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 | Good Beginning For A Trilogy |
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| What: | City of Spires (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Saturday 11 December 2010 |
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| Rating: |   7 |
Since Nick Briggs took over the "Doctor Who" line at Big Finish, the general quality of scripts has gone up. "City of Spires" is solid "Doctor Who" in the grand tradition. The Doctor lands in Scotland, gets immediately embroiled in the politics, but finds something decidedly wrong about the whole arrangement. Along the way, he meets his old friend Jamie, who strangely has forgotten more than he should have. The story runs along at a good clip, with plenty of adventure, action, derring-do, captures, and escapes. The story also works well as a setup for the "Jamie" trilogy. We get the mystery of the "black water," the anachronisms, and some indications that someone else is working behind the scenes.
What works against the story is a weak finish and unconvincing sound effects of a mob rioting revolution. There are some suspiciously coincidental meetings in which the Doctor and Jamie are looking for each other and just happen to find each other. At the end, the Doctor just takes off with Jamie and does not investigate the mysteries, especially the time problems. He just does not seem sufficiently outraged that someone must be manipulating time.
However, the story is a good adventure, well paced and functional.
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| A great comeback in two tales overall! |
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| What: | The Paradise of Death (Miscellaneous audio dramas) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 10 December 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Good on yer mate!
This is what I say to Jon Pertwee for having the sense to realise that Doctor Who could work just as well on radio as it did for all those years with the classic series run. Jon Pertwee too gave one of the finest and most assured of performances as the errant Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterberous. He always seemed to command attention as soon as he appeared on the screen. And his moral focus and centre was very strong and very appealing and pleasing to me then and now. Liz Sladen and Nick Courtney too just slide so effortlessly back into the roles that made them both household names. Sarah and the Brigadier were always two of the best companions in the classic series. Its good to hear Peter Miles again too, again playing a sadistic nutter, here perhaps even more of a git than in Genesis of the Daleks. And what is also nice is to hear Maurice Denham again too, always a very fine and respectable actor.
The pace of this tale is a little better than the Ghosts of N-Space, with a lot less padding on the whole. I cracked up with the totally human scene of the Doctor and Jeremy lambasting a car driver! What a brilliant little nugget in what is overall a very strong return for the third Doctor and the UNIT crew.
"Dont let them both be eaten, a corpse might be good publicity" strikes the note of how sick and disturbed Barry Letts makes the Parakon people appear and sound within this story. A new brand of psycho in the vein of the Master and Shockeye and all those brilliant villains of the past.
The later episodes still do seem to stretch on a bit too long though, with less action than the first two episodes. But all along the way there are some rather interesting points, and good use is made of the central premise of the story. The characters all are well rounded and well voiced.
Thanks Barry for making such a welcome comeback for the third Doctor, thanks for getting it nearly right! (Sad, now even Barry has gone) And thanks to the BBC for producing this very good story overall. Gratitude in abundance!
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| Not brilliant, but not disastrous either |
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| What: | The Ghosts of N-Space (Miscellaneous audio dramas) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 10 December 2010 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
It is so sad that this story was the last one ever to feature Jon as the Doctor. One thing that is plainly evident here is just why so many loved his portrayal as the Doctor. His flair and rather more authorative character lit up all his stories like a light bulb. And he wasnt one for letting the oppressors get away with just a stern chat either. He brought action and charisma too, a very fine actor indeed. And he again does shine here, although it is noticeable how old he was here, as his tone is more cracked and graspy, but one would expect that considering he was over 70 here!
He is joined once more by the ever dependable Liz Sladen and Nick Courtney, who again both shine in their respective roles of Sarah and the Brigadier. And what is also really nice here is to hear Harry Towb given more than just a five minute Doctor Who scene! Stephen Thorne too once more is excellent, perhaps giving his finest performance as Max Vilmio. And I just love that grating, irritating voice of Sandra Dickinson. Her character is a dimension of light relief against the more harsher moments of the script. And Jeremy Fitzoliver is a splendidly over the top creation, and seems to go so well working with Sarah Jane Smith, the dialogue between these two characters is humourous and memorable, and makes for some entertaining listening.
The sound and music score here too is excellent, a really menacing and certainly chilling theme.
