All I’ll say is that Romana not actually quite getting the point is something that will come up later in the series, but I agree it’s not clear in “Lies” if that’s intentional character building or part of a larger trend on the part of the series to assume Time Lords are generally correct and Leela is generally wrong.
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True, I suppose I want to be more generous to the episode than perhaps is really there. I think there could have been a much stronger push throughout to stop dismissing Leela’s world view, but unfortunately Leela gets the short end of the narrative stick way too often
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Oh, thanks for linking that, because it pointed me to a Gallifrey fanzine that I just missed, but I can at least get the digital version!
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I should have posted about the zine earlier in the year but I forgot - it’s a beautiful piece of work! And I believe they’re planning on selling off any leftover merch once they’ve shipped everything, so I’ll be sure to post about it then
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Oh, thank you! Then I’ll hold off on getting the digital version for now.
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Oh I just saw that too, it looks so pretty! Will definitely be getting some version of it
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About to listen!
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Spirit - 9/10
Friendship and body dysmorphia isn’t two things I’d usually think of working together to create a great story, but it sure does here!
One of my favourite things about Gallifrey so far has been the character interactions, so it’s only inevitable that the first story to be really driven by them would be one I end up loving. Leela and Romana’s interactions here are great, the conversation they have over the creation analogy of the watchmaker (or here necklace) is brilliant and gives a great viewpoint of both characters, and I love Romana throwing a chair through the window at the start.
I love the idea of Romana using this getaway as a way of trying to make Leela see that she’s needed, and the thing of doing what Romana wants one day and what Leela wants the next is just so very real.
And then there’s the mind meld they end up having while in the dream water pods. It’s great. I love the way the swap works here, it’s not swapping bodies, not even fully swapping ‘abilities’, the bit where they’re contemplating getting into a fight, with Romana-Leela wanting to, but not being able to, and Leela-Romana talking about knowing all the parts of the body but not how to use them. It’s some really effective almost body horror, and is a great way of helping the characters see eye to eye, understanding what the other’s perspective is.
Generally just an incredible character piece for the two, and I can see why it’s some peoples favourite.
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With the flash sale of Gallifrey that just recently started, I have a few questions:
- Are we going to take a break after Series 3?
- If so, how long?
- And in regards to this Audio Club ONLY, how many additional series should I consider buying after Series 3?
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- We will definitely be stopping Gallifrey after Series 3.
- No idea for how long but there are lots of other worthy spin-off ranges to delve into.
- If and when we return to Gallifrey in Audio Club Extra, we’ll continue in order. Series 4, if my memory serves, is fairly standalone with 5 and 6 being more connected and then the named releases - Intervention Earth and Enemy Lines (it’s terrible but I can’t actually remember if I’ve listened to Enemy Lines. I think I have but I can’t remember anything about it if I have!). So I’d get 4-6 maybe. But I don’t anticipate them cropping up any time soon as I think it would be fun to go and explore some of the other spin-offs.
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@sircarolyn live reaction:
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Yeah No but Reborn feels much better if listened to after a break, though I prefer weeks after rather than four and a half years. I’m sure @sircarolyn would agree 
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We’ll see how long I can be patient after season 3, but I suspect it won’t be very long 
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It’s okay. If you start wreaking havoc, we’ll simply put you in a cupboard and take you out when it’s time to tackle Season 4!
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That cupboard being the Gallifrey thread where I’ll be screaming at @sircarolyn
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A superb analysis and the distillation of a good deal of thought. I applaud you. A most interesting read. Thank you.
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You guys can stop. Gallifrey is forever to meeee <3
I am happy to accept friends coming into my lair cupboard to scream about this series. I will also be screaming 
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Thanks for your detailed response!
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7/10 for me, which seems to put me a bit in the minority. I liked the angle of Leela and Romana taking a break to recharge and getting to know each other in the process. Everything else felt like a good reason for them not to take said break though, and it left me with a fairly uneven experience overall.
I also didn’t love the science vs. Leela angle in this audio much. Aside from that feeling a bit old hat for my tastes, it felt weird. Why would healing herbs work better than modern medicine which often refines whatever is in those herbs for stronger beneficial effects? Like I get it, Leela has a certain wisdom that all of Gallifrey could learn from and I enjoy that particular side of this range as a whole, but it just felt a little too broad and spelled out here for my liking.
I was so excited Lies would be a turning point for me but this and Pandora weren’t exactly encouraging.
Looks like I accidentally wrote an entire review for this one again. If I disappear @sircarolyn did it.
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