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Acting as an Epilogue to the Excelis Trilogy, 'Plague Herds' attempts to tie up any loose ends left over in the storyline. Unfortunately, the explanation behind the mysterious Relic feels rather convoluted and left me a bit confused. I didn't find the story particularly engaging or memorable, and although this is a Bernice Summerfield adventure, I felt that the absence of the Doctor, who had played a central role in the main Excelis trilogy, makes the Saga feel incomplete. Overall, 'Plague Herds of Excelis' spends too much time trying to make sense of the main trilogy and isn't something I'll listen to again in a hurry.
| What: | The Feast of Axos (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 March 2014 |
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| Rating: |  10 |
Nick Briggs recently said that Maggie Stables was not very well and it was unlikely that there would be another Evelyn story...so I've started to listen to some of her classics. This is one of them.
I have to admit that at first, I thought, "oh no, not Axos". I was worried about another old monster, especially one that was finished off nicely in the Pertwee era.
However, I was wrong! This story is really excellent and Evelyn Smythe is at her best. I loved this companion and loved most of the stories that she was in. Another highlight for me was the fact that Bernard Holley was back in it! Absolutely brilliant character actor.
Highly recommended. :)
| What: | The Web of Fear (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 5 March 2014 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I've always been sad that I'd never seen a full yeti story for years. I've loved that roar (even if it is was just a slowed down loo) and the shaggy looking beasts. In black and white they look really menacing, and huge. Just the pictures made me think cor I would just love to see that. And now, at long long last, I can see it. I was amazed that two nearly whole Doctor Who stories had been returned to the BBC! And I couldn't have asked for two better examples to be found to highlight the pure magic of the Pat Troughton era. An era of dank tunnels, brilliant monsters, creepy scores and brilliant acting as well with some titanic characters brought to life by the best in the business.
The Web of Fear is perhaps the typical base under siege story, but its done in such ruddy brilliant style. Douglas Camfield's perfect direction drives the story from the word go. All the acting is first class. From Jack Woolgar's brilliantly subtle performance as Staff Arnold, to Jack Watling's wonderful portrayal of Professor Travers. But I have to say the person who wins it for me the most (for the one off parts) is Tina Packer as Anne Travers. I dont know what it is but I just loved her firstly somewhat aloof sceintist act, which then melted into a woman who is genuinely fearful and human and as scared as anyone else. Her scenes are all pure magic. Patrick Troughton too doesn't need any mention. His performance was always exemplary and perfect!
I also like that for once this story's climax is not just a simple aliens defeated or destroyed easy ending. That the Doctor gets so infuriated with everyone with him for messing up the plans was for me one of his best moments as the Doctor. This Doctor was frequently bluster and bumbling, but here is all the raw anger of any of his later's or earlier.
The Yeti are a brilliant presence too, in the confines of the fantastic looking sets, and the score is absolutely great. It really does feel so claustrophobic and tight. And another good thing is that the Yeti are in it from the first episode. Some stories are a tiny bit laboured with their total on screen amount of monster. But The Web of Fear is never dreary and there's constant panic and fear all the way through the story.
The fight sequence in part four is definitely worthy of note as its so packed with brilliant shots and angles and real gritty pace. Nick Courtney too has to be mentioned for his faultless debut as the Colonel, later Brigadier. His performance is already assured and doesnt come over as a first time in the part whatsoever. The bumbling idiot Chorley too is just a touch of light relief, along with Private Evans. But the comedy never overshadows the menace. The Web of Fear, at least to me, deserves its reputation as one of the best Doctor Who stories ever.
| What: | The Roundheads (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Chris Arnold, Bundaberg, Australia |
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| Date: | Wednesday 5 March 2014 |
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| Rating: |  6 |
The first time I read this many years ago I was not impressed but on reviewing it recently my opinions have softened slightly. Some fun swashbuckling and soothsaying kept me entertained and I found the story cracks on quite well. The only problem I had was that the regulars' actions seemed to be a little ineffectual but I guess that is a product of not being able to change the web of time, a common complaint in these type of historicals.
A better than average read but one that I probably won't return to again for a while.
| What: | The Moonbase (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 27 February 2014 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
It's great to have this classic Throughton story out on DVD and completed with episodes 1 & 4 beautifully animated by the same people who did The Reign of Terror.
And the animation is beautiful really capturing the feel of classic black & white 60's TV.
The story itself is ok. It's feels more a serious of scenes that link the Cybermen's frankly ludicrous plan to capture the Moonbase & wreck the earths weather.
Throughton, as ever, is excellent and is ably supported by an excellent cast.
The extras on the DVD are thin but very good. An excellent making of documentary, some of the cast commentating on the surviving episodes & some fascinating interviews on the animated episodes.
