An ending of sorts

Is It Worth It?: I'd say no. For $12, you can get much better audios.

Prerequisites: This is kinda complicated. Despite being literally titled "Coda", it doesn't really rely on knowledge of what happened during Once and Future. You'll want knowledge of who the War and Fugitive Doctors are, but other than that you can go in mostly blind.

Coda is... not great. For starters, I'm really not a fan of how it doesn't even attempt to serve as an actual epilogue to Once and Future. For being an event that occurs directly after The Union, there's barely any mention of the entire event (beyond a few brief references to degeneration). It just seems like a waste. Now, in terms of what the story here DOES do, it's also pretty underwhelming. Of course, there's the admittedly cool novelty of this being the first Fugitive Doctor audio (and it's fun hearing Jo Martin), but there's almost zero character work done here, either on War or Fugitive. Conceptually, it seems like a slam dunk; these Doctors have a lot in common thematically, but while the story has a brief line or two at the end affirming this, I really wanted that aspect to be explored. Instead, both Doctors act out of character, even in the context of the story, as the Council of the Last were apparently influencing their minds. Such a story decision removes a lot of weight from events that occur. Plus, I think it's pretty stupid to introduce an entirely new antagonist in the literal epilogue of a year-long story (and they've only shown up in exactly one audio before this one). Plus plus, Coda's script is just plain overstuffed. There are way too many characters, and most didn't even need to be here (why on Earth would you try to fit Bernice Summerfield, Vienna, the Voord, and Queen Elizabeth I into an hour-long story??). It's almost ridiculous at times. Come to think about it, there's really not that much I like about this story. Like Time Lord Immemorial, it seems like almost a textbook example of how *not* to do a multi-Doctor story. It's crazy, considering that this range has already had actual good multi-Doctor stories.

She's here!!

I haven't listened to the rest of Once and Future but had to check this out for Jo Martin. And while a few lines delivered by here land a little flat to me, I think that's just because she's new to doing BF audio dramas. Overall she does a great job, and I love how they weren't toothless with making her a bit more ruthless than other Doctors!

Jonathan Carley is, of course, amazing; and so hard to even differentiate from Jon Hurt at this point. Fab performances all round.

Really loved Benny here, and the running joke with her name.

Sadly I think the cameo fest, a few flat line deliveries, and how weirdly expository and on the nose this story could be at times all hold this back. Good story to introduce a new era though! Just not great imo.

Like the rest of Once and Future, I'm quite dissapointed with this story. To me, it just feels lacking in substance and a bit directionless. Why are all of these characters here? Some of them feel very random, like the writer was given a list of characters and tasked with coming up with some way, any way, for them to all interact. (I also have this problem with some of the other Once and Future stories). I feel like the plot just happens. There's not much build up, or suspense, or mystery. This story didn't bore me, so there's that, but it's clear that this, like the rest of Once and Future, is not well suited to my taste in Doctor Who.

A year after ther Once and Future series ended, we have the last part. The Fugitive and War Doctors' are pitted against each other.

It took me a few minutes before I realised I was listening to the War Doctor, I had wondered if it was susposed to be the first Doctor. I Have yet to listen to the War Doctor begins so this was my first time in hearing Jonathon Carley as the early War Doctor, and he's not bad. Jo Martin reprises her role as the Fugitive Doctor.

The Fugitive of the Judoon episode was the first time in Jodie Whittakers era I sat up and took notice; something interesting was happening. Although, for me, the Timeless Child storyline isn't something I care for. But I am interested in where the character goes, however saying 'Yadda,Yadda,Yadda' was a bit of a turn off. It does raise some issues, the fact the Fugitive Doctor (and others) have been travelling around as the Doctor meeting people making friends, then how come the later Doctors' never met someone who knew them before? Maybe there's a plot point I've missed that covers this. (maybe as Steven Moffat did with the Eleveth Doctor and wiped all knowledge of the Doctor).

Bernice Summerfield features aswell, and is trying to make sense of the two Doctors.

Its a reasonable story, with the two versions of the Doctor both unknowing of who they're actually dealing with you do wonder what will happen if the one wipes out the other. As with other multi Doctor stories there are some of the usual tropes.

The War Doctor, never quite met the expectations in audio, for me anyway. I had wanted a much darker anti hero type, but Big Finish are limited to a family audience, and what the TV series can allow. With the Fugitive Doctor I fear similar restrictions will apply, and she'll be 'just another Doctor' as with the War version.

I'm not sure of what this adds to the Once and Future series, but it was enjoyable.

Listened to this today, it’s a pretty good conclusion to Once and Future. It still feels like they just chucked some random things together for the sake of it but it’s not too offensive here. Jo Martian really carries this story and it’s a fantastic intro to her on audio. 8/10