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| What: | Series 2 Volume 1: (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Nathan Lloyd, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England |
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| Date: | Monday 16 October 2006 |
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| Rating: |   8 |
The Tenth Doctor's first DVD is OK. The Christmas Invasion is a good story with a brief nod to the Third Doctor's years with UNIT, but as ever with the new series, there are too many moments where you cringe with embarrasment. Not just for yourself, but the actors. The Sycorax are great aliens and remind me of the Nazis by putting the human race as slaves. Meanwhile New Earth is another good story. Billie Piper is excellent in this episode. She is permitted to act over the top when Rose is possessd by Cassandra. And David Tennannt is scary in this episode; maybe scarier than his predesser.
| What: | Series 2 Volume 3: (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Nathan Lloyd, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England |
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| Date: | Monday 16 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
The first two parter of this series is good. Rise of the Cybermen is a bit slow, but the Age of Steel is a faster more action oriented episode. The downside of this two parter is you do feel cold, because the majority of the story is taken outside at night in the freezing cold. Billie Piper looks like she is catching frostbite in that maidens' dress. On the other hand, the Idiot's Lantern is fantastic because the episode is set in the 50s during the coronation of the Queen; it is quite interesting. The Wire is a great villian and is menacing; so overall good.
| What: | Series 2 Volume 4: (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Nathan Lloyd, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England |
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| Date: | Monday 16 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This is my favourite volume of the second series of the new series. The Impossible Planet/ The Satan Pit is the best two- parter since the new show began; it even upstages Army of Ghosts/ Doomsday on the next volume in my opinion. The Impossible Planet is a tad better than the Satan Pit; but combined together a great story. Love & Monsters is good as well. Many people don't like this episode, but I think it is solid viewing with a few cringe worthy moments.
| What: | Inferno (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Nathan Lloyd, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England |
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| Date: | Monday 16 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This mega serial is fantastic for two reasons:
1. The story is set over seven episodes; so the story isn't rushed.
2. The story is believable. Humans drilling to the Earth's core is something that humans actually did before this story was written. This is easily one of my favourite Doctor Who stories. This is the first serial in which Jon Pertwee really shines in and is a great Doctor. The extras are excellent as well.
| What: | The Sontaran Experiment (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Nathan Lloyd, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England |
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| Date: | Monday 16 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
For a two parter, this little serial is excellent. Not just because the serial features my favourite alien, the Sontaran but the serial is filmed entirely on location. I think the idea of human experiment is fascinating and the scene where Sarah Jane is tortured sends tingles down your spine. You also know a lot about the Doctor's character here; he thinks Sarah is dead and attacks Styre the Sontaran. Even Tom Baker broke his collar bone at this point; the action never stops. The documentary is also very intersting and gives the viewer a deep insight into the Sontarans.
Mike Tucker & Robert Perry have done it again, given us a keep you guessing plot well developed and acuarate protagonists, and amazingly discriptive scences. And even restrained them selfs on the gore front, although the Cyber-baby-mat is the most horrific thing ive read in any dr who book (Mick Lewis take note)also i love the way these guys introduce new characters just to have them snuff it a page later (but ive said too much).
Also i wonnder what napalm death songs Ace is actually listaning too ? Nazi punks fuck off maybe.
| What: | The Next Life (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Sunday 15 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
The Next Life starts out with, well, a lot of nothing. During the entire first cd, nothing much really happens. However, once we get into the second cd, we finally get some rather good and rather well played revelations about the nature of the "Divergent Universe." Contrary to the opinions of the other reviewers here, I don't feel that this story was sloppily or hurriedly slapped together, even if it may actually have been. In spite of some of the rather sudden changes that occur, it did seem like everything was taken into account and drawn together here fairly well, into an interesting and satisfying, if a bit twisted, ending to the story arc. Special mention must be given to Daphne Ashbrook's role in this production. Her performance here alone makes The Next Life worth most of the 7 I'm giving it. The story just wasn't good enough to merit a higher score, but Ashbrook is just about the most interesting and enjoyable actor I've heard in any of the Big Finish productions so far, including the regulars. What a pity that we didn't see more of her and McGann together in the Fox series that never was...
