this is so true and honestly I am so surprised they haven’t managed to get the planet blown up at any point. Love them <3
Loved reading your thoughts here
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It’s so great discovering a whole new world and characters for the first time! It’s like Gallifrey all over again, I haven’t felt this drawn in by an spinoff in ages[1] 
ages meaning the other month since that’s when I finished Gallifrey lol ↩︎
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They’re so daft and I love them so much 
I’m so happy you’re enjoying!!
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Fantastic review, @sircarolyn. I know what you mean about having plenty more to say. There’s a really deep core to this episode that’s desperately clever and highly literate. This is one of the things that I love about Counter-Measures; whilst it is at heart a true adventure series with rich characterisation (and what fantastic characters!), it’s also a series with much of interest to say about some pretty deep stuff. It can delve into existentialism, it can drill down into physchology. Rachel and Allison embody many of the principles of critical rationalism. The series as a whole often explores topics such as the drift towards authoritarian control under the guise of safeguarding “truth” and order (oh, such parallels with real event in recent years!). Morality is put under a powerful lens. Consideration of issues of self, of barriers between language, communication and expression. I could go on and on.
In short, it is a series that rewards thought, reflection and questions. It just keeps on giving.
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This is why I’ve listened to this series a million billion times because it is just SO rich in themes and you can always find something new to dig into with it.
I have written a couple of essays for fun about the series too, because it’s one of those things that will not leave my head. I really must start writing essays again now I have some more time, I miss thinking too hard about DW 
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Always happy to read your essays. I enjoy things like that (as is patently obvious from many of my contributions on TARDIS Guide). 
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Ah, this makes me smile. See, they are brilliant, but they just aren’t spies. They’re almost playing at going undercover. I mean, Rachel (genius though she undoubtedly is) is truly rubbish at playing a secretary. She just can’t contain herself from making pertinent scientific observations. It’s who she is. Rachel Jensen is a deeply authentic person. She is who she is. In such cases, actually choosing to use an undercover name that is close to one’s actual name is risky on the one hand but probably carries significant benefits in terms of being easier for the individual to maintain. Besides, it served to move the plot along quite nicely so we can get to the conflicts faster. I’m always willing to forgive characters who make poor decisions that make sense in light of their character and personality. Moreover, as I hope I’ve argued effectively (albeit briefly), perhaps some of those decisions (whilst not ideal) might actually not be quite as dumb as they initially seem.
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State of Emergency!
Another great story! There were many things I loved:
Rachel and Allison’s interactions in the first half or so. Two memorable moments for me were when Allison picked up the phone thinking it was Julian, so answered accordingly…and it was Rachel 
, and the other thing was Rachel saying something along the lines of, “it’s not illegal to drive past, the breaking in that we’ll do later is illegal.” My god I love her I’ve just also remembered, there was another bit after they had broken into the field (?), about owls? I can’t remember the specifics but it made me laugh.
Toby Kinsella was super interesting in this story too, reminded me of Brax except I like Brax more 
I have to admit though, I found the final scenes confusing, because there was another character who sounded just like Gilmore. Unless that was Gilmore and I was just so tired that I thought he was two people…?
Also Julian 
my poor Allison 
she deserves many hugs 
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I think you might be referring to General Peters here. His voice did have a similar quality to the normally very distinctive Simon Williams who plays Gilmore. It’s not normally an issue and, thought it doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of this story, I do know what you mean.
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The vibe of Counter-Measures is something special, isn’t it? It’s like a fusion of Remembrance with season 7 (The Pelage Project had this very strongly) and Quatermass, all combined with a hefty shot of espionage and topped off with lashings of politics. It deserves to be savoured.
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Yes, I am quoting myself because I don’t want to type this all again.
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