What with this story featuring one of my favourite TARDIS teams from the 1960s, I was bound to enjoy this at least in some capacity. It's a pretty fun story, written by Steve Lyons, who I often find delivers fantastic stories. Just recently, I finished Killing Ground, which is an absolute must-read (not before Time of Your Life, of course!). Lyons, in my view, always has interesting things to write about regarding these big baddies that reappear throughout all iterations of the franchise.

What I appreciate here though, is the fact that it does clearly take on a more Steven-centric narrative. There are snippets of how he came to be on the station to begin with, of course, though it sort of begins to highlight a small dynamic between himself and Chayla that elevates the story for me. There's a moment midway through the Dalek attack, when both he and Chayla are hiding, where he begins to tell her that nobody survives these events. Steven, in a moment of empathy, suggests that he could contact his younger self who's currently on desk duty in the middle of the Dalek War and send more quicker reinforcements. However, he quickly counters the point by remembering the whole "laws of time" and whatnot. That, and the fact he doesn't recall ever receiving such a call to begin with. I think it does tackle some of the morality behind these laws of time interestingly, but it's not exactly a profound or in-depth exploration either.

Another thing I liked about this story is that the Daleks don't necessarily overstay their welcome here. Yes, they feature in the story, but it's less focused on them. I didn't get a headache after listening, at the very least.

Overall, I would give this story 3.5 stars. I really appreciate the focus on Steven, though some moments are a little predictable and the interesting moral bits aren't as in-depth as they could've been.

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“AGENT OF THE DALEKS: A TIME-TWISTED TALE OF RESPONSIBILITY”

Agent of the Daleks marks the First Doctor’s return to BBC Audio Originals, delivering a tense and layered narrative that explores Steven’s past while tackling the moral complexities of time travel. Right from the pre-title sequence, the story grabs attention: Steven, injured and accused of being a Dalek agent, finds himself interrogated in an infirmary. The bulk of the tale unfolds through his account of events, occasionally interrupted by the sceptical nurse Chayla, who questions his version of events.

This framing device works well, adding a sense of mystery as Steven recounts his latest adventure with the Doctor and Vicki. The slow reveal of what led him to this dire situation keeps the listener engaged, making for an intriguing structure.

A CLASSIC ‘60S-STYLE SCI-FI SETUP

The setting feels authentically Doctor Who—a remote space station under siege by Daleks, with the Doctor and his companions caught in the middle. The audio does an excellent job evoking the tension and chaos of battle, with vividly described action sequences and a soundscape that captures the era’s sci-fi aesthetic. The Daleks are portrayed as the ruthless conquerors they were in the 1960s, and the stakes feel genuinely high as the Doctor, Steven, and Vicki attempt to help the doomed crew.

STEVEN’S PAST AND A TEMPORAL DILEMMA

This adventure takes place fairly early in Steven’s travels, with his past as a fighter pilot still largely unknown. However, the story cleverly intertwines his personal history with the unfolding crisis. The Doctor becomes suspicious of how Steven knows so much about the Daleks' plans, and the truth slowly emerges—this event is part of Steven’s past, something he was indirectly involved in but unable to prevent.

This puts Steven in direct conflict with the Doctor. Now older and with the opportunity to change history, he struggles with the decision to intervene, despite the Doctor’s warnings. This classic Doctor Who dilemma—whether to change history or let events play out—adds a rich layer of tension, especially as Steven is forced to accept that the disaster must happen. His emotional struggle is well-handled, leading to compelling scenes between him and the Doctor as they debate the responsibilities of time travel.

A HIDDEN ENEMY AND A TWIST REVEALED

Just when it seems the story is purely about Steven’s moral quandary, another layer unfolds—someone else is working against them. As Steven and Chayla investigate, they realise a true Dalek agent is among them, trying to undo Steven’s attempts to help. This shift adds a mystery element to the narrative, keeping the tension high as the characters race to uncover the traitor.

The last third of the story is particularly strong, as Steven’s tale catches up to the present, and the hunt for the Dalek agent reaches its climax. The revelation that Chayla herself is the infiltrator—an android working for the Daleks—lands as a satisfying twist. It plays on the Daleks' established tactics from this era, even referencing their previous attempt in The Chase, where the Doctor quips that this latest imitation only bears a slight resemblance to him (a fun nod to the production quirks of the original serial).

A CLEVER SOLUTION AND A HOPEFUL ENDING

The Doctor’s final plan to outmanoeuvre the Daleks is characteristically ingenious, bringing the conflict to a satisfying resolution. And just when it seems Steven is left to grapple with the weight of letting history play out, the Doctor offers a hint that things may not have unfolded exactly as he feared—a small but poignant glimmer of hope to close the story.

📝VERDICT: 8/10

Agent of the Daleks delivers a gripping mix of mystery, time travel dilemmas, and classic Dalek action. With strong narration from Maureen O’Brien, an evocative ‘60s sci-fi atmosphere, and a compelling exploration of Steven’s past, it stands as a solid entry in the BBC Audio range. While the first half takes some time to fully engage, the second half’s twists and dramatic confrontations make it a thoroughly rewarding listen.