Doctor Who review: Susan’s War offers a different perspective on the Time War

Focusing on the Doctor’s granddaughter in the Time War, the Doctor Who audio spin-off Susan’s War isn’t just a great blend of old and new. It also features a different perspective on the Time War.

It’s funny to think about how many Time War releases we’ve had during the past five years. Starting with Only the Monstrous, Big Finish has told many stories set during the epic conflict between the Daleks and the Time Lords. Not just with Doctor Who, but with several spin-offs, including Gallifrey, The War Master, and the latest release, Susan’s War.

When Eddie Robson wrote the Short Trip All Hands on Deck three years ago, he hadn’t planned for it to lead into anything else. The story of how Susan joined the Time War was essentially meant to be a goodbye to the character, but perhaps unsurprisingly, Big Finish decided it was worth exploring what happens next.

The first thing that leaps out about Susan’s War is that it features an interesting mix of old and new. Considering that it focuses on one of the first-ever companions in Doctor Who in the middle of distinctly New Series mythology, this isn’t surprising. In fact, it feels rather appropriate.

Along with Susan herself, the first episode, Sphere of Influence, reunites her with not just fellow former companion Ian Chesterton, but also the Sensorites. The final episode, The Shoreditch Intervention, takes place in London, 1963, and ties into not just the first-ever Doctor Who story, but also features Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. Overall, the balance of old and new is effective, allowing fresh perspectives on much-loved characters and stories.

A different perspective

However, it’s not just nostalgia that makes Susan’s War stand out. Especially since nostalgia is almost a core element to most of Big Finish’s releases (with the obvious exception of the Big Finish Originals range).

No, what makes Susan’s War so interesting is that it allows for a rather different perspective on the Time War altogether. After all, Susan’s not a warrior, but she is extremely intelligent, and she wants to do her part. So having her involved in missions of diplomacy or espionage feels appropriate.

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Susan herself is also handled extremely well. This is clearly a much more mature version of the companion we originally knew. Unsurprisingly, she’s been through a lot since she was a teenager and has gained a different perspective from the rest of her race on the war, partly because of her former travels with her grandfather and partly because of her own experiences. It’s a natural development of how the character has been handled by Big Finish, particularly in her numerous appearances across several Eighth Doctor stories, and it’s a welcome interpretation.

Potential for deeper exploration

However, if there’s one aspect that I thought could have been explored better, it’s Susan’s feelings on the war, particularly regarding the Daleks. While the fact that they killed her son is addressed, perhaps not quite as much as you’d expect. Still, I’m hoping that this could be explored further in a later box set.

Because there’s definitely potential for more stories with Susan. While it’s not my favorite release focused on the Time War, Susan’s War is still an enjoyable box set overall. It offers a unique perspective on the conflict, and provides a fresh exploration of a major figure in Doctor Who history.

Do you think the idea of Susan having her own adventures in the Time War is a strong one? Have you listened to Susan’s War? What did you think of it? Are you hoping for more volumes in the series? Let us know in the comments below.