Not bad, not bad at all.  Big things happen in Pandora and while I can appreciate its role in moving the larger story of Gallifrey forward, I definitely also struggled to stay invested throughout the entire audio.

What happened to Wynter here was pretty gut-wrenching, but didn't hit me emotionally as much as it seemed to for other people.  I do feel bad for him though.  The stuff with Braxiatel feels comparable.  I like how this further isolates Romana's character, nicely setting up future events, and also the references to Brax starting his collection after this, but the actual execution of it all left me feeling a little hollow.  I guess I still was not fully invested in Gallifrey at this point.  I understand what it was going for better now that I am farther in the series, but on its own and at first, Pandora only does so much as an audio on an emotional level.

Everyone puts in a good performance and the sound design around some of the more intense scenes is incredible.  This is not a bad audio by any means, but definitely not one of my favourites, either.

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.