Introduction
Series 4 of Gallifrey. Was seen as the end for the first... era of Gallifrey. It was the last season on all of the actors contracts. With each of them deciding not to renew them. As well as this, Paul Abbott was announced to be departing the franchise with Series 4 and a serial in the upcoming 40th anniversary season, which was to feature a bunch lore relating to Gallifrey.
Barely any changes to the cast or crew was made. However, Russell T Davies was added as an executive producer overseeing the series as a transition from the end of this era of the show and the beginning of the second.
Episode One: TWO YEARS ON
Written by Simon Ashdown
Directed by John Strickland
Air Date: 29 December 2002
The episode begins with a montage of all of the main characters. Domina, Azmana, Volres and Turner ruling Gallifrey. But, Domina is starting to become unhinged and wanting to wage war on the entire universe, which Gallifrey does not have the power to. Romana, Reiven and Cartrey are leading a divided opposition. Roiyden and Penny are off world on Peladon, where the headquarters of the Space Security Service. Roiyden and Penny have remained together and adopted a Time Lord baby girl that have named "Elyzabeth".
The episode sets up the arcs of the series. Where Domina starts acting unstable and making threats towards Earth and the Galactic Federation, Roiyden, despite having the home life he wanted, is depressed because he is not on Gallifrey and is missing the planet, Penny went back to the Space Security Service working now with the counter-intelligence division and is considering signing up for front lines training if Gallifrey declares war. Which is something that Roiyden is heavily against as he wants his wife to stay safe. And finally, Romana feeling bored just being an opposition leader and not being in the seat of power.
Episode Two: TRAINING
Written by Krista Vernoff
Directed by Brian Grant
Air Date: 5 January 2003
This episode shifts the focus to Roiyden and Penny as well as the Space Security Service. Roiyden is starting to feel symptoms of depression due to being away from Gallifrey. Penny starts front-line training for the Space Security Service. Which Roiyden objects as he doesn't want to lose her, and that they have a family now. They need to hold down a life.
While the majority of the focus is on Roiyden and Penny with Penny's training. We do see some scenes on Gallifrey with Domina having a phone call with other planet's leaders and she starts to unravel any goodwill she had. And Romana, having dinner with Cartrey wandering about what to do going forward as rumors about Domina start to leak.
Episode Three: SHADOW
Written by Chris Chibnall
Directed by Brian Grant
Air Date: 12 January 2003
This episode shifts focus on the trio of Romana, Reiven and Cartrey. The three of them are running the first actual shadow cabinet since before Romana took office in 4512. Which is seen as inept and unable to fully oppose Domina's government.
We also dive deep into Romana's romantic relationship with Cartrey. We learn that, when it comes to a serious proper relationship, she is awful at romances. And that she is freezing Cartrey out as she does not feel full again.
Episode Four: THE TIDES SHALL CHANGE, PART ONE
Written by Simon Ashdown
Directed by John Strickland
Air Date: 19 January 2003
The mid-season two part serial, written by series writer Simon Ashdown, begins with Domina storming into the Panopticon, raving mad. And announces she is officially declaring war on the Galactic Federation, starting with Earth. With both sides of the Panopticon erupting with shock, horror and anger.
Several missiles are fired from off-world military bases towards targets in the Earth system, with several of them hitting Earth itself. This causes mass panic within the Galactic Federation. And scrambles several military services to deploy to frontline soldiers. This includes Penny, who is forced to leave Roiyden and their baby alone on Peladon.
Some of the government Prydonian Cardinals walk across the floor of the Panopticon to join Romana's opposition. With several of them attempting a motion of no confidence against Domina's government, which fails by one vote.
Throughout the episode, Domina threatens Azmana, Volres and Turner. Each in their own way. And Domina, goes a bit too far, and ends up killing Volres' family as a message towards him. But, Azmana, after the no confidence vote fails. She withdraws the Cerulean Chapter's support of the government and then flees Gallifrey to Peladon and seeks asylum.
The episode ends with a broadcast of a news network on Peladon saying that several Space Security Service squadrons were ambushed and seems that all members are dead, including Penny.
Episode Five: THE TIDES SHALL CHANGE, PART TWO
Written by Simon Ashdown
Directed by John Strickland
Air Date: 26 January 2003
The majority of this episode is split into an A-Plot and a B-Plot, so I'll cover them separately.
The B-Plot has several Galactic Federation officials secretly going to Gallifrey to have clandestine meetings with Romana, Reiven and Cartrey about starting up a government once Domina inevitably falls from grace after her outbursts and the war will bring her down. Cartrey is unsure about blindly agreeing to the Galactic Federation deals. But, Romana agrees to them. Angering Cartrey.
The main A-Plot focuses on Roiyden and Azmana, who are two of only three Time Lords on Peladon, the third being Roiyden's baby. Roiyden is in grief about Penny seemingly dead. Roiyden is upset and finds... comfort from Azmana. Who is in political exile. And we dive deep into Azmana's time working for Domina. She says that she felt, under Romana, she was undervalued. And not seen as a serious person for the government. And Domina, despite who she is, made her felt wanted. All of the emotion ends up with Roiyden and Azmana sleeping together.
