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Susan’s War #1
Susan’s War, Vol. 1
Gallifrey needs every Time Lord to fight the Time War. A summons has been issued across the universe to its prodigals. Whatever their skills, the war effort can use them.
Susan’s call-up papers have arrived, and, unlike her grandfather, she is willing to join her people’s battle and finally return home.
Because Susan knows the Daleks, and she will do her duty...
1. Sphere of Influence by Eddie Robson
Susan’s first mission is one of diplomacy. The Sense-Sphere could prove a valuable ally to Gallifrey. But she is not the only one who knows the Sensorites of old. Susan will have the support of an old friend. Ian Chesterton is about to rejoin the adventure he left a lifetime ago!
2. The Uncertain Shore by Simon Guerrier
Susan and Commander Veklin are on the trail of a spy. Under cover on a ravaged world, they find a weary population, trapped, and waiting for the inevitable. But one among them is a traitor. The Time War is coming to Florana, and Susan will face a struggle to simply survive…
3. Assets of War by Lou Morgan
Cardinal Rasmus believes that Susan’s special abilities will help him assess a new weapons project. On a secret military base, creatures from the vortex are being bred for war. Gallifrey’s scientists think they can be used as assets against the Daleks. But the Orrovix are not easily tamed…
4. The Shoreditch Intervention by Alan Barnes
When Susan’s TARDIS is intercepted, she is given a highly classified mission. Earth, 1963 is a nexus point in the Time War, but the timelines must be negotiated carefully. Mods and rockers are not the only dangers on the streets of Shoreditch. In Susan’s past, the Daleks are waiting. But so is the Doctor!
Susan’s call-up papers have arrived, and, unlike her grandfather, she is willing to join her people’s battle and finally return home.
Because Susan knows the Daleks, and she will do her duty...
1. Sphere of Influence by Eddie Robson
Susan’s first mission is one of diplomacy. The Sense-Sphere could prove a valuable ally to Gallifrey. But she is not the only one who knows the Sensorites of old. Susan will have the support of an old friend. Ian Chesterton is about to rejoin the adventure he left a lifetime ago!
2. The Uncertain Shore by Simon Guerrier
Susan and Commander Veklin are on the trail of a spy. Under cover on a ravaged world, they find a weary population, trapped, and waiting for the inevitable. But one among them is a traitor. The Time War is coming to Florana, and Susan will face a struggle to simply survive…
3. Assets of War by Lou Morgan
Cardinal Rasmus believes that Susan’s special abilities will help him assess a new weapons project. On a secret military base, creatures from the vortex are being bred for war. Gallifrey’s scientists think they can be used as assets against the Daleks. But the Orrovix are not easily tamed…
4. The Shoreditch Intervention by Alan Barnes
When Susan’s TARDIS is intercepted, she is given a highly classified mission. Earth, 1963 is a nexus point in the Time War, but the timelines must be negotiated carefully. Mods and rockers are not the only dangers on the streets of Shoreditch. In Susan’s past, the Daleks are waiting. But so is the Doctor!
4 pages, Audio CD
First published April 16, 2020
48 people want to read
About the author
Eddie Robson
157 books110 followersEddie Robson is a comedy and science fiction writer best known for his sitcom Welcome To Our Village, Please Invade Carefully and his work on a variety of spin-offs from the BBC Television series Doctor Who. He has written books, comics and short stories, and has worked as a freelance journalist for various science fiction magazines. He is married to a female academic and lives in Lancaster.
Robson's comedy writing career began in 2008 with material for Look Away Now. Since then his work has featured on That Mitchell and Webb Sound, Tilt, Play and Record, Newsjack, Recorded For Training Purposes and The Headset Set. The pilot episode of his sitcom Welcome To Our Village, Please Invade Carefully was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on 5th July 2012. It starred Katherine Parkinson and Julian Rhind-Tutt.
His Doctor Who work includes the BBC 7 radio plays Phobos, Human Resources and Grand Theft Cosmos, the CD releases Memory Lane, The Condemned, The Raincloud Man and The Eight Truths, and several short stories for Big Finish's Doctor Who anthologies, Short Trips. He has contributed comic strips to Doctor Who Adventures.
Between 2007 and 2009, Robson was the producer of Big Finish's Bernice Summerfield range of products, and has contributed four audio plays to the series. He has also written books on film noir and the Coen Brothers for Virgin Publishing, the Doctor Who episode guide Who's Next with co-authors Mark Clapham and Jim Smith, and an illustrated adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Robson's comedy writing career began in 2008 with material for Look Away Now. Since then his work has featured on That Mitchell and Webb Sound, Tilt, Play and Record, Newsjack, Recorded For Training Purposes and The Headset Set. The pilot episode of his sitcom Welcome To Our Village, Please Invade Carefully was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on 5th July 2012. It starred Katherine Parkinson and Julian Rhind-Tutt.
His Doctor Who work includes the BBC 7 radio plays Phobos, Human Resources and Grand Theft Cosmos, the CD releases Memory Lane, The Condemned, The Raincloud Man and The Eight Truths, and several short stories for Big Finish's Doctor Who anthologies, Short Trips. He has contributed comic strips to Doctor Who Adventures.
Between 2007 and 2009, Robson was the producer of Big Finish's Bernice Summerfield range of products, and has contributed four audio plays to the series. He has also written books on film noir and the Coen Brothers for Virgin Publishing, the Doctor Who episode guide Who's Next with co-authors Mark Clapham and Jim Smith, and an illustrated adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 12, 2020
1. Sphere of Influence by Eddie Robson
La Guerra del Tempo raggiunge Susan che, reclutata dai Time Lord, ha come prima missione raggiungere la Sense-sphere e i Sensoriti, per ricevere un aiuto contro i Dalek e riuscire a recuperare un Tardis rubato... prima che esauriscano l'energia dell'Occhio dell'Armonia.
Ma serve un braccio destro speciale, qualcuno che abbia già incontrato i Sensoriti e che Susan non vede da anni.
2. The Uncertain Shore by Simon Guerrier
Questa volta ci troviamo su Floriana, pianeta citato molte volte da molte incarnazioni del Dottore, a caccia di una spia Dalek.
Storia abbastanza ordinaria, senza troppi colpi di scena.
3. Assets of War by Lou Morgan
Come la Time War ci ha mostrato più volte, per i Time Lord qualunque cosa possa essere usata come arma va studiata e perfezionata.
Questa volta tocca agli Orrovix (già incontrati in altri audio), creature che si nutrono di energia temporale.
Susan viene contattata per valutarne la addomesticabilità.
Ovviamente le cose non vanno come previsto, provocando caos e distruzione... ma la cosa non ferma il Consiglio da continuare ad utilizzarli comunque.
4. The Shoreditch Intervention by Alan Barnes
Quadrophenia in salsa Dalek, con Susan reclutata da una agenzia segreta e mandata sulla Terra, nel 1963, in missione per salvare la propria linea temporare e quella di suo nonno.
Pur intravedendo il primo Dottore, come da copertina sarà l'ottavo a tenere banco.
Non amo tantissimo Susan e non adoro la recitazione di Carole Ann Ford, dettagli che inficiano il gradimento del boxset.
Le storie sono un viaggio nel passato, con citazioni sia dalla serie tv che da precedenti audio della Big Finish. Non tutte eccezionali, ma gradevoli da ascoltare e non troppo arzigogolate.
La conclusione, con Susan chiamata al cospetto di Rassilon, potrebbe portarci sia ad una seconda tranche per la Guerra del Tempo di Susan, che al primo cofanetto dedicato a Rassilon stesso.
Non ci sono collegamenti diretti agli capitoli della Time War, escludendo gli accenni con l'ottavo Dottore.
Ma, ormai, il materiale legato alla Guerra del Tempo sta diventando imponente.
La Guerra del Tempo raggiunge Susan che, reclutata dai Time Lord, ha come prima missione raggiungere la Sense-sphere e i Sensoriti, per ricevere un aiuto contro i Dalek e riuscire a recuperare un Tardis rubato... prima che esauriscano l'energia dell'Occhio dell'Armonia.
Ma serve un braccio destro speciale, qualcuno che abbia già incontrato i Sensoriti e che Susan non vede da anni.
2. The Uncertain Shore by Simon Guerrier
Questa volta ci troviamo su Floriana, pianeta citato molte volte da molte incarnazioni del Dottore, a caccia di una spia Dalek.
Storia abbastanza ordinaria, senza troppi colpi di scena.
3. Assets of War by Lou Morgan
Come la Time War ci ha mostrato più volte, per i Time Lord qualunque cosa possa essere usata come arma va studiata e perfezionata.
Questa volta tocca agli Orrovix (già incontrati in altri audio), creature che si nutrono di energia temporale.
Susan viene contattata per valutarne la addomesticabilità.
Ovviamente le cose non vanno come previsto, provocando caos e distruzione... ma la cosa non ferma il Consiglio da continuare ad utilizzarli comunque.
4. The Shoreditch Intervention by Alan Barnes
Quadrophenia in salsa Dalek, con Susan reclutata da una agenzia segreta e mandata sulla Terra, nel 1963, in missione per salvare la propria linea temporare e quella di suo nonno.
Pur intravedendo il primo Dottore, come da copertina sarà l'ottavo a tenere banco.
Non amo tantissimo Susan e non adoro la recitazione di Carole Ann Ford, dettagli che inficiano il gradimento del boxset.
Le storie sono un viaggio nel passato, con citazioni sia dalla serie tv che da precedenti audio della Big Finish. Non tutte eccezionali, ma gradevoli da ascoltare e non troppo arzigogolate.
La conclusione, con Susan chiamata al cospetto di Rassilon, potrebbe portarci sia ad una seconda tranche per la Guerra del Tempo di Susan, che al primo cofanetto dedicato a Rassilon stesso.
Non ci sono collegamenti diretti agli capitoli della Time War, escludendo gli accenni con l'ottavo Dottore.
Ma, ormai, il materiale legato alla Guerra del Tempo sta diventando imponente.
