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Gallifrey #12
Gallifrey: Time War 4
Romana is lost to the Time War though Leela and Narvin still fight to survive.
A resistance, caught between Rassilon’s fury and the Dalek Emperor’s mania, have a desperate plan to stop the conflict.
Everything ends. And for some on Gallifrey, the Time War will soon be over.
4.1 Deception by Lisa McMullin
As the resistance scatters, Leela and an unknown ally embark on a rescue. But there are traps for the unwary inside the Vortex.
Meanwhile on Gallifrey, Livia and Mantus are at odds, seeking to protect themselves as Rassilon's grip tightens.
4.2 Dissolution by Lou Morgan
With young Rayo in tow, Narvin looks for respite in an ancient bolthole and turns to an old mentor for help.
But a Dalek has been hunting him through space and time, and it will not give up his trail so easily.
4.3 Beyond by David Llewellyn
Romana met her fate on Unity, but Braxiatel isn’t ready to give up on her. In a forbidden realm, he offers one last hope to escape the chaos of a universe at war.
First, they must enter the Beyond and confront the ghosts and monsters within...
4.4 Homecoming by Matt Fitton
Rassilon receives an ultimatum from an envoy of the Dalek Emperor while Leela and Narvin return with a dangerous strategy to end the Time War.
All roads lead to Gallifrey. For some, this is where the fight will end.
A resistance, caught between Rassilon’s fury and the Dalek Emperor’s mania, have a desperate plan to stop the conflict.
Everything ends. And for some on Gallifrey, the Time War will soon be over.
4.1 Deception by Lisa McMullin
As the resistance scatters, Leela and an unknown ally embark on a rescue. But there are traps for the unwary inside the Vortex.
Meanwhile on Gallifrey, Livia and Mantus are at odds, seeking to protect themselves as Rassilon's grip tightens.
4.2 Dissolution by Lou Morgan
With young Rayo in tow, Narvin looks for respite in an ancient bolthole and turns to an old mentor for help.
But a Dalek has been hunting him through space and time, and it will not give up his trail so easily.
4.3 Beyond by David Llewellyn
Romana met her fate on Unity, but Braxiatel isn’t ready to give up on her. In a forbidden realm, he offers one last hope to escape the chaos of a universe at war.
First, they must enter the Beyond and confront the ghosts and monsters within...
4.4 Homecoming by Matt Fitton
Rassilon receives an ultimatum from an envoy of the Dalek Emperor while Leela and Narvin return with a dangerous strategy to end the Time War.
All roads lead to Gallifrey. For some, this is where the fight will end.
Audiobook
First published February 4, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 25, 2021
4.1 Deception by Lisa McMullin
Il brutto dei boxset appartenenti alla stessa serie è pubblicati dopo mesi è che, con la memoria da criceto che mi ritrovo, fatico sempre tantissimo a riprendere il filo.
Questo primo capitolo della quarta stagione di Gallifrey: Time War è la prosecuzione diretta del terzo cofanetto.
Narvin e Leela si separano durante un attacco alla base dei ribelli. Questa prima storia segue la parte di Leela e, su Gallifrey, i soliti deliri di Rassilon.
Bella la trovata del deceptiom field , per quanto concerne le armi i gallifreyani hanno idee senza fine.
4.2 Dissolution by Lou Morgan
Parte dedicata a Narvin che, per sfuggire ai Dalek, si rifugia sul pianeta/rifugio dei membri della sua casata.
Scopriamo qualcosa in più su Narvin (o, forse, sono informazioni già note, che non conosco perché non ho ancora ascoltato gli audio della serie Gallifrey.
Scopriamo anche i piani della resistenza e Narvin, dopo essere sfuggito ai soliti Dalek, deve rimettersi in gioco.
Il finale riapre i giochi per la terza parte.
4.3 Beyond by David Llewellyn
Recuperiamo Romana e il salvataggio viene eseguito da Braxiatel... ma la situazione si fa subito complicata.
Siamo all'interno del Beyond, una sorta di non luogo creato dalle ripetute modifiche temporali avvenute durante la guerra. Un luogo di paradossi dove linee temporali abortite o mai avvenute sembrano perseguitare i due Time Lord.
Abbiamo anche il ritorno di vecchi amici, sembra frutto del paradosso, che creano una situazione interessante.
Il finale porta anche Romana sulla strada di casa.
Nell'ultima parte potremmo avere una bella riunione di famiglia.
4.4 Homecoming by Matt Fitton
Sfruttando un Tardis predisposto dalla resistenza in modo da porre fine alla guerra, Narvin e Leela prima recuperano Livia e Mantus (offerti volontari da Rassilon in una missione contro Dalek), poi recuperano Romana, ostaggio dei Dalek.
Sembra che tutti vogluano distruggere il Vortice del Tempo e, mentre Rassilon predispone le pedine per il piano che conosciamo da The End of Time, la nostra squadra di eroi deve cercare di salvare la situazione.
Il finale non è definitivo visto che, dal punto di vista generale, sappiamo come le cose procederanno, visto che il tutto sfocia nel finale della Time War visto in TV.
Per quanto riguarda Romana e Leela siamo in una posizione di stallo che, volendo, può recuperarle nel post guerra.
Non credo, almeno spero, che la serie di Gallifrey finisca qui... nel frattempo recupererò gli inizi della serie.
Il brutto dei boxset appartenenti alla stessa serie è pubblicati dopo mesi è che, con la memoria da criceto che mi ritrovo, fatico sempre tantissimo a riprendere il filo.
Questo primo capitolo della quarta stagione di Gallifrey: Time War è la prosecuzione diretta del terzo cofanetto.
