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As a sequel to a brilliant Will Hartnell adventure years before, this story succeeds admirably. There is so much brilliant sound design on this story, making it even more of a treat to listen to. And so much is packed into this tale as well, it never once pauses for breath. So much happens to Jamie and Zoe, and the bonding work between them comes over far stronger than many other TV stories of the original series, and gives their characters such a sharper edge and bond with that too. Frazer is sublime once more as Pat Troughton as well, its amazing his uncanny interpretation of the Doctor! And I have to add the fact that Miss Faber is astoundingly delicious as the Queen of Time Hecuba. That laugh of hers is so amazingly creepy and echoing...and shes so sadistically artistic! This has to be one of the strongest stories of Pat's in the lost stories range, and the others were excellent enough! I must recommend this great tale from a story by Brian Hayles, that brilliant old series writer...Catherine Harvey, thanks so much for a cracking good story....
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 | Lots of atmosphere and horror, love it! |
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| What: | Fear of the Dark (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Devin Harvey, Syracuse, United States |
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| Date: | Friday 22 November 2013 |
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| Rating: |  10 |
This was the first Doctor Who book I've read and it was totally amazing. The author writes the Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa so perfectly you can almost hear them talking to each other, and the setting is one of the most creepy and awesome settings in all of Doctor Who in my opinion. A moss-covered moon, with a horrible secret at it's heart on the outskirts of a Planet made entirely of boiling mud and lava. It's just such a cool idea. And of course the whole idea of 'the Dark' was just so cool, i can't say much without giving it away. The only disappointment I had was that the romance that forms near the end of the book feels forced and kind of awkward to read, but as it goes along it gets a bit more bearable, even if a bit cliche. Otherwise it's a definite must read!
| What: | The Juggernauts (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Ian Cotterill, Chipping Norton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 18 November 2013 |
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| Rating: |  8 |
‘The Juggernauts' is one of my favourite Audio Adventures. The story is really thrilling and emotional, with a great cast leading it. Colin Baker continues to excel as the Sixth Doctor and Bonnie Langford really gets to explore Mel’s character in a way that her television stories did not. Terry Molloy, meanwhile, gives a great performance as Davros, bring out the Kaled Scientist’s ruthlessness and megalomania, and I really liked the idea of him using the Mechanoids to make up his army, showing that he does not need the Daleks to act as his henchmen all the time. Speaking of Skaro’s Finest, the Daleks are particularly devious in this story, manipulating the Doctor to do their dirty work for them, and the scenes where they battle the modified Mechanoids are quite exciting. Overall, this is a fantastic story and should be highly recommended.
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| Timey-Wimey before the term came about.. |
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| What: | Interference: Book Two (BBC Eighth Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Jay Barry, Wellington, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Sunday 10 November 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This book is fantastic, following up from threads that were dangled in the first part, and various titles already released at the time. Threads like why Sam finds Kode familiar, Sarah's memories are hazy etc.
For those who complain that the ending with the Third Doctor dying on Dust doesn't tally with established events, that's the point. Taking a moment we all know about, rely on, and twist it. It does get restored, but for now the continuity that is integral to our understanding the Doctor's life, has , in the words of the Father Kreiner at the and, substantially altered the timeline.
This two part novel has a feel of time going circular. The Eighth Doctor ends up drawing his predecessor the the planet that skews the timeline to that of which the Eighth Doctor is currently in. After hearing about I M Foreman discovering his future selves, the Doctor sets up that very encounter, with the present Foreman becoming his next incarnation, the second becoming the third etc.
A game changer to say the least, and a really good one at that. Read it if only for Sarah Jane, who has a fantastic rapport with K9 (she threatens to install Windows 98 on him at one point) and an Ogron called Lost Boy.
| What: | The Twin Dilemma (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Ian Cotterill, Chipping Norton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 November 2013 |
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| Rating: | 1 |
Unfortunate that the 'The Caves of Androzani', regarded by many as the best Dr Who story ever, should be immediately followed by this, the worst story ever. 'The Twin Dilemma' is utterly painful for me to watch, and not even the special features included can prompt me to buy this DVD.
This is a rather fun re-release of the very first Dalek story. Unlike the other DVDs in the Monster Collection set, this DVD puts more focus on the Classic Series story rather than the new series episode, since 'The Daleks' is almost 3 hours long, while 'Asylum of the Daleks' is just 50 minutes. This means that 'The Daleks' becomes the main feature, while 'Asylum of the Daleks' feels more like a bonus feature.