April 5, 2025
1.1. Sphere of Influence - Susan, the Doctor's Granddaughter, has been pulled into the events of the Time War. Recruited as an agent for Gallifrey, not necessarily by choice, Susan finds herself returning to the Sense Sphere (see Doctor Who: The Sensorites) in an attempt to gain the aid of the Sensorites against the Daleks. Curtis ly a fun premise, unfortunately it is weakened by the performance from some of the actors who are clearly elderly and it shows in their voice and their energy. So the production isn’t as riveting as it might have been, but the nostalgia factor of actually original actors playing both Susan and Ian back on their roles is charming and delightful. (3/5)
1.2. The Uncertain Shore - An interesting kind of “spy thriller” type of story. (3/5)
1.3. Assets of War - I really enjoyed this one. Not sure exactly why, but it really worked for me. (4/5)
1.4. The Shoreditch Intervention - This was a fun one. Lots of temporal shenanigans. Good thing it’s all happening during the Time War. Great having Susan and the (Eighth) Doctor reunited. (4/5)
1.2. The Uncertain Shore - An interesting kind of “spy thriller” type of story. (3/5)
1.3. Assets of War - I really enjoyed this one. Not sure exactly why, but it really worked for me. (4/5)
1.4. The Shoreditch Intervention - This was a fun one. Lots of temporal shenanigans. Good thing it’s all happening during the Time War. Great having Susan and the (Eighth) Doctor reunited. (4/5)
August 8, 2021
Sphere of Influence:
It makes alot sense for Susan to be involved in the time war, big finish have done an excellent job at rebuilding and creating an arc for her character that she sadly never got the chance to do on screen. She's become an earth embassador/MP, had a child, fought a war against the Daleks for a 2nd time on earth and lost her son too. Even the sweetest innocence can feel a desire for some revenge/involvement in this time war. Eddie Robson did a great short story set before this about how the doctor kept trying to stop the timelords getting to her.
The first story sees Susan trying to help the timelords stop the Daleks from breaking into the eye of harmony in the tardis (such as in war dr "The eye of harmony") with the help of Ian Chesterton they head for the Sensorites for help. Personally I adore the Sensorites, I think they was such a great creature with beautiful subtext/themes of war, PTSD, anxiety and depression. There's alot of unused deep/personal stories you can do with them. Much better than ood for me who are nothing more slavery is bad. There perfect for story about anxiety/depression or even how fear mongering can twist people. In fact "Can you hear me" would of worked far better with them rather than the frankly reckless not even subtle approach of that story that made me need to call my old therapist again because of how much it brought back up for me and the lack of care from the Dr. Side rant.
As someone who's struggled with depression in the past I was a big fan of Peter R Newman's "The Sensorites". It's a guilty pleasure. But it's subtle with some amazing themes of war, PTSD, anxiety and fear mongering throughout that story that alot of people completely missed. So I love the looking Peter R Newman documentary. So I absolutely loved Eddie Robson's return of them here. It sounds ridiculous of them being in the time war but it utterly works, the story show us a very interesting insight to there mind/sense sphere. It works great on audio but with todays technology the scenes of Ian and susan journeying through the mind sphere of the Sensorites would look so trippy and cool.
Towards the end you expect the same story line from "The Sensorites" to repeat, some timelords have courpt plans and so one Sensorite tries to warn everyone and starts a reblion against the timelords. However this story shows you how other beings can fear monger/minuplate you too with the Daleks. Very similar to how they caused a war with humanity and the Drconians. The Daleks have left a mutant to live inside the Sensorite mind sphere and so it's part Dalek part Sensorite. Please someone do a funny concept art for that. It's so werid/ceepy and really does a great job to show you how evil and clever the Daleks are at starting wars for other people to wipe out there enemies for them.
With a story like this there is of course a ton of references. Both connecting the oods to the Sensorites for example and lots of how Ian is famous for starting the thal reblion, which i really liked as Ian really was the true hero of "The Daleks" and really did help inspire the Dr to become who he/she is today. Which is annoying that noone has done a time war story focused on that or even referenced it. We get to see the Daleks meet the Sensorites and of course the loud voicse of there's hurts them, however the story pushes it futher and the Daleks lower there voice for them. I found this both brilliant and hilarious.
The story also does a good job at showing both sides of a timelord in a timewar. The character of Veklin is sometimes nice and respectful and sometimes bitter or extreme such as having two battle tardis above the planet as an extreme measure to force co-operation from the Sensorites. The timelords here also deliberately change timelines to make the Sensorites and them feel like closer old friends. It's not a big theme throughout but it's a very good extra layer to the bigger picture of the timewar.
Having Ian back is a massive bonus and while he isn't the main focus of the story here sadly due to William Russells old age now it's still great to hear him again. We finally get a canon confirmation that him and Barbara got together. Which I adore, I'm yet to see a fan who doesn't believe they got together after everything. The ending is also very sweet as Barbara comes home Ian is about to tell her where's he's just been. Plus the ringtone that she hates he uses to stop the interference between the Daleks and the Sensorites. There's alot of very sweet and just fun references here that screams I'm a massive doctor who fan having fun. While I would of liked more character moments of Ian giving hope to the Sensorites and the Sensorites really giving a reason/monologue moment as to why they wish to join Gallifrey in the end, it doesn't really matter as the story is just great fun.
Rating 3/5 8/10
The Shoreditch Intervention:
Although I didn't quite enjoy this story as much as others did, it was such a pleasant surprise to not have a techno babble enigma in time nonsense ending for the set. It still messes around and glides into and out of timelines and other doctor who stories but it had a simple answer and ending.
However this final story is a fans fan story. You've got to at least know "Remembrance of the Daleks" main plot about the hand of omega well enough because the story doesn't ever really explain it so I'm curious to see how a fan new to classic who/big finish would react to it. For me this isn't really a starters boxset. Infact it also requires you to know about Susan's arc in big finish as it's a direct follow on and references it, meaning you also need to know about the 8th/Susan stuff too. I think you'll lose alot of good stuff if you didn't listen to those first.
I did really love seeing Susan for awhile stand up on her own adventure, get involve and help people she meets along the way, even getting her own her sonic screwdriver. It's great fun and great way to show how developed she is in both this set and big finish. The story also does a great job once again at still showing us how corrupt and manipulative the timelords can be, they bait Susan to go back to 1963 and find the hand of omega to use as a way to stop the Daleks from getting involved/starting a timewar etc. Susan goes on an excellent arc while she plans to do just this because secretly she wants some revenge on the Daleks for taking away Alex.
Her actions to get the hand of omega work so well because of that build up of losing Alex and this boxset by showing her trying to keep the gallifreyan essence alive in the timelords, not to the let this war make them lose themselfs. Which is great subtext for her how she puts on a brave face but can't quite hold her anger back sometimes. It's also so miniupltive of the timelords to show her Arcada before it fell. A place Susan always found beautiful. Even towards the end the Dr tries to save her from this war and she still refuses. It's something I'd still love to see expanded on especially after Alex was brought back in "Restoration of the Daleks".
My main issues for this story is at times the side characters are very goofy and the theme/references of Mods Vs Rockers isnt well structured or even shown here. The mods and the rockers was two different subcultures at the time, think heavy metal Vs orchestral or public school bs private. Alot of people saw them as very violent gangs which just wasn't really true. This is England does/shows this perfectly as well as other themes/issues etc, I'd highly recommend both the movie and the series as it's one of the greatest pieces of writing I've seen.
Here we don't really see any of this and if i didn't mention it or even read the booklet you wouldn't guess the references because it does nothing with it. It just shows them both as what Google images shows. One group loves motorbikes the other don't. I don't get what parallels the writer is apperantly doing here? Are the Daleks supposed to be like the rocker and humans the mods? Or the humans are the mods and the robomen rockers? It's never clear.
Or are the renegade Daleks and the timewar Daleks supposed to represent them? Because the renegade Daleks are never shown which I think was a wasted opportunity. I do really like the idea of the Daleks following Susan's trick and then stealing the hand of omega themselves to use as a weapon for the timewar or against Gallifrey. But surely that would mean the Daleks have messed up there own timeline in the war. If they can change time to help destory Gallifrey then I can buy that but at least tell me/show me don't skip over it.
There's a lot references here to enjoy but the best are the drs involvement. The 8th Dr turns up to stop and save Susan and then flee the Daleks, it's great to hear Paul Mcgann and he's brilliant with Susan, I do really enjoy his family, protective nature over her in this war that I hope gets expand on. There's a scene here which I thought was executed very poorly. The Dr tricks Susan and the tardis to flee and he willing let's the Daleks kill him. Of course it's a trick and he travels back to the TARDIS with his timering. But there's no real impact, no drama build up or really any sweet monologue. Look at Lucies goodbye compared to this. Infact look at the 8th drs goodbye to Susan in that same story when they believe they'll die, so he holds her and talks about memories. It needed something more. But I wil say that big finish are definitely building up a great arc of guilt for the 8th Dr about Alex and I'm really looking forward to seeing more/where it goes next.
We also get a surprise cameo from the 1st Dr David Bradley which is an awesome one. I did enjoy this just a few problems let it down for me. Overall this boxset is very enjoyable but very refence heavy for both the classic series and big finish but its a great follow up.
Rating 3/5 7/10
Boxset rating 3/5 7/10
Susan before this list/guide:
After the Daleks (soon to be released)
An earthly child (8th Dr, Alex)
Lucie miller/to the Death (8th Dr, Lucie miller, Susan, Alex)
All hands on deck (Susan, 8th Dr *short trips)
It makes alot sense for Susan to be involved in the time war, big finish have done an excellent job at rebuilding and creating an arc for her character that she sadly never got the chance to do on screen. She's become an earth embassador/MP, had a child, fought a war against the Daleks for a 2nd time on earth and lost her son too. Even the sweetest innocence can feel a desire for some revenge/involvement in this time war. Eddie Robson did a great short story set before this about how the doctor kept trying to stop the timelords getting to her.
The first story sees Susan trying to help the timelords stop the Daleks from breaking into the eye of harmony in the tardis (such as in war dr "The eye of harmony") with the help of Ian Chesterton they head for the Sensorites for help. Personally I adore the Sensorites, I think they was such a great creature with beautiful subtext/themes of war, PTSD, anxiety and depression. There's alot of unused deep/personal stories you can do with them. Much better than ood for me who are nothing more slavery is bad. There perfect for story about anxiety/depression or even how fear mongering can twist people. In fact "Can you hear me" would of worked far better with them rather than the frankly reckless not even subtle approach of that story that made me need to call my old therapist again because of how much it brought back up for me and the lack of care from the Dr. Side rant.
