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 | A Great Metaphor, but a Poor Story |
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| What: | Time Works (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Saturday 24 March 2007 |
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| Rating: |   6 |
"Our lives were not always like this, Miss Pollard. The records show that things were different once."
"Then what went wrong?"
"Nothing went wrong. This is the latest step in our progress. We have built our civilization, written our books and fought our wars. Our buzzword now must be 'efficiency.'"
The metaphor here is worthy of its place in the spotlight. The planet's name is Industry, and this is the figurative truth for us as well. Indeed, the ruler of this present age is the Accountant. All hail the bottom line! Efficiency is of utmost importance, and there is no longer any room to keep doing things the way people prefer, if it doesn't increase profits. We must keep busy at all times; our kids must be involved in three different sports and finish homework in six subjects before bedtime every night. And this is all for our own good, for our great goal is Completion! Ruling over us all is The Future. Time, as personified by the Clockwork Men of the story, will continually and secretly brainwash us as they sneak around between the tick and the tock, infiltrating our minds and programming us. For the truth is that Completion is something we cannot reach. It is a flawed concept, because we are already there.
Maybe it's just that I could see early on that Time Works is one huge metaphor, but I found that the metaphor was basically all I could really see here. The story seems to be simply the method of delivery. As such, it seemed to be as mechanical and sterile as the clockwork men, marking time just to fulfill its higher purpose. It felt tiresome; the drama and performances seemed uninspired. Nevertheless, as I say, the metaphor is worth paying attention to.
| What: | Daleks: (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Mr. Lamorak Korving, St. Albans, Herts.,AL1 1UX |
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| Date: | Thursday 22 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I normslly hate Daleks since there is no real
science behind them, unlike the Cybermen. That
said,I thought David Whitaker's Dalek stories
were excellent, particularly The Evil of the
Daleks, which introduced my favourite female
companion, Victoria Maud Waterfield.
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| Welcome back Colin and Nicola |
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| What: | Whispers of Terror (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Chris Harwood, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Wednesday 21 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
This story was the first i had listened to, and am glad to say that it was everything i hoped it would be. Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant jumped straigh back into the roles easily, and the chemistry between them was there all the way through. Colin shows us what we mnissed out on in the 80s, if only he had been give a chance.
The plot is a little hard to follow in a few places but the rest of the story makes up for it. The suport cast is good, but none were outstanding. But the mojor thing about this story is how clastrophobic i felt while i listened to it. I really felt i was in a sound proof studio, cut off from the rest of the world.
if you were a fan of the 6th doctor listning to this will renew your faith in Colin Baker. If you didn't, give this one a listen.
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| Underrated Satirical Brilliance |
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| What: | Bang-Bang-a-Boom! (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Wednesday 21 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Bang-Bang-a-Boom! has got to be the most laugh-out-loud funny Doctor Who story I've ever heard or seen! Certainly the funniest audio since The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. And yes, I would even say this one tops The One Doctor, though it is true that The One Doctor has more consistency. The only real shortcoming of this story, such as it is, is that the second episode vascillates rather noticeably at times between being humorous and being rather serious.
Among the characters in this production are Jane Goddard's mouse-like Geri, who sounds very much like Alpha Centauri from The Curse of Peladon (while managing to be funny rather than irritating), and Patricia Quinn's Queen Angvia, who managed to be consistently hilarious. In her first scene, I thought, "Oh, no - not another hideous Russian accent," but she is genuinely, outrageously funny throughout. Then we have Sabina Franklyn's Dr. Eleanor Harcourt, who is sort of a female version of a cross between Mr. Spock and Leslie Nielsen. She has some of the absolute best lines, which she delivers with a deadpan, fake American accent similar to that of Nicola Bryant's Peri.
I won't spoil the surprises in the plot - reading the standard synopsis is all that should be done before listening. Bang-Bang-a-Boom! is priceless satire and in a category of its own, but still manages to be Doctor Who in the end.
| What: | The Time Warrior (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | ben, witney uk |
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| Date: | Monday 19 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
the story as a whole is good but the story is in a omnibus which is not so good.
| What: | Spearhead from Space (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | ben, Witney UK |
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| Date: | Monday 19 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
this story is okay but if you have seen it more than once (like me!) it tends to get a bit BORING.
| What: | The Day of the Daleks (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | ben, witney UK |
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| Date: | Monday 19 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 4 |
this dalek story i found very poor. the daleks voices were very slooowwwww & the plot was stupid too!
| What: | The Robots of Death (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | RM, jupiter |
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| Date: | Monday 19 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
this is okay. it's like a murder mystery.
| What: | Pyramids of Mars (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | ben rigsby, witney UK |
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| Date: | Monday 19 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
this is my fave story ever!!!!
| What: | Lost in Time (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | ben rigsby, witney uk |
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| Date: | Monday 19 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
as well as the invasion this is a brilliant dvd set!
Spoilers ahead.
I realize that I'm comparing Imperiatrix to the other four episodes that preceded it, but my opinion on the bulk of this episode is that somehow, Imperiatrix is just a little light on substance. Maybe it's just that the events of this episode mostly deal with terrorist bombings and sneaky political wrangling, and it's all just a bit too mundane and too close to 'real life' for me.
