The Big Finish Catch-Up November - December 2022

For those of you new to this section of the blog, I started listening to the Big Finish Doctor Who releases when they started back in 1999, getting them as they were released up to mid 2002 and release No 33 Neverland. At that time I left Uni and due to being a bit busy with life and what not I only heard one or two releases over the next few years. I started getting back into them around 2008 and was 6 years behind at that point. Due to wondering off into the Lost Doctor range and a relaxed listening pace I fell further behind. In order to catch up I'm listening to two releases a month (or more when its a 60 min single disc release, plus without seeing the cover or knowing anything about the story) and my mission to catch up continues; 

The Devils Armada, an effortless recreation of the Hinchcliffe era from the first "Philip Hinchcliffe Presents" box set. Everyone involved is on top form and bar from a few moments where it forgot it was an audio I was fully absorbed and transported back to watching Tom Baker VHS's 9/10.

Cold Fusion, an adaption of one of my favourite "Past Doctor Adventure" books and the final entry of the Novel adaption range. We end this range as we started with a case study of how the 7th Doctor evolved in the "Virgin New Adventures" range. When I heard this was being adapted I squeed as it was one of my favourite books and I'm so pleased they made this an old money six part story as I didn't want to lose anything via an edit from the story. The premise of this story is the strongest thing about it, the season 19 TARDIS crew featuring a freshly regenerated 5th Doctor land and stumble right into the middle of a 7th Doctor VNA and chaos ensues. Virtually everything (apart from the prologue) is seen through the eyes of the 5th Doctors crew and its a bit of an eye opener seeing the VNA 7th Doctor from this point of view. The 7th Doctor is mostly in the background for this story and its a really good move as despite knowing more about this Doctor due to the sheer number of books we are left with more questions about him as the story proceeds. One of the strongest parts of the story is the various companions interacting as is the 7th Doctor getting to meet Adric. We began this range with the 7th Doctor putting his companion through the ringer and we leave it with the 7th Doctor putting his younger self through the ringer. A fitting end to this range even though I want more 10/10.

The Hidden Realm, the second and final story from Volume Two of "The Third Doctor Adventures." A rather nice little story and as an Earth set story a good combination with the space set story in this volume. Now that I've heard a full box set (as well as his appearance in Light at the End and Legacy of Time) I feel its my time to give an opinion on Tim Treloar's performance as The Third Doctor. Its a thumbs up from me, he has a very good go at the voice but the real strength is in the mannerisms. I'll look forward to coming back to this range again in the future. As for the story its quite nice, a traditional ruralish setting bringing back memories of the era its set. It has an intriguing setup and a good idea, however it feels a bit tightly plotted and lacking in flavour. In all honesty I wouldn't have minded the other story in this volume being six parts and this one being two. There is a good bit of fun to be had with this story but it is bite sized 6/10. 

The Big Finish Catch-Up March - October 2022

For those of you new to this section of the blog, I started listening to the Big Finish Doctor Who releases when they started back in 1999, getting them as they were released up to mid 2002 and release No 33 Neverland. At that time I left Uni and due to being a bit busy with life and what not I only heard one or two releases over the next few years. I started getting back into them around 2008 and was 6 years behind at that point. Due to wondering off into the Lost Doctor range and a relaxed listening pace I fell further behind. In order to catch up I'm listening to two releases a month (or more when its a 60 min single disc release, plus without seeing the cover or knowing anything about the story) and my mission to catch up continues; 

However as I've fallen behind its time for some snap reviews of the last years of my Big Finish listening, these contain first time listens and relistens to old favourites:

The Transcendence of Ethos - A good first impression for the 3rd Doctor range, 8/10.

The Ghosts of Gralstead - A fantastic first story from the Philip Hinchcliffe presents range 10/10.

A Thing of Guile - good second part of the second War Doctor box set 7/10.

He Jests at Scars - weird yet good entry for the Unbound range starring the Valeyard 7/10.

Lies on Ruins - Good moody start to the Legacy of Time box set 8/10.

The Split Infinitive - Fun bouncy second part of Legacy of Time box set 8/10.

The Sacrifice of Jo Grant - Charming emotional third part of the Legacy of Time 9/10.

Relative Time - Really fun bursting at the seems entry to the Legacy of Time 8/10.

Damaged Goods - A perfect adaption of the NA adventure for the Novelisation range 10/10.

The Avenues of Time - Decent yet feels unspecial entry into the Legacy of Time 5/10.

Collision Course - Finale of the Legacy of Time, good moody story with a fun climax for the box set 8/10.

Deep Space Nine - The End Of Season One

 Due to time constraints here is a quick review of the final five episodes of Deep Space Nine season 1;

If Wishes Were Horses - A good fun little ensemble done in one episode which is also the finale of Julians Chaser arc 8/10.

