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 | History at its very best... |
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| What: | The Fires of Vulcan (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: |  10 |
Bonnie Langford makes her return to Mel Bush and doesnt scream, thank goodness. She was another undervalued companion wasnt she? She has a great meory and brain like a computer and just never got to really use it on screen. But she is back now and better than ever when teamed mostly in this great story with Gemma Bissix as Aglae, a roman prostitute! Man, but you really like the girl. Steve Lyons is a great Doctor Who writer. Ive liked every story ive read or heard of his. And he seems to like his history. And The Fires Of Vulcan is a fantastic story. Hate the new series when its supposedly an alien invasion that sets of the volcano, boy what a load of rubbish. Some moments in history surely can be attributed to natural causes cant they for goodness sake?!! I hate discontinuity. It eats me up. Probably wont liek the series four episode at all either, but i may be wrong. Have to wait and see. Just seems the bbc pay no heed at all to big finish recordings at all. Cant they at least try?
| What: | The Apocalypse Element (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This would have made for a far better movie than the Paul Mcgann one i can tell you. This story has an epic feel to it, almost filmic quality. I can imagine this being played in the cinema, a great soundtrack with great music. The daleks are back and more scheming and evil than ever before. Nasty dialogue...i found the eye scene completely gross and unnerving, despite it still only being audio, visualising some things can be yuck! Colin Baker leads a grand cast with Lalla Ward returning greatly as Romana. This is brilliantly directed by Nick Briggs!
| What: | Winter for the Adept (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Nyssa gets to dominate the script for once, with the Doctor hardly even in the first episode. Sarah Sutton always was good as Nyssa and here she reallyn shines in a story that is nearly all hers. She even helps to stop the Spillagers from coming through into our space in the end. This is a real comapanion piece and thanks to big finish for that! Nyssa gets a lot to do throughout and that is great. Its great to hear Sarah cutting her teeth as Nyssa for a change. She used to just be left as a spare part in the TARDIS in most of her tv appearances. This is a real pleasurable break from the norm for her. She is really a cool companion and we can all see that here in this wonderfully spooky tale. This story works on all fronts though. Decent aliens and decent plot, decent India Fisher before she came to be the great Charlotte Pollard too. But this story won me over the most for Sarah Sutton, as if you couldnt guess from my review!!
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| Slow but sure at the end... |
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| What: | The Spectre of Lanyon Moor (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: |  8 |
Episode one is very very slow isnt it? And there is a little continuity snag, as the sixth doctor is told abotu the brigs wife yet in Battlefield the seventh doesnt know her, maybe he's forgottern, so i wont hold that against Nick Pegg!
But apart from that this story is a return to classic and totally not outdated who. A great monster. Nick Courtney churning out another first class stab as the Brigadier. A warlock and cellars and goblins and underground passages. What more could one ask for. And the good Brig gets to save the day too for once! This is overall a great return to the days of old. Tea and biscuits time in front of a walkman instead of the tv, but it still feels just as good!
| What: | Red Dawn (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The ice warriors, in the annals of doctor who history, are one of the most interesting races. You never know wether they are gonna be good as gold or a black hearted as hell. They have a civilisation, not just a cry of exterminate or you will be like us. The ice warriors are a noble race, one of the best alien sects created for doctor who, and they lookm fantastic too on screen and just sound cool on audio as well. The ice warriors are also one of the only monsters to have ever scared me as a child. The seeds of death freaked me out when i first saw it, and its still a brilliant yarn now, and the Monster Of Peladon is one of the best stories ive ever seen or heard. And Red Dawn continues the tradition and development of this truly great race of green reptiles. Here they are noble and peaceful, but attack only in defence of their honour. Its all human evil in this one again. The worst evil out there too of course. Georgia Moffett is great int his story. Peter Davison is also great as usual. Rob Jezek as Lee Forbes is cool, but not a patch on Frobisher, but he still never lets the story down in any of the adventures he's in. This is a great tale of honour and glory Peri gets a bit more to do for once too. Great stuff!
| What: | The Genocide Machine (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The return of the daleks.
Nasty as ever.
Sylv and Sophie are on fine form.
The emporer dalek has a brilliantly horrible voice..
Bev tarrant is a great invention.
Living rain is a cool and fresh idea again.
