Dark Eyes - 2.1 - The Traitor

Nixyce VII is a planet that the Daleks are turning into the base of a super weapon, a weapon of mass destruction if you like. However in order to facilitate this, they require huge amounts of human labour to perform mining and terra forming. Med-tech Liv Chenka is as sort of go-between acting as a voice for the humans in their enslaved, enforced labour to the Daleks. But the Doctor as turned up, as he knows sitting on the edge of this galaxy there is a far worse enemy than the Daleks, you could argue a superior enemy, and he needs the Daleks to leave and take them on. So when a human rebel insurgence to blow up the mining activities of the Daleks on the planet, it comes as no surprise that the Doctor gets Med-tech Liv Chenka involved.

I found the opening of boxset 2 of the Dark Eyes series a little more settled, and better constructed, the story seemed to flow better all round. The action is fast paced, and plays out rather better I think than the first four episodes that we were treated to in the first instalment of this on gong 8th Doctor series. I wonder if we are now only going to get this style or format and that the 8th Doctor will no longer reside in the main range? That said all round this is a polished and well performed drama and as ever McGann is faultless in his portrayal of the 8th Incarnated time lord. The supporting cast are also in a slightly different class to the normal, especial mention must go to Nicola Walker, who Is stand out for me in this part one of the four. There is also a big nod to Nicholas Briggs, whose portrayal of the Dalek master is as good if not equal to Terry Molley's interpretation of one of then Dalek elite. Nice start to this next round of stories.

In, "The Traitor," the Doctor arrives on Nixyce VII where he's determined to drive the Daleks off the planet and into space and to do so, he makes contact with a soldier of last resort to pull off a daring plan.

This story sees the reintroduction of Nicola Walker as Doctor Liv Chenko. The Doctor barely features in the first half, which really gives Walker a chance to shine. She's been labeled as a traitor for working with the Daleks. The Dalek Time Controller views her as key and insists she be given full cooperation because a slave workforce that has hope will work more effectively.

While it's not necessary to have listened to Dalek Empire (which was also written by Nick Briggs), this story has Easter Eggs for those who heard Dalek Empire. The concept of using "hope" to build a better slave workforce was one held by Susan Mendes as "The Angel of Mercy" who went about improving the lot of slave laborers while allowing the Dalek Empire to conquer other planets. It was a morally complex situation, made moreso because Susan really seemed to be driven by self-preservation, and even took pride in what the Daleks accomplished as if they were own, even while she played a long game in setting up a plot to overthrow Daleks.

With Liv, it's far less complex. She's a Doctor, doing the work she has to do and the Daleks can't really threaten her because while she's not eager to die particularly in a pointless way, she's not about to pushed around and intimidate. She's a fascinating character who grows throughout the story and is brilliant in the final moments.

That last moment leads the Doctor to a moment of moral decisions in a key confrontation between the Doctor and the Dalek Time Controller where the Doctor's statement Lucie back in, "The Resurrection of Mars" about not playing the numbers game with people's lives comes to play.

The rest of the story is a very well-made pure action tale helped by a great soundscape and very rich music.

Overall, this is a solid opening for the Second Dark Eyes story that definitely hooks listeners in.

My spoiler-free warning to you is not to rate this story until you have listened to the whole box, as this story improves with the context that is provided later.

I am not persuaded that you need to have heard Robophobia to get to grips with the character Liv Chenka. Nicola Walker is an extraordinary actress, one of the best in the business at the moment, and to find her stepping into a companion role in Doctor Who is wonderful for Big Finish and for Paul McGann's Doctor.

A straightforward story of rebels trying to defeat the Daleks, with support from the Doctor, whilst he considers whether the human cost is worth the price of winning the day. I make is sound fairly bland; it isn't. McGann and Walker bring something so very special to the last ten minutes of this play.

So really, listen to the whole box, then come back to this one again. It will be worth it.

More Daleks, more bombs, more of the same.

The first episode of Dark Eyes 2 doesn't grab you like it should. It's slow to get going and the Daleks have not evolved or been used innovatively. Their scheme is rather mundane compared to others in the past. Basically, there is nothing very original here. The elements in place have been used far more effectively in stories like To the Death and Enemy of the Daleks.

Paul McGann is consistent with his part, but he seems to be going through the motions at the start. The freedom fighters are pretty dull - we don't get much insight into their motivations and they come across as stereotypical militants wreaking destruction in abandon.

However, Liv Chenka is afforded a great deal of development by the script and Nicola Walker gives a stellar performance as a woman looking to make a difference in any way she can. Although this adventure isn't great, it bodes well that she'll be appearing throughout the series.

The climax is undoubtedly the greatest highlight of the episode as it suddenly gains momentum and leads the Doctor into a tough but not unfamiliar choice. The direction and performances really help to give the story the boost it sorely needed, and the Doctor's true intentions are revealed.

A pretty weak episode compared to previous episodes, but the fantastic climax comes out of nowhere (lifting the score by one point) and the Doctor demonstrates a deliciously ruthless secrecy. Worth listening to simply to get Dark Eyes 2 going.