{"id":35164,"date":"2022-04-27T00:59:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-26T23:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedoctorwhocompanion.com\/?p=35164"},"modified":"2022-04-27T08:27:37","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T07:27:37","slug":"reviewed-big-finishs-doctor-who-unbound-doctor-of-war-1-genesis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedoctorwhocompanion.com\/2022\/04\/27\/reviewed-big-finishs-doctor-who-unbound-doctor-of-war-1-genesis\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviewed: Big Finish\u2019s Doctor Who Unbound \u2013 Doctor of War 1: Genesis"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

I wasn’t expecting Big Finish’s Unbound<\/em> range to make a spectacular return as a two-volume miniseries. And the results of the first boxset… explosively outstanding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To provide a brief summary, the Unbound<\/em> audios tell “What if?” scenarios set in parallel universes and timelines, each featuring a different incarnation of the Doctor voiced by a new actor. However, it’s a little bit different this time round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first instalment, Dust Devil<\/em>, kicks off with a recreation of an iconic scene from Genesis of the Daleks<\/em> – one of my favourite Classic era serials. The pivotal moment when the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) holds two strands together and hesitates to commit genocide against the Dalek race, with Sarah Jane Smith (here played by Sadie Miller) and Harry Sullivan (Christopher Naylor for this audio) by his side; you can easily picture the original scene with the near-verbatim dialogue being spoken. In a twist of fate, the Doctor succeeds with completing his mission for the Time Lords, ultimately changing the course of history. But it doesn’t end well for him and his two companions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the midst of the Last Great Time War, we are also treated to the return of Narvin (Se\u00e1n Carlsen) whose role acts as a parallel to Ohila. It brilliantly mirrors the events of The Night of the Doctor<\/em>, with Narvin interacting with a dying Doctor and giving him the Elixir of Life. And this is where Tom regenerates… straight into the next Baker, in the form of Colin – the Warrior. “Not a moment too soon,” as the Sixth Doctor would say. Because everything has been brought forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The story may appear to be all over the place in terms of pacing, but John Dorney’s script magnificently establishes the new, fractured timeline by providing enough room to explore the sudden shifts between the Doctor visiting Aridius and travelling with Peri (Nicola Bryant). He is an expert at writing epic introductions with plot twists leaving listeners in shock, especially after last year’s Dalek Universe<\/em> two-part opener Buying Time<\/em>\/The Wrong Woman<\/em> – which I also reviewed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can definitely say that Dust Devil<\/em> has become an all-time favourite Unbound<\/em> audio, alongside Sympathy for the Devil<\/em>. Absolute perfection!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n