Doctor Who – Doctor of War: Genesis

#1.02. Aftershocks ~ 4/10

◆ An Introduction

Following on from the chaotic series opener, we have the episode I was most looking forward to. Lou Morgan has something of a spotless track record – having penned two of the best stories with the War Master, and the hilarious ‘Flight 405’ – so my expectations are high.

We’re delving into an alternate Time War… and an alternate Master awaits!

◆ Publisher’s Summary

The ripples are spreading out. The Warrior is on trial. Or is he? No-one’s willing to tell him his crime so how can he know if he’s guilty? And who is trying him anyway?

◆ The Warrior

‘Aftershocks’ features a decent performance from Colin Baker.

The Warrior can only remember pain: you would’ve thought that any crime that could land you in chains would at least be memorable. He often feels like talking to himself is the only means of having a worthwhile conversation.

◆ The Master (The Warrior’s Universe)

Making his debut as the alternative Master, Geoffrey Beevers instantly becomes the greatest part of this episode.

He describes himself as dashing, clever, magnificent. At this point, the Master knows the Warrior better than he does.

◆ Story Recap

The Warrior has been put on trial, for reasons as yet unknown. Still suffering from post-regenerative trauma, there is one nagging question surrounding this new reality: if the Fourth Doctor truly exterminated the Daleks… how are they still here?

◆ Utter Drivel

Despite receiving heaps of praise from me in the introduction, Lou Morgan really dropped the ball with this script. It’s been quite a while since I listened to something quite so incoherent and messy.

There are some decent ideas floating around, such as the explanation for how the Daleks are still alive and kicking: the CIA time ring was never retrieved from the laboratory on Skaro. As time passed, the planet became a unified world of Thals, Kaleds and even Daleks. A lot of potential there, which was completely wasted.

To be honest, the only saving grace of ‘Aftershocks’ was the fairly decent performances. Geoffrey Beevers especially seemed to pull out all the stops.

◆ Sound Design

Rattling shackles have the Warrior bound. Monitors bleep in a CIA control centre. The voice of the Master has this brilliant reverb effect dubbed over it, making it sound like Beevers is inside your ear drums.

◆ Conclusion

“Genocide…”

Lou Morgan has penned some exceptional scripts over the years, which has left me wondering if she hired a pet cat to run around her keyboard for this episode.

Imagine watching ‘Trial of a Time Lord’, except that somebody has removed all the personality from the characters, and cut the whole thing down to an hour. That’s what listening to ‘Aftershocks’ was like: boring.