The Forsaken - I thought this episode came later, the start of Odo's relationship with Lwaxana and the scene where Odo reverts to his natural form is arguably one of the most pivotal in the series. The rest of the episode is fun fluff but its all about these moments for me 7/10.

Dramatis Personae - Another good ensemble episode where Odo is pivotal, 8/10.

Duet - A really emotional deep cut cut episode for Kira, my memory of her growth was over the entire series but she's already grown so much in this season, 9/10.

In The Hands of the Profits - We've come full circle in this season and we're back to Bajoran religion. It feels different this time as opposed to the series opener we've had a season to get to know Bajor. It doesn't really feel like an episode in itself but an episode two or three of a Doctor Who story. Interesting rather than involving or enjoyable, 6/10.

Deep Space Nine - Progress

Like the last episode its another dual narrative episode with one story featuring Jake and Nog while the other story features Kira. Unlike the last episode this one works on almost every level imaginable. Jake and Nog have a fun Only Fools and Horsesesque story about selling and trading that includes various cast members. It shows what its like living on the station for kids and takes the viewer on a fun ride.

Kira's story has a lot of character development, we've touched on her past before and through the series up to this point we've learnt about her present. Her fight against the Cardassians is over and she must deal with what comes next, whilst helping Bajor and herself to move on. 

Both stories counterbalance each other, one is a fun ride played for laughs and one is an emotional rollercoaster and a pivotal episode for the growth of Kira.

Brilliant stuff and  9/10  from me, also a very good example of how to balance the cast on an ongoing show.

Deep Space Nine - The Storyteller

I have already forgot most of this episode.

The Jake and Nog stuff is cute while the O'Brien and Bashir stuff is interesting from a looking at the genesis of their relationship POV. 

Its a reluctant 2/10 from me, I feel like I'm watching an episode pitch that hasn't been fully written up. There are a lot of good ideas and Nogs "oatmeal" trick is actually very funny, no doubt there is the seed of a good episode in here. The only suggestion I have is that maybe it should have been pushed back and given more time in pre production.

Ricky Gervais - My Thoughts...

Ricky Gervais is one of those people who are so shallow theres just nothing to them. If he hadn't have got onto TV he's the kind of person who if you worked with you send memos or emails at every chance in order to avoid a meeting. I know he's released stuff recently that other people have rated highly, however I won't be watching any of it. He's lumped himself in with people who have thrown me out of job interviews, people who have attacked me and people who in various ways have lowered my quality of life. 

In short I have no time whatsoever for Gervais and his ilk, they have had far to much influence on the lives of the Transgender community. In response I've no doubt Gervais will pull his "oooh I've been cancelled routine" and in answer to that I say being cancelled is having recruit consultants slam the phone down on you when they hear your voice, being cancelled is having a managing director restructure the company so you don't have a job, being cancelled is when someone throws abuse at you and instead of help all bystanders do is shrug their shoulders and mumble something about everyone deserves an opinion. I hope this educates anyone of his ilk of cancellation, in the meantime I've got stuff to do.

Deep Space Nine - Battle Lines

Its an odd episode this week as some long term beats in the opus that is Deep Space Nine are introduced albeit in a song that isn't very good. We see more of the Kai this week and through her and Kira we are introduced to the religion of Bajor. However bar the three regulars who carry the meat of the episode everything else is bad or just doesn't work.

The script is perhaps the worst we've seen yet, most of the guest cast feel like their not trying and the main problem where this episode fails is that it writes out a character who hasn't been properly written into the show yet. In order for the viewer to care about Kai Opaka we need to have seen more of her - from memory I don't think she's shown up since the pilot. This could have been done anywhere up to this point, she could have been a guest speaker at the school or maybe an early victim of the Babel plague.

Its a very rare 1/10 from me.

Deep Space Nine - Vortex

Its another Odo episode so obviously its brilliant. We're about twelve episodes in and some characters are carving out their own niches and corners of the show with so far Odo being the most successful. Not only are his own episodes distinctive he fits in so well in other characters episodes. A more solid reason why this story is so enjoyable is the rule we've all heard before that science fiction is at its best when its trying to be something else. This story wants to be so many things, noir, a crime thriller, a story of salvation and hope.

Odo's backstory is one the defining arcs of the show and seeing the start of it is enjoyable on almost every level. An aspect of this story is the direction and writing, Odo is constantly preoccupied with Croden and becomes more obsessed with him as the episode goes on. As such we're given some swerves at points it looks like various regulars are going to be getting more screen time but as soon as Odo is done with them its straight back to Croden. It puts over the idea that Odo is alone and lonely but he could so easily not be if he opened up.

In short a fantastic early episode and has the feel of a must watch for Odo's character as well as the series, 9/10.

