Susan<3 and Veklin<3 their friend/comradeship (look. Veklin has got baggage. She sucks and I am biting her) is so compelling. And Susan has got all her grief and everything to and she gets really messed up in this one. I love it

I really love this novelisation. It feels, for the most part, a little meandering, mundane, but in a way that is very, very fitting to the story. It's really got that feeling of decay that permeates all of season 18. The continuous prose, without chapter breaks, also really intensifies that. It gives more of a history to the Tharils, and to the slave traders. But what it does especially well is Romana's exit. Other than in the TV story, it is not sudden, but rather fitting, a thematic conclusion to her story so far. It feels drawn out and nostalgic, but also presents a new chapter in her life. K-9's fate, too, is sad and tragic, rather than just a simple hand-off.

A haunting story about war and death. I think this is a very interesting point in Romana's life, the time she spends with the Tharils, and this one handles it in a very fitting way. Joshua, a very young soldier from the American Civil War, offers an interesting perspective on it all

A little, but very apt story that reunites the Doctor and Romana at a vague point in time. It carries their history so very well. And it's nice to see more of the Tharils and Romana's connection with them as well.

Today I watched Zygon: When Being You Just Isn’t Enough. The closest thing Doctor Who has to an official porno. Although it’s really not. It’s just got a lot of nudity.

And in total, I had a not bad time watching it. It’s weird, the effects are bad, there’s barely any Zygons in. It’s got two and a half sex scenes which all are far tamer than Torchwood tbh. Apart from the fact that you can see breasts and penises. Mostly it was kind of a weird thriller type thing. Went surprisingly violent towards the end. If you’re easily squicked out by gore, this isn’t for you. Also if you’re emetophobic, because the protagonist throws up around 20 minutes in.

What I really didn’t expect though was the trans subtext. The human protagonist gets sort of turned into a zygon and tries out a man’s body. That whole montage was just. Yeah, really trans. She appears to really love that body. Also has one of the sex scenes in that body and it looks like she’s having some real revelations. I was kind of jealous to be honest.

Maybe I’m easy to please and my opinion of a first watch is often far better than after some time has passed, but I loved this episode. It had me jumping up from the sofa and the last couple of minutes had me almost crawling into my TV.

The Rani is maybe not entirely accurate to her earlier portrayal, but she is also a different incarnation and a lot of time has passed, so it’s close enough for me. The dance scene had me worried for a second, but I actually rather like it now. I am also a huge fan of secret-third-thing time lord relationships so that played right into that.

I’m very interested to see what they do with Omega. Can’t say on that one yet.

I really liked how the Wish World showed its cracks with misogyny and homophobia and ableism. I think that shows really well how often the ‘perfect’ world of some people forgets about those who don’t fit in. It gave me a sense of visceral horror most of the episode which was really poignant to me.

Not quite sure yet what is up with Poppy, we’ll have to see on that.

Didn’t like the Rogue cameo. The CGI was weird, it’s odd that that would be the character calling the doctor back, yeah, not a fan of that.

Absolutely terrifying. Scary, sad, emotional. Amazing side characters. Belinda, sweetheart, I love you and you deserved none of that. Amazing episode in my opinion

This chapter has some really great stuff for both Romana and Leela.

Leela is the moral compass in this chapter. She’s the only one caring for the people, she spends the entire time being caring and compassionate and inspiring. Rebellion leader is an ideal role for her, and she thrives in it. It’s very unfortunate for her that this world is so violent and they can’t escape. The ending is so heartbreaking for her, losing K9, again and being put up against the uncaring-seeming Romana and Narvin is terrible. She keeps being hurt and not only has she lost nearly everything, the only people she still has are betraying, in a way, all her principles. She makes me so sad. And the acting, again! I don’t know how it keeps blowing me away time and time again, but it is so good.

Romana is so wonderfully morally conflicted here. I adore the way she really just doesn’t care about anything but Leela and Narvin anymore. I’m really looking forward to seeing how she does on this world where so many people are traumatized in a similar way to herself (as slaves) but being their president. Her conversations with evil!Narvin are incredible. Neither of them hold anything back. And Lalla Ward just does amazing things with her voice, the way she can make it tremble with fear or shake with fury is incredible.

