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 | Let This Be One Of The Novels You Read |
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This is Human Nature: The basis for the revived TV’s series two part story Human Nature / The Family of Blood. Written by Paul Cornell and published back in May 1995, this novel has earned a reputation as one of the best Doctor Who novels ever. Having read quite a few of them I’m willing to go one step further: Human Nature is the best Doctor Who novel ever written.
Human Nature is (to paraphrase a famous quote from the series) far more then just another Doctor Who story. It is a strong story about love, war, and what makes us human. One of the reasons for this is because it’s a novel full of real characters, not just one or two dimensional cut outs. This is especially true of the malevolent seventh Doctor, who becomes a human being and leaves his companion Professor Summerfield having to save him.
While the novel features a fair amount of action and typical science fiction material, the story has a love story running through it. That is the love between the humanized seventh Doctor (Dr. John Smith) and Joan Redfern that while it might initially seem out of place, Cornell makes it fit. Cornell creates a realistic relationship between the two and whenever they’re together the pages really do light up. In fact, Smith and Joan are the literal heart and soul of Human Nature. It is there relationship, and its climax that really make this novel standout.
The novel’s only real flaw is it’s villains who are a bit of a joke for the most part. The Aubertide shape shifters are clumsy to say the least and very rarely (if at all) to they have menace. That said they have a great moment in chapter six, but for the most part Cornell drops the ball in terms of the villains and in turn creates the novel’s only real problem.
Don’t let that flaw deter you though. This novel is what science fiction is at its best: a morality tale in a very different dressing. To put it another way: If you read only one Doctor Who novel let this be the one you read.
After viewing Season 24 of the original series, I never thought I would have to cringe at another Sylvester McCoy Doctor Who story ever again. And then I listened to Bang-Bang-A-Boom! Needless to say I discovered how wrong I could be in what could be the worst story Big Finish has yet released.
Bang-Bang-A-Boom! is set between Paradise Towers and Delta and the Bannerman, which are both from season 24 and the latter considered by many to be the McCoy era’s worst story incidentally. And this story feels like it belongs next to it. Why? Because this story was deliberately meant to be a parody in its tone and nature and that is exactly what it is: a parody and a bad one at that. It takes the clichés from every TV series ever set on a space station, combines that with every murder mystery cliché and the result is this story. The story's problem: it doesn't take itself seriously so nobody takes it seriously. Which is a shame...a crying shame.
To be fair Yes it has (some) funny moments with McCoy mixing up metaphors. It isn't the actors fault that their given a script this bad to work with. That said, outside of McCoy and Bonnie Langford, none of the cast members seem to really care just how bad this really is or how bad they sound doing it.
Bang-Bang-A-Boom! is a story that is clichéd and cringe-worthy all the way through. It doesn't take itself seriously either as a Doctor Who story or as a parody of... well space station shows or murder mysteries or anything in-between. Recommended for those seeking to complete their collections only.
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| Perhaps The Worst Story Ever |
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| What: | Slipback (Miscellaneous audio dramas) |
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| By: | Matthew Kresal, United States |
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| Date: | Tuesday 2 September 2008 |
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| Rating: |   1 |
In 1985/1986, Doctor Who found itself on hiatus. In an attempt to give fans something during this, this radio story (the first Doctor Who story made especially for radio) was made. It plays like some of the worst stories of the Colin Baker era. This isn’t Baker’s or Nicola Bryant’s fault though as much as it’s the fault of the writing and other actors. In short, Slipback is amongst the worst Doctor Who stories ever made.
Baker and Bryant though aren’t at fault. Hey manage to play Eric Saward’s script as well as they can. In fact they make the story worth listening to just to hear their chemistry together. Baker in particular seems to be a little more human and less arrogant then his TV performances in the role. Bryant plays the only really sane character in the story, which gives her a chance to shine. They do their best with the story.
