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 | Clowns, Eyes, Werewolves, What's better? |
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Brillant music, good humour,good performances and a very good story, only suffering from bad cliffhanger syndrome
Good music, good effects for the time and a very good story, the only real shame is it being in B/W because of some idoits here and in America.
Well acted, well made and with good music, it races along (quite fast for a 7 parter). I hope they can release this on DVD soon, the tape's wearing.
Dark with excellent music (it really builds up the atmosphere), I'm just waiting for the DVD release. The only bit which is annoying is the Skarasen in London, it just doesn't quite work.
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| Daring, Original And Brilliant! |
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As the forward by author Lawrence Miles says this Mad Norwegian Press reprint of his 1999 novel Dead Romance is really for two groups of people those who are Virgin New Adventures fans who missed it the first time round and those who’ve been reading the Faction paradox books. Well I fall into the first category having come into the Virgin New Adventures very late. I came to Dead Romance aware of its reputation as one of (or even the) best of that book range. So in short: Dead Romance is what Doctor Who is at its best: daring and original even a decade after its original publication (and five years after this reprint).
Perhaps the most refreshing element of Dead Romance is its narrator. With the character of Christine Summerfield and her notebooks Miles brings a refreshed air with a first person take on the Doctor Who universe. Christine is a much different character then her better known “sister” Bernice yet she retains the characteristic wit and sarcasm of Bernice even when the end of the world is literally at hand. The success of Dead Romance lies mainly in the characterization of Christine and how she interprets both the world and the incredible events around her.
Yet while Christine is the novel’s emotional and physical center there is her relationship with Chris Cwej. Making a welcome return after last being seen in the final seventh Doctor New adventure Lungbarrow here is a Chris Cwej considerably different from the one of earlier novels. While he is definitely a continuation of the companion he is a changed man with distorted memories and now working for a mysterious group of time travelers (as they’re referred to in this edition) By novels end is almost unrecognizable and the result is one of the Doctor Who ranges most disturbing looks at life after the TARDIS.
What makes Dead Romance stand out is its format and its plot. In an unusual twist Dead Romance is told from a first person perspective. As I said earlier much of the novels success is how the narrator Christine Summerfield interprets both the world and the incredible events around her. That helps make the novel’s plot even better. Inside Dead Romance is an incredible tale of universes and worlds on the brink of destruction told from the perspective of a 23 year old drug addict forced into an incredible world of aliens, time travel, and universes in bottles. Add on some frank takes on sex, drugs and the end of the world and the result is one of the most daring Doctor Who related novels.
A quick note on this edition though. While the original Virgin edition references Time Lords and other elements of the Doctor Who universe this edition doesn’t so much. This is due to the fact that this novel is put into a place in the Faction Paradox universe. While some of those who read the original might be annoyed, as someone who didn’t I found it interesting and far from annoying. In fact for those readers in the know, capable of reading between the lines or proud owners of Lars Pearson’s I, Who 2 it shouldn’t be hard to figure out.
Included in this reprint are two shorts stories and an essay by Miles related to his creation Faction Paradox. While I read each of these I admit to being just a bit bewildered by the first short story entitled Toy Story, baffled by the essay on the workings of the Faction Paradox universe (though that could be from not reading any of the books related to it) and enjoyed the final short story entitled Grass. My thought on these is that if you know quite a bit about Faction Paradox who should enjoy them otherwise you might want to skip them.
Dead Romance has earned a reputation over the years as one of the best Doctor Who related novels. With its characters, fresh narrative approach and fantastic plot Lawrence Miles shows us what Doctor Who is capable of at its best. Whether you are a fan of Doctor Who or science fiction or something else this is a novel that must be read to be believed. In short: it’s brilliant!
Effervescent yet heavy. The rich and the old. Marc Platt writes like a technical mathematician. A completely unique slant into the Doctor's cloaked self.
The house that listens. The Cousins who want revenge. And the faceless bleak shadow who speaks in the Doctor's voice long before the Doctor was born.
It is the metaphysical equivalent of the TARDIS. A box inside a box. Inside the Doctor is something else. And what is the Other? An angel, perhaps? In another Platt short story, his companion - Peri - meets one of those, too.
The early conversations in the book veer toward slight stagnation. But there are moments. The Doctor explaining where he was to Innocet and to the Family. And to the House. The climax where the Other debates Rassilon. One of the finest dialogue achievements in any medium. The discipline of the writer mints gold.
And of course, the wording. The tiny, cold sentences. The clarity of the bizarre.
This book is a twisted diamond. The adumbrate outline of the past captivates, especially when Rassilon and the Other speak. I usually read my books in small starts and halts. But that section trapped me till it was through.