Speaking of evil!Narvin, he’s the star of this chapter. Seán is incredible. I love to see a Narvin who is so completely evil and selfish. And yet. He still sacrifices himself for Gallifrey, and Romana in a way, because she was going to try without him. That man. In no universe is he not putting Gallifrey above all else I think. I love how Narvin knows his counterpart so well, because there really isn’t that much separating them, certainly much less than Leela and the Interrogator for example. I love that guy.

All in all, this chapter was certainly very good, but didn’t achieve the heights of the last two (which is really doesn’t mean that much because those were so amazing). Season 4 is definitely my favourite season so far.

I feel like I am running out of words to say just how much I love Gallifrey and its characters. So let me just repeat it again: this series is truly incredible, I love it so freaking much!! And this is one of its top episodes for sure. S4 has been absolutely amazing so far, and it still keeps getting better. I have no idea how they manage this.

Anyway, Vampires!! I am an immense vampire fan and I adore how this is done on Gallifrey, and I loved the little callbacks to Romana’s previous encounters with them too. Romana facing off against Lord Prydon is an absolute standout. The way she is in control, actually completely in her element here, the moments where you think maybe she’s gone too far after all, Lalla Ward’s acting is out of this world.

Leela is so her in this episode as well, I love her becoming a hound, I love her feeling so alive, so happy, the way she understands war better than anyone else because she is always a warrior. I still think that more could have done with her blindness, but I think this was a good way to end that anyways.

Narvin. Oh Narvin. Poor guy. He gets hurt again, but at least it has made him tell the others that he lost his regenerations. The way he has come to respect Leela, and is forever loyal to Romana is just so jakldjhafh. I love him.

And really, where this episodes is absolutely peak is in the interactions of our Gallifrey ot3. Just so good. They care so much about each other, they could not live without each other and I adore them.

Another favourite!

loved it! Brax is just such a character, and it’s really just 30 minutes of who he is and I love that. Sir Narvin and the Leela/Narvin content is much appreciated. A really interesting alternate Gallifrey!

Most important thing first: Louise Jameson is an incredible actress, such amazing talent and work, she is unbelievably good in this and deserves the world

I feel like I can’t really put the rest of my feelings into proper words yet but I absolutely love this, it had me on the edge of my seat for a very long part, again Leela is incredible, the Interrogator is indeed very hot and I will say no further on that (but again, the acting is so incredible). Colin Baker is incredible as the Lord Burner and poor Brax that ending was so sad, and him being the president’s assassin who was meant to kill the Doctor is incredible character building and I want to see more of that.

Absolutely incredible episode, definitely one of my favourites

first of all, I love the concept of the Axis, and getting to see an alternate Gallifrey, and presumably more in the rest of s4 at least is so interesting, it allows for so many cool worldbuilding ideas. And how their relationships are shining here, I really hope this continues.

This one is amazing for Romana and Brax especially, starting, indeed, with that dream. I love that part it’s so interesting because it means not only is Brax in love with Romana (understandable, so am I), but he that in his ideal world, so are Leela and Narvin. And while I can absolutely see that happening in a far away future, they are so not there yet. Also I just adore Romana’s laugh. It’s pure happiness. I actually have listened to an outtake of this part before, probably even before I started to actually listen to the series at all, in which they all descend into laughter, and it makes me so happy. But I didn’t know it was from this, or that it was a dream! That surprised me. Lalla has such a beautiful laugh.

I adore the alternate Romana we get to see, first of all: Mary Tamm and then it is so interesting how she differs but remains the same, I was starting to think it was quite odd just how different she was until she revealed that she’d seen through them all immediately. It’s really interesting how she really isn’t any happier than our Romana, and also becomes President at the end. It appears that is an inevitability. How she got married to Andred of all people I can’t explain though. And Antonin! He reminds me a lot of the way Romana was when she declared herself Imperiatrix actually, I can see the resemblance.

Brax is very sweet to Romana throughout, I loved the way he comforted the alternate Romana but also that Romana is calling him out on the way he tricked them. And I can’t believe he’s leaving again he really can’t seem to stay in one place long.

Leela has an interesting role her, I think it’s very funny how they made her president here, I really think they should just try everyone at this point. And also very mean how they treated her. Loved her making K9 Castellan, that was amazing.

