Flip learns hard lessons about time travel…

Que sera sera, the song says, but in matters of time travel, there are times when it’s not so much “what will be will be” as “what will be has already been”. The new series has tackled this with the introduction of the concept of fixed points in time that can’t be altered (and The Waters of Mars was a graphic demonstration of what happens when that’s challenged), and Jonny Morris’ mindbending first story for this double set deals with this on a level that’s smaller, though no less important for the characters involved. As with anything that’s built around this sort of time puzzle, it’d be wrong to spoil it, but Morris gives both Colin Baker and Lisa Greenwood plenty to play, with Flip in particular faced with some difficult circumstances that Greenwood puts over well.

Ian Potter’s Cortex Fire also looks at predestination, but in a slightly different way, as the scale of the problem that he’s facing dawns on the Doctor. This incarnation’s propensity to boast doesn’t work in his favour, drawing him away from being able to help and putting the focus firmly on Flip once more.

Both stories benefit from strong guest star casting with a lot of new names to the Big Finish roster who I hope we’ll be hearing from again in future, and it’s always a treat to hear Joe Kraemer’s music and sound design on a Doctor Who release! Ken Bentley gives each story the pacing it needs – particularly because of the nature of the first, it’s by no means the standard Doctor Who acceleration towards a big finale.

Verdict: A well-produced and enjoyable pair of tales. 9/10

Paul Simpson