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