As someone who's struggled with depression in the past I was a big fan of Peter R Newman's "The Sensorites". It's a guilty pleasure. But it's subtle with some amazing themes of war, PTSD, anxiety and fear mongering throughout that story that alot of people completely missed. So I love the looking Peter R Newman documentary. So I absolutely loved Eddie Robson's return of them here. It sounds ridiculous of them being in the time war but it utterly works, the story show us a very interesting insight to there mind/sense sphere. It works great on audio but with todays technology the scenes of Ian and susan journeying through the mind sphere of the Sensorites would look so trippy and cool.
Towards the end you expect the same story line from "The Sensorites" to repeat, some timelords have courpt plans and so one Sensorite tries to warn everyone and starts a reblion against the timelords. However this story shows you how other beings can fear monger/minuplate you too with the Daleks. Very similar to how they caused a war with humanity and the Drconians. The Daleks have left a mutant to live inside the Sensorite mind sphere and so it's part Dalek part Sensorite. Please someone do a funny concept art for that. It's so werid/ceepy and really does a great job to show you how evil and clever the Daleks are at starting wars for other people to wipe out there enemies for them.
With a story like this there is of course a ton of references. Both connecting the oods to the Sensorites for example and lots of how Ian is famous for starting the thal reblion, which i really liked as Ian really was the true hero of "The Daleks" and really did help inspire the Dr to become who he/she is today. Which is annoying that noone has done a time war story focused on that or even referenced it. We get to see the Daleks meet the Sensorites and of course the loud voicse of there's hurts them, however the story pushes it futher and the Daleks lower there voice for them. I found this both brilliant and hilarious.
The story also does a good job at showing both sides of a timelord in a timewar. The character of Veklin is sometimes nice and respectful and sometimes bitter or extreme such as having two battle tardis above the planet as an extreme measure to force co-operation from the Sensorites. The timelords here also deliberately change timelines to make the Sensorites and them feel like closer old friends. It's not a big theme throughout but it's a very good extra layer to the bigger picture of the timewar.
Having Ian back is a massive bonus and while he isn't the main focus of the story here sadly due to William Russells old age now it's still great to hear him again. We finally get a canon confirmation that him and Barbara got together. Which I adore, I'm yet to see a fan who doesn't believe they got together after everything. The ending is also very sweet as Barbara comes home Ian is about to tell her where's he's just been. Plus the ringtone that she hates he uses to stop the interference between the Daleks and the Sensorites. There's alot of very sweet and just fun references here that screams I'm a massive doctor who fan having fun. While I would of liked more character moments of Ian giving hope to the Sensorites and the Sensorites really giving a reason/monologue moment as to why they wish to join Gallifrey in the end, it doesn't really matter as the story is just great fun.
Rating 3/5 8/10
The Shoreditch Intervention:
Although I didn't quite enjoy this story as much as others did, it was such a pleasant surprise to not have a techno babble enigma in time nonsense ending for the set. It still messes around and glides into and out of timelines and other doctor who stories but it had a simple answer and ending.
However this final story is a fans fan story. You've got to at least know "Remembrance of the Daleks" main plot about the hand of omega well enough because the story doesn't ever really explain it so I'm curious to see how a fan new to classic who/big finish would react to it. For me this isn't really a starters boxset. Infact it also requires you to know about Susan's arc in big finish as it's a direct follow on and references it, meaning you also need to know about the 8th/Susan stuff too. I think you'll lose alot of good stuff if you didn't listen to those first.
I did really love seeing Susan for awhile stand up on her own adventure, get involve and help people she meets along the way, even getting her own her sonic screwdriver. It's great fun and great way to show how developed she is in both this set and big finish. The story also does a great job once again at still showing us how corrupt and manipulative the timelords can be, they bait Susan to go back to 1963 and find the hand of omega to use as a way to stop the Daleks from getting involved/starting a timewar etc. Susan goes on an excellent arc while she plans to do just this because secretly she wants some revenge on the Daleks for taking away Alex.
Her actions to get the hand of omega work so well because of that build up of losing Alex and this boxset by showing her trying to keep the gallifreyan essence alive in the timelords, not to the let this war make them lose themselfs. Which is great subtext for her how she puts on a brave face but can't quite hold her anger back sometimes. It's also so miniupltive of the timelords to show her Arcada before it fell. A place Susan always found beautiful. Even towards the end the Dr tries to save her from this war and she still refuses. It's something I'd still love to see expanded on especially after Alex was brought back in "Restoration of the Daleks".
My main issues for this story is at times the side characters are very goofy and the theme/references of Mods Vs Rockers isnt well structured or even shown here. The mods and the rockers was two different subcultures at the time, think heavy metal Vs orchestral or public school bs private. Alot of people saw them as very violent gangs which just wasn't really true. This is England does/shows this perfectly as well as other themes/issues etc, I'd highly recommend both the movie and the series as it's one of the greatest pieces of writing I've seen.
Here we don't really see any of this and if i didn't mention it or even read the booklet you wouldn't guess the references because it does nothing with it. It just shows them both as what Google images shows. One group loves motorbikes the other don't. I don't get what parallels the writer is apperantly doing here? Are the Daleks supposed to be like the rocker and humans the mods? Or the humans are the mods and the robomen rockers? It's never clear.
Or are the renegade Daleks and the timewar Daleks supposed to represent them? Because the renegade Daleks are never shown which I think was a wasted opportunity. I do really like the idea of the Daleks following Susan's trick and then stealing the hand of omega themselves to use as a weapon for the timewar or against Gallifrey. But surely that would mean the Daleks have messed up there own timeline in the war. If they can change time to help destory Gallifrey then I can buy that but at least tell me/show me don't skip over it.
There's a lot references here to enjoy but the best are the drs involvement. The 8th Dr turns up to stop and save Susan and then flee the Daleks, it's great to hear Paul Mcgann and he's brilliant with Susan, I do really enjoy his family, protective nature over her in this war that I hope gets expand on. There's a scene here which I thought was executed very poorly. The Dr tricks Susan and the tardis to flee and he willing let's the Daleks kill him. Of course it's a trick and he travels back to the TARDIS with his timering. But there's no real impact, no drama build up or really any sweet monologue. Look at Lucies goodbye compared to this. Infact look at the 8th drs goodbye to Susan in that same story when they believe they'll die, so he holds her and talks about memories. It needed something more. But I wil say that big finish are definitely building up a great arc of guilt for the 8th Dr about Alex and I'm really looking forward to seeing more/where it goes next.
We also get a surprise cameo from the 1st Dr David Bradley which is an awesome one. I did enjoy this just a few problems let it down for me. Overall this boxset is very enjoyable but very refence heavy for both the classic series and big finish but its a great follow up.
Rating 3/5 7/10
Boxset rating 3/5 7/10
Susan before this list/guide:
After the Daleks (soon to be released)
An earthly child (8th Dr, Alex)
Lucie miller/to the Death (8th Dr, Lucie miller, Susan, Alex)
All hands on deck (Susan, 8th Dr *short trips)
January 6, 2022
“SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
Scritto da EDDIE ROBSON.
Con CAROLE ANN FORD, WILLIAM RUSSELL, BETH CHALMERS, DAMIAN LYNCH, CLAIRE VOUSDEN, HUGH FRASER, IAN BROOKER E NICHOLAS BRIGGS as the Daleks.
Gallifrey ha bisogno di ogni Signore del Tempo per combattere la Guerra del Tempo. Una convocazione è stata emessa in tutto l'universo per i suoi prodigi. Qualunque siano le loro capacità, lo sforzo bellico può usarle.
Sono arrivati i documenti per la chiamata di Susan e, a differenza di suo nonno, è disposta a unirsi alla battaglia del suo popolo e finalmente tornare a casa.
Perché Susan conosce i Dalek e farà il suo dovere...
-
La prima missione di Susan è quella della diplomazia. La Senso-sfera potrebbe rivelarsi una preziosa alleata di Gallifrey. Ma lei non è l'unica che conosce i vecchi Sensoriti. Susan avrà il supporto di un vecchio amico.
Ian Chesterton sta per tornare all'avventura che ha lasciato una vita fa!
--
Dopo “All Hands on Deck”, Susan viene richiamata dai Signori del Tempo per aiutare durante la Guerra. A differenza delle altre serie con protagonista il War Doctor o l'Ottavo, a Susan viene assegnata una missione molto più diplomatica: formare un'alleanza con i Sensoriti, che con i loro sviluppatissimi poteri psichici possono rivelarsi un alleato formidabile contro i Dalek. Ad aiutarla in questa impresa, le viene affiancato qualcun altro che ha avuto a che fare con questa specie, ovvero Ian Chesterton. Iniziare il boxset con la reunion tra i due, che ritornano su uno dei pianeti che avevano inizialmente esplorato con il Primo Dottore, è un'ottima mossa, e questo richiamo alla serie classica fornisce anche nuove sfumature alla Guerra del Tempo. Inoltre, per mantenere un senso di continuità con le altre serie della Time War, sono presenti altri due Signori del Tempo ricorrenti, ovvero il comandante Veklin e il cardinale Rasmus.
Cinquant'anni sono passati per Ian e ancora di più per Susan, ma la loro dinamica rimane la stessa, anche se il primo non ha più l'agilità di una volta e la seconda ha avuto un passato travagliato, che l'ha resa più determinata ma senza indurirla.
L'ambientazione sulla Senso-sfera ricorda molto quella del serial classico, ma arricchita da concetti moderni (per esempio menzionando gli Ood, con cui hanno dei contatti), e la trama fatta da intrighi sembra un seguito naturale a quella storia.
Si inizia quindi con il piede giusto, valorizzando le capacità intrinseche di Susan andando a differenziare il suo contributo rispetto a quello del Dottore. Spero che si mantenga anche nei prossimi episodi.
----------------------------------
“THE UNCERTAIN SHORE”
Scritto da SIMON GUERRIER.
Con CAROLE ANN FORD, BETH CHALMERS, TRUDIE GOODWIN, LAURA AIKMAN, DAN STARKEY, SIMON LUDDERS e DAMIAN LYNCH.