Whilst this may slightly discourage buyers who are more interested in the new series, this is a rather appealing way to celebrate the Daleks' own 50th Anniversary, as we revisit the story that both introduced the Doctors' most iconic enemies and secured the show's future. Whilst it would have been nice to have some accompanying special features, this DVD is an appropriate release for Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary.
| What: | Situation Vacant (Eighth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Friday 8 November 2013 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Having lost Lucie, the Doctor goes off searching for a new companion in the style of The Apprentice. Or does he? Someone seems to be manipulating things behind the scenes. Meanwhile, none of the candidates is who he or she appears to be. There is some good humor in the story. The Doctor is surprisingly tetchy at times. However, most of this is just the working out of a cute idea following the inevitable course it must follow given the premise. In that, the kinds of surprises were not all that surprising. The story also sets us up for a story arc of some kind, a bit of business to be revisited.
| What: | Business Unusual (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 8 November 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Not exactly an unusual story but there's no denying it's a well written tale that will appeal to fans like my self who like the PDA with lots of past references.
It's nice that there's now an explanation on how the 6th Doctor & Mel first met and it's nice to read some of her family & her backstory.
All in all a highly recommended story.
| What: | Hines Sight (Cast biographies) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Sunday 3 November 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
The only problem I have with this book is this. As a Dr Who fan I was hoping for a lot more on his involvement with the show, not just a chapter and a mention here and there. Having said that I do realise that was only a small part of his life :)
But apart from that I really enjoyed this book. Reading about the practical jokes alone are worth the price of this book. Any fan of Doctor Who (or Emmerdale Farm) should read this book.
| What: | A Death in the Family (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Tuesday 29 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
"A Death in the Family" is another of the Big Finish tying loose ends stories that seem to be the range for post 2010 audios. The loose ends in this case are whether Hex will continue travels with the Doctor, what happened to Evelyn, and whatever became of the Word Lord? Despite having this mopping up brief, the story still works brilliantly on its own. Basically, the Word Lord is back in town, and in this case he has the whole of London to play Scrabble with. However, the question is how did he get back? Steven Hall has built into the plot a complicated, devious, and self-referential plan, all the while keeping it hidden in plain sight until the latter stages of episode 3. Similarly brilliant is a bit of plotting that allows for listeners to get a seemingly divided story with a Hex episode and an Ace episode stuck in the middle, but have the division make sense in terms of plot. Evelyn gets a hero's sendoff in her quiet English way at the end. All in all, the story is an enviable piece of plotting. There are a couple of loose ends, though, all involving the second, older 7th Doctor, how he got in the sarcophagus and how he inherited the Handivale. Food for a future story perhaps? The culture of the planet Perigine also seems to me to be a bit clichéd medieval-religious in type without enough development. That aside, this is an excellent story the holds up well on repeated listening.
| What: | Trail of the White Worm (Fourth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Saturday 12 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Trail of the White Worm is more evidence of Big Finish's efforts to make the 4th Doctor adventures feel like a continuation rather than a rewrite. The production features a brilliantly over-the-top performance from Michael Cochrane, a superbly sinister performance from Geoffrey Beevers, and a nicley modulated performance from Rachel Stirling. Tom Baker is by this point falling back into the role. The story itself is classic in structure, even when it contains elements that could not have been done in 1977, such as Col. Spindleton's tank and helicopter. Alan Barnes seems to be aiming for Robert Holmes in the writing, using quirky and very English characters, mixing offhanded joking and serious danger. The major complaint that I have is that it has not much new, that the writer has tried a little too hard to recreate 1977 without stretching the form just a bit.
| What: | The Creature from the Pit (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 4 |
Oh dear. Where to start. Don't get me wrong, I love Douglas Adams but this is a good example of why, after the glories of City of Death, he was the wrong choice for Doctor Who.
The main problem with this is Tom Baker at this point his ego seemed to be out of control as is the 'comedy' it's far to much and as such the direction is all over the place.
Thank goodness Chris Bidmead rained in Tom for the 4th Doctor's glorious swan song.
The story itself is just silly and uninteresting. As for the Erato, worse Doctor Who enemy ever anybody ?
| What: | The Space Museum / The Chase (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
The Space Museum.
