The Big Finish Catch-Up January 2023

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; 

Army of Death, the finale of the 8th Doctor and Mary Shelley trilogy. A good fun played for laughs pulp story that is bags of fun 8.5/10. 

Deadline from the unbound range this week. Utterly harrowing and an all time classic 10/10.

Also Neverwhen from the War Doctor range. Bleak time war action and a good finale to the box set 7.5/10.

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.

The Big Finish Catch-Up September 2021 - December 2021

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 Maltese Penguin - A lovely subscriber special from the early years with a big helping of Frobisher 8/10.

Sympathy for the Devil - An interesting twist as we see a "what if UNIT faced all those invasions without The Doctor" with two melancholy performances from David Warner and Nicholas Courtney. A release where the performances and ending are more engaging than the story 7/10.

Brave New Town - A well plotted "twist story" that is always engaging and has some memorable characters 8/10.

Exile - A rare wrong turn for Big Finish that comes over as transphobic, unfunny and nasty -10/10.

45 - A combination of four episodic stories with a joint theme featuring the 7th Doctor, Ace and Hex. Absolute fun as the regulars are thrown into some fast paced short stories 9/10.

Out of Time - A fun fast paced story as the 4th and 10th Doctors are paired up for some fun with the Daleks 8/10

Return of the Krotons - Fun subscriber special with a notable guest appearance from Philip Madoc 6/10.

Legion of the Lost - First story of the War Doctors second box set, John Hurt is immense but the story feels unsatisfyingly Doctorish 6/10.

Full Fathom Five - Another "unbound" story that gets better with a re-listen as no attempt is made to hide the stories twist 7/10.

Big Finish Monthly Ranked 5-1

Good afternoon lady and gentle readers, we've done it - as all ranking lists must end we've reached the top! After 95 releases its time for the top 5 of the first 100 releases, I hope you enjoy the final entry and as usual beware spoilers and enjoy!

5. The Chimes of Midnight, we're back in the second 8th Doctor and Charley season with what is my highlight of the season and a highlight of the range. The audio medium is arguably a better fit for horror than TV and this is a case in point. We've gone down the horror route a few times during this ranking and as we reach the top there was always going to be a good horror up here. Right from the start the atmosphere is full of menace and then we're thrown a curve ball and given a mystery to solve. Time is repeating, a murder keeps happening and rehappening all inside an Edwardian mansion. The location alone pays homage to Sapphire & Steel with the added characters to Upstairs Downstairs. This is a very cruel play as time after time the lowest ranking servant of the house Edith is killed and killed again. Paul McGann is on fine form as the 8th Doctor becomes more and more frustrated as his attempts to solve the murder keep failing. India Fisher as Charley gives arguably my favourite of her performances in particular a scene where she is briefly taken over that even freaks me out a little. Also a sure fire way that this play is a hit is that it gave us a catchphrase "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Mrs Baddeleys plum pudding..."

4. The Shadow of the Scourge, is the first the range took to other areas of Doctor Who. Over the years we've had the number of ranges expand, welcomed new Doctors, adapted novels and ventured outside of Doctor Who but this is the first time the range experimented with other aspects of the cannon. We're in Virgin New Adventures territory as we have the TARDIS team of the 7th Doctor, 'Space' Ace and Professor Bernice Summerfield. I have to say I wasn't an avid reader of the range - when it came out I was 11 - 17 and wasn't interested in reading a monthly series. I'd read one when I was in the mood for a 7th Doctor read and was reading the missing adventures due to the variations of Doctor. Up to this point in life I've read about twenty of them and am rather fond of them. This is the first time that I've heard Lisa Bowerman play Bernice and she absolutely nails her, 'Space' Ace is fun and we get a good presentation of the NA Doctor. Sylvester McCoy himself noticed differences in character, this shows the fun aspect of The Doctor that the NAs sometimes forgot, he's The Doctor, he has everything planned and mapped out and of course its about to go wrong. This is such a human story in that the listener cares about characters we have only just been introduced to which is a must as the titular Scourge have such an affect on humans. We also get a rare look inside The Doctors head - much like we did in the NAs with a woderful collection of scenes including a memorable moment where Bernice gets a look at a future incarnation and the scene with the lost memory is a highlight of the range. The strength of this story is that it takes the all powerful all knowing NA Doctor and makes him vulnerable. This is everything I wanted from an NA on audio including the depth, emotion and able to go deep on original one off characters.