Narvin e Leela si separano durante un attacco alla base dei ribelli. Questa prima storia segue la parte di Leela e, su Gallifrey, i soliti deliri di Rassilon.
Bella la trovata del deceptiom field , per quanto concerne le armi i gallifreyani hanno idee senza fine.
4.2 Dissolution by Lou Morgan
Parte dedicata a Narvin che, per sfuggire ai Dalek, si rifugia sul pianeta/rifugio dei membri della sua casata.
Scopriamo qualcosa in più su Narvin (o, forse, sono informazioni già note, che non conosco perché non ho ancora ascoltato gli audio della serie Gallifrey.
Scopriamo anche i piani della resistenza e Narvin, dopo essere sfuggito ai soliti Dalek, deve rimettersi in gioco.
Il finale riapre i giochi per la terza parte.
4.3 Beyond by David Llewellyn
Recuperiamo Romana e il salvataggio viene eseguito da Braxiatel... ma la situazione si fa subito complicata.
Siamo all'interno del Beyond, una sorta di non luogo creato dalle ripetute modifiche temporali avvenute durante la guerra. Un luogo di paradossi dove linee temporali abortite o mai avvenute sembrano perseguitare i due Time Lord.
Abbiamo anche il ritorno di vecchi amici, sembra frutto del paradosso, che creano una situazione interessante.
Il finale porta anche Romana sulla strada di casa.
Nell'ultima parte potremmo avere una bella riunione di famiglia.
4.4 Homecoming by Matt Fitton
Sfruttando un Tardis predisposto dalla resistenza in modo da porre fine alla guerra, Narvin e Leela prima recuperano Livia e Mantus (offerti volontari da Rassilon in una missione contro Dalek), poi recuperano Romana, ostaggio dei Dalek.
Sembra che tutti vogluano distruggere il Vortice del Tempo e, mentre Rassilon predispone le pedine per il piano che conosciamo da The End of Time, la nostra squadra di eroi deve cercare di salvare la situazione.
Il finale non è definitivo visto che, dal punto di vista generale, sappiamo come le cose procederanno, visto che il tutto sfocia nel finale della Time War visto in TV.
Per quanto riguarda Romana e Leela siamo in una posizione di stallo che, volendo, può recuperarle nel post guerra.
Non credo, almeno spero, che la serie di Gallifrey finisca qui... nel frattempo recupererò gli inizi della serie.
Read
February 5, 2021Relisten 17/11/2022:
This is the first time I've relistened to Time War 4 since it's released, as when I first listened to it, I hated it that much I wanted to leave a long gap before I relistened to it. This box set just gives me so many mixed feelings as a whole. The first two stories were the highlights, but then from Beyond and Homecoming I was very disappointed in.
I just wished they had writers who understand Brax as a character. He is many things, but he is not a coward and I hate how writers are using this as his main character trait when he is so much more. I liked the bits with him and Romana talking about the Doctor, and the older Brax was fun...but I hated Beyond.
This is the first time I've relistened to Time War 4 since it's released, as when I first listened to it, I hated it that much I wanted to leave a long gap before I relistened to it. This box set just gives me so many mixed feelings as a whole. The first two stories were the highlights, but then from Beyond and Homecoming I was very disappointed in.
I just wished they had writers who understand Brax as a character. He is many things, but he is not a coward and I hate how writers are using this as his main character trait when he is so much more. I liked the bits with him and Romana talking about the Doctor, and the older Brax was fun...but I hated Beyond.
August 8, 2021
Dissolution:
As much as I enjoy a big battle or time hanging in the balance of the air finales in boxsets, it's alway good to have a story that focuses on a few characters and gives us a chance to get in there heads better. Although some big piece stories from the time war have done very well in writing big events or Daleks Vs timelords battle stuff such as "Restoration of the Daleks", when it comes to Gallifrey it's really shines beautifully with its small scale character stories. For the same reason I enjoyed "Soldier obscura" I loved how this story focuses on three characters and two who don't really get on. It also works perfectly for fans like me who have heared Narvin in all the time war tie ins and not much in the Gallifrey series.
Narvin always struck me as alittle arragont and someone how wants to get on with it and thinks he has the right way. Not necessarily in a normal timelord way of power mad or I'm better than you, just very cocky about his way/wisdom and intelligence being right. So I absolutely loved getting in his head, seeing why he's like this. Throughout we start to realise he's a very bright and ambitious and has good ideas/motivation. He wants to skip the wise/patient training of understanding the world etc and get to Gallifrey and make change and progress. Not looking at the bigger picture more the details which is an excellent theme in this story. The writer here did a great job of then showing him today who wants just that, a quite place and a new chance. He talks about leaving the war and spending his last life in peace.
There's also some tragdy/weight to Narvin too. He's on his last Regeneration, been exiled by his own people, lost good friends from both the Daleks or through lies, and he starts to resent Gallifrey for messing him over. He was very patriotic and even if he was a little harsh or stubborn with his realism he really feels let down by them, it's not the Gallifrey he loved. This also adds very subtly to how the war has split both sides up and the timelords are starting to become just like the Daleks in there approach. This something we saw from Rassilons speech's on Gallifrey in episode one. I just utterly love the way throughout this story we see both sides to him some more subtle then others. Such as his actions between the Dalek bounty Hunter and later he's decision to go back to Gallifrey. He still cares and wants to make a difference but it's the innocent survivor who helps him in the end. Hes both a curse and a blessing, if he leaves he's another thing on his conscience and yet dispite all the risk that going back to Gallifrey can cause for him he eventually decided to go back.
