The Settling

Main Range #79

Released: May 2006

Listened: 12/19/20

Things get even darker for Hex, unfortunately. The TARDIS lands in Ireland, 1649, during Cromwell’s brutal “settling” of the country. It’s supposed to be a chance for Hex to learn how to deal with a new environment, but once the Doctor realizes where they are, he wants to leave immediately, for a change. The crew is separated, of course, with the Doctor stuck caring for a pregnant woman for much of the story, and Ace and Hex left to fend for themselves, with suboptimal results. They each spend some time with Cromwell at different points in the story, finding him brutal, driven, intelligent, and charismatic -- complicated, in other words. But neither of them can condone what’s going on, and each wants to defend the Irish, although history says that doesn’t work out either. Hex is so badly shaken up by events that he contemplates leaving the TARDIS. Ace doesn’t want him to, but she also makes explicit that she regards Hex as a brother. Unfortunately, things are going to get worse for him before they get better. Overall, this is one of the dark historicals that you “appreciate” more than “enjoy.”