Susan e il comandante Veklin sono sulle tracce di una spia. Sotto copertura in un mondo devastato, trovano una popolazione stanca, intrappolata, e in attesa dell'inevitabile. Ma uno di loro è un traditore.
La Guerra del Tempo sta arrivando a Florana, e Susan dovrà affrontare una lotta per sopravvivere...
-
In questo episodio ci ritroviamo in tutto e per tutto in una spy story, incominciando direttamente con Susan e Veklin che si fingono pittrici venute a cogliere la bellezza del pianeta-vacanze di Florana, un tempo rinomato per le sue spiagge. Peccato che il pianeta affronti giorni difficili, in previsione di un inevitabile attacco dei Dalek, e la popolazione rimanente cerca di tirare avanti fingendo che tutto vada bene, come i violinisti sul Titanic che affonda. Tra di loro, tre persone sono sospettate di essere un agente dei Dalek, e il compito di Susan e Veklin è scoprire di chi si tratta e catturarlo.
La prima metà della storia si prende il suo tempo per sviluppare l'ambientazione e i personaggi. Questo posto idilliaco che un tempo era una famosa meta turistica è diventato molto tetro a mano a mano che la guerra si avvicina, e la gente cerca di fare buon viso a cattivo gioco. Abbiamo modo si sentire le loro backstory attraverso le interviste che rilasciano a un giornalista, anch'egli rimasto bloccato lì, e nel frattempo anche le indagini delle due Signore del Tempo scavano nel passato dei personaggi. C'è anche spazio per un po' di leggerezza, e soprattutto fa sorridere sentire la militaresca Veklin dover fingere di essere un'artista e socializzare con altre persone. Le cose iniziano a farsi più interessanti a mano a mano che i nodi iniziano a venire al pettine e i sospetti rimbalzano da un personaggio all'altro, lasciando fino all'ultimo il dubbio su chi sia la vera spia. Da lì in poi si scatena l'inferno con un'invasione in piena regola, lanciando Susan nel centro dell'azione. Nessun Dalek si sente in questa storia, il che è un bene perché diventano ripetitivi dopo un po', bensì abbiamo a che fare con i loro alleati, con Dan Starkey che interpreta una versione un po' diversa rispetto ai tipici Ogrons.
-----------------------------------
“ASSETS OF WAR”
Scritto da LOU MORGAN.
Con CAROLE ANN FORD, BETH CHALMERS, ROLY BOTHA, VINCENZO NICOLI e DAMIAN LYNCH.
Il cardinale Rasmus crede che le abilità speciali di Susan lo aiuteranno a valutare un nuovo progetto di armi.
In una base militare segreta, le creature del Vortice vengono allevate per la guerra. Gli scienziati di Gallifrey pensano che possano essere usati contro i Dalek.
Ma gli Orrovix non sono facilmente addomesticabili...
-
Susan viene chiamata a valutare un'arma sviluppata dai Signori del Tempo. Come spesso succede, tale arma sono delle creature viventi, gli Orrovix, che sono stati allevati e manipolati aumentandone l'aggressività in modo da essere sfruttati durante la Guerra, e a Susan viene chiesto di utilizzare i propri poteri psichici per valutare se possono effettivamente eseguire gli ordini. Ça va sans dir, come tutte le armi sviluppate dai Signori del Tempo, le cose non vanno come previsto, e quando le creature sfuggono al controllo tutto il personale della base militare si ritrova in pericolo.
Classica trama che viene spesso riproposta con i Dottori, solo che questa volta è Susan che si trova faccia a faccia con il lato più marcio della corsa agli armamenti del suo popolo, e che reagisce con indignazione sia allo sfruttamento di creature viventi sia al pericolo che queste ultime potrebbero porre per i gallifreyani stessi.
Come negli episodi precedenti, anche qui vengono sfruttate le abilità speciali di Susan, che come spesso viene mostrato ha delle capacità psichiche superiori alla media. Ma la parte più interessante sono forse le sue interazioni con gli altri gallifreyani, dopo aver passato così tanto tempo lontana dal suo pianeta natale. Già nell'episodio precedente si era approfondito il suo rapporto con Veklin, che ora sembra essersi ammorbidita nei suoi riguardi, e che questa volta si allontana dal suo distaccato atteggiamento da soldato a causa della preoccupazione per una sua amica di infanzia. Il Cardinale Rasmus, che pur essendo uno dei Signori del Tempo più moderati e amico del Dottore, deve comunque fare tutto il possibile per lo sforzo bellico; Vibax, che fin da subito antagonizza Susan a causa della parentela con il Dottore, considerato un traditore; e Rennis, interpretato dal nipote di Carol Ann Ford, Roly Botha, che ci dipinge uno scorcio della vita in una delle zone più rurali di Gallifrey.
Ci viene ricordato che non tutti i Gallifreyani sono Signori del Tempo, e che la società sul pianeta è molto stratificata, con conseguente risentimento da parte di coloro che non godono degli stessi benefici degli abitanti della capitale. Grazie a questa introspezione, il fatto che possa esistere un traditore tra di loro è sviluppato qui in maniera molto più realistica rispetto a “The Eye of Harmony” (con il Dottore Guerriero), adducendo delle motivazioni molto più solide e un piano di vendetta più strutturato.
Di conseguenza, quello che inizialmente poteva sembrare una trama trita e banale acquista molto più spessore, allontanandosi per un attimo dal problema della Guerra per posare lo sguardo sul malcontento della popolazione, e dando modo a Susan di impuntarsi sui suoi valori morali come farebbe suo nonno.
-----------------------------------
“THE SHOREDITCH INTERVENTION”
Scritto da ALAN BARNES.
Con CAROLE ANN FORD, PAUL MCGANN, BECKY WRIGHT, TOM MAHY, LOUIS DAVISON e NICHOLAS BRIGGS as the Daleks.
Quando il TARDIS di Susan viene intercettato, le viene assegnata una missione altamente riservata.
Terra, 1963 è un punto di collegamento nella Guerra del Tempo, ma le linee temporali devono essere negoziate con attenzione. Mods e rocker non sono gli unici pericoli per le strade di Shoreditch.
Nel passato di Susan, i Dalek stanno aspettando. Ma anche il Dottore!
-
Parlando di Susan e del 1963, viene naturale immaginare uno stretto legame con l'origine della serie ma, anche se naturalmente il collegamento con il Primo Dottore c'è (con tanto di cameo di David Bradley preso da un'altra registrazione), può stupire il fatto che siano molti di più i riferimenti con “Remembrance of the Daleks”. Dato che a quanto pare la distruzione di “una versione” di Skaro da parte del Settimo è uno degli eventi che ha portato all'escalation della Guerra, a Susan viene chiesto di attraversare il blocco temporale che circonda la Terra per recuperare un certo ordigno che il Dottore aveva lasciato lì nella sua prima incarnazione. Naturalmente, anche i Dalek sono interessati ad ottenerlo, motivo per cui la missione di Susan non sarà semplice come sembra. I richiami a Remembrance non finiscono qui, con la presenza di una faida interna tra due fazioni di Dalek e l'aiuto da parte di una ragazza ribelle chiamata Alex – nome che fa riaffiorare brutti ricordi – che ricorda vagamente Ace. Ma naturalmente abbiamo anche la presenza del Dottore di Paul McGann, forse non la più emotiva delle reunion (d'altra parte si erano visti da poco), ma che permette loro ancora una volta di rivangare i loro trascorsi e le loro diverse opinioni riguardo alla partecipazione alla guerra.
Ben sfruttata l'ambientazione vintage, che viene usata per creare un parallelismo tra la rivalità tra i Mods e i Rocker e quella tra i Dalek ribelli e quelli della Guerra del Tempo. Anche la colonna sonora richiama la musica rock di quel periodo.
Carol Ann Ford e Paul McGann fanno come al solito scintille, soprattutto nelle scene insieme, riuscendo a trasmettere sia l'affetto reciproco tra i loro personaggi sia i loro disaccordi. Molto buono anche il guest cast, tra cui abbiamo anche Luis Davison che è il terzo figlio di Peter a entrare in casa Big Finish (si potrebbe fare un intero boxset solo usando membri della loro famiglia).
Tra un tocco di nostalgia e giusto un filo di timey wimey, è senza dubbio l'episodio migliore del volume, con un finale che lascia intendere che ci possono essere altre avventure in serbo per Susan, e se così fosse non potrei esserne più contenta.
Scritto da EDDIE ROBSON.
Con CAROLE ANN FORD, WILLIAM RUSSELL, BETH CHALMERS, DAMIAN LYNCH, CLAIRE VOUSDEN, HUGH FRASER, IAN BROOKER E NICHOLAS BRIGGS as the Daleks.
Gallifrey ha bisogno di ogni Signore del Tempo per combattere la Guerra del Tempo. Una convocazione è stata emessa in tutto l'universo per i suoi prodigi. Qualunque siano le loro capacità, lo sforzo bellico può usarle.
Sono arrivati i documenti per la chiamata di Susan e, a differenza di suo nonno, è disposta a unirsi alla battaglia del suo popolo e finalmente tornare a casa.
Perché Susan conosce i Dalek e farà il suo dovere...
-
La prima missione di Susan è quella della diplomazia. La Senso-sfera potrebbe rivelarsi una preziosa alleata di Gallifrey. Ma lei non è l'unica che conosce i vecchi Sensoriti. Susan avrà il supporto di un vecchio amico.
Ian Chesterton sta per tornare all'avventura che ha lasciato una vita fa!
--
Dopo “All Hands on Deck”, Susan viene richiamata dai Signori del Tempo per aiutare durante la Guerra. A differenza delle altre serie con protagonista il War Doctor o l'Ottavo, a Susan viene assegnata una missione molto più diplomatica: formare un'alleanza con i Sensoriti, che con i loro sviluppatissimi poteri psichici possono rivelarsi un alleato formidabile contro i Dalek. Ad aiutarla in questa impresa, le viene affiancato qualcun altro che ha avuto a che fare con questa specie, ovvero Ian Chesterton. Iniziare il boxset con la reunion tra i due, che ritornano su uno dei pianeti che avevano inizialmente esplorato con il Primo Dottore, è un'ottima mossa, e questo richiamo alla serie classica fornisce anche nuove sfumature alla Guerra del Tempo. Inoltre, per mantenere un senso di continuità con le altre serie della Time War, sono presenti altri due Signori del Tempo ricorrenti, ovvero il comandante Veklin e il cardinale Rasmus.