No sex or stereotyped violence. Just mystery piled on mystery twisted in mystery. A layered texture of greys. And the references intrigue and pull at the intellect.
It is interesting to watch a creature like Doctor Who. An entirely differnt universe that doesn't exist, but is real anyway. To its initiates, its founders - Omega, and such - are as real as the line of the American Presidents. And its towering history rivals that of most countries.
Blackend and brilliant. An achievement that stuns with its strangeness and its strength.
This is really cool! But the sontarans plan isnt explained at the end! :( Emmas a great surprise (read the book to find out more! ;)) i liked a change from having a comanion!
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| Box Set Version 2-Itself is a key 2 time |
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| What: | The Key To Time (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Charles G. Dietz, San Jose, CA, United States |
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| Date: | Tuesday 3 March 2009 |
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| Rating: |   9 |
I was expecting my box set version 2 US special edition to be a cover containing the 6 individual dvd covers like the original US Box set, but no it was a booklet covering all of the episodes and the 7 dvds. Much smaller space than the bulky original. Very ecological. I love the extras. Buy it for that if you have the 1st US box set
What a contrast to part one, a rip roaring yarn, good fun and more development of his temporary companion. The reintroduction of the guardians although inspected is done well, with a good balance of humour and the impact of lost power. Some great one liners makes this a great listen.
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| The Rescue... of the DVD schedule! |
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| What: | The Rescue & The Romans (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 24 February 2009 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This story marks the second in brilliant run of DVDs for 2009. Things are looking goos for later too, with The War Games being the one I'm most looking forward to.
But back to the DVD - The first story, "The Rescue" is possibly my favourite Hartnell, and definitely goes in my all-time Dr Who top 10. This is due to a great David Whitaker story plus fab Chris Barry direction. The extras are a good documentary and an interesting photo gallery, 10/10
"The Romans" is a 4-parter that brought comedy to Who. It is full of historical inaccuracies but is good drama and brill comedy. The extras are better - a fascinating documentary, a feature on Dennis Spooner and a also one on the Doctor's 60s female companions, 10/10
Finally, a second Morbius story! A further exploration of the character was a great idea, as all we had before (officially, anyway) was the single story, The Brain of Morbius, which itself dripped with delectable backstory. The Vengeance of Morbius dips into the dark legend a bit, and is a fantastic season-ender, but is ultimately a little too rushed. If good enough material could've been developed for this, a third episode could've been great here, to make this truly epic. Even so, what we've got, even with the rather limited "screen time" the resurrected Morbius actually gets, is quite an event. The Time Lords fear his return so much that they quarantine Gallifrey and are time-scooping any stragglers that could be used by his devotee, Zarodnix, very ably played by Kenneth Colley, for Morbius' resurrection. And the Sisterhood fears the return of Morbius so much that they're ready to vaporize any stragglers they come across. Either way, it's big trouble for the Doctor. In spite of all efforts, Morbius does indeed return, and wreaks vast havoc on the galaxy. As I've mentioned, The Vengeance of Morbius has an epic quality to it, which is ultimately cut short and rushed to its conclusion. As a result, the listener may feel a little cheated, but what we get is so enjoyable that it's still very satisfying. And the cliffhanger ending to the season leaves that tantalizing anticipation of the next story, next season...
| What: | Sisters of the Flame (Eighth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Saturday 21 February 2009 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
It's possible I'm somewhat biased in regard to the Eighth Doctor audios, because I'm a great fan of McGann's Doctor and Smith's Lucie. But I found Sisters of the Flame to be quite enjoyable. Thanks in large part to the two lead actors I believe, as well as the roughly 50-minute lengths and competent script-editing, the Eighth Doctor series episodes generally have a really good flow and are very engaging - able to hold my attention and really draw me into the story. Sisters of the Flame continues that trend. We also get a nice performance from Alexander Siddig (of Deep Space Nine, etc.) as Rosto, who makes the story more interesting than it would've been without him. This is a great story in which to see the Time Lords again and also finally see the Sisterhood once more. It works nicely and makes the listener quite interested in what will happen in the following story, which is part two of this two-parter...
| What: | The Doomwood Curse (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Saturday 21 February 2009 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
Absolute piffle!
What redeems The Doomwood Curse and makes it somewhat listenable are: 1. A few cute jokes here and there, 2. The valiant effort of the cast, 3. The fun and interesting interplay between the Sixth Doctor and Charley, and 4. The enjoyable interviews in the CD extras.
What exists other than those redeeming traits is a totally nonsensical story featuring some annoying aliens and some kind of "fiction enabling virus" they've created (along with its equally absurd antidote), non-stop over-the-top lines of dialogue (which is admittedly a bit fun at times, particularly with "Gypsy Charlotte"), and an 18th Century setting. Mainly, The Doomwood Curse is a supremely ridiculous audio release...
