Dark Eyes - 4.4 - Eye of Darkness

What a finish, I think I understand now more than ever why this series of stories and drama adventures from Big Finish is so well loved, and also award winning. The last episode is set on a planet which is offers tranquility, relaxation and peace to all those who travel to it, a place to call home, however it isn't what you think in fact it is staffed by clones and constructs designed by the Daleks, it is in fact a testing arena. The Daleks have hidden under the very noses of the universe! There is also someone of major significance here as well none other than Markus Schriver the architect himself of the Eminence is plying his trade, and developing the method of transferral of living entities into the a living gas. Liv, Molly, the master time Dalek, and of course the Doctor himself. The only missing participant that I would have liked to have seen was the master, but he didn't turn up. However, this didn't detract there is literally so much going on that he is not missed. There are lot of loose ends that are finally answered in this hour or so adventure. It also produces what is arguably one of the finest examples of audio theater that you can listen to. All the characters within this perform and produce a defining moment for the end of the series. All I would say that this episode is worth the wait, and sometimes that is not the case with long drawn out story arc, the Divergence environment springs to mind. This is a massive fitting end to a wonderful range. Cannot wait now for the Doom Coalition to start.

Overall, an effective final part. We're given a very solid Dalek plot that tells us how the Eminence was born and reveals the fate of the Dalek Time Controller.

The Doctor's firm dedication to not play a "number's game" with the destruction of life is really put to the test in this story. Nicola Walker is solid as Liv, and the character of Anya, a terrorist determined to attain revenge on the Daleks, is haunting and brilliant.

When I read about the recasting of Molly O'Sullivan, I thought it was a horrible item, though understood it was necessitated by Ruth Bradley's career as an actress taking off. However, not only did they manage to make this plausible by having this be an older version of Molly, but Sorcha Cusack really brings a lot of emotion role in this final chapter. And she just works wonderfully in this final installment.

Overall, as a box set, I think Dark Eyes 4 is the best of the bunch. Really well done.

I feel I must confess to being slightly amused by the seeming tautology inherent in the name Dark Eyes 4: Eye of Darkness. Anyway, this is it - the denouement, the grand finale, the resolution. Going in, I was expecting it to be highly atmospheric, to answer all of my remaining questions, to carry a heavy emotional payload, and to, above all else, accomplish all those while feeling satisfying and final. And it far exceeded my expectations.

The acting is fantastic, the resolutions are satisfying (we finally find out the true nature of the Eminence!), and the emotional tension is high throughout. A worthy end to a fantastic box set and a fantastic era.