Like The Sensorites, this story has a wonderful haunting, genuinely creepy first episode followed by episodes of uter tedium. Thankfully the Space Museum is only a 4 parter. The only thing of interest outside the first episode is when the Doctoris being quizzed.
The extras on this DVD are very thin.
The Chase
Easily the worst Dalek story ever. 6 episodes of silliness that never seems to go anywhere with the absolute low point the robot "Doctor" how would that fool anyone???? The story had one lovely scene, Ian & Barbra getting back home and running around London like giddy, lovestruck teenagers.
The DVD is rescued by an excellent set of (mostly) Dalek relegated extras including some 60's film of Shawcroft model makers who created most of the monsters seen in 60's Who.
| What: | Black Orchid (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 1 |
Dull, dull, dull. This is my least favourite Dr Who story ever. Why ? Because it commits the cardinal sin of being dull, not bad dull. Everybody looks throughly bored. You think I'm kidding, look at the "party" outdoors, have you ever seen a bunch of more bored people. The story, such as it is, is a Sci-Fi story with no Sci fi & a murder mystery with no mystery because we no who did it. The two plus factors on this DVD, Peter Davidson's impressive cricket action & the excellent Stripped For Action covering the 5th Doctors comic strip adventures. Avoid like the plague.
| What: | The Sontaran Experiment (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
A fun romp in which the Doctor, Sarah Jane & Harry get to run around Dartmoor being chased by Sontarons. A light story that doesn't always work but is enjoyable enough.
| What: | The Mark of the Rani (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 10 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 4 |
Recently watched this for the first time in ages. What a mess. A story that meanders all over the place & makes no sense at all. The Rani's plans seem amazingly over complicated and what the hell is the master doing in this ? Why is he necessary to the story ? What does he add ? Poor old Colin a Baker does his best with this mess & poor Nicola Bryant has to wear a dress that looks like a tent. The Rani's TARDIS is a thing of beauty & the one good thing in this story & then people get blown up into trees ????!!!!
Another Pip & Jane Baker mess. Avoid.
| What: | The Emperor of Eternity (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Andrew Shaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I love the 2nd Doctor stories anyway and all the companion releases seem to have the theme of his sort of time and you could imagine the B/W on the TV of them & I would have loved to have seen this I can probably understand with them not having Fraser playing the voice of Patrick to steal the story from Deborah as its her tal but it sounds great the only part what would be dfferent if when she hears the recoerder being played as he only knew one tune and this tune being played was a well played different tune so it had me thinking it was someone else playing it, I really think if this was made properly it would be great on TV but it would have been even better if Patricks voice was done by Fraser, but I thought that about the old man as soon as they were talking about him, but good story again, wish we had the episodes of his and Hartnell's stories because I love them both but Troughton comes a very close second to Tom Baker in my favourite Doctor's...........
| What: | Terror of the Zygons (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 9 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
With Zygons coming out it's the end for the range of 4th Doctors glorious run on DVD.
All of the 4th Doctors adventures are now available & the run comes to a finish with an all time classic.
The 4th Doctor, Sarah-Jane, Harry, a The Brig, UNIT, Zygons & the Loch Ness monster. What a treat.
A real corker of a story that rattles along at a fair pace & now includes an extra opening scene that you will never have seen before. Once again the RT have performed wonders in not only buffing up the story to make it look like it was made yesterday but also to splice in the fully restored opening scene of the TARDIS landing in Scotland ( or Sussex standing in for Scotland)
You'll have probably seen this story lots of times so you don't need me to tell you what a corker it is. If you haven't, you're in for a treat.
There are lots of lovely extras on the 2nd disc including lengthy interviews with Tom Baker & the much missed Liz Sladen.
Do yourself a favour, buy it know. You won't regret it.
| What: | Harvest of Time (BBC prestige novels) |
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| By: | Earle DL Foster, Invercargill, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Monday 7 October 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
An equally impressive follow-up to the introductory new Past Doctor Novel, and an ever interesting twist to the multi-incarnation storyline. Mr Reynolds has penned a fitting homage to the Pertwee era, and I for one hope this rejuvenated series will continue well into the upcoming 2014.
I was very disappointed by the rubbish cardboard sleeve around it, what a shame. I've now got it, so can't do anything about it - why BBC? Why? Not happy, because it doesn't match my other CDs, and it also doesn't look right and is bent in the wrong way. Stupid idea BBC - and more trees have been cut down for it too. Disappointed.
