Doctor and Ray were using to go through Peg's TARDIS and belongings. That was all neat and tidy and I liked the emotion that came from the ending as Peg got to say her goodbye. We met her in hologram form through the Type-50 TARDIS which was fun and her helping with her own death is fun irony! Overall, a fantastic beginning to the series! 

Rating: 9/10

Bessie Come Home

"You should have seen me in my prime."

Writer: Paul Magrs

Format: Audio

Released: August 2021

Series: Beyond the Doctor 02

Featuring: Bessie

Synopsis

It's been many years since a certain yellow Edwardian roadster was a key member of personnel at UNIT. As the Doctor's personal transport, Bessie was on the spot for many of his Earthbound adventures. Those were the glory days, when Bessie stood side by side with the Doctor, the Brigadier, Captain Yates, and a parade of plucky young assistants. 

Yet Bessie's remarkable life began decades earlier, at the dawn of a new century, and it has continued beyond the UNIT years. Indomitably she lives to tell the tale, and is only too keen to do so. Thankfully her new owner, kind Mr Foreman, has time enough to listen to her story.

But a serpent lurks in the shadows of the scrapyard. Someone else would like to acquire Bessie – seemingly at any price. After all, she holds a great deal of information about the Doctor...

Verdict

Bessie Come Home was a fascinating audio adventure! I have known about this release for quite some time and even after listening I still can’t quite believe that it exists. It’s utterly ludicrous and yet it somehow works. A sentient car? I mean if there was going to be one then the only answer was Bessie. She’s such a stalwart of the Third Doctor era but I couldn’t ever imagine having what is essentially a Companion Chroncile for her! It could only come from the mind of Paul Magrs. It’s a good deal of fun and I think that’s the perfect word to describe the adventure. I thought having Bessie now decommissioned and basically hidden and started anew as far as official records go was a little sad but I love the idea of her finding a new home with Mr Foreman. Him being the apparent grandson of the same I.M. Foreman who owned 76 Totter’s Yard was terrific and that somehow felt right. It was nice to mention how that once held all sorts of oddities including a humming police box. Bessie had clearly fostered a nice relationship with Mr Foreman and that was really good to explore. She was clear though in who her favourite owner was. Could it be anyone else other than the Doctor? I thought it was really intriguing to touch upon the car’s past and I particularly had a huge smile when that daffodil yellow coated paint was mentioned. That felt like a big moment and just defined the character. That yellow really is iconic. I’m still not entirely sure how Bessie was able to communicate but I think it’s better to keep that ambiguous. The idea of the car injecting thoughts so basically communicating telepathically seemed the only viable option considering she was a car! Bessie telling stories of her life with the Doctor and at UNIT was great and it basically went all I, TARDIS in the way she recalled nearly every televised story in which she featured! Touching upon the likes of Doctor Who and the Silurians to Terror of the Autons and then to Robot and Battlefield was really nice. A change of Doctor was obviously going to impact their relationship but I think she was more irked by Invasion of the Dinosaurs and the emergence of the Whomobile! Vehicular conflict anyone? It felt very real. It was really nice I thought when discussing her encounter with the Seventh Doctor that she was also delighted to be reunited with the Brigadier too. He has a soft spot in just about everyone’s heart and that really is lovely to acknowledge. I quite enjoyed the humour that came from her not having too fond memories of The Android Invasion too. She wasn’t all that well used! I thought the threat of Mr Hamer was intriguing and him wanting to pay up to £2.5m for Bessie because of her information on the Doctor was fascinating. Clearly there’s an overall arc going on here with the prospect of him capturing other companions for information, but what could a car really tell him? I liked how Foreman overheard the true plan though and wouldn’t part with the car. How could he? She was in her prime and she quite liked this owner. Bessie knew the dangers of she was transferred again here. Overall, a really interesting and quite barmy episode to go Beyond the Doctor. There really isn’t anything they won’t do!  

Rating: 8/10

The Horror at Bletchington Station

"An overinflated sense of self."

