Written by Jonathan Morris

Starring Jonathon Carley

Originally released : December 2025

Listened to: December 2025

Episodes

Episode 1: Crucible 

Episode 2: Firebreak 

Episode 3: Sepulchre

THE REVIEW

What I thought: I was very much looking forward to this boxset. The context is that I listened to the a previous boxset, Vol 2 Unknown Soldiers’ last December on holiday in Cornwall (over the 24/25 Xmass period) and enjoyed it so much I was hoping to do the same for the 25/26 period. So, I was in beloved Cornwall again, and was ready with this set for my coastal path runs, absolute bliss!

Episode 1, Crucible, is good fun and a strong opener for this boxset. The war doctor in the heart of the action really quickly, with Mondasian cybes turning up pretty quickly. It soon becomes clear that the Time Lords are behind this version of the Cybermen’s evolution, preparing to use them in some way, with the War Doctor working out that not everyone is what they seem. Strong start I thought.

Episode 2, Firebreak, starts off almost like a sidestep, another alternative cyber timeline on another planet, the Doctor this time accompanied by Vargeth (Rachel Atkinson is great). The stakes are increasing in this one, with the cyber seed given to Cardew (another great performance) by Timelords hellbent on using the planet as a ‘firebreak’ against the Daleks, allowing development of the cybermen and the destruction of these ‘cyber worlds’ to protect timelord interests. The time travel element of the story is really cool, as is the last 20 minuyres of the episode which are super tense, with the timelords clearly underestimating the ability of the cybermen to take charge, great cyber-stuff!

The final episode, Sepulchre is an all out fight between the timelords, war doctor and a resurgent host of cyber worlds. Suffice to say the Timelord firebreak plan has gone fully pear shaped in this concluding episode. We see the War Doctor making some hard decisions around what to do, how to deal with the Time Lords’ mess and how far he is prepared to go, and how much (who) is prepared to sacrifice. There is also Dalek interference here, which complicates things even further. Very much enjoy this episode

Rating: 4 out of 5 silver seeds: I had read something a little negative about this boxset from a goodreliable Whovian, so I was a little concerned this woould’nt live up to expectations, however I need not have worried, this was great fun, great Cybermen and the War Doctor doing some great War Doctor stuff

What am I left thinking/feeling/wanting?

• More war Doctor!
• More cybermen and maybe a Dalek Cyber war would be cool

Memorable bits

• A mondasian cyberman picking up the dead
• A medieval cyber-plague doctor, with beak and all!
• Cybermats and vast cybertombs