3. Spare Parts, I'm going to tell a story at this point about how I listened to this story. Neverland - the preceding story in the range came out the month I left University and obviously I had a lot going on at the time meaning I stopped buying the releases as they came out as I looked to see where I was going to in life. This meant I became slightly easier to buy for at Christmas as my sister looked up what release I was up to and bought me one for Christmas. After a bit of a break and ending on a cliff hanger I played this story blind without seeing the cover or knowing anything about it and was promptly blown away. Big Finish has never been afraid of continuity weather starting afresh, ignoring it or embracing it - this story is steeped in lore from the series. Essentially this story is 'Genesis of The Cybermen' something the series hadn't got around to doing at the time and now including this story its done three times. With this being a 5th Doctor story the shadow of Adric hangs over the story and adds an extra element to proceedings. This is a tragedy where the majority of listeners going in know how the story will end and it still works. The play even manages to throw in a few surprises - at one point it looks like The Doctor has been converted! The main strength of this story is seeing how world changing events happen through the eyes of the Hartley family, a route that TV Doctor Who would go down years later.    Without doubt this play is a bleak triumph.

2. Bang-Bang-a-Boom, yes a story set during season 24 is the second in this ranking! This is the odd one out of my top five, its a comedy, Deep Space Nine / Babylon 5 pastiche, murder mystery set during the future version of the Eurovision Song Contest. The jokes are fantastic, the mystery is brilliant and theres even a nice nod to Terry Wogan. A lot of the entries near the top end are along the darker aspects of Doctor Who but this is high camp fun at its best. I'm going to refrain from going into a deep dive on this one though due to the fact its a mystery and that its become a troublesome release as its co-written by a transphobe. There are plenty of other entries on this blog where I tackle transphobia and I'd like to keep these entries in the fun category.

1. The Holy Terror, in life you reach a moment where your fandom is there for you - and this was the time Doctor Who was there for me. We've taken another sidestep here, not into the books but into the comics as we get the team up of the 6th Doctor and the shape changing penguin Frobisher. Its not a part of cannon I'm familiar with and cards on the table I was considering skipping this release until I heard the trailer at the end of the previous release and thought it sounded fun - which it is. This play is without doubt the funniest Big Finish have released however as we've seen in this ranking as with a lot of other plays in my top ten it has a dual nature. What starts out as a camp comedy in an isolated castle takes a turn as The Doctor realises something isn't right and starts investigating. Of all places for the plot to go we venture into child violation - typing this out twenty years later its still an uneasy thing to admit to. The play turns on its head we've set up a lovely bunch of stereotypical characters - one of the things that sets The Doctor off on his investigations - who are ripped to bits following this. Its a melancholic version of a family who try to keep going after a tragedy but are unable to, something else that echoes this is that somewhere along the play the jokes stop and when you realise its a sledgehammer to the heart moment. This play is not only the top of Big Finishes first 100 main range releases, sometimes its my favourite Doctor Who story battling it out my favourite TV stories and books.

The Big Finish Catch-Up October to December 2019

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;

Lords of the Red Planet, was the first story in October from the lost story range featuring the 2nd Doctor, Jamie and Zoe. I'm not going to focus on this one as its a rare story that I didn't like and struggled to get through to the extent I fell asleep twice and have no idea how it ended. I'm not going to rank it and make a point to come back at a later date and have another go with it.

Farewell Great Macedon, came next also from the lost story range and featured the original line up. Whenever I hear a lost story I want to feel like I'm listening to a TV story with missing visuals and that is what I got from this story. It feels like the production team thought "oh Marco Polo went down well lets do another one" and it would fit in somewhere before the Dalek invasion of Earth. I was just hooked and it truly felt like I was listening to something from fifty years ago. Not only is this my favourite story in some time, I think it ranks up there with my personal classics from Big Finish as I write this it just might be my favourite 10/10.

Nightshade, started off November - I realised it was Nightshade within the first few minutes and smiling my little head off. This book has hung over Mark Gatiss career and he's never eclipsed it imo. It was as good as I hoped it was going to be, I never came away thinking that it didn't work as an audio. On top of that its so strange listening to a pre Love and War story featuring Ace, these stories foreshadow her actions so well.

