In Review: Big Finish: Dark Gallifrey: The War Master Part 3

Synopsis: Many have sought the legendary Dark Gallifrey over the millennia. However, most have been lucky enough to fail. 

Their luck having run low, the Master and Captain John are trapped amid the ruins of Dark Gallifrey. Familiar faces and infinite impossibilities gather.

With his dream of the ultimate weapon almost within his grasp, the Master revels in the chaos. But all roads lead to the Imbomination.

Review: Dark Gallifrey: The War Master Part 3 brought the current mini arc in this range to an end. Moreover, we’ll have to wait until April 2025 before Big Finish picks up these wonderfully paradoxical plot strands again.

Story

This final installment offered listeners a bonkers, yet consistent resolution. Of course, I won’t spoil that resolution. James Goss’ twists have to be heard to be believed.

Goss wrangled his tale’s impossibilities through story structure. He employed interlocking two-handers within the larger narrative.

What’s more, Goss gave listeners the two-hander they’ve been waiting years for. Incredibly, that interaction wasn’t the most interesting pairing.

Indeed, Goss reserved the most unlikely, yet satisfying dynamic for Captain John Hart. I guarantee no one saw this coming when he entered the scene in Torchwood.

For all that, Captain John’s development made complete sense in context. Hopefully, he has a larger role to play when Big Finish picks up the story next year.

Acting

The entire cast was marvelous. That said, there were stand outs among them.

For his part, Homer Todiwala excelled as the neurotic and cowardly TARDIS. Jonathon Carley, in his turn, gave listeners a different take on The War Doctor.

However, this chapter belonged to Derek Jacobi and James Marsters. They both sold the unadulterated weirdness through unabashed commitment to their performances.

Overall

Big Finish has done it again. I’m hooked on this story arc and looking forward to the new year.

You can purchase Dark Gallifrey: The War Master Part 3 here.