Dalek Empire II: The Apocalypse Element, by Big Finish. Published in CT 279
After a mix-up with the orders, I finally received the Apocalypse Element. I had recently read a rather scathing review of it in DWM, so I set about listening to it with anticipation of a somewhat complicated plot.
The 1st episode was a bit hard to follow. Having not heard Evelyn before, I wouldn't know if she sounded any good, but she didn't strike me as being the best companion ever. Tolerable, but not in the same league as Peri and Ace.
Still, the Daleks soon sorted things out. Never before have I seen, well heard, such a large battle going on! All I can say is: more! And more I got. This is a great adventure, with tons of Daleks, great battle sequences and an excellent plot. The plan is ambitious, but we expect that from the Daleks. The Time Lords are arrogant, and ultimately useless, but we expect that too. Yes, a truly magnificent story.
The Daleks invade Gallifrey, but you probably already knew that. This is a masterstroke as we see just how powerful and cunning the Daleks really are. Those Time Lords don't stand a chance!
As for Evelyn, she is just excess baggage. I'm sorry but she is. She is totally out of her depth and perhaps needed a few more adventures before facing the Daleks, although other companions have done well against them, notably Ace.
As for Romana, yep she is as good as ever. I hope Lalla Ward does some more audio adventures as she does add a great presence to a story. Colin Baker was as good as ever as the Doctor, and his helplessness towards the end is done well too.
However, this story stands out for its use of the Daleks. Never before have they seemed so powerful, so cunning and so ambitious. This is shown by the fact that they end up winning! If that doesn't make you buy this CD, I don't know what will. Only once before have the Daleks won, and that story (Mission to the Unknown) no longer exists. Now they win again, and we all have a chance to own it. Big Finish wanted to re-establish the Daleks as a potent force, and they have succeeded spectacularly! They are strong, they are powerful, they are to be feared.
Well done Big Finish! This story rates at 97%, the highest mark I have ever awarded, and ranks with Legacy of the Daleks. How they will better this is beyond me, but I'm sure they will!
Peter Witney