Agents of the Vulpreen: Ten Minutes in Hell

"Everyone can be broken in time."

Writer: John Dorney

Format: Audio

Released: March 2022

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 2.04

Featuring: Kate, Osgood

Synopsis

On the alien world on the far side of the Arch, the Vulpreen put their human prisoner through an ordeal. Osgood must lead a desperate rescue attempt – and she's got ten minutes to do it.

Verdict

Ten Minutes in Hell was a strong episode to conclude a very consistent and good Agents of the Vulpreen second series of UNIT: Nemesis! It appears that the nemesis is very much at large following this boxset which inadvertently actually only went as far as worsening the situation facing UNIT surrounding the Vulpreen, Arch and the Eleven. It really is quite the predicament they've got themselves in and at the halfway point of the overall series, that's a fun place to be in. Things are looking tricky and the toll is starting to show, especially for Kate now after what she went through over the course of this episode! I thought the story did a very good job in really establishing Lord Varliss as a very strong villain. On the face of it, the Vulpreen do have something of a monster of the week vibe to them which could be better, but Varliss here was pretty brutal in his treatment of Kate and Worrall. Kate was obviously pushed through to the other side and her experience on the void world was far from a positive one. She was pushed almost to breaking point and I really admired how much she appreciated that eventually Varliss would break her with his brutality. That put her in a strong position but Varliss was far from fazed despite her confidence. She was brash which probably didn't work in her favour because she believed that he was desperate for information surrounding Earth's defences because the invasion had already started and needed to be successful, but time was in his favour. Rather literally. The whole concept behind the flow and state of time being different on the prison areas of the void world was incredible and was just downright evil! For the prisoners, barely any time passed at all and as if that wasn't bad enough, they didn't age either. An endless and immortal life of being a slave to the Vulpreen basically. It was regimented and extreme. Worrall not knowing what she was even being punished for was pretty emotional and I did like the connection she fostered with Kate. The head of UNIT was determined to bring a rallying cry to the Vulpreen punished against Varliss and she pretty much succeed which was lovely. It had taken months though and the rescue party of Osgood and Josh trying to work out just how long ten minutes was on the other side was admirable. The relief Kate had in seeing Osgood again showed just how much she had been through as she was close to breaking point. I thought Josh taking seniority was good and was definitely some strong character development for him at a point where he feels comfortable. Jimmy dealing with the Eleven was impressive and the Time Lord's reaction to hearing of UNIT's plan to destroy the Arch with a smart bomb was glorious. He found the whole thing hilarious because that would very much achieve the opposite effect. The cliffhanger finish with the Eleven revelling in what's happened and the Vulpreen actually being freed as the Arch absorbed and fed back the power of the bomb was excellent. They could see the stars again and that meant they were free. A very nice setup for things to come! Overall, a very good episode to conclude another great series. I'm loving this range!

Rating: 8/10

Agents of the Vulpreen: The War Factory

"His daughter's in charge of future UNIT!"

Writer: Lizzie Hopley

Format: Audio

Released: March 2022

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 2.03

Featuring: Kate, Osgood, Bambera

Synopsis

Temporal anomalies strike in the present and the past – 19th century infantry at Belmarsh Prison in the present day, and Brigadier Winifred Bambera is confronted by Tudor warships on the Thames in the late 20th century.

Enquiries by UNIT past and present lead them to the site of Woolwich Arsenal, where the Eleven is trying to create a bridge to another world. And UNIT will learn he's not the only one on the side of their alien adversaries.

Verdict

The War Factory was another great episode to continue my way through the Agents of the Vulpreen second series of UNIT: Nemesis! I must admit this one caught me by surprise as I figured that after basically a break from the entire story arc with Power of the Dominators last time out that this was going to be another 'filler' of a kind with Brigadier Bambera returning. Instead, it was very much crucial to the ongoing story of the Eleven and the Arch! That's no problem I was just more expecting this series to be a bookend type of thing but alas we're well on our way. I thought the concept behind two eras of UNIT clashing was wonderful and who better than Bambera and Kate? They're two incredibly strong lead characters as the leaders of their respective UNIT teams which I really admire. It's clear that this encounter for Bambera is sometime shortly after Battlefield as she's recently encountered Kate's father and the prospect of her contacting him was tantalising. The prospect of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart seeing his daughter head UNIT sounds pretty delightful. Maybe we'll get that one day with the brilliance of Jon Culshaw? Bambera and Kate were fantastic together though and I loved how they had mutual respect right from the off. Kate obviously has the benefit of being from the future but Bambera soon shared similar sentiments knowing who she was the daughter of. The Eleven being responsible for the window into the past was intriguing and I like how his efforts to free the Vulpreen saw things go awry on a smaller scale here. The prison and focus on Woolwich Arsenal was really strong and an entire wall of the former going missing temporarily is obviously a concern! Osgood and Jacqui staying in the present was good and I really liked how the story was being told across numerous timezones without getting too convoluted or confusing. That's an impressive feat to accomplish! We had Tudor warships and gunpowder from the sixteenth century to go alongside everything that came from the UNIT of the present day and meeting Bambera in between. The firework show of the Eleven was impressive and I liked how he was still as maniacal as ever. Jacqui firmly being on the side of the Vulpreen was difficult for Osgood to accept but after three months of brutal indoctrination and subjugation, it's not exactly a surprise. Especially considering she's not a UNIT operative. She would have been petrified on the other side of the Arch! I am almost half expecting her to be bluffing come the finale but I just can't see it now after the extent to which she helped a Vulpreen prisoner here. The role of Lauren Huff was really strong and she made a big impression right away. Her turning to the dark side made it a little predictable that she would make a sacrifice at the end – which was an incredibly powerful moment by the way! – but I'm not convinced that the Eleven is in safe hands with UNIT. They stopped him harnessing a literal atomic bomb from 1947 here which was pretty audacious even for the Eleven but even with him being shot, he still feels like he's in control. That's awfully exciting. The Vulpreen cliffhanger and them taking Kate is a great setup for the finale to come, and I'm looking forward to hear how things conclude! Overall, a very good listen! 

Rating: 8/10

Agents of the Vulpreen: Power of the Dominators

"You don't get to play the high and mighty Dominator."

Writer: Kenneth Grant

Format: Audio

Released: March 2022

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 2.02

Featuring: Kate, Osgood, Harry, Naomi

Synopsis

Portstone New Town is a living space for the future. A dream community, or so the advertising promises. But UNIT discovers the developers are alien Dominators. Which means there's a more sinister purpose behind Portstone, and the Dominators' deadly killer robots – the Quarks – can't be far away.

