Doctor Who: The War Doctor Begins: Enemy Mine

The War Doctor Begins #6

by Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim, Mark Wright, Matt Fitton

The Doctor is no more. A warrior has joined the Time War between the Daleks and Gallifrey. But how far will he go? What lines will he cross? How much of himself will he sacrifice?

6.1 The Hybrid’s Choice by Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim - The War Doctor believes Case is dead. But her true fate may be worse - embracing her Dalek nature, recruited to the enemy’s cause. But serving her new masters is not easy. The Dalek Time Strategist knows that Case’s inner self is in conflict, and seeks a way to seal her fate forever.

6.2 Fear Nothing by Mark Wright - The War Doctor's search for Case is diverted by Commodore Tamasan, summoning him against his will to a remote TARDIS drydock facility at the very edge of the War. Tamasan has a dangerous proposition, but what is her true agenda? Case has been unleashed by the Daleks to eliminate a key Time Lord asset, an asset who could change the course of the Time War. With nothing left to lose, Case has nothing left to fear.

6.3 Exit Strategy by Matt Fitton - Case is with the Daleks - but the Emperor is yet to be convinced of her effectiveness as a weapon. The Dalek Time Strategist will not give up and takes Case to a secret facility for readjustment. The War Doctor will not give up on Case either. He hopes she can still be rescued. But he is not the man he was - and he may not be the man to save her.

Genres: Doctor Who

MP3 CD

First published December 1, 2023

Reviews

[Danny Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

So here we are at the very end of this series of adventures, The War Doctor Begins has finally reached its conclusion and in turn, we're finally going to see some closure between The Doctor and Case's relationship. But what will happen? I'm both terrified and excited to find out!

The Hybrid's Choice:
The Doctor believes Case to be dead, but unfortunately for her, she isn't. Case is slowly being programmed by a Dalek Facilitator via the use of therapy to be turned into the war weapon they desire for their conflict against The Timelords. Can The Doctor save Case before it's too late or will she succumb to The Daleks?

Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim who plays Case has written an amazing script that explores the psyche of Case's character and how she feels after the events of Memnos. This is a very emotionally impactful script where The Daleks are at their most emotionally manipulative. The cast here was on fire and Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim in particular does an incredible job bringing Case to life, the emotions she feels throughout this story impacted me heavily and I'm praying she will have a happy ending. 10/10

Fear Nothing:
The Doctor has been taken away from his destination quite rudely by Commodore Tamasan who wants him to pilot a Battle Tardis in the Time War. But this isn't any ordinary Battle Tardis, it's something far more terrifying and it's psychically linked up to a young Timelord. Case is coming and nothing can stand her away. She will discover Commodore Tamasan's plans to destroy The Daleks and she will exterminate!

Mark Wright has written a terrific base-under-siege story that is both action-packed and intense. Case is terrifying in this story as we see her succumbing to the Dalek's control. The situation in this story feels hopeless and the emotional weight behind this story makes for a very tense and nail-biting listen. 9/10

Exit Strategy:
The Doctor has been ordered to destroy Case once and for all. But if this incarnation of The Doctor can't save her, then perhaps his previous incarnation can. The Doctor's past and future are about to converge and together or not at all they might be able to save Case and put a stop to The Dalek Time Strategist's plan.

Matt Fitton has written an epic finale that whilst it has this incredible sense of scale to it with an appearance from The Dalek Emperor and the 8th Doctor, it's very much an epic story told on a smaller scale to explore a more emotional finale that's moving, heartbreaking and bittersweet. Fitton has written a unique take on the Multi-Doctor story that caught me by surprise with its twist. The ending to this one is very much an emotional one that excellently brings this series to an end. 10/10

Overall: 29/30

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

6.1 The Hybrid’s Choice - Another good one. But it’s been awhile since the last set and I feel like I need to go back and register to the whole series to really appreciate all of nuances to the characters. (3/5)

6.2 Fear Nothing - Oh nice! A tight thriller about the absurdities of “building the deadliest weapon” in warfare: the Dreadnaught class battle TARDIS. Also some nice, and unexpected, callbacks to some other Big Finish releases. (5/5)

6.3 Exit Strategy - A multi-Doctor special with The (Eighth) Doctor joining The Warrior (aka The War Doctor) to save the life of Case. Have we reached the end of the beginning of The Warrior (aka The War Doctor)? (4/5)

[Jamie Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 1 - I really loved this, thought the story and characterisation were great, the therapy dalek was just perfect and really hit the right notes for me 4.5/5
Story 2 - this didn't interest me much, there were some great moments with Tamasen and the Doctor and Cass but very standard 3/5
Story 3 - Matt Fitton is not my favourite writer, not by any means, but I liked this one. Was lovely hearing Mcgann as always, and him being there truly helped show the difference in characterisation between the war doctor and the others. Enjoyed how this story with Case and the Doctor ended 4/5

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

They figured out a way to incorporate the Eighth Doctor, and it got very emotional. War is reminded of how hopeful and heroic he used to be, and how he is a warrior and master of deception who can no longer save everyone. He’s had a tragic fall, but this perhaps adds another layer to the act of saving Gallifrey in The Day of the Doctor.

[Joseph S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending was confusing.