World of Damnation

"Each personality prefers their own flavours."

Writer: Matt Fitton

Format: Audio

Released: April 2018

Series: Eighth Doctor Adventures: Ravenous 1.03

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Liv, Helen

Synopsis

Rykerzon is a maximum-security planetoid designed to hold the most dangerous criminals in the star system. The Governor plans to reform its inmates, with the help of the Kandyman. But two prisoners prove particularly troublesome: the alien fugitives known as the Eleven, and Miss Helen Sinclair. 

The Doctor and Liv have finally tracked down their friend – but are they too late?

Verdict

World of Damnation was an excellent episode to continue my way through the first volume of Ravenous as part of the ongoing Eighth Doctor Adventures! I have to start with the main event that is the incredible return of the Kandyman! I can’t quite believe that this has happened but I am absolutely all for it. I think it’s a clever move to alter his appearance from what we saw on screen in The Happiness Patrol, and the Doctor mentioning him being dabbed in a bit of sugar was terrific. I know a little bit about the Ravenous that is the umbrella title for this series of boxsets but I find the prospect of the creature coming from the Kandyman quite incredible! I love it for its audacity and I almost think this might have been ridiculed when it came out but I’ve only seen positive reviews about this series. I’ve still got the second part of the finale to come which I’m incredibly excited to hear but I’m just so thrilled by the return. I’ve been clamouring for a figure or figurine because it would just look stunning but I will absolutely take an audio return. I think it’s the right time for the Doctor and Liv to have found Helen now although the way in which we joined back up with her was a little unexpected. The relationship she had with the Eleven was not what I anticipated but it was an incredible insight into the efforts to cure regenerative dissonance. I thought it was intriguing that the last Time Lord to suffer the condition killed themselves in their eighth incarnation so for the Eleven to have made it this far was impressive! He was so calm and that was pretty chilling to hear as he was having a manipulative hold over Helen. I never once bought into the fact that he would be reformed or could even control his previous incarnations, so the reveal that he was the one the Kandyman was working for made for a stunning reveal. It sets things up very nicely as the Eleven emerged once again as a strong villain and I’m very interested to hear how Helen reacts. That is if this is Helen at all! I was very surprised by the cliffhanger finish as Liv was delighted to be reunited with the companion but the Doctor immediately had his doubts. He seems awfully confident that this isn’t Helen at all which I am fascinated by. What is he basing this on? I look forward to finding out! I’ve jumped ahead a little but I must say how impressed I was with the setting of Rykerzon. Liv utilising the fact it was in the same century as Kaldor was fun as she delved back into her med tech roots. That was nicely done. The idea of the prisoners being in charge of the prison was quite fun and the way they were treated by animals was rather uncomfortable but in the absolute best way. The Doctor being tested for his criminal tendencies along with his psychic capabilities was really strong stuff and I loved his efforts to trick the system because he refused to say anything that would see him not save those in danger or peril. The System wasn’t exactly fit for purpose but the Kandyman taking over the telecoms and anticipating the reunion with the Doctor was brilliant. His reaction to the reunion was excellent and I do hope we get more of them in the finale! Also, the little tease of the Ravenous in the psychic sequence was a nice touch too. Overall, a fantastic episode!

Rating: 9/10