Next up was Lucie Miller / To the Death the finale to the fourth season of the 8th Doctor adventures. Blimey this feels like the end of an era, first things first this isn't a story for you if you're dipping in and out of the range I'd recommend listening to this season in order and preferably listening to the range up to this point in order. This story feels like an epic and strangely most of the characters are this seasons regulars. When bad things start to happen in this story it feels more emotional than it usually does. This is such an emotional story and its a testament to the range and this season how much I cared about what happened in this story. 10/10 and I can't wait to see what happens in this range next.

Iteration of I started off in December, the final story in the Fifth Doctor box set featuring his original line up of companions. A very very good if slightly too wordy horror story 9/10.

Blue Tooth a companion chronicle starring Caroline John as Liz was next. A dark story set in the UNIT era doing interesting things with the Cybermen 8/10.

Auntie Matter, a fun throwaway story featuring the Fourth Doctor and Mary Tamms Romana. Very much Doctor Who does Jeeves and Wooster, lots of fun 8/10.

Another companion chronicle Frostfire came next starring Maureen O'Brien featuring the First Doctor, Vicki and Steven. A very good moody story that does interesting things with the format 7/10.

The final story of this blog entry is The Veiled Tiger, a freebie released with Doctor Who Magazine that Big Finish released in their Christmas sale. A fun bit of fluff featuring two opposing teams of companions Peri and Erimem Vs Ace and Hex. Good crack and a few laughs, highly recommended if you can find it 8/10.

The Big Finish Catch-Up August 2019

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;

First up this month is Relative Dimensions in the 8th Doctor range featuring the 8th Doctor, Susan, Lucie and Alex. For those familiar with this story I'm listening to it at the wrong time of year and its a rather lovely low key Christmas special 8/10. Its a rather intimate little story with a Doctor Who twist thrown in for good measure and this season is rivalling the first in terms of quality.

Second up The Similarity Engine featuring Jago & Litefoot with the final story of the season 1 box set. I had little idea what was going on but had a fun time none the less 9/10. As for the box set as a whole, I'll certainly be coming back for more. As a box set the first story had to do a lot of set up which I can understand, the final story had to close things up which it mostly did well and it gave us two bonkers stories in the middle, so as a whole 9/10. 

Finally this month The Foe From the Future featuring the 4th Doctor and Leela. Loads of fun and its rare that a story can make me cheer out loud like a situation with Leela late in the story does. The best compliment that I can pay a "Lost Story" is that during the story I felt like I was transported back to the era its set and could easily be watching a DVD. Highly recommended and not the story featuring cats on Gallifrey that I was expected 8/10.

The Big Finish Catch-Up June 2019

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;

First up this month its "The Masters of Luxor" in the Lost Story range, not just any Lost Story but the original lost story featuring the original TARDIS crew in what was intended to be the shows second story. Written by Anthony Coburn and adapted by Nigel Robinson this is the most unique story I've listened to from Big Finish. I have no intention of reviewing this story or marking it out of ten I just want to bask in it and feel emotional that I've experienced it. It does feel very old fashioned and very "Metopolis" while also having that feel of the first three stories of Who. Carole Ann Ford and William Russell give a cracking performance - this is a very well realised story. Interesting is a few similarities to "The Daleks" namely the city and there is a bit of lift action that makes me wonder if this was in Verity Lamberts notes. I highly recommend this purchase as I've rarely felt so emotional listening to a story.


Next up its the 8th Doctor range as the 8th Doctor and Tamsin in"Deimos" and "The Resurrection of Mars." This is without doubt a 10/10 release, possibly my favourite script by Jonathan Morris and in my opinion one of the best stories Big Finish has released. From the start it feels like a fun romp that The Doctor is going to wrap up in one episode and then we get a cliffhanger that signifies the moment where everything changes and the story goes in another direction. This is a story of manipulation, fracturing relationships and just how dangerous travelling with The Doctor can be. As usual people die, there are twists but due to the nature of the story the victories feel like something of a relief rather than a reason to party. The Doctor and the antagonist are left in very interesting situations at the end of this story and I look forward to finding out what happens next. At the moment I would say we are in this ranges best season since the first.

The Big Finish Catch-Up May 2019

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;

First up this month is The Prisoner of Peladon a Companion Chronicle starring David Troughton as King Peladon. This is a very good story with good levels of atmosphere, David is outstanding and carries the story well. Its what you would expect from a Peladon story in terms of characters and alien races. What raises the story is that when The Doctor turns up it goes in a direction that is mostly associated with later Doctors. Its rather unnerving to see this kind of thing done with Jon Pertwees more fluffy Doctor however its effective. It gets a 8/10 from me.

