This release continues the Doctor Who spin-off range Gallifrey and is interesting for several reasons.

First is Juliet Landau in the role of President Romana, taking over from Lalla Ward. Juliet first appeared in the sixth Gallifrey boxset and the ‘Companion Chronicle’ story ‘Luna Romana’.

The second point of interest is the main foe, revealed by the cover – Omega, played by Stephen Thorne. When Time Lords conquered time, Rassilon took the glory; Omega was condemned to oblivion in a black hole.

The plot mixes familiar themes: Ace (Sophie Aldred) is on Gallifrey working for the Celestial Intervention Agency. She goes off to deal with yet another threat to the continued existence of the Time Lords; so far, so familiar. Into this mix a good dose of the original TV story The Three Doctors in which Omega first appeared – a black hole and anti-matter universes.

Ace heads to Earth seeking for clues as the origin of a universe destroying black hole, while investigator Narvin (Sean Carlesen) has his own worries – a threat to Gallifrey from within. The action moves along at pace and entertains from start to finish.

Although her third appearance in the role, Juliet Landau’s take on Romana has a lot of room to develop. This makes her mysterious and strangely compelling. How far will this new, darker Romana go to protect her people? Are any safe, even her dearest friends?

Although a spin-off from the Doctor Who stories proper, this is a viable product set in its own right and while some awareness of the range is useful, it is entirely possible to treat this as a jumping on point. It is labelled Gallifrey 7.0 – if there is any justice there will be a whole 7.x set of titles allowing this new casting room to grow.

Released in February 2015 by Big Finish Productions Ltd.

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