Justice & Honour pushes the PG envelope quite a bit. The torture that Epsilon undergoes on Kappa Psi IV, and Chrístõ experiences second hand, and the method of execution are quite gruesome. It is toned down from what I originally had in mind. When I wrote it, I had recently bought the DVD of The Passion of Christ, and actually understood the word ‘scourging’ fully and completely. I stopped short of describing Epsilon having his skin gouged off by barbs. All the same, I probably shouldn’t get a job in the prison service, perhaps?

Justice and Honour are words from the oath of allegiance to Gallifrey. They were said by The Doctor and Romana in the animated version of Shada.

“I swear to protect the ancient law of Gallifrey, with all my might and main, and will to the end of my days, with justice and honour, tender my actions and my thoughts.”

It’s a good oath. It is one good guys like Chrístõ would adhere to. Epsilon, of course, wouldn’t. When he uses the oath against Chrístõ, knowing he must act on it, it is an act of deviousness.

Of course, in this instance, Epsilon is innocent. And because of ‘Justice and Honour’ Chrístõ has to fight to prove that, despite his hatred for his cousin, and his father’s hatred, too. Both have every reason to leave him to his fate, but their honour would not allow it.

Yes, the case is a lame one. Even lamer than the one where Chrístõ nearly got burnt at the stake. I probably shouldn’t write scripts for Law and Order, either!

This story sees the return of Kohb, the man who Epsilon used to try to kill Chrístõ on their last meeting. Now he has been trained as a diplomatic aide and his working for The Ambassador. But we haven’t seen the last of him, either.