The rest of the cast is a let down. Valentine Dyall in his final performance as Captain Slarn, is a real let down with some odd line delivery and a poor performance all around. Jane Carr seems to have fun in the dual role of the ship's computer with two personalities. While the hidden personality is fine to listen to, the public voice of the computer is very annoying and while meant to be humorous, it isn’t in the very least. The other characters are just there for the laughs and are really dumb…and that’s being nice.
The main problem with the story is the writing. Eric Saward, the show’s script editor and some time writer, had done some good stories in his time (Earthshock, Revelation Of The Daleks) and this is not one of them. In fact, this may be his worst piece of work on the series. The main story is perhaps the most improbable collection of characters and circumstances ever to be put together in a single Doctor Who story. The characters are bland and played for laughs to the point of annoyance. In particular the whole section featuring Dyall’s Captain Slarn could have been left out without making a single difference to the story considering he does absolutely nothing in the story! Sawrd seems to have forgotten what makes Doctor Who work and instead creates, or rather tires to create, a poor man’s version of Douglas Adams’ classic Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. And, as I said, it’s a poor man’s version.
Is Slipback worth listening to? It depends on how much of a fan you are. If you’re ea casual fan, avoid this and listen to one of the Baker Big Finish stores or one of the other BBC audio stories. If you’re a die-hard fan of the series then yes. But keep this in mind: listening t this is a really bad way to die. Slipback is perhaps the worst Doctor Who story ever and I do not recommend it.
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| How The McCoy Era Should have Ended... |
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Ah Death Comes To Time…The BBC’s first serious attempt at bringing Doctor Who back after the 1996 TV movie. First aired as a webcast in 2001 and 2002 before being released first on audio CD and then on MP3. Since then it has seemingly divided fans that have seen / heard it into two groups: those who love it and those who hate it. I fall into the former category and here’s why: because Death Comes To Time does two very important things. First it sets out to be something different and more importantly it offers a more satisfying end to Sylvester McCoy’s seventh Doctor.
Death Comes To Time features one of Sylvester McCoy’s best performances as the seventh Doctor. Long known to fans as both a master clown and as a dark manipulator during his TV era, McCoy finds the right balance between the two here. There are moments where McCoy’s comical side shines brightly (especially in his scenes with Antimony) without it being either forced or intrusive. Yet that is just the tip of what makes McCoy’s performance so good. The Doctor of this story isa tragic figure: a tired old man who is watching everything he has spent his life fighting for being brought to the edge of destruction. McCoy conveys this tragic sense well and no more so then in the final moments of the story. The result is a much finer exit, both writing and acting wise, for McCoy’s Doctor then was provided in the TV movie.
On top of McCoy’s performance there is one of the best casts ever assembled for a Doctor Who story. Sophie Aldred returns as the seventh Doctor’s companion Ace and like McCoy gives one of her best performances as older, wiser Ace training for a new destiny. John Sessions (who incidentally auditioned for the role of the eighth Doctor) plays Tannis, the villainous Supreme Commander who is not only bent on universal domination but is far more then just another megalomaniac. Stephen Fry gives an apt performance as the Minister of Chance, as does Leonard Fenton as Ace’s rather poetic Time Lord mentor Casmus. Then there’s the Doctor’s newest companion: the naively happy fisted Antimony played with great humor (and even sympathy before the story is over with) by Kevin Eldon. Then there are also strong performances from Britta Gartner, Robert Rietti, Charlotte Palmer and Peggy Batchelor. Add on cameos from Antony Stewart Head, Jacqueline Pearce and even Nicholas Courtney as the Brigadier and the result is one of the strongest cats ever assembled for any one Doctor Who story.
Death Comes To Time seems to have received a lot of flack from some fans for doing something different then being just another Doctor Who story. To begin with this is a story with an epic feeling. Many have called this epic feeling more akin to Star Wars, but in the past we’ve seen Doctor Who successfully emulate things like the James Bond Films in stories like the Enemy of the World and the Ambassadors of Death and this story proves Doctor Who can do epic stories just as well. For a story like this it needs to be. It travels from Santiny to Micen Island to the Canisian Empire to Earth in a story that crosses space and time in a epic fashion not previously seen in the series.
