They're saying it isn't a war. The Draconians have taken
over the Braxiatel Collection, but they claim they come in
peace. Insurrectionary acts are being quelled, but the Draconian
ambassador is troubled by a missing academic. Is Bernice one
of the revolutionaries, undermining their campaign? Where
is she hiding? Who is protecting her? And if she's nowhere
to be found, why does he keep hearing her voice? Meanwhile,
an unlikely peace-broker struggles to cut a deal on the Mim
Sphere. But how can Hass the gardener convince the Mim to
back down when they think he's one of the enemy...?
A
little and a lot happens during this instalment. What do I
mean? Well, I'll explain...
When I first started listening to this CD, I thought that
perhaps I'd missed an episode. A lot seems to have transpired
since the previous one, The
Judas Gift, such as acts of resistance against
the Draconian occupation by individuals including Adrian Wall
(Harry Myers). In fact, much of this story, written by Eddie
Robson, is told in a non-linear fashion via flashbacks as
Jarith Kothar (Michael Fenner), the Draconians' new head of
state on the Braxiatel Collection (who, as a recurring character,
now has his image represented on the "story so far" part of
the CD inlay), interviews residents as he attempts to track
down the missing Bernice (Lisa Bowerman).
Meanwhile, Hass (Paul Wolfe) is talking to the Mim. At first,
I thought Harry Myers was doubling up as the gardener, because
Wolfe sounds unfortunately similar to Myers. Perhaps Wolfe
is a pseudonym of Myers. (I'm sure I heard Doggles actor Sam
Stevens doubling up as an uncredited Draconian at one point.)
As in Last of the Time Lords, the most recent televised
episode of Doctor Who, words and ideas are shown to
be just as threatening to an oppressive regime as tangible
weapons or deeds.
So, lots of talking about stuff that's happened, but not much
happens in the "here and now"... until one particular incident
that seems to bring the Draconian/Mim war (even though they're
saying it isn't a war) to a sooner and more abrupt end that
I had expected. And we learn of yet more devious plans and
alliances crafted by Irving Braxiatel (Miles Richardson).
The
story runs a little short, so the CD concludes with a suite
of music by Matthew Cochrane and David Darlington.
Freedom of Information has some interesting ideas,
but I freely inform you that I was rather unmoved by the events
of this story.
Richard
McGinlay
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