Fugitive in Time

"We need to find out how she survived."

Writer: Roland Moore

Format: Audio

Released: August 2019

Series: The Eighth Doctor: Time War 3.03

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Bliss

Synopsis

Returning a favour for Major Tamasan, the Doctor and Bliss accompany her to extract a dangerous fugitive from an isolated medieval world. 

Shonnath is the last of her kind and has her reasons to be wary of Time Lords. What's more, the Daleks are also on her trail – and when the Doctor and friends arrive, the enemy is already closer than they think.

Verdict

Fugitive in Time was a great episode to continue my way through the third Time War series of Eighth Doctor Adventures! I liked the follow on from The Famished Lands with the Doctor and Bliss returning a favour to Tamasan, but I must admit I am getting a little surprised by the number of incarnations we’re now meeting for her. It’s fine and actually quite fun in showing that the Time War is having a deadly effect, but it is a little difficult to follow on audio or become attached to a character. It’s no major issue though but certainly something to comment on. I thought it was good for the Doctor to once again reiterate that he had no part in the Time War but given everything that’s going on and his unique status on Gallifrey, he’s always going to play a role in some part. The Thellian setting worked well and I loved the story behind Shonnath. It was a fine example of what toll the Time War was having and the exploration of how she had survived an entire species deletion from time was very intriguing! She was obviously a desired asset on both sides of the Time War and I was fascinated by the Time Lords wanting her for protection. Not hers but their own. They feared the Daleks might try something to do with their genetics and actually hearing them appeal to Shonnath and relate their own genetic manipulation in history was brilliant. It was really intriguing to hear things play out and I love the differentiation in having the Doctor firmly believe that the Time Lords are still a force for good. He trusts them and knows they’re not anything close to being as bad as the Daleks. Of course, that will change by the end of his next incarnation but for now it’s really good to hear with the listener’s foreknowledge. The hunt for the genetic modifier worked well and whilst it was clear that Dransino wasn’t actually going to be the Dalek agent, the moment Vashko revealed himself in that role was still pretty good! Bliss wasn’t wholly surprised as the hint was there in the tapestry and his sudden shift in attitude three months previously. The real Vashko had been replaced with this Dalek duplicate. I liked the Daleks actually being involved in the story here as they sought the modifier and the cover artwork adoring the Time Strategist is just stunning. It must rank as one of my very favourite Dalek designs. It definitely helps with the visuals in my mind! Hearing the way that Shonnoth survived being erased from time was full of emotion as she revealed that she had to change her own genetic makeup. She’d lost her husband and child, but for the sake of her entire species she had to become something slightly different. She held the memory of an entire race which is almost unfathomable to think about! The Hexilara were almost gone so when she passed away it felt like a big and pretty sad moment. I liked that she did give the modifier to the Doctor though despite the Dalek plea. Vashko being exterminated was exactly what I expected to happen and I was delighted that it did. Nothing less should happen from the Daleks! The cliffhanger finish leading into the finale with the emergence of a confused Valeyard was really good and I can’t wait to hear where and when he fits into things! Overall, a really strong episode to continue an exciting series!

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