That brings us to the most controversial aspect of this story: where (or rather if) it fits into and mucks about with the established continuity of the series. First and foremost is the fact it gives the Time Lords seemingly god-like powers over Time. Now to be fair this isn’t the first time we’ve seen them with such powers because we need see them briefly with such powers in Patrick Troughton’s last story The War Games. This is also not the first time the series has tried to rewrite its own continuity either (the Daleks for example had their back-story rewritten several times during the run of the original series especially in Genesis Of The Daleks) . In fact many elements of this story have similar aspects in the series. For example the background of the Fraction regarding the events on Micen Island bares quite a resemblance to the Minyans in Underworld. In fact Ace’s training and the Doctor having god-like powers were both aspects that would have been explored had the series not been canceled after the airing of Survival in 1989. In fact the Doctor’s new abilities bring a new aspect to a character we think we know.
Now for the ultimate question: is Death Comes To Time cannon? I approach that question from the angle of also being a Sherlock Holmes fan. The novel the Seven Percent Solution by Nicholas Meyer is a terrific Sherlock Holmes pastiche that mucks about quite heavily with the cannon of that character (sound familiar?) but that makes it no less enjoyable. Does a story really have to be cannon to be enjoyed? In the final analysis, I believe that that Death Comes To Time can be enjoyed whether or not it fits easily (or at all) into the continuity of the series.
Cannon or not, there can be no doubt that there is something truly special about of Death Comes To Time. From strong performances to a galaxy spanning story, here is a story that takes much that we know about our favorite series and gives us something new and different. It proves to be both something different from other stories of the series and a more satisfying conclusion to the Seventh Doctor’s era. For fans of McCoy’s Doctor looking for something different from their favorite show, Death Comes To Time is recommended. This is how the seventh Doctor era should have ended and it is a shame it didn’t.
Lungbarrow: The last of Virgin’s New Adventures to feature the seventh Doctor that is perhaps the rarest Doctor Who novel ever and deservedly so! Lungbarrow is an epic conclusion not only to the New Adventures of the 90's but to the seventh Doctor era in general. It is an epic journey into the question at the heart of the series: just who is the Doctor?
Like Marc Platt's TV story Ghost Light which was an alien invasion story wrapped up in a ghost story, Lungbarrow is a "who is the Doctor really?" wrapped up in a murder mystery / conspiracy thriller. In fact Ghost Light evolved from what would have been the TV version of this story which is interesting to note because of some of the similarities between the two. Both stories find a central character (Ace in Ghost Light, the Doctor here) to a house that hides of the darker aspects of their past. Here though the Doctor is accused of not only causing the house of Lungbarrow to fall into chaos but accused of killing its leader as well in his first incarnation (the Hartnell one). While it is a murder mystery with the Doctor and his companion Chris seeking to prove the Doctor’s innocence, there is also a conspiracy story unfolding on Gallifrey with Romama, Leela, and Ace as the Celestial Intervention Agency puts some plans into motion of their own which also include the Doctor’s past. Yet while all this is going on there is a running question throughout: who is Doctor and where did he really come from? By the end of the novel there are plenty of answers and a few more questions raised as well. It’s a complex story that means that unless you have a very good knowledge of the series (or a good reference work like Lance Pakrin’s Ahistory near by) you may get a little lost But don’t let that deter you.
Platt seamlessly, and epically, brings together elements from the entire history of the series up to that point. There are appearances or references to companions from throughout the New Adventures run plus plenty of references to the books and TV stories as well. Here we finally get to see the background of the first Doctor’s “granddaughter” Susan and discover how she fits into the entire equation of the series as well. Platt is dead on in his characterization of each of the TV characters which helps to make Lungbarrow one of the truest to screen Doctor Who novels of all time.
