This one just made me smile. They picked the perfect Tardis team to pair with the Lupari and the best parts of the story are the companions interactions with Lupari society. Tom Baker's Doctor moves the story along and does so in an entertaining enough way but I found myself waiting to come back to them for most of the story. It's not groundbreaking but the way it brings together Chibnall era and the Fourth Doctor's era makes the show feel more connected. I see the potential for some to experience tonal whiplash between the main characters' storylines but if you go in ready to roll with the punches and you can expect a great entry into the Classic Doctors New Monsters series that uses the premise of the series effectively. I loved it.

This is part of a series of reviews of Doctor Who in chronological timeline order.

Previous Story: Return to Telos

This is great story. Not because it's particularly clever or has a shocking twist but just because it's quite fun. The 4/Leela/K9 dynamic is an enjoyable one to listen to and I think they work particularly well for this story. It's vaguely framed as a fairytale/folk story which I think suits the Fourth Doctor perfectly. I like the Lupari in this. I can't say I particularly cared for the concept in Flux but this really has fleshed them out in my opinion.  It's a pretty solid explanation for the connection with Earth (or atleast how it started).

There's also some really good emotional beats accompanied by all-round great performances that make this story as entertaining as it is. After this, I can't wait to see what Classic Doctors, New Monsters does with the rest of the Chibnall era monsters (although I do hope they try some slightly more experimental things with them than this).

Next Story: The Time Vampire

What an incredibly fun time! I love the reveal at the end that this is a prequel and how the Lupari became bonded with humans. All the main cast clearly had a great time, and the comedy was fantastic throughout as was the character drama.

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

“The Dying Breed: Of Royals, Warriors, and Revered Robots"

A character-driven exploration of the Lupari homeworld with court intrigue, quantum wormholes, and K9’s surprising rise to prominence.

Lupari Lore and Royal Intrigue:

The Lupari, introduced in Flux, make a welcome return in The Dying Breed, bringing Fourth Doctor energy to their canine-centric society. The setting—a ravaged Lupari kingdom—is rich with potential, allowing for a deeper look at their culture, from their noble royalty to their soothsayers and warriors. While the backdrop is fascinating, the story leans heavily into political and personal drama, centering on the royal family’s turmoil.

Miriam Margolyes shines as the enigmatic soothsayer, providing an ominous, prophecy-laden tone. Peter Guinness gives gravitas to the weary king, though his occasional resemblance to Peter Davison’s voice is oddly distracting. The warrior princess Kiera’s fiery nature plays well opposite Leela, creating a clash of determined personalities and mutual respect.

Familiar Yet Quirky Plot:

The story follows a familiar Doctor Who trajectory: the Doctor is framed for murder while uncovering the truth, Leela asserts her warrior prowess, and K9 has more to do than usual. The twist here lies in K9’s elevated status—hailed as a superior being by the Lupari and forcing the Doctor and Leela to act as his subordinates. This amusing reversal echoes C-3PO’s role among the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi and provides fresh dynamics, especially for K9, whose contributions often feel peripheral in other stories.

The sci-fi elements, including quantum wormholes linking the Lupari and human worlds, add intrigue but don’t overshadow the central drama. The wormholes also serve to cleverly tie this story into Flux, offering an origin story for the Lupari-human alliance that played a critical role in Series 13.

Slow-Burn Peladon Vibes:

Much like the classic Peladon stories, The Dying Breed is a slow-burning tale steeped in courtly intrigue and character exploration. While this approach works to flesh out the Lupari and their royal family, the lack of dynamic action or high stakes leaves the narrative feeling plodding at times. The emotional depth and development of the guest characters are commendable, but the story struggles to maintain momentum.

Performances and Dynamics:

Tom Baker’s Doctor is as commanding and playful as ever, navigating the Lupari court with charm and wit. Leela’s warrior instincts make her a natural fit for this story, and her dynamic with Kiera adds depth to both characters. K9’s elevated status is a refreshing touch, giving him a more active and influential role. The interplay between the TARDIS trio and the Lupari characters keeps things engaging, even as the plot meanders.

"Verdict: A Character-Driven Canine Drama"

The Dying Breed excels in world-building and character exploration, diving into Lupari society with court intrigue and emotional nuance. However, its slow pace and lack of thrilling action make it less engaging than it could have been. Fans of the Peladon stories or those eager to see K9 in a rare spotlight will find plenty to enjoy, but others might find the story too subdued.

📝67/100

I may just be biased towards anything from the Whittaker era but this was a fantastic origin story for the Lupari. 4 was obviously great and Leela was in her element especially around the more tribal and violent Lupari, but it was K9 who stood out. He had some wonderful comedic lines and probably the most dialogue and action I've ever seen from the little guy which I loved. The establishment of the relationship between the Lupari and humans was also great, I wish it had been a stronger theme throughout as I think too much focus was given to Kira and her ideas of honour but it was all nicely tied in with the soothsayer at the end.