Tula shows Liv a new project she’s working on – an artificial intelligence in a living body…

It comes as no surprise when you’re listening to the extras on this to hear script editor John Dorney note that Robert Whitelock is going to be commissioned to work on further Big Finish releases – this is his first script for the company, and is one of the most polished and accomplished debuts that I’ve heard in some time (up there with David K. Barnes for confident handling of the characters and situations). Best known as an actor – including on this series – Whitelock demonstrates a good sense of pace, timing and development, giving each of the leads plenty to do while creating new characters that we feel we know quickly.

As listeners accustomed to things going wrong in the Doctor Who universe – particularly when the Kaldor Robots are involved – we’re as dubious as Liv about the project and Venice Van Someren makes a suitably chilling Vissey, the “child” at its heart. There’s an excellent performance by Jaye Griffiths as Professor Rork, with Jon Culshaw’s multiple robots providing strong assistance (in all senses!).

Claire Rushbrook and Nicola Walker continue to make the Chenka sisters credible as siblings – the niggling at each other really rings true, but director Ken Bentley never allows this to overshadow the drama.

Verdict: A stunning debut drama from Mr Whitelock. 9/10

Paul Simpson

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