#Commander Veklin

[pers-books]

Susan meets the War Doctor 

12 June 2024

Carole Ann Ford stars in two new box sets of full-cast audio drama, as Susan is reunited with her grandfather – but not as she’s ever known him before. 

No Gallifreyan was safe from the Time War. While the Doctor resisted the call, his granddaughter Susan did her duty and signed up to fight the growing Dalek threat. 

Susan (Carole Ann Ford) teams up with the War Doctor (Jonathon Carley) in two brand-new box sets, Susan’s War: Family Ties (due in August 2024) and Susan’s War: Grandfather Time (release date TBC). Each of these box sets contains two episodes of exciting audio drama. 

Family Ties and Grandfather Time continue the story of the 2020 release, Susan’s War. That box set featured Susan meeting the Eighth Doctor, at a time when he was reluctant to join the fight. Now, as they’re brought together on new missions for the Time Lords, she must come to terms with her grandfather being a very different man – the War Doctor is ready for battle. 

The Worlds of Doctor Who – Susan’s War: Family Ties and Grandfather Time are now available to pre-order as collector’s edition CD box sets (+ download for just £15.99 each) or as digital downloads only (for just £12.99 each), exclusively here. 

The stories in Family Ties are: 

The Lost Son by Sarah Cassidy  The Golden Child by Peter Anghelides 

And, the stories in Grandfather Time are: 

The Last of the Kaleds by David Llewellyn The Voord Alliance by Andrew Smith 

Producer Heather Challands said: “It's my privilege to continue the story of Susan. Carole Ann Ford takes the lead so well and it's so exciting to have her front-and-centre in these stories, tackling the Time War. These episodes really confront Susan with the family that she's lost, and the family she still has! For the first time, she's going to meet the War Doctor. But will she approve of what her grandfather has become?” 

Script editor Matt Fitton added: “This is a different angle on the Time War – it’s much more to do with diplomacy and espionage. Susan’s not a soldier; she uses her brain and her empathy for forging alliances with other species for the Time Lords. And I like to keep an aspect of the 1960s present, so we touch on characters, situations, and alien races that hark back to the time when Susan was travelling with the Doctor.” 

Big Finish listeners can save money by pre-ordering both Family Ties and Grandfather Time as a bundle for just £30 (collector’s edition CD box sets + download) or £25 (download only). 

All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release. 

Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.

-- Oooh! They're bringing back Alex Campbell again, I see (Sonny McGann). And Commander Veklin! ( @riversofmars )

[riversofmars]

That moment when you realise Ollistra/Veklin has been canonised as a tag of AO3!!

[ceridwyn2]

Me and a discussion with ChatGPT on the worlds of Doctor Who and Big Finish audios.

Chat with ChatGPT re: Doctor Who

ChatGPT: It's always great to discuss and delve into the intricacies of the Doctor Who universe. If you have any more questions or topics you'd like to explore, feel free to share!

Me: Still getting into the worlds of the Doctor Who Universe with the Gallifrey series. I have some of the newer ones (Gallifrey: Time War, Vol. 1 and 3, and Gallifrey: War Room, Vol. 1 and 2. Looking forward to getting my hands on the early BF audio Gallifrey series with Leela and Romana II.

ChatGPT: Ah, the "Gallifrey" series by Big Finish is a real treat for fans of the Time Lords and the deeper political and cultural aspects of the Doctor Who universe. Here's a brief overview and what to expect:

### Early Gallifrey Series:

The early Gallifrey series focuses on the political intrigue, conspiracies, and power struggles on the Doctor's home planet. It's set after the events of the classic series and primarily follows two beloved companions:

1. **Romana II (played by Lalla Ward)**: After her time with the Fourth Doctor, Romana becomes the President of Gallifrey. Her reign, however, is fraught with challenges, both internal and external.

2. **Leela (played by Louise Jameson)**: Leela, having been left on Gallifrey after the events of "The Invasion of Time," provides a contrasting, grounded perspective amidst the high Time Lord politics. Her relationship with the Time Lords, especially given her non-Gallifreyan origin, adds depth to the narrative.

### Gallifrey: Time War:

This series delves into the Time War, a temporal conflict between the Time Lords and the Daleks. It's a darker, more intense narrative that explores the ethical dilemmas, sacrifices, and heavy toll the war has on Gallifrey and its inhabitants.

**Gallifrey: War Room** volumes further explore the strategies, decisions, and behind-the-scenes machinations of the Time War.

### Why it's Worth Listening:

1. **Depth and Intrigue**: The series delves deep into Time Lord society, showcasing the complexities, ethics, and politics of Gallifrey. It's a departure from the usual "monster-of-the-week" format of many Doctor Who episodes.