Rayo is also a great side character too which is surprising because alot of his arc here is to make Narvin change his mind. However it's such a great performance and insight into how this war really effects other people. No attack on any writers apart of the time war sagas but one thing that hasn't really worked is how other people have been effected. There are some good storys such as "The lords of terror" or "The innocent" but characters such as bliss has failed to do that in 4 boxset yet Rayo in just 3 stories (well two) have succeeded. Him and his mum were having a great life before the events and daleks came to unity and took his world and mother from him, he found another mother figure through Leela who swore to look after him and has now been cut off from her and so he is now stuck with Navin and a very wise old woman/teacher. This leads to his desperation and desire for vengeance.
But him and the old woman have a great relationship together and eventually Narvin, because he is that final piece of protection for him. He stays behind on this world with the old woman, safe.
While the Daleks don't have the best to do here and the Dalek bounty Hunter was no different than any other Dalek, it does work for the storys theme and arc. It's an incredible scene when all three attack the Dalek and say whos death it is for. For mum, Romana and anyone the Daleks have hurt. Even though for a Dalek bounty Hunter it's probably one of the weakest Daleks I've ever seen, it sadly doesn't do anything or show why it's so special. It's sadly the weakest part of this story. Although the emperor when he appears is great and there's a nice theme of him starting to think he's a god and scaring his other Daleks.
Rating 3/5 8/10
Homecomming:
So it all comes down to this! Well sadly not quite. Don't get me wrong Matt Fitton has done a bloody good job at tieing up everything and ending each sagas. However the time war saga seems to be in its own timeloop problem. I don't think it's anyone's fault either. Big finish are trying to fill in the gaps of what new who has established for the timewar, mainly "The Day of the Doctor". Were it's revealed that the Dr didn't actually destory Gallifrey, he did in one timeline but three drs changed it. So already this is very hard to get into or Really enjoy any of the big finish timewar stuff because we know ultimately nothing really happens.
I don't like the idea of the timewar personally but although I agree with why Moffat didn't believe the Dr pressed the button, it creates far more hassle than it's worth. Big finish have done an excellent job at showing you how far the timelords are going to win and so are the Daleks. In this story we see how Rassilon is forcing timelords to fight and becoming increasingly interested in being a god just like the Dalek emperor. The ending along with its sister ending "Restoration of the Daleks" is a good way to shows us "I can see why the Dr eventually pressed the button". But of course he didn't. So this story just feels like something is missing at the end. If we're following Moffats idea then fine but I do feel a final scene similar to something we see in the events of the 50th can give us an idea of this is end and completes the puzzle.
Romanas locked in the archive, Leela and tons of other timelords are forced to chase and find other Daleks to complete finish them, the Dr refuses to help, we hear Rassilon laugh and then we hear the war doctor break into Gallifrey and steal the moment box. Just something like that. Because honestly big finish how far do you want to drag out the timewar stuff now? Like I said this story and "Restoration of the Daleks" are very obviously connected and follow on from each other. So another confusion here is that stars the 8th Dr not the war dr. There's alot of timewar stuff going on and it can be abit confusing trying to connect it all. Especially when it comes to the doctor. Look at the timewar Checklist: war doctor (4 boxsets 12 stories), 8th Dr time war (4 boxset 15 stories) war master (2 boxsets 6 stories), Susan's timewar (1 boxset 4 stories), Gallifrey timewar (4 boxsets 16 stories) and 4 more war doctor early years planed. This is only of the Daleks involvement I know of they could be more. When is a conclusion coming?
But like I said Matt Fitton does a good job with at least ending this saga and boxset. It's a good enough time of action and character stuff although I was at least expecting one big battle. We have two stories unfolding here, Narvin and Leela plan to use there bomb tardis to blow up the Dalek Emperors fleet and save Romana. It's such a great arc for Narvin as he tries his best to help and throughout this story he's a great hero in the end, saving people and refusing to give up the plan. He eventually sacrifices himself to make the plan goe on and although it's only alluded too I was gutted to hear him go. If big finish did follow the original idea by Russell T that the dr eventually pressed the button ending both races then these characters that have been so well developed,it would be heartbreaking to know what happens to them in the end, especially after all there hope and victorys.
Leela absolutely stole the show for me here, she's my favourite companion and I love her arc and staying loyal on Gallifrey helping with there weapons and there wisdom. It's perfect for her and here she's a total badass, killing tons of Daleks, saving Romana on her own in the beginning and even threatens to comeback and kill Rassilon when she's done killing Daleks. Please let me hear this. Leela often gets called mean names in this series but honestly she's the most honest and wisest. She's loyal, willing to fight but brutally honest. I think it's great how big finish have slowly develop her fighting views too as here she's very willing to sacrifice herself and takes pitty of another timelord whos so ignorant in following Rassilon. If the timeless children is real I'm sorry there's no way Leela has been killed, she's way to smark now for the master to kill her.
The other plot is just beautiful written power play between the Dalek Emperor and Rassilon. Both Nicholas Briggs and Richard Armitage play it so coldly and full of power and cockyness behind there lines it's so fun to hear them threaten each other. I especially loved hearing Rassilon claim why he is a true God and his timelords surve him because there loyal and grand and fear him. The Dalek emperor replys in anger that him calling himself a god is blasphemy to him, he's a true God because Daleks serve him because they know he's a god and they never truly die. The beautiful irony is they are no different to each other here and it's great to hear them talk agasnt each other. I felt it was ashame the Dalek time strategest didn't get a scene about this because he is the real god of the Daleks. In the 8th Dr timewar boxsets 3 & 4 he went into alternative timeline forced another Davros to become himself and resurrected the Daleks and using alternative planets and people with Davros brought back the emperor.
