The Thousand Worlds

"You saved our planet once... but you're too late to save it again."

Writer: Nicholas Briggs 

Format: Audio

Released: December 2015

Series: Only the Monstrous 02

Featuring: War Doctor

Synopsis 

With the high ranking Time Lord Seratrix behind enemy lines, the Doctor finds himself assigned to a rescue mission. But any room for manoeuvre is severely restricted by an area of space known as the Null Zone.

Times have changed on Keska, and a countdown to destruction is beginning.

But who are the Taalyens and what is their part in the great and terrifying Dalek plan?

Verdict 

The Thousand Worlds was an excellent story and a superb continuation of the Only the Monstrous anthology of War Doctor adventures! It was an improvement on yesterday's beginning and I'm very intrigued to see how this chapter in the Time War will conclude tomorrow when I listen to this boxset's final instalment, but for now I thoroughly enjoyed this middle filling! I must admit I was quite surprised to hear quite an emotional Rejoice encounter her father after she was returned home from the Doctor's TARDIS by the Time Lords. It would appear that in this incarnation he wouldn't be having any companions just yet. We didn't hear a lot of her in her youth in this one but I certainly was not expecting her to feature rather heavily quite a few decades after her first meeting with the Doctor. It was a lovely moment when Rejoice revealed her identity and for a moment, the Doctor seemed rather gentle. Something quite rare for this incarnation. John Hurt gave an outstanding performance in this audio and he really has brought his part back to life. He's more than warranting his role as an incarnation of the Doctor. I love how he can just shift from being calm and normal to vengeful and monstrous. It's a great quality and it really helps sell how terrible this Time War has been. The plan of the Daleks was quite a frightening one and I liked the subtle reference to The Dalek Invasion of Earth with the Doctor remembering a familiarity to their plan. But this time, instead of drilling into the core of Earth and piloting that planet, as you can probably guess from the audio's title, they intended on doing something similar with a thousand worlds. That's some scale and it almost seems incomprehensible! Imagine what the Daleks could do with that kind of power. The Doctor thought he'd put a huge dent in their plans by using the time destructor against them in The Innocent, but here they were well and truly back on track. The thought of the Daleks having that kind of arsenal under their command is rather frightening. Would the Time Lords be able to stop them? I would probably argue that there would be no way possible. Despite the resources the Time Lords have at their disposal, how would they deal with a thousand planets attacking them? The concept of the Null Zone was a very good one and I really did like the idea of an area in space, and quite a large one at that, that time was not possible. Somehow the Daleks had taken a grasp of this area of space and it was now their time. Cardinal Ollistra was not doing much to please the Doctor, not that she was trying, but I loved how despite her best efforts the Doctor just kept on infuriating her! But despite her anger being caused by him, she couldn't deny that he was brilliant. Difficult to work with yes, but a remarkable man. Instead of joining the team she had tried to assemble with Veklin, Bennus and Arverton but the Doctor was having none of it. He would go behind enemy lines in seeking Seratrix but it would be on his own terms. The way he left Gallifrey once more was excellent. He just did it so brilliantly casually. That trio had quite the adventure themselves on Keska and I liked the change in dynamic on that planet with the Daleks now in control of the Citadel. The death of Arverton was quite an emotional moment, especially for Bennus, but there was no time to mourn. The Prime Dalek was an interesting choice of title and I did like the Doctor mocking the numerous titles they seem to have. Garv was a good character and I loved how the Doctor faces a very awkward moment when asked for his identity. He flat out disputes being recognised as the Doctor. Once Seratrix was found, surprisingly alongside the Daleks, it was a very uncomfortable embrace. It appeared like a mutiny for peace was sought after from both parties! That was unexpected I must say. Just what the Daleks were really up to I'm not sure, but I've got a hunch it doesn't involve peace. The cliffhanger finish was good and I really am intrigued to see what the launch was. Was Seratrix on the Daleks side? And just how would the Doctor stop it? I guess only time will tell. But for now, a fantastic story.

Rating: 9/10