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| What: | Cobwebs (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Friday 12 November 2010 |
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| Rating: |   7 |
The Big Finish trilogies have worked fairly well. Here is the first of a new trilogy which reunites the 1983 TARDIS crew. Intriguingly, though, Nyssa is now an older, wiser woman, while Tegan and Turlough are their younger selves. Fielding's voice does not pass as 20 years old. Otherwise, the characters are very much as they were. The story itself is typical of 1983. Think "Terminus," which has the characters presented with a seemingly insoluble problem, split apart, threatened by everyone in the situation. It is not special, but does deliver at the level its makers intended.
Here and elsewhere, reviewers have noted the similarity this story bears to the recent Matt Smith episode, The Beast Below. Other than the two both featuring huge space whales, there isn't much that's actually that similar. The Song of Megaptera has much more of an ecological activist face to it, and throws in some veiled (or not so veiled) references to Moby Dick and the story of Jonah.
The Song of Megaptera is good, but not great. Parts meriting special mention would include Peri's hilarious delirium, which is really kind of like a really well-delivered, long stream of drunken puns and non sequiturs, the ship's computer, which is a bit like a psychotic version of "Eddy" from the Hitchhiker's Guide after the Doctor messes with it, and the humorously creepy members of the "framily" living inside the whale.
I found it quite interesting to learn that this story had originally been worked on for Tom Baker, then again for Peter Davison, and finally for Colin Baker before being totally abandoned. Why it ever got that far is difficult to understand, for the simple reason of the virtual impossibility of realizing any kind of half-decent version of an enormous space whale on TV with the technology and budget available in the late 70s to mid-80s.
6.5, if I may be more precise.
| What: | Demon Quest: A Shard Of Ice (Nest Cottage audio dramas) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 9 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This is in the same vein as Hornets Nest: Paul Magrs relies more on simplicity, which therefore makes the tales all the more engaging and easy to follow. Its all well and good thinking of mind blowing plots but its sad if theyre so convuluted you cant get your brain around them. Gladly, Paul always keeps away from that sort of story writing.
A Shard of Ice is just simply chilling and cold at the core. This fits so well in with the Fourth Doctors tenure as the Doctor on screen, its up there with the greats like The Sunmakers and State of Decay, and The Seeds of Doom. All of those stories had simple plots too, with very interesting and deep characters. And thats what we've got here too. A minimal cast, with everyone getting a decent chance to shine.
Jan Francis is brilliant as the Ice Queen. She oozes Ice! And Tom sparks off her brilliantly, as he did with most villains in the past. Its also really nice to hear Richard Franklin back again as Mike Yates. He was always one of the most interesting UNIT characters.
This has good moments of horror along the way. This Demon Quest series is already better than the brilliant Hornet's Nest. The "Gobbets of flesh" line immediately brings nasty visions to the imagination.
Its wetting my appetite more and more this series. It just keeps on getting better and better all the time. I cant wait to hear the final two installments.
Its so good to have Tom back as the Doctor. This is all that Doctor Who should be. Simple, engaging and entertaining.
i couldn't put this down it was very entertaining and a very enjoyable read cant wait to read the next one.
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 | This is the scariest tale of the past... |
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| What: | The Curse of Fenric (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 6 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
There is a common and very flawed notion going around it seems in the annals of Whodom that Sylvester McCoy wasnt much of a Doctor. I can plainly state here that that notion is total twaddle. For me, his twelve stories in the lead role of the Doctor were totally unforgettably awesome, each in their own ways. And towards the conclusion of his stories, the tone got far more darker, with so much more mystery being wrapped around the character of the Doctor. And Sylv managed with consumate ease to bring back this mystery in buckets. His character was a lot harder to fathom than many of the previous Doctors, one neever quite knew how he would react to any one situation. And add to that the additional brilliance of Sophie Aldred as the supremely brilliant Ace, and youve got the perfect mix.
The Curse of Fenric has to be one of the deepest, and is certainly the scariest, story of the classic run of Doctor Who. It has so much packed into it, and the extra of the extended addition just makes it even heavier on impact. All the characters are so well acted too, Nicholas Parsons is excellent as the Vicar whose faith has all but been destroyed by the war. A feeling that must have been rife through that time in history.
