Written by John Dorney Alison Winter Patrick O’Connor Tim Foley

Starring Paul McGann, Emma Campbell-Jones and many more

Originally released : May 2026

Listened to: May 2026

Context: I have to be honest, I could only remember the previous boxset in only broad strokes, time woods, shennigans with Cass and Alex, alternate versions etc…but I LOVE the 8th Doctor so happy to let this one flow, even if I anticipate not following all the connections.

Episodes

8.1 The Only Girl in the World by John Dorney

8.2 False Dawn by Alison Winter

8.3 The Council of Susan by Tim Foley

8.4 All Over by Patrick O’Connor

THE REVIEW

What I thought

8.1 The Only Girl in the World

Ok, so as stated above, I can barely remember the last box set, apart from in broad strokes, but to some extent this opening episode was forgiving of that, and some of the previous adventures’ details and key points started coming back to me, in particular what is occurring with Alex and the Doctor, the time forest episode etc. I knew from the BF podcast this had a slightly unusual Dalek, comedy Dalek?, which never really appeals to me, but I have to say I think Nick Briggs did a brilliant job in this one, great fun, works perfectly for this night episode. Has vibes of an episode in the 12th Doc’s era, and it’s a great idea, i.e. time moving differently across one spaceship. Cass is good in this, although I can’t quite get my head around her history/timeline/canon, but I just went with it. I very much liked this opener, with Mr Kal and the Doctor as the narrator, great stuff.

8.2 False Dawn by Alison Winter

A plant-based adventure here, time-related weeds (kind of thing) with the Doctor knocked out/out of it for lots of this episode and with Cass and Alex trying to work out what the hell is going on. To be honest, I am not sure what exactly was going on, but I chilled and enjoyed the ride. The plants growing in the Daleks is pretty cool, as is Cass’ sword, although I have no real idea how she acquired that!

8.3 The Council of Susan by Tim Foley

This episode was a step up for me, more my style than the last episode, with a ‘cult of Susan space station’ as the backdrop for this adventure! Really great idea, which leads to a nice adventure which explores the Doctor and what he does/doesn’t do to protect his Family. I really felt like I got to know Alex well in this one, a character I hadn’t really warmed too until this box set. His interactions here between the Doctor and Alex are really good, and I like how Cass gets involved here. Nice hologram evil Susan at the end (not convinced by that laugh though) and a set-up for the finale.

8.4 All Over by Patrick O’Connor

Like the second episode, the Doctor isn’t initially doing much to start with, with Alex taking the lead as the weird Heronima Friend returns as the main protagonist, this time in the form of Grace from the TV movie! Pretty mental, and although I was never that impressed with Grace as a companion, it’s great BF can bring her back, albeit in this odd form. As the Doctor comes back, and the ‘real’ Cass is found, the adventure becomes great, and we start to learn a little more about the uncharted, what it is and why it is important, kinda. Great new character in Time Lord cook Tabir, great fun and so well played. There is a great cliffhanger, and the hinted at limping character at the end of the story I have literally no idea who that is!

Rating: 4 out of 5 time thingys: like this one, some great episodes, although I was a little lost due to the previous boxset being a while ago for me. Its an interesting boxset, some interesting ideas.

What am I left thinking?

• I still havent got much idea what the devil is going on

Memorable bits

• The council of Susan
• The return of Grace, sort of?!
• Fantatsic cliffhanger in the final adventure