In Review: Big Finish: Gallifrey: War Room 3: Loyalties

Synopsis: The Time War rages. Meanwhile, another battle takes place in the War Room for Gallifrey’s soul.

Rassilon tries to control the narrative of the Time War at home. For their parts, the Cardinals fight to prove their loyalty. 

Out amid the conflict, the Resistance struggles to make a difference. Gallifrey’s most faithful warriors face the ultimate challenge.
Review: Gallifrey: War Room 3: Loyalties benefited from the gap between box sets. I felt the weight of developments more keenly.

The Story 

More than that, the writers injected the storytelling with a real sense of jeopardy. It was an extremely remarkable feat for a prequel series.

“Propaganda” by Georgia Cook did an excellent job of reintroducing the various fraught dynamics. Along the way, Cook gave listeners an extremely effective Saw homage.

I especially appreciated how organically The Signal Disruptor’s actions fit the situation. The audience wasn’t hit over the head with self awareness of the homage.

“Resistance” by Katharine Armitage was where the story turned necessarily bleak. The characters had to grapple with becoming what they beheld.

Throughout, Armitage did a great job of paying off elements set up earlier in the story. She also did a wonderful job of reintroducing Narvin.

“Hope” by Fio Trethewey gave listeners a much scarier take on the Matrix than the show ever has. The strength of Trethewey’s story lay in understanding Leela.

Leela’s ingrained view of death highlighted the horror. By the end, Leela’s sense of her mission had shifted.

“Eye for an Eye” by Matt Fitton unrelentingly reminded the audience that the Time War grinds on. Indeed, Rassilon cackled on, as our heroes remained in peril.

For all that, there was hope amid the bleakness. Fitton found a tonal balance honed in Shakespeare country.

Acting

The entire cast was brilliant. Unlike previous reviews, however, I can’t single out individual performers without giving away spoilers.

Overall

Thank you, Big Finish. Gallifrey: War Room 3: Loyalties offered listeners everything this returning range should.

You can purchase Gallifrey: War Room 3: Loyalties here.