In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: Once and Future: Coda – The Final Act

Synopsis: In Once and Future: Coda – The Final Act, The Time War rages on. The Doctor is dealing with the repercussions of degeneration.

The Doctor has a limited window of time. They have to evade capture, recruit old allies, wage a war, and find out what’s really going on.

A warrior is being hunted by a mysterious stranger in a TARDIS. A rogue agent has been assigned a mission to eliminate a dangerous foe. 

This is a fight between a war criminal and a fugitive. This is a fight between Doctors.

Review: Doctor Who: Once and Future: Coda – The Final Act offered listeners some marvelously unexpected twists. Those twists contributed to the immensely satisfying Once and Future arc.

Story

Tim Foley decided to go big for this final installment. As such, the Fugitive Doctor’s debut was only one highlight.

Foley also decided that Bernice Summerfield, the Voord, and Queen Elizabeth I should take part. Indeed, he put effort into ensuring the internal logic held together.

As a result, Queen Elizabeth got development and consideration that Doctor Who never afforded her on screen. Moreover, she got a bitter sweet ending befitting her personal history.

For her part, Benny rolled with the punches and provided the voice of reason. Additionally, she provided context for the latest Time Lord myth that turned out to be real.

Of course, Foley couldn’t resist throwing in a surprise guest appearance. I hope we get back to regular adventures with this character, as they’re a favorite of mine.

As for the Doctors, they bickered, bantered, and exposited with all four of their hearts. Foley designed the plot to maximize all of their personality traits to best advantage.

Acting 

The entire cast was excellent. That said, I must single out two performances.

First, Imogen Stubbs was superb as Queen Elizabeth. She gave a multi-layered performance that did the Tudor monarch justice.

Second, Jo Martin debuted firing on all cylinders. She’ll fit in perfectly at Big Finish for years to come.

Overall

Doctor Who: Once and Future: Coda – The Final Act was top notch entertainment. I can’t wait to hear what Big Finish releases next.

You can purchase Doctor Who: Once and Future: Coda – The Final Act here.