What lets the story down a bit along the way is the clear padded sections. There are some excellent moments, such as Maggie rupturing and Max getting stuck in the wall and his final showdown with the Doctor and the Poltergeist scene, but there are long moments that seem totally unnecessary. But this is nowhere near as bad as Ive seen and heard a lot of people say. (But I do admit I dont like the language used at times here too, Doctor Who is better without this common trait)
This is a far more adult tale too. I can see little kids being frankly upset by some of the content within this tale. Some of it is quite explicit, the sound design being rather realistic and well produced and directed.
Overall this is a very worthy last hurrah for one of the best actors to play the errant Time Lord. It really is sad Jon Pertwee is no longer with us. I'll miss his Doctor Who and his Worzel Gummidge a lot.
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| Works better in the audio format |
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| What: | The Monster of Peladon (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 10 December 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The Monster of Peladon works in the visual medium well, despite the stack of flaws evident throughout the six episode tenure of the story.
But one can hear how good a tale this is even more so in the audio format. Afore there are no visuals to go by, therefore you can just relax and listen to the story unfold.
The Monster of Peladon works very well indeed within the audio format I think, and Elizabeth gives assured and snappy linking narration, and she doesnt sound bored doing it either.
So that rather woeful fight scene and Max Faulkners rebirth within ten minutes and the door that melts then reforms again then melts once more arent evident at all whilst being played
out here when just listening to the story. And one cannot escape the fact that Ralph Watson gives one of the best performances of a support actor during this story.
This story is renowned it appears for being tedious and slow. No, the pace is realistic and there is plenty of action along the way. But this miners strike satire works well in audio because there are long bouts of speech, which seem fitted well for audio. What I also like is the new scene actually included in Episode One, a nice little treat for the die hard Who fan to get their teeth into.
And once again I will say that the portrayal of the Ice Warriors here is the best of the four original tales to feature them in the original series. Alan Bennion steps up a notch of villainy and severity here with Azaxyr in particular.
Frank Gatliff too is a voice that stands out within the audio format, his voice booms through the speakers. And I still have nothing but smiles for the wonderful Nina Thomas as that hopeless and hapless Queen Thalira. Rex Robinson too makes a strong appearance as Gebek. Yes, all the characters here really do make the script come alive. And Ian gives a rather subtle, but very convincing portrayal of that Idiot Eckersley. And Ysanne Churchman gives that oh so memorable voice to Alpha Centauri, with a bit more high pitched whining and concern this time I feel.
And doesnt the third Doctor have a rough time of it within this tale? Thrown into a pit, thrown in jail, beaten up severely, and then just to add to all these insults nearly gets his brain scrambled at the end. With all this happening to just the central character how can the story be labelled boring?! I dont have the answer to that one.
And another thing I dont agree with is the notion that the Miner's plight doesnt manifest itself very well in the script. What are all those fights then? What is the attack on the armoury? What is that absolute hotheaded Ettis all about?! I dont think feelings could be expressed any higher within a story than it is here in this story.
So one cant see that despite the fact that this story had a lower budget than the earlier Curse, it works far better for me.
The acting on the whole is very strong, and the vocal inflection by most of the cast is very strong indeed, which too makes it a suitable tale to listen to simply in the audio format, as Ive said.
The only bad thing here is the pathetically short interview with Liz Sladen. There is no point doing an interview this short, we get no detail on anything hardly at all!!
I for one am glad that the BBC made this story. It has stood the test of time in both the visual and audio formats. And this comes particularly recommended from me in this audio release.
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| Warp thrust achieved Baby! |
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| What: | Max Warp (Eighth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 9 December 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
One is so glad to be able to hear Paul McGann getting his teeth into the role he only had the chance to play on screen once. One is glad BFP also gives him stories as funny and inventive as this one.
I am certainly not a fan of Top Gear, so I wouldnt know just how much like Top Gear this all is. But what I can say is that just going by the story itself its so good.
I love Lucie Miller. Sheridan Smith has been a real revelation as the girl with the strong attitude and grudging liking of that right old frock coated Ponce that is the eighth Doctor. Its so good to know Ive got plenty more to get of her! And if theyre as good as this then all the merrier!
The dialogue within Max Warp is extremely witty and whimsical. There is a strong vein of humour running through this tale. Which for Jonny Morris is quite rare as the most of his tales are timey wimey and serious. This happens to be one of his strongest stories so far.