Cinquant'anni sono passati per Ian e ancora di più per Susan, ma la loro dinamica rimane la stessa, anche se il primo non ha più l'agilità di una volta e la seconda ha avuto un passato travagliato, che l'ha resa più determinata ma senza indurirla.
L'ambientazione sulla Senso-sfera ricorda molto quella del serial classico, ma arricchita da concetti moderni (per esempio menzionando gli Ood, con cui hanno dei contatti), e la trama fatta da intrighi sembra un seguito naturale a quella storia.
Si inizia quindi con il piede giusto, valorizzando le capacità intrinseche di Susan andando a differenziare il suo contributo rispetto a quello del Dottore. Spero che si mantenga anche nei prossimi episodi.
----------------------------------
“THE UNCERTAIN SHORE”
Scritto da SIMON GUERRIER.
Con CAROLE ANN FORD, BETH CHALMERS, TRUDIE GOODWIN, LAURA AIKMAN, DAN STARKEY, SIMON LUDDERS e DAMIAN LYNCH.
Susan e il comandante Veklin sono sulle tracce di una spia. Sotto copertura in un mondo devastato, trovano una popolazione stanca, intrappolata, e in attesa dell'inevitabile. Ma uno di loro è un traditore.
La Guerra del Tempo sta arrivando a Florana, e Susan dovrà affrontare una lotta per sopravvivere...
-
In questo episodio ci ritroviamo in tutto e per tutto in una spy story, incominciando direttamente con Susan e Veklin che si fingono pittrici venute a cogliere la bellezza del pianeta-vacanze di Florana, un tempo rinomato per le sue spiagge. Peccato che il pianeta affronti giorni difficili, in previsione di un inevitabile attacco dei Dalek, e la popolazione rimanente cerca di tirare avanti fingendo che tutto vada bene, come i violinisti sul Titanic che affonda. Tra di loro, tre persone sono sospettate di essere un agente dei Dalek, e il compito di Susan e Veklin è scoprire di chi si tratta e catturarlo.
La prima metà della storia si prende il suo tempo per sviluppare l'ambientazione e i personaggi. Questo posto idilliaco che un tempo era una famosa meta turistica è diventato molto tetro a mano a mano che la guerra si avvicina, e la gente cerca di fare buon viso a cattivo gioco. Abbiamo modo si sentire le loro backstory attraverso le interviste che rilasciano a un giornalista, anch'egli rimasto bloccato lì, e nel frattempo anche le indagini delle due Signore del Tempo scavano nel passato dei personaggi. C'è anche spazio per un po' di leggerezza, e soprattutto fa sorridere sentire la militaresca Veklin dover fingere di essere un'artista e socializzare con altre persone. Le cose iniziano a farsi più interessanti a mano a mano che i nodi iniziano a venire al pettine e i sospetti rimbalzano da un personaggio all'altro, lasciando fino all'ultimo il dubbio su chi sia la vera spia. Da lì in poi si scatena l'inferno con un'invasione in piena regola, lanciando Susan nel centro dell'azione. Nessun Dalek si sente in questa storia, il che è un bene perché diventano ripetitivi dopo un po', bensì abbiamo a che fare con i loro alleati, con Dan Starkey che interpreta una versione un po' diversa rispetto ai tipici Ogrons.
-----------------------------------
“ASSETS OF WAR”
Scritto da LOU MORGAN.
Con CAROLE ANN FORD, BETH CHALMERS, ROLY BOTHA, VINCENZO NICOLI e DAMIAN LYNCH.
Il cardinale Rasmus crede che le abilità speciali di Susan lo aiuteranno a valutare un nuovo progetto di armi.
In una base militare segreta, le creature del Vortice vengono allevate per la guerra. Gli scienziati di Gallifrey pensano che possano essere usati contro i Dalek.
Ma gli Orrovix non sono facilmente addomesticabili...
-
Susan viene chiamata a valutare un'arma sviluppata dai Signori del Tempo. Come spesso succede, tale arma sono delle creature viventi, gli Orrovix, che sono stati allevati e manipolati aumentandone l'aggressività in modo da essere sfruttati durante la Guerra, e a Susan viene chiesto di utilizzare i propri poteri psichici per valutare se possono effettivamente eseguire gli ordini. Ça va sans dir, come tutte le armi sviluppate dai Signori del Tempo, le cose non vanno come previsto, e quando le creature sfuggono al controllo tutto il personale della base militare si ritrova in pericolo.
Classica trama che viene spesso riproposta con i Dottori, solo che questa volta è Susan che si trova faccia a faccia con il lato più marcio della corsa agli armamenti del suo popolo, e che reagisce con indignazione sia allo sfruttamento di creature viventi sia al pericolo che queste ultime potrebbero porre per i gallifreyani stessi.
Come negli episodi precedenti, anche qui vengono sfruttate le abilità speciali di Susan, che come spesso viene mostrato ha delle capacità psichiche superiori alla media. Ma la parte più interessante sono forse le sue interazioni con gli altri gallifreyani, dopo aver passato così tanto tempo lontana dal suo pianeta natale. Già nell'episodio precedente si era approfondito il suo rapporto con Veklin, che ora sembra essersi ammorbidita nei suoi riguardi, e che questa volta si allontana dal suo distaccato atteggiamento da soldato a causa della preoccupazione per una sua amica di infanzia. Il Cardinale Rasmus, che pur essendo uno dei Signori del Tempo più moderati e amico del Dottore, deve comunque fare tutto il possibile per lo sforzo bellico; Vibax, che fin da subito antagonizza Susan a causa della parentela con il Dottore, considerato un traditore; e Rennis, interpretato dal nipote di Carol Ann Ford, Roly Botha, che ci dipinge uno scorcio della vita in una delle zone più rurali di Gallifrey.
Ci viene ricordato che non tutti i Gallifreyani sono Signori del Tempo, e che la società sul pianeta è molto stratificata, con conseguente risentimento da parte di coloro che non godono degli stessi benefici degli abitanti della capitale. Grazie a questa introspezione, il fatto che possa esistere un traditore tra di loro è sviluppato qui in maniera molto più realistica rispetto a “The Eye of Harmony” (con il Dottore Guerriero), adducendo delle motivazioni molto più solide e un piano di vendetta più strutturato.
Di conseguenza, quello che inizialmente poteva sembrare una trama trita e banale acquista molto più spessore, allontanandosi per un attimo dal problema della Guerra per posare lo sguardo sul malcontento della popolazione, e dando modo a Susan di impuntarsi sui suoi valori morali come farebbe suo nonno.
-----------------------------------
“THE SHOREDITCH INTERVENTION”
Scritto da ALAN BARNES.
Con CAROLE ANN FORD, PAUL MCGANN, BECKY WRIGHT, TOM MAHY, LOUIS DAVISON e NICHOLAS BRIGGS as the Daleks.
Quando il TARDIS di Susan viene intercettato, le viene assegnata una missione altamente riservata.
Terra, 1963 è un punto di collegamento nella Guerra del Tempo, ma le linee temporali devono essere negoziate con attenzione. Mods e rocker non sono gli unici pericoli per le strade di Shoreditch.
Nel passato di Susan, i Dalek stanno aspettando. Ma anche il Dottore!
-
Parlando di Susan e del 1963, viene naturale immaginare uno stretto legame con l'origine della serie ma, anche se naturalmente il collegamento con il Primo Dottore c'è (con tanto di cameo di David Bradley preso da un'altra registrazione), può stupire il fatto che siano molti di più i riferimenti con “Remembrance of the Daleks”. Dato che a quanto pare la distruzione di “una versione” di Skaro da parte del Settimo è uno degli eventi che ha portato all'escalation della Guerra, a Susan viene chiesto di attraversare il blocco temporale che circonda la Terra per recuperare un certo ordigno che il Dottore aveva lasciato lì nella sua prima incarnazione. Naturalmente, anche i Dalek sono interessati ad ottenerlo, motivo per cui la missione di Susan non sarà semplice come sembra. I richiami a Remembrance non finiscono qui, con la presenza di una faida interna tra due fazioni di Dalek e l'aiuto da parte di una ragazza ribelle chiamata Alex – nome che fa riaffiorare brutti ricordi – che ricorda vagamente Ace. Ma naturalmente abbiamo anche la presenza del Dottore di Paul McGann, forse non la più emotiva delle reunion (d'altra parte si erano visti da poco), ma che permette loro ancora una volta di rivangare i loro trascorsi e le loro diverse opinioni riguardo alla partecipazione alla guerra.
Ben sfruttata l'ambientazione vintage, che viene usata per creare un parallelismo tra la rivalità tra i Mods e i Rocker e quella tra i Dalek ribelli e quelli della Guerra del Tempo. Anche la colonna sonora richiama la musica rock di quel periodo.
Carol Ann Ford e Paul McGann fanno come al solito scintille, soprattutto nelle scene insieme, riuscendo a trasmettere sia l'affetto reciproco tra i loro personaggi sia i loro disaccordi. Molto buono anche il guest cast, tra cui abbiamo anche Luis Davison che è il terzo figlio di Peter a entrare in casa Big Finish (si potrebbe fare un intero boxset solo usando membri della loro famiglia).
Tra un tocco di nostalgia e giusto un filo di timey wimey, è senza dubbio l'episodio migliore del volume, con un finale che lascia intendere che ci possono essere altre avventure in serbo per Susan, e se così fosse non potrei esserne più contenta.
July 20, 2020
DOCTOR WHO TIME WAR: SUSAN'S WAR
Special release from the worlds of Doctor Who.
This is a decent box set by Big Finish, nothing to run up the hills about.
Sphere of Influence (Eddie Robson)
A return to the Sense Sphere with the Sensorties. We start with a story of diplomacy of Susan and Ian (who's been selected by the timelords) as The Doctor refuses to take part in the war, are transported to the Sense Sphere to create a alliance against the Daleks. However, something is disrupting the alliance and manipulating events to make sure the alliance is not possible.
