Doctor Who review: The Robots: Do No Harm is a fantastic courtroom drama
By James Aggas
The last episode of The Robots 2 is a high-stakes legal drama, one that ends the Doctor Who spin-off box set on a high note.
Hundreds of people have died in an explosion. A robot is believed to be responsible. As Liv decides to fight for what’s right, she becomes involved in one of the biggest legal cases in Kaldor history – one that, no matter what the outcome, will have huge consequences for the planet.
Do No Harm is an absolutely fantastic story by Sarah Grochala. On the surface, it takes the form of a legal drama, and it’s a particularly thrilling one, too. Especially since the case has such high stakes and the odds are so stacked against Liv and her client. Initially, all the evidence points to the robot being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people. Can she find a way of proving its innocence – if indeed, it is innocent of the crime it’s been accused of?
The case itself is definitely an intriguing one. But what makes this episode really stand out is the huge amount of depth it has. Because this isn’t just a regular legal case on Kaldor. This is one that raises huge moral questions and has major political implications. There are many who would gladly see the robot destroyed, trial or no trial. And, in the background, the Sons of Kaldor continue to grow in power…
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Human (and robot) elements
It’s funny to think that this is only Sarah Grochala’s second script for Big Finish. (The first being Narcissus, a UNIT story written for last year’s box set The Eighth of March.) Do No Harm is just such a fantastic script and a perfect fit for this world. It balances the distinct mix of genre elements just right, providing the thrills of a courtroom drama while ensuring that it fits the world of sci-fi nicely.
But Grochala also knows how to give this story a distinctly human element, too. Not just with Liv, although the character is forced to confront several major moral, ethical, and philosophical questions in this episode.
But Grochala also knows how to give the robot a human element, as well. With no memory of what had happened, the robot is clearly deeply distressed about what it may or may not have done. And as the episode goes on, we’re continually forced to ask if it did what it had to do for “the greater good”. More importantly, we’re forced to ask ourselves: could we have made the same decision?
Duel performance
There are several strong performances in this audio. Both Nicola Walker and Claire Rushbrook are fantastic to listen to together as sisters Liv and Tula. But the most impressive performance in this episode has to be from Tracy Wiles. Not only does she voice the defendant in this story, but she even voices her prosecutor! It’s an extremely impressive dual performance and really helps to sell this episode.
It ends with a shocking resolution, one that will have clear implications for the rest of the series. Not only does Do No Harm end The Robots 2 on a strong note, but it leaves fans eager to listen to the next volume.
dark. Next. The Robots reintroduces Toos and Poul
Do you enjoy a good courtroom drama? What do you think are the best examples in Doctor Who? Let us know in the comments below.