I like the plot here. That there should be no murders at all when one starts out believing there is a really clever plot twist. Its handled well and isnt too over the top. The Ferret shouldnt be kept in his cage either! What brilliant characters here.
"Stick your bits out" is a bit tongue in cheek but it still made me giggle. One gets the impression that this Paul and Sherry like of tales are overall of a far higher calibre than the Paul and India line. I think that maybe partly to do with the fact that the stories are shorter and faster to get to the point and not have ten minute speeches.
Warp Thrust achieved. Should have a sequel to this story in the very near future I think. Come on BFP!
| What: | Demon Quest: Starfall (Nest Cottage audio dramas) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 9 December 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
One has to wonder how that Paul Magrs bloke can keep on churning out these brilliant stories, whether it be for the BBC or BFP. Some people just know how to write brilliantly all the time.
Yet again, simplicity is rife and the story again is so easy to follow. The score is definitely american, and the acting is no worse than one has to come to expect from these single episode stories.
Tom Baker is getting better and better. Richard Franklin gives stirling support, and Susan Jameson is her usual whimsical Wibbsey self. And here within this tale the set pieces are truly fun, and yes, truly like they were out of a comic book.
The villain is well portrayed, and still the corpses are mounting up, and one still doesnt know just what this creature truly is yet and why it needs the Doctor. The suspense just keeps on growing.
I really like the characters within this episode. Mimsy is one of the usual Paul Magrs great creations, in the vein of Iris Wildthyme and yet not as openly lovable as she. More dark and multilayered for a start.
What also really helps is that these stories arent too overly long. And what also helps is the character list is smaller so theres a chance to get to know the fewer characters a whole lot better.
Doctor Who is still as fresh within the audio medium. Its a pity the new TV series cant follow suit.
One cant wait to hear the final installment of this series which has beaten Hornet's Nest for its wit, interest and slightly darker story content. So far this is one of the best running series of Doctor Who stories done to date.
One is so glad the BBC has had the sense to bring back Mike again. He was a bit of a missed chance after that debacle with the Dinosaurs. One is glad that Richard was able to do it. He's a great actor. He always did have a three dimensional character though.
And Paul has again managed to write perfect fourth Doctor once more. It genuinely sounds as if Tom Baker is really enjoying doing these audio stories. This comes very highly recommended from me.
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| Once in a blue moon cometh a dud.... |
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| What: | Blue Forgotten Planet (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 9 December 2010 |
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| Rating: | 4 |
This story tries to hard to impact. And it distinctly fails in my opinion. The story is easily convuluted and grows scarily like the over the top brand of new TV adventures.
Charleyas her final end, and it should have been far more monumental and grand, considering her reign has been nearly ten years old. The Girl Who Never Was IS better than this weak story by far. Nick Briggs didnt do quite so well this time, which is sad after his excellent Patient Zero. But everyone has their bad days.
Even Colin and India cant save this this time. I find the plot a trifle stupid at times. I could have thought of a far better ending, but sadly it wasnt forthcoming. (Unevolving humanity? Considering the fact that we didnt evolve in the first place)
The sound score may once more be up to a high standard, but what substitute is that when this story is stiff, bland, unengaging and tepid to say the very least. If youre expecting lots of grand bangs and flashes to end India's run as Charley, then youre going to be very dissapointed by this outing.
Yes, this is one of the very rare duds that manifest in the Big Finish range. What a great relief that the next Colin Baker trilogy is far better than this run. But it is only this silly ending that is poor in this trio. Nick shouldnt have done two so close together. This is nowhere near the Nowhere Place.
But at least duds are still far more sparse within the BFP line than they are in the new series.
The Pescatons really has the feel of the early 70s to it - not early 70s Who, just early 70s in general. There's a Jon Pertwee-ish minimal electronic music score for the incidental music, and the dialogue recordings are noticeably off - done in a reverberant booth evidently, which makes the outdoor scenes rather cheesy-sounding. Then there's a chain-smoking chief alien (well, that's what he sounds like), and the scenes of aliens attacking the city is mainly just REALLY LOUD, grating screams... pause, then MORE REALLY LOUD grating screams!