Writer: Chris Wing

Format: Audio

Released: September 2018

Series: Short Trips: Rarities 3.01

Featuring: First Doctor, Dodo

Synopsis

The Doctor and Dodo seek shelter from a heavy storm in a rural Victorian setting, but it's not the thunder and lightning that's caused nearby railway labourers to flee in terror. Something has been disturbed, something that should have been left alone. But is that really the reason the Doctor's so distracted?

Verdict

The Horror at Bletchington Station was an excellent Short Trips rarity! This was a delightful listen and filled in a gap between The Savages and The War Machines very nicely at a time before we had the ongoing new edition of the First Doctor Adventures. I do feel like that range has lost its way recently which is a bit of a shame but this is everything it should have been. Simple adventures for the First Doctor and Dodo. That pairing in of itself is something of a rarity so I liked how that fitted neatly into the range. This really is a superb thirty-four minutes spent. I must say how impressed I was with Stephen Critchlow as the narrator because as far as impressions go, I thought he pretty much nailed his take on the First Doctor and Dodo. Of course, as a man he isn't going to get all the tones and intonations for Dodo but the northern accent really did help it feel authentic. I thought the setting of the Victorian era worked really well and it really did feel like we were in the middle of the Industrial Revolution with the train tracks being laid. It really did just feel like a working class star and that's a huge compliment. The atmosphere was impressive in capturing the evening and a night at a Victorian public house lodgings was terrific. I wonder if Jago and Litefoot would sample a taste there in the future? I liked how there was a storm to set the scene but the weather was not the worst of things to come for the Doctor and Dodo, and the rest of then local population. The new train station had brought people from all over and for the public house that meant more footfall for trade. However, the fact that every workman without fail checked into a room the previous night obviously drew questions. I liked the threat of a mysterious creature and the locals seemingly thinking it closely resembled a bear sounded like a decent threat because I've always said natural ones are the most fearsome. An alien from outer space is difficult to relate to, but a wild bear? Yeah I'd be frightened and having my running shoes on for sure. So I can't blame all of the workers for seeking shelter. The Doctor and Dodo checking in for their own lodgings was good and I loved how the Doctor was very keen on supper. That felt like really good characterisation. I was really impressed with the writing for this incarnation as it felt very well suited to Season 3. He's gone through a lot by this point and the end is very much near so it was intriguing to hear him in reflective mood here as he remembered all of his companions up to this point. That was a touching moment and the prospect of him dematerialising almost feels impossible! It felt like a strong character moment for the First Doctor which I appreciated. Finding out that the true cause of problems for the Victorian rail workforce was a timeship that went faulty was not what I was expecting but I really liked the concept. It was unmanned which made wrapping things up a little easier and allowed the Doctor to send it back to the owner. I enjoy when the First Doctor gets some Time Lord vocabulary and just hearing him explain how it was sent to scout out the Vortex was fascinating. I really enjoyed that. Overall, a fantastic listen! 

Rating: 9/10

Grave Moon

"The body we buried just walked out of the woods."

Writer: Lizzie Hopley

Format: Audio

Released: June 2026

Series: Rutans vs Sontarans 1.03

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Peri, Eighth Doctor

Synopsis

The Doctor and Peri track a criminal imposter to a moon sanctuary of healing ponds, only to discover the lone Rutan the Doctor has previously met trapped in a self-made web of lies.

Experiments to rejoin the Host have forged a bond with grieving pond farmer, Ooland. As their mutual obsession tightens, so Ooland's ponds grow more polluted and their farm cut off from what is really happening on the moon: a full-on Rutan invasion.

As the Doctor and Peri strive to free Melmoth and Ooland from each other, another Doctor is at work close by – with far-reaching plans of his own for the lone Rutan.

