It’s his chance to iron out the issues he has with his home planet. He’s a cheeky one, undermining the social order of Gallifrey in his first act and forcing the elite class to work harder and giving the lower classes fresh opportunities.

The Doctor attended the Academy and describes it as a decidedly mixed experience. He likes to think he’s an amenable sort of chap, especially compared to his recent incarnations. Marvellously, since all of this was set up in The Five Doctors all Eddie Robson has to do is drag the Doctor’s ass back to Gallifrey and the story can begin. Eric Saward’s loss is Big Finish’s gain, because this is the most delicious concept driven story in an age. It would have been very satisfying to have had a story set on Gallifrey with the Doctor struggling to cope with being grounded on the planet he always longs to escape. Like much of the early eighties, it ducks the interesting possibilities for character development (see also Nyssa confronting the Master about her father’s death, Adric going through any kind of grief process about his brother, exploring Tegan failing to cope back on Earth before re-joining the TARDIS and the fallout of the suggestions between Pei and her stepfather). This time, there's really no escape.Īn English Gentleman: He only accepted the Presidency in order to give the Time Lords the slip and get away from Gallifrey…of course High Office wasn’t on his list of career choices! It did feel like something of a missed a missed opportunity to duck out of a chance to see how the Doctor coped with the presidency that he accepted.

So all hail the Lord High President! All hail President Doctor! Rassilon save him. Following the disappearance of President Borusa, the High Council condemned him to the highest office - and he can't evade his responsibilities a nanosecond longer. The Time Lords have recalled him to Gallifrey – but what he faces on his home planet is worse than any trial. What’s it about: The Doctor's adventures in time and space are over.

Doctor Who by Eddie Robson