Verdict

Power of the Dominators was a very good episode to continue my way through the Agents of the Vulpreen second series of UNIT: Nemesis! This was an exciting one beforehand because the prospect of the Dominators returning is wonderful. Now, I don't think The Dominators is anybody's favourite serial but it is one I have watched a number of times and despite its flaws (really, it's not bad!) it has a little sense of nostalgia for me. I think that's because a lot of the Second Doctor's stories in Season 4 are missing so this is one of the first ones of his era you can watch in full and that really does mean a lot. I also just enjoy the appearance of the Dominators with their bulky shoulder pads. I thought the presentation of them here was really impressive and definitely captured the essence of their past on screen appearance. It's also great to play around with Naomi and Harry having encountered them before (which I believe to be alongside the Fourth Doctor in a series I'm not too far off reaching!) which provided them with a strong position having the knowledge of them whereas Kate and Osgood did not. Naomi is an interesting character and it's fun having the ambiguity around her as a companion I'm yet to encounter. And yet here she is as a former companion now. I thought the concept behind Portstone New Town was interesting and the advertisement that opened the episode pre-credits almost made me think I'd clicked on The Meddling Monks! It was unique for sure and that's no bad thing. Where the Dominators come, the Quarks aren't going to be too far behind but I will say they don't have the same impact on audio as they did on screen. Quentin being a name given to one by Osgood was pretty fun and I liked how she took a liking to them despite their threat! The Dominators being focused on domination to such an extent that they wanted to destroy planet Earth entirely was excellent and I believe them in how ruthless they were. Efficiency was incredibly important to them which was really good and it went as far that a travel trip to meet in person had to be authorised because of the energy that would be expunged. Prast as the Director of the Dominators was good and a strong villain but it was nice to hear Sabo of a more inferior rank slowly grow to acknowledge that the Dominators were acting wrongly. That was a really intriguing aspect to the species and I didn't think it was even possible for them to not be dominant! I do think the scene at the end once they had been defeated and were captured by UNIT with them talking about showers and asking to borrow towels was a bit unnecessary and just a tad silly, but I can't be too critical of a lighthearted moment. I just don't think it stands the Dominators in good stead moving forward! The Quarks being disassembled was a shame also but that's one hell of a potential weapon for UNIT to utilise if they need it. Maybe the Vlinx utilised some of their technology? I quite liked how the episode was a break from the ongoing saga with the Eleven and it was good to just take stock on that and have a solid hour of storytelling. The Eleven isn't forgotten about, but he's far from being the only threat! Overall, a great listen! 

Rating: 8/10

Agents of the Vulpreen: The Man From Gallifrey

"We seek a new home."

Writer: Andrew Smith

Format: Audio

Released: March 2022

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 2.01

Featuring: Kate, Osgood

Synopsis

As Osgood works flat out to rescue a lost friend, Kate is at a demonstration of a new UK spaceship, the Starseeker. There she meets two people. 

Lieutenant Jimmy Tan looks like potential UNIT material, and the stranger called Hasper knows a lot about UNIT and the Eleven. He should – he's the Celestial Intervention Agency operative who sent the Eleven through the Arch millions of years ago.

Verdict

The Man From Gallifrey was an excellent episode to kick off the Agents of the Vulpreen second series of UNIT: Nemesis! I was thoroughly impressed with the opening series so I have wasted no time in continuing the adventure and it looks set to be another stellar boxset if this opener is anything to go by. I just love the dynamic of this series as UNIT somehow feels more expansive than the first eight series of its own Big Finish spinoff range and I think that's testament to Kate and Osgood. This is their tenth boxset in the lead now and they're just wonderful characters. I do think Harry is more deserving of small cameos that he had here, but I'm sure there will be another episode in this series where he takes the lead role. And he won't be the only one if the cover art is anything to go by! I thought the follow up to The Curator's Gambit was really strong and I was intrigued that three months had passed since Jacqui McGee was lost on the other side of the Arch. She has clearly gone through a lot on the other side to the point of indoctrination by the Vulpreen. It's still early days for them as a monster but there's definitely a lot of potential there. When you have them living in a void universe and the Time Lords knowing of them and deeming them a good place to imprison the Eleven, there must be something there in terms of a threat! I thought it was fascinating to introduce us to Hasper as the operative of the Celestial Intervention Agency that helped imprison the Eleven on the other side of the Arch. That depiction was good and the extent of sealing it beneath the lava of a volcano really did show they were taking every precaution imaginable. And yet with humanity involved here lay the Eleven once again. Kate not bargaining with him was really good and I loved that she was getting familiar and a little acquainted with his other personas. More of those please! I also adored Kate's reaction to hearing who Hasper worked for on Gallifrey. The CIA! The very idea. His knowledge of things was scaring her though when it came to the likes of the Under Gallery which was fun stuff and showed her in a rare vulnerable position. The role of the Starseeker seemed to get lost which was a shame but introducing Jimmy was good and I liked his background at the Ministry of Defence. His whole world was broadened when he was introduced to UNIT though which was good and it seems like he'll be sticking around. I'm not entirely sure he's needed but he made an impression on Kate with his actions here so a secondment of sorts seems to be on the cards. I thought the Eleven getting away with things and literally escaping with the Arch was quite spectacular! I was also intrigued to find that he helped build it and that can only mean bad things for his aims alongside the Vulpreen. The role of Jacqui is going to be pivotal moving forward as well I imagine which is good as she's a fun and often underrated character. Hasper not making it through by getting stuck in the zero room was an emphatic conclusion for him as well which I was surprised by! It certainly made an impact. Overall, another very strong episode in what is becoming a hugely successful spinoff range! A terrific listen and I'm excited to hear where things move forward from here. 

Rating: 9/10

Inmate 280

"What did it feel like to kill a man?"

Writer: Cavan Scott

Format: Short Story

Released: December 2003

Printed in: Short Trips: Steel Skies 10

Featuring: Seventh Doctor, Eighth Doctor

Synopsis

There are many places that most of us can never see: places that are sheltered, locked away, cordoned off from the outside world. But to the Doctor, and those who travel with him in his TARDIS, there is no such thing as a locked door. Anywhere in space and time is open to them to visit – even if sometimes it might be better to leave such places well alone.

Steel Skies is a collection of stories based in enclosed and artificial environments: places constructed to keep the dangers of the universe outside, perhaps, or to keep their inhabitants locked in. It is divided into four sections, each exploring a different kind of confinement:

Section One, Flight, comprises four tales of travellers who left their homes for far-away destinations – to explore, to start a new life, or to fight for the survival of their species.

Section Two, Frontiers, explores the corridors, living quarters and ventilation shafts of four futuristic environments – designed to shelter men, women and children from harsh natural forces, or from the threat of nuclear war.

Section Three, Incarceration, tells four stories of punishment and imprisonment, from San Francisco's infamous Alcatraz, to the cage of a flightless angel in the dilapidated ruins of Heaven. 

Section Four, Isolation, deals with the loneliness and despair of being cut off from the world outside, by physical or mental incapacity, by the ravages of war, or caught between destinations aboard the TARDIS itself. 

A recurring theme in all four sections is the effect of the Doctor's arrival in these enclosed environments – sometimes positive, sometimes less so.

Verdict

Inmate 280 was a good story in the end to continue my way through the Steel Skies edition of Short Trips! I think this jumped up a rating on the final page which is a pretty impressive feat as I must admit I’m not normally the biggest fan of stories in this prose range where the focus is on what is essentially a random character with no connection or history with the Doctor, or at least a character from the Whoniverse, extended or otherwise. That was the case here with Travers as we learned of his time as the last correction officer on the famous prison that is Alcatraz. That’s a fun setting to explore and I really did like the unique and historic nature of it. It’s a place I would love to visit as a tourist for its history and standing in America, so it seems ripe for the Doctor to be present. Two Doctors in fact! I don’t think it was the right move to disguise that Fells was the Seventh Doctor all along because if we knew earlier (or rather had it confirmed because it was pretty predictable) then it would have been preferable to know the Doctor was present. We all knew who he was but not having that confirmation just kept the doubt lingering in my mind. That was just a tad unnecessary in my opinion. I thought Travers was a decent character and struggling with him coming to terms for killing someone was a strong emotional story across the adventure. Being in that situation is not something I can imagine but I’d like to think that I would also have the courage and determination to pull that trigger in that moment. Saving your own life is something that will provide immense strength and it was intriguing for others to look on at Travers as they could clearly see that was his first kill. A life to save his own is certainly a powerful thing and I can only think that situation is where I could take a life. He was telling his story in the modern day which was good and the listener actually turning out to be the Eighth Doctor was a great twist. I must admit I didn’t see that coming and it was nice to know that the Doctor was looking back on his life and checking in with Travers. That was pretty admirable and just nice. It was also good to highlight in just a line or two that the Eighth Doctor felt strongly about looking back and showed despite just one regeneration between bodies, a lot had happened. The duration of these incarnations are shrouded in uncertainly given the Wilderness Years and that was exploited well here in a very subtle way. I can absolutely get on board with that. The threat provided by the Thekron was just fine and it did seem very Seventh Doctor for him to have trapped the creature below the fault line of Alcatraz at San Francisco. I’m also fascinated by the setting given the two incarnations of the Doctor who featured and the link to The Movie. That’s fun to think about as the point of these two Doctors converging. Feeding on negative energy or emotion is not a new or unique concept, but going to a prison the scale and seriousness of Alcatraz is a good place to do it! Did the Doctor not think ahead though of where he was trapping the Threkron? That seems like an oversight. I thought the action at the ending providing some ambiguity and allowing the Seventh Doctor to escape was pretty good and I liked that the Eighth was revealed to basically bookend things.  

