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“THE LAST OF THE KALEDS: A DIPLOMATIC CRISIS WITH A TWISTED DALEK EXPERIMENT”

The third Susan’s War box set kicks off with The Last of the Kaleds, a tense and complex tale that sees Susan, the War Doctor, and Cardinal Rasmus travel to Kaledon. There, they encounter the supposed last survivors of the Kaled race—now a peaceful and sophisticated society—who have drawn the attention of the Time Lords. But beneath the surface of their utopia lurks a dark secret, one that threatens to upend everything.

A MISSION OF DIPLOMACY AND DECEPTION

The story sets up an intriguing premise: the Kaleds of Kaledon have not only survived but have seemingly built a thriving, civilised world, free of war and violence. Adding to the strangeness is the presence of benevolent, weaponless Dalek decoys—an unsettling image for both the Doctor and Susan, given their history. From the outset, The Last of the Kaleds is very much Susan’s story, allowing her to take the lead in diplomatic negotiations while the War Doctor operates in the background, keeping a wary eye on proceedings. Their contrasting approaches—Susan’s idealism versus the War Doctor’s hardened pragmatism—add a strong emotional undercurrent to the plot, particularly as tensions rise between them and Rasmus.

As the trio infiltrates Kaledon’s hidden depths, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems. The society’s apparent harmony masks an iron-fisted rule under the Duke, a man whose paranoia and ambition threaten to drag his world into the Time War. But the real twist comes in the revelation that the Duke and the enigmatic Mechanic are one and the same—a split personality, with a Kaled and a Dalek consciousness battling for control in the same body. This duality makes the Duke one of the most fascinating antagonists in Susan’s War, a tragic figure reminiscent of Two-Face, caught between his warring selves.

POWER STRUGGLES AND POLITICAL INTRIGUE

The story thrives on political manoeuvring and betrayal. The Duke’s paranoia and desperation to secure Kaledon’s future lead him to consider an alliance with the Time Lords—only to ultimately turn on them in a bid to strengthen his people’s position, even if it means throwing them headfirst into the war. His manipulation at the hands of the Mechanic, who exploits his insecurity, is a well-executed arc, culminating in the inevitable disaster when the decoy Daleks are weaponised against both Time Lords and pure Daleks alike.

Opposing him is the sidelined but more just Countess, who seeks to prevent Kaledon’s descent into chaos. Her dynamic with the Duke adds an emotional layer to the conflict—there’s an unspoken tension between them, as he clearly harbours feelings for her even as he imprisons her and undermines her authority. She’s also one of the most enjoyable characters, confident and composed, with a hidden ace up her sleeve: an army of robot nuns. Unfortunately, she’s pushed to the sidelines in the latter half of the story, which is a shame given her potential. But at least we get a brief, satisfying sequence of her robotic warriors effortlessly cutting through Daleks.

SUSAN STANDS HER GROUND

Susan shines in this story, and Carole Ann Ford delivers a commanding performance, highlighting her character’s evolution. She’s no longer the wide-eyed girl who once fled Gallifrey with her grandfather—this Susan is shrewd, fearless, and willing to stand her ground, even against the War Doctor. Her final confrontation with the Duke is a standout moment, as she taunts him to buy time for the Doctor to sabotage the Daleks. Her scathing remark about how this Dalek/Kaled hybrid is no better than the original Daleks drives home the central theme of the story: no matter how much they try to break free, the Kaleds are forever haunted by their past.

Jonathon Carley continues to impress as the War Doctor, balancing weary cynicism with flashes of the moral fire that still burns within him. His uneasy relationship with Susan adds an extra layer of tension, especially as they clash over strategy and ethics. Meanwhile, Rasmus remains the ever-pragmatic Time Lord, a figure whose methods constantly teeter on the edge of acceptability.

A BITTERSWEET RESOLUTION

One of the story’s strengths is its commitment to fully exploring the aftermath of the conflict. Too often, Doctor Who stories wrap up moments after the climactic battle, but The Last of the Kaleds takes its time to depict the fallout. Kaledon’s fate is neither triumphant nor catastrophic; instead, it’s a bittersweet conclusion that underscores the cost of war and the impossible choices forced upon those caught in its path.

📝VERDICT: 8/10

A strong opening to the third Susan’s War box set, The Last of the Kaleds delivers an engaging mix of diplomacy, deception, and tragedy. Susan takes centre stage, proving herself a formidable force in her own right, while the War Doctor’s presence adds weight to the proceedings. The Duke’s dual identity is a fantastic twist, and the political drama keeps the stakes high.

The sidelining of the Countess is a minor drawback, but the story compensates with a gripping finale and a satisfying exploration of its themes. With excellent performances across the board and a compelling resolution, this is a solid addition to the Time War saga.