The best thing about this production is simply the voices of Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen, giving this their best efforts, though it's mostly narration by the Doctor, with sound effects and a few acted scenes here and there, some of them featuring Sarah Jane. It was interesting to hear them on this, from shortly after Sladen's time on television, but other than that, it's mostly dreadful. A bit like a circus side show curiosity, I suppose...
So, we reach the final story in the Sixth Doctor's Lost Stories season. The Macros starts off nicely, visiting the legend of the Philadelphia Experiment - a great story for Who to finally explore. The first episode's scenes on the USS Eldridge are intriguing and atmospheric - this part of the story works well. But then we get taken off to the planet Capron in what it seemed was a micro-dimension of some sort, and this part doesn't go as well. The tyrannical Osloo is a truly vile character; so much so that this actually pulls down the story on that side, as this character is actually quite unpleasant to listen to, and adds nothing of interest to the story.
Another quibble is with the title. It is fairly unclear just who "The Macros" are supposed to be, as the people of Capron should be "The Micros," coming from their micro dimension. But then, it could be that the Eldridge had generated its own micro-dimension... but this still doesn't make the people of Capron "The Macros." Well, it's confusing.
Then there's some poor writing for Old Sixie. As he might put it, he looks like a real blockhead here as he attempts to adjust past events and believes that what is a very weak attempt will surely work. Peri too gets herself dim-wittedly into a couple of pretty bad spots, but this isn't quite so out of character for her, actually...
Still, in spite of these issues, The Macros remains an interesting end to this "lost season." Well done, Big Finish!
Creed of the Kromon is an action story, involving a lot of moving about and tension. This story could easily have been pulled off on television, and the story does surprisingly well without the visual aspect. Although the ending isn't as climactic as one might hope, it introduces some fun new characters and pits them against an evil force.
The only thing keeping this at an 8 is the fact that it doesn't do too much with the Divergent Universe arc. It certainly moves it along a couple inches, but this story could easily have been set on Mars or Skaro.
| What: | Scherzo (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Jake Johnson, America |
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| Date: | Monday 6 December 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Despite several shared themes and ideas amongst Robert Shearman's other works, Scherzo delivers an original, puzzling storyline about love, life, and music.
Highly recommended.
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| The right choice for Audio!! |
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| What: | Hothouse (Eighth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 6 December 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Having read the reviews below I got the feeling that this story wouild be rather much a letdown. And yet everyone is allowed to have their own opinion. So mine has to be that I dont agree with this view at all. If you can bring your imagination into playing when listening to these tales then this is a very successful sequel to that excellent Seeds of Doom.
There are only two things wrong here within this story. The first thing is that Lucie Miller is tragically uinderused. I love Sheridan's stab at this character, she knows her in and out and she deserves better and more scenes than she's in here. The second thing is all the OMGs, some people just get tired by this after a while.
Aside from this this is a very strong outting. Paul McGann gets to be moral again, and here his stance is a bit stronger than usual, for his Doctor seems to be the most laid back and softly spoken of the incarnations of the Time Lord. He is an excellent Doctor. Good to hear him getting the chance to show us just how good he is.
Another brilliant star here is the tragic Lysette. I love this girl, she's genuinely so brilliant. Ive not seen her playing a bad character on or in anything. Something tells me she could be the perfect choice for a new companion! Well, thats just my view anyway.
The Krynoids are well realised here. With the voice treatment maybe not quite as cheap sounding as the Keeler one back in the Seeds of Doom. They sound good. And this has a suitably different theme than the Seeds of Doom too, despite the fact that they both possess a moronic plant obsessed nut. But this is not a bad thing. I love the Doctor Who idiot. Its a brilliant breed.
Blooking Horrible? No, blooming brilliant overall!
This is an exicellent book, The Doctor and sarah jane are spot on David bishop knows his era with out makeing them steriotipical. The relationship between Sarah jane and Tom Ramsey has to be one of the most beliveable in the entire book range. Tom Ramseys character is incerdible both amiable and ruthless and like all other main players in this story have depth and beliveability. The plot is a soud one and dose not fall into lifting moments from classic gangster films of the fiftys, sixtys although a few wouldnt feel too out of place in Get Carter or the The Krays. A very clever thing useing the pollution crisis of the London pea souper as a vehicle for alian invasion. The menaceing force of the story the Xhinn are more memorable than some of the aliens to come out of the range. To sum it up go out and buy it (or steal it of some one!) its worth the money
| What: | The Angel of Scutari (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 28 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Yes, Big Finish are brilliant because they know that some fans still really like the historical story. But sadly, they dont have the balance of Will Hartnell's time still. one sci fi, one historical: that could and should be the formula even to this day! History is bad enough without having a sci fi gloss put all over things! Frankly, history is far more horrific than sci fi anyway.