Rating: 7/10

The Toy

"Can I be your friend?"

Writer: Nigel Fairs

Format: Audio

Released: September 2016

Series: Short Trips Rarities 1.01

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Nyssa

Synopsis

In her bedroom on board the TARDIS, Nyssa dreams of her long lost home, and a Forbidden Archway that never really existed – or did it?

In the TARDIS corridors she finds a flight of steps, a door marked 'keep out', and beyond, a locked room full of secrets. In particular a casket containing a jewel seems to call her. "Nyssa of Traken, do you want to be my friend?"

So begins a journey that takes Nyssa from snow capped mountains to vast citifies, and introduces her to people she seems to know so well. What dangerous landscape has she wondered into – and can she ever escape to safety, and the comfort of her travelling companions?

Verdict

The Toy was an excellent episode to kick off the Rarities range of Short Trips! For some reason I always thought this range was just audio readings of the Short Trips prose stories so I was going to wait until I reached those in their original format, but with the recent Big Finish sale on Short Trips and a little bit of research, a whole new world opened up for me as I realised there are countless of these that are original and which I do not own! So expect to see these cropping up in the near future of the blog as I make my way through them. And wow what a start this was! Firstly, whenever anything links back to The Keeper of Traken I'm going to like it because that was my first ever Classic era serial so the nostalgia is real. It's one of my all time favourite stories and that's why Nyssa is so well renowned for me personally as a companion. I was delighted to see that Sarah Sutton was the narrator and I must say she did an incredible job with her impersonations of the Fifth and First Doctors alongside a sublime take on Tegan that was far too brief! This is very much a Nyssa story despite the Fifth Doctor also featuring in a more cameo role with and she leads it wonderfully. I thought the idea of her dreaming about Traken was really nice because it's still so devastating what the Master did to her. She really had a rough deal considering that he took the form of her father before then wiping out her entire planet. It couldn't really be much worse for her and so it's no surprise that her suppressed feelings are coming out in her subconscious. I admire her a lot for staying strong. The Forbidden Archway was a really intriguing concept and what it opened up was quite incredible! Venturing through the TARDIS is always fun and it's a wonder that the plot device of picking something up that a companion ought not to hasn't been done more! There must be so much that the Doctor has picked up by this point of his travels which is fun to think about, but here it was a device that the Doctor had since he left Gallifrey. I thought that was so good and the jewel was pretty ominous in description but what came of it for Nyssa and partially the Doctor was sublime. It was a little strange for Nyssa to be referring to what was clearly the First Doctor as her grandfather and it was odd to think of her as Susan for a little while, but then when she was interacting with the Master I thought it was wonderful. The idea of him playing with time around the Doctor even before he had departed was magnificent and was a brief showcase of their history on Gallifrey together. I would love to get a series or a book one day depicting the early lives of the Doctor and the Master to expand on their rivalry and history, but this was a lovely glimpse that has got me wanting more! Nyssa got to see the orange skies of Gallifrey which I liked and whilst things did perhaps go a little too far with the jumping around time to see numerous incarnations of both the Doctor and the Master, I was more focused on Gallifrey. The suggestion from the Doctor that he was the reason why the Master also followed suit in leaving the Time Lord home planet was terrific and is definitely something I could agree with! Just the idea of Nyssa interacting with that very early Master is a delightful thought and it would have been great for the Doctor to get a glimpse too. He was clearly impacted by the ordeal which sold just how significant things were. The crystal having belonged to Susan was a nice way to bookend things with Nyssa being mistaken for her. Overall, a quite excellent half an hour spent! A delightful story.

Rating: 9/10

Beware the City of Illusions

"You're such an icon."

Writer: Nicholas Briggs

Format: Audio

Released: March 2026

Series: First Doctor Adventures 5.01

Featuring: First Doctor, Polly, Dodo

Synopsis

The British Government has a plan to drastically improve environmental conditions, thanks to the Gynt Foundation and its mysterious benefactor, 'Mr Hammond'. But the plan is bold and crucially requires the endorsement of a prominent green campaigner to allay any public fears. 

When the Doctor's former companion Polly sets off to investigate a fantastic, new, net zero city, nothing goes quite according to plan. For one thing, the Doctor himself unexpectedly appears. And for another, the city contains a terrible secret. 

With an older Dodo working for the government, the Doctor and Polly must fight a threat that endangers the whole of humanity.

Verdict

Beware the City of Illusions was a pretty average story to continue my way through the new First Doctor Adventures. My feelings could potentially have been swayed slightly negatively by the fact that I was listening to this on very little sleep after a redeye flight from Bucharest to London Luton on the six hour train home, but I was hoping that this would capture my imagination and inject some energy into me! Unfortunately, it was more likely to do the opposite. One of the first issues was the length of this one. It was just far too long at six parts. I don't understand why when you have three hours to fill in a release that a single story is even considered. Three stories of an hour long is a much better option in my opinion, and at the very least it should be a four-parter and a two-parter! A second issue I think is just the direction of this series now as we get closer to the end of the First Doctor era when it comes to the companions he is meeting out of time and out of sync. It's a fun concept but I don't really think much was achieved here in having the Doctor encounter Polly in his timeline before the events of The War Machines. Of course for her she's a long time after The Faceless Ones when she departed on the same day that she left so it was fun for her to see the first incarnation again, but with the Doctor not knowing her it's never really satisfying when they're conversing. There's no time to talk about Ben or her life since leaving the TARDIS which is a shame and it just feels like unnecessary restrictions. I also thought it was a bit rubbish to have Dodo in the future as well instead of as a current companion. Why not just have her and the Doctor from when he's travelling displaced? It was good to think that Polly and Dodo had a relationship based on their shared experiences in the TARDIS but it just felt off with the dynamic here. I also think the plot was a bit farfetched with the net zero city. That just didn't feel viable or even possible in the way it was presented here in basically modern day. It felt too futuristic and alien which wasn't the vibe I got and therefore seemed to hinder the political position of J-J. Polly being something of a celebrity when it comes to the environment as a green campaigner of significant prominence was a nice touch, but I never got that vibe from her on screen and felt like a role more suited for Jo. The Acquisitors also just felt like they were in the way really and couldn't be taken too seriously which was a shame as there was potential there. I also can't understand the involvement of Time Lords at the start when it comes to the First Doctor as if they're monitoring and tracking him with the ability to remove him from his current time stream, doesn't that contradict everything that came in The War Games? And then there was no resolution from them about him being out of time purely on an emotional connection. It all just felt a bit disconnected. The Tresherrik never felt like the threat that it was intended to be presented as which was a shame and I just never felt like I could buy into the stakes of things. I did though think Stephen Noonan gave a good performance and impression of the First Doctor which is always welcomed but I do think this range has perhaps run its course now. I note that there are no plans for a First Doctor boxset in 2027 as of this moment and that might be for the best. Overall, some good stuff in there but a bit of a mess to be honest. 