Deep Space Nine - The Nagus

Not only a Quark episode but we finally get our first Ferengi episode with the introduction of Grand Nagus Zek who is well played by Wallace Shaun. Theres a good bit of fun fluff with the Zek faking his own death and we get a good comedic episode.

The main part of the story watching in hindsight however is Jake and Nogs developing friendship - seriously I started this episode delighted to see Zek yet as it goes on I wanted to see more of Jake and Nog. This relationship between Nog and Jake is one of the centre-point relationships of the show and seeing it start from nothing is beautiful. Of note is Sisko's reaction both to Nog as a bad influence and the ending when he finds out what the pair have been up to.

In short, a delightful little comedy and character episode thats important to the show in multiple ways, 7/10. 

The Big Finish Catch-Up February 2022

 Original Sin

It's one story this month with a short entry due to a busy month for myself - we're off to the Novelisation range as we visit the adaption of the Virgin New Adventure Original Sin. This wasn't a book I read when it was in print so I went into it virtually spoiler three apart from the characters it introduced. There's a lot of depth in this play and it leaves enough intact for the listener to tell where the book would have ventured off on some cut out plot points. There's the suggestion that this may have been an intimidating book to adapt and all involved do a cracking job.

Its good to finally see how Ros and Chris were introduced to the series as we are thrown into the lovely dense era and world they live in. The Doctor and Benny are loads of fun as they stumble through various events and planets as the story progresses. In short its a very dense story that is also loads of fun and its a 9/10 from me.

Deep Space Nine - Move Along Home

This episode is without doubt crap but its fun crap. I love the concept that anything can come through the worm hole and a group of aliens who want to play games in Quarks rather than make first contact is bags of fun. Plus its an ensemble episode where most of the cast is involved and I like these kind of episodes.

To put it politely the game element of the story to put it politely feels like it was written by Chris Bulis - if your in the mood you're in the mood if not its lame. The various characters in the maze do well, Sisko is the defiant leader, Kira is not in the mood and didn't sign up for this ****, Bashir is at his comedic best while Dax is sadly still a vacuum. Outside the game Quark and Odo are loads of fun while Jake gets some good growing pains scenes with his dad.

Its another episode that benefits from its position, DS9 would get better however this episode is early enough to be a banter. Low level its also building up the importance of the worm hole for the series, its not front and centre every week but its in a good position to cement its importance to the show 7/10. 

Deep Space Nine - The Passenger

Theres not a lot to say about this episode, coming into it I had no memory of it and doubt I'll remember anything in a weeks time. Its another ensemble episode showing off various members of the cast that we're still getting to know. We get some good character stuff such as Sisko backing Odo against Starfleet security which has the extra flavour of Odo being so used to working with people who are against him he's endlessly trying to confront Sisko despite him backing him up. We also see Quark in both his fluffy and criminal mode which is fun. 

In terms of plot this is a story that swings for a boundary but at best goes for ones or twos and at worst loses its stumps. All the way through I'm enjoying the episode but there was a lot of muttering along the lines "oh no" or "don't do that." Due to the character stuff I'm behind this episode and will give it 6/10 as there is still novelty in watching an early DS9 episode as it becomes DS9. 

I'm going to have to turn into a fan producer for this one as this episode could have been saved so easily. Have the cold open shown from Kira's point of view, showing it from Bashir's gives to much away. Also towards the ending they should have let Alex Siddig go proper OTT.

I Care About Aston Villa?!?!?!?!!

Aston Villa for me has always been a strange club, I've never had a strong opinion of it be it positive or negative. Its always been a club that's hung in the background for me and bar a bonkers high scoring midweek game against Liverpool I can't summon a single memory of them. They've always been there - often finishing 8th or or fighting relegation - until they weren't but then they came back again. 

But things are changing, back in November Steven Gerrard took over the management reigns from Dean Smith and this raised an eyebrow from me. After a couple of seasons in Scotland managing Rangers I finally get a chance to see how good a manager is, no offence to Scottish readers but its hard to tell how good an Old Firm manager is at times especially up against Neil Lennon and the other guy. Now that he's managing in a league I'm familiar with him I can properly give him the once over. He's got off to a decent start and now he's getting involved in the transfer window - putting his mark on the Villa side.

Not only that he's signed Philippe Coutinho! One of my favourite Liverpool players of the last ten years. Although he's not done a lot in the last two seasons due to injuries but he's racked up the trophies. A lot of people have said he's underachieved since leaving Liverpool but his first season and a half for Barcelona was good stuff as was his loan at Bayern. He still has his pace, an eye for a pass, the ability to score and create a goal.

This is a good move and if Coutinho can keep himself fit he can do some good stuff on loan at Villa this season. Its also the best time for him, we're getting out of winter Spring is coming and he has a World Cup to motivate himself for. Also the transfer window isn't over yet Lucas Digne has also been signed and there is still time for Steven Gerrard to do more.

