The Thals have an important part to play in the Time War – or at least, that’s what some people believe…

The title of this story hearkens back to the very first Dalek tale, nearly 60 years ago, but here it’s referring to a new battleship, manned by Thals… that unfortunately seems to be on course to defect to the Daleks, with the Doctor on board. Rossa McPhillips’ script is full of plot and counterplot, with none of the parties involved – from the Thal leader to the Dalek Time Strategist to the Doctor himself – quite knowing everything that is going on, exactly as you’d expect in any complicated war situation, let alone one that’s being fought across four dimensions.

The harsh realities of war aren’t hidden – as far as the listener is concerned, no-one, barring the Doctor, is safe from being killed, but the harm that can be done doesn’t have to be fatal. Some of the tropes that we expect from the series are turned upside down – the rebellion the Doctor leads doesn’t play out along the lines you’d anticipate – and I’m sure I’m not the only one who wonders if the bargain that he makes at the end of the episode will be seen through.

Verdict: A complete change of pace from the opener that reminds us of the stakes involved. 8/10

Paul Simpson

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