So when Big Finish actually do bring that odd history tale into the mix, its a long awaited pleasure! The Angel of Scutari is yet another very fine piece of storytelling from Paul Sutton. This story is well paced, very realistic action, very good dialogue. This story is very intense. And we have Florence Nightingale. And brillianter still is the fact that this is just a history tale! No psuedo thing except the TARDIS, and that isnt even in it for long. This is just in the same vein as the Aztecs and The Massacre and has about the same high quality acting and same hard and lasting impact.
And Phil Olivier is particularly excellent here. Hex is such a good mix with the Doctor and Ace. And I dont really need to say anything about Sylvester McCoy, other than this is his usual brilliance brimming over, the most mysterious and manipualtive, yet at the same time compassionate and human, of all the Doctors still to this day. The Angel of Scutari is a very strong story indeed, and comes highly recommended from me once again....Roll on more history!!!
| What: | Jubilee (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Andrew Shaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 22 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
I really enjoyed listening to this as I am currently listening to them in order and was releaved to have a better story come along which is my type it is excellently thought out got a bit confused with the split time bit especially the ending I expected something different happen (still good though) but one of my favourite parts was the cliffhanger with the prisoner in the tower, I bet everybody was expecting the obvious ( I wont say incase of spoiling it for someone. but all round great story and proves again Colin Baker is an excellent Doctor.
| What: | Byzantium! (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Friday 19 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
I am not sure whether the other reviewers and I read the same book. Though the novel is set in ancient Rome and has the requisite political intrigue, gore, and luxury, I see hardly any "Life of Brian" in here and only a little "I, Claudius." So, let us get to the novel as is. This is a first Doctor adventure separated into five "episodes." The novel is set between "The Rescue" and "The Romans" and Topping provides justification for this by having the TARDIS stolen by the man whose villa the crew will occupy in "The Romans." Each chapter is titled based upon pop song references, but each also has an epigram from the Gospel of Mark. Title and epigrams bear only passing relationship to the contents of each chapter. These references then are a weakness, an attempt maybe to give literary depth to the story. Getting the other weaknesses out of the way, we have these: After the crew gets split up, the Doctor features very little in the novel and has no impact at all on the main events. The ending is too rush-rush, as though Topping knew he had run the length and just needed to get our heroes back together again. Ian at times seems disturbingly nonchalant about killing people.
The strengths of the novel are much more forceful. This is Topping's best for Doctor Who in a number of ways. First, he has a better grasp on his style, and seems much more comfortable with advanced rhetorical and literary technique than in previous novels. Second, he seems to have found his niche in the historical genre. The research shows through, and Topping does very well in capturing the flavor of life in Byzantium, 64CE. Third, Topping smartly avoids incorporating well-known historical figures, so that the reader gets a sense of "people's history" instead of official history. His characterizations of the various ethnic groups treats them with the dignity of maintaining ethnic identity without stereotyping or degrading. He is realistic about the types of people he uses to populate the story. The political intrigue story involving the prefect and the general is particularly interesting and keeps the novel going apace.
In short, I really think this is an underrated work, perhaps more mature than what readers may have expected.
I really enjoyed this DVD. Strong performance by Colin Baker, good effects, well put together story, and solid performances from the supporting players. Extras were also entertaining. THE Colin Baker is vastly underrated as a Doctor.
| What: | The Prisoner of Peladon (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 16 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
David Troughton returns to the role of King Peladon after over thirty years. And it is well worth it. The Curse of Peladon was rather a weak start to the Peladon quadrilogy. King Peladon was a realistic character, but the story for me was so stilted and stagey and utterly unmemorable.
But here David reads a far far better story than his first as King Peladon. He has a very soft, and calming reading voice which is also good to listen to. This story keeps well with all the other Peladon outings. It has all the essential ingredients, with a few extras thrown in so as not to make it a carbon copy of any of those beforehand.
