Comrades-in-Arms: Berserker

"As long as it's killing, it won't stop moving."

Writer: Timothy X Atack

Format: Audio

Released: May 2023

Series: The War Doctor Begins 5.02

Featuring: War Doctor, Case

Synopsis 

Sunspire was devastated by the Daleks centuries ago. The last of its people are returning to seek out their heritage in an underground bunker, and save their species from extinction. Case and the War Doctor join the mission, posing as a Dalek-Killer and her squire. 

But the bunker has an occupant: a single Berserker Dalek, driven insane by four hundred years of solitude...

Verdict

Berserker was another great episode to continue my way through the Comrades-in-Arms fifth series of The War Doctor Begins! This did feel like a bit of a battle and I think that was needed at this point in the War Doctor's run. I liked how it was established by the man himself that even this early on his body was wearing a little thin and that said a lot about the extent and toll of the Time War. So much is happening and the Doctor is adjusting to becoming a warrior and it's having its effect that's for sure! I think it's good to highlight that and involving a Berserker Dalek is certainly going to be problematic. Especially when it's one that has been laying isolated for four centuries! I think the concept behind the Berserkers is good and it was made to feel quite horrifying here. It just feels messy and that's a very good thing. It shows how desperate the Daleks are in allowing the Berserkers to even exist because they are anything but pure. Hearing here how the one had literally scooped up the bodies of the attack force against it and utilised them as fuel was grotesque. especially with the Doctor walking through the liquefied and sludgy remains. That was quite the image. I thought Case was good here and posing as a Dalek-Killer gave me strong vibes of Abslom Daak. She doesn't look all that dissimilar to him and she has similar inclinations that makes me think he must have at least partially been the inspiration for her character. I thought exploring her makeup as being an augmented Dalek cyborg was strong but again there was that strong element of horror with the efforts to have her involved in the Berserker reassembly. She would become one with the manic Dalek and that was a frightening concept and not a good idea of an ending for her character! Some death, but the Berserker wasn't recognising her as death. That was a little strange and considering the title of the episode, I do think we could have seen the Berserker a bit more. I do appreciate that part of the fun though was the anticipation of where it was and the idea of a Dalek being mysterious is pretty scary. Yorkin was a strong character and I enjoyed his relationship with Case. His perishing was a powerful moment that showcased just how nothing and nobody is safe within the Time War. The whole setting of Sunspire was really good and I liked how Case was immediately protective of the people. She didn't want the Doctor thinking on a large scale and to be fair by the end he was prepared to sacrifice himself into pure energy with no hope of regeneration just to give the species a chance of survival. Pera was a very stubborn person which I liked and her position amongst her people was admirable. The Doctor teasing Case ever so subtly about her potentially having a love interest when describing what she didn't like about her and it being reminiscent of herself was a nice touch too and a small reminder that this is still the same man despite him no longer going by the Doctor name. I thought the ending was strong with Case now becoming at one with the Berserker but she got the upper hand and both sides of the conflict would be very interested in what she has become. Whose side will she be on as a weapon? Time Lord or Dalek? I guess only time will tell. Overall, a really good listen! 

Rating: 8/10