2. **Character Development**: Both Romana and Leela get significant character development. It's delightful to see these companions in roles of power and influence, shaping the fate of Gallifrey.

3. **Connections**: The series has numerous nods, references, and tie-ins to both classic and modern Doctor Who episodes, making it a rewarding listen for longtime fans.

4. **Stellar Performances**: The cast, especially Lalla Ward and Louise Jameson, deliver powerful performances. The chemistry between the characters, the dialogue, and the sound design make it an immersive experience.

If you're delving into the Gallifrey series, you're in for a rich, layered narrative that expands on the lore of the Doctor Who universe. Enjoy the journey through the corridors of power on Gallifrey!

Me: I got interested in the Gallifrey aspect after listening to the Eighth Doctor Adventures of the “Doom Coalition” box sets, the political backstabbing and machinations- and Liv Chenka’s sarcastic disdain for the Time Lords

ChatGPT: “Doom Coalition” is a fantastic entry point into the deeper workings of Gallifrey and the Time Lords. It showcases the vast scope of the Doctor Who universe beyond the typical adventures of the Doctor and their companions. The Eighth Doctor’s era, especially in the Big Finish audios, delves deep into the lore and provides some of the most compelling story arcs.

Liv Chenka’s character is a particular highlight. As a human companion, her perspective on Time Lord society is both refreshing and relatable. Her sarcastic disdain for the pomp and ceremony of the Time Lords, juxtaposed with the grave events unfolding, adds a layer of humor and realism to the narrative. Liv’s interactions with the Doctor, Helen Sinclair, and the various Time Lords they encounter provide some of the best moments in the series.

The political intrigue, machinations, and backstabbing on Gallifrey provide a Game of Thrones-esque twist to the Doctor Who universe. The Time Lords, with all their power and knowledge, are shown to be just as prone to ambition, betrayal, and power struggles as any other society. This portrayal humanizes them and makes the narrative more grounded and engaging.

If “Doom Coalition” piqued your interest in Gallifreyan politics, the “Gallifrey” series will be a deep dive into that world. It’s a rich tapestry of characters, plots, and subplots that showcases the best of what Big Finish and the expanded Doctor Who universe have to offer. Enjoy the ride!

@riversofmars @meluisart @pers-books @calunalilly @bigfinishdaily

[gotyouanyway]

i really love veklin following along for this mission not only bc she’s still suspicious of them but bc she’s still trying to help ollistra and earn her approval etc etc. and i love this game they all play especially veklin of sticking to the chain of command despite all bets being off re: loyalty. when i was listening to wr1 i think i made note of how interesting it is to see them all working together smoothly despite not liking each other and this is the (delicious) natural evolution of that.. and just the way they’re all sort of working together but still against each other and they all know it

[magicofthepen]

War Room & Another Way

The Last Days of Freme

OLLISTRA: You will be returning to the final days before Freme was evacuated. And destroying it. 

VEKLIN: No homeworld, no hostage. 

THE GENERAL: And no Fremians, no alliance.

LEELA: You would destroy the people with their homeworld?

——

LEELA: I do not like this plan. I cannot do this. I will not go with you.

VEKLIN: You don’t get a say in this. You’re wearing a compliance collar. 

LEELA: Yes. But now I know the pain it causes, and it will not change my mind. I will not go with you—kill me if you must.

——

LEELA: I have an idea, but you will need to trust me.

——

RASSILON: I hear you are to be congratulated on a successful mission.

LEELA: It was not for you. It was for them. 

RASSILON: For them?

THE GENERAL: The Fremians, Lord President. With Leela’s assistance, we persuaded them into an alliance against the Daleks.

Collateral Victim

LEELA: I understand your mistrust, I do. But whatever we think of the Time Lords, the Daleks must be stopped. 

SORN: At any cost? We’ve seen how far Gallifrey is willing to go. This galaxy, for instance.

RASMUS: It was necessary. We don’t have a choice. Either we fight, or everything dies.

SORN: Or, the other way.

LEELA: What other way?

SORN: We hide the universe from the Daleks. Remove every part of it that hasn’t been overrun by them and hide it inside a TARDIS.

——

RASMUS: It simply isn’t practical.

LEELA: It is possible. And it is right. 

The First Days of Phaidon 

OLLISTRA: We must act quickly. Lord Rassilon is adamant that whatever is on that ship must be destroyed before it can be used against us.

LEELA: He knows what it is? A weapon?

RASMUS: That’s one possibility. I’d rather make use of it ourselves.

——

LEELA: Phaidon’s need is greater. I need to you trust Daari. Trust him like you trust me.

[NARVIN hands over artifact.]

NEANDER: Acting Commander. This artifact can do far more than control a storm. It could alter timelines. Save lives. You could stop the Daleks, or anyone else!