Will the big finish tem forever be brilliantr at finding great writers to write actually decent stories for the daleks?!
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| A Hartnell tale for Colin Baker |
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| What: | The Marian Conspiracy (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This really does feel like a William Hartnell tale. A true historical with hints of the past. You can tell Jac Rayner loves the historical stories cant you? Here in this great tale we see two things. firstly, the intro of Maggie Stables as the great Evelyn Smythe, the big finish teams second best companion, she sounds like shes been in the part for years on this tale doesnt she? then secondly theres the historical's return !Yippee! I love historical who stories! We go back to the reign of Queen Mary in this one, maybe not the most likeable queen ever, but despite this Jac somehow makes you feel sorry for her. Her phantom pregnancies and fears of plots are all elements that are portrayed very well and realiswtically here. Makes you feel you really have gone back in time and are there! Colin Baker of course needs no mention, he's as brilliant as ever. Nearly gets married in this one, that was a laugh!
| What: | The Fearmonger (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Sylvester Mccoy and Sophie Aldred always were a winning team on screen, and in their debut big finish tale they continue to impress and endear me!
The Fearmonger in fact is the only story ive ever liked written by Jon Blum. The eighth doctor book range, dont even get me started. But this is a great and gripping tale from beginning to end.
I love stories that leave you wondering how it all started, some people would say its not a whole story without an intro as to how and why the doc first got involved, but its not always essential to the story. And here is a case where it isnt again. Just dive on in deep in the realm of dissemodied fuzzy aliens that feed on emotion with frying pans and neo nazis and all that. Put these elements together with a strong cast and strong script and you get a cracker of a story. This is an intriguing and thorougly modern tale, this could have suited the new tv series. Jon Blum's only brilliant success at Doctor Who writing. This is a story that shines.
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| Not one of the best stories... |
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| What: | The Land of the Dead (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
But not the worst either by a long chalk. When I first bought this story i thought it was complete garbage. But ive listened to it a few times since and have grown to like to slightly more now. There are some very good ideas floating about. But this is one story that does suffer from being just too long. The new 25 minute format of recent adventures would have suited this tale. But its not all bad, by no means. Peter Davison for a start gives a solid and entertaining performance as the Doc. And Nyssa is and always was a favourite of mine, wonderfully played by Sarah Sutton. Just a pity that the monsters are good too but lamley written on the whole, the first episode still to me is utter tedium. The story picks up pace as it gets going though, and Monica is another great invention. Shes so real. But the most of this tale is sadly a little bit of a let down.
| What: | Whispers of Terror (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
There are few stories that actually benefit from just being audio stories. Dont think this story would work so well as a screen adventure, but on audio its brilliant. This story does have a plausible feel to it. Its along the lines of a horror movie idea in my book. Man always seeks new ways to extend his life. And here we have a sound creature! Wow, fresh new idea. And a great new start to the big finish adventures! The big finish range has overall been incredible in quality. Loads of good story ideas, and many fantastic ones. There have been very few audios i havent liked. There have been none ive thought of as a complete waste of time at all.
Colin Baker leads a great cast, along with a great new role for Lisa Bowerman, the ever brilliant Benny Summerfield. No better actress to play her. Here she is nasty for a change. A real piece of nasty at that. Great plot twists and turns along the way too. Nicola bryant doesnt scream her head off either, which is great! Another awesome and highly original tale. Great to see Peter Miles in a Good guy role too at last!
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| A great historical feel with scifi twist |
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| What: | Phantasmagoria (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Mark Gatiss is one of the few writers of the new tv series who dont seem to tread over old ground in any of his scripts. he seems keen to create new stories with fresh ideas, not run of the mill garbage like some people seem in fact to love to write. But Mark is gladly not one of those writers. And that is the same for his audio plays too. Why has he only done two eh? Come on Mark, do us another soon!
Phantasmagoria has a first doctor story feel to it, one where he would not have been out of place in the slightest. Mark has brilliantly brought us a pseudo historical with bite! Phantasmagoria has it all, blood and guts, well liver and guts any rate, nasty playing cards, disguised aliens and a scary little casino. These elements all come together and work so well in this story. not an all out horror tale but with plenty of thought provoking eurghh moments! Sir Nikolas Valentine is a dark creation, a nasty villian well written and realised. A good hammer horror git he seems to me i can tell you. Mark Strickson actually getting a half decent part of the action is flaming brilliant too, he was the best wasted oppurtunity in the companion department. the brilliant guardian trilogy and then nothing really. And itd be cool to see a few more tales with him too. He is a great actor and works well alongside Peter Davison. A very worthwhile tale, only a little to short...
