Following on from odd sci-fi spaghetti western He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not comes The Enemy of My Enemy. The Eighth Doctor comes face to face with his oldest enemy once again as the Time Lord Victorious story arc continues on Big Finish.
The Enemy of My Enemy continues straight on from the previous instalment. When we left the action the TARDIS was being dragged into the Time Vortex and the Eighth Doctor was once again a prisoner of the Daleks. Whilst it seems as if the Time Lord is finally about to be exterminated by his oldest enemies it becomes apparent that the Daleks are in need of help. To asssist with the visualisation for this story the Dalek Executioner and Dalek Strategist will shortly be released in figurine form. For those watching the YouTube series the Dalek Strategist will already be familiar. Or maybe they are the Daleks seen on the cover of this release? Whichever ones you prefer to visualise.
Anyway, back to the plot. Picking up an intriguing premise from the first part of this trilogy, there remains something wrong with time. These temporal anomalies are causing new species to evolve, threats to the Daleks. The tyrannical pepperpots seek to restore balance and ensure their own survival. But for that, they need the Doctor’s help.
The Enemy of My Enemy
Over many years Big Finish have perfected the art of writing good Dalek stories and Dalek dialogue. For once, the Daleks arrive on a planet in peace. In search of an alliance. But the Wraxians should not exist. Are they responsible for the time distortions or just a beneficiary? This premise is intriguing. The Daleks are at their most engaging when vulnerable and they seem to have met their match. A species capable of eradicating them from existence. For those who have listened to the Masterful short trips then The Kotturuh will ring a bell as the threads of Time Lord Victorious begin to link.
Alongside a typically mesmeric performance from Paul McGann and Nicholas Briggs‘ mastery of Dalek variations is Rachel Atkins as Sarathin the President of the Wraxians. Atkins delivers a suitably grand and authoritative performance opposite the Daleks. No easy task but superbly achieved. Further support also comes from Raj Ghatak (Boros), Samantha Béart (Security Guard) and Jacob Dudman (Security Guard) who all help add flourishes of colour.
Overall
Director Scott Handcock continues to manage to piece these adventures together despite the handicap that has been 2020. The music by Ioan Morris and sound design from Peter Doggart have a different challenge than that required for He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not but the results are equally impressive. The Daleks are at their most devious in this tale and Tracey Ann Baines deserves huge plaudits for writing them so well. Having the Doctor bounce off a Dalek with crosses and double crosses from every direction all helps create a very layered and thoroughly engaging story.
Of course The Enemy of My Enemy sets up the conclusion for this Eighth Doctor trilogy for Time Lord Victorious which is due shortly. It should make for a spectacular finale.
Synopsis
The people of Wrax are happy to begin peaceful negotiations with the Dalek Empire. The two species are preparing to engage in an alliance that will last throughout the ages.
The only one who seems to object to this happy union is the Doctor. He knows that you can never trust the Daleks.
But more than that, he knows that the Wraxians should never have existed…
Cast
- Paul McGann (The Doctor)
- Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks / Krinso)
- Rachel Atkins (Sarathin)
- Samantha Béart (Security Guard)
- Jacob Dudman (Security Guard)
- Raj Ghatak (Boros)
Credits
- Cover Art by Lee Binding
- Director: Scott Handcock
- Executive Producers: Nicholas Briggs and Jason Haigh-Ellery
- Music: Ioan Morris
- Producer: Alfie Shaw
- Script Editor: Matt Fitton
- Sound Design: Peter Doggart
- Written by Tracy Ann Baines
- Senior Producer: David Richardson
