Lost in Translation: Gallifrey

"I'm about to watch my best friend die."

Writers: Guy Adams & AK Benedict

Format: Audio

Released: September 2020

Series: New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield 6.04

Featuring: Unbound Doctor, Benny

Synopsis

The Doctor has come home. But he doesn't belong here. And Bernice thinks there's something very wrong with Gallifrey.

Verdict

Gallifrey was an excellent episode to conclude the Lost in Translation sixth series of the New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield! After a strong gradual build over the course of the series to send the Unbound Doctor to Gallifrey, this was a fascinating tale. The Time Lords were far from happy to see this version of the Doctor and they almost spat in the face of Benny when she referred to him as the Doctor. They only saw him as the Abomination which was rather harsh, but it soon made sense when we learned that Gallifrey wasn't quite itself. I'm not entirely sure where this episode fits in terms of the continuity with the Gallifrey spinoff series, but I would assume it would be very early on. Maybe even prior to the first series! It was lovely to hear from Narvin again but he was a little more callous and egotistical than the version we saw accompany Romana II and Leela across an ever changing Gallifrey. It didn't make it any less interesting though! It was a really fascinating listen. I loved that Narvin was the prosecutor coming forward against the Doctor and it was quite fun for Benny to be appointed as the defence for her best friend. She wasn't entirely thrilled with that at the start, but instead of using the four hours recess given to prepare her case to say her goodbyes, she actually went ahead and would provide a legal argument! I mean, the whole trial was a little odd considering it was there purely to prove the existence of the Abomination. I mean, he was right there. What was there to defend? That came into play nicely at the end though when the Doctor's execution by dispersal chamber had been carried out. Benny had found a backdoor though which was very amusing and lovely to hear. The image of the Doctor getting comfortable under the bed when she went to greet him after his sentence was carried out was hilarious! What were his plans for escape? We'll never know, but it was brilliant for Benny to play into the fact that by Gallifreyan law this Doctor was dead. And you couldn't prosecute or execute a dead man! She shone there which is absolutely right given this is her spinoff series. I was so impressed with her in this episode and it's no surprise she has such an expanded run across numerous forms of media. I've so much to catch up on but I love filling in some gaps here. I thought the Doctor being blamed for what was happening on Gallifrey was really good and logical, but the truth being the Now was terrific. It came around full circle in a great way with the Doctor hearing the Gallifreyan morse code being knocked to spell out 'now', but he found that message a little useless. His realisation at the end of the significance though was very good. I thought Benny witnessing the effects of the Now was rather horrifying as regeneration was actually fatal. That sounds rather contradictory! But the imagery of endless regeneration as the cycle was exhausted before literally bursting into flames was quite spectacular and frightening. The Doctor was rather stunned by this revelation, but not as much as he was by the actions of Narvin in defeating the Now. I thought Benny's plea to the Inquisitor about asking the Doctor for help against the true problem was tremendous and whether they liked it or not he would take up the task. He knew that to revert the Time Lords meant genocide towards the Now and that wasn't something he was going to do because of how much sacrifice was required. Narvin took no such qualms which was a considerable surprise and it really was shocking! The ego spook. The Doctor was disgusted and was quick to point out that he would not consider this version of Gallifrey as anything close to home. I'm intrigued to hear where this Doctor and Benny go forward from here, but it's exciting times! Overall, a fantastic ending to what has been a tremendous series! 

Rating: 9/10