Time War: Homecoming

"This is the final day of Gallifrey."

Writer: Matt Fitton

Format: Audio

Released: February 2021

Series: Gallifrey 12.04

Featuring: Romana II, Leela, Narvin

Synopsis 

Rassilon receives an ultimatum from an envoy of the Dalek Emperor while Leela and Narvin return with a dangerous strategy to end the Time War.

All roads to Gallifrey. For some, this is where the fight will end.

Verdict 

Homecoming was an outstanding conclusion to the fourth volume of Time War and twelfth series of Gallifrey overall! I thought this was a sublime finale and really tied up the last four series as a whole whilst pushing into the next batch of Gallifreyan Time War adventures. It was fun to start with Livia showing her concerns about Rassilon and why he wasn’t taking charge of the War effort. Rassilon listening in was good and I liked the twist of him appreciating that she had a backbone. The Lord President was concerned with other matters though as he was readying for ascension. It was consuming him and that made Rassilon extremely dangerous which I loved. Narvin and Leela communicating with Eris as they planned to explode the stealth battle TARDIS in the Untempered Schism was strong continuity as they attempted to destroy the Vortex once and for all and put an end the temporal aspect of the Time War. The Daleks getting to Gallifrey undetected was superb and getting confirmation from both sides like this was exactly what I had hoped for from this series. Rassilon wasn’t concerned though and I loved how he challenged them. He was almost goading them. Romana telling Rassilon to call the attack of at the behest of the Daleks was a fun way to bring her back into the fold and it was a little surprising that the Dalek Emperor and Time Strategist wanting to make an offer on terms of surrender! That was most unexpected but in all outcomes they wanted Rassilon exterminated. Of course, that was never going to be accepted! The moment where the Dalek Supreme questioned the Emperor on his display of mercy was sensational as the blasphemy resulted in instant extermination! Leela showing courage in going to the Dalek ship to save Romana was terrific, as was the way Rassilon tested Mantus and Livia by wanting them to prove their soldiering abilities and go to the front line. Gallifrey needed everyone it could get after all. Narvin saving them was unexpected but it was important as they revealed that the plan to destroy the Vortex was pointless. The Daleks had found time travel without use of the Vortex in the form of a null space drive and they needed the Eye of Harmony for power. They needed Gallifrey which was a fun contrast. Rassilon having a standard overwrite on all TARDISes was fun as he discussed Narvin and Romana’s return. Mantus making his sacrifice was admirable and I liked how our main characters were all offering themselves up to detonate the battle TARDIS bomb. The impatience of the Dalek Emperor was brilliant and I loved how the Technician defied orders and made the Emperor return to Skaro anyway after Narvin detonated the bomb and seemingly died! I wonder if he’ll have escaped but it didn’t appear so. Rassilon planning to archive Romana in her own pocket dimension was brutal but I loved that he challenged Leela to fight for the Time Lords if she wanted to protect her. She was taken to the War Room which sets us up nicely for the next series and I adored her retort to Rassilon about her coming for him after she’s killed all of the Daleks. I loved that line. Romana pondering on her situation was good and the conclusion of Rassilon scribing was excellent and someone from the Sisterhood joining and the General being there was brilliant. He seemed to have neglected the War Council up until now but it was time to crush and win the Time War. Overall, a superb episode! 

Rating: 10/10