The Shadow Vortex

The War Doctor #3.1

Released: 6 October 2016

Listened: 9/1/22

This new boxed set is called “Agents of Chaos,” and deals with various entities working for and with the Daleks during the war. Specifically in this story, agent Lara Zannis, played beautifully by Neve McIntosh. Although we know that Earth was kept out of the Time War, hey, it’s a Time War, so that could change. Lara’s job is to bring the Daleks through the quantum shield to Earth in 1961. And for maximum fun, West Berlin in 1961, because we need more paranoia in this story. Writer David Llewellyn makes good use of the cold war setting, with both MI6 and the KGB getting involved, and a temporary companion who’s a member of the Stazi, of all things. It’s interesting to note that the KGB has a file on the Doctor, even in 1961 (that file’s going to get a lot fatter over the next few decades). The actual resolution isn’t all that strong, but the War Doctor does cross a line that he normally wouldn’t, so that’s a thing. This one is worth it for the atmosphere.