And those who say there was never much emotion in the classic series want to pay attention to this story. The scenes where Ace discovers the baby she loves is in fact the mother she hates is a very poignant scenario, and the fact that the Doctor must break her faith in him to defeat Fenric through the ancient one is a gut wrenching moment. This is truly weighty stuff.
And then we get the vampiric haemovores too, one of the freakiest designs of the series too, very realistic indeed. They exude menace in a way no other design really managed to do, except the Zygons in Tom Baker's time on the series. This is a vampire tale that is better than almost every other horror film of the same subject Ive seen.
That Fenric too should be so confused by a simple game is a brilliant little bit of scripting too. So consumed with evil he cant see that working together is the answer to the Chess problem. And all the other characters are so raw and real too. Yet again, as i seem to be saying a lot recently, the new series could learn a lot from this story. And the classic series as a whole was far more enjoyable than most of the new episodes.
I cant even locate any bad points here. The menace in the story just continues to build up to a rollicking crescendo of intense emotion and brilliance. The scenes of the haemovores coming out of the sea is very well presented. The direction throughout the story is very taught indeed.
Jean and Phyllis are a tragic pair too. And one can clearly catch the writers intention with these two. two virgin's lost...they both act so well, the two girls here. And their transformation is very well acted, like every other scene amidst this tale. its a rather adult theme, but who cares? And i think for once in its history that this story should have been a 12 certificate. Also, Commander Millington sums up the very worst kind of enemy. So Doctor Who has to contend with so many different problems here.
What I also like is the fact that the BBC here had sense to give the companion at last far more of a back story. That Ace should be so manipulative as to chat up one of the guards so the Doctor can free Sorin is about the strongest scene given to a companion in the classic series. This is Doctor Who at its creepy, darkest best. And to add to that some excellent make up too, and some impressive location work, and for once quite a chunk of underwater photography too. What more could a Doctor Who fan want?
It really was so short sighted of the BBC to halt Doctor Who at this point, just as it was getting ever more brilliant. Sylvester McCoy didnt ensure the death of Doctor Who, he ensured its survival! The additional film scenes in the extended version too are all brilliant, and Im glad theyve been included on this double disc set.
All the additional extras too are memorable, with some deep insight into the making of the story. From this point is where the extras got really good with the Doctor Who DVD series. We get a lot of titbits of info we never knew before. Which is never a bad thing. So, yes, overall, this has to be one of the very best stories of Doctor Who and one of the best dvd releases so far.
One has to say that this series, just gets better and better all the time. This is better than the Doctor Who new series by far. It has far more likeable characters, far more happy endings, far more interesting stories. Elisabeth Sladen is brilliant as Sarah Jane, she's really developed her character now, after a strong start with Jon Pertwee her character suffered a little during the Tom Baker period, with only a few flashes of the guts she had during her first season. The BBC have had the sense to return to her brilliant roots! And Lis has renewed her character so well. She leads all the cast strongly and with some style. And to say the least all the teens aint bad either. They proove that their are some pretty good talented young actors out there.
The stories themselves are all different, but all brilliant. Prisoner of the Judoon adds a little comedy to the Judoon, which cant be a bad thing at the end of the day. And Androvax is a creepy new alien. The Mad Woman in the Attic is very rare indeed, for it has a wonderful, totally happy ending for once. This episode is brilliant to the fore! One of the finest stories for a long time. The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith is a very worthy trip, especially as it features David Tennant in his recorded scenes as the Doctor. He was always a great Doctor, just a shame most of his stories werent a patch on Sarah Jane Adventures. The Eternity Trap is an excellently creepy little haunted house tale, with all the right scares along the way. Mona Lisa's Revenge is a brilliant piece of comic genius. This one had me smiling all the way through. Mona Lisa really has a brilliant attitude. The Gift wraps all the series up so very well indeed. This story is excellent, with some great effects throughout and some supremely great moments. This also has a particularly strong performance from Lis, who really conveys Sarah's anger at Luke being infected by the rakweed well.
I have seen the first four stories of the fourth series now too, and this series still keeps on continuing on the upward match. Doctor Who could learn a lot from this series. Its overtaking it very quickly indeed, and thats not hard when you have a totally shoddy finale in the Big Bang. At least here in the Sarah Jane Adventures the stories are not as complicated as goodness knows what.
Thanks BBC for creating this brilliant series, its absolutely tops!!!!!!!!
