How far will anyone go to save their own life? And how far is too far?

Guy Adams rounds off this latest collection of tales for the First Doctor and his companions with a very different tale that feels more in tune with the new series than fitting in to the short time Ben and Polly had with the original Time Lord. (The gap was created in an earlier box set, although it wasn’t till the reminder on the extras that I remembered.) It gives Anneke Wills multiple roles – not just Polly and the Doctor (in an unusual way, even for the Companion Chronicles) but also the mysterious Continuity.

It’s a story, however, that could only really be told at this point – and ties in with the way the First Doctor is portrayed in Twice Upon a Time, with reservations and concerns about his impending change (nicely referred to as a rejuvenation here, in line with the contemporary description). Ben and Polly are pretty sure they know how the Doctor will react – but can they be certain? Adams uses the story to investigate the grey areas of the Doctor’s morality.

Add into this, the character of Allie, played by David Warner (something of an aural disconnect, as the story I listened to immediately before this was the Bernice Summerfield conclusion with his incarnation of the Doctor!). He’s rather different from any other character Warner has played for Big Finish, and there’s potential for a reappearance – which I suspect could be a great deal of fun!

Verdict: An intriguing and thought-provoking tale to complete this set. 8/10

Paul Simpson

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