Leela finds herself on a planet that has never heard of the Time War…

Helen Goldwyn’s script is focused purely around Leela – there’s no mention of Romana, Narvin or indeed the reason why Leela found herself in the Vortex in the first place – and provides Louise Jameson with some wonderful opportunities to demonstrate different facets to Leela. Notable amongst these are the maternal side, and how that comes out at the critical time in your children’s lives when they have become adults and are set on forging their own way in the world. We may not all face the drastic situation in which Leela has to make a decision, but there are many smaller ones of equal consequence.

One of the strengths of the Gallifrey series – and indeed a hallmark of the way that Big Finish has tackled the Time War overall – is that some of the more outré ideas regarding time travel and its consequences can be entertained dramatically, and there’s certainly some on display here. Travelling in time doesn’t have to be a physical thing, after all…

Jameson is on top form, and director Scott Handcock and sound designer Russell McGee ensure that listeners are never confused as to what’s happening (save when they’re meant to be as disoriented as the protagonist of a scene, of course). He’s assembled a strong cast, with Sarah Douglas and Maxine Evans given plenty of challenges.

Verdict: It may be a sidestep from the main storyline, but this is a powerful drama, enhanced by great performances. 9/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order Galllifrey: Time War Volume 3 from Big Finish