| What: | Caerdroia (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Friday 13 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Oh come on, Joe! Did your nasty third write that review? ;-) Lighten up a bit and enjoy the romp! Yes, it's possible to see Caerdroia as plodding, but it's also possible to see the brilliant scripting here. I grinned through most of this story, delighting in the Doctor arguing with himself and then taking off in three different directions, literally. It all seemed very much like one of the old PC adventure games, with the different domains connecting in some impossible way. The soundtrack is even a bit reminiscent of Myst at times. It's a fun little jaunt through a made up and pieced together world, and the script is what makes it work. Yes, it could've been dreadful if it had been poorly written, but it wasn't. Caerdroia is a delight, and I'm not the barmy one... ;-)
| What: | Back to the Vortex (Telos new series guides) |
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| By: | Dreary, London |
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| Date: | Friday 13 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 2 |
This is a rather dull and dry tome, unlikely to be of interest to the casual buyer. It has no creative spark to make the listing of dates and facts that form the first part of the book come to life, whilst the second half is a sludge of repetitive, poorly constructed reviews. There are a lot of words in this book, but unfortunately few of them are interesting. The presentation of the book is also poor, especially the cover. There are much better official books on the market and this one is best avoided.
| What: | The Five Doctors (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Thursday 12 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Sorry - I know some of you didn't care for this story, but yes, I must give this one a 10. Yes, there's not a very deep story here, but what you've got are some really cool ideas and a continuity (or discontinuity?) and nostalgia fest for those who love the show. Tom Baker *is* sorely missed, but pairing Liz Sladen with Pertwee and Nick Courtney with Troughton was brilliant scripting and worked splendidly, and we get some really classic scenes as a result. Troughton's whole "I'm not supposed to be here" thing at the beginning, coupled with the revelation that this second Doctor was lifted out of a period *after* his arrest and trial is all very enigmatic and interesting, and leaves us wondering what's really going on with him. This has given rise to the idea of a theoretical "Season 6(b)," taking place after The War Games and before Spearhead from Space. The Dark Tower of Gallifrey and the Death Zone are pretty cool ideas that add to the Time Lord mythos, as do the forbidden "black scrolls." Also, any fan of the Cybermen will love this one. And the final fate of villanous mastermind seals the deal - a fantastic ending! As for the updated special effects on the revised release, my opinion on that is that the original form was better, and shouldn't have been messed with.
| What: | Red (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Nicholas Murphie, Newtown, Australia |
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| Date: | Thursday 12 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
2006's BF releases have been on the ordinary side (except Kingmaker) so it was refreshing to finally get another excellent release in Red. Though this story features the 7th Doc and Mel, therefore sits within Season 24, there is very little to liken it to that farcical season. This is very dark stuff and genuinely disturbing... and I mean that in a complimentary way. It's gripping and compelling and perverse. The majority of characters are so well rounded out that this society that has been devoid of agression, and thus crave the agression, seems so real. Some fabulous characters - like Vy... And Whitenoise has to be the best computre since Hal! All 4 eps were well paced, despite the longer running time. This was different Dr Who... The sado-masicistic stuff probably would not sit in the new TV version, but on audio it was a refreshing and compelling challenge.
After several years without anything new, we FINALLY get some new material. It may be only 13 episodes running about 45 minutes each, but its GOOD to finally get some new material!!!! Now, lets see how Tennent works out, since Eccleston has moved on.
| What: | The Last (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Wednesday 11 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
A bleak but very suspenseful story, with an equally bleak soundtrack.