Verdict

Grave Moon was an excellent episode to continue my way through the Rutans vs Sontarans series! This followed up then story already set in Betrayal at the House of Sontar and Rendition very nicely, although I must admit just how the Sixth Doctor had recollections of the latter is a little baffling given the alternate timeline of the Second Doctor there. Perhaps he got some notes during the events of The Two Doctors? Unfortunately the two Doctors present during the course of the events here don't get to meet, but it's a very intriguing scenario to have the Eighth Doctor sneaking around and posing as farmer John in the background at the scene of a past adventure. I am very excited for what the finale of this miniseries has in store and the plan of the Eighth Doctor because this is the second time now he's been checking in on Melmoth and a previous encounter. What could it all lead to? I'm excited to find out. The story on hand here was brilliant and the setting just worked. Healing powers in the water went so far as to explain how somebody thought dead continued to live on, but it all turned out to be the Rutans. I thought the concept behind the moon here actually being essentially a Rutan hospital for soldiers injured in their eternal war with the Sontarans was great. The coincidence of Melmoth ending up there was just too much and there had to be more to it and I liked how Peri realised that. She had a really strong showing as companion here which was wonderful to hear. It was also great fun for her to have a small interaction with the Eighth Doctor! If only she knew. I mean, she has experienced regeneration first hand in The Caves of Androzani so she could easily be persuaded and the scene in the TARDIS at the end seemed to indicate the Doctor knew exactly who he was but giving him a piece of his mind would have to wait for now. He would become him! Ooland was a lovely character and she was going through a lot here. Her relationship with Yarrin was not all it seemed and the extent to which she learned that was the case throughout the episode was quite heartbreaking. Peri clearly had a vendetta against the Rutans and the extent to which she was pushing that was quite a surprise, but the Doctor knew a pragmatic approach was required to ease her into the truth. Yarrin being Melmoth was no surprise but finding out that he had taken his form from the psychic connection he shared with Ooland and created the print from her memories was fascinating. When the other Rutan Host arrived, they thought that had massive weaponry potential. Invasion through the mind! In a purely war mindset, I could understand what they were seeing there. The emotion that came from Ooland perishing was obviously something that made Melmoth distraught. Ooland hadn't initially been accepting of Yarrin's true form but when the Inspectors were all revealed to be Rutans, she was firmly against the Host. She paid for that with her life. Melmoth is not only separated from the Host but now also from the one he seemed to love. The Eighth Doctor trying to console him there was strong and leads in nicely for the finale as we continue to explore the impact of one Rutan being separated. And it's been a long time given the span of this miniseries! Overall, another fantastic episode in the range. 

Rating: 9/10

War Room: Loyalties - Eye for an Eye

"It is good to see the old customs revived."

Writer: Matt Fitton

Format: Audio

Released: June 2026

Series: Gallifrey 15.04

Featuring: Narvin

Synopsis

Cardinal Ollistra must serve the will of Rassilon and see the Resistance destroyed. But the Resistance is already falling apart. 

With Leela and Rasmus missing, the General and Veklin are given a mission that neither relish. Loyalties will be tested, and vengeance will be held.

Verdict

Eye for an Eye was a decent episode to conclude the Loyalties fifteenth series overall and third instalment of Gallifrey's War Room. There wasn't anything inherently bad about this episode but despite some very strong ratings and a much welcomed level of consistency for this release, I can't help but feel slightly let down. I don't think Lalla Ward was utilised well at all and honestly I think it would have been more impactful if Romana didn't feature at all. Honestly, she pretty much may as well not have! This was not the finale I was expecting as it didn't feel like one at all, but the character development and evolution of Gallifreyan politics was much welcomed. I think Ollistra continuing her tirade was great and having two different incarnations of her at the same time was touched upon nicely for the first time in what felt like a lengthy period. Getting a cheeky mention of bigeneration in there was delicious continuity with the modern era and I really liked having it acknowledged as something of myth. That wasn't quite what Ollistra had achieved in having two of her around but it was good to expand on that ethos. I'm all for that. I thought the General stood out here as he didn't flatly follow the orders of Ollistra and it was good that he still had a conscience in not wanting to fire on the Resistance when they weren't in an attack formation. Vecklin was once again put through the emotional ringer and I liked the semblance of potential civil war that was seeded at the end as she was ready to move with him when he was. It's easy to forget that the Daleks are the true enemy in this Time War but their absence does feel a little strange. I'm not sure how you do such a lengthy and in-depth series on Gallifrey without the Daleks, but it just never felt like they were around or even posing any threat which is baffling! My thoughts here I realise are more about the overall boxset than this specific episode and that's because I've been waiting for the finale and giving things a chance. I don't think it was the right move to have none of Leela or Romana feature here and that's not a discourtesy to Narvin but they really are the stars of the show. I loved that Vecklin framed him for murder and that does seem to push our original trio back together in captivity which will be a fitting moment. I thought Cresta was excellent again here and her knowledge and technical knowhow came into fruition here very nicely. The idea of a virus that could seek out political enemies and even thoughts of dissent against Rassilon almost feels impossible, but in the Time War anything can happen and I feel like that has a lot of potential moving forward. I think more could have been made of it here but there's time for that with Rassilon in a whacky state to put it lightly. He has been a shining light of this particular boxset as everyone seeks to please him whilst he oozes an aura of petrification. Whilst I did enjoy this series, it does almost feel like we're still basically in the same position at the end as we were in the start. Four strong episodes exploring a great setting and time, but for the overall arc it feels very House of the Dragon season two in that the ending felt like we were just in the same situation as the beginning. But here's hoping it's not as lengthy a wait for the next boxset! A good listen regardless. 