The episode ends with Roiyden getting a call from a neutral world, where we see Penny is in fact alive and well.
Episode Six: GUILT
Written by Danny Brocklehurst
Directed by Brian Grant
Air Date: 2 February 2003
This episode picks up not long after the previous one and focus almost entirely on Roiyden as he sits with the guilt on sleeping with Azmana. Penny returns home, with just a few cuts and bruises. And does not notice how... different Roiyden is. With him being passive about everything. She confesses that she was angry at Domina and Azmana with what they did. And that when she re-upped her commission in the Space Security Service was to fight and take back Gallifrey. As, it was something she genuinely wanted to fight for. But, when she was shot down. She realized that, it was not Gallifrey or democracy that she wanted to fight for. It was for Roiyden and their baby. And she, wants them to start over. Throughout the episode we see Roiyden trying to move on from making such a stupid mistake. But, it eventually boils to the surface and he admits to Penny that, when he thought she was dead. He slept with someone else. Penny, is forgiving, understanding that he was probably coming from a place of grief. And then Roiyden steps in and admits that it was with Azmana. Which sours Penny's attitude towards it.
Throughout the episode, we get bits and pieces of Gallifrey. Volres growing discontent with Gallifrey, Romana continuing negotiations with the Galactic Federation. And the episode ending with Cartrey going to Domina with a recording of one of Romana's talks. Asking if she'll accept his new found loyalty. Domina smirks. But, they are interrupted with an explosion. The Galactic Federation has invaded Gallifrey.
Episode Seven: THE BATTLE FOR GALLIFREY, PART ONE
Written by Paul Abbott
Directed by David Yates
Air Date: 9 February 2003
The two part finale begins with the Galactic Federation invading Gallifrey with the episode being split over two plots, both equal and are intercutted between each other. So, I'll cover them separately.
The first plot has all of the main hero characters meeting up on Peladon, which continues the fallout of the arcs from the previous episode. With Romana learning about Cartrey's betrayal and Romana and Reiven finding out about Roiyden's situation. Which is getting worse as Penny hands him divorce papers.
The second plot is the Galactic Federation's invasion of Gallifrey. Which is viewed from the perspective of Domina, Volres, Turner and Cartrey. As they are in a war bunker. Which, at the end of the episode is sieged by Galactic Federation troops. And Cartrey is killed.
Episode Eight: THE BATTLE FOR GALLIFREY, PART TWO
Written by Paul Abbott
Directed by David Yates
Air Date: 16 February 2003
The second part of the two part finale begins with Domina, Volres and Turner all being arrested. And transferred to Galactic Federation custody. Romana, Roiyden, Azmana and Reiven all sign agreements with the Galactic Federation about forming a new government on Gallifrey after a few months of occupation.
Romana and Azmana have a hearts to hearts about her role. Romana apologizes about looking past her, and promises that she'll be important in the new government. And Azmana is also forgiven by Reiven.
The Roiyden and Penny arc is brought to ahead. Roiyden apologizes for what he did. Penny interrupts him. Saying that she knows he is gonna give a speech about how sorry he is. And if it was ANYONE else but Azmana. She would have forgiven him. She would have forgiven his indiscretion. She makes him sign over full custody of Elyzabeth to her. Which Roiyden agrees. And she kicks him out of their house. Which she leaves and decides to go back to Earth.
Domina and Volres are able to escape Galactic Federation custody. And go back to the President's office on Gallifrey. Volres writes on a piece of paper. He puts it on an envelope. And he then grabs Domina and throws himself and her over the balcony in the Presidential Office. And falling thousands and thousands of feet down to the grown. They are examined and it Volres' ribs were shattered and destroyed both of his hearts, killing him instantly. Domina's body is killed. But, she crawls away into a door on a Gallifrey building. And the door eventually dematerializes.
Romana and co. make it back to Gallifrey a few months later and Romana finds the letter that Volres wrote and found out that he wrote it for her. He asks her to go back to her reformist roots. Where she got herself first elected. She is a good President and a good person, but just got lost along the way. Romana, takes a lighter and burns the letter. She then sits behind her desk and smiles. Roiyden enters, holding a piece of paper. He says that he and Penny are fully divorced now. Romana smiles and says that she is the past... He needs to look to the future. As soon, he'll be behind the desk.
Azmana and Reiven walk in and the four of them have a drink and walk out onto the balcony. The four of them smile. Romana says that a new tomorrow has risen for Gallifrey. And they'll still be there for the planet. No matter what. The have a toast. We get a montage of the four of them with their faces. As the camera zooms out of the balcony and pans out into the sky. And with that, we fade to black and episode and the series ends.
Season Conclusion
And that concludes the fourth series of Gallifrey. An end of an era for the show. And was seen as the end of the first era of the show. With it being announced that the fifth series would have a brand new cast and crew. But, this was just one of three major projects released in 2003.
Come Back Next Time for Doctor Who: Season Thirty-Nine
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