Planet of the Ogrons

"What's an Ogron doing in the TARDIS?"

Writer: Guy Adams

Format: Audio

Released: July 2018

Series: The Eighth Doctor: Time War 2.02

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Bliss

Synopsis

Avoiding the Time War, the Doctor and Bliss are found by an old acquaintance: the latest incarnation of a criminal mastermind the Doctor knows of old. But unlike her predecessors, the Twelve has a handle on her previous selves' unruly minds. 

There is a mystery to solve involving the Doctor's TARDIS and its unusual occupant – and answers will be found on the Planet of the Ogrons.

Verdict

Planet of the Ogrons was an outstanding episode to continue way through the Time War adventures of the Eighth Doctor! This had all the ingredients to be a classic and it certainly didn't disappoint! Placing the Ogrons within the boundaries of the Time War is a fun concept, but there really was so much more going on. The pre-titles sequence alone was nothing short of extraordinary as we hear the Doctor's TARDIS materialise on Gallifrey and an Ogron step out! Now, that's pretty odd by itself but considering the fact this Ogron claimed to be the Doctor made it all the better! The artwork for this story is nothing short of sensational as we see the Doctor Ogron in all its glory. The attire and the cravat really do create quite the image and it was fun for the Eighth Doctor to think he needed to get rid of it. He'd grown out of clothing like that by now! I thought the nonchalant way in which the Twelve introduced herself to the Doctor was brilliant stuff and I'm fascinated by her. I've recently finished the Doom Coalition series of Eighth Doctor Adventures so I'm very familiar now with the Eleven and all other incarnations held within, so to meet the next one along is magnificent. I thought the regeneration making her an older woman is quite different to any of the previous eleven, and we got a good little glimpse at a few of them. The neural inhibitor giving the Twelve some control over her past selves is both intriguing and a shame. I was glad that she was able to tap into others when she needed them. It does make sense that within the Time War the Time Lords felt that the Twelve would be a good soldier given the multitude of villainous personalities within. A perfect candidate for war. The Doctor continuing his stance of not getting involved in the fight was terrific and it's going to be good to hear things build and if that will and can continue. I thought the Doctor's attitude towards potentially regenerating into an Ogron was amusing as he was pretty dismissive of the species. That was something Bliss didn't appreciate and I thought that was really nice. I liked how she took a shine to the Doctor Ogron and he was a rather fun character. Combining the energy of the Doctor with the simple and straightforward make up of the Ogrons made for a fine mix! His declaration of love for Bliss was a sweet moment as we tapped into the memory engrams of the Doctor. It's always nice to know how he feels about those he travels with. The Overseer was a fascinating new version of a Dalek and it's safe to say their experimentation in the Time War was unique! This was basically a Krillitane version of a Dalek with how it was an amalgamation of numerous races, and would be the source of the Doctor Ogron which was fun. It sounded devilish which was magnificent. I was a big fan but I knew it would end up exterminated by the end. Even Bliss knew it went against everything the Daleks held pure and couldn't last in power. I thought the use of Ogrons in the Time War was fun stuff and I was so intrigued by the prospect that it was only because of interference in their own timeline that the brutes featured in the events of Day of the Daleks and Frontier in Space. So the versions we have seen aren't the established history? That's awfully fun to consider. I liked the description of The Evil of the Daleks with the Overseer extrapolating factors on a huge scale was nicely done too. There were some strong moments of continuity for sure! The Doctor needing to head back to Gallifrey to retrieve the TARDIS was fun stuff and I'm surprised that we didn't get an evil turn from the Twelve. I do hope that is coming in the next few episodes! She can't really be good now, can she? Even as an agent of the High Council?  The Doctor Ogron being exterminated was expected as soon as the Daleks arrived, but what wasn't was the regeneration! That was good fun and meant the base could be dealt with once and for all. A fitting finale. Overall, an incredible episode! 

Rating: 10/10