The House of Kingdom

"Must you always leave things so close?"

Writer: Andrew Smith

Format: Audio

Released: April 2021

Series: Dalek Universe 1.03

Featuring: Tenth Doctor, Anya, Mark

Synopsis

The Doctor and his friends are trying to locate a scientist to help them on their quest... but an attack on a space-station alters their plans.

Rescued by Anya's grandfather, Merrick, and taken to Neptune, the Doctor and Mark discover her family history. A story of betrayal and loss.

Will the Kingdoms be reconciled? Or are they destined to continue the mistakes of the past?

Verdict

The House of Kingdom was a very good story to conclude the first volume of Dalek Universe stories! I find it ironic that given the title of the series we've had nothing more than a cameo appearance from the Daleks at the end of The Wrong Woman, but the SSS featuring heavily and now the Mechanoids joining the party here definitely gives us a feeling of the era of The Chase and The Daleks' Master Plan. It's also broadly in line with Daleks! which I really like and I just enjoy placing the Tenth Doctor in this era. He's bonding well with Anya and Mark and the trio are becoming quite a good little team! I like the absence of the TARDIS and the Doctor was certainly getting irritated of waiting around here. There were no shuttles so his efforts in taking the role of the Earth examiner was a lovely bit of continuity for him in this era. I was a huge fan of that and it was so simple but so good. The arrival of the Space Pirates was great and whilst I don't think they would be the same bunch that appeared in the titular Second Doctor serial, they were ravaging the place in a way that seemed to spread outrage like it was some sort of virus. It was deadly. Of course, the truth about that once Crane was introduced was horrifying. I enjoyed that the Doctor was welcomed by a Mechanoid and his pleasant reaction was delightful. I also loved how this one had been designated Archie based on his designation. Merrick being the one to save the Doctor and co was good and his relation as Anya's grandfather initially seemed favourable, but she was less than pleased as we learned some intriguing Kingdom family history. Merrick had supposedly let his daughter, Anya's mother, die after dissenting against a Dalek attack whilst doing nothing to stop it. The references to Brett and Sara as Anya's uncle and aunt were lovely and I liked how the Doctor wanted it known that they were a credit to the family for their valiant efforts. The search for time tech was fun but that soon got forgotten once the truth of the virus was out, as the Doctor learned that Merrick was experimenting in Varga venom, which seemed pretty daft. Anya mocking him for only collecting specimens rather than fighting during the Dalek Wars seemed a little harsh, but the resentment was clear to hear. Crane and Merrick discussing their true plans and finding out that the mass murder at the hands of the Pirates was all Crane's doing was shocking and instantly made her a great villain! They knew the Varga guns worked now but this wasn't what Merrick wanted which was good and some saving grace for him at least. Crane leaving the Doctor and Mark to death by Mechanoids at the settlement was cold, and her calling for help for two survivors with the intention of leaving Anya after the crash was chilling. She had no remorse which made her brilliant. I was a big fan of her, and she met a fitting end after Merrick infected himself with the Varga venom unintentionally, but would ensure that Anya escaped whilst holding Crane down too. It wasn't quite the finale that had been built up after two excellent openers, but it was still a really strong audio and it felt more like the start of the next chapter. The cliffhanger finish with Mark Seven clearly being hacked or taken over and ominously removing the oxygen from the cabin leaves us with some good peril heading into the next boxset! Overall, a great listen!

Rating: 8/10