The Daleks plan here (although there's is always more than one) does a good job at showing you how just how bad things are getting, even if the Daleks don't actually get to show there plan, which I was alittle disappointed by. These Daleks want to rule now and so see Gallifrey as a perfect new skaro and agree to live in harmony with the timelords, but this is half a fake out. Eventually they will make the timelords become Daleks rather than kill them. It's a great idea I wanted to see alittle more of at least a what if like in the last story "Beyond". I just think the idea of timelords becoming Daleks or Dalek being able to regenerate is an idea that needs to be explored someday.
Overall this story and boxset 4 was probably one of the strongest boxsets I've listened to but more of the weaker Dalek involved sets. All stories are very enjoyable and I don't think there is a weak link story in this set, it's a good enough conclusion but it's not done/finished yet, especially if you've Listened to the ending of "Restoration of the Daleks".
Rating 3/5 8/10
Boxset rating 8/10
As much as I enjoy a big battle or time hanging in the balance of the air finales in boxsets, it's alway good to have a story that focuses on a few characters and gives us a chance to get in there heads better. Although some big piece stories from the time war have done very well in writing big events or Daleks Vs timelords battle stuff such as "Restoration of the Daleks", when it comes to Gallifrey it's really shines beautifully with its small scale character stories. For the same reason I enjoyed "Soldier obscura" I loved how this story focuses on three characters and two who don't really get on. It also works perfectly for fans like me who have heared Narvin in all the time war tie ins and not much in the Gallifrey series.
Narvin always struck me as alittle arragont and someone how wants to get on with it and thinks he has the right way. Not necessarily in a normal timelord way of power mad or I'm better than you, just very cocky about his way/wisdom and intelligence being right. So I absolutely loved getting in his head, seeing why he's like this. Throughout we start to realise he's a very bright and ambitious and has good ideas/motivation. He wants to skip the wise/patient training of understanding the world etc and get to Gallifrey and make change and progress. Not looking at the bigger picture more the details which is an excellent theme in this story. The writer here did a great job of then showing him today who wants just that, a quite place and a new chance. He talks about leaving the war and spending his last life in peace.
There's also some tragdy/weight to Narvin too. He's on his last Regeneration, been exiled by his own people, lost good friends from both the Daleks or through lies, and he starts to resent Gallifrey for messing him over. He was very patriotic and even if he was a little harsh or stubborn with his realism he really feels let down by them, it's not the Gallifrey he loved. This also adds very subtly to how the war has split both sides up and the timelords are starting to become just like the Daleks in there approach. This something we saw from Rassilons speech's on Gallifrey in episode one. I just utterly love the way throughout this story we see both sides to him some more subtle then others. Such as his actions between the Dalek bounty Hunter and later he's decision to go back to Gallifrey. He still cares and wants to make a difference but it's the innocent survivor who helps him in the end. Hes both a curse and a blessing, if he leaves he's another thing on his conscience and yet dispite all the risk that going back to Gallifrey can cause for him he eventually decided to go back.
Rayo is also a great side character too which is surprising because alot of his arc here is to make Narvin change his mind. However it's such a great performance and insight into how this war really effects other people. No attack on any writers apart of the time war sagas but one thing that hasn't really worked is how other people have been effected. There are some good storys such as "The lords of terror" or "The innocent" but characters such as bliss has failed to do that in 4 boxset yet Rayo in just 3 stories (well two) have succeeded. Him and his mum were having a great life before the events and daleks came to unity and took his world and mother from him, he found another mother figure through Leela who swore to look after him and has now been cut off from her and so he is now stuck with Navin and a very wise old woman/teacher. This leads to his desperation and desire for vengeance.
But him and the old woman have a great relationship together and eventually Narvin, because he is that final piece of protection for him. He stays behind on this world with the old woman, safe.
While the Daleks don't have the best to do here and the Dalek bounty Hunter was no different than any other Dalek, it does work for the storys theme and arc. It's an incredible scene when all three attack the Dalek and say whos death it is for. For mum, Romana and anyone the Daleks have hurt. Even though for a Dalek bounty Hunter it's probably one of the weakest Daleks I've ever seen, it sadly doesn't do anything or show why it's so special. It's sadly the weakest part of this story. Although the emperor when he appears is great and there's a nice theme of him starting to think he's a god and scaring his other Daleks.
Rating 3/5 8/10
Homecomming:
So it all comes down to this! Well sadly not quite. Don't get me wrong Matt Fitton has done a bloody good job at tieing up everything and ending each sagas. However the time war saga seems to be in its own timeloop problem. I don't think it's anyone's fault either. Big finish are trying to fill in the gaps of what new who has established for the timewar, mainly "The Day of the Doctor". Were it's revealed that the Dr didn't actually destory Gallifrey, he did in one timeline but three drs changed it. So already this is very hard to get into or Really enjoy any of the big finish timewar stuff because we know ultimately nothing really happens.
I don't like the idea of the timewar personally but although I agree with why Moffat didn't believe the Dr pressed the button, it creates far more hassle than it's worth. Big finish have done an excellent job at showing you how far the timelords are going to win and so are the Daleks. In this story we see how Rassilon is forcing timelords to fight and becoming increasingly interested in being a god just like the Dalek emperor. The ending along with its sister ending "Restoration of the Daleks" is a good way to shows us "I can see why the Dr eventually pressed the button". But of course he didn't. So this story just feels like something is missing at the end. If we're following Moffats idea then fine but I do feel a final scene similar to something we see in the events of the 50th can give us an idea of this is end and completes the puzzle.