DAARI: How do I use it?

NARVIN: I believe you merely ask if for what you need.

DAARI: Can you….make it rain?

SENTIENT STORM: You require rain for Phaidon? Of course. Your request is acceptable.

[Rain falls.]

NEANDER: That should put out the fires.

NARVIN: This could be for the best. It seems to have an affinity with your world. The sentience was created when it came to your sacred site. Although I imagine trying to alter anything other than the immediate local space-time would be much more difficult for now. Perhaps it just needs time, and some study.

NEANDER: For now, that is all we need. Protection for Phaidon. Narvin says there are other Warpwrights out there. We can bring them here and hide. 

DAARI: More of our people survive? We’re late to this war, but we are not too late. Could we contact other time-active races, build something new, a common cause?

NARVIN: I’m part of an alliance. A resistance to the war. I imagine they’d be thrilled if you wanted to join. 

[magicofthepen]

War Room & Romana’s Vision

LEELA: Release me. And then I will return with armies of my own to fight for the true Gallifrey—the Gallifrey of Romana. 

RASSILON: Enough. Your precious Romana is gone. 

(WAR ROOM 1: THE LAST DAYS OF FREME)

———

ROMANA: I have another mission for you. One that I hope will prove that we can win this war without destroying everything in our path—without becoming our enemy. 

(TIME WAR 2: PARTISANS)

———

RASSILON: I hear you are to be congratulated on a successful mission.

LEELA: It was not for you. It was for them. 

RASSILON: For them?

THE GENERAL: The Fremians, Lord President. With Leela’s assistance, we persuaded them into an alliance against the Daleks.

(WAR ROOM 1: THE LAST DAYS OF FREME)

———

ROMANA: The War Council is making arrangements to destroy the planet at the moment of its creation. Everybody ever born on Ysalus will be erased from time and space. But anybody you can get on board a TARDIS we can protect in a temporal suspension cauldron. 

~

ROMANA: Narvin. Have the TARDISes returned?

NARVIN: They’re back. Romana—they’re empty.

ROMANA: We were too late.

ERIS: We are Time Lords! How can we be too late?

ROMANA: Because we were working against ourselves.

NARVIN: We tried. At least we did that.

ROMANA: I thank you for that, Narvin. I do.

(TIME WAR 2: COLLATERAL)

———

OLLISTRA: You will be returning to the final days before Freme was evacuated. And destroying it. 

VEKLIN: No homeworld, no hostage. 

THE GENERAL: And no Fremians, no alliance.

LEELA: You would destroy the people with their homeworld?

~

THE GENERAL: Oh, she’s clever. The controller. She needs the collar control.

VEKLIN: You can’t be serious.

THE GENERAL: The mission is compromised, you know that. The only way this works is if Freme is destroyed by a Fremian—or at least, if they believe it is.

~

LEELA: We have succeeded, have we not?

VEKLIN: Well, Freme’s safe from the Daleks, at least. But I don’t know how the Cardinal will take the rest of it. After all, the Fremians are still here.

THE GENERAL: But they have no reason to ally with the Daleks.

VEKLIN: Things can change. What’s to stop a future Fremian leader from forming an alliance with the Daleks? Even without Freme as a base, they could still be a problem.

THE GENERAL: No. Unless….perhaps we ask them to form an alliance with Gallifrey first?

(WAR ROOM 1: THE LAST DAYS OF FREME)

———

ROMANA: I should point out that this is one front. There are others where we hold our ground, or even push back, with local alliances.

VALERIAN: You think aliens will win the war for us?

ROMANA: I think they’ll help. With diplomacy and intelligence. 

(TIME WAR 1: DESPERATE MEASURES)

———

COMMANDER DAARI: Their former president caught my ear when I was a mere attaché to a diplomat. She sought to be our ally and equal.

(WAR ROOM 1: THE FIRST DAYS OF PHAIDON)

———

ROMANA: I’d like it on record that I am actively seeking other solutions to this conflict. If not diplomatic means—

MANTUS: (scoffs) Diplomatic?

ROMANA: — then any other methods at our disposal. Surely it makes sense to keep all our options open?

(TIME WAR 2: ASSASSINS)

———

DAARI: We’re late to this war, but we are not too late. Could we contact other time-active races, build something new, a common cause?

NARVIN: I’m part of an alliance. A resistance to the war. I imagine they’d be thrilled if you wanted to join. 

LEELA: Romana would smile at this.

NARVIN: Yes. Yes, she would. 

~

NARVIN: We’re all stewards of Romana’s vision. And I won’t pass up this chance, for her sake. 

(WAR ROOM 1: THE FIRST DAYS OF PHAIDON)