It's a pretty good story and beginning to the set. Lovely to feature Ian; Even with William Russell still staying strong, it's lovely he's happy and willing to continue taking part in Doctor Who. Awesome to hear both Carol and William together without the companion chronicle and narration style story telling 7/10
The Uncertain Shore (Simon Guerrier)
Robo ogrons, and a Dalek agent controlling events in Florana. Certainly good in parts, but I rate it 6/10 I found my interest fading away in parts, very similar to the next story. The Ogrons or robo Ogrons to be exact we're awesome.
Assets of War (Lou Morgan)
A base under siege story. Story 2 and 3 certainly take things down a notch if I am honest. This story goes up and down in terms of pacing. It focuses more on developing the supporting cast, story wise, EH don't really care for it. The weakest story but it's not bad, just average. Never heard of Lou Morgan, not sure what she's done for Big Finish, or this is her first audio; feels like it is. She's quite the established novelist and short story writer, maybe she's getting the grips of audio format, because it's a completely different style of writing and talent required. Practice pays. Hope to see more and she progresses. 5/10
The Shoreditch Intervention (Alan Barnes)
I say it straight away, I am not an Alan Barnes fan; I always say "naf" to his stories, not terrible but not good either. However...
This was the best from the set. Better to not give away the story because the plot is interesting (Compared to the other three stories) and the Daleks take (in the beginning) a backseat approach but pulling the strings to not let Susan get away. Some nice little nods to 1st Doctor stories including story events and dialogue, which includes: An Unearthly Child, The Daleks and The Dalek Invasion of Earth.
Nice to see the awesome and loveable 8th Doctor in the final story of the set. Susan and The Doctor have disagreeable opinions on the Time War and bringing up the CIA (Celestial Intervention Agency) and the corruption in Gallifrey, the Doctor still aware Susan can be naive of the corruption within Gallifrey; this was brought up previously in the third story.
Ranking
1. STORY 4: The Shoreditch Intervention (8/10)
2. STORY 1: Sphere of Influence (7/10)
3. STORY 2: The Uncertain Shore (6/10)
4. STORY 3: Assets of War (5/10)
Conclusion
In Conclusion, it's a good box set but I wouldn't praise and tell you to get it. one good story, one that is good in places; nothing I'd praise. One average story that has pacing issues; and sometimes doesn't know what pace it wants to go form, and one surprisingly amazing story by Alan Barnes.
OVERALL RATING: 26/40
BOX SET RATING: 6.5/10
Alan Barnes is the person who pushes this box set up; and the only one I consider amazing. Story 1 and 4 are highlights, but the middle of the set is a bit meh; it pushes the box set down. Not sure on the popularity of the set, but I don't see it being a continuing series and popular like The War Master, but a nice special release.
Special release from the worlds of Doctor Who.
This is a decent box set by Big Finish, nothing to run up the hills about.
Sphere of Influence (Eddie Robson)
A return to the Sense Sphere with the Sensorties. We start with a story of diplomacy of Susan and Ian (who's been selected by the timelords) as The Doctor refuses to take part in the war, are transported to the Sense Sphere to create a alliance against the Daleks. However, something is disrupting the alliance and manipulating events to make sure the alliance is not possible.
It's a pretty good story and beginning to the set. Lovely to feature Ian; Even with William Russell still staying strong, it's lovely he's happy and willing to continue taking part in Doctor Who. Awesome to hear both Carol and William together without the companion chronicle and narration style story telling 7/10
The Uncertain Shore (Simon Guerrier)
Robo ogrons, and a Dalek agent controlling events in Florana. Certainly good in parts, but I rate it 6/10 I found my interest fading away in parts, very similar to the next story. The Ogrons or robo Ogrons to be exact we're awesome.
Assets of War (Lou Morgan)
A base under siege story. Story 2 and 3 certainly take things down a notch if I am honest. This story goes up and down in terms of pacing. It focuses more on developing the supporting cast, story wise, EH don't really care for it. The weakest story but it's not bad, just average. Never heard of Lou Morgan, not sure what she's done for Big Finish, or this is her first audio; feels like it is. She's quite the established novelist and short story writer, maybe she's getting the grips of audio format, because it's a completely different style of writing and talent required. Practice pays. Hope to see more and she progresses. 5/10
The Shoreditch Intervention (Alan Barnes)
I say it straight away, I am not an Alan Barnes fan; I always say "naf" to his stories, not terrible but not good either. However...
This was the best from the set. Better to not give away the story because the plot is interesting (Compared to the other three stories) and the Daleks take (in the beginning) a backseat approach but pulling the strings to not let Susan get away. Some nice little nods to 1st Doctor stories including story events and dialogue, which includes: An Unearthly Child, The Daleks and The Dalek Invasion of Earth.
Nice to see the awesome and loveable 8th Doctor in the final story of the set. Susan and The Doctor have disagreeable opinions on the Time War and bringing up the CIA (Celestial Intervention Agency) and the corruption in Gallifrey, the Doctor still aware Susan can be naive of the corruption within Gallifrey; this was brought up previously in the third story.
Ranking
1. STORY 4: The Shoreditch Intervention (8/10)
2. STORY 1: Sphere of Influence (7/10)
3. STORY 2: The Uncertain Shore (6/10)
4. STORY 3: Assets of War (5/10)
Conclusion
In Conclusion, it's a good box set but I wouldn't praise and tell you to get it. one good story, one that is good in places; nothing I'd praise. One average story that has pacing issues; and sometimes doesn't know what pace it wants to go form, and one surprisingly amazing story by Alan Barnes.
OVERALL RATING: 26/40
BOX SET RATING: 6.5/10
Alan Barnes is the person who pushes this box set up; and the only one I consider amazing. Story 1 and 4 are highlights, but the middle of the set is a bit meh; it pushes the box set down. Not sure on the popularity of the set, but I don't see it being a continuing series and popular like The War Master, but a nice special release.
August 13, 2024
Susan Campbell has joined the Time War. At the behest of the Time Lords, Susan teams up with Time War mainstay Commander Veklin to undertake special missions suited to her particular talents. What exactly those talents are vary from episode to episode; be it her past experiences travelling with the Doctor, her relationship to him in the first place, her history battling the Daleks on Earth, or her particularly strong psychic talents. Exactly why the Time Lords have immediately recognised and expected great success from Susan is not fully revealed during this box set, but Susan certainly spends her time justifying their trust in her.
It is exciting to see Carol Ann Ford given freedom to explore past Susan’s youth. She is, after all, not a teenage girl anymore; Susan is an experienced, wise older woman. She approaches problems differently, in a more measured way. She is certainly no longer hysterically screaming, instead she displays traces of her Grandfather, the First Doctor, in both how she acts, and how Ford performs. Ford’s delivery is calm, measured and deliberate. She is easy to comprehend and unbothered by the thick streams of technobabble often present in the midst of the Time War. But, there were certain scenes that called for greater emotion that she did not capitalise on: fury at pointless wars or the actions of reckless men, and sorrow upon reflecting on loss. Often Ford’s delivery better suited the tone and pacing of an audiobook, which worked in favour of the Short Trips and Companion Chronicles she has narrated previously. But in the midst of a full cast drama, her steady, calm voice stood out. In addition, there were brief moments where Ford sounded like she was trying to conjure up the voice of her younger self, when the story called for her to make use of her voice as it is now. Although infrequent, it was still noticeable every now and again.
Carol Ann Ford and Beth Chalmers (Veklin) have fantastic chemistry, and their working relationship was refreshing and different. For once, Veklin is paired with someone who wants to work alongside her – as opposed to the turbulent relationship she is soon to have alongside John Hurt’s War Doctor. Her usual haze of frustration and fury has faded and we are treated to an even tempered Veklin, who demonstrates steely patriotism and strong camaraderie. Together, she and Susan are capable, have each other’s backs and they draw new shades of good and grey from each other.
Susan herself experiences the full range of success, failure, corruption and futility. Initially making great headway in her missions she’s soon tasked with increasingly important missions, and the more important the mission she’s tasked, the more red tape and political obstruction she faces. Soon Susan begins to question exactly why she is in such a senior position in the first place. From beginning to end, an underlying political intrigue operates subtly in the background of the episodes, never quite surfacing. But considering the series is soon to see two more releases, I am hopeful that it may make an exciting emergence in the near future.
Bookending the set is the presence of two beloved and captivating men, who also threaten to steal Susan’s spotlight. Ian Chesterton joins Susan on an adventure back to the Sense-Sphere, where they first encountered the Sensorites decades ago. William Russell’s return is most welcome, and incredibly exciting, it had been four years since he’d last appeared in a Big Finish audio at the time of release, and now, after his death, it feels even more special. His presence is warm, and his contributions were insightful and pragmatic, and thankfully Ian still remained a secondary character, allowing for Susan to take charge and be the star of her own show. Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor is not quite as secondary. Although there are many strong and meaningful moments from Susan, the final story of the box set runs at McGann’s speed as soon as he’s introduced, and it is he that picks up the plot and works it all out, often overshadowing Susan. Perhaps, that is simply the price of having the Doctor meaningfully appear in a story.
Read my full review of all the individual stories here:
https://sonicreviewwho.wordpress.com/...
It is exciting to see Carol Ann Ford given freedom to explore past Susan’s youth. She is, after all, not a teenage girl anymore; Susan is an experienced, wise older woman. She approaches problems differently, in a more measured way. She is certainly no longer hysterically screaming, instead she displays traces of her Grandfather, the First Doctor, in both how she acts, and how Ford performs. Ford’s delivery is calm, measured and deliberate. She is easy to comprehend and unbothered by the thick streams of technobabble often present in the midst of the Time War. But, there were certain scenes that called for greater emotion that she did not capitalise on: fury at pointless wars or the actions of reckless men, and sorrow upon reflecting on loss. Often Ford’s delivery better suited the tone and pacing of an audiobook, which worked in favour of the Short Trips and Companion Chronicles she has narrated previously. But in the midst of a full cast drama, her steady, calm voice stood out. In addition, there were brief moments where Ford sounded like she was trying to conjure up the voice of her younger self, when the story called for her to make use of her voice as it is now. Although infrequent, it was still noticeable every now and again.