An essential DVD.
| What: | Doctor Who Unbound: Exile (Doctor Who Unbound audios) |
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| By: | Ian Cotterill, Chipping Norton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 27 February 2014 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
For the finale to the main series of ‘Doctor Who Unbound’, Nicholas Briggs produces a more comical audio play, looking at what kind of measures the Doctor would take to hide from the Time Lords. Unfortunately, the sections of the story featuring the Doctor are not really that engaging or entertaining, as Arabella Weir’s Doctor spends most of the time getting drunk and arguing with her previous incarnation, who seems utterly paranoid about Quarks in a rather unconvincing way.
The story isn’t really that engaging and feels rather weak, with virtually nothing happening for the most part, and there are some sections that give the impression of trying to be funny, but just come across as being mildly amusing.
However, the play is redeemed by the rather good double act of Toby Longworth and David Tennant, who portray two long-suffering Time Lords hunting the Doctor. Their various antics are far more entertaining and almost make up for the play’s rather thin plot. The rest of the cast are also rather good, despite being saddled with a fairly uninteresting story.
In the end, ‘Exile’ isn’t too bad, but it is no masterpiece either. Whilst there are some sections that are rather fun to listen to, this is a story probably worth missing.
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 | Nope...Didnt do it for me. |
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| What: | Dark Horizons (BBC prestige novels) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Monday 17 February 2014 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
This book really didn't grip me at all, It toke a long time to get started and the ending I have to say was... (for want of a better word)... boring. Not one that I will read again or recommend to anyone. But I will admite, I have read worse.
| What: | Antidote to Oblivion (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 17 February 2014 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Philip Martin created one of the most memorable monsters from Doctor Who in the 80s, and this story here proves what steam the slug still has in him. Nabil Shaban is fantastic as the slimy mentor, and its always a delight to hear him beside Colin Baker. To me their scenes are rather like the Jon Pertwee and Roger Delgado scenes off the early seventies, they just seem to fit together like pieces in a puzzle.
And its a truly excellent bonus with one of Big Finish Productions best new companions for the Doctor, here immortalised by the wonderful Lisa Greenwood. Flip has a great sense of humour and I got a few real laughs out of the material in Phil's script. And there is as always his brilliant drawings of sadistic maniacs or obsessives, and Cordelia is a wonderful new misguided enemy, with some really toxic venom. Also, there are a few really creepy chilling moments too laced through this one, particularly the episode three cliffhanger, which only gave me a few goosebumps....
And the characters are likeable and you feel for them, which you always do with a script from Phil. There is even more of an emotional overtone to this story that was also present in Mindwarp. But I feel of the three, this may even be the strongest outing for Sil and the good Doctor. This is a brilliant start to 2014 for the BFP audio adventures. And did I mention that I think Lisa is just phenomenal as Flip? Great stuff! Keep it and Sil coming.....
| What: | Sword of Orion (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 14 February 2014 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
I've always really enjoyed this story and can listen to it again and again. In so many ways, this is a classic McGann story and it has cybermen in it too. What more do you want? It also fits in very well with the later Cyberman stories - the background tunes and the android war. Well worth picking up. And it's Nick Briggs at his best as a writer and voice of the cybermen.
On paper this possibly sounded like a good idea. Trouble is it's an interesting idea that really doesn't have enough in it to stretch out over the story. This might have made an ok 4 parter but over 6 episodes it really does drag.
A real treasure trove of delights for all fans that covers all eras of the show.
My own favourites are two of the radio plays Regenerations, about a convention in Northern Ireland & Blue Veils and Golden Sands, about the life of Delia Derbyshire, & Lost Treasures a new CD of recently discovered & broadcast BBC gems introduced by Louise Jameson.
An essential purchase for all fans.
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| Afterlife takes us to a whole new place |
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| What: | Afterlife (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 21 January 2014 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I don't want to give too much away, so whilst this is a great story, the real strength is development of the whole cast. Hex has perhaps had the most challenging personal journey in the Tardis of any companion. A complex family life, falling in love, rejection, sacrifice and death.
Afterlife brings us more twists and brings back a great companion with a new dimension, but in doing so challenges Ace and the Doctors relationship. We see Aces vulnerability and the Doctors dark side.
A great story, get it now.
| What: | The Enemy of the World (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Ian Cotterill, Chipping Norton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 6 January 2014 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Appropriately released in the 50th Anniversary Year, 'Enemy of the World' is a really enjoyable story to watch, though oddly it was not one I was previously interested in. This was due to the fact that for over 4 decades, all we had was the soundtrack and a number of telesnaps, which meant we lost a lot of the drama and excitement that could be seen in the actual footage. For me, this made the story seem less interesting and enjoyable than it truly was.