This also is good for the fact it has different ages of Ice Warrior within the tale. And here again its still a surprise to hear if the Warriors are going to be good or bad. (Although in big finish, they seem to be predominantly bad most of the time) And it always helps when the story is easy to grasp and follow.
The Prisoner of Peladon is a very good tale in many ways. The onyl little snags are the fact that it dispatches the troublesome warriors in exactly the same way as The Monster of Peladon, and the fact that once again an overbearing hot head King starts to blame the Doctor for the situation yet again like in so many stories these days. This line of storytelling is becoming greatly tedious.
Gladly the rest of the tale is strong enough to make this still one of the best Companion Chronicles for a long time. The character of the third Doctor is totally spot on for a start, as strong and commandeering as he was on screen all those years ago. Its so sad Jon is gone now. He always was an excellent Doctor.
Another part of this story i love is the fact that Alpha Centauri could be hiding something along the way. And the shock of the death of the KIng's Champion. Mark and Cavan definitely know how to bring out sudden twists in the tale. That was a genuine surprise. And we also get a child warrior at last. Something that hasnt been done before. And I love the fact that the King is obviously telling this story to little Thalira. A nice little touch to end this chronicle. Overall, very good indeed, as strong as The Monster of Peladon.
I look forward to some more Peladon stories in the near future, please Big Finish.....The Bride of Peladon was a great start, and Prisoner might even just edge that story in a lot of ways....
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| Depressing but interesting |
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| What: | Nightshade (New Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Mark List, Midland, United States |
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| Date: | Sunday 14 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
This book was a nice change from some of the earlier novels. I thought it was well written and definately well thought out. There wasn't really any "dead" space in the story.
Other than being a little depressing in parts, it was quite an enjoyable read.
It was too bad that Nightshade met the end he did, but as the story was written, it was fitting. It was nice to see the old man find the nerve to do the things that he did.
This is one book that I would read again.
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| Consistent, strong, brilliant... |
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| What: | The E-Space Trilogy (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 13 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Full Circle begins the trilogy set in E Space very well indeed. The fact that this story was written by the youngest writer for the series so far is astonishing, for this story has many moments that possess a Robert Holmesy feel to them. This story is rich with atmosphere and menace. The set pieces here are also largely original and surprising, like the fact that the people do not know how to fly the starliner! Also, yes, lets mention the introduction of Matthew Waterhouse, perhaps the most abused of all the Doctor's past companions by fans and reviewers alike. Matthew was never even a quarter as bad as many people seem to think! He makes a sure and steady intro within this story. All the other outlers too give very good performances. Its good to see Alan Rowe back yet again too. Add to this mix a very strong central performance by Tom Baker and you get a brilliant tale that is one of the strongest from 1980. (Well, perhaps all that lets this down for me is the twaddle of the evolving life cycle) And the marshmen are shot well, especially when they emerge from the marsh for the first time. K9 gets poor treatment again, but its not surprising from the location is it?
State of Decay is a very strong vampire tale. This is definitely a work on characters more than blood. The central vampires are all so wonderfully chilling. And their demise is perhaps the best vampire deaths Ive ever set eyes on. One thing that also strikes me here is that aside from Ibol's son and Adric and the good Doc, there are a lot of extravagent beards on show here! But the story itself is extremely well written, even the Great Vampire isnt quite as bad as all that. Other vampire tales could learn a lot from this story. Its a return for one story to the horror classics of Tom's earlier times. The set design here too is incredible. And again all the acting is of a first class standard.
Warrior's Gate is a very interesting and slightly mind bending piece of filming. Some of the effects are the best in the series up to this point in time in the series history. That frozen coin scene really is rather good. So are the negative photo shots. The Gundans are a brilliant set of robots, and Rorvik is another in the classic line of Who morons. We even get Kenneth Cope here! Who gives it all he has as usual. The science isnt actually as hard to follow as it first appears either. Space is contracting. Some of the dialogue is extremely witty and well written too. Perhaps the only slight letdown is the very fast goodbye to Romana at the end of the story. All far too rushed and again, like the Elisabeth Sladen farewell, all rather emotionless and void. But aside from the few quibbles Ive mentioned, everything else about these highly excellent stories is memorable and some very well produced television.