One of the true highlights of Lungbarrow is Platt also gives some much needed back story to the Time Lords, their home world Gallifrey and to the Doctor himself. Platt takes back to the founding of Time Lord society to reveal few surprises. We get to see the much fabled “dark times” of Gallifrey’s past and finally meet the mysterious co-founder of Time Lord society known simply as the Other. The Other in fact has a strong connection to the Doctor’s past which is only revealed as the novel is coming to its climax in one of the best pieces of Doctor Who writing ever. Plus Lungbarrow makes a nice intro for the 1996 TV movie as well making this the last true story for the seventh Doctor. While it is loaded with enough connately references to make any new fan scratch their heads this is novel that any serious Doctor Who fan should enjoy
It is the broad range of things brought together that makes Lungbarrow is the true epic that it is. It is the culmination of the (nearly) first thirty-fve years of the series in all its forms. With its answers to some of the show’s fundamental questions, to the reappearance of old characters, to the “dark times”, the revealing of the Other and the lead in into the TV movie Lungbarrow covers a lot of ground and covers it brilliantly. Lungbarrow is an epic story that only a handful of other Doctor Who stories can come close to matching its scope, characters, and (for lack of a better word) brilliantness.
Sadly it is (and almost certainly will remain) out of print, a hard copy of this will cost you a chunk of money. Is it worth that chunk of your money? Well worth the price of buying it in my opinion because if you love the series then this is a must-have.
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| An Amazing Look At The UNIT Stories |
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The assassination of JFK remains one of the greatest unsolved murders of all time. Doctor Who is the longest running science fiction series of all time and arguably the most popular. They seem like two separate things that couldn't possibly be connected. But to believe that is to be proved wrong. For author David Bishop has brought the assassination of JFK and the Doctor Who UNIT stories together to present: Who Killed Kennedy.
What separates Who Killed Kennedy from the other Doctor Who novels is the fact that the Doctor is not the main character. In fact the Doctor barely features at all. Instead the novel features on fictional reporter James Stevens who serves as the narrator. Stevens is a believable character who starts out as an innocent reporter investigating the appearance of a strange man at a country hospital (Spearhead From Space) and soon finds himself crossing the path of the mysterious group called UNIT.
The story itself has very little to do with the JFK assassination. Instead the majority of the novel is spent covering the several years Stevens spending investigating UNIT. Little details from the UNIT stories pop up here and there including the cover stories given to hide each alien invasion. But the tension of the book comes from how much Stevens knows...or thinks he knows. There is a mysterious man helping him who seems to know all about UNIT and what it's really up to. In the end it all leads to the Doctor, his arch-enemy the Master, a brainwashed UNIT private, and to a tragic day in Dallas.
But what makes Who Killed Kennedy interesting is how it seeks to bring authenticity to the Doctor Who universe. While the UNIT stories were always grounded in some sort of reality, the novel brings focus to that by making the book feel not like a novel but like a conspiracy theorists book. It is also a novel full of personal details and ideas that give it an air of authenticity that helps to bring some much needed reality to the story. Even in the finale set in Dealy Plaza, Bishop brings details of the assassination to life in new and exciting ways.
But the novel isn't perfect. It does have issues with the UNIT time line which as always been controversial. It does very little to back up its dating scheme though and this hurts when trying to make it fit into the series. Also while Bishop seems to have a good grasp of his own creations, he does have problems with bring familiar UNIT characters to life. I also have issues with Stevens' relationship with Dodo. It didn't seem to work well in my opinion and seemed like an unnecessary add on and its resolution isn't very well handled.
Yet despite these faults, Who Killed Kennedy makes for an interesting Doctor Who based read. More spin-off then anything, this novel brings an outsider into the UNIT stores and shows it from the point of view of an ordinary person. That and an interesting answer to the crime of the century make this a must-read for Doctor Who fans. It’s a shame this book is now out of print and hard to find for it is an amazing look into the Doctor Who universe.
It's a weakish story on a strongish disc. Good commentary and some imaginative extras (given the options) which are well-presented. Enjoyable commentary and excellent information text.
