The Reviled

"Always choose war."

Writer: Matt Fitton

Format: Audio

Released: November 2014

Series: Dark Eyes 3.02

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Liv

Synopsis

Above the jungle world of Ramosa, the Eminence war is raging. Sensing the growing threat, the native Ramossans have risen up against the human colonists in their midst and regained control of their planet. 

While Sally Armstrong negotiates on behalf of her silent partner, Narvin sends the Doctor and Liv Chenka to try and make a difference. But what is his true agenda? And can the Doctor really hope to save everyone on a world where humanity is despised?

Verdict

The Reviled was a strong and intriguing continuation of the third series of Dark Eyes within the ongoing Eighth Doctor Adventures! This was a little different than the episode I was expecting after the opener of The Death of Hope, but I liked how it subtly became more of a continuation within the wider series than it initially seemed. There wasn’t much of Narvin apart from bookending the episode which was a good move after how prominently he featured previously and the format of that story, and the Doctor was reunited with Liv Chenka again which was terrific. I’m a big fan of hers but I must admit I’m finding the whole jumping around nature of Dark Eyes so far to be slightly unsettling. I’m not concerned but it does feel a little strange to go from Liv to Molly to no companion to maybe even Sally filling that role. There’s a lot going on and just from a personal note I’d like a little more consistency. The Doctor asking after Molly was good though and I like that he’s concerned for her safety after seeing her alongside the Master. He didn’t feature too much in this episode but his presence was felt in a massive way when it came to the evacuation. The setting of Ramosa was excellent and the jungle atmosphere was presented in audio form really well. It certainly felt different and a little uncomfortable which really worked for it. It was a big positive and the native people of the planet would prove crucial as they were wanted by both the Time Lords and the Master but for very different reasons. I was stunned that the Time Lords were actually planning on poisoning the population and Liv was ever so close to providing the means. The Doctor taking the disguise off them was a shocking moment and the guilt in Narvin’s voice later in the episode was palpable. Even with a war looming and the nature of the CIA, I was surprised that they would resort to these means. The Master on the other hand was after the Ramosans as a means of experimentation with the retro-genitor particles and I’m intrigued to find out exactly what he’s up to. The way he kidnapped the entire rescue population by having his TARDIS materialised around and disguised as the actual ship was excellent. The communication between the Doctor and Liv regarding it as the latter was the sole occupant was tremendous. The Doctor had been one-upped! Listening to this episode after the Thirteenth Doctor era meant this was a fun little anecdote to hear Sacha Dhawan in the story. His character of Jaldam was strong and he was certainly passionate! I’m not sure if it’s just because I instantly recognised the voice but he was certainly a standout. I liked the role of Sally in the story and the Doctor referencing Sally Armstrong as someone he used to travel with from his previous incarnation was terrific. That was good continuity and seeing the soldier like similarities in the pair was good to highlight. The Eminence again felt like a big threat without actually appearing too much and when they do they really know how to shift the atmosphere! The recognition of the Doctor but his mind being closed off was good and I’m enjoying the build to what is inevitably a big confrontation coming with them and the Master. The significance of the dark eyes is still fascinating and their appearance as the exit happened was interesting. The Doctor deciding he’d had enough and threatening to destroy the Eminence before they were even created was a good cliffhanger and I’m really intrigued to hear where things follow from here! Overall, a great episode. 

Rating: 8/10