Romanas locked in the archive, Leela and tons of other timelords are forced to chase and find other Daleks to complete finish them, the Dr refuses to help, we hear Rassilon laugh and then we hear the war doctor break into Gallifrey and steal the moment box. Just something like that. Because honestly big finish how far do you want to drag out the timewar stuff now? Like I said this story and "Restoration of the Daleks" are very obviously connected and follow on from each other. So another confusion here is that stars the 8th Dr not the war dr. There's alot of timewar stuff going on and it can be abit confusing trying to connect it all. Especially when it comes to the doctor. Look at the timewar Checklist: war doctor (4 boxsets 12 stories), 8th Dr time war (4 boxset 15 stories) war master (2 boxsets 6 stories), Susan's timewar (1 boxset 4 stories), Gallifrey timewar (4 boxsets 16 stories) and 4 more war doctor early years planed. This is only of the Daleks involvement I know of they could be more. When is a conclusion coming?
But like I said Matt Fitton does a good job with at least ending this saga and boxset. It's a good enough time of action and character stuff although I was at least expecting one big battle. We have two stories unfolding here, Narvin and Leela plan to use there bomb tardis to blow up the Dalek Emperors fleet and save Romana. It's such a great arc for Narvin as he tries his best to help and throughout this story he's a great hero in the end, saving people and refusing to give up the plan. He eventually sacrifices himself to make the plan goe on and although it's only alluded too I was gutted to hear him go. If big finish did follow the original idea by Russell T that the dr eventually pressed the button ending both races then these characters that have been so well developed,it would be heartbreaking to know what happens to them in the end, especially after all there hope and victorys.
Leela absolutely stole the show for me here, she's my favourite companion and I love her arc and staying loyal on Gallifrey helping with there weapons and there wisdom. It's perfect for her and here she's a total badass, killing tons of Daleks, saving Romana on her own in the beginning and even threatens to comeback and kill Rassilon when she's done killing Daleks. Please let me hear this. Leela often gets called mean names in this series but honestly she's the most honest and wisest. She's loyal, willing to fight but brutally honest. I think it's great how big finish have slowly develop her fighting views too as here she's very willing to sacrifice herself and takes pitty of another timelord whos so ignorant in following Rassilon. If the timeless children is real I'm sorry there's no way Leela has been killed, she's way to smark now for the master to kill her.
The other plot is just beautiful written power play between the Dalek Emperor and Rassilon. Both Nicholas Briggs and Richard Armitage play it so coldly and full of power and cockyness behind there lines it's so fun to hear them threaten each other. I especially loved hearing Rassilon claim why he is a true God and his timelords surve him because there loyal and grand and fear him. The Dalek emperor replys in anger that him calling himself a god is blasphemy to him, he's a true God because Daleks serve him because they know he's a god and they never truly die. The beautiful irony is they are no different to each other here and it's great to hear them talk agasnt each other. I felt it was ashame the Dalek time strategest didn't get a scene about this because he is the real god of the Daleks. In the 8th Dr timewar boxsets 3 & 4 he went into alternative timeline forced another Davros to become himself and resurrected the Daleks and using alternative planets and people with Davros brought back the emperor.
The Daleks plan here (although there's is always more than one) does a good job at showing you how just how bad things are getting, even if the Daleks don't actually get to show there plan, which I was alittle disappointed by. These Daleks want to rule now and so see Gallifrey as a perfect new skaro and agree to live in harmony with the timelords, but this is half a fake out. Eventually they will make the timelords become Daleks rather than kill them. It's a great idea I wanted to see alittle more of at least a what if like in the last story "Beyond". I just think the idea of timelords becoming Daleks or Dalek being able to regenerate is an idea that needs to be explored someday.
Overall this story and boxset 4 was probably one of the strongest boxsets I've listened to but more of the weaker Dalek involved sets. All stories are very enjoyable and I don't think there is a weak link story in this set, it's a good enough conclusion but it's not done/finished yet, especially if you've Listened to the ending of "Restoration of the Daleks".
Rating 3/5 8/10
Boxset rating 8/10
July 23, 2023
At least for the time being, this appears to be the last in the Gallifrey series, which has long since shifted from its original "political thriller" remit to a story about war with the Daleks. This one follows on directly from the cliffhanger ending of the previous volume, although not from the perspective of the person affected - and when it does get back to it, the resolution feels perfunctory and a bit deus ex machina (in that there's no foreshadowing that it's about to happen).
The first three episodes in this collection feature each of the leads separated and accompanied only by a guest character from earlier in the series. Leela faces the after-effects of a time weapon while Narvin visits himself in a Time Lord retreat that, eventually, comes under threat from the Daleks. Although both stories are decent enough, neither goes anywhere that we haven't particularly been before and their resolutions don't tie into anything later on; they're just means to get the characters from A to B and at least have some tension along the way. But then again, perhaps I'm finding the Time War has outstayed its welcome by this point and the wellspring of ideas is starting to wear a little thin.
The third story, featuring Romana and bringing Braxiatel back (from some of the early releases in this series) is, however, rather better. The basic idea of hopping through time streams is nothing new, and the inclusion of the monster seems superfluous - and, honestly, it was never very good when it was the main focus, either. But there is some examination of Romana's character, as she faces an alternate reality in which she appears to have made some very dark decisions - has she, and if so, what could have driven her to them? These questions, at least, make this a more interesting story than it might otherwise have been, adding a moral dimension to what's essentially a chase story.
And then we're off to the grand finale, where everyone meets up again to face off against both the Daleks and the increasingly deranged Rassilon. I had some hopes for a while that this might provide a decent conclusion, perhaps even telling the story of the end of the Time War from the perspective of people who weren't the Doctor. Certainly, there are plenty of ties to events in The Parting of the Ways and The Day of the Doctor as well as other audio stories featuring the Time War. But it's set earlier than that (and perhaps such a story wouldn't really work anyway) meaning that we still have no idea what happened to our protagonists as the War neared its conclusion. (Well, there are possible explanations for Romana and Narvin, but the fact that we don't get one for Leela leaves one with the distinct feeling that it ain't over yet for the others). It's left open-ended, except for the fact that we know how the larger picture is going to turn out in the end, robbing it of any real tension or pathos.