Rating: 5/10

World Game

"We ourselves cannot be seen to interfere."

Writer: Terrance Dicks

Format: Audio

Released: October 2005

Series: PDA 72

Featuring: Second Doctor

Synopsis

The Doctor has been captured and put on trial by his own people, accused of their greatest crime: interfering with the affairs of other peoples and planets. He is sentenced to exile on Earth. That much is history. 

But now the truth can be told – the Doctor does not go straight into exile. First the Time Lords have a task for him. From the trenches of the Great War to the terrors of the French Revolution, the Doctor finds himself on a mission he does not want, with a companion he does not like, his life threatened at every turn. 

Will the Doctor survive to serve his sentence? Or will this adventure prove to be his Waterloo?

Verdict

World Game was an excellent Past Doctors Adventure book! There’s so much to unpack here but this is a novel I have wanted to read for so long now. I’ve made it no secret that The War Games is my all time favourite story and I’m really intrigued by the current Second Doctor Adventures timeline going beyond that prior to exile. But it just feels a little different and more enigmatic in prose form which I like. There’s something appealing about the mystery of it all and this also ties in very nicely with the Second Doctor’s appearance alongside Jamie in The Two Doctors. Terrance Dicks is the master of trying to make things work and tie together when they really ought not to and that was evident with The Eight Doctors which surprisingly came into play here! That was a fun and unexpected element as the Eighth was encouraging the Second to do what was right. The prelude chapter depicting how the public record of the Second Doctor’s trial wasn’t the true version was really fascinating and something I can get on board with. I love how mysterious everything surrounding Gallifrey is at this point in chronology when we have only just been introduced to the Time Lords and that world was presented really well here. I thought Sardon was a strong character as the Time Lord essentially utilising the Doctor for their mission in interference where they couldn’t be seen to break their golden rule. A rule for which the Doctor had just stood trial! The irony was not lost there. Pairing him up with Serena was really good and I definitely had strong Romana vibes from both her full Gallifreyan name and the nature of her becoming companion for the story. A whole new horizon was opened up for her as she joined the Doctor in the nineteenth century within the midst of the Game. I love that this sees a return of the Players who made a huge impact in Players that absolutely warranted a return! Medium specific enemies building rapport is very exciting and the Countess in particular here was magnificent. I enjoyed her interactions with the Doctor massively as they touched on their past and the Grand Design. That was a bit whacky as I’m not sure her actions entirely made sense given that was seemingly fluctuating what side she was on when it came Napoleon, but the hints she kept giving to the Doctor were quite fun! She couldn’t help herself but it just kept giving him an advantage as he was obviously going to cotton onto what she was saying. The historic permutations between Nelson and Napoleon were really good to explore and I thought Dicks did a good job in explaining the history and its significance. Serena soon knew how important things were which I think was good to establish given her unfamiliarity with the period. I was not expecting her to sacrifice herself and die without regeneration though! That was a huge surprise but admirable. She’d survived a Vampire and a Raston Warrior Robot which was a good clue implicate that someone on Gallifrey was working alongside the Countess, but a side on bullet was her end. That was a shame as I felt she had a huge amount of potential! I enjoyed meeting the Countess across numerous different timelines and the Doctor and Serena utilising a Type 97 TARDIS to see the future and see the impact of things was really good stuff. I do love an alternate timeline especially one within a game! The Countess accepting defeat was good whilst leaving things open ended for her which was nice as a bit of ambiguity. I thought this story also introducing the psychic paper was a stroke of genius with the 2005 release date! It is fun to give that an origin story and it being a device of the Celestial Intervention Agency certainly makes sense. There was a great deal going on in the book which was all very exciting that I’ve probably missed a lot of the details! But overall the history and playing with it was excellent, the Time Lord mythos was delightful and I thought the Countess and the Players were fantastic again. A superb read!

Rating: 9/10

Between Two Worlds: The Curator's Gambit

"We are standing inside the product of a great artist's imagination."

Writer: Andrew Smith

Format: Audio

Released: November 2021

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 1.04

Featuring: Kate, Osgood

Synopsis

The arch is taken to the Under Gallery for safekeeping, under the protection of the Curator. When the Eleven penetrates the Gallery's security, the Curator initiates an emergency plan. He and UNIT play a game of cat and mouse with their pursuers within the Under Gallery's original location, Hampton Court Palace.

Verdict

The Curator's Gambit was an excellent episode to conclude the Between Two Worlds opening series of UNIT: Nemesis! I'm a sucker for anything to do with the Curator and I love that he has been given a life beyond The Day of the Doctor where for just a minute or so he made a huge impression. It's always a delight to hear Tom Baker and the relationship with Osgood was really fun as she was reminded of someone when interacting with him. Given that she adorned the Fourth Doctor's scarf in the aforementioned episode, that really is no surprise! I'm intrigued at his history with Kate and it's lovely to know that they trust one another. The Curator clearly had great care and knowledge for the Under Gallery which I loved and I just love the enigmatic nature of his character. He brings an atmosphere of intrigue and Baker is perfect for that with his almost whispering voice. It was a shame Harry had nothing much more than a cameo as I was expecting a little more from him and Naomi after Fire and Ice but I guess that will have to wait until the next boxset. The Eleven was tremendous once again and I think he must be the best original villain that Big Finish have created. That's no mean feat but he's just glorious. The concept of regenerative dissonance never gets old and hearing the Three actually have a bit more central focus in those shouting out was very welcomed. I still want to hear all of them when they were the latest incarnation but there's still so much time for that to potentially happen. Jacqui McGee caused trouble in this episode once again which was fun and I like how she always seems to find a story when she's least wanted. Josh was pretty reluctant to tell Kate that she had arrived at the gallery which was amusing but she soon got into more danger. The Eleven disposing of Ava pretty swiftly was a surprise considering how pivotal she was in Eleven's Eleven, but Jacqui would serve a similar purpose with the injection of controlling device. Osgood trying to trap the Eleven in the elevator was good and the twist of Clare having reverse it was nicely done. The mystery behind the Curator deepening with his longevity was fun stuff as we heard him commission a painting by Turner in the nineteenth century and that would actually prove very important for the story. Continuing the theme of being able to enter the paintings was brilliant and it was certainly a good hiding place for the Arch! The real article that is. I thought it was fun for the Curator to be one step ahead of everybody in having a fake in play. The image of the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors either side of Elizabeth I in a new oil painting for the Under Gallery was wonderful and it's a shame it doesn't adorn the cover art! I thought the use of Osgood's displacement field to resolve things at the end was good and neat, with a fun twist now with Jacqui being left on the other side. She was subjected to the Vulpreen as we set up the next boxset which was good but I was fascinated that the Curator didn't exactly seem enthralled or encouraging towards Kate about saving her. Some things were better left alone but she couldn't leave her there if there was a chance she was alive. Overall, a fun game of cat and mouse and a delightful finale for the series! 

Rating: 9/10

Between Two Worlds: Eleven's Eleven

"I've come to rob your vault. Would you be so kind as to open?"

Writer: Lisa McMullin

Format: Audio

Released: November 2021

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 1.03

Featuring: Kate, Osgood

Synopsis

A series of jewel robberies in London and the Home Counties draws the attention of UNIT when it's discovered that some of the stolen gems are alien in origin. The robberies are the work of an organised criminal gang led by East End villain Ava Drake. But Ava has a new, ruthless partner. The Eleven has promised her riches, and for him the gems are a means to defeat UNIT and regain the arch.

