| NEVERLAND by Alan Barnes |
| Story 33 Synopsis: The Time Lords are worried. The Web of Time is in a terrible mess, and history is under threat. The Doctor, meanwhile, is concerned about a fleet of TARDISes swarming after him. He tries to evade them, but Charly thinks it's time he faced up to the problem. On Gallifrey, Lady President Romana tells the Doctor that Charly is causing a paradox, forming a conduit to a parallel non-Universe, dubbed Neverland. It is believed by some that Rassilon lives there, but also that a fearsome foe, Zagreus, also awaits. Neverland also turns out to be the unhappy home of many political prisoners who were erased from history by the Time Lords, and the CIA. Co-ordinator Vansell seems very keen on finding Rassilon, and when the TL party finds a casket purported to contain the remains of Rassilon, he leaves Romana and the Doctor in Neverland, whilst he takes the casket back. But the casket contains Zagreus. The Doctor gets a chance to chat with the real Rassilon, as he slowly realises the extent of the paradoxes he's come across lately. Vansell dies, and to save Charley, the Doctor takes the brunt of an anti-time explosion in the TARDIS. But Charley learns that the Doctor has been taken over by Zagreus... |
| Review:- Possibly the most monumental BF release (to date), and the most important DW story since 2000. This was the culmination of 10 stories spread over 18 months, and features many high-powered themes. The Doctor and Charly facing up to the paradoxes is a good reason for a quite outlandish adventure, examening themes of justice and worship. Vansell gets his big finish, proving his credentials as a nutty berk, but one in a position of power (quite the worst, and most frequent kind). Romana mellows a little, but this allows her to fill the 'companion' role as Charly is otherwise occupied. Rassilon is given huge vocal gravitas, and is welcome for this. Quite how the so-called clever-dick Time Lords can't rumble that the casket is almost certainly not going to contain Rassilon, is dismaying, yet rings true. The other notable thing is the fact that these are only 2 episodes, and have a running time equivalent to a 6-parter. This is worth remembering, as I listened for what I realised was over an hour. Pacing might yield merit. If I have to listen a second time, I'll be more careful. Naturally, having built up to a finish, the story ends on a cliffhanger, to be resolved (to greater or lesser an extent) in November 2003, with the story Zagreus. The anticipation is going to be immense... |
| Disclaimer: I own a copy. |