A whole season of Gallifrey is told across an epic six-part story which was great fun to listen to. Romana's regeneration into Romana III is averted because of a future catastrophe in that timeline causing her to send Brax back in time. It is a massive lift to this story to have Brax back in the game, he is the top political operator of the main cast and he is a delight to listen to.

There are two twin plots: one is of some unknown group trying to destabilize Gallifrey but infecting a Monan ship to explode and create a singularity that threatens the planet. It turns out to be the seemingly benign group from Phaidon, and the new anti-Romana President actually has nothing to do with it! The deeper story however is that of 'the Watchmaker', and inevitably Romana and Leela's relationship. Though she initially kills Narvin and Ace, it turns out the Watchmaker is simply trying to create a timeline where Gallifrey doesn't get destroyed.

Leela was absent in Intervention Earth, but that is no longer the case here. You'd think someone who helped shepherd Gallifrey through near annihilation would be respected more, Time Lord or not, but here she is. In the end, Romana and Leela choose to sacrifice themselves in one timeline to restore the other one. Narvin is a fantastic character, but this whole series only exists because of the interplay with Romana and Leela and their vastly different experiences. By the end of this story, they know they make the other better. What more could you want from a friend?

(Don't worry, Narvin and Ace are fine now)

I really like these more atmospheric feelings of Enemy Lines and Intervention Earth. The music is a very nice touch. But I also have to be honest, this one was very long at about three hours and I feel like maybe it could have been shortened a little bit.

I adore Leela in this one. I feel like this is one of very few Gallifrey episodes where she is consistently treated as smart and competent. She figures things out, she is an equal to Romana in the investigation and I love to hear it! The Leela/Romana relationship is very strong in this one. They are just so them, hurting each other, leaving each other, saving each other and all of it! They care so much and it shows. The ending of them in that other universe broke my heart. Romana is in a very interesting position here, her becoming coordinator was not something I expected and it is so funny to me that she just stole Narvin’s job. I do actually feel that this is a role that fits her very well because not only can she lie much better than Narvin, she is so good at meddling. I think she needs power, and to have no one who can tell her what to do, but also being responsible for all of Gallifrey is not good for her. This position gives her much more freedom.

Poor Narvin gets killed! That was really something. He really can’t catch a break. I love the Narvin and Ace dynamic. I didn’t expect it but it is absolutely wicked. Ace brings something to Gallifrey that I didn’t know I needed but I am in love with her. She’s incredible. I need more of her.