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| The Boy is ................... |
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| What: | The Boy That Time Forgot (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 27 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Hard to review this without giving away the big reveal. However this is a very exciting,interesting & well written story.
| What: | The War Machines (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 27 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Here at last,for the first time since 1966 the fully restored version of The War Machines. How wonderful it is to see this pristine cleaned up 1st Doctor classic. Set in groovy, swinging 60's London, The Doctor battles against the WOTAN computer & its monstrous War Machines while on the way getting two new companions,Ben & Polly while Dodo (Thankfully) decides to stay in London.Some great extras from Blue Peter while Tony Benn explains the history of the Tower. Essential purchase.
This is book is just great! Simple as that.
It acts a bit like a murder mystery as you find yourself always guessing 'who 'dun it'. but instead of thinking who killed Mr.Johson with the lead piping you are thinking who is the Zygon.
The Zygons themselves are portrayed excellently by Stephen Cole and I always felt a chill in the Zygon's presence.
A great read! Who to bring back next? Sutekh, by any chance...
| What: | Survival (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 26 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Survival is a good ending for classic Doctor Who, with a great storyline and a satisfying conclusion. My one problem with the story is the poor incidental music, but other than that the story ranks highly among Sylvester McCoy's.
Story: 4/5
DVD: 5/5
Overall: 4/5
| What: | The War Machines (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 26 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This is a Doctor Who classic, and one that I am glad to see released. William Hartnell is as good as ever, despite his looming departure only weeks away, and Jackie Lane is also good as Dodo Chaplet, although her departure leaves a lot to be desired.
Anneke Wills and Michael Craze make their debuts as Polly and Ben, although as I have never particularly liked either character I shall say no more on that subject.
The DVD extras are sparse but good. The 'WOTAN Assembly' featurette is the best, exploring how this story was recovered.
| What: | Revenge of the Judoon (Quick Reads books) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 26 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
An entertaining, light, fun read that, as ever, is well written by Terrance Dicks.
| What: | The Quantum Archangel (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 26 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
This book is heavily referential to the past that definitely would not recommended it to anyone who does not have an encyclopedic knowledge of Doctor Who, i.e. a sad git like me. Having said that, this is an OK story with some good bits in it.
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| one of the best doctor who books ever! |
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brilliant! The main plot is brilliant, the character of cap jack is (i think) explored really well and with the surprising twists and turns i cant give it below a 9. All doctor who fans must read!
| What: | Dead London (Eighth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Saturday 16 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Firstly, bravo for the new/old theme music for these new Eighth Doctor stories. Very cool - a great improvement.
Dead London is a case of a story with a very absurd ending revelation about what's been going on - specifically, where it turns out the entire story has taken place - but the script and the way it is played out is so brilliant that it ends up being a very fun episode anyway. Clare Buckfield's Spring-Heeled Sophie in particular is great fun to listen to, as are Paul and Sheridan. I really can't say much more about it. A fun listen - some light entertainment.
| What: | Dragon's Claw (Panini graphic novels) |
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| By: | Gazza, Wales |
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| Date: | Friday 15 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Dragon's Claw starts off very well. Almost immediately you remember the character of Sharon and fall in love with her again.
The storie's qulity fallswhen she leaves as if the Doctor is almost alone, with only K9 for company. When K9 disapears from the pages the stories seem to become repetetive.
The Doctor arrives. Meets a temporary companion. Problem soon solved. Also the fact that the the stories are shorter makes them a little worse. The Doctor is need of a permanent companion in the comics for The Tides of Time to improve the current quality. Hopefully Peter Davison will help....
STORIES
DRAGON'S CLAW-8
THE COLLECTOR-8
DREAMERS OF DEATH-9
THE LIFE BRINGER-8
WAR OF THE WORDS-6
SPIDER-GOD-4
THE DEAL-5
END OF THE LINE-7
THE FREE-FALL WARRIORS- 8
JUNK-YARD DEMON-7
THE NEUTRON KNIGHTS-6
full of action
Exterminerin! What an excellent cd! Nick's narration works well with a haunting voice matching the evil daleks. i like the "fragments" of Dalek transmissions a lot. The Emperor is awesome on audio.
| What: | The Clockwise Man (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Beth, Madison, Ohio |
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| Date: | Tuesday 12 August 2008 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This was a great adventure :D
