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this book is amazing and im so buying it, i love dr who so much and this book is just brill
This sequel brings back the wonderful David Warner Doctor, still re-united with the Brigadier in a story about Thals, Daleks, Davros and the manipulative other dimensional Quotch.
Almost two stories in one, one the dark concentration camp world of the Thals under Dalek control, the other the invasion of an enemy to Thal and Dalek, it is certainly packed enough to warrant the extended running time of two CDs.
There is a sly back-reference to an alternative Day of the Daleks, and different Dalek factions - very Syvester McCoy ("the renegades") - but what makes this story special is the Warner Doctor, very similar to the Pertwee one in his ability to improvise at a moments notice, and aware of his own failings when he cannot deprogram a Dalek.
Mention must be made of the perfect foil, the Brigadier, whose ability as a military stategist comes very strongly here (much more so than in some of the TV UNIT stories), and is prepared to make sacrifices of Thals and Daleks and himself if needs be, for the grater good - much to the dismay of the Thals, who are not used to that kind of thinking.
Terry Molloy also does sterling service as two Davros, one the virtual reconstruction of the Daleks, and one the real McCoy in a wonderful homage to the Colin Baker era, returning as the "Great Technician".
This is a rollercoaster that never flags, although the Quotch are more of a comic strip monster at times - and what a silly name - this is a worthy sequel to an excellent starter, but stands alone in its own right as a good Who story.
Could there be more Warner stories? It would be interesting if he could perhaps return to earth once more, and be pared with another Pertwee companion, such as an older (and alternative)Sarah Jane whom he would be meeting for the first time.
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 | Lives up to reputation... |
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| What: | Lungbarrow (New Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Heidi Atwood, Vancouver, WA, USA |
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| Date: | Wednesday 7 January 2009 |
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| Rating: |   9 |
I'd love to have a copy of this to read and re-read, especially since as a fairly new fan, I'm sure a lot of the more esoteric references flew over my head. But I feel this truly is a
| What: | Battlefield (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 30 December 2008 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Almost like a football match, this is a DVD of two halves. The first disc is the familiar as broadcast four parter. Anyone who has seen it will know the problems that spoil what is a good & interesting story. All these problems are dealt with on disc two, which has a 95 minute TV movie version. It has new CGI effects, the music is toned down & it it is re-edited & features previously cut scenes so, as The Curse of Fenric, it is much , much better. Highly recommended.
As an introduction this may seem strange. But as a story, it stands on it's own paws and is great fun. Excellent word play, bringing out a strong personality of summerfield, fun, flawed but honest.
| What: | The Trial of a Time Lord (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 27 December 2008 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
This is a story that really polarises fans. Some hate it with a passion. Others think it's one of the best ever. Either way there is no denying that this DVD box set is wonderfully put together with a wonderful array of extra feature.
The best of these is "Trials & Tribulations" in which the whole of Colin Baker's time as the Doctor is explored. A real value for money set. Highly recommended.
| What: | Renaissance of the Daleks (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 24 December 2008 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Despite the vast scope of the second half, this story is fairly typical of Davison-era Who. We get the TARDIS as #9 bus, picking up three strays in time and one spy and three teentsy Daleks to pack into the console room. The story has our Doctor caught in a conundrum and stumbling upon the solution almost by accident. There were apparently significant changes to the original script for reasons unknown, so that writer Christopher Bidmead felt he should not get full writing credit. Bidmead still provides some of his characteristic touches. These include an "is it real?" plot, huge threats of violence but not much actual violence, and the Doctor's playing a battle of wits against an enemy. There is some fun with deadly toy Daleks. A few problems remain. One has to do with the three time waifs Nyssa picks up. Why these three in particular? When we finally do get them on board, their main purpose is to get the TARDIS into the Dalek city. Other than that, they serve no real plot function at all. Some tighter plotting was needed here to band all the time threads. That Wilton is a spy is telegraphed far too blatantly. Plus, we have the dubious prospect of American actors putting on fake American accents. Still, the tale moves along briskly and follows a natural Who-type story structure.
How I've missed Ace & Hex, they really add something special to the Doctor. Four short interlinking stories, with a good subplot and as ever in the new style, twists and turns and a surprise ending. Great listening.
| What: | The Writer's Tale: (Miscellaneous factual books) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 9 December 2008 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
If you have ever wondered how Dr Who gets written this is the book for you. A wonderful book that really charts how RTD writes for the show. Full of insight. Next time someone moans about RTD, point them towards this book. He REALLY loves the show & his love really shines through. As well as being a talented writer, RTD is also a very talented illustrator. Highly recommended.
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| Expensive, but you don't have to buy it |
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First, remember that this is a great read, but if you don't want to have to spend £50 on it, the e-Book of it is available on the BBC website, for free, the whole thing.