Next up is Nevermore with the 8th Doctor and Tamsin in the Eight Doctor range. Its a weak start to Tamsins start as a companion as the story is dull and lacking the distinctive flair of the range. The crows and the cat are memorable but a week after hearing this story I'm struggling to remember anything about it 4/10.

The final story this month is The Whispering Forest from the main range featuring the team of the 5th Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan and Turlough. This is a proper good done in one nailed to the plot thriller - although the start and end to lead in and from the surrounding stories. I love stories like this that have a good solid plot, start at break neck pace and keep the listener glued for the duration. I must commend the decision to pair up Nyssa and Turlough who are two characters who couldn't be further different from each other. This release is story telling 101, any aspiring writer looking to write for Big Finish should be listening to stories like this. This is a 7/10 story for me and this is the second time I've heard it (its one of the stories I heard in the anniversary year) and it still stands up to that first listen.

The Big Finish Catch-Up February - April 2019

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;

I've fallen a little bit behind with the reviews so here's some snap reviews of what I listened to between February and April this year...


Theatre of War - A very good, tight adaption of the Virgin New Adventure debut of Justin Richards. Of note is the first appearance of Irving Braxiatel 8.5/10.

Situation Vacant - A fun way of introducing a new companion and the arc of this seasons 8th Doctor Adventures. A brilliant pastiche of The Apprentice 10/10.

The Spirit Trap - Another good fun, spiky engaging episode of Jago and Litefoots first season 9/10.

Domain of the Voord - The start of a new range "the early years" taking over from "the companion chronicles." A very good strong start and a story that adds something to a one off villain from TV 8/10.

Real Time - an oddity, a curates egg, an interesting attempt at doing something in real time. Unsatisfying but worthy 5/10.

The Book of Kells - Very engaging, rollicking break neck speed and fun. The 8th Doctor range is on a roll 10/10.

Fear of the Daleks - A very good companion chronicle with a good performance from Wendy Padbury 7/10.

The Well Mannered War - Some good ideas which may have worked in a book format however its a weak adaption and needed some editing as there is too much going on 6/10.

The Big Finish Catch-Up January 20019

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;

First up this month is An Earthly Child featuring the 8th Doctor and Susan in the 2009 subscriber special. This was a very intriguing and engaging story, starting off with the first Doctors music was a good swerve as I initially thought I was listening to a companion chronicle. Paul McGanns Doctor doesn't turn up for a while so when he does its a nice little surprise, Carole Ann Ford as Susan carries the majority of the story and the story is focused on what Susan's been up to since we last saw her. Also I'd like to take a moment to discuss the world building, the story benefits from being a follow up to a TV story but I was firmly entrenched in this future Earth more so than some stories that are double the length. A good story, one that benefited from having no knowledge going in and a good subscriber bonus and the feeling of a later Doctor having the kind of story more associated with an earlier Doctor, 8/10.

Next up its the second story in the first Jago & Litefoot box set The Bellova Devil and it was a complete joy from start to finish. Where the first story felt like mostly set up this felt like a story that could be listened to in isolation. One incident sets of a series of events and its a case of sitting back and letting the two leads get into some humorous trouble. Highlights include a brave turn from Jago while hiding in a bush and Litefoot getting talked into a situation he knows he has no business in. This is the kind of story that I hoped for going in and I suspect this may be the flavour of the series now that we've got the difficult start out of the way 10/10.

The final story this month is The English Way of Death an adaption of the Gareth Roberts book from the Missing Adventure range featuring the 4th Doctor, Romana and K9. A nice little fluffy story featuring the season 17 regulars. A story enlivened by the cast, especially Tom Baker however weak writing which includes rather weak sub Bertie Wooster characters. Even though I enjoyed it a week after writing this review up I'm struggling to remember any details. Given that how close this release was to The Romance of Crime and if you are on a budget I'd recommend getting that release over this. Perhaps it needed a bit more beefing up from John Dorney but as it is stands I feel like I've gone for a slice of cake that has the least amount of ingredients in it as possible. Sadly like the original novels I suspect The English Way of Death will go down as a disappointing follow up, 6/10.

