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I cant help at smile at both the Second Doctor Lost Story releases so far, for many reasons. The first and foremost is that both stories, PRISON IN SPACE and THE ROSEMARINERS truly feel of the period they originally were envisaged for, and then for some stupid dumb unknown reason they both never came to be. And whats more special about this story in particular is that Donald Tosh actually wrote it all himself! Without any adaptor, so this makes this tale even more authentic.
And Donald has produced a great story. This could easily have slotted into season 6 without any problems at all. There's the mental alien idiot intent on the ruling of the universe, and Clive Wood has a well suited voice to put just the right amount of charm and menace into his performance as Rugosa. And as per usual one cannot overlook the as ever excellent David Warner as Biggs. The bouncing off that the Frazer Hines impersonated second Doctor (which as ever, is just spooky in its likeness to the great Pat Troughton Himself!) and Biggs is particularly noteworthy. But what I like the most about this adventure is Wendy's performance as Zoe. Here she amusingly leads everyone to believe that a security team is on the way, and this makes for some very comical scenes. But as usual, and as ever good for a Doctor Who story, there's a few gross moments thrown in when the huge man eating roses start getting into bloom.
I could imagine this having slotted in between the Seeds of Death and The Space Pirates. Maybe it isnt totally wholly original, but it is solid and definitely a worthwhile story to listen to for its pace is great and the plot is easy to follow unlike most of the lamentable new TV series....
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 | Definitely underrated Historical |
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| What: | The Reign of Terror (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 29 January 2013 |
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| Rating: |  10 |
These are rare: stories with just the right balance of humour and seriousness. This story is Dennis Spooner's first and brilliant, script for Doctor Who which brought season one to close on a real high point. This is a six parter that flies along at a really good pace, and all the main cast deliver excellent performances to make this story a particular delight.
The first to really impress is William Hartnell, giving the great mix of grump and concern that really is his incarnation of the time lord to a tee. I can never forget is scene with that tax man, it cracks me up every time I hear or watch it. But as ive already said, the humour doesnt over take the drama. And this is also another great show of William Russell's and Jacqueline Hill's great chemistry on screen. And we have some terrific scenes of Barbara's stance on histoy.
What also impresses with this story is the excellent design, which for the time looks quite amazing. One really does feel that this is in france and true to the point.
And then we have the frankly excellent animated episodes, these are so very impressive and delightful so you can watch the story whole again. And this time I think the detail is even finer than in the episodes of the Invasion. The animation teams certainly know their business. This all comes over very well and the restorationas ever is of a very high standard indeed! Classy Doctor Who.
| What: | The Myth Makers (Target novelisation readings) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 26 January 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
After reading the book, I just had to listen to the audio reading - it's such a good book. This is one of the best sort of books to be read, because it's mainly in the first person of Homer. Stephen Thorne (he of the Daemons and Omega) has such a wonderful voice that he plays Homer with pure perfection. Absolutely love this audio reading. Thank you BBC Audio. :-)
| What: | The Myth Makers (Target novelisations) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 25 January 2013 |
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| Rating: |  9 |
Once again, I've read a Target novelisation of a missing story. I find the soundtracks quite hard to follow, so I am now experimenting by reading these Target novels first, and then listening to the CD. This method works very well, so I'll keep doing it this way - The Dalek's Masterplan is next.
The novel itself is very well written and written in the first person as Homer. This sometimes makes it quite difficult for Cotton to follow the actual plot of his script, but it is still a very good way of telling the story. This also distinguishes the novelisation from others and that is a good thing. The book came out in the 1980's, when a lot of Target novelisations had already come out - so a change in style is a good idea. Cotton is obviously a classicist too - because he knows his Trojan war history - and even explains why Homer was supposedly blind; and why he writes about a Clyclops in the Odyssey. All in all a good tale.
Well worth buying a second hand copy from somewhere.
You can pick up
| What: | Love and War (Big Finish novel adaptations) |
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| By: | Doug W, An Alternate Reality (formerly Pocono Summit), United States |
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| Date: | Thursday 24 January 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This adaptation of Love and War was sort of done as a 20-year Benny Anniversary special - the character of Bernice Summerfield was introduced in the New Adventures novel of the same name, in 1992, and she became quite popular in the years that followed, remaining with the Seventh Doctor in the novels for quite a while, and eventually getting her own novel and audio series.
This audio production is really well done, and really took me back to the days of the novels. It was a real nostalgia fest for me. It moves at a slower pace (the running length is the equivalent of 6 episodes of the classic series), and is very character-driven. It captures the New Adventures feel very well, yet the story is a lot less horrific on audio, in a good way. I think I only ever read the book once, and I didn't remember it being this good.
I'd love to see Big Finish adapt more of the better New Adventures novels, like Time's Crucible, Andrew Cartmel's Warhead, Warlock, and Warchild, Sanctuary, and of course, Lungbarrow.