And Narvin. Oh Narvin. What are we going to do with you? He is so not made for this lol. He’s a coward and a terrible spy and I love him. Him losing his regenerations is so mean and the way he’s not telling the others at the end and reacting to Leela’s questions is heartbreaking. I’m very interested how that progresses, but also just, poor guy. I love him, he’s my poor little guy now. Also loved how they actually call him little at one point that’s so funny.

just utterly heartbreaking. I like the way the story is structured and it is narrated very well. Also a great bonus point for having Ace insist on not being called Dorothy throughout.

Soldier Obscura. God what an episode. Ace!! She is absolutely wonderful. Her and Brax are a really compelling dynamic. And messed up. This whole episode is really spooky and I love that vibe. Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Never knew who to trust. It’s mindbending. Brax is so horrible in this one, I love the similarities he has with the Doctor. He is really so evil in parts but I can’t help but love him still. The whole horror and the Daleks are done so well. I’m kind of sad Ace has left now but on the other hand she is safe (and I do have her short trip next up)An excellent episode in total.

Okay, so I am loving this new era! And also dreading it because I don’t want anything bad to them and the horrors are just around the corner BUT they are doing well so far. Romana in her new position is amazing. I do think that this is much more what she is made for. And the dynamic between her and Narvin!!! This is the best thing about this whole episode. The way they are basically the same person now is incredible. And Narvin still follows her everywhere. Loyal puppy to the core. When Leela was in danger and Romana immediately went for her and Narvin grumpily followed her. Essence of their dynamic right there. Leela!! My beloved how I have missed you. I love that she has her own influential position and tasks here. And that she clearly has her own mind and goals on how to achieve what they need to. And that she will still do anything Romana and Narvin ask because they have been through too much together. And Brax and ACE!! I am loving the political tensions here, they are very compelling. And the way they talk about the war, the way they all know it’s coming and it’s that shadow that’s been hanging over them so long. Also that preparation is so Time Lord. And now it’s actually there!
I would like to keep them all safe forever and ever but I am also looking forward to getting my heart broken by future stories. Just. I love Gallifrey so damn much.

Weapon of Choice is certainly an amazing introduction to an amazing series. I love Gallifrey so, so much, and Weapon of Choice already has so many of the threads that make it such a great series, even if that might be hard to notice on first listen. The characters are great, their banter is off the charts here and Weapon of Choice is so full of energy!! If this is your first time listening stick with it, and definitely come back around to this one because there are so many little things that are amazing and you can't even know yet. And to see where Narvin started! Such a grumpy guy. Leela and Romana are both amazing and to see them here, at the beginning of it all is wonderful. It breaks my heart how hurt they both are. Love this episode!

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.

I took this note during listening and feel like it perfectly encapsulates my feelings: I have no idea what’s going on but I am entranced by Trey’s voice. Truly I am in love with Trey, she is just so amazing I could listen to her for days.

Narvin is amazing in here. His relationship with Romana is so compelling, and he is such a bad spy, like he doesn’t even try, it’s incredible. I also love the way he deals with meeting humans, it is so funny.

Ace is here!! I love Ace, Ace is great, she is wicked and she is perfect in here and I really don’t have anything else to say because she is just perfect. Love the way she brings a contemporary human’s view to Gallifrey.

This story is very atmospheric and shines in the way the characters talk. It’s pretty confusing when you’re expecting more seamless continuity as before in the series but once you let go of that it’s wonderful. Really Juliet Landau’s voice just does it all. I don’t need to understand what’s going on if I can just listen to her.

This story is probably not something you'll actively seek out but rather one you'll stumble over if you're lucky. It's one of the most haunting Doctor Who stories I have ever experienced. It made me cry. It's so bleak. And in the end it's got just that bit of hope. The Doctor and Romana are incredibly well characterized. The implications of them emotionally are immense and the calm narration somehow fits it perfectly. Truly haunting.

What a book. It’s so weird, filled with lore and completely insane. How is this a real book. I love it.

Listen. At this point we all know I love it when Romana does ■■■■■■ up things. And when she is traumatized to hell and back. And even more if she does evil messed up things because she is so hurt. And this audio ■■■■■■■ delivered.