The Big Finish Catch-Up December 2018

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;

Death in Blackpool - The fourth season of the 8th Doctor Adventures start off with an emotional story set at Christmas. Featuring the 8th Doctor, Lucie and "Auntie Pat" this story is the most bittersweet Christmas story Big Finish have ever done. Its certainly a story that feels like its tying up some long standing aspects of the series. As such its not one for you if your dipping in but one for long term listeners. Highly emotional, this is not not your typical story from this range - however it is one of the stand out stories of this range 9/10.

The Bloodless Soldier - The start of Jago and Litefoots spin off series. Very good stuff, lots of fun with a few aspects of the series being introduced. It certainly feels like the start of something fun. The two leads are astounding fun and I'm already looking forward to the next story 8/10.

Return to the Web Planet - A rather cute subscriber special starring Peter Davison as the 5th Doctor and Sarah Sutton as Nyssa. Of note is an appearance by Sam Kelly off of many a sitcom and the early Big Finish release Holy Terror 6/10.

Enemy Aliens - from the Destiny of the Doctor series this entry sees India Fisher reprise Charley Pollard in an adventure with the 8th Doctor. India does an excellent job voicing the various characters (I like her 11th Doctor). This is a rip roaring adventure and lots of fun, one of the best of this series 9/10.

1963: The Space Race - The main range 50th anniversary story featuring the 6th Doctor and Peri. Very nice to hear this team in the main range, a very engrossing story that draws the listener in. Of note are some bloody excellent cliffhangers and a very interesting late story aspect of 1963. I was pleased when I looked at the cover after listening and noted it was written by Jonathan Morris who is one of my firm favourites 8/10. 

The Big Finish Catch-Up October 2018

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 Eight Truths (and Worldwide Web) starring the 8th Doctor and Lucie, Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith.

The strong third season of the Eight Doctor Adventures ends on a high. Strong stuff all around from the cast and production crew. Particular mention I must give to Eddie Robson who has become one of my favourite writers over the last few years. Its the only two disc story in some time and its a lovely slow burn story with a few teases being thrown in about who the villains are - I'm kicking myself for not spotting them. It feels like the end of an era in a way last seasons finale wanted to be but wasn't a few plot points from end of last season and beginning of this one are finished off. Character wise even the one off characters go on a journey and a few familiar characters as well as the regulars have a few nail biting moments.

Highly recommended and after a poor end to the previous season and start to this season the range is back on a high 9/10.


The Trail of the White Work / The Oseidon Adventure starring Tom Baker and Louise Jameson as the 4th Doctor and Leela.

Blimey, you wait around for months and two season finales come along at once. The Fourth Doctors first season ends on a high. This story is just pure fun and is what I hoped for when Big Finish announced that Tom Backer was coming aboard. It is an absolute romp turned up to eleven and if you come in with no spoilers like I did lots of surprises. On top of that theres a change between the first and second disc to the extent I don't begrudge the story having two titles. There is a certain character who I wont give away who is deliciously sneaky during this story. Another powerful 9/10 and even though its the end of a season it is very standalone and could easily be listened to without hearing the rest of the season.

The Big Finish Doctor Who Catch-up August - September 2018

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 Canabalists - the 8th Doctor Adventures continue with this single disc story featuring the 8th Doctor and Lucie. A very good release and gets the best out of a limited story set up, personally I think it had enough for a second disc and could have gone further 9/10.

Second Sight - "The Worlds of Doctor Who" is wrapped up nicely with the 6th Doctor finally making an appearance. I highly recommend the box set as its been a fun ride and its nice to see characters from around The Doctors life come together 7/10.

A Storm of Angels - its a visit to the "unbound" range with this release and an alternate 1st Doctor who stayed behind on Gallifrey. This story sees him on his travels after some unseen stories and is a rather engaging story. Geoffrey Bayldon does very well, this is my favourite Mark Platt written story that I've heard in a while 8/10.

The Butcher of Brisbane - a very run of the mill story with a hook (meeting a certain character earlier in their life time before their TV appearance) which lifts it to above average 6/10.

The Doomsday Quatrain - a very busy, engaging story with a lot going on. A proper meaty story featuring the 7th Doctor and Nostradamus - not what I would have expected had I known this going in. A plot story with a slight humorous bent at points, it left me thinking and this could be a story I revisit before others in this entry 7.5/10.

The Big Finish Doctor Who Catch-Up April - July 2018

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 Beast of Orlock - A fun story from the 8th Doctor range and a good proper fun story story 7/10.