Romana seems to be obsessed with changing Gallifrey in a way that the Doctor probably would've liked to - to open the world and the Academy to close contact with other races and to share the secrets of time with others who are capable of responsibly working with them. But whereas the Doctor took the course of just leaving, perhaps seeing the task to be too great, Romana is insisting on instituing drastic changes through the power of her presidential position. Much of Time Lord society appears to be in stark disagreement with her policies, and does not want Gallifrey to 'progress' in this way, yet she continues to push her agenda forward. And her obsession is driving everyone involved into power plays and violence.
Of course, all of this rather unpleasant and mundane action comes to a dramatic climax in the last 28 minutes (which are on the poorly marked *second* CD), where we are finally shown a clear view of much of what has been mysteriously orchestrated throughout this series. Romana is forced to enact a dictatorial takeover of Gallifrey's government (thus the title of this episode, "Imperiatrix"), the extent of Inquisitor Darkel's ambition is exposed, and the real player behind the "Free Time" movement steps forward. After Romana dramatically turns the tables on Darkel, the resulting tumult brought about by these extreme power plays has caused a situation to arise in which Romana is pressured into making a desperate move in order to neutralize a grave and imminent threat. Pandora takes full advantage of the situation to manifest in a form that will now topple Gallifrey over into civil war.
The character of CIA Coordinator Narvin really shines in this episode, as his strength, integrity and loyalty to the well-being of Gallifrey comes to the fore, and he is very well-acted by Sean Carlsen. Lalla Ward, on the other hand, is still struggling with the emotionality that has been thrown into Romana's character. Mary Tamm is again fantastic here. I would have given this episode a 9 if not for the fact that the story seems to muddle around and take too much time to reach a sudden jump to its climactic end.
This second series has had regeneration and identity as central running themes; the question of true identity is being explored here. Who is the real Romana? Who is the real Andred? When a Time Lord regenerates, does the original personality really remain? These themes of fighting with yourself, the search for true identity, and this Time Lord quest for the identification of the soul have indeed made for a very interesting subtext.
Spoilers ahead.
After the intensity of the events of the past three episodes, Insurgency slows things down a bit, while still escalating the progression of what has begun. The offworlder students at the Academy are being stirred up by the increasing restrictions that are being placed on them by the Gallifreyan government. This raises tensions among the student groups themselves, as racial differences become highlighted. In the midst of all of this, Leela has been persuaded to try her hand at teaching a class in the Academy, and is asked uncomfortable questions by the students, and someone has (apparently) been maneuvered into making an attempt to find and steal the Great Key (we are not yet told who has instigated this). Romana is slowly becoming unhinged, and Inquisitor Darkel has now launched an open challenge to her presidency.
None of the action in Insurgency is as enthralling as what we've had in the first three episodes of this series, but it is a solid story that continues the chain of events. While listening to this, it occurred to me that Louise Jamison is really excellent in this series as Leela. Lalla Ward has also been great, but her performance in this episode gets a bit strained as Romana begins to get a bit burnt-out here.
A solid 7, not quite an 8.
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| Silly fun and and androgum! |
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This is not the best-ever episode of Doctor Who! Yet it does manage to be many of the things which make this series so memorable. Featuring Patrick Troughton, making a rare appearance in color, and Colin Baker, who was the then-current doctor. Toss in two of the doctor's companions (Jamie and Peri) along with a space station, sudden death, beautiful ladies, the menace of the Sontarans, and the well-played Shockeye the Androgum with his unending quest to taste the flesh of one of those delicious human beasts!
Seeing the Doctor transformed into an androgum, with voracious appetite and bushy orange eyebrows is not to be missed! Silly fun, yes, but still a favorite: not every episode has to be all grim and serious. Enjoy.
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| Horrific, Intense and Complex |
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| What: | Gallifrey: Pandora (Gallifrey audio dramas) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Saturday 10 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Some spoilers ahead.
First, I wish I could revise my rating of the previous episode in this second Gallifrey series. Upon listening a second time, I would rate Spirit more highly, giving it an 8. I think that knowing what was actually going on while listening to it again allowed me to have a better appreciation of the quality of the writing and production.
In this third episode, "Pandora," we return from what at first appeared to be a slight detour in the previous episode, and are thrown fully back into the political machinations being orchestrated on Gallifrey. This episode is easily the most intense Big Finish production I've listened to so far, and I've listened to quite a lot of them. I thought of giving this a 9 for the quality of the writing and overall production, but I feel that the episode is actually *too* intense, so I feel I must lower the rating to an 8.
The story being developed here has to do with political ambitions on multiple fronts, and the Pandora creature feeds on ambition. This episode portrays Pandora as being horrifically powerful and elusive - even though the Time Lords believe they have contained and controlled it, it appears to be able to act as it wills with impunity. But this may be a misperception - the truth may be that it has only been freed again through the carelessness of one who is out of his depth in this situation and is being played. It's difficult to tell for sure.
