Written by Jonathan Morris

Starring David Bradley and Jemma Powell

Originally released : February 2026

Listened to: February 2026

Context: I enjoyed the first in this new unbound range, so was happy to return to this alternative first doctor team, I rather like David Bradley’s portrayal of the crabby first incarnation of the timelord.

THE REVIEW

What I thought: ok, so one thing that was certainly lost on me was the links to the old Keys of Marinus, which I have seen but a very long time ago and one in which I can’t remember it at all. I was never a massive fan of the old black and white stories, I maybe should return to them some day (I get on better with the second doctor stories to be fair). So references to floating brains, and mountain ranges of x etc etc are rather lost on me.

That aside I enjoyed this story very much, it rattles along at a good pace, with our respective TARDIS team split up (as usual) and them coming toward the end of adventure which is all about those weird brain things. The inclusion of the Daleks I thought, initially, was a bit boring but the use of them is pretty unique (no spoilers here) but was a nice surprise and elevated this story for me. Good listen, most enjoyable.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 brain things: solid, good fun story. A little lost on me due to my lack of original Keys of Marinus, but nonetheless nice to listen to this TARDIS team again.

What am I left thinking/feeling/wanting?

• What BF’s plans for this range are in he future
• True Daleks next, what they be up to?

Memorable bits

• The return to Marinus via a play about the first Marinus adventure
• Blobs in Dalek casings