Doctor Who: Gallifrey: Intervention Earth by Scott Handcock & David Llewellyn (CD review).
Just when you thought it was all over, ‘Gallifrey: Intervention Earth’ rises. Apparently, the fans wouldn’t let it lie down and here is a new four part adventure helmed by the regenerated Romana (Juliet Landau).
Ace (Sophie Aldred) is now a Celestial Intervention Agent and ponders on the nature of her job just before she runs. Business as usual then. Presented with a mending job, she is recruited by Time Lord Rexx (Giles Brandreth) to sort out that messy fabric of time. You know this is not going to be that simple and she naively follows Rexx to a planet she recognises but everything is different. There is something very wrong with the universe. All of time and space is coming to an end but Ace is no Doctor. She might just need help.
Meanwhile, Narvin (oh how we love Narvin, Sean Carlsen) is dealing with the sticky problem of precogs predicting the fall of Gallifrey. We all know the problem with precogs. Just ask Tom Cruise. The President Romana is gathering info but this new incarnation is proactive and a little bit tense. She sets her watchdog on Narvin even though she considers him a close friend. There is a traitor on Gallifrey and a plot to bring back an old and powerful enemy.
This is essentially a three hero adventure with Ace, Narvin and Romana forming a new triumvirate to fight against the return of one of Gallifrey and the universe’s greatest enemies and it all comes to a great conclusion at the end of the fourth episode. I like this. It’s a little bit different having the breadth of four episode and two hours to tell a single story that moves between locations and narrators. ‘Intervention: Earth’ is certainly very lively with plenty going on and building up to a great finish. No waiting around for the next year except, oh, hang on, there is more to come and the rules have changed.
Extras are the music suite created by Ioan Morris and Rhys Downing. Sound design is by Neil Gardner. This was written by Scott Handcock & David Llewellyn with direction by Scott Handcock.
Sue Davies
February 2015
(pub: Big Finish. 2 CDs 120 minute story. Price: CD: £14.99 (UK), Download: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-78178-436-5)
cast: Juliet Landau, Sophie Aldred, Seán Carlsen, Stephen Thorne, Scott Arthur, Gyles Brandreth, Daniel Brocklebank, Laura Doddington, Rachel Atkins, Toby Longworth and Andrew Pepper
check out website: www.bigfinish.com