Verdict

Eleven's Eleven was another great episode to continue my way through the Between Two Worlds opening series of UNIT: Nemesis! This felt a little like filler which is not unfamiliar territory for the third episode of a four-part boxset, but it was good filler! It progressed the story very nicely and I enjoyed the Eleven coming back in unique circumstances. His alliance quickly formed with Ava Drake who was a fine villain in her own right and I liked how she was no stranger in getting accustomed with his regenerative dissonance condition and how numerous voices were held within him. He was some business partner! The Eleven was clearly desperate for retrieving the arch and I was intrigued by the plan of stealing jewels with alien properties that went back to the Auctioneers. That was a nice throwback and bit of continuity for the UNIT series as a whole going back to The Sontaran Project. It was also lovely to reference The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky when it came to Osgood repurposing some of the Sontaran technology used for the teleport. I was a little surprised that following on from Fire and Ice we didn't have anything for Harry and Naomi here, but that allowed Kate and Osgood to shine once again. I love the pair and having one as a hologram was good fun when the Eleven and Ava arrived on the scene! I thought the role of Jacqui McGee here was terrific and she's a really fun character as a journalist with a knack for reporting on stuff she ought to know nothing about. Josh trying to sweet-talk her was good and it kind of worked by the end. She got herself into a tricky situation though when she went to Middle Mouse island herself and was shortly pushed out of the plane! I thought that was the end for her but alas it wasn't to be. The Eleven playing UNIT and turning everything into a trap and being seen where he was wanted to be seen was great and a fun moment of realisation for UNIT. They'd fallen for the bait. I liked hearing the Four in particular come out into the open in brief flashes for the Eleven and I do wonder if we will ever get more encounters with this Time Lord prior to his eleventh incarnation as I believe we've only had the Nine take on the Fourth Doctor before the Twelve entered the fray in the Time War. There's so much potential! Or just his own series with one of each incarnation would be the dream. I'd love to explore that first regeneration and the immediate impact of him realising what has happened. His reaction to Ava about the finest Gallifreyan minds couldn't even find a solution so how could anyone on Earth? He wasn't hiding the fact he was an alien at all which was good. I liked how the Eleven was prevented from getting the arch this time around thanks to Osgood doing some incredible scientific altering of the molecular structure to the extent that she couldn't even reverse it if she wanted to. I thought the ending was lovely as a hook into the finale with Kate calling the Curator for a new artefact to store in the Under Gallery. Very exciting indeed! Overall, a very strong episode to continue the series.

Rating: 8/10

Between Two Worlds: Fire and Ice

"Ice Warriors don't use robots, do they?"

Writer: John Dorney

Format: Audio

Released: November 2021

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 1.02

Featuring: Kate, Harry, Naomi

Synopsis

When Kate needs Harry Sullivan's help with a threat from the Eleven, she and Osgood travel to Australia to meet him. He's there with Naomi Cross, investigating footage of an apparent UFO crash that turned up on social media. 

They find themselves caught in the middle of a conflict between Ice Warriors. And one Ice Warrior isn't so icy – in fact, he's red hot. And getting hotter...

Verdict

Fire and Ice was a great episode to continue my way through the Between Two Worlds opening series of UNIT: Nemesis! This was a really fascinating episode because it saw two eras clash as promised at the end of The Enemy Beyond as Harry Sullivan joined forces with Kate and Osgood, but he wasn't alone as the only former companion of the Doctor to assist. Time is about to get whacky as I start the journey of Naomi Cross as companion and it seems here we are introduced to her at a time after her travelling days with the Doctor are over. And from my personal perspective those haven't happened yet! I try to avoid spoilers as much as possible but obviously I go chronologically in my listening of characters and ranges as much as possible so I know Naomi travels with the Seventh Doctor alongside Harry which I can't wait to delve into because that is pretty darn whacky, but presenting her here as a former companion is really fun. Osgood is excited by the prospect of meeting Harry and I mean, why wouldn't she be? He's a legendary character and it's wonderful to know he's still doing things with UNIT to keep himself more than busy. But Osgood is like an encyclopaedia when it comes to the Doctor so she's equally excited to meet Naomi! Our introduction to her in pretending to be an Australian barmaid is perhaps not the best, but I'm sure we will actually get her first chronological story down the line. She was enjoyable enough but I'd be lying if I said I didn't think Ros was a better character. Her clashing with Harry and Naomi who were both clearly not quite of this time was excellent as they couldn't operate a keyless car whereas she was trying to make a big noise in the world of social media. I don't care that she only had a few hundred followers, if she posted content of Ice Warriors in 2026 that would go viral! I really do think the online world has changed dramatically in just five years since this episode was released and even just half a decade later she would be in a much better position to try and make a financial go of social media as a job. The role of the Ice Warriors here was intriguing and I like the idea of there being a rogue. The image as well of an orange Ice Warrior amidst the Australian outback heat was tremendous and I can't believe that doesn't adorn the cover! It was good though to think that they had environmental suits given the hot setting and I must say just having a story set in Australia was brilliant as we don't get many of those! UNIT and the Ice Warriors helping each other where the rogue and the plague of the Eleven were concerned was really nice and I enjoyed the levels of respect shown between Kate and Jakernia. It's always good to play the honour card and I thought that was done really well here. I like the ongoing arc of the Eleven and the threat posed by the plague so Harry working on the anti-toxin is lovely and it's nice to know he and Naomi are returning to the UK to continue the work there. The explosive (literally!) threat facing Alice Springs was a strong threat and it was dealt with pretty efficiently. An Ice Warrior continuing to absorb heat is no fun thing considering where they come from and their natural habitat! Overall, a really good listen to continue what is shaping up to be a very strong boxset.

Rating: 8/10

Between Two Worlds: The Enemy Beyond

"I'm a lost soul."

Writer: Andrew Smith

Format: Audio

Released: November 2021

Series: UNIT: Nemesis 1.01

Featuring:

Synopsis

In a UNIT facility beneath Edinburgh Castle, Kate and Osgood work to unlock the mystery of a stone arch discovered buried in a prehistoric rock formation.

When the arch takes one of their number away to a strange, bleak world, it leads to an encounter with a Time Lord. One with multiple personalities. Soon the Eleven is loose on the streets of Edinburgh and plotting to seize the arch from UNIT by any means necessary.

Verdict

The Enemy Beyond was an excellent start to the Between Two Worlds first series of UNIT: Nemesis! I have longed to start this audio range for a long time now but the OCD in me would not let me begin until I had purchased all four volumes. Thankfully, an eBay voucher and an incredibly good deal from MusicMagpie meant the collection was complete and I would begin. So expect to see this range completed over the next couple of months! This was an exciting start. I whizzed through the Eighth Doctor Adventures and the Eleven was a monumental part of that so to have him on Earth and interacting with the modern UNIT team was a wonderful combination. The whole concept behind him as a Time Lord suffering from regenerative dissonance is incredible so it was wonderful to be back revisiting him. Mark Bonnar is wonderful in the role and I think this might be the first time I've listened to an audio with him in since his appearance in The Traitors late last year! I saw him in a whole new light on the cover which was good fun. I thought it was great to have Kate and Osgood lead the adventure as they really are a magnificent duo who rightfully star in their own series here. They just work so well together and that chemistry and respect was fully evident which was great. I thought Adam Merchant was a strong character called in for his expertise with geology to give information on a mysterious arch. He was fascinated by the finding and just the image of this under Edinburgh Castle was a delight. The Scottish capital is one of my all time favourite cities I have visited and the castle is obviously a highlight. I remember actually catching a bus tour to Loch Ness from behind it and it really is incredible high up on the rocks. An absolutely must visit location so I enjoyed the image of the Eleven running around there with the potential to infect the population massively! Adam suffering from an apparent plague that was gluey in residue didn't sound good and I like the threat of it coming from the other side of the Arch. Just where that is was mysterious and I'm sure it's something we will come back to in the series' future. I feel like we have to! The Eleven 'taking care' of Adam on the other side of the arch was intriguing and the effects of travel through making him blind was the perfect cover for the deranged Time Lord. He could pretend that his previous internal incarnations were actually different people and that was played really well. Imagine his reaction after taking the protective patch off to find that the Eleven was the only one! The Eleven describing his condition to Kate and her understanding instantly was a fun surprise for him as he realised that Kate wasn't all she seemed! She had a lot going for her. The Eleven having a police officer under his hypnotic watch was great stuff and certainly aided his cause for a while. I thought the way things ended was pretty darn dramatic with an incredible sacrifice from Adam to take the Eleven with him out of the plane and into the depths of the ocean! A phenomenal image. The Eleven's body not being recovered was fun because it's clear he wasn't dead but at least he was sent packing from this scheme. The lead into the next episode with the prospect of Harry entering the UNIT fray and Ice Warriors in the Australian desert was terrific too! Overall, a fantastic start to the series! 