Yeah, there's lots of action and the Dalek Emperor and Rassilon arguing with one another about which of them is really God, and some supporting characters do genuinely get written out. But, once again, the War drags on and we don't get any sense of resolution to the elements of the story that actually could have been resolved. Which I, for one, found disappointing.
The first three episodes in this collection feature each of the leads separated and accompanied only by a guest character from earlier in the series. Leela faces the after-effects of a time weapon while Narvin visits himself in a Time Lord retreat that, eventually, comes under threat from the Daleks. Although both stories are decent enough, neither goes anywhere that we haven't particularly been before and their resolutions don't tie into anything later on; they're just means to get the characters from A to B and at least have some tension along the way. But then again, perhaps I'm finding the Time War has outstayed its welcome by this point and the wellspring of ideas is starting to wear a little thin.
The third story, featuring Romana and bringing Braxiatel back (from some of the early releases in this series) is, however, rather better. The basic idea of hopping through time streams is nothing new, and the inclusion of the monster seems superfluous - and, honestly, it was never very good when it was the main focus, either. But there is some examination of Romana's character, as she faces an alternate reality in which she appears to have made some very dark decisions - has she, and if so, what could have driven her to them? These questions, at least, make this a more interesting story than it might otherwise have been, adding a moral dimension to what's essentially a chase story.
And then we're off to the grand finale, where everyone meets up again to face off against both the Daleks and the increasingly deranged Rassilon. I had some hopes for a while that this might provide a decent conclusion, perhaps even telling the story of the end of the Time War from the perspective of people who weren't the Doctor. Certainly, there are plenty of ties to events in The Parting of the Ways and The Day of the Doctor as well as other audio stories featuring the Time War. But it's set earlier than that (and perhaps such a story wouldn't really work anyway) meaning that we still have no idea what happened to our protagonists as the War neared its conclusion. (Well, there are possible explanations for Romana and Narvin, but the fact that we don't get one for Leela leaves one with the distinct feeling that it ain't over yet for the others). It's left open-ended, except for the fact that we know how the larger picture is going to turn out in the end, robbing it of any real tension or pathos.
Yeah, there's lots of action and the Dalek Emperor and Rassilon arguing with one another about which of them is really God, and some supporting characters do genuinely get written out. But, once again, the War drags on and we don't get any sense of resolution to the elements of the story that actually could have been resolved. Which I, for one, found disappointing.
February 5, 2021
I enjoyed that immensely but it has left me with mixed feelings. The content was good but this felt like the penultimate boxset rather than the ending of a series - when I looked down to see there was only 5 minutes of the episode left, I was a bit disappointed that this was it. After nearly 20 years, I was hoping for a big cathartic ending, when it feels like actually they've left it open for more - Brax and Narvin could easily be rescued from their respective 'deaths', Romana could be freed from the pocket dimension, Leela is explicitly alive and well - which is fine if they do (Gallifrey, after all, is known for its hiatuses), but so so disappointing if this truly is the end.
Some random thoughts:
- I really like that this series tied in, even if it was only briefly, lots of different Time War media: Romana and Brax's conversation about the Doctor, plus the frequent name-dropping of Cardinal Ullistra, tied this set in really nicely with the War Doctor series; the sabotaging of the Emperor Dalek's ship makes me wonder if this is what leads to the events of Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways; and the use of the 'Gallifrey Stands' was a nice link to The Day of the Doctor.
- I love, love, LOVED hearing more Narvin backstory and all that lore on how the different chapters work.
- I wish we could have heard more of the Apothecary and Danna. They had such interesting ties to our main cast, it was a shame they were only used once each.
- Honestly, it was super cathartic to hear Romana have a proper cry. Nearly 20 years of Gallifrey and up til now all we've heard is a sniffle or angsty speech. Sometimes, Romana hon, u just gotta cry it out.
Things I wished had happened:
- Romana actually using the chameleon arch. I actually rewatched Human Nature/Family of Blood today and honestly.... that scene where Martha and Joan have to convince John Smith to become the Doctor again, can you imagine how powerful doing a similar story for Romana would have been? Have Brax tell this woman why she has to go back to a war which will most likely kill her? That she's a member of the species that is wreaking such destruction across the galaxy? It could have been so good.
- I wish, if this truly is the end, that they could have linked the stories much more explicitly to either a) Gallifrey being placed in the time-lock it is in during The End of Time, or b) the fall of Arkadia/last day of the Time War, as seen in the Day of the Doctor. Either of these would have meant that the events of the Gallifrey audios actually synced up with events from the show, rather than taking place at an unspecified time.
- As great as Richard Armitage was, I'd rather they brought back Timothy Dalton (maybe the tried, I don't know) because, again, this would tie the audios in with events from the show. How many different Rassilons are Big Finish going to give us?? Did Rassilon get assassinated AGAIN?
Some random thoughts:
- I really like that this series tied in, even if it was only briefly, lots of different Time War media: Romana and Brax's conversation about the Doctor, plus the frequent name-dropping of Cardinal Ullistra, tied this set in really nicely with the War Doctor series; the sabotaging of the Emperor Dalek's ship makes me wonder if this is what leads to the events of Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways; and the use of the 'Gallifrey Stands' was a nice link to The Day of the Doctor.
- I love, love, LOVED hearing more Narvin backstory and all that lore on how the different chapters work.
