The Traitor

Dark Eyes #2.1

Released: 12 February 2014

Listened: 11/16/21

Dark Eyes 2 is a whole different animal than its predecessor. It was released a year and a half later, and in the interim, the 50th anniversary happened, Big Finish started gaining the rights to new-series characters, and we finally saw the Time War. This expanded the canvas that Big Finish could work on, both in terms of re-using old characters and telling new stories. In addition, Nick Briggs isn’t the sole writer on this one, adding Alan Barnes and relative newcomer Matt Fitton, who would go on to write a ton of Eighth Doctor and new-series stories. This boxed set was intended to be part of a group of four, and each story is self-contained, unlike Dark Eyes 1. The situation was complicated by Ruth Bradley’s shrinking availability, requiring a reduced role. However, Nicola Walker was able to step in and reprise her role of Liv Chenka from “Robophobia.” In addition, the stories are told out of order, depending on whose viewpoint you’re following. So this story reintroduces Liv, working as a medic on the Dalek-occupied planet of Nixyce VII. The Daleks are following the playbook from Dalek Empire (likely suggested by the Dalek Time Controller) and allowing Liv to carry out her work as a way of creating hope in the populace, thus making them easier to control. When the Doctor turns up, he’s alone, and although he recognizes Liv right away, she hasn’t seen him since “Robophobia,” and doesn’t recognize the Eighth Doctor. Although the Doctor goes about his usual business of defeating Daleks, he seems kind of cavalier about it, almost casual. At least until the big plan is revealed, at which point he becomes extremely cagey about what’s going on. Liv is a much more forceful character here than she was in “Robophobia,” giving orders, talking back to Daleks; she’s definitely seen some stuff. And it all leads up to a massive cliffhanger.