Rating: 9/10

The Little Planet

"All pets are to remain on the surface."

Writer: David Llewellyn

Format: Short Story

Released: September 2010

Printed in: The Brilliant Book 2011

Featuring: Silurians

Synopsis

The Moon is approaching planet Earth, and the reptile population of the planet make plans to descend below the surface until a time that is safe.

Verdict

The Little Planet was a superb little short story! This really was an excellent two pages of fiction that accompanies The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood so well as basically a prequel to everything that defines the Silurians. Or are they Eocenes? I'm not sure it's really known or even important at this point but I'm just going to continue with the name Silurians. That's what we predominantly saw on screen so I see no reason to go against it. Kaya was the main character here as a child Silurian and I grew to really like her very quickly. That's a testament to the author for creating such a likeable person so early on. This whole story was only two pages long and whilst those pages are actually pretty big in basically being A4 and predominantly being text, but the illustrations that accompanied the story were certainly helpful. The one not used for my image here which adorned a good section of the first page was incredibly vibrant and the colour really did help bring the story to life. I think the design of the Silurians anyway is really good and perfect for illustration and that was definitely the case here. I thought seeing the story through Kaya's eyes was very strong and her starting to understand the predicament her father was explaining was excellent. The Moon being seen as getting closer and closer from Kaya's perspective on Earth was intriguing and I can't imagine how much that would have provided some fear! Especially when her father was explaining to her that they would have to descend below the surface for some time whilst the effects dissipated. Finding out that she would have to leave Leefa behind was pretty devastating for her as you can imagine as she viewed this ape in much the same way we as humans would view dogs and cats. I have one of each and the idea of leaving them behind for a catastrophic event to occur feels impossible. Even if they are incredibly annoying at the best of times! The goodbye that Kaya gave to her pet ape was heartfelt and there was strong emotional pull in the story which was impressive given it was only two pages long! That was such an impressive aspect of the adventure and I love it as a prequel to everything Silurian. It ties in with everything we've known since Doctor Who and the Silurians beyond and it's clear that this is just one area of the Silurian population going into hibernation which would explain the change of appearances amongst different clans. I think that works as an explanation with ease. The moment Kaya had to go down below with her father was pretty calm and I liked the presentation of that as I'm sure alternative stories have depicted it as quite chaotic. She could say her goodbye and be prepared. Leefa being let go was a nice touch to give a final sense of freedom before the impending doom, and the moment he said Kaya when he realised she was gone was incredibly poignant. Overall, as short stories go this is a belter! I just wish it was longer. A fantastic companion piece to the Series 5 two-parter. 

Rating: 9/10

Save the Earth

"Death by fashion."

Writer: Beth Axford

Format: Short Trips

Released: October 2025

Printed in: The Adventures After 08

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor

Synopsis

Discover what happened after...

A remarkable collection of new Doctor Who short stories that give a glimpse into the moments just after the Doctor saves the world, and the credits roll.

The Doctor has had many adventures, visited many planets and made a whole host of friends (and some enemies). 

But if you thought it was all over after the TARDIS doors closed, and the time ship dematerialised, onto the next adventure, you'd be very much mistaken.

From Earth's past, present and future, to the furthest reaches of the universe, here are eight tales that give us a glimpse into the worlds the Doctor left behind. Sometimes triumph, sometimes tragedy (and always chaos) these are stories you'll never forget.

Verdict

Save the Earth was a great story to conclude The Adventures After collection of short stories! Whilst this was a very strong adventure as my rating suggests, I must say it felt like a bit of a stretch to call this a sequel to Kill the Moon. It's clear it takes place immediately afterwards from the Doctor's perspective with Clara not currently travelling with him as she was rightfully hurt and outraged at his actions in putting her in a position that could have resulted in disaster. He did seem a little apologetic internally here which was good and I liked the link back to him still feeling new in this incarnation following his regeneration in The Time of the Doctor and still proving himself to Clara by having his previous self call her in Deep Breath. That was really good but all of this came in the first page and then the story was bookended by him thinking that Clara might have forgiven him. All of the while an entirely different story took place! That was no problem I just find it amusing to consider this a sequel when it really isn't. A sequel would be a story set on Earth just after the events of the Moon laying an egg and dealing with any consequences of the action that Clara helped take. This was just a follow on in terms of feelings for the Doctor and as I say, this was still a terrific little story it is just perhaps in the wrong collection. I think the idea of the story is actually quite similar to Becky's Impossible Day also by Beth Axford in The Adventures Before collection as a Rose sequel. That dealt with colour in a similar way to which fabric was used here. I like the concept a lot and the threat posed by something consuming itself within the fabrics of the planet is incredibly strong because it really is everywhere! That's a frightening concept. I enjoyed Simi as the stand in companion for the story and I thought the characterisation of the Twelfth Doctor was captured really well when she was trying to return the map that he had dropped. He wasn't even acknowledging her but when she pointed out she had experience of the spot marked X and Ed going missing, the Doctor was all ears. I liked that a lot and it was also lovely to read how much Simi was basically in awe of him as everything was materialising. The Ethanes were pretty funky as a threat but I liked that what they were doing wasn't intentional. In a short story I feel like that actually works well because it takes the stakes down a little. Sure, the Doctor was pretty blunt about Ed being dead and the way it happened with the build up of the Ethanes transferring and they needed to be stopped, and that was something that Simi was keen to prevent further. No more deaths. She had a purpose and I liked that she was able to help the Doctor. Providing the suggesting of sending them back through the tear in which they had arrived was good and utilising the Doctor's pockets as being dimensionally transcendental was pretty amusing I must say! The Shoreditch focus was good and harking back to An Unearthly Child with the Foreman references of the location was lovely. I'm always a sucker for that. Simi helping in a big way to save the planet and help the Doctor with the jacket and drawing the Ethanes in was good but I wasn't expecting her to be hospitalised by the process and the effect! Overall though, a really strong story with a very good concept at its heart.

Rating: 8/10

Deep Stretch

"They're just kids!"

Writer: Richard Salter

Format: Short Story

Released: December 2003

Printed in: Short Trips: Steel Skies 09

Featuring: Third Doctor, Jo

Synopsis

There are many places that most of us can never see: places that are sheltered, locked away, cordoned off from the outside world. But to the Doctor, and those who travel with him in his TARDIS, there is no such thing as a locked door. Anywhere in space and time is open to them to visit – even if sometimes it might be better to leave such places well alone.

