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.