All I know is with the introduction of Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho to the saga of Aston Villa I'm keeping a closer eye on that club in the background. 2022 January isn't over yet and you've already got me caring about Aston Villa, you are already more intriguing  than the last two years.

Thoughts on Game of Thrones: The Watchers on the Wall

My viewing of Game of Thrones is swiftly reaching the tail end of season four and the show continues to surprise. After the previous episode I expected things to pick up in Kings Landing but what I got was a welcome to the "one plot line" and "massive battle" format last seen in the legendary Blackwater episode two seasons ago. 

Its a very different battle as the Knight Watch are undermanned and under matched against the Wildlings - something that this season has set up well as the Wildlings south of the Wall have been getting closer. Not only that when the previous battle had the resources of two mammoth armies and would be kings we're in desperate last stand territory akin to the Battle of Helms Deep. One of the key areas where this episode differs is that the Battle is multi layered, we have the top of the wall, Castle Black, tunnels below and the North side of the wall. Its rather like a Russell T Davies Doctor Who chase scene. Characters are constantly changing positions as the battle turns and from an action point of view its very satisfying. We're told the Wildlings objective and we know how The Watch need to defend the wall, even if this was you're first episode the battle is clear to follow.

There are characters on either side of this battle that I care about, in particular Jon Snow, Ygritte and Sam. The show has done well to get me invested in these as well as characters like Gilly, the baby and a few Watch members. However there are a lot of vaguely familiar faces that I don't care about in the Watch, mainly Jon Snows mates 1-4. We've seen them throughout the show however they've always been side characters to Jon Snow, plus sadly a lot of the more memorable characters from the Watch have been killed - in some cases earlier this season. The battle is lacking a final twist as throughout the series the "White Walkers" have been slowly built up and I thought they'd make their presence felt in this fight, as a result we don't get a final twist that Blackwater had.

Ygritte's death is a highlight of the episode, it did feel like she was building up to a face turn at points this season but just as it looks like we're about to find out she's taken out by an arrow. For one harrowing moment I thought it was Sam that killed her - although he is indirectly responsible - and was aghast until the camera panned to the lift boy. This is the money shot moment of the episode, my favourite romance in the show is over and this is where the heart of the episode lies. Other characters get there moments such as Grenn holding the gate, the appearance of the Giants & Mammoths, the ice scythe etc and I wouldn't be surprised to find out that this is one of the most highly regarded episodes. Its a 9.5/10 for me and I look forward to the end of the season.

The Big Finish Catch-Up January 2022

For those of you new to this section of the blog, I started listening to the Big Finish Doctor Who releases when they started back in 1999, getting them as they were released up to mid 2002 and release No 33 Neverland. At that time I left Uni and due to being a bit busy with life and what not I only heard one or two releases over the next few years. I started getting back into them around 2008 and was 6 years behind at that point. Due to wondering off into the Lost Doctor range and a relaxed listening pace I fell further behind. In order to catch up I'm listening to two releases a month (or more when its a 60 min single disc release, plus without seeing the cover or knowing anything about the story) and my mission to catch up continues; 

However as I've fallen behind its time for some snap reviews of the last years of my Big Finish listening, these contain first time listens and relistens to old favourites: 

Faustian - The first story in the Eric Roberts Master boxset. After listening to this disc I'm of the opinion that this is going to be more of an over arching story split into chapters rather than a number of interlinked stories. As such we have a very atmospheric opening chapter, it picks up where things left off on TV for this incarnation of The Master (or certainly feels like it) as we get a story involving experiments and temptation as The Master from the side lines engineers an escape from the Vortex. The main character is Lila Kreeg who is given a fine performance by Laura Aikman as we're introduced to her situation. I look forward to seeing these characters move forward and how their relationship develops, 8/10.

Technophobia - Hear we are with the first story in the first boxset from David Tennants 10th Doctor along with Catherine Tate as Donna. Its a fun breezy little story set in near present day London with loads of good fluffy bits for the regulars to do. Its fun enough but uncertain in tone as it tries for most of the story to be fun and fluffy but then wants to do a bit of horror which comes across as out of place. What we get is fun but it feels a bit bite sized and for the 10th Doctors debut for Big Finish I wanted something completely OTT. It does feel a bit rushed in places and I wouldn't have been adverse as a full length two disc release. 6/10 but will get a higher mark from me on a re-listen down the road when its not the big flashy debut of the 10th Doctor.

Liverpool draw Cardiff in the 4th round of the FA Cup

 "I'll be with you in a minute I just need to check the FA Cup draw."

"How did Swansea and Cardiff do?"

"Cardiff got through but with the stadiums shut in Wales I need them to get an easy win in the next round and a home draw in the next so I don't miss out on another shift because of Mark Drakeford."

- and the next name out of the bag is Cardiff City and they will play away at Liverpool -

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!"