Gallifrey review: Lies sets up the major villains of the second series

The second series of Gallifrey introduces both major new characters and key plotlines in its first episode. Just how many lies will Romana uncover, not just from her enemies, but also from her friends?

Ah, Gallifrey. It really is wonderful to re-listen to this series when Doctor Who itself hasn’t been quite as strong this year. The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos was a pretty average finale, but Lies is far from an average opening story.

The second series begins just several weeks after the end of the first. A lot’s beginning to change on Gallifrey, particularly with members of other alien races now studying at the academy. Some people are embracing the change, but many more are definitely not. Especially Narvin and Inquisitor Darkel.

Ah, Darkel. It was already enough of a brilliant move that the team at Big Finish got actress Lynda Bellingham back to reprise her role of “the Inquisitor” from The Trial of a Time Lord. But it was another and even bolder decision to reveal that character to be something of a villain. And a particularly nasty one, too.

When Darkel appeared in the previous series (most notably in The Inquiry), there was nothing that suggested her to be anything other than an impartial inquisitor. This makes Lies a key story for the character, as we start to get a good idea of her motivations, her thoughts on the President, and just how far her ambition really goes.

But she’s not the only villain that Lies sets up for the next two series. Because we’re also introduced to Pandora.

Pandora

Pandora is a fascinating creation, and one which has ties not just to Gallifrey’s ancient history, but also to Romana herself.

In fact, Mary Tamm makes her first appearance in the spin-off as the first Romana. There’s a lot of interesting interaction between her and Lalla Ward that’s handled well, particularly as this isn’t technically a multi-Romana story.

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We also learn more about both Narvin and Brax. Narvin, for example, still despises Romana and all the changes she’s bringing to Gallifrey. But at the same time, he’s still loyal to her. Or at least, to her office. It’s an interesting paradox, and gives us a clear indication that Narvin isn’t simply out for himself.

Brax, meanwhile, is keeping more secrets than his President would like. He still seems to be a strong ally to Romana, but he also seems eager for more power. Can he really be trusted?

Despite being almost seventy-five minutes long, Lies is a story that flows along pretty quickly. In some ways, it almost feels too short for the story it’s telling. But then again, this is also a key episode that introduces major plotlines and new key characters, while at the same time, continuing to explore and develop from the first series. So it’s not surprising that this first episode crams in quite a lot.

Overall, Lies gets the second series of Gallifrey off to a great start, and takes the series in a bold and brilliant direction.

Next. River Song meets her step-granddaughter Susan in 2019!. dark

Are you a fan of Mary Tamm’s Romana? What’s your favorite opening story to any series? Let us know in the comments below.

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