I don’t really have that many additional thoughts on it, because really that was the main thing happening the entire time, there’s really not that much plot and it’s mainly fighting Daleks or running away from Daleks. In itself not massively entertaining.

I find it very interesting that I generally don’t like Dalek stories very much but the second you put them in the same story as Romana I am thinking about the Apocalypse Element and am no longer capable of thinking about anything else. Romana torturing the Dalek is soooooo good. One of the top scenes of Gallifrey for me probably. And the moment before where she looks at the sunset. Heartbreaking she is so convinced she won’t make it because she knows better than anyone else alive in any universe what they can do. I love her reclaiming her identity. That moment of her talking to herself in TAE is so haunting. And I find it very compelling how she becomes a martyr for this Gallifrey. I think it’s what she wanted on the original one as well but here she gets to become that without actually dying which is interesting.

I love how codependent they all are here. Narvin not running away but staying for them, Leela being there for Romana the second she needs her, Romana calling Leela her best friend. I am in love with them. And Romana being so scared in the beginning, while Leela, perhaps not expecting to survive, but still unafraid and ready to fight.

In total I am rating this as good (4/5) and a favourite which I don’t do often (most of my favourites are 5/5) because the story isn’t much but it was made for people like me who enjoy Romana being so messed up.

I just can’t get over this ending. This is how you end this series? For five years? This is insane. This whole chapter is quite frankly absurd and I love it. Zombies? Gallifrey falling to ruins? Pigrats? This one has it all. I adore Romana in this story (I mean, I always do, but especially), I think it’s really interesting how much better she fits in this outsider position. She has much less left to lose so she’s honestly doing much better mentally. I think she could really thrive in a powerful but ultimately not binding advisor capacity. And I adore the beginning. Leela. God, Leela made me cry in this one. She is so utterly alone and lost and the way she talks with Andred is so heartbreaking. At this point I just prepare myself to cry when that music comes on. And her talk with Romana too. Louise Jameson is amazing. It’s extremely interesting to see Narvin working under a different president, because you can really see the way he respects Romana but not Matthias. That’s not his president and you can tell. And Brax!! The ending with all the triple-crossing going on was very clever and slightly confusing but I love to have him back. Still, that ending. Who came up with that. Incredible.

I’d also like to hold a moment of silence for Leela’s knife. Meanest thing anyone has ever done.

I loved this one so much, it is literally mind-blowing! And something I really adore here is just how rich this whole world feels, like there are so many characters, and you get to see what they think of this truly insane political situation. And like I am freaking out about everything that’s happening in this chapter, but I’m not even freaking out about Romana or Leela or Narvin that much rn, who I am always ready to freak out about but about everything else!! Like Brax coming back!! I was hoping so badly from the first time they mentioned him, and he actually did! And his plan to get rid of Darkel is so ■■■■■■■ genius, I did not see it coming at all. And actually the way Darkel gets beaten here is so unbelievably satisfying, like a lot of stories tend to go the ‘revenge is bad’ way, but sometimes you just need to cheer because some villain got precisely what they deserved, and I absolutely despise Darkel, amazing villain. And it was really good that I relistened to Appropriation the day before this one, because it really does set the stage very well, and familiarized me more with Matthias as someone with complicated manipulative plans too

This is above the standard for general doctor who audios I’d say, but definitely under the very high standard that Gallifrey so far has set. I enjoyed it and the Romana stuff was amazing, Lalla Ward is really good at that breathy exhaustion, and I loved the way she sold those political twists, appointing herself her successor but honestly, someone give Romana a break. There was a lot of use of law and legalities in this one and to be honest, I found that very confusing, I’ll see if I get that better after a second listen but quite honestly I think I’ll need to start drawing diagrams if I want to get that. I missed Leela, it felt like she was barely in this one, but her moments with Narvin were wonderful. Narvin in general is wonderful here, he’s really started to shine in his loyalty to Romana.

I liked it a lot more on a second listen, knowing where Matthias' plans go made him stand out a lot more.

How does this series just keep having such amazing episodes? This is another one that goes to my favourites. Leela is amazing and it is so interesting and heartbreaking how at home she seems in war. Romana here is at her most psychologically messed up which I adore and they are just amazing together. They are so codependent, I love it. And Narvin! Some great character moments here. I just about died when he called Romana his president. Twice! I just plain love it.