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| Brilliant new chapter begins... |
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| What: | The Condemned (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I was very sad when i thought India had had her last stab at Charlie in the Girl Who Never Was, but there was no need to be. Teaming a future companion with a different doctor is a great idea and in this play by Eddie Robson. it really works!
This story starts with a great scene of the Sixth Doctor's rescue of poor Charlie from the year 500002 on a deserted earth. I love continuity. And they already sound as good together as India did with Paul McGann for so long. In fact, it sounds like theyve known each other for ages! Colin really gets into his role as the good Doc in every story and Charlie gives a new beautiful boost to her role as Charlie.
I can see why she is confused at having the "wrong" doctor!
The story is fresh and actually seems far more real in pace and setting than a lot of other audio adventures. This really does build suspense and keeps you guessing from the word go. I love the actors involved with this one. William Ash for a start gives a great performance as Sam, making him likeable despite the fact that he has killed someone. But he's paid for it. And Anna Hope is totally cool as the ice cool DI Menzies. The best should have been a companion for a long time. Great invention and great acting! This big finish scene is still nowhere near stagnant. Eddie Robson is a great writer too. He seems to me to write small stories with big aftermaths. Something different in tone and velocity that still is not stilted or boring. In a few more words...get this story, its brilliant...
| What: | Peacemaker (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | antony, england |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Mmm! I'll have to admit, not a bad idea. But, as usual, they messed it up with a couple of things.
1: that Bad Wolf moment was WAY too late. Rose has been and bloody gone.
2: Certain bits just won't get to the point.
C! No, 3: Alien tech being used for medical purposes, not the most original idea.
But a good book, apart from those things!
| What: | The Condemned (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Tuesday 11 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
"Think about telling us what you know, okay?"
"But I don't ...know anything! I don't know anything. And where's the Doctor when I need him? [sigh] He's not even the *right* Doctor..."
The Condemned is rather interesting right from the start, as it is sort of an 'encore' for Charley. After leaving the Eighth Doctor, she ends up getting picked up by the Sixth, and doesn't tell him that she has already been traveling with a future incarnation of his. The TARDIS gets drawn off course, and they materialize inside a flat where they find the dead body of a man who is actually an alien who has been "bioformed" to look human. Beside him is an open briefcase. Who was he, who killed him (when it turns out he would already soon be dying of a terminal illness), what was in the briefcase, and who is this Sam who is imprisoned in the basement and somehow able to phone in on phone lines that are out of order?
The Condemned is a dark, suspenseful little story that keeps the listener entertained while feeding the answers bit by bit. Not the most spectacular story, but well worth the listen.
| What: | Only Human (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | grant williams, why should i tell you |
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| Date: | Tuesday 11 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
grate book i liked it. if i were you i would read it .
| What: | The Five Doctors (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 11 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Bliss !
it's good but sceary at some points. good characters. funny,griping. rocconend reading good book 9 out 0f 10. sorry about spelling
| What: | The Stone Rose (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Aaron, Canada |
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| Date: | Friday 7 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 3 |
I just can't stand this authors work. However this is her best so far. She chose a interesting location, has the Doctor's mannerisms down well. Unfortunately she lets it drop by a dull supporting cast, boring villain and contrived situations.
| What: | Psi-ence Fiction (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 6 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
An intresting tale with the 4th doctor & lela. Builds up nicely but then rushes towards the end.
| What: | Other Lives (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Monday 3 March 2008 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
The story is an attempt at something like Charles Dickens writes Doctor Who. We get a Dickensian sort of convoluted plot involving confused identities, class warfare, a rich guy with a heart, and a surprise happy ending. Other Lives allows India Fisher and Conrad Westmass to put on their outrageous accents (they're French don't you know?)which provided me with several of the many unintended moments of mirth from this story. The story moves along in its merry way, but does not involve the listener emotionally. And, of course, we get more psycho C'rizz coming out, further "development" of yet another Gary Russell masterplot. In the end, I would rate this story as mostly harmless.
