Time in Office

Main Range #230

Released: 12 September 2017

Listened: 11/30/19

This is the anthology release for 2017, but stealthier than anthologies usually are, because the four stories are somewhat linked, and take place chronologically. Because it takes place at the end of "Frontios," it’s a rare opportunity for the Doctor to travel exclusively with Tegan, and because of the nature of the story, Leela gets to interact with both Tegan and the Fifth Doctor. She seems to accept him much as he is, even though he’s rather different from his predecessor. I think this story exists because someone realized that the Fifth Doctor is most likely to accept being guilt-tripped into actually serving as Lord President, and not abuse his power. (Despite running from it at the end of "The Five Doctors.") Most of the stories are light-weight, if not actually silly; the twist in “Past Indiscretions” is a particularly good one. Tegan also shines as “Ambassador from Earth,” and shows some particularly quick thinking, as opposed to shouting at everything. It’s no wonder Leela likes her.