Time In Office review

There are traditions in the Big Finish Towers. We have our Multi-Doctor Trilogies, the boxset season, the new loverly hardback book releases.... but one that has stayed relatively unchanged since 2006 has been the annual anthology release: the set of four, unique single part stories connected by an underlying theme...

Well, it's about to get a bit of a shake up! And not just in the style!

DOCTOR WHO MAIN RANGE REVIEW

230: TIME IN OFFICE

By Jack Ryan

BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

SYNOPSIS:

+++URGENT MESSAGE RELAYED FROM TIME LORD HIGH COUNCIL+++
The new president has arrived STOP. He and his companion are to be treated with high regards STOP. Preparations are to be made regarding the new policies he will introduce, including new academies, a, hopefully smooth, diplomatic discussion with the Arimsei, an academy visit which will hopefully be screened to ensure safety, and the opening of the new capitol building STOP. All while making sure our new president, his "ambassadorial" companion, and the "savage" he left behind a time before... don't kill us all STOP.

So, we prepare STOP. All hail the Lord President, the Doctor STOP.

And Rassilon help us all....

STOP.

WRITING:

Furthering the shake up of the traditional formula, Eddie Robson takes on the writing duties for all four episodes for this release. And he comes to a brilliantly executed compromise, being a mix of the traditional unique story set, whilst having a over-arcing framing device story across all four episodes. Between an ambassadorial cock-up, to a piss-take on the basis of the entire series, Robson gives his all for the two hours, and all of it is brilliant.

CAST:

As we have returned to Gallifrey, not only do we have the brilliance of Peter Davison and Janet Fielding as the Doctor and Tegan, but a brilliant surprise return of Louise Jameson as Leela, giving us a "savage" who has been educated by society, but still retaining the skills of her past, leading to moments of epicness and hilarity for the three leads. Alongside, we have the skills of Sheri-An Davis, Julie Teal, Michael Hobbs, Tim Scragg, Tim Sutton, Jenny Lee and George Watkins, each giving a hundred percent and more to their roles, and under the direction of the Voice of the Village herself, the glorious Helen Goldwyn, the cast elevate this release to a whole other level.

SOUND WORK:

For both sound design and music, Andy Hardwick returns to duty, and not only gives us a masterful course in good sound design, but the soundtrack is a piece of art, showcasing and highlighting drama, comedy and thriller in equal measure.

CONCLUSION:

They say change is a necessity. That change can help. And it certainly has helped here. From the pinpoint perfect cast, to expert directing , brilliant sound work, and most importantly, Eddie Robson's truly astounding script, this is a release that has to be heard to be believed.

VERDICT: 10/10 Welcome to the Gallifreyan version of The Thick Of It. Sans swearing... ;D

Doctor Who: Time In Office is available to purchase on CD and Download from the Big Finish Website here, or from all good stockists.