Written by Lou Morgan David Llewellyn Matt Fitton Lisa McMullin

Starring Lalla Ward and Louise Jameson

Originally released: February 2021

Listened to: June 2026

Episodes:

4.1 Deception by Lisa McMullin

4.2 Dissolution by Lou Morgan

4.3 Beyond by David Llewellyn 

4.4 Homecoming by Matt Fitton

Context: not much to add here, I am on the home straight now for the Gallifrey series, I am such a fan of this BF line, its a distinct set of adventures in the Who universe which are just as good as any main Doctor range set IMHO…onward.

THE REVIEW

What I thought:

4.1 Deception by Lisa McMullin – so the theme of the timewar escalating continues, Leela is back in play now and in this story she joins with a rebel. Timelord, Narvins protege Eris, to rescue timelords from a Dalek trap. Part of the plot centres on Rassilon use of Decepton fields, which act like shields/traps, and this is where Eris and Leela go to save trapped timelords Fillius and Castine. We get more time on Gallifrey in this story, with war council members Mantis and Livia trying to stay alive, and of use to Rassilon, who is on full on dictator, megalomaniac mode again here. It’s a good episode which ends with everyone in danger and the war kicking off bigger and badder than before.

4.2 Dissolution by Lou Morgan – sees us back with Narvin, and the youngster Timelord Rayo from the previous boxset, escaping a Dalek hunting them relentlessly. Narvin ends up meeting up with a ‘cousin’ mentor in a damaged battle TARDIS for shelter, which is all rather cool so far. Lots of intense dialogues between Narvin and ‘The Apothacary’, with lots of insight gained into Narvin’s character here, his chapter, time on Gallifrey pre-war, goals etc etc. The rebel plan here is to destroy/damage the time vortex so the time war is no longer possible, neat idea and leads to lots of jeopardy in this episode, and something that isn’t resolved in this episode.

4.3 Beyond by David Llewellyn – this story is possibly my favourite of the Gallifrey time War episodes thus far (or at least on a par with the War Master episode from set 1). This follows on directly from the final episode of the last boxset, with Braxiatel rescuing Romana, taking to her to the ‘beyond’ a messed up timelord afterlife (sort of) which contains another one of those mental ‘weapons’ that could win the war, by wiping out the Daleks as a species. In this episodes we get tremendous scenes between Brax and Romana, essentially how far are either of them prepared to go to both end the war and escape it. We also see a version of Leela’s final moments, frozen in time, another Narvin, who tells Romanian some rather disturbing news about a version of Romana who essentially committed genocide. We also meet an old version of Barxiatel, who isn’t too impressed with his younger self and his decision to use the weapon to wipe out the war. Leads to an escape, and the older version taking out the young version in order to stop himself becoming a nutter. Great episode, loved it!

4.4 Homecoming by Matt Fitton – this is where we have Leela and Romana heading back to gallifrey, with a showdown between the Dalek Emperor and Rassilon. It is these scenes that steal the show, with Nick B on great form as the emperor and Richard Armitage a fantastic, gravel voiced version of the God/Timelord Rassilon. There is a huge amount going on in this episode but essentially it’s a potential invasion of Gallifrey by Daleks using a new version of Timetravel to get around the extensive defences around Gallifrey. The device to destroy comes back, with our heroes using it to stop the Daleks. We loose Mantis here, and in the conclusion Leela is co-opted onto the war council, with Rommana imprisoned in a pocket dimension. Narvin escapes, out there resisting the War with the growing rebel alliance. Fantastic ending and sets up the War Room boxsets very nicely indeed.

Rating: 4 out of 5 – this is a great set of episodes, jeopardy high with slightly less machinations in corridors to epic planetary alliance building and near death escapades and escapes. Very much enjoyed this set

What am I left thinking?

• Are we ever actually get to see any battles?!?
• Do we see Brax again?
• What now for the resistance?
• What is the grand plan Rassilon is clearly planning

Memorable bits

• Braxiatel musing about his family and the Doctor (very clear hints at him being his brother! Love this)
• The Beyond is such a great concept, bloody loved this episode.
• The exile of Rommana
• Leela in the war room!
• Getting to enjoy the Generals character more and more; even Veklin is growing on me