Pretty good. I think I prefer the former two Stories a bit more, but there is a lot to like here. I really enjoyed the Body Horror here (if I knew beforehand about the Body Horror, I might have hoped to have more of it, but I didn’t so it worked well, probably even better for me). Like others already pointed out, the Scheming in this one is quite a Highlight too, probably the strongest Outing in regard of the political Aspect compared to the others.

The Biggest Highlight is the Human Greeting Scene, it’s amusing!
Also love how much they do with Bellingham’s Darkel in this Series, and this one in particular.

Well, this was interesting! I do think this is the strongest episode yet in regards to the political schemes and mind games, which is really good, I feel like Darkel has done a lot to increase that. Love to hate her. The main mystery of the broken man’s identity is done so well! Absolutely heartbreaking!! Wynter is such a kind character and he had such promise! I already got attached to him Proud of myself for figuring it out before the characters though. It’s so horrible and I love it. Tbh though, the squelching was bad but with everybody’s warnings I did expect it to go on longer. I feel like the extended whimpering last episode was worse emotionally. Also Brax!!! Love him. So much interesting stuff on him and especially him and Romana! I hope he doesn’t stay away for too long. Also will forever be going insane about Leela/Andred.

I enjoyed the political scheming in this one.

📝8/10

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

PANDORA'S POLITICS: AMBITION, INTRIGUE AND THE BROKEN MAN

After the brief respite with Romana and Leela in the previous story, this instalment returns full force to Gallifrey’s labyrinthine political intrigue, the growing menace of Pandora’s influence, and the chilling mystery of the Broken Man.

Schemes and Power Plays:

The heart of this series lies in the relentless scheming and clashing agendas of Romana, Wynter, Braxiatel, Narvin, and Darkel. The tension among these characters is palpable, with Narvin’s increasingly manipulative actions making him especially easy to loathe. His alliance with Darkel and exploitation of Wynter show the depths he’s willing to sink to in pursuit of his goals.

Darkel’s shadowy manoeuvring is a highlight, with her cunning manipulation of events positioning her as a truly formidable adversary. Lynda Bellingham delivers a brilliant performance, bringing a calculated menace to Darkel that makes her presence all the more chilling.

Unmasking the Broken Man:

The mystery surrounding the Broken Man provides some of the most engaging moments of the story. The investigation builds an atmosphere of suspense and anticipation, even if the thread is somewhat sidelined during the middle act. When the narrative refocuses on this mystery in the final act, the revelation of Wynter as the Broken Man delivers a visceral punch. The accompanying body horror and sharp audio design amplify the impact of this twist, though the conclusion veers into slightly chaotic territory.

Subplots and Shifting Loyalties:

A subplot involving Andred catching a Free Time supporter trying to poison Gallifrey’s water supply offers a glimpse of his efforts to reconcile with Leela and rebuild their fractured relationship. However, this storyline is somewhat underdeveloped, leaving it feeling like a missed opportunity.

Braxiatel’s elevation to Chancellor is another intriguing development, as his newfound authority is bound to stir further chaos. His calculated plan to trap Pandora within himself by feigning a desire for the presidency adds layers to his character while raising the stakes for what lies ahead.

Themes of Ambition and Manipulation:

The concept of a creature feeding on ambition adds a thought-provoking layer to the narrative, particularly as Darkel weaponises this idea in her pursuit of power. This theme ties neatly into the larger political drama, where ambition and manipulation drive every decision and betrayal.

Final Thoughts:

While much of Pandora unfolds as a solid political thriller, the narrative intensity crescendos in its final moments, delivering memorable twists and chilling revelations. The story skillfully balances its themes of ambition and power with its character-driven intrigue, though some threads could have used more focus.

Gallifrey’s political storm shows no signs of abating, and the shadows of Pandora continue to deepen.

And now I'm HOOKED.

I've said before that my biggest frustration with series one of Gallifrey was the lack of politicking going on, there were schemes and mysteries, sure, but it felt a little more espionage thriller than political thriller. The first couple stories on this set were a delight, but also took us away from the main locations of politics within the series. It wasn't really there, but it also didn't feel missing because there wasn't much chance to put it anywhere.

This story brings it in in full force and I absolutely adore it for that.

Romana is clearly shown to be out of her depth with the politics going on here. Brax has more experience, but his ambition is also his downfall and him leaving at the end leaves the floodgates open for more terrible things to happen to Romana and Leela. Narvin and Wynter's rivalry was done brilliantly, and reminded me of how much I was enjoying Wynter here and how much he fitted in to the jigsaw of Gallifrey, making his fate here all the more shocking, and even realising it just before it happened, it was horrifying to hear. Leela is great, serving almost as an audience surrogate here which I really liked. And Darkel...

Darkel is just perfect.

Her scheming and experience makes her the perfect antagonist for this series, and she's just so competent. I despise her immensely and I adore how much I do, just spectacular.

The scene with Andred and Leela as well is just great, she loves her but she can't let go what he's done, and it just feels so real, and with where him and Darkel end up at the end of the story, I just can't wait for more.