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UNIT: The New Series #12
UNIT: Nemesis 4: Masters of Time
As if the alien Vulpreen weren’t enough, what remains of UNIT faces another formidable adversary. The mercurial Time Lord Missy is on the side of the Vulpreen, helping and encouraging them in their ambition to become the rulers not just of Earth, but of all Space and Time.
One Way or Another by John Dorney - Kate leads an attack on a Vulpreen prison camp, unaware that UNIT friends are being held there. As paths converge, Kate and Osgood have different perspectives on the attack, and specific dangers to overcome.
Traitors’ Gate by Sarah Grochala - Osgood is a prisoner in the Tower of London, which is now a Vulpreen base. To rescue her friend, Kate must devise a plan to raid her former headquarters. Inside the Tower, the Vulpreen are determined to access the Black Archive and the hugely dangerous alien technology it contains. How long can Osgood keep them out?
The Destiny Labyrinth by Alison Winter - The UNIT team find themselves traveling through various epochs in Earth’s history. The only guide they have is working for the enemy, and the Vulpreen are hot on their heels. Help comes from a new friend, a young healer who already has a curious relationship with time.
True Nemesis by Andrew Smith - Under Missy’s guiding hand, the Vulpreen are ready to strike out, to establish themselves as the new Masters of Time. UNIT’s confrontation with Missy in the depths of Portugal’s Douro Valley will decide the fate of not just the Earth but the whole Universe.
Deploying July 2023.
One Way or Another by John Dorney - Kate leads an attack on a Vulpreen prison camp, unaware that UNIT friends are being held there. As paths converge, Kate and Osgood have different perspectives on the attack, and specific dangers to overcome.
Traitors’ Gate by Sarah Grochala - Osgood is a prisoner in the Tower of London, which is now a Vulpreen base. To rescue her friend, Kate must devise a plan to raid her former headquarters. Inside the Tower, the Vulpreen are determined to access the Black Archive and the hugely dangerous alien technology it contains. How long can Osgood keep them out?
The Destiny Labyrinth by Alison Winter - The UNIT team find themselves traveling through various epochs in Earth’s history. The only guide they have is working for the enemy, and the Vulpreen are hot on their heels. Help comes from a new friend, a young healer who already has a curious relationship with time.
True Nemesis by Andrew Smith - Under Missy’s guiding hand, the Vulpreen are ready to strike out, to establish themselves as the new Masters of Time. UNIT’s confrontation with Missy in the depths of Portugal’s Douro Valley will decide the fate of not just the Earth but the whole Universe.
Deploying July 2023.
Audiobook
First published July 12, 2023
25 people want to read
About the author
John Dorney
166 books26 followersJohn Dorney is a British writer and actor best known for stage roles including the National Theatre, the BBC Radio 4 sitcom My First Planet; and his scripts for the Big Finish Doctor Who range. His script 'Solitaire' was rated the most popular Doctor Who Companion Chronicle of 2010 on the Timescales website and was the runner up in Unreality Sci-fi net's poll for Story of the Year 2010-11.
As well as Doctor Who, he has written for Big Finish's Sapphire and Steel series and on radio co-wrote three series of BBC Radio 4's Recorded for Training Purposes. He won the BBC Show Me the Funny 'Sketch Factor' competition, was a finalist in the BBC 'Laughing Stock' competition, and has performed in Mark Watson's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning long shows as 'The Balladeer'. On stage, he has written plays for the Royal Court Theatre, Hampstead and Soho Theatres.
He trained at LAMDA.
As well as Doctor Who, he has written for Big Finish's Sapphire and Steel series and on radio co-wrote three series of BBC Radio 4's Recorded for Training Purposes. He won the BBC Show Me the Funny 'Sketch Factor' competition, was a finalist in the BBC 'Laughing Stock' competition, and has performed in Mark Watson's Edinburgh Comedy Award winning long shows as 'The Balladeer'. On stage, he has written plays for the Royal Court Theatre, Hampstead and Soho Theatres.
He trained at LAMDA.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 22, 2025
This final volume of the “season” opens with Earth having been conquered by the Vulpreen, and UNIT making a stand as the resistance to their rule. The first two episodes are battles against the odds, with our heroes struggling to infiltrate enemy strongholds against the aliens’ superior technology. They are, as suits a UNIT story, heavy on action, but they’re easier to follow than such things often are, with the exception that the Vulpreen seem to spend an awful lot of time shooting at nothing, or perhaps just being terrible shots.
The variety of setting that we’d expect from these sci-fi tales is provided by the third episode, in which Kate and Osgood are chased through time and space. They visit several different places along the way, some of which are window dressing, but some of which provide some significant interactions. And then there’s the final showdown, which takes place in Portugal – to my recollection, the only major Western European country that both the series and the spin-offs have hitherto ignored.
Kate and Osgood are, as usual, our main characters, although the heavy emphasis on the action leaves little room to explore them any more than has already been done. Harry and Naomi appear in the first episode, while Josh and Tam make up the numbers, with the latter never developed enough to be at all interesting. To be fair, there are also a few strong guest characters, at least within the confines of the action format.
The main promise of the cover, to those new to the series, is the presence of Missy. However, while she gets mentioned often enough, she only turns up in the final episode, and doesn’t get as much to do as one might hope; perhaps we’ve been spoiled by her having her own series elsewhere. Of course, given that this is explicitly the last four episodes of a 16-part season, it’s hardly a standalone story anyway, so hopefully, few people will have been drawn in solely by her being on the cover.