This is by no means the worst missing adventure by a long shot, it's just unengaging. I found reading it to be an effort, not a pleasure.
| What: | The E-Space Trilogy (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 19 February 2009 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
The three story's in this box set are excellent. Full Circle, State of Decay & Warriors Gate are some of the best Dr Who story's ever. They are bold, exciting & very imaginative. An excellent way to (almost) end Tom Baker's time as the Doctor. Lalla Ward's role as Romana also comes to a brave, logical ending.
However, much as I enjoyed the story's, once again brilliant brought back to full glory buy the wonderful people at the Restoration team, I was very disappointed by some of the extras. There are a couple of documentaries on State of Decay that while interesting in themselves have nothing whatsoever to do with Doctor Who. What is the point ?
Anyway with that small quibble apart I would highly reccomened this box set.
| What: | The E-Space Trilogy (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 18 February 2009 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This is a good start to the brilliant schedule of DVDs in '09: The Rescue/The Romans, The Deadly Assassin, The War Games and this is brilliant.
Now, to the actual discs. "Full Circle" is a great example of fan writing, with effective monsters in the Marshmen and a good story that passes quickly and doesn't drag. The extras include a feature on the possibility of E-Space actually existing.
"State of Decay" is a Terrance Dicks masterpiece, coupling vampire mythology with Time Lord continuity. The story is more interesting the Full Circle, although the villain at the end of the piece doesnt look too good. the extras aren't as good as the others, as they are more to do with vampires than Who.
"Warriors' Gate" is the best of the three, addressing issues such as slavery. It is also a sad, but effective departure for Romana and K9. The extras are also brilliant, too; a "making-of" feature being the highlight of the disc
Overall 10/10 for everything!
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| Demontage unpaints a hidden picture |
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| What: | Demontage (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Chris Hodgson, Bradford, UK |
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| Date: | Wednesday 18 February 2009 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Demontage was *the* book in the EDA series that gripped me. I'd read most of the previous stories released by borrowing from a local library when I lived in Essex in the late 1990's.
To review this in too much detail would spoil the plot... and that would be unfair if you've not read this "whodunnit" tale of mystery and intrigue. It's suffice to say that the character development ramps up here considerably and it's this that makes it such a turning point in the EDA series. The space station on which it is set, entices other nefarious characters into play, each trying to lure the Doctor's companions into their own world, for their own means. Even the invulnerable Doctor is almost drawn in... The ending is sparkling, but the intrigue remains right up to it.
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| A great taste of humour.... |
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Ive seen many a person quote that the William Hartnell era of Doctor Who was either boring or not half as visually grand as the later years to come. And i have to disagree on both accounts. William Hartnell brought the Doctor to life with his grumpy yet trustworthy Doctor, and in this part of the role he seems actually the best of all the doctors ever to grace the tv screen. Another rubbish thing ive heard is that The Chase was a utter load of codswallop, but again i must disagree. The Chase definitly has its share of laugh out loud moments, but this is not merely a total gag reel. I think this experiment with the daleks actually works, and there is a whole wealth of great moments in this story, up to the climatic battle between the daleks and the mechanoids in the final episode. This has so many elements all packed into one story, in many respects it is similar to that other great classic, the Keys Of Marinus, well it would be when its scripted by the same writer. And it also ends well on a touching goodbye to Ian and Barbara, always played brilliantly by William Russell and Jacqueline Hill. And the daleks are pretty nasty, and this story does feature my favourite dalek scene, when the dalek rises from the sand! Well done i think for the limited resources available at the time.
Rememberance of the daleks is also a fantastic and fast paced dalek romp. the two factions are nastier than ever and the explosions are some of the best ever to be seen on doctor who. Sylvester Mccoy is a great and underrated Doctor i feel.This story has it all, great scenes of action and yet some good refelective and emotional scenes too. Everything that Doctor Who should be is present in both these stories. Great dalek madness!
| What: | Wooden Heart (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Kristin, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Saturday 7 February 2009 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
I liked it but i thought towards the end it dragged on little
| What: | The Eyeless (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Tim, Australia |
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| Date: | Friday 6 February 2009 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I can't believe how goog this book was. It's far better than any other New Series book I've read so far. The character of the Doctor is amazing, exctly like David Tennant portrays him, with just the right mixture of excitement, despair and conviction. The original characters are diverse, fascinating and play important and enjoyable roles in the story.
The alien race Parkin created, the Eyeless, are remarkable, unique and very interesting antagonists. The plot is very both absorbing and its scope is amazing. This story has all the similar elements and gripping power of a series finale from RTD himself.
I'd give an 11 if the review system let me.
