Originally released : June 2025

Listened to: June 2025

Written by Mark Wright Katharine Armitage Tim Foley James Moran

Starring Paul McGann & Emma Campbell-Jones

Episodes:
7.1 Spoil of War by Mark Wright

7.2 The Tale of Alex by Katharine Armitage

7.3 See-Saw by James Moran

7.4 The First Forest by Tim Foley

Context: I have always enjoyed the 8th Doctor adventures and Time War stuff specifically although the specifics of the last boxset are a little vague as I go into this one. I do remember the ending of the final episode though, great cliffhanger. It was a while ago but my memory probably isn’t quite as sharp as it once was so maybe I have to get used to that..maybe…anyway, back into the Time War I go.

THE REVIEW

What I thought: I have to be honest, the memory issue was a bit of a barrier for me initially, I know that the Doctor and Alex fell out big time and that Alex nicked the TARDIS and headed off with Cass at the end of the last set. I was confused by H. Friend in the prior set so this state of confusion continued into this box set, however I rolled with it and very much enjoyed the ride pretty quickly. All the cast shine, and the structure of the Doctor and Friend chasing Alex and Cass is a great idea and works super well across these four episodes. There is a real mix of stories ‘See Saw’ is super creepy, ‘The Tale of Alex’ is a crazy fun adventure and the First Forest brings it all together, Sharon the Sontaran is a hoot!. This latter episode is my favourite, bringing everyone together again, Abidus is a great character, and the magical wood is bloody great. Overall, good fun and a great addition to this Time War series.

Rating:

What I felt: initially confused, but got into this and was taken along for the ride. Quite a mix of styles across this box set, but this isn’t a bad thing, nice to have variety within one box set sometimes, lovely listen.

What am I left thinking?

• Where this goes next, Alex and 8 are together again, but it doesn’t seem they are a happy couple just yet
• What exactly is H.Friend…I can’t get my head around this character at all?!?

Memorable bits

• Every scene Sharon is in!
• The ancient forest
• The bard
• Abidus is a great character