The Doctor lands the TARDIS in Mrs Clarke’s immediate future – the liberation of France…

Every so often, Doctor Who – whether on TV, in the books or on audio – shines a light on a period of history about which the audience, on the whole, is pretty ignorant. It was, after all, one of the original remits of the programme, to educate its young audience, and although this is now just one string to the bow, when done properly, it provides some interesting characterisation.

This excellent piece from Chris Chapman focuses on the immediate aftermath of liberation in France, and the way in which a lot of pent-up fury against collaborators was unleashed. It’s not the ’Allo ’Allo school of saucy French maid flirting with the thick Nazi – it’s about horizontal collaboration, and its approach takes the show into more adult themes that it would often skirt around.

It also provokes a rift between the two companions. Flip’s 21st century way of looking at things, can’t bear seeing someone being attacked in the way they find young Clementine; while Constance Clarke understands all too well the hatred that the allies had for the Nazis. There’s an extra alien level added into all this, that requires these attitudes to be examined carefully – and an end of episode that you, along with the companions, won’t quite believe has happened.

Simon Power’s music has distinct echoes of the Murray Gold era of the show, while Lee Adams’ sound design is called upon for a distinctly different sort of aerial combat. John Ainsworth’s direction ensures that the themes are given due weight – the inter-companion discord and the Doctor’s efforts to both understand and help come across strongly. Katarina Olsson and Philip DeLancy give powerful performances as Clementine and Lucien, and there’s some light relief from Christopher Black and James Boswell’s soldiers.

But this story belongs to the two companions, with both Lisa Greenwood and Miranda Raison bringing their A game – the rift between the two is credible and makes this one of the best stories for this team.

Verdict: A powerful thought-provoking addition to the saga for the Sixth Doctor and team. 9/10

Paul Simpson

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