The Doctor, Steven and Vicki arrive on a world that has a very peculiar relationship with the Doctor’s oldest foes…

I’m going to be keeping an eye out for David K. Barnes’ name on stories in future – because based on this, he’s going to be a great addition to the Big Finish roster. You may start this adventure thinking you know where it’s going to be heading but it really isn’t, with the first cliffhanger one of many game changers along the way. There’s a darkness to this – Maureen O’Brien quite rightly describes it as “bleak” in the extras – that comes when you ask the right questions about the Doctor Who universe, in particular whether what the time travellers do, almost instinctively, is actually right for those they come in contact with.

I don’t intend to spoil any of the developments in this, but praise the performances of all involved: Peter Purves’ Doctor and Steven are both put in what feels like familiar situations, but the contexts shift around them, while O’Brien’s Vicki is put through the wringer. Robert Daws’ governor Gaius Majorian is one of the most amoral characters we’ve had in the series with Shvorne Marks’ Amalia a good foil for Steven much of the time. As has happened a number of times recently, the Daleks are in unfamiliar mode for much of the time, which gives Nick Briggs opportunity to do more than simply chant “Exterminate!”

Director Lisa Bowerman keeps ratcheting up the tension, and Toby Hrycek-Robinson’s sound design and music play to the period even at the story’s darkest moments. Barnes doesn’t end the story with the departure of the TARDIS – and, much as I’d enjoy a sequel, knowing that we won’t know what happens next is almost more powerful.

Verdict: A stunning debut on the range, and one of the best Dalek stories for some time. 10/10

Paul Simpson