The big enigmatic hook from the previous episode is, at long last it seems, resolved as the truth is revealed. Not that much time has actually passed, but it seems like a long process has gone on until the events finally all come to their completion and the circle begun in the previous episode is finally, dreadfully closed.
The writing in this episode and the plot that is being weaved are superb and unsurpassed in my experience of other Big Finish stories. The multi-episode story arc feature of this series allows for a very substantial story to be developed, and this feature is being used to the fullest extent so far. This is a fantastic episode - fully engaging - but as I say, it really gets a little *too* intense. This really is amazing - I would not have expected as much from this series, which easily surpasses much of the main line of audios that feature the Doctors themselves.
Moderate spoilers ahead.
"Telos" is a competent and suitable wrap-up for this four-part series, but I'm sorry to say that it doesn't quite maintain the momentum and intrigue that had developed by the end of part three - "Conversion." At this point, there is an attempt to bring everything to a rather frantic conclusion, and in the process, the storyline becomes more standard - more of the familiar dire crisis and resolution. As an android taskforce heads to Telos to attempt to prevent a mass reactivation of Cybermen, followed by Cybermen from Earth who mean to stop their interference, the body count quickly begins to multiply. One of the lead characters meets a particularly nasty end, and she is slowly, horribly, horrendously done in.
Most of the cause of the decline in listening satisfaction here is due to the fact that the majority of the action is taken away from the Earth locations featured before, and shifted to a mostly uninteresting space ship and the poorly realized Tomb on Telos.
Still, it's not like this is a poor episode. It just didn't measure up to the quality of writing present in the previous three installments, and didn't provide a totally spectacular, blow-out ending. The surviving lead characters could be interesting in a continuation of the story, if further series of Cyberman are produced in the future. As it is, even though a wide opening has been left for the continuation of the story, enough has been achieved and concluded in the story to make this a adequately fitting, if perhaps not fully satisfying end of the series.
What more can I say? Entirely, unremittingly, embarassingly awful and beginning to receive the mocking stick it deserves. Possibly rushed out to precede ITVs Primaeval but whatever the explanation, it's inexcusable cack. Badly-acted, abysmally-conceived, writing of wincing awfulness, pompous, juvenile, 30-something shit.
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| Can anyone explain what that was about? |
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| What: | Beltempest (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Tardisuser, Cowes, Isle of Wight |
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| Date: | Monday 5 March 2007 |
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| Rating: | 2 |
Well?
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| One of the best Dr Who books |
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| What: | Who Killed Kennedy: (Miscellaneous original novels) |
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| By: | Mark1963, UK |
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| Date: | Monday 26 February 2007 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
A wonderful novel; one of the best! Takes an outsiders look at UNIT and the Doctor from the mid-60s on. A fan's delight full of detail and asides. Quite apart from that, it's a very, very good read. Highly recommended.
Aye! A more rum scurvy mess of a tale I never did see! Har!
I do feel that this story deserves a 2, at least. You see, the sound design is superb, and is worth 7, but the pirate story contributes a negative 5 to the score. The comedic stuff is a nice try, but it just doesn't fit, there's just too much of it, and it tries way too hard, which successful comedy never needs to do. It does have its moments though, including the sixth Doctor's "Gallifreyan buccaneer" song, which had me smiling with raised eyebrows... But the overall result is just a painful, confusing embarrassment. Irritating rubbish.
| What: | Made of Steel (Quick Reads books) |
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| By: | simon, Bristol |
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| Date: | Sunday 25 February 2007 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
It's not an easy thing to write a book that is this short and which meets the needs of the Quick Reads series. Add to this the requirement that the chief monster from Series Two (seemingly completely destroyed) be included and the fact that Terrence Dicks (who has been guilty of some woefully lazy writing in some of his Who novels) is writing it and the Cloister Bell could well ring, warning of impending formulaic Who-by-numbers.
But be assured, Dicks does the job here with some style. There are touching moments when Rose is recalled (though not by name), the Cybermen have
a good reason still to be there and this may even plug one of RTD's plot holes from Doomsday. There's even an explanation as to why Martha resembles one of the Torchwood employees killed in that series finale.
This is, of course, the obvious interest of this book - the first encounter with Martha Jones, making her print debut as new companion before she is introduced in Series Three. She isn't Rose mark 2 and there's enough here to excite interest without giving too much away. By now we all know that she's a medical student and there are only minor spoilers for the new series opener.
The Doctor comes up against another branch of the UK military. If you include UNIT and Torchwood then this is getting to be a habit, not just on screen but also in print (check out Stephen Cole's The Feast of the Drowned for example). It's good to know that our armed forces are aware of the Doctor, but can't they come to some arrangement with him. All the arrests get rather tedious, and if you're relying on him to save your bacon so often, then it may even seem a bit impolite. And surely they should at least use his full title (Sir Doctor)...
Other than that, this is a tightly plotted book that doesn't really seem limited by the format. (In fact I suspect that Dicks is well served by having some fairly restrictive rules to work to.) Well worth the two quid for an enjoyable hour or so's reading.