Steel Skies is a collection of stories based in enclosed and artificial environments: places constructed to keep the dangers of the universe outside, perhaps, or to keep their inhabitants locked in. It is divided into four sections, each exploring a different kind of confinement:

Section One, Flight, comprises four tales of travellers who left their homes for far-away destinations – to explore, to start a new life, or to fight for the survival of their species.

Section Two, Frontiers, explores the corridors, living quarters and ventilation shafts of four futuristic environments – designed to shelter men, women and children from harsh natural forces, or from the threat of nuclear war.

Section Three, Incarceration, tells four stories of punishment and imprisonment, from San Francisco's infamous Alcatraz, to the cage of a flightless angel in the dilapidated ruins of Heaven. 

Section Four, Isolation, deals with the loneliness and despair of being cut off from the world outside, by physical or mental incapacity, by the ravages of war, or caught between destinations aboard the TARDIS itself. 

A recurring theme in all four sections is the effect of the Doctor's arrival in these enclosed environments – sometimes positive, sometimes less so.

Verdict

Deep Stretch was a great story to continue my way through the Steel Skies edition of Short Trips! I now move into the second half of the collection and with that comes another quartet under a different banner. This time it’s all about Incarceration and I don’t think this adventure could have captured that feeling any more than it did! That’s a big positive as the atmosphere for the story was certainly one of being contained. A very strong sense of a steel sky indeed despite the story being set completely underwater. I thought that was really intriguing and I just loved everything about it as an all female prison. These were criminals that were convicted which obviously put the Doctor in a tricky situation when Jo was so intent on seeing them released. I understood why she was feeling that way because of the horrors of their confinement, but the Doctor respected the law and wasn’t going to just let them go free. That was an interesting dynamic to explore and it was clear that events were shortly after those of The Three Doctors which put things into perspective for the Doctor having just been freed of his exile. A very different kind of imprisonment. I thought Li and Mellisa were good characters as the more reasonable inmates who had accepted their sentence despite the surroundings and how artificial everything was, whereas Clark was a different cat altogether. She’s listed as the main enemy for this story on TARDIS Wiki which I’m not sure about as I’d just describe her as desperate. Two and a half years with nearly seven and a half to go is some sentence and they weren’t exactly close to being set free, but their reluctance to aid the Doctor in his efforts to change things was telling. They couldn’t risk extending their sentence which said all that was required about the deep sea prison. Talk about saving space and resources! The Doctor knew it was all about money but whilst he didn’t want the inmates to escape, he did want them set free and he was prepared to show that the system was malfunctioning and that the whole thing would be rethought. The image of the respective prisons rising through the water and the inmates celebrating was powerful. It was good to highlight that they had nowhere to go so would still be dealt with by the authorities, but perhaps a little more humanely now. The Doctor could win at both keeping Jo happy but also respecting the law and that feels right for his character. Li missing out on her family life was a shame to read just how much that hurt her but she could still be in a position when she was released that her children weren't quite adults yet. I have two wonderful children and I cannot begin to fathom not seeing them grow up for a decade! Torment in isolation under the sea was palpable there. Clark having her own plan of escape being just ten days out was interesting and she wouldn't let anything get in the way of that. It was quite clear that the Doctor and Jo weren't actually psychologists looking for an update which was pretty fun and I liked how Li even realised that by the end when they were free and the blue box had disappeared. She'd anticipated that which I liked. Jo being a hostage to Clark when the Doctor was ready to enact his plan was exciting and injected a strong sense of anticipation, but I must admit I was humorously surprised that this incarnation of all struck a woman to free her and set the plan into motion! Overall, a great read to continue the collection.

Rating: 8/10

Escape From Reality: The Master of Dorian Gray

"She has played her last role."

Writer: David Llewellyn

Format: Audio

Released: December 2022

Series: The War Master 8.04

Featuring: War Master

Synopsis

Seeking the power of immortality, the Master works himself into the life of Dorian Gray. But can he change how the story ends?

Verdict

The Master of Dorian Gray was a good episode to conclude the Escape From Reality eighth series of The War Master. This was something of a crossover for Big Finish which is a fun concept but unfortunately I am wholly unfamiliar with the world of Dorian Gray so I don't think I could quite appreciate what was being presented here. I knew the character had his own series at Big Finish but I didn't know he was a fictional character from the works of Oscar Wilde. That's pretty cool and I'm fascinated as to why he has an entire range of audio dramas at Big Finish! The focus on the Victorian era is good because that's one of my favourite periods of history and the Master just seems to fit in there perfectly no matter the incarnation. I do think this one worked well with Derek Jacobi seamlessly slotting into the era and hearing him put on an accent to be more suited to the time and place was great. He does love a disguise! I thought the story of Dorian Gray was a pretty emotional one actually as he fell in love with Sibyl Vane by watching her performances on the stage as an actress and that happened incredibly quickly. He was quite simply mesmerised by her but I did get the feeling that he was perhaps more in love with the actress in terms of performance than the woman she really was. That was a little vain and I thought that was evidenced when she had what he perceived to be a bad performance. He was horrified and felt offended which was pretty off-putting I must admit. Whilst it was nice to hear him clearly smitten and boasting about her to the likes of Basil and Henry, he felt let down which didn't quite sit right with me. She blamed her being in love on the bad performance but he was sickened and that was Gray done with her much to my surprise! Finding out that he then had a change of heart overnight and wanted to marry her was interesting, but she'd killed herself and Gray got the blame. I thought that was intriguing and it was really good for the Master to play into the fictional plot devices of the overall Dorian Gray story. It's clear that the death of Sibyl was important to shaping the character and having the Master of all people toy with that is excellent. I did though get a tad confused when different characters that looked like the same woman kept showing up though but it was fun at the same time to play with that in the audio format with the same actress performing. Dorian's reaction to seeing her again and knowing that she wasn't actually dead was strong as imagine being told that then seeing your love? The emotions would be so strong. I thought Sibyl actually getting the better of the Master was a tad disappointing to be honest as I'm not sure in the War incarnation of all that he should be defeated by a fictional character! He tried to harness the power of the painting of Gray as a means of permanent immortality which would certainly be desirable in the Time War, but the opposite happened and now the portrait had regenerative qualities? That's a fun thought! I did hope for more of a connection to The Wrath of Medusa and the Daleks pursuing the Master to the Land of Fiction but I guess Medusa and the gorgon sisters really did see them off which was a surprise. I just think a little more connective tissue there to bookend the series would have been marvellous but alas it wasn't to be. Time for the War Master to confront reality once again as we're set for a whole new boxset to come. Keep them coming, I love this incarnation! Overall, a decent episode to conclude a strong and fascinating series. 

Rating: 7/10

Escape From Reality: The Adventure of the Deceased Doctor

"I have eliminated every Sherlock Holmes."

Writer: Alfie Shaw 

Format: Audio

Released: December 2022

Series: The War Master 8.03

Featuring: War Master

Synopsis

When Dr John Watson is informed of his own murder, only the world's greatest consulting detective can assist. He just happens to come from a different world.