Rating: 7/10

War Room: Loyalties - Hope

"Are your dead not allowed to know peace?"

Writer: Katharine Armitage

Format: Audio

Released: June 2026

Series: Gallifrey 15.03

Featuring: Romana II, Leela

Synopsis

Leela has a job to do, and she cannot do it alone, and so she enlists the most unlikely of allies for the task. Time is not on her side, and she must succeed, or else all of them are doomed.

Verdict

Hope was another very good episode to continue my way through the Loyalties fifteenth series and third instalment of Gallifrey's War Room. Things are slowly building and I'm impressed with how touchy the atmosphere is after now what is essentially three episodes of politics. Rassilon was eerily creepy here with his chessboard analogies to both Rasmus and Ollistra and he really is firmly focused on ascending as gods. That really is fascinating to see how deranged he has become despite being such a political and historical force for power. Ollistra isn't too bothered by that and I'm enjoying how she has hidden things from him with her position heading up the War Room. She's incredibly ruthless and definitely a control freak. Rasmus obtaining the Great Key to access the Matrix was really good and I liked the threat that came from the Cloister Wraiths. They're an intriguing element on Gallifrey and I thought they were presented just as eerily here as they were in Hell Bent. For Leela, it must have been very difficult to see Eris again after his emotional death in Resistance and that played very well here. I thought the reunion between Leela and Romana was tremendous and there seemed to be genuine emotion there. It's lovely to hear how these two former Fourth Doctor companions have built such a bond and their connection amidst the Time War feels even stronger. Leela having a conversation with a younger version of Narvin was really good and I liked that she knew immediately he wasn't the true article. She could see in his eyes how young he was. Touching upon Narvin's regenerative cycle again was intriguing but this story was all about Leela and Romana for me. And then it turned out this wasn't the real Romana at all! I must admit that took me by surprise but I was impressed that Rasmus knew. He'd seen in the files but him having to keep it secret from Leela to let Ollistra's diabolical test run its course was almost an act of betrayal. Especially at the moment he shot Romana dead! The description and sound effects of her not regenerating but burning up into nothing was great stuff and Leela's reaction sold everything about it. She was horrified and rightly so as you would expect seeing your long time friend who had been incarcerated in a pocket dimension essentially shot, burst into flames, and killed into nothingness. Not the regeneration you would typically expect of a Time Lord in her second incarnation. I thought the audacity of Rasmus was impressive as if he was wrong, then Romana would still have had to regenerate! Imagine if he was incorrect. Ollistra's test of a flesh avatar within the Matrix was certainly audacious and it's no surprise that she was so concerned by hearing the reports of two figures being within, especially when she knew their identity. Rasmus touching upon his past with his daughter and their strained relationship was strong emotional stuff too! That was a dark reminder of everything the Time War has taken away from him too. Romana needing a way out remaining a problem for the finale gives us direction and I do hope we get a full use of Lalla Ward there as it feels like she's been slightly wasted or underutilised so far. Plenty of time to rectify that though! Overall, a great episode! 

Rating: 8/10