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.
