📝8/10

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TRACKS OF TIME: SEASON FINALE ON A TRAIN TO CHAOS

The finale of Gallifrey Series 1 grabs your attention immediately with its distinctive setting—a train hurtling through late 1930s Germany. Romana finds herself drawn into a high-stakes meeting with the conman Arcadian, who’s been meddling with time to ensure the proper fate of a German woman linked to the Doctor’s travels.

This woman is Sissy Pollard, the sister of Charley Pollard. Unlike her adventurous sibling, Sissy has grown up in Nazi Germany, embracing its ideology. In a grim twist, Sissy’s suicide is necessary to preserve the timeline, and Romana and Leela are tasked with ensuring this tragic outcome.

Tension on the Tracks:

The moving train provides an evocative change of scenery, lending the story a sense of urgency and claustrophobia. This is easily the most straightforward and tense episode of Gallifrey to date, with fewer detours into political intrigue and more focus on character-driven drama and time-twisting stakes.

The plot also ties intricately into the Eighth Doctor’s Main Range adventures, particularly those involving Charley Pollard. While this connection adds depth for fans of the wider Doctor Who universe, it also complicates the narrative and may confuse listeners unfamiliar with those stories.

Powerful Performances:

Lalla Ward commands attention as Romana, portraying her with a mix of authority and emotional nuance, while Louise Jameson continues to shine as the fierce and determined Leela. Their dynamic remains the backbone of the series, bringing gravitas and energy to every scene.

India Fisher is a standout as Sissy, crafting a character who feels distinct from Charley while retaining some echoes of her sister’s essence. Her exchanges with Leela—particularly their discussions about fascism and Nazi ideology—are among the most compelling moments. Sissy’s attempts to assert her superiority are deftly undercut by Leela’s unrelenting confidence and skill, creating a fascinating clash of worldviews.

Gut-Wrenching Twists:

Erich, introduced as Sissy’s boyfriend, emerges as a pivotal figure. His transformation into a different incarnation of Torvald—and later the shocking revelation that he is Andred disguised as Torvald—delivers the most gut-wrenching twist of the series so far. The emotional weight of this revelation, particularly for Leela, adds a new layer of tension and heartbreak to the story.

Chilling Finale:

The finale builds to a chilling conclusion. Sissy’s ultimate fate is both inevitable and tragic, leaving a haunting final impression as the season closes. The story’s dark tone and high stakes provide a fitting end to a series filled with intrigue and moral complexity.

Final Thoughts:

This finale balances tense action with emotional depth, leveraging its unique setting and complex characters to deliver one of Gallifrey’s strongest episodes yet. While the ties to the wider Doctor Who universe may feel overwhelming at times, the powerful performances and high-stakes drama more than make up for it.

A tightly wound tale of fate, sacrifice, and identity that sets the stage for Gallifrey’s next chapter with chilling precision.