Darkel is starting to really annoy me. It was fun having her around for a bit, but she’s overstayed her welcome and it’s time for her to be written out.

On the one hand, it's a shame they cut the Gallifreyan Civil War short. On the other, they cut it short for this which I adore.

I love a good political drama, and this certainly is that. Here we get not just the one major political meeting, but two occurring at the same time. Before diving into those though, I also want to talk about the ramifications of the previous stories.

I said in my last review that I think these would be much better binging through them, and I absolutely stand by that. I love how much this story builds off of what happened in the last. The characters are having to deal with the fallout of everything: Pandora's fall, the Matrix's destruction, the other temporal powers' reactions to everything that's occurred, Romana's weakness, Leela's blindness, etc. The way everything is just sort of thrown at the characters does a great job in making the civil war feel even more impactful, it may have been a little shorter, but the ramifications are going to take an age to deal with.

But with that said, lets then get onto the politics. First of all we have the meeting of the temporal powers, along with the 'invasion' of gallifrey. I love the brief glimpses we get of the invasion and the characters reactions to it, all hiding away because after everything that's happened they're mostly not in a fit state to fight. Also how can you not love the little cameo from Maxil. The actual meeting itself is great too with the other powers not taking any shit from gallifrey, but also most not wanting to start an all out war, but with the slow convincing to do so.

But then there's the debate over who the new president should be which is absolutely the high point for me. The twists and turns and technicalities. Darkel twisting the law in an attempt to seize the presidency for herself with the assistance of Valyes. Romana also using the precise wording of the law to her own advantage, and forcing the council to depose her as president, in turn acknowledging that she was the president. And then Matthias' coming in and also trying to take it, claiming his effective vice-presidency should put him in the running. All of it is just so fun and I absolutely adore every single new twist and turn that we get.

Love the politics, love to hate Darkel, love the series so far.

Too good of a story. Love the themes. This is my introduction to Paul Sutton, and so far... he's a pretty great writer! [spoiler]Return of Colin Baker was very pleasing. I think everyone by now knows this theory, but I still got to say that Colin Baker's appereance is just one of the standart appereances of Time Lords. He could play any Time Lord! So let's presume the next incarnation of Rani is played by him... /j[/spoiler] Tense political thriller with great character development... It's 10/10 in my book!

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

“Appropriation: Gallifrey’s Politics in Flux”

Appropriation, the third chapter of Gallifrey: Series III, deftly explores the aftermath of the civil war, with Gallifrey in political disarray and external threats looming. The narrative slows the pace compared to the previous entries, focusing on scheming and character dynamics, offering a thoughtful, if slightly uneven, installment.

This episode shifts the spotlight away from Romana, allowing supporting characters to step into the foreground. Narvin’s steadfast loyalty to Gallifrey, Leela’s sharp wit, and Matthias’s rise to prominence as a negotiator bring depth to the ensemble cast. Each character’s actions feel genuine and contribute meaningfully to the unfolding drama.

Valyes, in particular, stands out as a symbol of ineffective leadership. His decision to abdicate in favour of Darkel underscores the dangers of conservatism and self-interest in a time of crisis. Darkel, played with biting intensity by Lynda Bellingham, emerges again as a formidable antagonist, using Romana’s exhaustion to her advantage.

Romana, though not the focus, remains pivotal. Lalla Ward’s portrayal of a worn-down but determined Romana is compelling, especially as she cleverly navigates the political turmoil. Her ingenious decision to name herself as her successor via regeneration is a testament to her strategic brilliance.

The High Council meeting crackles with dramatic tension. Romana’s confrontation with Darkel and Narvin’s heartfelt pledge of support stand out as highlights. These moments reinforce the central themes of loyalty, resilience, and the struggle for power.

Colin Baker’s surprise cameo as Commander Maxil is a delightful nod to continuity, adding a touch of nostalgia for long-time fans.

The peace negotiations led by Matthias with the temporal powers feel underwhelming. While they provide necessary context for Gallifrey’s precarious position, these scenes lack the urgency and intrigue of the political machinations on Gallifrey. They often come across as a secondary concern rather than an integral part of the story.

Leela, though well-acted by Louise Jameson, has less to do here, her role more reactive than proactive. This feels like a missed opportunity to further explore her unique perspective as an outsider.

Despite its slower pacing, Appropriation lays the groundwork for a thrilling conclusion to the political conflict. The prospect of a presidential election between Romana, Darkel, and Matthias promises high stakes and intense drama.

📝Verdict: 8/10

Appropriation is a solid entry that emphasises character development and political intrigue over action. While some elements falter, particularly the negotiations subplot, the core narrative remains engaging. With strong performances and clever twists, it keeps the tension simmering as Gallifrey hurtles toward its next political showdown.