The War to End All Wars

Companion Chronicles #8.10

Released: 9 April 2014

Listened: 3/3/20

This story is the first part of a trilogy, at least as far as the frame stories are concerned, but told out of order for this chronology. The story continues from here to “The Founding Fathers,” which appeared earlier, and then to “The Locked Room,” which comes at the end. But the frame story itself follows Steven’s life from the events of “The Savages,” although much later. We sort of find out what he’s been doing since then, but much of it is kept a mystery. As for the flashback, it’s a pretty heavy allegory, with Steven and Dodo getting caught up in an endless war, and brainwashed into fighting. Although they give it their best shot, it’s an off-screen Doctor who solves everything, which is kind of an odd resolution. The frame story is really the meat of the action here, with Steven interacting with his granddaughter and explaining why he’d done the things he’d done since assuming control of this society in “The Savages,” which plays into the follow-up stories. This was the last Companion Chronicle recorded in the main series, but clearly the plan to continue as boxed sets was already in place, because this story sets up a sequel. It seems reasonable this would be the last appearance of Peter Purves in this chronology, but it isn’t, quite.