Carol Ann Ford and Beth Chalmers (Veklin) have fantastic chemistry, and their working relationship was refreshing and different. For once, Veklin is paired with someone who wants to work alongside her – as opposed to the turbulent relationship she is soon to have alongside John Hurt’s War Doctor. Her usual haze of frustration and fury has faded and we are treated to an even tempered Veklin, who demonstrates steely patriotism and strong camaraderie. Together, she and Susan are capable, have each other’s backs and they draw new shades of good and grey from each other.
Susan herself experiences the full range of success, failure, corruption and futility. Initially making great headway in her missions she’s soon tasked with increasingly important missions, and the more important the mission she’s tasked, the more red tape and political obstruction she faces. Soon Susan begins to question exactly why she is in such a senior position in the first place. From beginning to end, an underlying political intrigue operates subtly in the background of the episodes, never quite surfacing. But considering the series is soon to see two more releases, I am hopeful that it may make an exciting emergence in the near future.
Bookending the set is the presence of two beloved and captivating men, who also threaten to steal Susan’s spotlight. Ian Chesterton joins Susan on an adventure back to the Sense-Sphere, where they first encountered the Sensorites decades ago. William Russell’s return is most welcome, and incredibly exciting, it had been four years since he’d last appeared in a Big Finish audio at the time of release, and now, after his death, it feels even more special. His presence is warm, and his contributions were insightful and pragmatic, and thankfully Ian still remained a secondary character, allowing for Susan to take charge and be the star of her own show. Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor is not quite as secondary. Although there are many strong and meaningful moments from Susan, the final story of the box set runs at McGann’s speed as soon as he’s introduced, and it is he that picks up the plot and works it all out, often overshadowing Susan. Perhaps, that is simply the price of having the Doctor meaningfully appear in a story.
Read my full review of all the individual stories here:
https://sonicreviewwho.wordpress.com/...
June 15, 2020
I very much enjoyed this. Parts 1 and 4 deserved four stars but parts 2 and 3 only two stars, so I settled on three overall. Like a lot of the bigger DW sets put out by Big Finish, the middle sections feel like filler, while the starts and finishes are amazing.
In Part 1, ‘Sphere of Influence’ by Eddie Robson, Susan finds herself on a diplomatic mission for the Time Lords, hoping to gain the allegiance of the peaceful Sensorites. The Time Lords bring in Ian Chesterton to help her! It is wonderful hearing Carole Ann Ford and William Russell back in their roles as Susan and Ian respectively - and nice to have the Sensorites back!
Part 2, The Uncertain Shore by Simon Guerrier, which was not as good as part 1. I had a hard time following the story, which seemed like disconnected little conversations between people largely going unidentified. Susan is a painter? Almost nothing about this story made sense. The last portions (with the robo-Ogrons) was okay, but the lead up was difficult to follow. The voices were almost all women and they sounded a lot alike.
Part 3 "Assets of War" by Lou Morgan was better than part 2 but not as strong as part 1. It is still hard to tell the women apart from their voices - they aren't distinct enough. Story was good though. Susan has gone to assess a weapon the Time Lords want to unleash on the Daleks, but it ends up being unleashed upon the Time Lords.
Part 4 "The Shoreditch Intervention" by Alan Barnes includes an appearance by the First Doctor, references events handled by the Seventh Doctor, and features the Eighth Doctor, along with Susan herself. This was a fun story and had me smiling while listening to it. I loved the references to "An Unearthly Child" and "Remembrance of the Daleks." Basically it blames the Time War on the Seventh Doctor and the Daleks have decided to trick Susan into going back in time to undo what the Seventh Doctor did. Fortunately the Eighth Doctor is there to keep that from happening. Brilliant story, lots of fun, and totally makes the set.
In Part 1, ‘Sphere of Influence’ by Eddie Robson, Susan finds herself on a diplomatic mission for the Time Lords, hoping to gain the allegiance of the peaceful Sensorites. The Time Lords bring in Ian Chesterton to help her! It is wonderful hearing Carole Ann Ford and William Russell back in their roles as Susan and Ian respectively - and nice to have the Sensorites back!
Part 2, The Uncertain Shore by Simon Guerrier, which was not as good as part 1. I had a hard time following the story, which seemed like disconnected little conversations between people largely going unidentified. Susan is a painter? Almost nothing about this story made sense. The last portions (with the robo-Ogrons) was okay, but the lead up was difficult to follow. The voices were almost all women and they sounded a lot alike.
Part 3 "Assets of War" by Lou Morgan was better than part 2 but not as strong as part 1. It is still hard to tell the women apart from their voices - they aren't distinct enough. Story was good though. Susan has gone to assess a weapon the Time Lords want to unleash on the Daleks, but it ends up being unleashed upon the Time Lords.
Part 4 "The Shoreditch Intervention" by Alan Barnes includes an appearance by the First Doctor, references events handled by the Seventh Doctor, and features the Eighth Doctor, along with Susan herself. This was a fun story and had me smiling while listening to it. I loved the references to "An Unearthly Child" and "Remembrance of the Daleks." Basically it blames the Time War on the Seventh Doctor and the Daleks have decided to trick Susan into going back in time to undo what the Seventh Doctor did. Fortunately the Eighth Doctor is there to keep that from happening. Brilliant story, lots of fun, and totally makes the set.
April 20, 2020
Good set of stories.
Won't become my favorite, but was certainly better than I had expected.
I am happy that they were NOT rehashing the same old Time War stories and they really found a role for Susan.
She gets something to do, can use her initiative, cleverness and telepathic abilities and she certainly can carry the plot.
This really works.
This is not the gimmick I had expected, the stories are tailor- made for Susan and fit like natural into the established setting.
It also shows Susan taking a stance between the Doctor's morals and the morals of the other warrior Time Lords.
She can see both sides, and certainly understands where both are coming from.
However, her more pragmatic nature makes her take more questionable choices.
I think this is what really makes these stories so very interesting and different from previous Doctor/ Gallifrey stories.
Plus, the performances are great and Carol Ann Ford really is very convincing and good in this!
I was only slightly let down by the meeting between Susan and her grandfather.
I had expected a bit more tension and drama there.
We still get a exciting and fun story, and it is great to hear the 8th Doctor back, but it just is not the meaty confrontation I have been waiting for.
Won't become my favorite, but was certainly better than I had expected.
I am happy that they were NOT rehashing the same old Time War stories and they really found a role for Susan.
She gets something to do, can use her initiative, cleverness and telepathic abilities and she certainly can carry the plot.
This really works.
This is not the gimmick I had expected, the stories are tailor- made for Susan and fit like natural into the established setting.
It also shows Susan taking a stance between the Doctor's morals and the morals of the other warrior Time Lords.
She can see both sides, and certainly understands where both are coming from.
However, her more pragmatic nature makes her take more questionable choices.
I think this is what really makes these stories so very interesting and different from previous Doctor/ Gallifrey stories.
Plus, the performances are great and Carol Ann Ford really is very convincing and good in this!
I was only slightly let down by the meeting between Susan and her grandfather.
I had expected a bit more tension and drama there.
We still get a exciting and fun story, and it is great to hear the 8th Doctor back, but it just is not the meaty confrontation I have been waiting for.
June 25, 2020
When I first read the blurb on this series I was excited because I've always loved Susan, but also hesitant because I was unsure she'd be strong enough to carry her own series.
The first chapter was nostalgia overload, reuniting Susan with Ian (with William Russell reprising his role.) I do wish that Jacqueline Hill was still alive as it would've been nice to have Barbara appear besides mentions.
The middle two stories were okay, not terrible, but nothing special, in my opinion. Neither really held my interest.
The final story was a whopper. Not only does Susan travel back to 1963 to find something the Doctor hid, but she bumps into the Eighth Doctor while there. There was some great stuff between them. I'd honestly love a series with the Eighth Doctor and Susan.
Overall, a pretty decent series. Carole Ann Ford was stellar as always, as were Paul McGann, and William Russell. I do wish that the characters from Gallifrey had made an appearance, but given that this is set after the CIA has been disbanded and Romana and Narvin banished from Gallifrey, I understand. Perhaps if there is another series, they could do a cross over.
The first chapter was nostalgia overload, reuniting Susan with Ian (with William Russell reprising his role.) I do wish that Jacqueline Hill was still alive as it would've been nice to have Barbara appear besides mentions.
The middle two stories were okay, not terrible, but nothing special, in my opinion. Neither really held my interest.
The final story was a whopper. Not only does Susan travel back to 1963 to find something the Doctor hid, but she bumps into the Eighth Doctor while there. There was some great stuff between them. I'd honestly love a series with the Eighth Doctor and Susan.
Overall, a pretty decent series. Carole Ann Ford was stellar as always, as were Paul McGann, and William Russell. I do wish that the characters from Gallifrey had made an appearance, but given that this is set after the CIA has been disbanded and Romana and Narvin banished from Gallifrey, I understand. Perhaps if there is another series, they could do a cross over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2021
It was such a huge contrast listening to the first story with Susan's son Alex and then going into this, a set of stories that take place after she has lost her son. Susan is definitely a changed woman here. She and her grandfather have opposite ways of dealing with their grief. He travels, but she feels the need to be involved in the Time War. Of course, Eight does not want to be involved.
We get this question of how different Susan is from other Time Lords in the middle of the box set. My favorite stories in this are the ones that bookend the box set. Sphere of Influence brings back the Sensorites, but also has an older Susan accompanied by an older Ian Chesterton. I'm so used to William Russell voicing the First Doctor in other audios, so I kept kinda thinking that Susan was with One again at times. The First Doctor does appear in the final story when Susan goes back to 1963. There, she also sees Eight again, and the way she resists traveling with him is very sad but also shows how mature she's become and how much conviction she has in what she believes. After all, the First Doctor had told her to go forth in her beliefs. This was just such a great box set all around.
We get this question of how different Susan is from other Time Lords in the middle of the box set. My favorite stories in this are the ones that bookend the box set. Sphere of Influence brings back the Sensorites, but also has an older Susan accompanied by an older Ian Chesterton. I'm so used to William Russell voicing the First Doctor in other audios, so I kept kinda thinking that Susan was with One again at times. The First Doctor does appear in the final story when Susan goes back to 1963. There, she also sees Eight again, and the way she resists traveling with him is very sad but also shows how mature she's become and how much conviction she has in what she believes. After all, the First Doctor had told her to go forth in her beliefs. This was just such a great box set all around.