The Reesinger Process - decent stuff however I am unfamiliar with the range, felt very "Avengers" with a military twist 5/10.

The Architects of History - the finale of the 7th Doctor and Klein is a satisfying conclusion and highly recommended 10/10.

Energy of the Daleks - it felt like a filler story with the Daleks shoved in at the last minute 5/10.

Wirrn Dawn - good story with a twist on an old monster, very serious and not as fun as other stories 6/10.

The Emerald Tiger - good boys own fun with a TARDIS crew having loads of fun 7/10.

Robophobia - a nice dark story with aspects of a certain TV story 9/10.

The Scapegoat - a proper fun story 8/10.

The Screaming Skull - elements of a good story but stops when its getting going 6/10.

The Wreck of the Titan - the most enjoying story I've heard in a while, so engaging and keeps the listening guessing right until the end 10/10.

The Jupiter Conjunction - a good engaging plot 8/10.

House of Blue Fire - An intriguing horror story with a more atmospheric first half 8/10.

The Big Finish Catch-Up March 2018

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;

Hot House, An enjoyable one disc story featuring the 8th Doctor and Lucie. Focusing on big business and one of the few TV stories/monsters I'm not familiar with. Enjoyable but edited and chopped to bits - needed longer. 5/10

Mind Games, a fun story in the "the worlds of Doctor Who" box set featuring Jago and Litefoot. Lots of fun with the odd touch of terror and I look forward to seeing where this box set goes. 6/10

Survival of the Fittest / Kleins Story, a really good set of stories featuring the 7th Doctor and Klein. Absolutely brilliant story with the first filling in Kleins back story and the later being a clever story ending on a cracking cliffhanger. 8/10

City of Spires, a proper fun story featuring the 6th Doctor and Jamie. Not only fun but intriguing and it feels like the start of an ongoing story to the extent where it may go up a rating depending on what happens later in the story arc. Also an interesting cast note featuring Georgia Moffett who I feel like I've watched grow up - I first became aware of her in an earlier release in this range Red Dawn. 8/10

The Big Finish Catch-up February - November 2017

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, here are some snap reviews of stories I've heard this year;

The Sontaran Ordeal, from the Classic Doctors/New Monsters box set. A good one featuring a time war era 8th Doctor and the Sontarans. Moody as hell and a bit of a cheat having a classic monster 9/10.

The Skull of Sobek, with the 8th Doctor and Lucie. A so-so unmemorable story 5/10.

Kingdom of Silver, with the 7th Doctor. A very good start but the story loses atmosphere when it changes location 7/10.

Keepsake, a follow up to the last story and lovely intimate story 9/10.

Judoon in Chains, the 6th Doctor in a fun adventure with the Judoon 8/10.

Grand Theft Cosmos, the 8th Doctor and Lucie in a series of events that get more and more out of hand 8/10.

The Doomwood Curse, the 6th Doctor and Charley in the best story I've heard in ages 10/10.

Time Reef, the 5th Doctor and Nyssa in an interesting story that doesn't quite fit the episode format 7/10.

Perfect World, a follow up to the last story that left me non-plussed and stopped before it got started 5/10.

The Zygon Who Fell to Earth, good but it needs another episode and rotates between whimsy and dark to much for one episode 6/10.

Hive of Horror, the 4th Doctor in the finale to his first BBC box set. Ends on a high and emotional as its my final story with Wibbsey as I've heard the other box sets 8/10.

Brotherhood of the Daleks, the 6th Doctor and Charley in an intense plot driven story that has one to many ends 9/10.

The Death Collectors and Spiders Shadow, the 7th Doctor in two decent if unmemorable stories 5/10 and 6/10.

The Vengeance of Morbius, the finale of the 8th Doctors second season. Decent with a very good cliffhanger 6/10.

The Raincloud Man, the 6th Doctor and Charley in a follow up to an earlier story and moves between noir and the more fantastic incredibly well 10/10.

Castle of Fear, the 5th Doctor and Nyssa in the most fun story I've heard this year 9.5/10.

The Magic Mousetrap, the 7th Doctor in a well plotted mystery 9.5/10.

Papercuts, a good tight story with the 6th Doctor and Charley 7/10.

The Romance of Crime, a fun runaround with the 4th Doctor, Romana and K9 9/10.

Enemy of the Daleks, a moody story featuring the 7th Doctor, Ace and Hex 7/10.

