I'm not a sports fan, so this didn't really appeal to me in the first place. I like what they tried to do to entice fans of both sports and politics, discussing the violence and fandom surrounding these games, but it just didn't work for me. I'd love to hear what a football fan has to say about this story, though.

The Doctor starts off very excited, ready to meet Darzil Carlisle, but he soon gets roped into a game of life and death, and whilst he tries to stop it, ends up making matters worse. I feel like the Doctor is a bit pointless in this story - no matter what he does, nothing really happens and he's just running about like a headless chicken. The real star of the story is Nyssa - I think the roles are reversed here; where the companion is usually in danger and the Doctor has to save them, this time the Doctor's in trouble and it's up to Nyssa to help solve the situation. She's definitely matured by now and is ready to leave him and help others like he's taught her. The father-daughter relationship has strengthened to the point that her character arc is now a coming-of-age story, which has a lot of impact. He's clearly saddened by her decision to join Carlisle and keep him in check, but it's what she wants. If this was her departure story, I think this definitely would've been a fitting end for her character. It's not the best story plot-wise, but it's brilliant for Nyssa.

That's two of the original companions who've played a different role - first Jackie Hill was in Meglos, now William Russell has a go at Lord Carlisle - I love his performance, but I'm rather bored by the "Never meet your heroes" trope, and I think it's rather problematic to suggest that peace negotiators aren't very good at their job. He reminded me a little of River Song at times, meeting the Doctor before they've met him. I think the interactions between him and the Doctor are brilliant, but that's only due to the chemistry between the two actors.

The action scenes on the pitch are a nice idea, but like I say, I'm not a football fan and they don't interest me, and there's very little emotional impact behind it - The Doctor basically killed 160 people, and there's little discussed by it, no guilt, nothing. I like that they try to do something with the setting, but it's just thoroughly unengaging.

The players have been indoctrinated to care only about the game - it's an interesting commentary on how far entertainment dictates our lives, and I think it's handled fairly well, especially when the Doctor is talking to someone about how he's proud to have a son who will join the games, without any fear for his life - it's a great idea to show the problems of fandom and obsession. The other side characters and all this peace talk subplot is just bland. It's a nice nod to get a real commentator to voice a part though.

Again, nothing interesting with the music, but it's very evocative of Season 25, bombastic and synths galore! I like it but nothing standout.

Favourite Line: We simplify so all we can see is us versus them.

There's an idea there, but I'm just so uninterested - it's incredibly boring, especially considering I'm not interested in sports (which I've mentioned a few times now), but the politics side as well is just so distant from what's going on that they could be two separate two parters. It took me way too long to listen to this cos I couldn't get through two minutes before turning it off and getting on with something else. However, the performances from everyone are superb and it's really great to have such a stellar cast shine through something so dull.