The story appears to be a very stark commentary on our present geopolitical situation, but as we head into the fourth episode, we slowly begin to realize that all is not as it seems - we begin to feel a creeping, radical shift occurring. The planet where this is all taking place is revealed to be far more alien than we've been led to believe, and the final resolution changes this from a good story into a great one. (From the other reviews, I guess that's *really* a matter of opinion...)
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 | Satisfying, Solid Production |
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| What: | Faith Stealer (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Tuesday 10 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
In Faith Stealer, we finally get another story that hits on all cylinders, so to speak. This production is well-written and flows nicely, all of the characters are well-acted, and Conrad Westmaas' C'rizz is finally given some likeable substance. All of the cast is in top form here, making the production very believable and engaging. There are even some genuinely laugh out loud funny scenes, particularly in the church of the Serendipitists ("Oops be praised!") What stopped me from giving this one a 9 or 10 is only that the story itself seemed a bit sparse. Faith Stealer is thoroughly enjoyable, but somehow sort of more like a light dessert than a full meal. Perhaps this is partly because of the ending. The ending is surprising, makes sense and is rather thought-provoking, but is pretty quick.
oh my god these episodes were brilliant i give them 10 out of 10 but then they are quite depressing but cool at the same time
This script book clears up a few confusing points in the episode, and the section of the book written especiallt by Martin Platt explaining some of the less clear points includes scenes cut from the finished serial. It is deffinalty worth buying if you are a fan.
| What: | The Game (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Sunday 8 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 3 |
Death hockey! Wolf soldiers! Narcotic pheromones! Oh my!
This particular Big Finish entry begins with abundant ultra-violence as sport, like 'Vengeance on Varos' on steroids, and proceeds to pull a "dramatic" turnaround halfway through to make the story an even more horrible mess. The only reason I actually kept listening is because I was stuck somewhere with nothing else to do. However, I must give some credit to the sort of twisty 'Back to the Future' style timewarped relationship that is revealed at that point.
Credit must also be given to Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton for giving this script their best efforts. They obviously took the task seriously, which is commendable.
Why spend three entire episodes focusing on the Naxy game and the story surrounding that, and then shift abruptly to a sudden rampage of "bornoxes" - werewolf-like things with laser pistols (for Pete's sake!)? And did I miss something? Where did Morian pop out from? Suddenly he's all "mwoo ha ha!" out of nowhere. Ambassador Faye has a worse American accent than Peri ("Daacter!"), and William Russell's Lord Carlisle sounds uncannily like Slarty Bardfarst (from the original Hitchhiker's Guide).
I don't know. This one just leaves me shaking my head. Representative of the Davison era? I disagree.
| What: | The Stone Rose (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | vicky , carlisle |
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| Date: | Sunday 8 October 2006 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
i really loved the book and each chapter makes you want to read on ore and more.
A very tired production. Not a good story for any of the regulars, and the supporting cast are nothing to shout about either. The plot is dull and we’ve been here before with Troughton so many times that its like deja vu – big control room...in the future...global catastrophe...shouty leader...plucky young female...blah blah blah. The Ice Warriors are unthreatening and clunky, and the incidental music is horrible. The score is repetitive, loud and all over the episodes. Dudley Simpson was clearly either very unhappy in early 1969 or was on very strong ampetamines. Maybe he was just trying to distract the viewer from this loveless escapade.
A pacy, enjoyable story but not without its faults. The odd effect fails to convince (particularly Sutekh’s final form) and there are some stagey moments (the opening TARDIS scene, some of Sheard’s playing), but what compensates is the sheer class of the cast, all giving top-notch performances and all totally committed to the story. There are several highlights; Gabriel Woolf’s Sutekh is extraordinarily good, Baker and Sladen are just hitting their stride and clearly relish their scenes together, the location shooting is lovely to look at and very effective – the weird juxtaposition of the Edwardian and the alien is highly unsettling, and the design department work wonders. A solid, assured and satisfying story.