The Eternal Summer, the 5th Doctor and Nyssa in a well plotted story 8/10.

Patient Zero, the 6th Doctor and Charley in a cracker of a story 10/10.

The Company of Friends, the 8th Doctor in a collection of fun stories with various companions 6/10.

Plague of the Daleks, the 5th Doctor and Nyssa in a fine finale to the Stockbridge trilogy 8/10.

The Angel of Scutari, good but not as good as other war stories featuring the 7th Doctor, Ace and Hex 7/10.

The Fragile Yellow Arc of Fragrance, the original Doctor and team in a rather emotional coda and a-typical story 8/10.

The Scorchies, Jo Grant and the UNIT team in a fun story that will raise a laugh 7/10.

The Big Finish Catch-up: January 2017

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;

First up this month was 'Assassin in the Limelight" featuring Colin Baker as the 6th Doctor and Maggie Stables as Evelyn. This is a very strong story from Robert Ross and sees him bring back Knox as played by Leslie Phillips. Its a story dripping in atmosphere with a similar vibe to the writers debut story which is also set around a lesser known event in history. Theres a plot which gets stronger as the story goes along but the main draw to this story is the return of Knox who has a great rapport with the regulars. Also I'm treasuring Maggie Stables as Evelyn as I don't know how many stories we have left with her. In short a strong, powerful story and in effect possibly the finale of an unofficial Robert Ross trilogy, 8/10.

Next up was "The Boy that Time Forgot" featuring Peter Davison as the 5th Doctor and Sarah Sutton as Nyssa. A rather fun pulpish adventure story given added depth by Andrew Sachs character, I wont be spoiling this as I'd recommend that you come to this story like me and get taken by the surprise of it. The story feels a bit disjointed and leads into the next story for this TARDIS crew, however I was expecting more of Thomas Brewster and I was genuinely thrown a bit of kilter by the unexpected nature of this story 8/10.

Next up was "A Sting in the Tale" with Tom baker as the 4th Doctor and Richard Franklin as Mike Yates. A good solid story which focuses on plot instead of the flavour I tend to associate with this range. It has the feeling of a story where the stage is being set for later releases but Tom Baker is brilliant, 7/10.

Finally this month we have Paul McGann as the 8th Doctor and Sheridan Smith as Lucie. Of the stories I heard this month "Brave New Town" is my favourite. A lovely plot, fantastic performances and full of aspects that still stay strong in the memory as I write this months later. This has become my go to story when I think of one that does the 60 minute (half the normal length of a Big Finish release) perfectly. Highly recommended 9/10

The Big Finish Catch-Up: November 2016

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;

First up this month is the main range story featuring the 5th Doctor and Nyssa. This is a very very good story on so many levels. Every episode has a different feel from the rest of the story, in particular the first episode really draws the listener in before dropping a cliffhanger on us that would have had even the those who listen to one episode a night rushing straight into the next episode. I especially enjoyed the situation the regulars found themselves in and how it related to the first episode.

The story leaves the regulars in a very interesting position and I can't wait until the next story this team of regulars turn up in. Of note when I finished the story and had a look at the CD case I was pleased to see it was written by Jonathan Morris who is one of my favourite writers in the range and that the guest cast had a 90's sitcom theme featuring Leslie Ash from Men Behaving Badly and John Pickard from 2.4 Children who gave good performances although I didn't recognise them. 9/10

Up next its the "Classic Doctors New Monsters" range featuring the 5th Doctor and the Weeping Angels. I'm so pleased that the Angels have popped up in this box set, as I said in the Sycorax story I'm aware of the concept but don't know which Doctors or monsters are in it. Some people may think its brave to have a story with a silent monster but I say Big Finish have earned my trust and I'm in whatever happens. Its another 90's TV guest star in Matthew Kelly off of "Stars in their Eyes." Its good to see the 5th Doctor have a go with the Angels given that later more experienced Doctors have been challenged by them. Its not as "timey wimey" as you might think and is a good action story. 8/10

The final listen of the month was the 8th Doctor range featuring the 8th Doctor and Lucie in a funny little story with "Doctor Who" doing "Top Gear" IN SPACE! I like it when Doctor Who does comedy and this story really goes for it and is the stronger for it. In particular Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith sound like they're having a whale of a time. I'm pretty sure this may be the first time this range has done a comedy and the 8th Doctor do one since Faith Stealer which was ages ago - we've had a few moments particularly in the first series of this range and its good that this story goes full on out. I was surprised when I checked the CD case and saw it was another story written by Jonathan Morris - you wait ages for one then two come along at once! Really good stuff, you'll get more of you're familiar with Top Gear and a strong 8/10 from me.

