This is a highly conceptual story with plenty of potential – I could very easily see this translating to TV excellently. However, I think the execution is incredibly lacking and leaves this far more underwhelming than it deserves to be.

This is probably one of the most authentic TV characterisations of the Doctor that the audios have had, and usually I’d really appreciate that. However, this is an incarnation that has grown into a radically different character, and it’s disappointing to harken back to that conceited, vicious nature because it just doesn’t line up with how he’s grown since. This feels like it undoes all of that slow-burn development which makes this version of the character so interesting. Had this been much earlier in the Doctor and Evelyn’s travels, I think it would’ve worked better, but even so, this just doesn’t feel right. However, there are still moments of levity within the Doctor that I do really appreciate – the imagery of him whizzing about on a chair shouting “Whee!” is such a good gag. Some of the strongest stuff from this story is the conflict established between our leads, exploring how Evelyn Smythe deals with this more spiteful incarnation, and it’s some of my favourite material when the show delves into a more morally ambiguous Doctor. It takes the time to sit back and see the effect that this holier-than-thou character can have after he swoops into save the day, and while the focus is primarily on the Doctor, I love that the atypical companion role that Evelyn fills allows for some new ground to be broken.

I really struggled with the overall plot of this story. I think it’s too abstract, the backstory feels incredibly complex for something we’ve not seen or heard anything of, and makes it difficult to empathise with the Galyari. Again, there’s a lot of good story beats for the idea of the Doctor stopping war-mongering monsters, but unintentionally ruining their lives as well, but there’s too much going on and I think the character beats get muddied in the mix of everything else. Also, the sound modulation on their voices makes it incredibly difficult to follow what they’re saying.

It's almost a shame that this isn’t a television episode, because the world-building elements of this adventure are on an epic scale. There’s so much thought and care put into their environment, with the Clutch, the Space Gypsies and their dealings with the galactic underworld. This world feels very lived in, but again, it’s because there’s so much going on. I think it needed to have a few ideas stripped away to streamline it because it ends up feeling a bit unfocused.

I don’t think I’ve ever been as annoyed by a character than the simpering idiot that is Nintaru. Her constant anxious quibbles are so grating, and made it hard to listen to. However, the other side characters are relatively serviceable – I think Mr Mordecan is a nice addition to the cast, and I enjoy how the culture of the Space Gypsies enriches the story, and Anneke Wills’ Nrosha is okay but slightly forgettable, which is a shame.

The soundtrack for this episode is excellent, it feels ripped right out of the late 1980s and so perfectly encapsulates the darker Saward-esque atmosphere that this era is famous for. There’s a few instances where it’s slightly overbearing, but I feel they are few and far between.

I think one of the biggest pitfalls for this story is definitely the dialogue. Aside from the Doctor and Evelyn – who have issues of their own – these characters don’t speak like normal people, and there’s a lot of moments where there’s lines conveniently dropped in simply to move the plot along rather than naturally complementing the scene.

Favourite Line: “Well, I’m sure it’s not any consolation, but just to be able to attack must’ve felt like some sort of victory to her. Hatred as powerful as hers only ever arises out of love. We can’t always reap what we sow, but in the end, it’s what we sow that really matters.”

Favourite Cliffhanger: Part One

Overall, this is a story which had some excellent ideas and had the potential to be a really brilliant episode, but it’s just so disappointing that it didn’t work out that way. This is definitely one of the more forgettable entries for the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn.