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Gallifrey #1.4
Gallifrey: A Blind Eye
Earth, September 1939. With Europe sliding into war, a young Englishwoman, her loyalties torn, comes to a terrible decision. But what does the intergalactic secrets broker Mephistopheles Arkadian want with the fascist sympathiser Cecilia 'Sissy' Pollard on the last day of her life?
Still searching for the facts about the Gryben debacle, President Romana makes a deal with the devil. So begins a chain of consequence that can only end in tragedy for the passengers aboard the Vienna to Calais Transcontinental Express, the woman called Leela included.
By journey's end, the truth will out but at what cost to Romana and Leela? To Gallifrey's empire, even?
Still searching for the facts about the Gryben debacle, President Romana makes a deal with the devil. So begins a chain of consequence that can only end in tragedy for the passengers aboard the Vienna to Calais Transcontinental Express, the woman called Leela included.
By journey's end, the truth will out but at what cost to Romana and Leela? To Gallifrey's empire, even?
Audio CD
First published May 1, 2004
45 people want to read
About the author
Alan Barnes
99 books15 followersAlan Barnes is a British writer and editor, particularly noted for work in the field of cult film and television. Barnes served as the editor of Judge Dredd Megazine from 2001 until December 2005, during which time the title saw a considerable increase in the number of new strip pages. Among other strips, Barnes originally commissioned The Simping Detective. He also wrote a handful of Judge Dredd stories involving alternate universes or featuring a young Dredd.
He worked for five years at Doctor Who Magazine and progressed from writing strips to becoming joint editor in 1998 and sole editor from 2000 until 2002. He subsequently contributed the ongoing Fact of Fiction series of articles to the magazine. Barnes has also written or co-written a number of Doctor Who audio plays for Big Finish Productions.
He has written a number of books on cult films (including James Bond, Quentin Tarantino and Sherlock Holmes) and his book The Hammer Story, co-written with Marcus Hearn, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Non-Fiction in 1997.
He worked for five years at Doctor Who Magazine and progressed from writing strips to becoming joint editor in 1998 and sole editor from 2000 until 2002. He subsequently contributed the ongoing Fact of Fiction series of articles to the magazine. Barnes has also written or co-written a number of Doctor Who audio plays for Big Finish Productions.
He has written a number of books on cult films (including James Bond, Quentin Tarantino and Sherlock Holmes) and his book The Hammer Story, co-written with Marcus Hearn, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Non-Fiction in 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 25, 2025
I love Gallifrey series 1. Especially a blind eye.
I have listened to this god knows how many times but the reveal of Andred/Torvald and Leela's reaction to her husband kills me every time and Alan writes the scene so beautifully. If there is someone I trust to handle these characters, it's certainly Alan Barnes.
Without giving away too many spoilers, I absolutely love Arkadian. I think he is one of the most under-rated villains in terms of big finish and doctor who and the development he gets is great because he doesn't grow to be a good person like many villains do, he just continues to get worse and more sly.
Blind Eye is such a beautiful piece, especially for Leela as she really grows and reluctantly accepts Andred no longer her husband at the end.
It was also amusing to see Narvin get shot at because frankly in season 1, Narvin does deserve this. Poor Narvin :')
And of course, Romana was bad ass as always.
I also love Charley's sister getting played by India Fisher herself. Interesting to see how total polar opposites these two sisters were not just in terms of political views but also their mannerism and characteristics too.
Absolutely cracking stuff by Alan Barnes once again.
I have listened to this god knows how many times but the reveal of Andred/Torvald and Leela's reaction to her husband kills me every time and Alan writes the scene so beautifully. If there is someone I trust to handle these characters, it's certainly Alan Barnes.
Without giving away too many spoilers, I absolutely love Arkadian. I think he is one of the most under-rated villains in terms of big finish and doctor who and the development he gets is great because he doesn't grow to be a good person like many villains do, he just continues to get worse and more sly.
Blind Eye is such a beautiful piece, especially for Leela as she really grows and reluctantly accepts Andred no longer her husband at the end.
It was also amusing to see Narvin get shot at because frankly in season 1, Narvin does deserve this. Poor Narvin :')
And of course, Romana was bad ass as always.
I also love Charley's sister getting played by India Fisher herself. Interesting to see how total polar opposites these two sisters were not just in terms of political views but also their mannerism and characteristics too.
Absolutely cracking stuff by Alan Barnes once again.
July 15, 2021
9/10
If The Inquiry is the most important episode in the series, A Blind Eye put foot on why Gallifrey is one of, if not the, best written range in Big Finish.
It is a neatly written mystery, with interwoven plots and twists that tied it altogether. At the same time, it also challenges the morale of the characters — up to the point where the title is applicable to almost all of them, like Sissy's choices and motives, or Romana's handling of The Doctor and Charley versus her actions in the end.
However, just like The Inquiry, there's somewhat an anti-climactic tone in it. Younger Torvald's reason is somewhat weak, .
But still, A Blind Eye is a great episode. The cast's marvelous performance is a true highlight of this.
Sissy Pollard is a 180° from Charley, and India Fisher is just allout — Sissy is a vile, snob, aggravating, spoilt fascist, and I both love and hate her. India Fisher voicing as her titular character's sister seems like just an easier production choice, however it ended up emphasizing the moral ambiguity of the characters in the story.
Lalla Ward as Romana shows her true grit as Madam President, still with sympathy but also with the coldness of a Time Lord. Louise Jameson as Leela is just unbeatable — compared to her early days with the Fourth Doctor, she is more tactical, more dignified, but still withholding that noble huntress sense of her. She might not be a Gallifreyan, but she will never ever be any lower than them.
Unlike most of Big Finish's series, Gallifrey have a strong connection with the other stories in different series as well. Such as Neverland, Zagreus, Storm Warning, Chimes of Midnight, and Apocalypse Element from the Main Range, and to some extent, with other media as well, such as the many portrayal of Cardinal Braxiatel. It is still not the easiest series to listen, but definitely high in my recommendation list.
If The Inquiry is the most important episode in the series, A Blind Eye put foot on why Gallifrey is one of, if not the, best written range in Big Finish.
It is a neatly written mystery, with interwoven plots and twists that tied it altogether. At the same time, it also challenges the morale of the characters — up to the point where the title is applicable to almost all of them, like Sissy's choices and motives, or Romana's handling of The Doctor and Charley versus her actions in the end.
However, just like The Inquiry, there's somewhat an anti-climactic tone in it. Younger Torvald's reason is somewhat weak, .
But still, A Blind Eye is a great episode. The cast's marvelous performance is a true highlight of this.
Sissy Pollard is a 180° from Charley, and India Fisher is just allout — Sissy is a vile, snob, aggravating, spoilt fascist, and I both love and hate her. India Fisher voicing as her titular character's sister seems like just an easier production choice, however it ended up emphasizing the moral ambiguity of the characters in the story.
Lalla Ward as Romana shows her true grit as Madam President, still with sympathy but also with the coldness of a Time Lord. Louise Jameson as Leela is just unbeatable — compared to her early days with the Fourth Doctor, she is more tactical, more dignified, but still withholding that noble huntress sense of her. She might not be a Gallifreyan, but she will never ever be any lower than them.
Unlike most of Big Finish's series, Gallifrey have a strong connection with the other stories in different series as well. Such as Neverland, Zagreus, Storm Warning, Chimes of Midnight, and Apocalypse Element from the Main Range, and to some extent, with other media as well, such as the many portrayal of Cardinal Braxiatel. It is still not the easiest series to listen, but definitely high in my recommendation list.
November 28, 2022
ロマーナは盗まれた武器の行方を追っていたが有力情報があるとアルケディアンという昔馴染みのタイムロードのディーラーに呼び出される。アルケディアンはチャーリーの妹のシシー・ポラードが乗っているこの列車に手がかりがあるという。
チャーリーの妹がナチスの思想に染まっていたというのもショッキングだったけれども、悍ましさから目を背けることはそれに加担することで同じく罪なのだということが強く刺さった。
それもショッキングだったのだけれどもCIAのナーヴィンがロマーナの罪を暴きたがっていたのがドクターとチャーリーのことだったということがショックで。
時間のない世界にドクターが追放されただけでは全然すまなかったっていう。
ドクターがチャーリーを救ったことで、またこのシシーがタイムロードの干渉によって生き延びればアンチタイムが生まれることになると。そのイベントが起こるポイントだったわけで。
タイムロードという種族がリジェネすることによっていかに策略を繰り広げやすいかということもなかなかの衝撃だった。
リーラの夫アンドレを殺したトルヴァルトがリジェネによってシシーの恋人エリックとなりロマーナが罪を犯す瞬間を見届けようとした。ところがナーヴィンと行動していたトルヴァルとは実はアンドレ。リジェネをした時にトルヴァルトになりすまして犯罪を阻止しようとしていた...って書いていてわからなくなってきたぞ😅
ただリーラにとってはその事実がショックで自分が愛したアンドレは死んだと背をむける。アンドレはリーラを救おうとロマーナを銃で脅すまでしたのだからリーラのことを愛しているのに変わりはないけれどもリジェネ直後はどうやらリーラよりも任務優先モードな精神状態だったらしい。トルヴァルトの企みを暴くためにトルヴァルトになりすましたのか。
ん？でもだったら...あ、そうか。トルヴァルトの罪を告発しようとして殺されそうになってリジェネして...でナーヴィンは知ってたわけか。ナーヴィンの関心はロマーナがドクターがチャーリーを生かしたことを咎めなかった罪の証拠を押さえ告発することしかないから....あれ？😵💫
なんにせよドクターのやったことで起こった混乱だよな😵💫
ロマーナはシシーの自殺は止めなかったから、チャーリーだけは例外でシシーの運命はそのまま確定していたもの通りにしたってことだよな...ややこしいな
でも面白かった！
チャーリーの妹がナチスの思想に染まっていたというのもショッキングだったけれども、悍ましさから目を背けることはそれに加担することで同じく罪なのだということが強く刺さった。
それもショッキングだったのだけれどもCIAのナーヴィンがロマーナの罪を暴きたがっていたのがドクターとチャーリーのことだったということがショックで。
時間のない世界にドクターが追放されただけでは全然すまなかったっていう。
ドクターがチャーリーを救ったことで、またこのシシーがタイムロードの干渉によって生き延びればアンチタイムが生まれることになると。そのイベントが起こるポイントだったわけで。
タイムロードという種族がリジェネすることによっていかに策略を繰り広げやすいかということもなかなかの衝撃だった。
リーラの夫アンドレを殺したトルヴァルトがリジェネによってシシーの恋人エリックとなりロマーナが罪を犯す瞬間を見届けようとした。ところがナーヴィンと行動していたトルヴァルとは実はアンドレ。リジェネをした時にトルヴァルトになりすまして犯罪を阻止しようとしていた...って書いていてわからなくなってきたぞ😅
ただリーラにとってはその事実がショックで自分が愛したアンドレは死んだと背をむける。アンドレはリーラを救おうとロマーナを銃で脅すまでしたのだからリーラのことを愛しているのに変わりはないけれどもリジェネ直後はどうやらリーラよりも任務優先モードな精神状態だったらしい。トルヴァルトの企みを暴くためにトルヴァルトになりすましたのか。
ん？でもだったら...あ、そうか。トルヴァルトの罪を告発しようとして殺されそうになってリジェネして...でナーヴィンは知ってたわけか。ナーヴィンの関心はロマーナがドクターがチャーリーを生かしたことを咎めなかった罪の証拠を押さえ告発することしかないから....あれ？😵💫
なんにせよドクターのやったことで起こった混乱だよな😵💫
ロマーナはシシーの自殺は止めなかったから、チャーリーだけは例外でシシーの運命はそのまま確定していたもの通りにしたってことだよな...ややこしいな
でも面白かった！
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2023
Un épisode qui s'éloigne un peu des prémices des épisodes précédents de la série Gallifrey (intrigues politiques se déroulant sur Gallifrey avec de la politique interunivers et intérieure). On a un audio pseudo-historique avec une intrigue tournant autour de la sœur de Charley Pollard et des tensions entre les personnages qui se transpose dans le quasi-huis clos d'un train.
Alors que cette finale défait pas mal tous les nœuds d'intrigues précédents, on a aussi une finale d'épisode très intense à un point tel que je ne m'y attendais pas et la révélation que Leela a puis la scène finale de Pollard m'ont certainement arraché des larmes (cette dernière scène était très Star Trekienne à l'effet d'avoir de l'empathie pour des gens qu'on considère comme les "méchants" sans jamais risque toutefois de justifier leurs actions).
Un audio définitivement inattendu et bienvenu dans cette série.
Alors que cette finale défait pas mal tous les nœuds d'intrigues précédents, on a aussi une finale d'épisode très intense à un point tel que je ne m'y attendais pas et la révélation que Leela a puis la scène finale de Pollard m'ont certainement arraché des larmes (cette dernière scène était très Star Trekienne à l'effet d'avoir de l'empathie pour des gens qu'on considère comme les "méchants" sans jamais risque toutefois de justifier leurs actions).
Un audio définitivement inattendu et bienvenu dans cette série.
July 15, 2020
What a brilliant finale to a brilliant first series! This story may not have been very political but it's certainly a thrilling adventure with interesting ideas, twists and turns, and some nice character development, with a couple of heartbreaking scenes and it's great to see Charley Pollard's sister who is in some ways like Charley but very different in morals with being a nazi sympathizer...
Overall: A solid and brilliant finale that wonderfully ties up some of the threads whilst leaving us very suspicious of one the characters... 10/10
Overall: A solid and brilliant finale that wonderfully ties up some of the threads whilst leaving us very suspicious of one the characters... 10/10
January 14, 2020
A pretty muddled mess of missteps with great moments that becomes all the more frustrating because of them. Why move the action to Earth? Why designate Charlie's sister a fascist? Why the hamfisted reveal of Andred and his reasoning for playing dead? Nothing worked here, despite great characters getting some acting.
For our full thoughts visit https://travelingthevortex.com/?p=8998
For our full thoughts visit https://travelingthevortex.com/?p=8998
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2019
Having listened to this a few times, there's a lot to recommend it, including one legitimately inspired twist, but it's "everything but the kitchen sink" attitude towards closing out the season feels pretty klunky and I just don't find the Cecilia Pollard story compelling at all.
January 19, 2020
A thrilling conclusion to the first series of Gallifrey. My favorite part of this story was that both Romana and Leela got a chance to be sassy and tell off their respective antagonists. I'm looking forward to series 2!
August 27, 2022
The audio landscape for this one is amazing. My ears perked up at the mention of Sissy Pollard, sister of Charlotte Pollard. I did wish her fate was different, as it feels too bleak. I know she’d fallen in with fascism, but it seemed like there could have been a shot at redemption at the end.
January 3, 2024
This one finishes off the first arc of stories from the Gallifrey series. So it wraps up a lot of the narrative threads begun in the three previous stories. And it features the rather unexpected (at least for me) appearance of Charlie Pollard’s sister. The usual quality production from Big Finish.
September 29, 2019
I do love a timey-wimey train mystery.
May 2, 2020
Strong finish to an inconsistent first series of Gallifrey - the first two I was rather lukewarm on, the second two I was much more into, with tighter plots and more revelations.
November 11, 2024
A Blind Eye is the finale to Series 1 of Gallifrey. It takes place entirely on a train in Switzerland in early September 1939. Essentially, Romana strikes a deal with Arkadian (from Gallifrey: Weapon of Choice) to turn a blind eye to his intervention on the train. And, it turns out so has Narvin. The target is "Sissy" Pollard, Charley's sister (also played by India Fisher) who is a Nazi Sympathizer. Whereas the previous story Gallifrey: The Inquiryfelt more like a finale, this gives us the truth about Andred (I won't say any more for fear of spoilers). The characters are what drive this, and while I enjoyed weapon of Choice and The Inquiry more, this was still a really good story. Gallifrey Series 1 has been a big hit as far as Big Finish goes and is well worth a listen if you like Time Lords and/or political stories. Can't wait to re-listen to Series 2.
October 19, 2008
A good wrap-up to the first series of Gallifrey audios. As with many stories of plots within plots within plots, I find myself not really sure if everyone's deviousness was really necessary. However, Cecilia Pollard made a genuinely interesting character to contrast with her sister, Charley, whom we know and love from so many other audios. Cecilia is like Charley in so many ways, but unlike her in the really important ways. It makes for a poignant contrast.
And the ultimate revelation of Andred's fate really surprised me.
And the ultimate revelation of Andred's fate really surprised me.
February 16, 2018
This really is the oddest of the Gallifrey audios. It's like a story from the Doctor Who main range more than it is a gallifrey story. It's a historical adventure on a train just prior to World War II and is all about fascists and changing the time line. There is a fair ammount of deception and plots. Stories from the previous adventures such as what happened to Andred are resolved but lots of questions are left open. Brax and K9s are both missing which is a shame.
December 3, 2015
I enjoyed this one a lot. Gallifrey continues to deliver intriguing mysteries wrapped in a timey-wimey package. The fate of Andred was especially interesting. I wouldn't recommend this series for folks who have not seen Doctor Who, Classic Who in particular.
For those who have, the Gallifrey series is fascinating. Onward to series two!
For those who have, the Gallifrey series is fascinating. Onward to series two!
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April 8, 2009has the peculiar but well-realised setting of the Vienna to Calais train on the outbreak of World War II.[return][return](Review of whole first Gallifrey series at http://nhw.livejournal.com/838410.html)
January 17, 2015
This is the first Gallifrey story I've listened to, and my reaction is wow. Loved the timey wimey aspect, characters, plot and the revelation at the end. Listening out of order as it's the way the files load on my player, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment which is another plus.
October 23, 2012
Best one I've heard yet. I may be biased because of the Special Guest Start, but there's also Fun With Paradoxes and a Big Reveal. And Leela gets to kick a lot of butt.
June 30, 2020
Charlie's sister Cissy is involved with Nazi's and Leela discovers what happened to her husband.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews