Oh boi… this one was one I sat for a while, was it bad? No.
Was it good? Also, no.
Many already explained it quite well, while the Story itself is good, how Leela is handled is quite off-putting and feels very much like they forgot how smart Leela is and well putting her in this Situation is quite off-putting.
While the Time Travelling Aspect of it all and the Idea on the Paper isn’t really bad, I think the Script needed a few reworking when it comes to the whole exotic dancer angel.
For me, this is a perfectly well-made story in its execution. Louise and our Leads are great in it and do a great Job. There are some great Scenes, especially with Lalla and Louise. The Side Cast does a decent, solid Job, nothing too outstanding but nothing terrible.
I appreciate that Gallifrey early on tries to touch on more explicit matters, but I think it was done in a very mixed Way.
This one is a tricky one to properly articulate, all I will say is to give the Reviews from others a Read, they bring up plenty of great Points!

How Leela was used in the story was fairly off-putting.

Yeah this is an interesting one.

On the one hand, the time loop stuff is really interesting, I like the motivations of the main antagonist being wanting to do the right thing but for all the wrong reasons, I like the murder mystery aspect of it, especially with there being so many different things going on all with different explanations so it's one red herring after another. I like the reveal of what's really going on with this conference in the end.

And then there's the misogyny. On the one hand, (at least most of) the explicit misogyny is from explicitly vile characters, and is never treated as a good thing which, you know, it shouldn't be. If you're going to have ex-o-tic dancers being called sluts and bitches in a story like this, it should be shown as a bad thing. But then there's the implicit misogyny. Leela is forced into this role as an exotic dancer against her will, forced to perform for the whims of others, and while she feels uncomfortable doing so and the misogyny directed towards her as she does is explicitly bad, it's still framed in an almost tantalizing way. If this were on TV, you can tell they'd be using Leela in this story as, to paraphrase a well known JNT quote, something the dads will enjoy.

I really want to like this story, and I think without all that it'd be an 8/10, but with it, I have to give it a 6.

I had quite a bit of fun with Square One.  There's definitely some really dated aspects to the writing I did not find endearing.  The way Leela is treated as an exotic dancer was often uncomfortable and I really didn't appreciate how Romana would refer to these performers as sluts and whores.  Sometimes you can just tell when a script was written by a guy.  In spite of those moments, the story, and idea of Leela infiltrating a peace summit was all pretty good and memorable.  I definitely feel the end detail of it all being some sort of fake summit to divert assassins a little unnecessary as a plot point, but the main focus of the story is Leela trapped in this potential time loop, while assassinations, intrigue, and sabotage are all in play.  That stuff, which is, to be fair, the main focus of this story, is all done really well.  We have a lot of good performers to back that story up, and ignoring some of the more unsavoury elements of the script, there is a good story to be enjoyed at the core of this plot line.  I was a little weary of us continuing with the Time Lords sharing power with these new races, but this was a unique and new take on the idea.  Not bad overall, in spite of some awkward elements.

📝6/10

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

POLITICS AND PARADOXES: GALLIFREY'S SECOND ACT

The second chapter of the Gallifrey saga sees President Romana attending a clandestine summit of the universe’s time-travelling powers, while Leela and K9 delve into the enigma of Free Time.

Stronger Focus, Dual Plots:

This episode feels more streamlined than its predecessor, narrowing its focus to two central storylines and a smaller cast of characters. Leela’s investigation is the standout element, blending tension, mystery, and moments of levity as she uncovers more about Free Time’s operations. The time slip mechanics add an intriguing twist, keeping the narrative unpredictable.

Political Intrigue - A Slow Burn:

Romana’s involvement in the high-stakes political summit provides context for Gallifrey’s greater struggles, though at this stage, the details remain somewhat convoluted. While these elements seem poised to pay off in later episodes, they lack the immediate impact needed to fully engage.

Performances and Atmosphere:

The cast delivers solid performances across the board. Lalla Ward’s portrayal of Romana remains commanding, while Louise Jameson continues to imbue Leela with a dynamic mix of determination and wit. The atmospheric music enhances the tension, particularly in the story’s climactic moments.

A Christie-Esque Climax:

The final act builds effectively, with a classic Agatha Christie-style reveal that ties the threads together neatly. However, while the episode creates moments of intrigue and tension, it doesn’t capture the same level of engagement as the series opener.

Final Thoughts:

This second chapter lays important groundwork for the series, with Leela’s investigation providing most of the intrigue. Though the political elements feel a bit muddled at this stage, the performances and atmosphere ensure the episode remains enjoyable.

Solid and intriguing, but slightly less captivating than the first instalment.