Secrets from the past are laid bare after the Paternoster Gang visit a mummy unwrapping ceremony…

Roy Gill wraps up this latest group of tales for the misfit family of adventurers with a story that starts to dig even deeper into the “Heritage” referred to in the title. We’ve got multiple Sontarans – voiced by Dan Starkey, Christopher Ryan and John Banks – and the return of various characters from past adventures. There’s a definite end of season feel to it with a number of threads resolved, but enough left to deal with when the Gang return – and we’re promised Henry Gordon Jago in the next box set.

Ken Bentley’s direction, combined with Joe Kraemer and Josh Arakelian’s sound design and score, tightens up the tension as the story goes on – Requisitioner Skark does seem to hold all the cards as far as most of our protagonists are concerned, and it will take something quite extraordinary to rectify the situation. But, as Vastra notes, normal isn’t what they’d want.

There’s some lovely moments in Gill’s script (one exchange between Vastra and Skark will have you laughing out loud) and Neve McIntosh, Catrin Stewart and Starkey’s performances are as strong as ever.

Verdict: Looking to the past to ensure their future, this is the Paternoster Gang fulfilling their potential. 9/10

Paul SImpson

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