Susan is asked to examine a new potential weapon.

As I’ve come to expect from Lou Morgan’s scripts, there’s a nuanced look at the morality of a situation coupled with a strong storytelling drive that makes the hour pass extremely quickly. By pure coincidence, I listened to this immediately after watching a preview of Deep Blue Sea 3 – where a group of scientists, some with a rather higher moral code than others, are pursued by intelligent sharks who respond in some quite surprising ways. Of course the scientists (and the sharks, come to that) don’t have the benefit of Susan’s abilities.

We’ve met the Orrovix before in the Time War in Morgan’s script from Gallifrey: Time War Volume 3, but even without that foreknowledge, it’s clear that they’re distinctly dangerous. (I’m reminded of the Dogs of War from an early DWM comic strip.) Susan’s role here isn’t as clear cut as she, and we, are originally led to believe, and that presents a fascinating look at how the exigencies of war are affecting the Time Lords’ moral code.

Morgan draws from the entirety of Big Finish’s licence for Doctor Who for this story – from the very first season up to ideas premiered in Peter Capaldi’s tenure – and gives cohesion where there often seems to be none. Lisa Bowerman’s direction uses Howard Carter’s music and sound design to very good effect, and Carole Ann Ford gives an impassioned performance.

Verdict: A strong tale that emphasises the shades of grey into which those prosecuting the Time War slip so easily. 9/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order Susan’s War from Big Finish