The Big Finnish Catch-Up: October 2016

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;

Well I am absolutely kicking myself for thinking Charley was gone for good and not noticing the 'Trial' theme at the end of her last story. Very interesting things happen in this story but I found it hard to follow for the first half as I was in shock that Charley was back and had been saved by the Sixth Doctor. Its very intriguing stuff asking long term and short term questions, however like the new status quo with this TARDIS crew it feels uncomfortably distant 7/10.

Up next we venture into a more recent boxset - I should say I'm aware of the concept of this set however I don't know what villains/monsters are in it. So here we find Sylvestors Seventh Doctor taking on the villains from the first Christmas special the Sycorax. Decent little story which actually makes a good attempt to add some depth to this one off race villains however the acting is bloody awful and drags the production down 5/10.

We're now onto season 2 of the Eighth Doctor adventures and we're in new territory for me. The 8th Doctor and Lucie are in London but when exactly? This is jolly, fun fresh and light just what I needed after the previous story further up. Some interesting characters and perhaps one who may crop up again, snappy dialogue - fully recommended 8/10.

Its back to main range with the 7th Doctor, Ace and Hex - a team who haven't been around in some time and a firm favourite of mine. Its a comedy that is fairly amusing (and gets its best laugh in the first five minutes) but unlike some previous comedy stories in the range it doesn't embrace humour as much as other stories have and as a result feels more amusing than hysterical. Sylvester McCoy and Philip Olivier have the most success with the comedy on offer and genuinely feel like they're having fun. I found the story intriging and the choice reguarding the guest cast was very interesting. Its a 6/10 for me although if it had embraced the comedy a bit more it could easily have been more. 

I hope there isn't another gap until we see this team again as they are one of my favourite teams and my other favourites have recently been pulled apart. I'm aware that within the last ten or so stories Gary Russell has past the baton over to Nicholas Briggs and Nick is probably making the changes that he wants now he's a few stories in. I'm still in shock from the changes to range over the last few months; C'rizz has died, Erimem has left and Charley looked like she was leaving and has somehow ended up with a previous incarnation of the Doctor. Without doubt I've reached a time of great change in Big Finish, I think this section of the blog is at its best when changes I don't know about are happening and I hope you are enjoying this catch-up journey with me.

The Big Finish Catch-Up September 2016

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;

First up is the 8th Doctor and Charlie in the main range, what can I say? This story is so emotional, Charley has been an ever present part of the 8th Doctor stories since Paul McGann started with Big Finish. Despite the end of the previous story I didn't expect her to leave. At the start it genuinely feels like The Doctor has lost her and throughout the story it feels like he wins her back but events in the final act take an unexpected twist she's gone. I'd seen a poster advertising a spin-off range for her but this was only a few years back and I assumed she was safe for a number of years to come. The end looks to set up her up for a solo series and its such an unexpected set up and given a fondness for Charley I will seek it out at some point. 10/10 I haven't spoken about the story but its brilliant.

As you can see from the picture next up this month was the 5th Doctor, Peri and Erimem. Talk about an emotional breakdown two companions gone in two releases! Given this teams previous release Erimems exit was heavily hinted at but I thought it was going to be padded out - possibly with a story or two that looked like she was going to die only to survive at the last minute. Her exit does make sense, is on character and despite events in "Son of the Dragon" having a slight similar flavour I didn't see it coming. There's a lot going on in this story - a kind of sequel to the two televised stories featuring Peladon and as is fitting for the majority of the story the listener isn't sure who the good guys and bad guys are. There are lots of nods to the two TV stories and as a fan I think I enjoyed this more than a casual listener would - a lot of fan buttons were pressed! Easily this is 9/10 for me but for a casual listener I'd say give a few stories with this TARDIS crew a listen to first. It genuinely feels like Erimems story line has come to a natural conclusion and as a character looking back it feels like she's someone Big Finish have tried to do something different with 'The Council of Nicaea' and 'Son of the Dragon' being a case in point. 

With a heavy heart I say goodbye to these characters but equally I look forward to what and who comes next.