This is part 1 of the 2 most boring books ever written.
Yuck!!!
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| Much better than I remember |
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| What: | The Krotons (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | matt, Aylesbury |
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| Date: | Thursday 4 December 2008 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
I sold my videos years ago because I had no space, so I've not seen the Krotons for many years. However I remember not enjoying this black & white Troughton story and I remember being bored senseless. The problem with b&w stories is that they have to be very special to be enjoyable to watch - The Time Meddler is good; The Gunfighters is dross. However, when I read the Target novelisations I always enjoy the story much better - no rubbish effects, etc. We have the same opportunity with Audio which allows none of the rubbish sets to affect our enjoyment, and we get to listen to the actual dialogue. In the Krotons, it's still not great, but the dialogue is really good in parts and it's nice to hear Pat Troughton once again.. Roll on the DVD (not!)
wow camp cybermen what else could you ask pure entertainment i cant complain love it x
I think Trevor Martin is a class act as the Doctor in this stage play from 1974. He is laid back and forthright and assured and plays the role with so engagingly. But by no means does he carry this play all by himself no. The two companions yet again are sadly just one offs. the funny dialog and scenes along the way make for entertaining light hearted adventure. But this is where Terrance Dicks excels, In just creating a simple and decent story. There is little goobledigook and its all easy to follow. not so many stupid and mind warping twists and turns all along the way. Just plain old fashioned Doctor Who done brilliantly! If only the new series could be more like this...
great but if i could give it 9.9999r% i would because i dont like the lazurus episode that much! great seies though, love freema, 10/10
Its so cool! Like the christmas and the first episodes and like the finalie (probz spelt wrong)! dont like the episode called love and monsters though (the one with peter kay!) and thats what stops this from being a 10/10 dvd series!
The big finish team on the extras say they basically left the scripts for all the stage plays alone when they came for adapting for audio. a good idea indeed. now ive never seen this stage play, would have been 1 at the time. but in my opinion this didnt need any script altering anyway.
what i can say is this is a thoruoghly enjoyable and vintage piece of doctor who. there are so many good elements: daleks and cybermen in alliance, maggie thatcher, jason and crystal, these guys should be back for the normal range of audios. they are so cool and Clare Huckle is brilliantly over the top in areas, as a stage show usually is. She alone added stage show believability to this mix of comedy and action.
another nice idea is the doc talking to aliens in their own languages instead of a tardis translator working! what a cool idea, a great thought from Terrance. This is so enjoyable stage play, except for one annoying thing...its not long enough. and theres not enough of the cybermen for me. but overall a really big knockout...
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| Great to see a lost classic |
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| What: | The Invasion (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | George, Phoenix, AZ USA |
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| Date: | Sunday 23 November 2008 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
I've never seen this story before, so it was a true joy to watch. I wish the animation could have been a bit more realistic, but the overall effect is good. I hope other lost stories can be reconstructed as well.
| What: | Frostfire (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 21 November 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
1: This is the final and great return of Maureen Obrien to the role of Vicki. Maureen reads this story very well indeed, really bringing out the right emotions in the right moments, really taking you into the story.
2: The story itself is a creepy and delightful tale from Marc Platt. What is it about this guy, hes the robert holmes of modern who. This tale is creepy and has a lot going for it. A promising start to the companion chronicles.
3: there is a frost fare. theres an egg. theres jane austen. theres a street urchin boy. theres a burning pheonix. theres the brilliant first doctor back for a story...what could possibly make tis great story any better?
4: and the sound design is very first doctor too, the big finish team got it so right. this could have easily slotted into any season of william's era.
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| Brotherhood of Brilliance |
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| What: | Brotherhood of the Daleks (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 21 November 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The big finish team never seem to run out of steam. whereas the new series dalek stories have all been rather bland and stilted, here is a fresh and cool new adventure. But id expect nothing less from Alan Barnes.
So the tardis arrives on spiridon apparently. The sound effects are just so right and sound no different from the brilliant Planet Of The Daleks. This is such a cool idea, revisiting spiridon in the future.
What is also great about this story too is the twists and turns. The episode endings are some of the best ive heard on a big finish production. this story is second only to Kingdom of Silver for overall storytelling. This is a very memorable tale.
Colin Baker leads the show brilliantly as usual but India makes thoisis story i think. And she was right about the reveal all scene, the final take was far better and realistic. Far more emotional and involved. Good thinking to do it again India, directors dont always know it all after all.
There are some classy moments elsewhere too, like the daleks being affected by the kyropites too and going doolally. that is class! and the final scene is excellent and finishes the play off so very well. This comes highly recommended from me.