But having at long last seen the recovered episodes, my opinion of this story has greatly risen. It is far more action packed than I previously believed, the guest cast are really good, and Patrick Troughton steals the show, portraying both the Doctor and the evil Salamander in what i think is the best Doppelgänger story in Doctor Who's history.
Engaging and breathtaking, 'The Enemy of the World' is an example of how lost Doctor Who episodes work better with the filmed footage, rather than the soundtrack alone. Recovered after 45 years, this was an appropriate birthday present for Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary.
| What: | Dark Eyes (Dark Eyes audios) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 29 December 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Words cannot say how much I enjoyed this. Cards on the table, Paul McGann's 8th Doctor is my favourite audio Doctor. His Doctor & McGann's voice really suit audio adventures.
I've loved the 8th Doctor & Luciie's adventures and didn't think Big Finish would be able top those set of adventures but Dark Eyes is a thrilling rollercoaster of an adventure that never let's up in the action and thrills with plenty of twists and turns.
Great support from Ruth Bradley as Irish nurse Molly O' Sullivan & Toby Jones as the creepy X.
Highly recommended. Bring on Dark Eyes 2 !
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| Yet again, that great Troughton flavour |
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| What: | The Apocalypse Mirror (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 26 December 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Frazer Hines is just so good as the late Patrick Troughton, he really puts his all into a masterful performance as the Doctor. Its great for any fan of the Pat Troughton era of the show. And its always fun and enjoyable to hear the bubbly Wendy along for the ride too. And what tops it all off is if the story is a good as this little gem from Eddie Robson. Those sound scores the BF team create are simply fantastic every time. There is true feelings of the late 60s, with the great monster to add to the mix of great monsters that abounded during Pat's reign as the Doctor. Throw in a little moral pointing too (listen and youll find it an interesting debate) and you get yet another well rounded companion chronicle. And the fact that this story has even more dialogue than the usual companion chronicle means this is an especially meaty treat....
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| Hasn't been this amount of plain fun.... |
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| What: | The Council of War (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 26 December 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
for a very long time in Doctor Who.
Its a massive joy to hear John Levene back as dear old Sergeant Benton. Its even better to have him back in such a brilliant, and highly comical tale from two Who newcomers. One hears absolutely no first time nerves at all from the man, he just seems to dive right back into that brilliant role he had way back in the 70s. He's even allowed to have some serious (or not so serious, depending on how you look at it) character development. This is not the obvious type of story to feature Benton, but John really seems to be enjoying himself. The story is fast paced, with frequent good humour but doused with the familiar 70s Jon Pertwee flavour Doctor Who for very good measure.
Sinead Keenan is also a wonderful choice for the dual narrators role, and I'm seriously hoping that there may well be more to hear from these two in the very near future, if not in the companion Chronicles (lamentably the series is soon to end) then hopefully is some story or other please! I don't want these two characters and actors getting just the one sparing story. After that slightly heart melting final scene of Benton asking Margery to dance well...well, its just set the floor for some wonderfully good relationship...please BFP, don't let this be the end!
John gets to be heroic, suave and James Bond-esque, which is brilliant. There's even a neat twist on the all too famous James Bond introduction....And there's even maybe a good little moral case laced through this tale too, and the mantises sound great!
| What: | 1963: The Space Race (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 23 December 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
An enjoyable if a little unbelievable at times. Space races takes us to the political heart of the sixties with mother Russia's space race against capitalist America. Throw in most of the key news worthy items, Kennedy, Dogs in Space and a strange alien race equals classic Who.
Space race is solid story including the augmented Dogs and Monkeys with Ak47's
| What: | Persuasion (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 23 December 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Klein is brought back and we are introduced a William Arrowsmith a nerdy Unit associate who makes a welcome addition. The interaction between Arrowsmith and Klein helps develop her character further. But Arrowsmith does steal the show at times, including moments like exploring the Tardis.
As the story takes us to the dying moments of Nazi Germany its begins to get more sinister. Overall a great story, but this one is a character lead adventure.
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| available from author; Gallifrey Base PM |
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| What: | The Book of Shadows (Miscellaneous short stories) |
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| By: | Dr Jim, Earth, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 19 December 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
available from the author via PM at Gallifrey Base forum or from doctorjames2013@hotmail.co.uk
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| available from Author; Gallifrey Base PM |
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| What: | The Age of Broken Miracles (Miscellaneous short stories) |
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| By: | Dr Jim, Earth, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 19 December 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
available from the author via PM at Gallifrey base forum or from doctorjames2013@hotmail.co.uk