- I wish we could have heard more of the Apothecary and Danna. They had such interesting ties to our main cast, it was a shame they were only used once each.
- Honestly, it was super cathartic to hear Romana have a proper cry. Nearly 20 years of Gallifrey and up til now all we've heard is a sniffle or angsty speech. Sometimes, Romana hon, u just gotta cry it out.
Things I wished had happened:
- Romana actually using the chameleon arch. I actually rewatched Human Nature/Family of Blood today and honestly.... that scene where Martha and Joan have to convince John Smith to become the Doctor again, can you imagine how powerful doing a similar story for Romana would have been? Have Brax tell this woman why she has to go back to a war which will most likely kill her? That she's a member of the species that is wreaking such destruction across the galaxy? It could have been so good.
- I wish, if this truly is the end, that they could have linked the stories much more explicitly to either a) Gallifrey being placed in the time-lock it is in during The End of Time, or b) the fall of Arkadia/last day of the Time War, as seen in the Day of the Doctor. Either of these would have meant that the events of the Gallifrey audios actually synced up with events from the show, rather than taking place at an unspecified time.
- As great as Richard Armitage was, I'd rather they brought back Timothy Dalton (maybe the tried, I don't know) because, again, this would tie the audios in with events from the show. How many different Rassilons are Big Finish going to give us?? Did Rassilon get assassinated AGAIN?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2021
It's an improvement over the last series, but then it would have to be.
12.1 - Deception -- Leaving Romana behind on Unity (and possibly dead) Narvin and Leela (with Rayo tagging along) hook up with a Gallifreyan resistance cell, fighting both the Daleks and Rassilon's tyranny. A Dalek attack quickly splits up Narvin and Leela, with Leela getting dragged into a risky plan to save a couple resistance members from a Time Lord trap.
12.2 - Dissolution -- Escaping the Dalek attack, Narvin and Rayo take refuge on an idyllic planet, but the Daleks are close behind. This episode is a bit low-key, with Narvin considering staying behind and out of the war, and Rayo angry about leaving Leela behind and wanting to dive back into the war.
12.3 - Beyond -- Romana and Braxiatel descend through layers of time fragments to try to find Yet Another Time Lord Weapon that they hope will end the war. Surprising inclusion of the Ravenous here. Some other surprises in the end as well. It's a good thing there are a few Braxiatels in reserve.
12.4 - Homecoming -- Narvin and Leela head for Gallifrey to detonate a bomb that will destroy the Time Vortex, preventing both Daleks and Time Lords from continuing the war. Things go pear-shaped, naturally.
The scuttlebutt is that this is the final set of Gallifrey episodes, but given the way this ends, I'm not so sure. As a final episode, it's lacking. Of course, the war can't really end in the audio series, since it's left to the TV series to show its end. (And we know the War Doctor is involved in that.)
But if this is intended to be a sort of cliffhanger ending, then it works. Because it certainly leaves things open for more.
Also, while Richard Armitage was good in the role of mad Rassilon, the constant echo on his voice made him seem less of a real presence, and more like a crazy ghost. We never really did find out why Rassilon regenerated. I feel like there could have been a story there -- like an assassination attempt or something -- and it's a shame that wasn't taken advantage of.
So . . . as a continuation of the long-running Gallifrey series (these could be considered episodes 45–48) this is a good set of episodes. As a finale, it's disappointing. But I don't think it's a finale.
The 8th Doctor Time War series was supposed to last only 16 episodes, but the way that ended certainly sets up more. And the same can be said here.
Furthermore, the "War Master" series was only supposed to have 16 episodes, and there are now 20, with at least 4 four coming. And now we have "The War Doctor Begins" on the horizon. So no, I don't think this is the end for Gallifrey.
12.1 - Deception -- Leaving Romana behind on Unity (and possibly dead) Narvin and Leela (with Rayo tagging along) hook up with a Gallifreyan resistance cell, fighting both the Daleks and Rassilon's tyranny. A Dalek attack quickly splits up Narvin and Leela, with Leela getting dragged into a risky plan to save a couple resistance members from a Time Lord trap.
12.2 - Dissolution -- Escaping the Dalek attack, Narvin and Rayo take refuge on an idyllic planet, but the Daleks are close behind. This episode is a bit low-key, with Narvin considering staying behind and out of the war, and Rayo angry about leaving Leela behind and wanting to dive back into the war.
12.3 - Beyond -- Romana and Braxiatel descend through layers of time fragments to try to find Yet Another Time Lord Weapon that they hope will end the war. Surprising inclusion of the Ravenous here. Some other surprises in the end as well. It's a good thing there are a few Braxiatels in reserve.
12.4 - Homecoming -- Narvin and Leela head for Gallifrey to detonate a bomb that will destroy the Time Vortex, preventing both Daleks and Time Lords from continuing the war. Things go pear-shaped, naturally.
The scuttlebutt is that this is the final set of Gallifrey episodes, but given the way this ends, I'm not so sure. As a final episode, it's lacking. Of course, the war can't really end in the audio series, since it's left to the TV series to show its end. (And we know the War Doctor is involved in that.)
But if this is intended to be a sort of cliffhanger ending, then it works. Because it certainly leaves things open for more.
Also, while Richard Armitage was good in the role of mad Rassilon, the constant echo on his voice made him seem less of a real presence, and more like a crazy ghost. We never really did find out why Rassilon regenerated. I feel like there could have been a story there -- like an assassination attempt or something -- and it's a shame that wasn't taken advantage of.
So . . . as a continuation of the long-running Gallifrey series (these could be considered episodes 45–48) this is a good set of episodes. As a finale, it's disappointing. But I don't think it's a finale.
