Grandfather Time: The Last of the Kaleds

"The old rules of space and time are being torn to shreds."

Writer: David Llewellyn 

Format: Audio

Released: March 2025

Series: Susan's War 3.01

Featuring: War Doctor, Susan

Synopsis

Using his deniable asset, Rasmus takes Susan along with the War Doctor to a mysterious enclave to seek an alliance. As Susan comes to terms with her grandfather's future persona, they uncover plots and counter-plots. Kaledon is a splinter of Skaro's own distant timeline – but some histories are inevitable.

Verdict

Last of the Kaleds was an excellent start to the Grandfather Time this series of Susan's War! I'm obviously yet to hear how this series ends but I really do hope this isn't the last of the spinoff range because it really is marvellous. It may go down as the best exploration of the Time War across the numerous ranges which is certainly saying something given the numerous Eighth and War Doctor series along with Gallifrey, but this really does stand out on its own and that's marvellous to be able to say. The episode title alone is enough to get me really excited for this one and it didn't disappoint. The concept of a breach into an alternative timeline that was isolated and had a world called Kaledon where some of the Kaleds fled Skaro prior to the Daleks being created. They saw the threat that was coming and the ultimate fate of their race on their home world so found a way off it. The Doctor reminiscing on Genesis of the Daleks where he encountered Kaleds was good stuff because as he saw there, the species weren't exactly scientifically advanced to the stage where they could perfect space travel. They didn't even have much knowledge of other worlds and races, but here they were. I thought the mystery surrounding the Mechanic was actually excellent and the Duke being the only one who could communicate with him immediately felt like a warning sign. I must admit I didn't see it coming that they were one and the same and he was suffering from a Dalek mutation that saw him slowly becoming the Mechanic. He had a plan that was devastating but actually probably not the bad for the wider universe! The concept of the decoys in the form of fake Daleks was very good and with them looking like Daleks but registering as Kaled in origin, they would be a very useful weapon against the Daleks for the Time Lords. And that's where Cardinal Rasmus came in with the Gallifreyan interest at hands. Sure, they wanted an alliance and were willing to grant Kaledon protection, but they were no charity. I thought Susan's relationship with the War Doctor here was brilliant and I'm enjoying the dynamic. The Doctor is clearly a veteran of the Time War by this point but his granddaughter being present is definitely bringing a softer side to this war-battered incarnation. It's almost refreshing. He wasn't even all that pushy about being referred to by name. It was a lovely moment for him to learn of some of Susan's diplomatic missions in the Time War and he was genuinely impressed by all she had done. It was good for him to realise that not everything was fighting on the front line. The Mechanic wanting to take on both the Time Lords and the Daleks was audacious to say the least, but the way he was favouring the latter side was never going to end well. Susan being on hand to distract while the Doctor changed the settings of their device to actually turn on themselves was very good. I thought it was impressive to round things out but even Rasmus was duped which is always fun. Susan was still there to help her grandfather which was rather lovely. Overall, a fascinating use of the Time War that almost felt like it was venturing into Unbound territory which is no bad thing. A fantastic listen! 

Rating: 9/10