My god was that good.

Everything, and I do mean everything, about this story was just spectacular from start to finish. Again, I love political stories so much, and this is just a perfect one.

We start right off the bat with a twist of expectations, Romana being taken out of the running immediately is a turn I at least didn't see coming at all, and just set the ground spectacularly. Then having the Darkel and Matthias conspiring together to remove any and all political power that Romana had at the end of her tenure. Darkel is a spectacular villain here, especially shown in this moment with her taking Matthias' plan and then twisting it for her own popularity (as far as she suspects).

The assassination attempt on Darkel is a brilliant subplot, one that you can see where it's going right off the bat, but are never quite 100% sure, and even when you are, what can our cast really do about it? It's a great way to give the rest of the cast something to do, even if they can't directly affect the vote. Also some people will be pleased to know that with the way that subplot goes, you can now officially consider me a Narvin lover.

Then Brax! His return alone is spectacular enough, but everything on top of it just makes it even moreso. The realisation of what Romana's anullment meant for Brax had me whooping for joy, the way Darkel twists his new presidency, letting her get away with everything she's done reminded me why I love to hate her, the twist of what actually happened with the Pandora entity had me in shock, and I love how Darkel's fate is entirely because of her schemes and cunning. A very literal pride coming before a fall.

All in all, I don't think there's a moment of this I disliked, and I'm not fully converted and on the gallifrey train.