It’s also, as of this writing, the last season in the series, and the rebirth of UNIT in the TV series makes a return, at least in this form, seem unlikely. It may not be the deepest story, or have the characterisation of some of the earlier episodes, but at least it's going out with a big, dramatic bang, which is not too bad a thing for UNIT.
The variety of setting that we’d expect from these sci-fi tales is provided by the third episode, in which Kate and Osgood are chased through time and space. They visit several different places along the way, some of which are window dressing, but some of which provide some significant interactions. And then there’s the final showdown, which takes place in Portugal – to my recollection, the only major Western European country that both the series and the spin-offs have hitherto ignored.
Kate and Osgood are, as usual, our main characters, although the heavy emphasis on the action leaves little room to explore them any more than has already been done. Harry and Naomi appear in the first episode, while Josh and Tam make up the numbers, with the latter never developed enough to be at all interesting. To be fair, there are also a few strong guest characters, at least within the confines of the action format.
The main promise of the cover, to those new to the series, is the presence of Missy. However, while she gets mentioned often enough, she only turns up in the final episode, and doesn’t get as much to do as one might hope; perhaps we’ve been spoiled by her having her own series elsewhere. Of course, given that this is explicitly the last four episodes of a 16-part season, it’s hardly a standalone story anyway, so hopefully, few people will have been drawn in solely by her being on the cover.
It’s also, as of this writing, the last season in the series, and the rebirth of UNIT in the TV series makes a return, at least in this form, seem unlikely. It may not be the deepest story, or have the characterisation of some of the earlier episodes, but at least it's going out with a big, dramatic bang, which is not too bad a thing for UNIT.
January 7, 2025
Surprisingly enjoyed a lot. Based on reviews it looked like this finale set was a step down but I didn't particularly feel that. The last set was better but there was still a lot of fun here.
Story 1: A very simple rescue mission story that was told in a way that was slightly different and I really enjoyed that. It made the story more engaging and just really fun to listen to. 4.3/5
Story 2: okay this was a little bland, a 2nd rescue mission in a row but this time it's the tower of London. Loved the bird usage and Osgood with the black archive but otherwise it really plodded along. 3/5
Story 3: bit of a weird one for the penultimate episode. You'd assume stakes would be raised or a big thrilling plot would be happening but it was quite subdued. Not in a bad way though. This was a time hopping adventure which featured some really great character moments that was took me by surprise. 3.8/5
Story 4: didn't expect this to be wrapped up nicely with 1 hour to go and Missy yet to be introduced but after the story i felt fairly satisfied. I've not been overly a fan of this while Nemesis story line but I liked how they wrapped it up and Missy really was fun. 3.8/5
Story 1: A very simple rescue mission story that was told in a way that was slightly different and I really enjoyed that. It made the story more engaging and just really fun to listen to. 4.3/5
Story 2: okay this was a little bland, a 2nd rescue mission in a row but this time it's the tower of London. Loved the bird usage and Osgood with the black archive but otherwise it really plodded along. 3/5
Story 3: bit of a weird one for the penultimate episode. You'd assume stakes would be raised or a big thrilling plot would be happening but it was quite subdued. Not in a bad way though. This was a time hopping adventure which featured some really great character moments that was took me by surprise. 3.8/5
Story 4: didn't expect this to be wrapped up nicely with 1 hour to go and Missy yet to be introduced but after the story i felt fairly satisfied. I've not been overly a fan of this while Nemesis story line but I liked how they wrapped it up and Missy really was fun. 3.8/5
September 9, 2023
And I finished this,
Sad to say, but I do not see the point.
Missy was good for a couple of laughs, but that was the only highlight for me.
The rest was, basically, just running around, escaping, being caught, escaping again....and this just did not work for me.
I know, that is also the plot of classic stories like The Wargames ( 2nd Doctor), but oh my, that was done soooo much better.
This series started so well, I loved all the tragic story about the Jaqui McGee, I cared about the characters and the story was exciting and engaging.
The finale however.... as I said, what was the Point?
Naomi and Harry were completely irrelevant.
The villains were so pale and average, I am sure I will have forgotten all about them in 2 days time.
And all that running around, back and forth....
Pretty average release all in all.
Sad to say, but I do not see the point.
Missy was good for a couple of laughs, but that was the only highlight for me.
The rest was, basically, just running around, escaping, being caught, escaping again....and this just did not work for me.
I know, that is also the plot of classic stories like The Wargames ( 2nd Doctor), but oh my, that was done soooo much better.
This series started so well, I loved all the tragic story about the Jaqui McGee, I cared about the characters and the story was exciting and engaging.
The finale however.... as I said, what was the Point?
Naomi and Harry were completely irrelevant.
The villains were so pale and average, I am sure I will have forgotten all about them in 2 days time.
And all that running around, back and forth....
Pretty average release all in all.
September 2, 2023
Where the fuck is Sam?
Did they forget Josh has Auton parts?
Why would I go bad for Missy?
Five stars.
Did they forget Josh has Auton parts?
Why would I go bad for Missy?
Five stars.
September 5, 2023
One Way or Another ***
Traitor's Gate ***
The Destiny Labrynth ****
True Nemesis ***
Traitor's Gate ***
The Destiny Labrynth ****
True Nemesis ***
February 27, 2025
It was fine overall, but am I finally at a point where the guest stars don’t do as much for me?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews