When people mention how much better Big Finish 6 is, Arrangements For War is exactly why. The performances from everyone are stellar, but Colin Baker and Maggie Stables really steal the show. It's a heavily character-driven piece, with the majority of the action happening off-camera, as 6 and Evelyn's plot is the primary focus, and it works to magnificent effect. Arrangements For War is one of the best C. Baker performances and one of the best in Big Finish's catalog.

The Monthly Adventures #057 - “Arrangements for War" by Paul Sutton

Doctor Who can be many things; it can be funny; it can be clever; it can be fun. It can pastiche cheap 1950s monster movies and crime capers and pulpy horror novels, but very rarely can it emulate something such as prestige TV. Arrangements from War is a madly brilliant little story from the gap between seasons of the Divergent Arc that feels straight out of a new, unseen HBO show, with all the scope, bloodshed and character drama to warrant a run on prime time TV. A world at war leads to a script unlike anything we’ve gotten before and, unfortunately, probably unlike anything we’ll ever have again.

Determined to take some time away from the Doctor, Evelyn convinces her travelling companion to land somewhere interesting and free of some great foe they need to defeat. The Doctor chooses Világ, a planet fresh out of war that will remain peaceful for weeks to come. But when the Doctor accidentally causes the collapse of a vital peace treaty, the whole world begins to slip into the throws of armageddon.

(CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Can I begin with saying that this audio is bizarre to me? Doctor Who is a good show, it’s an amazing show, but its best episodes are always the conceptual, the brilliant, the clever, never a small-scale political love story. Arrangements for War is pulled straight from a different show and I couldn’t be happier. It is a ridiculously expansive script, portraying an entire world at war, without visuals, in the space of 120 minutes. Astonishing. In such little time, Sutton is able to create the entirely believable, interesting and well-constructed world of Világ and for that I can only praise him. On top of that, the story is a utterly fantastic whirlwind of political espionage and forbidden romance. The political backstabbing, plots, threats and shenanigans here are incredibly entertaining and despite being somebody who usually turns their nose up at classic romances, Sutton writes such likeable, realistic characters that I’m just absorbed by their dynamic, not even thanks to the brilliant performances. And I mean brilliant, Arrangements for War could very well have the greatest cast in a Doctor Who project. Ever. Not only do Colin Baker and Maggie Stables deliver what is undoubtedly their best performance, we have Gabriel Woolf as the caring and sympathetic Rossiter, who acts a fantastic romantic interest for our very own Dr. Smythe, but we also have the intoxicatingly endearing Krysta and Marcus, who sell the main dynamic with their chemistry alone, and the duplicitous, slimy Plenipotentiary Suskind, who acts as a brilliant two faced villain that’s far more complex than just your average, tyrannous, power-hungry politician. And the story is a masterpiece too; despite dealing with wars, invasions and espionage, it’s really a real low-key story about a young couple in love, and how it affects the Doctor and Evelyn. It is expertly told, spanning months but being cut down to a couple hours without feeling rushed; this could take up a whole miniseries but by skipping over the right moments and giving just enough exposition, Sutton manages to compellingly tell his story in a tenth of the time. Plus, this story uses sound expertly to tell a narrative, making the whole thing feel undeniably dynamic in how it builds soundscapes and distance; you can picture the scene and camera movements of what an episode would look like (though a story of this size would never make it onto screen). And of course, after the long dreaded invasion of Part 4, we get perhaps the most heartbreaking end to an episode of Doctor Who ever. Both Marcus and Krysta are shot down in the invasion, leaving the Doctor, having finally given into grief, to try and go back in time and save them. In the end, he is stopped by Evelyn, and they simply watch the couple, happy and unknowing as the travellers finally overcome the differences they’d been having in the story. Arrangements from War takes place directly after Project: Lazarus and, unlike any lesser story, does not sideline this conflict for the sake of the plot, instead having the Doctor and Evelyn’s argument central to the whole story and finally resolving in this scene, as the Doctor talks to Evelyn about grief and the two consider what the right thing to do when somebody you love dies is. It’s a stunningly beautiful, shocking and all together staggering ending that leaves me with no words every time I hear it. Paul Sutton is an incredible writer and here it shows unlike any other story.

However, I do have one major problem and that’s that I dislike Part 4 far more than the rest of the story. Detailing the Killoran invasion that the last hour and half had been building up to, it really doesn’t do justice to its set piece, despite the last three parts so effortlessly building a whole world. It’s over too soon and we see very little of it, making the supposedly blood thirsty Killorans somewhat of a non-entity (I know they’re in the Benny range, but I haven’t listened to that) and the invasion is ambiguously defeated. And if I was really nitpicking, I’d say the secondary antagonist - the bloodthirsty Commander Pokol - was leagues below the rest of the characters. Surprisingly one note and really a walking, talking plot convenience; his final appearance of suddenly returning from being supposedly dead, shooting Krysta and then immediately getting killed was an awkward way of achieving that conclusion, however poignant it ended up being. He’s a weird stain on an otherwise pretty perfect story.

And that’s just what Arrangement for War is: pretty perfect. It’s of unknown quality for even Big Finish, taking an untold direction for Doctor Who, with not a single bug eyed monster or tin dog in sight. It’s a stunningly poignant love story under the guise of a political thriller that does some absolute wonders for what might be the best TARDIS team; Jubilee be damned, for specifically the characters of the Doctor and Evelyn, this is their best story. Arrangements for War is a uniquely brilliant time, and one that deserves to be far more talked about than it is.

10/10

Pros:

+ Insanely expansive, impressive audio

+ Incredible world building

+ All around brilliant performances

+ Wonderful political espionage

+ Earth-shattering ending

+ All time great cast of characters

+ Expertly paced and cut down

+ Fantastic sound design

+ The perfect exploration of one of Who’s best TARDIS teams

Cons:

- The final Killoran invasion is very underbaked

- Pokol was an odd secondary antagonist

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“ARRANGEMENTS FOR WAR: LOVE, LOSS, AND POLITICS COLLIDE”

Arrangements for War picks up immediately after the harrowing events of Project: Lazarus, exploring the emotional aftermath of the Doctor’s choices. Evelyn, furious and disillusioned, demands to be left on a world where she can avoid getting involved, needing time to process what she perceives as the Doctor’s moral failings.

Doctor Who rarely delves into the emotional consequences of the Doctor’s actions on their companions, but this story places that dynamic front and centre. Evelyn’s core beliefs clash with the Doctor’s decisions, and she needs space to reflect. From the outset, the mood is set with sombre music and Evelyn’s exasperation as she forces the Doctor to listen to her grievances.

A WORLD ON THE BRINK OF PEACE… OR WAR

The Doctor takes Evelyn to Világ (Hungarian for “world”), a planet embroiled in a bitter conflict between two ruling families. A political marriage is being arranged to unite them and prevent an impending invasion, and the Doctor believes this is the perfect place for Evelyn to observe without interfering. However, as soon as they arrive, it becomes clear that their presence is disrupting events rather than simply witnessing them.

Much of the story is dedicated to building this world—its intense political climate, the emotional turmoil of Princess Krisztina, and the sense that the peace efforts may be in vain. The setting itself is vividly realised, with its tropical heat, singing flora, and distinct culture giving it a unique identity.

A SLOW-BURNING POLITICAL DRAMA

The pacing is deliberately slow and contemplative, with an emphasis on politics and war strategy. At times, it’s difficult to keep track of the shifting allegiances, and the story’s tone remains oddly low-key despite the stakes. The Doctor and Evelyn find themselves forming personal bonds with the locals, engaging in leisurely activities and deep conversations, almost as if they are on a rare, peaceful holiday. The underlying tension of the plot—a forbidden romance, political scheming, and the looming invasion—remains somewhat muted, lacking the dramatic urgency one might expect.

However, the narrative cleverly positions the Doctor and Evelyn on opposing sides, with Evelyn advising one family while the Doctor aligns with the other. This reflects their own fractured relationship, as the Doctor tries to reach out to Evelyn, only to be repeatedly ignored. Evelyn, in turn, wrestles with her understanding of the Doctor’s nature, contemplating the man he truly is beneath the surface.

WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS APART

As the story progresses, tensions rise, particularly with Governor Rossitor pressuring Evelyn to leave the Doctor and marry him. Meanwhile, Evelyn pushes her side towards war while the Doctor fights for a ceasefire, knowing that time is running out before the inevitable invasion begins.

It’s in Part 4 that the story finally erupts into chaos. The invasion is depicted with an impressive sense of scale and urgency, bringing with it tragedy and destruction. A particularly gut-wrenching death shakes the Doctor to his core, leading to a rare moment of vulnerability as he snaps, desperate to undo the loss. This moment, however, also marks the turning point in his relationship with Evelyn, drawing them back together. The emotional weight of the climax is significant, even if it doesn’t quite achieve the full impact it strives for. What stands out is how both characters grow from the experience, emerging stronger than before.

A SOFTER SIDE TO SIXIE

If anyone still doubts that the Sixth Doctor can be mellow, compassionate, and deeply affected by loss, Arrangements for War should put that to rest. Colin Baker delivers one of his most likeable performances as Sixie, portraying a Doctor who is more introspective and emotionally available than usual. Maggie Stables, as always, is phenomenal as Evelyn, torn between her knowledge of the future and her conflicted feelings about the Doctor. Her discussions about her heart condition and her deeply emotional scenes with Rossitor in the final moments are particularly moving.

The guest cast is solid, even if the characters themselves don’t leave a lasting impression. The standout is the legendary Gabriel Woolf, returning to Doctor Who as Governor Rossitor with a commanding presence. Philip Brotherton as Suskind and Katarina Olsson as Princess Krisztina (named after writer Paul Sutton’s Hungarian wife) also deliver strong performances.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

Arrangements for War is an introspective, slow-burning character piece that focuses on the fractured relationship between the Doctor and Evelyn. While the political intrigue sometimes lacks urgency, the emotional beats—particularly in the final act—hit hard. Colin Baker and Maggie Stables shine, and the story offers a rare exploration of the Doctor’s softer side. It may not be the most gripping tale, but it’s a fascinating study of character, consequence, and the cost of war.

One of the more cerebral and slow paced story. No bad thing, you don't want every story to go a million miles a second. I did expect to feel a bit more of a connection with them covering such monumental themes (I.e. Evelyn's health). I usually am in love with the 6th Doctor and Evelyn but here, whilst being enjoyable, the story bordered on melodrama.

I enjoyed the beginning, with the forbidden love and politics of two nations. But as it got into the nitty gritty of the particular politics of the nations it was a tad boring.

This was just incredible. I was engrossed from start to finish. I only wanted to do one part before bed, and now its 2am and I've finished it. I love how it continues on from the last story and really touches upon grief and the relationship the Doctor and Evelyn have with the emotions that follow a loss. Gabriel Woolf was absolutely phenomenal as Rossiter, truly incredible paired with Evelyn. I felt immersed in this setting from the beginning right to the end, this arc is tugging at my heartstrings constantly.