This is a really good book and I enjoyed reading it, but the story differs considerably from the serial. I know authors have done this to a number of books in the range and sometimes it helps, but the kind of changes here include a number of solar stacks when only one appears, and the Wirrn young are globs of some substance that join up. The scene where Noah shoots the Doctor also differs considerably but that's okay. My problem is with the other two, it reinforces the budget constraints in the show rather than complimenting the serial.
Once again, Big Finish have managed to give us another great set of audios. This time, they are a little poignant too, because like the recent Last Post, here is a companions last audio, and thus the last time we can enjoy the character of the Brig in this way. The audio box set was released after Courtney had passed away.
The Three Companions is split into three individual stories with a linking story in between - a very clever way to have a Companion Chronicle. The story also initially served as a promotional tool and you can see why. First, because it utilises an interesting method: i.e. emails to each other; and second because Polly, the Brig and Brewster are a really good mix.
The other two audios are really good too, and were offered as freebies beforehand. These two extras really make this "The Specials" set top notch.
I highly recommend this audio set - not just because it's the Brigadier's last one, but also because Polly; Jo; Turlough and Thomas Brewster are all really excellent companions.
| What: | The Shadow Heart (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug W, An Alternate Reality (formerly Pocono Summit), United States |
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| Date: | Sunday 20 January 2013 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
...With a dash more Star Wars thrown in, yes.
The Shadow Heart is an entertaining end to an epic trilogy, the previous two parts of which can preferably be bypassed. Here we finally have an amusing script, great use of time travel and the TARDIS, and great sound effects, including the chuckle-inducing sound of Hercules the stellar ammonite (or giant space snail), which sounds something like Chewbacca, but much funnier. And here, the companionless Seventh Doctor is once more playing his familiar role of master manipulator...
| What: | The Flames of Cadiz (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 18 January 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This audio fits in so very well and could almost be a Target novelisation of a long lost story. Marc Platt has written some true masterpieces, so I shouldn't be surprised. This is an excellent historical and well worth a listen. Buy today! :)
| What: | Doctor Who and the Crusaders (Target novelisations) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 17 January 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
It's a really good read, especially as I was not around in 1965 to watch it. I find the soundtracks quite hard to follow, so I am now experimenting by reading these Target novels first, and then listening to the CD. This method works very well, so I'll keep doing it this way - The Myth Makers will be next
The novel itself is very well written (though in an old style) and has some excellent illustrations too. I read the 2011 version, which has an excellent introduction and an excellent conclusion - fitting it perfectly in to the time of its initial publication (i.e. the 1960s). The story is so very good, and like Marco Polo probably describes amazing landscapes that would not have looked so good on screen - though unlike Marco Polo, I could (if I wanted) go and look at episodes 1 and 3.
Please do buy the 2011 version and enjoy Doctor Who from the First Doctor era.
| What: | Marco Polo (Target novelisations) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 14 January 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
It's a really good read, especially as I was not around in 1964 to watch it. I find the soundtracks quite hard to follow, so I am now experimenting by reading these Target novels first, and then listening to the CD. This method works very well, so I'll keep doing it this way - The Crusade is next.
The novel itself is very simple to follow, but this is not a bad thing at all. I also suspect that the description of the landscape and journey look much better in my mind than they did in the TV episodes! It's a good adventure story, an well worth a read.
| What: | The Burning Prince (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug W, An Alternate Reality (formerly Pocono Summit), United States |
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| Date: | Saturday 5 January 2013 |
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| Rating: | 3 |
When I became aware that Doctors 5, 6, and 7 each have dealings with the Drashani Empire in this story and the two that follow, that connection intrigued me, and so I've just managed to listen to The Burning Prince all the way through. It was not easy.
Fast paced it may be, but it's a story that features a bunch of maulings by huge beasts... and then another bunch of maulings... and another... you get the idea. There's not a whole lot going on here other than maulings, and the emergence of the titular Prince's burning state.
Add to that the fact that Peter Davison had a "heavy cold" while recording this story, to the point that a punch in the nose was even written in to explain it, and you have very difficult listening indeed. I'm really amazed that production couldn't be delayed by a week or two to get this duck in the row so as to at least do this thing properly, but I suppose it would've meant juggling too many other changes.
We'll see if The Acheron Pulse and The Shadow Heart make this worth it.
| What: | Magic of The Angels (Quick Reads books) |
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| By: | Tardis Skaro, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 30 December 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Magic Of The Angels is in the "quick reads" range for reluctant readers,that being said it should not put advanced readers of this short and sweet adventure.Its written by Jacqueline Rayner who has done work on who before (The Stone Rose,The Sontaren Games) so she is no stranger on how to write a story.The story is good but keep in mind its targeted at reluctant readers.
| What: | The Silent Stars Go By (BBC prestige novels) |
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| By: | Tardis Skaro, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 30 December 2012 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
The Silent Stars Go By is the second in its format in which a "known" author makes an attempt to write a who novel.Dan Annett does not disappoint he writes The Tardis Trio perfectly and handles the encounter with The Ice Warriors perfectly.I hope one day 11 faces the Ice Warriors on T.V but at the time of writing this is the closest we are going to get.
| What: | The Dalek Project (Miscellaneous graphic novels) |
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| By: | Tardis Skaro, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 30 December 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
As you can probably tell this story is quite a bit like victory of the Daleks,that being it has many differences so it still feels like a different story even though it follows very similar plot lines.Mike Collins does a good job illustrating it and Justin Richards writes the 11th Doctor perfectly.
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| Hanging Around in the Dead Zone - Again |
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| What: | Death in Blackpool (Eighth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Saturday 29 December 2012 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
The beginning of series 4 has Lucie leaving the Doctor (not really). The story is rather old hat. Someone wants a body, puts Lucie in a coma, and then visits her in the the space between life and death to convince her to give up her body. It is done in the same way as all the others. The story resolves the Aunt Pat dilemma for Lucie. That works out fairly well. In general, it is just not original enough.
| What: | The Colony of Lies (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Friday 28 December 2012 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Though the book has a setting in a quasi-western town on another world, and one character speaks in a somewhat western-like manner, it really is not a western at all. Brake may have been attempting something like a western, with a frontier town, a displaced earlier settlement (i.e. the Injuns) and something like the cavalry in the Earth Federation troops. However, the novel is more straightforward science fiction than anything else. The story and type are of the back to basics (pun intended, for those who read the book) late 1970s style, the reaction against the literary flights of fancy of the 1960s and early 1970s. It has the manner of John Varley or the early George R.R. Martin to it, maybe even Orson Scott Card.
The story involves a failing human colony on an Earth-like planet. The colony had been established on a theory that humanity had lost its way in too much technology, so that a return to the 19th-century style of living would give people a fresh start. However, the founder of the colony died when the colony ship crashed. Now, a century later, the colony is split into the Loyalists, wanting to keep the old ways, and the Realists who want more technology. Complications come when Earth Federation forces arrive to establish the basis for relocating refugees of the Dalek wars to this planet. The Federation ship sets off an alarm and the prior inhabitants begin to stir. Several interesting plot complications ensue, and Brake does manage to keep some surprises well hidden while at the same time logical when they arrive.
The book does not have much in the way of original ideas, but instead takes some well-known elements and combines them in a novel way. There are a few bits to quibble about. How can Jamie hold his own in a one-on-one fight with the biggest and toughest alien dog when repeatedly these dogs have shown the strength to rip apart doors and fling humans as if they were pillows? Does Zoe have to be on the brink of death three times? Why is the colonists' difficulties in getting pregnant not explained? Why is it that Federation official Greene is made out to be something other than human, but is really just another slimy political hack? Of course, the major problem for most readers will be the wholly unnecessary fan-wank of having a seventh Doctor cameo.
To wrap up, despite a few gaffs the book is a brisk read with science fiction elements put to good use.
| What: | Project: Destiny (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Thursday 27 December 2012 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Written as the wrap-up of the Forge series, "Project: Destiny" is mainly about tying up multiple loose ends. As such, it does not work fully well as a standalone story. To get the full benefit, one needs to know the other stories before it. The Forge, or C4 as it is now known, has become legitimate, and Abberton has now traded in his polycarbide armor for a Savile Row suit, as the Doctor says. But while the Forge may be legit, Abberton probably isn't. The new concern is an alien virus that converts people into insects. Some have noted that this idea imitates "District 9," but there are also hints at a "Seeds of Death" connection. Since this is a 7th Doctor & Ace story, things must get very emotional, so to provide emotion-food there is the big reveal to Hex about his mother. Like prior Forge stories and Scott/Wright Big Finish scripts, the writing here is brisk if not terribly original. To their credit, Scott and Wright do not attempt to hide the borrowings. Though this is billed as the end of the Forge series, Scott and Wright do leave just a little opening for more.
| What: | Gallifrey IV (Gallifrey audio dramas) |
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| By: | Doug W, An Alternate Reality (formerly Pocono Summit), United States |
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| Date: | Thursday 27 December 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Similarly to the Doctor Who Unbound series that features "what if" scenarios with alternative actors playing the past or never seen Doctors, Gallifrey IV takes us to alternate Gallifreys in alternate universes via the Axis, which is a hub that affords passage to those alternate realities. The result is an intriguing series of adventures in other, radically altered worlds of Gallifrey, with only Romana, Leela, K9, Braxiatel, and Narvin being from the original world that is familiar to us, having been forced to take refuge in the Axis after the end of the events of Series III.
These stories are also full of great guest appearances of other familiar actors in the Doctor Who and Gallifrey series, here playing different roles.
The four stories are imaginative and interesting, and the performances are solid across the board.
For listeners who like "something different," you won't do much better than this.
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| Part 3 of the trilogy (star wars) |
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| What: | The Shadow Heart (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 23 December 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Death Star, millennium falcon (or giant snail) princess and bounty hunters. Throw in the Doctor, mix up with lots of time travel and it all comes together to a great conclusion to the trilogy.
