Comrades-in-Arms: A Mother's Love

"I'm done being a weapon."

Writer: Noga Flaishon

Format: Audio

Released: May 2023

Series: The War Doctor Begins 5.01

Featuring: War Doctor, Case

Synopsis

Responding to a distress call, the War Doctor arrives on Haven: a state-of-the-art Time Lord field hospital, operated by the highly advanced 'Medbay Operation Mainframe' - or M.O.M.

But the station has been compromised. M.O.M.'s secrets run deep, time is running out, and the War Doctor must renew some old alliances if everyone is to get out alive.

Verdict

A Mother's Love was a strong start to the Comrades-in-Arms fifth series of The War Doctor Begins! I'm really loving following the early adventures of the War Doctor and once again kudos must go to Jonathon Carley for an incredible impression of this incarnation. He really is incredible in the role and it's such a joy that even after twelve stunning performances from John Hurt in the role, life continues for this character in a big way. It really does still feel like we're getting started and that was clear when it was suggested by Runa that the Time War might be over soon. They must be winning at the very least? This is obviously just an audio format but I could almost feel that look of trepidation from the Doctor. Things were far from over. I'm usually wanting Daleks to feature in a Time War era story because it feels like it is a constant battle between them, but this was a really good example of showcasing how the conflict can be used as the backdrop for something else. A Time Lord medical facility fits perfectly there as they really would need somewhere to heal when constantly going to war against the Daleks! Veklin being the one that was requiring treatment was good because she's a very well known figure amongst the Time Lords in this Time War and she knew where she needed to go. Haven was a fine setting and I love the concept, but she was willing to go there fully in the knowledge of what it might do to Case. Her return was welcomed as she made a strong connection with the War Doctor in the first couple of series of this range and I like how her very being as an augmented Dalek weapon cyborg is something the Doctor blames himself for. That gives him an extra sense of responsibility for her fate which I liked and he wasn't going to leave her behind here despite what Veklin wanted. She was looking at the bigger picture and couldn't put her before winning the Time War, but the Doctor was having none of it. He would ensure she got out alive. I liked how she was able to interact with M.O.M. who was an intriguing mainframe for the medical bay. I think the use of artificial intelligence in the Time War is good and definitely something that would be utilised in the hope of gaining any kind of advantage. The concept here being that the problem for any would-be patient at the facility would be identified on arrival almost immediately was good and highlighted a good use of the tool. The Time Lords had rightly identified that something wasn't quite right with M.O.M. though and were sending a destruction TARDIS to wipe out the entire place! I was quite shocked to find that M.O.M. had actually put Runa's father into stasis whilst telling her he had gone to Gallifrey was a bit sad. I felt very sorry for her there and the Doctor just had it confirmed what he already thought regarding the AI. Runa trying to defend M.O.M. was understandable given their tenure together and to be fair she did know her better than anybody. But the Doctor and Case were able to convince her that she needed to reset the operative after this kind of malfunction. The primary objective of protecting Runa was taken way too far and literally, something that isn't much of a surprise when it comes to AI! That feels like the standard route these things go. I thought the Doctor wanting to take Case with him and her hoping he would offer the chance was a nice way to end things moving on with the series, and her Dalek connections are going to be interesting to explore! Overall, a great listen! 

Rating: 8/10