The Galileo Trap [AUDIO/2015.10.12]

★★★☆☆

  The third installment of Doom Coalition 1 deftly carries on the excitement and mystery of the saga, this time shifting the balance more towards the latter. Marc Platt is always a trustworthy name in any project, and The Galileo Trap is another confident and enjoyable adventure.

  A highlight of this story is the wealth of scenes we see of Helen Sinclair, as Hattie Morahan is given the chance to really get used to her character and, with the audience, discover who she really is. As a historian, she's ecstatic about having travelled in time and finds everything fascinating, constantly in awe of the fact that she's seeing things her peers would scarcely get to see in all their glory, if at all. With small touches like Liv (who's from the far, far future) and the Doctor noticing anachronistic fruits while Helen is none the wiser, the combined efforts of Morahan, Nicola Walker and Paul McGann bring about a formidable TARDIS team, one of my personal favorites — all with distinct personalities, fantastic chemistry between one another and an unbeatable sense that all three of them are comfortable around each other... and are having the time of their lives. 

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ  

  The Galileo Trap works as a stopgap between a new companion's introduction and the finale of the boxset, but it's also a fascinating look into one of history's most well-known astronomers (played so wonderfully by John Woodvine, who brings out wide-eyed youth and enthusiasm in a crotchety old man) and a testing ground for the Doctor, Liv and Helen as a team. Fortunately for everyone, that test was a resounding success — and the adventure itself a pretty enjoyable ride too!