Narvin and Rayo end up on the last place Narvin ever wanted to revisit…

Lou Morgan’s tale is a terrific character study of Narvin, a character who those of us who have been with Big Finish since the early days have seen grow in so many ways – and yet large chunks of his background remained untold. With the aid of some judiciously used flashbacks – which are never allowed to dominate the contemporary storyline – we meet a Narvin determined to make his mark, and it’s in the contemplation of who he was, and how he has become who he is now that he decides who he can be in the future. The episode (as far as he is concerned) ends with him taking a step that he’s fought against, but which he knows in his hearts is the right one.

Seán Carlsen is on top form in this episode, taking every opportunity that Morgan’s script gives him to show new sides to the character he’s played for 17 years. He has a great foil in Anna Carteret’s Apothecary, someone who’s not going to let him get away with self-deception, and is made to face things as well by Omar Austin’s Rayo.

These scenes are counterpointed with a vocal workout for Nicholas Briggs as assorted Daleks – including an Emperor who presents itself very much as the god of the Daleks did back in the Eccleston series – and a final scene that fulfils expectations (did anyone really think that one of the key characters in the series really had gone?).

Verdict: A great performance from Seán Carlsen in a strong character study in the midst of a Dalek attack! 9/10

Paul Simpson

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