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Doctor Who Review: ‘The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Human Resources – Part Two’ (audio)

By James Aggas

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The Cybermen attack, and Lucie Miller faces some major revelations, as the first season of the Eighth Doctor Adventures ends with, ‘Human Resources: Part Two’!

Human Resources: Part Two continues directly where the previous episode left off. The Cybermen are taking over Hulbert Logistics, putting everyone in serious danger. And it’s all the Doctor’s fault!

I really love the use of the Cybermen in this story. Apart from the fact that the title Human Resources now refers to what the Cybermen will be using for conversion, making it a great pun of a title, they’re also a great, familiar enemy to end the season on. Both for fans of the New Series and the Classic Series, I might add. Even better is that, while they’re firmly the Cybermen of our universe, they have similar voices to the ones from the parallel universe introduced in Rise of the Cybermen. So I really loved that nice little balance between Classic and New Eras.

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Even better were how well the Time Lords were used. Since Blood of the Daleks, the Time Lords, while hardly seen, had a very large presence this season. It’s nice that in this final episode, we find out exactly what they’ve been up to. And, as the Doctor is completely unsurprised to find out, it’s as devious as ever.

The Time Lords are a big part of this story in a way that they couldn’t be in the New Series. Especially during the Russell T. Davies era, back when this was first broadcast. So I love that the makers of this series took full advantage of that, especially with the finale.

Major revelations

And since Human Resources is a finale, we can expect some drama, at least. While this drama isn’t something that has the emotional impact of a regeneration or a companion’s departure, we’re still given something that shakes the series up. Particularly when Lucie learns two key things. The first was why the Headhunter was looking for her. Oddly enough, this is played as something rather small, although it was still good to get an answer.

The second was why the Time Lords were really interested in her. Tying back into the Time Lords’ being devious, it’s a pretty major shock for Lucie when she finds out. But of course, there’s one final twist that reveals just how incompetent the Time Lords can be. (They may try to make themselves look like gods sometimes, but seriously: Classic fans know how badly they can mess things up!)

Action packed finale

Overall, the episode flows by at a very fast pace, with a lot of action. I love how, after the great build-up that had been given to us in Part One, Part Two of Human Resources focuses on an epic battle and resolving the rest of the season. Dividing the action between the Doctor with the Cybermen on the inside and Lucie on the outside of the office certainly helps.

Speaking of the Eighth Doctor and Lucie, one final element this story resolves is their relationship to each other. By the end, there’s no obligation for either to keep travelling with the other, and Lucie can happily go back home. It probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that they finally admit they actually liking each other. (I won’t be saying who says it first, though.) So when they head off for new adventures, it’s rather nice to know they really will be doing so as friends, this time.

On the whole, Human Resources was a great way to end the first season of The Eighth Doctor Adventures. It’s fun, it’s clever, it’s action packed, and it resolves a lot of the first season in a satisfying way. It’s not the most “epic” or “emotional” of finales, but it’s still a great story. Definitely a satisfying ending to the season.

Next: Doctor Who Opinion: Which Doctor should get more TV stories?

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