Verdict

The Adventure of the Deceased Doctor was a good episode to continue my way through the Escape From Reality eighth series of The War Master! This was an intriguing episode but I think the reason this probably scores a little lower than the rest of the boxset so far is probably because of my lack of exposure to Sherlock Holmes. I've obviously heard about him and know he's essentially a Victorian detective from the world of fiction, but I've never read or watched a Sherlock Holmes story. I am sure it would have been beneficial to have done so prior to listening to this episode and I suspect I may have the same issue in the series finale to come as I'll be in the same situation there. That's not to say it wasn't fun to hear the War Master in the role of Sherlock Holmes though! I'm just sure I would have appreciated it more if I was familiar with the fictional genre. Having him team up with his own Watson was good stuff and I liked the dynamic between the pair. The flashback moment towards the end of the episode where we hear how the Master imprinted himself as Holmes on the brain of his partner was terrific. I think the idea of the Master just passing through different fictional worlds following on from the events of the previous two episodes is amusing and when he saw this one he just popped off for a challenge. Talk about having some fun! We know the Master is patient when it comes to his disguises and mysterious schemes, but this one was quite something in terms of wanting to wipe out all versions of Holmes and Watson. And he was very nearly close! It was certainly audacious and pretty barmy which are often the best kind but there was some sort of logic to it in that he wanted the encyclopaedia to help complete the Omniscience. The Time War itself was writing reality to an endless and uncontrollable level on an almost continuous basis, so why couldn't something pertaining to be the seat of all knowledge help put order to that? The Master trying to use fictional elements and bring them into the real universe to aid the cause of the Time War is a delightful prospect and I just wish that came earlier in the story. Before it was revealed, it felt like the episode was then already over! I thought the Master confronting Moriarty was excellent and I liked how the two antagonists of two very different and popular genres came up against one another. The Master also needing every version of him was a fun twist as he initially seemed pleased that he had ridded the world of Sherlock Holmes. Johanna's role was good but I felt sorry for her as it was always clear she was just being used by the Master. Her fate of being subjected to the tissue compression eliminator was pretty brutal though and was another stark reminder of how ruthless this incarnation of the Master really is. It still surprises me in moments when it really shouldn't and Jacobi plays him to perfection. The use of a laser screwdriver here was really strong and I just enjoyed him toying with the characters of this world as he revealed to them that they were created. Playing with the mediums and some of the Sherlock characters here coming from the world of sound was a good subtle in-joke that I could appreciate. Overall, a decent episode that keeps the series moving. I'm excited for the finale even if I'm unfamiliar again with the fictional element at its heart. 

Rating: 7/10

Escape From Reality: The Shadow Master

"This is the story of how the Master gave me life."

Writer: Lizzie Hopley

Format: Audio

Released: December 2022

Series: The War Master 8.02

Featuring: War Master

Synopsis

As the Master plunders inconceivable artefacts from an impossible universe, he encounters a figure that may prove his greatest threat: his own Shadow.

Verdict

The Shadow Master was another strong episode to continue my way through the Escape From Reality eighth series of The War Master! This continued to be a fascinating listen as the Master grows accustomed to the new fictional realm from which he is rapidly making a name for himself. I enjoyed the continuity from The Wrath of Medusa in having the Master based atop Mount Olympus and any threats put his way regarding Medusa and her gorgon sisters were shimmied away as if they were nothing because he had already granted them their freedom. I thought that was a fun element because he already had control. Things are obviously different in a world of fiction and the Master exploits that at all corners which was glorious. Much of the fictional aspects of this story coming from the author of Hans Christian Andersen was intriguing but I'd be lying if I said I was familiar with his works. That being said, there was some really interesting stuff and just having this Master experience and toy with different fictional elements was brilliant. The main attraction is obviously the titular element of the Shadow Master and I must say I found that concept strong. That was something I am familiar with and it works well to essentially show the War Master himself in shadow form. They absolutely perfected the casting with Gethin Anthony playing the Shadow because he just sounded like a fairytale. The nature of the episode and much of it being in a narrative form from the Shadow's perspective worked pretty well, although I do think there were perhaps a few too many moments where the War Master went missing. But if I would pick anyone to read an audiobook for fiction then it would be Anthony! That voice was mesmeric in this form. The Shadow's relationship with Poetry was quite beautiful too and I really loved their love for one another. It was sudden and yet pure and the entire concept of poetry personified was pretty great! She refuted the name of Shadow which was good as she hope the Master would see that he was much more than a mere alternate kind of reflection. I loved the concept behind the Devil's three magic bullets and the Master having them in his possession was a deadly prospect. The final one being shot at Poetry was a powerful moment and showed just how callous he is to hurt his Shadow that way. The two Masters having to team up to replace Poetry as the heart and soul of the realm was very much one of convenience and I liked how devastated the Shadow was. His mission at the end of wanting to hurt the Master and how he would be coming for him was superb and I'll be surprised if we've heard the last from him! The use of the Shadow TARDIS was really strong though and that felt like a concept rife for Dark Gallifrey! I thought that was strong. Incorporating goblins was fun stuff for this Master and I just liked how he continues to wreak havoc in a world where he almost has free rein! It's really fun to explore and Jacobi is revelling in the War incarnation. A great listen. 

Rating: 8/10

Escape From Reality: The Wrath of Medusa

"How does it feel to be totally defenceless?"

Writer: Rochana Patel

Format: Audio

Released: December 2022

Series: The War Master 8.01

Featuring: War Master

Synopsis

Crashing into a universe of fiction, the Master finds himself lost in a world of Greek mythology... with a Dalek assault squad close behind.

Verdict

The Wrath of Medusa was a great start to the Escape From Reality eighth series of The War Master! Derek Jacobi continues to shine as this To troubled and cunning incarnation of the Master amidst the backdrop of the Time War. I thought the pre-titles sequence that sets up what is to come with the Master escaping reality altogether was the War Master at his maniacal best as he was basically torturing a Dalek. To be fair, they were at war but even so this was uncomfortable listening in the best way possible. The concept of him scavenging from the leftovers and the battlegrounds of the Time War was excellent but now the Daleks were onto him and he only had one route out. I think the idea of the Master being on the run from the Daleks is terrific and should be strong throughout the rest of the series, but his only means of escape being to go sideways and into the Land of Fiction was quite spectacular! I do love traversing dimensions and realities so this is right up my alley. I think more of a firm link to The Mind Robber would have been beneficial, but there's still plenty of time for that to come. I'm not the biggest fan of Greek mythology and everything that comes with that so the elements for this adventure weren't wholly up my alley, but I did like the links back to The Time Monster as a means to explain the Master's interest with the gods and that period. I thought him being mistaken as the God of Death was good and I couldn't think of anything more fitting for him, especially in this incarnation. His interactions with Medusa were fascinating and I was surprised with how quickly they were talking of traversing different dimensions and realms. She saw the opportunity that came with the TARDIS purely from his arrival and that opened up a lot of potential in her mind. Perseus was a strong character who accompanied the Master a lot throughout the episode and his fate almost felt poetic. Athena too was great and whilst I won't pretend to be wholly knowledgeable on the Greek myths and history, I thought the story did a pretty solid job in educating me enough that I cared and it was interesting. Perhaps there was a little too much dialogue amongst them, but that's no big issue! I enjoyed how even in a realm of fiction, the Master was tapping into his desire to rule and have power. Physics were not defined by the laws he knew here and that was fun to ponder over, particularly when it came to navigating the TARDIS! Telepathic circuits rejoice. Touching upon origin stories for myths and legends was really good and I liked how things changed with retellings. That would impact characters here in the fictional world which I enjoyed as a concept. The Master actually utilising and bargaining with Medusa and her gorgon sisters to go against the Daleks was quite spectacular and a stunning image. The Daleks were guarding the Master's way out of the Land of Fiction so he would use it against them. The way he used Dalek eyestalks with minimal power to briefly cure blindness was devious and I liked how he wasn't scared to do anything to get his own way. He wasn't afraid to converse with Zeus who was presented as the god he was and that was great. Somehow despite physical stature the Master always felt in control and superior. That was a strong dynamic. Overall, a really strong start to the series that is going to jump around a number of fictional lands. An exciting prospect indeed!

Rating: 8/10