The 8th Doctor Time War series was supposed to last only 16 episodes, but the way that ended certainly sets up more. And the same can be said here.
Furthermore, the "War Master" series was only supposed to have 16 episodes, and there are now 20, with at least 4 four coming. And now we have "The War Doctor Begins" on the horizon. So no, I don't think this is the end for Gallifrey.
March 27, 2021
Dernier coffret de la série Gallifrey Time War, il arrive à poursuivre dans sa lancée, combinant intrigues politiques et "aventures" sur d'autres mondes. J'ai eu de nouveau besoin du wiki à certains moments, (mais surtout pour me souvenir de certains détails/personnages, ayant quand même écouté le premier coffret en juin 2018!!)
Deception de Lisa McMullin semblait être un peu plus là pour parler des horreurs de la guerre et mettre en place certains éléments pour le dernier épisode. C'est un bon épisode, mais je ne trouvais pas qu'il allait vraiment quelque part.
Dissolution de Lou Morgan était un épisode assez intéressant, qui s'intéressait à développer un peu plus le personnage de Narvin et enfin révéler le plan de ce dernier pour faire progresser un peu l'intrigue.
Beyond de David Llewellyn nous amène, un peu comme son titre le souligne, autre-part dans ce coffret, un peu comme une "side-quest" qui développe le personnage de Braxiatel, mais prépare aussi Romana pour le dernier épisode. Première fois que j'entends un épisode avec les Ravenous (j'ai dû consulter un peu le wiki) donc j'ai peut-être manqué un peu l'excitement que j'aurais dû avoir à ce niveau, je pense que les dilemmes moraux étaient beaucoup plus intéressants dans l'épisode que ces ennemis .
Homecoming de Matt Fitton, l'épisode final, de la même durée que les autres donc ça ne pouvait pas non plus être une épopée en soi, mais arrive à réunir les personnages, faire évoluer la situation politique sur Gallifrey, avoir une bataille (bien que surtout orale) entre les Time Lords et les Daleks, avoir des rebondissements et être forcé de conclure, mais pas là où je pensais que ça finirait, il y a encore de la place pour des nouveaux épisodes.
Je pense que c'est une excellente série dans l'ensemble, j'ai eu beaucoup d'amusement à l'écouter, à retrouver les personnages de Leela et Romana (et découvrir Narvin petit à petit). J'ai maintenant assez hâte d'écouter les anciens épisodes de la série Gallifrey réalisé avant cette série de coffret. C'est définitivement dans les séries que je recommanderais le plus.
Deception de Lisa McMullin semblait être un peu plus là pour parler des horreurs de la guerre et mettre en place certains éléments pour le dernier épisode. C'est un bon épisode, mais je ne trouvais pas qu'il allait vraiment quelque part.
Dissolution de Lou Morgan était un épisode assez intéressant, qui s'intéressait à développer un peu plus le personnage de Narvin et enfin révéler le plan de ce dernier pour faire progresser un peu l'intrigue.
Beyond de David Llewellyn nous amène, un peu comme son titre le souligne, autre-part dans ce coffret, un peu comme une "side-quest" qui développe le personnage de Braxiatel, mais prépare aussi Romana pour le dernier épisode. Première fois que j'entends un épisode avec les Ravenous (j'ai dû consulter un peu le wiki) donc j'ai peut-être manqué un peu l'excitement que j'aurais dû avoir à ce niveau, je pense que les dilemmes moraux étaient beaucoup plus intéressants dans l'épisode que ces ennemis .
Homecoming de Matt Fitton, l'épisode final, de la même durée que les autres donc ça ne pouvait pas non plus être une épopée en soi, mais arrive à réunir les personnages, faire évoluer la situation politique sur Gallifrey, avoir une bataille (bien que surtout orale) entre les Time Lords et les Daleks, avoir des rebondissements et être forcé de conclure, mais pas là où je pensais que ça finirait, il y a encore de la place pour des nouveaux épisodes.
Je pense que c'est une excellente série dans l'ensemble, j'ai eu beaucoup d'amusement à l'écouter, à retrouver les personnages de Leela et Romana (et découvrir Narvin petit à petit). J'ai maintenant assez hâte d'écouter les anciens épisodes de la série Gallifrey réalisé avant cette série de coffret. C'est définitivement dans les séries que je recommanderais le plus.
February 19, 2021
This one was a whammy. It's felt like forever since Romana, Leela, Narvin, and Braxiatel were together. While they spend little time together in this volume, it is nice to have the team reunited once more. After the cliff hanger ending of Time War 3, I was worried that this mind indeed be the end for Lalla Ward as Romana; as much as I did enjoy Juliet Landau as Trey, I have such an attachment to Romana II that I don't ever want her to go. This volume ends on a somber note, but hopefully there will be more in store for our heroes. This cannot be the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2021
Leela and narvin try to help stop the time war and rassailon from destroying gallifrey. What they don't know is romanna is alive and trying to do the same thing.
December 14, 2023
The fact that they were able to get Richard Armitage to play Rassilon in audio is pretty wild.
August 26, 2023
Deception ****
Dissolution ****
Beyond **
Homecoming *
Dissolution ****
Beyond **
Homecoming *
February 9, 2021
The final entry in Big Finish's Gallifrey series and the fourth Gallifrey: Time War boxset, this is made up of four stories as everything builds to a crescendo. The main cast: Narvin, Leela and Romana, are excellent. Nick Briggs does a great job as always as the Daleks and Richard Armitage (Thorin in the Hobbit films) shines as Rassilon. If you're interested in the Time War then you should check this out. However, I would recommend at least listening to the previous Gallifrey Time War boxsets if not the entire Gallifrey series as a whole.
February 6, 2021
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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