May 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this. The first story was a wonderful tribute to Ian. It was lovely to have William Russell back playing Ian at his own age. It was great to see the developed relationship between the characters now Susan had grown up. And nice to see a return of one of their old settings.
Simon's story was a lovely bit of scifi intrigue. With Robo-Ogrons! I enjoyed this one a lot.
Assets of war, was the more predictable of the four. But showed Susan with more interesting abilities.
Alan Barnes, Shoreditch intervention was quite funny. If there is one doctor who should mention Quadrophenia it is definitely Paul's Doctor.
Overall a very enjoyable set. It was nice to see great gender balance in all the stories. Too often in big finish when there's a woman lead they add in many men as supporting characters and thankfully this didn't happen here. Lisa did a wonderful job directing and Matt editing. Definitely worth a listen.
Simon's story was a lovely bit of scifi intrigue. With Robo-Ogrons! I enjoyed this one a lot.
Assets of war, was the more predictable of the four. But showed Susan with more interesting abilities.
Alan Barnes, Shoreditch intervention was quite funny. If there is one doctor who should mention Quadrophenia it is definitely Paul's Doctor.
Overall a very enjoyable set. It was nice to see great gender balance in all the stories. Too often in big finish when there's a woman lead they add in many men as supporting characters and thankfully this didn't happen here. Lisa did a wonderful job directing and Matt editing. Definitely worth a listen.
October 18, 2020
1. Sphere of Influence - elderly Ian and Susan story. Really enjoyed it, great way to start the set.
2. The Uncertain Shore - slightly better than 3. Part spy games & documenrty making.
3. Assets of War - I have not read a ton of Susan stories, but don't recall her having telepathic connections to animals. Least favorite of the 4.
4. The Shoreditch Intervention - best of the set. Susan's interactions with Grandfather are great.
2. The Uncertain Shore - slightly better than 3. Part spy games & documenrty making.
3. Assets of War - I have not read a ton of Susan stories, but don't recall her having telepathic connections to animals. Least favorite of the 4.
4. The Shoreditch Intervention - best of the set. Susan's interactions with Grandfather are great.
July 9, 2020
Stories 1 and 3 were good, and 2 was meh, but it's worth every bit of the 4 stars I gave it thanks to story #4. (A must listen for both the Time War range as well as the 8th Doctor range.)
TL;DR: Decently good box set overall with an excellent finale. 👍
TL;DR: Decently good box set overall with an excellent finale. 👍
October 16, 2021
Sphere of Influence:
7/10
Verdict: Optional
I love this, seeing Susan and Ian together again is pure joy, especially considering the history that's been built since their parting. These are amazing representations of those classic characters after life has happened to them, both feel very experienced and Ian really feels like an old adventurer ready to jump back in for one last journey. Seeing Susan get introduced to the Time War is also really fun, and put an immediate smile on my face. Unfortunately, the other timelords in the story ended up feeling pretty generic to me, and while I liked seeing the sensorites return, they didn't captivate me too much. As for the plot, the murder mystery elements are pretty entertaining, but as soon as the 'interior' is introduced I sort of lost focus, it felt a bit too abstract for me, and a lot of it ends up feeling a little unnecessary up till they find the macguffin. The ending also felt pretty bittersweet, with Ian and Susan parting ways, especially since we know what comes of Gallifrey in the end.
The Uncertain Shore:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
Pretty fun for the most part with some good side characters, a nice setting and a decent murder mystery... well for the first half anyway. In regards to that, while the ongoing mystery of who the Dalek agent is had me quite entertained, the eventual conclusion was a bit too convoluted and there was too much going on at the reveal for the proper weight to be put on it. The Ogrons are in this, and while their role is pretty minor, I still liked what was done with them here. There was a fake out that Susan was going to be a 'ends justify the means' type of timelord, but much like these twists in other time war stories, these are never all that believable and end up feeling more like time wasters, this one at least was tied in to the mystery conclusion though.
Assets of War:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
Reeeeaaaallly slow for the first half and had me rolling my eyes because it's another Time War story where the Time Lords have engineered a species to act as a weapon, the weapon inevitably breaks out and the same messages are spread about the value of life and nature. But once the main antagonist of the piece comes forward, there's quite a nice dynamic between them and Susan. A really nice backstory is given to them and they become quite a great showcase of how innocent people can become extremists. I can't forgive the first half, but yeah the second half was pretty good.
The Shoreditch Intervention:
7/10
Verdict: Optional
Pretty slow start with a decent setting and some alright side characters, but once 8 enters the picture the story gets to the good stuff. Susan and 8 catching up is properly good, especially their debates on the war and if picking a side is the right thing to do. The daleks are fine in this, I'm kind of let down that we only end up dealing with them through a bunch of teenage greasers, which is a decent novelty but wears off after a while. The plot was OK, but really a backdrop for the 8 and Susan dynamic, which really is the meat and potatoes of this.
7/10
Verdict: Optional
I love this, seeing Susan and Ian together again is pure joy, especially considering the history that's been built since their parting. These are amazing representations of those classic characters after life has happened to them, both feel very experienced and Ian really feels like an old adventurer ready to jump back in for one last journey. Seeing Susan get introduced to the Time War is also really fun, and put an immediate smile on my face. Unfortunately, the other timelords in the story ended up feeling pretty generic to me, and while I liked seeing the sensorites return, they didn't captivate me too much. As for the plot, the murder mystery elements are pretty entertaining, but as soon as the 'interior' is introduced I sort of lost focus, it felt a bit too abstract for me, and a lot of it ends up feeling a little unnecessary up till they find the macguffin. The ending also felt pretty bittersweet, with Ian and Susan parting ways, especially since we know what comes of Gallifrey in the end.
The Uncertain Shore:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
Pretty fun for the most part with some good side characters, a nice setting and a decent murder mystery... well for the first half anyway. In regards to that, while the ongoing mystery of who the Dalek agent is had me quite entertained, the eventual conclusion was a bit too convoluted and there was too much going on at the reveal for the proper weight to be put on it. The Ogrons are in this, and while their role is pretty minor, I still liked what was done with them here. There was a fake out that Susan was going to be a 'ends justify the means' type of timelord, but much like these twists in other time war stories, these are never all that believable and end up feeling more like time wasters, this one at least was tied in to the mystery conclusion though.
Assets of War:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
Reeeeaaaallly slow for the first half and had me rolling my eyes because it's another Time War story where the Time Lords have engineered a species to act as a weapon, the weapon inevitably breaks out and the same messages are spread about the value of life and nature. But once the main antagonist of the piece comes forward, there's quite a nice dynamic between them and Susan. A really nice backstory is given to them and they become quite a great showcase of how innocent people can become extremists. I can't forgive the first half, but yeah the second half was pretty good.
The Shoreditch Intervention:
7/10
Verdict: Optional
Pretty slow start with a decent setting and some alright side characters, but once 8 enters the picture the story gets to the good stuff. Susan and 8 catching up is properly good, especially their debates on the war and if picking a side is the right thing to do. The daleks are fine in this, I'm kind of let down that we only end up dealing with them through a bunch of teenage greasers, which is a decent novelty but wears off after a while. The plot was OK, but really a backdrop for the 8 and Susan dynamic, which really is the meat and potatoes of this.
December 6, 2024
Sphere of Influence 3
The Uncertain Shore 3.5
Assets of War 3
The Shoreditch Intervention 3
found on podcast app
The Uncertain Shore 3.5
Assets of War 3
The Shoreditch Intervention 3
found on podcast app
April 11, 2025
Sphere of Influence:
A strong opening story with not only Susan coming into the time war with the return of the Sensorites but a wonderful but yet somewhat beautiful reuniting of Susan and Ian Chesterton! This was an engaging story throughout and as well it is a tribute to '60s who and it had its own story as well, the ideas were good in this and it shows that nobody is safe in The Time War, whether you're a part of it or not. 8.5/10
The Uncertain Shore:
An enjoyable story with our characters trying to find a Dalek Agent, but find themselves caught up with a murder before the invasion begins. Nothing particularly special this story but it was certainly very enjoyable with some nice character moments and it's interesting to see Robotized Ogrons! 8/10
Assets of War:
A great base under-siege with a Time lord experiment about to go horribly wrong and it's up to Susan to not only save the lives of her fellow Timelords but to stop The Timelords from using the Orrovix as a weapon against The Daleks 8.5/10
The Shoreditch Intervention:
Definitely the best story in this set with a nice time travel plot, with plenty of references and a nice but short cameo (won't spoil). Oh, and there's plenty of action in this with The Daleks trying to win The Time War by bypassing Earth's time lock. It's lovely to see Susan and 8 back together again and you can really see the differences they have, with 8 wanting nothing to do with the war whilst Susan is apart of it because of what she's lost thanks to The Daleks. 9/10
A strong opening story with not only Susan coming into the time war with the return of the Sensorites but a wonderful but yet somewhat beautiful reuniting of Susan and Ian Chesterton! This was an engaging story throughout and as well it is a tribute to '60s who and it had its own story as well, the ideas were good in this and it shows that nobody is safe in The Time War, whether you're a part of it or not. 8.5/10
The Uncertain Shore:
An enjoyable story with our characters trying to find a Dalek Agent, but find themselves caught up with a murder before the invasion begins. Nothing particularly special this story but it was certainly very enjoyable with some nice character moments and it's interesting to see Robotized Ogrons! 8/10
Assets of War:
A great base under-siege with a Time lord experiment about to go horribly wrong and it's up to Susan to not only save the lives of her fellow Timelords but to stop The Timelords from using the Orrovix as a weapon against The Daleks 8.5/10
The Shoreditch Intervention:
Definitely the best story in this set with a nice time travel plot, with plenty of references and a nice but short cameo (won't spoil). Oh, and there's plenty of action in this with The Daleks trying to win The Time War by bypassing Earth's time lock. It's lovely to see Susan and 8 back together again and you can really see the differences they have, with 8 wanting nothing to do with the war whilst Susan is apart of it because of what she's lost thanks to The Daleks. 9/10
April 26, 2025
Susan is called back to gallifrey to fight in the time war.
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