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.
Showing posts with label Sheridan Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sheridan Smith. Show all posts
Wednesday, 3 July 2019
Thursday, 6 December 2018
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 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.
Sunday, 22 October 2017
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
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
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
The Big Finish Catch Up: October 2014
In this months update of my attempt to catch up with the Big Finish releases I wonder off the main range into the Eighth Doctor Adventures and The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield...
First up is Blood of the Daleks, the first story in the new range of "Eighth Doctor Adventures" an offshoot series taking the 8th Doctor out of the main range and giving us something more familiar with post 2005 Who. I have to say I did originally hear the first season when it aired but haven't heard it since. This story feels different from the main range, its more snappy and less fluffy than the usual Big Finish play. Its a stark story albeit traditional, a colony invaded by the Daleks but this is a very bleak colony perhaps teetering on the edge of collapse before the Daleks turn up. Very few of the colonists are sympathetic and some are worse than the Daleks, if you like stories with an edge this one is for you. Getting on to the regulars Paul McGanns 8th Doctor is wonderfully put out from the onset, having a new companion and status quo forced on him - the Doctor is in a grumpy mood and wants to show it. We haven't heard McGann play the Doctor this prickly since the alternative universe season. Sheridan Smith is a welcome addition as Lucie, neither her or The Doctor like each other or wanting to spend any time together is a wonderful little twist. Lucie has been placed with The Doctor for her safety by the Time Lords for some undisclosed reason. An amusing start, an engrossing story and a little bit of spice at the end as a new character is introduced that is pivotal to the season story line.
The next listen was the final two parts of The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield box set "Random Ghosts" and "The Lights of *****." Two strong stories bringing the story to a close. On finishing the set I can best describe this as one story separated into four acts, centering on Bernice with the other characters flitting in and out. "Random Ghosts" is perhaps the most fascinating Big Finish story I've heard, I absolutely adored it (and the format) and could have listened to an expanded version for hours if it existed. The final story is quite odd, I'd advise not to look up its title as it improves the 3rd story. Its more of a small scale deep story that presents a few interesting thoughts and a lot less flash bang wallop than I expected. Strongly recommend and a welcome return for the Virgin New Adventures team.
As a whole I rate this box set highly, personally I think the price is a bit steep but this set imo has the most re listen value in anything Big Finish have produced. Every disc in the story has at least one scene or reveal I want to hear again, in particular how I missed all the clues in part one and I want to hear part three again as it packed a lot in and I'm sure I missed loads in here. As someone whose only heard the main range stories of Bernice along with the Love & War adaption and her Excelis story its made me want to listen to more stories from her range which makes this set a success in my book.
First up is Blood of the Daleks, the first story in the new range of "Eighth Doctor Adventures" an offshoot series taking the 8th Doctor out of the main range and giving us something more familiar with post 2005 Who. I have to say I did originally hear the first season when it aired but haven't heard it since. This story feels different from the main range, its more snappy and less fluffy than the usual Big Finish play. Its a stark story albeit traditional, a colony invaded by the Daleks but this is a very bleak colony perhaps teetering on the edge of collapse before the Daleks turn up. Very few of the colonists are sympathetic and some are worse than the Daleks, if you like stories with an edge this one is for you. Getting on to the regulars Paul McGanns 8th Doctor is wonderfully put out from the onset, having a new companion and status quo forced on him - the Doctor is in a grumpy mood and wants to show it. We haven't heard McGann play the Doctor this prickly since the alternative universe season. Sheridan Smith is a welcome addition as Lucie, neither her or The Doctor like each other or wanting to spend any time together is a wonderful little twist. Lucie has been placed with The Doctor for her safety by the Time Lords for some undisclosed reason. An amusing start, an engrossing story and a little bit of spice at the end as a new character is introduced that is pivotal to the season story line.
The next listen was the final two parts of The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield box set "Random Ghosts" and "The Lights of *****." Two strong stories bringing the story to a close. On finishing the set I can best describe this as one story separated into four acts, centering on Bernice with the other characters flitting in and out. "Random Ghosts" is perhaps the most fascinating Big Finish story I've heard, I absolutely adored it (and the format) and could have listened to an expanded version for hours if it existed. The final story is quite odd, I'd advise not to look up its title as it improves the 3rd story. Its more of a small scale deep story that presents a few interesting thoughts and a lot less flash bang wallop than I expected. Strongly recommend and a welcome return for the Virgin New Adventures team.
As a whole I rate this box set highly, personally I think the price is a bit steep but this set imo has the most re listen value in anything Big Finish have produced. Every disc in the story has at least one scene or reveal I want to hear again, in particular how I missed all the clues in part one and I want to hear part three again as it packed a lot in and I'm sure I missed loads in here. As someone whose only heard the main range stories of Bernice along with the Love & War adaption and her Excelis story its made me want to listen to more stories from her range which makes this set a success in my book.
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