Impressions
The Tardis is forced out of its journey and lands near a prison. The Fifth Doctor, Teagan, Turlough, and Nyssa find that the world is controlled by a "chronoscope" that predicts criminal acts with perfect accuracy. Teagan is pulled aside by one of the workers who reveals that he is Nyssa's son, all grown up.
Doctor Who does Minority Report! And goes so much deeper than that. The imprisonment theme is masterfully worked into being unable to change time. Paradoxes, which are often swept under the rug, are worked into an intelligent scheme and built up with emotional relevance.
Our Heroes
Nyssa finally gets a worthwhile story and it is one hell of one. This story has Nyssa wandering into her own future. As such, she makes it part of her present and cannot go back without creating a destructive paradox. Nyssa breaks out of the shadows and challenges the Doctor in her own right. As the smartest member of the Tardis, it is fantastic to see her toss all logic aside and go with her gut.
The Fifth Doctor is not in the loop for a great deal of this story, but unlike, Eldrad Must Die!, he keeps up with, and even passes those around him, in realizing what is really going on. This episode highlights the Doctor's imperfection without making him look stupid, and that is reason enough to listen to this one.
Turlough and Teagan get the short end of the stick this time around, but that's what happens with three companions. They are relegated to pawns of the Chronoscope and plot movers. Turlough does some incredibly stupid things, but they're somewhat forgivable.
Important Observers
Galen aka Adric is Nyssa's son who believes, due to Nyssa's de-aging in The Emerald Tiger, that she's a Nyssa from before he was born. Galen lets his emotion overwhelm his intellect and becomes almost unlikeable as a result. Fortunately, his decisions are understandable.
Timely Foes
Sibor has been using the Chonoscope torule her tiny piece of the galaxy, but she has greater designs. The more disappointing of the two foes has her place in the story. Meglomaniacal villainy has its place and this story uses it effectively.
The Chronoscope is an awesome villain that has never been done before. Its identity can't be revealed without serious spoilers, but this villain is long overdue.
Imprisoned Atmosphere
The prison is fairly bland, but it is a prison. It's the music in the story that really ties together the heavy themes, complex plot, and emotional weight. All three cliffhangers in this story are taught with suspense and
In the End
Talk about a dramatic ending. There are no simple answers and the ending is no cop out.
Overall
A climactic tale that is so far from Eldrad Must Die! that the mention of it in this tale is a little jarring. Jonathan Morris provides a tale as awesome, if not a bit more so, than The Emerald Tiger. There are a few minor things that Sibor and significantly Turlough do that are silly but forgivable. This tale needs quite a bit of knowledge from previous audios and Nyssa's swansong Classic Episode: Terminus. However, the payoff is definitely worth it. Listen to this one; it is intense.
9/10
Check it out at Big Finish!
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