You Only Die Twice: Never the End Is

"The Devil always wins."

Writer: Ben Tedds

Format: Audio

Released: March 2024

Series: Twelfth Doctor Chronicles 3.02

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor

Synopsis

come to collect. Every day, pilgrims seek absolution at the Basilica of Mariazell. Like the painter who sees impossible things. Or the stranger who remembers people she's never met. Or the Time Agents trapped in the town that time forgot. 

But Christoph Haizmann will have no absolution. Once, he made a deal, and at last the Devil has

Verdict

Never the End Is was a strong story to continue my way through the You Only Die Twice third series of Twelfth Doctor Chronicles! There was a good continuation of the relationship between the Doctor and Kiera following on from the opener of Sunstrike, but I must admit whilst I like the continuity of having the Discordia actually get the upper hand at the end by not only taking over the Time Agency but becoming a new imperial version of it I'm not a fan of Kiera not being the real article. I'll be surprised if she actually is dead as was claimed for the cliffhanger finish, but it does explain why she wanted to obtain the keystone as much as she did in employing the Doctor. She was all part of the Discordia and they wanted access to the Paradox Armoury. It's a strong goal and I'm expecting something of an explosive finale! The religious themes on show in this episode were strong and I thought Christoph was a fantastic character. His artwork linked in nicely with the manifestations of the Devil, and I always find it amusing when people shape a story or even reality in way that suits their religious beliefs. Having the Doctor tackle the concept of the Devil is not something new as we saw in The Satan Pit, but I liked the difference and the way it was slightly less on the nose here. The comment at the end hoping for the Devil that he wouldn't have to meet the Doctor one day was tremendous. That puts the Doctor on quite the pedestal! I thought Jacob Dudman was in fine form once again here with his take on the Twelfth Doctor, and I'm liking that he doesn't seem as angry but there's still that familiar anger when he was referred to as a Time Agent and even as Kiera's intern. That was a fun reaction and I could just picture his face! The Basilica of Mariazell setting was strong and I think heading to Austria is pretty niche so I enjoyed that. I'm all for getting out of London and the UK as that's just too easy, especially on audio where there's no budgetary concerns. After reading the preview for this set in the latest Doctor Who Magazine, I was expecting something a little more timey-wimey and whilst what we got was fine, I didn't think this was that complicated to follow with the way some elements weren't in the correct order. Elinor's story was a good one and the fact she had become part of a loop in the same day for centuries was emotional and a big strain! Kiera could help her understand that she was actually a Time Agent but her mission was compromised and so she became her own defence. The way she thought her previous self was now dead was interesting and she didn't seem too bothered by her uncovered past. I liked the action that came in the conclusion, especially with a familiar line of the Doctor referring to himself as stupid when he realised that it wasn't just Christoph that had been seeing the visions of the Discordia. Elinor was also playing a part because of the extent of her day, but now after being on repeat her long old day was over. But things didn't stop there as the Time Agency are defeated and that sets us for a nice finale as the Doctor tries to find Kiera, infiltrate the Imperial Time Agency and save the day! Overall, a strong story. 

Rating: 8/10