Better than Rocket Men, but still quite generic.

If this was Tom Baker's first TV season as the Doctor, I think that he wouldn't be the longest running incarnation of the Time Lord, as it took too long for him in this season to get a story that he could show off his talents. Initially snarky and comedic, as an exterior to the loss of Leela which clearly hurt both him and K-9, but once he realises the situation, the act is dropped and he's straight to business. This range of attitude throughout is a stellar performance. Speaking of Leela, I'd say she's in her element here, but this story would be more tailored to the Season 14 Leela - this character has had so much development, which you can see here as she shows the softer, more romantic nature. I think this is the first story where K-9 feels like K-9, and not just John Leeson with a voice changer, and I hope that this continues with the following stories in the range.

Why does the Master look... not like the Master on the cover? In his Season 1 appearance, the Doctor mentions that he looks a little different, but that was a reference from his change from Peter Pratt to Geoffrey Beevers - so why does he look even more human now? There's literally no explanation for it, especially considering he looks as crispy as Season 1 in the Keeper of Traken. Aside from that, the Master is a little better - but I seriously think that Big Finish are unable to write this incarnation of the Master well. He's meant to be a dying incarnation, and therefore shouldn't be running about like he's still the healthy Delgado Master. Thankfully, there's no more Master stories - not until the Main Range in And You Will Obey Me (Man, I've still got the Main Range to go through!).

This is the first time I've noticed the Fourth Doctor's Big Finish theme (Listen here). I'm personally not a big fan, but that doesn't stop the score from being excellent as always, and adds a certain atmosphere to the story that would be incredibly lacking without it.

Each character has a thoroughly developed backstory, and they feel integrated into the scenery, not just there for plot convenience - you can empathise with Kastrella, and how she wants to work with the Master, but there is a subtle strained relationship which eventually comes into play.

Don't get me wrong - this is a good story. But I just feel that the plot is lacking and shouldn't have to rely on the characters to keep it going - which it does.