Solitare is the best in the series so far. Moving away from the tradditional style,to deliver a tight, clever, cripping and surprising story. I loved it.
| What: | The Green Death (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 2 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The Green Death has always been one of the strongest Doctor Who stories ever to grace the TV screen.
From the outset this story has a moral focus that is at once jarring and impacting in equal doses.
The Giant maggots are a very effective design, what with that fearsome hissing and very well directed movement. They are never less than totally convincing. And the Fly isnt bad either! Some great monster effects. But its the maggots in the slime of the mine that is the most effective scene, squidgy disgusting stuff.
The BOSS is an excellently OTT part. A computer that has a real character. As good a Doctor Who villian as ever.
And Jon Pertwee is on excellent form all the way throughout. And his final scene when Jo has just left him is one of the best farewell scenes in the history of the show.
All the plot elements come together well for a brilliant and memorable climax. A few six parters drag, but this story simply flies by due to the fact that it is so very well written and directed.
This is in the vein of Trial of a Time Lord, The Seeds of Doom and The Seeds of Death, excellent long tales that fly by in minutes. These put films with the same ideas to shame more frequently than not. Doctor Who is at its best when making a point.
The Green Death makes its point very strongly indeed.
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| Better than Triffids by far.... |
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| What: | The Seeds of Doom (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 2 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This tale is one that has stood the test of time very well indeed.
It is packed with some of the most intensely gruesome scenes of the whole original series of Doctor Who. We have a lumbering vegetable, a psychotic botanist, a sick henchman, great looking seed pods...and that churning compost machine is always a menacing presence throughout the tale.
What also shines in this tale is the acting. Everyone is on top form, giving the script as good as they get. Even Elisabeth Sladen seems to get the backbone she had during her Jon Pertwee stories once more. Which is excellent. She was rather lost in most of the Tom Baker tales, but certainly not here.
John Challis and Tony Beckley in particular are brilliantly over the top and wonderfully psychotic. Its no wonder Tom's Doctor here is perhaps at his most fiercely protective of his friend. And his violent streak isnt unfounded either. This story shows how much his friendship with Sarah means to him, so it really makes it all the more odd that his goodbye to Sarah in a few stories time is so unemotional, when here he is smashing through roofs, knocking out hitmen, almost neck breaking all for Sarah. Very strong charecterisation between the two main stars of the programme here. Robert Banks Stewart is an excellent writer. (Especially considering he says he was never really a sci fi writer!)
And another character I really like here is Amelia Ducat. Shes one of those intensely likeable one off characters that deserved to come back again and again! Even UNIT come back pretty well at the end. One can even forgive the totally odd final scene. (The Tardis never went to the antartic, so why does Sarah say the Doc forget to switch off the coordinate programmer?)
The transformation of human to Krynoid too here really is freaky. The creature looks incredibly realistic, even if it is an Axon painted green. This story is one that really prooves how Doctor Who excelled at producing great stories on pittance. Definitely a classic!
Tom's first season of audio stories were brilliant enough, he stepped back into the role of the fourth Doctor as if he'd never been away. It was rather nostalgic listening to that five story arc, and the stories themselves were excellent enough.
But this second season already is at once more darker, has more characters within each tale, and paced even better. The Demon of Paris is nothing short of an excellent chiller of a tale. The characters are all very well presented, La Charlotte in paticular. These series too are so tantalisingly left at cliffhangers, making me mad to find out what happens next along the line.
Its a really good idea having a different person doing the lead narration of all these different tales. Susan Jameson is getting better and better all the time. She seems to be quickly losing the raspy edge she had to her character in Hornet's Nest. And one is beginning to wonder what her nightmares are going to come to soon.
Another excellent piece of this story is the score, it gives a unique feel to this story. City of Death never had a french Paris sounding theme to go along with it, and was lacking for that very reason. But the score is never overly intrusive either.
This story has the feel of a Jack the Ripper mystery. My favourite kind of story these days. Ones that make you think and have you guessing. And of course the plot again though isnt over complicated and is easy to follow. Paul Magrs just brings to life excellent tales that have totally excellent characters and great situations and suitably different ideas inherent in every tale along the way.
Im looking forward to A Shard of Ice, cant wait to find out what happens next. These series truly do capture Tom's era as the Doctor so very well indeed.
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| flat and a little lifeless |
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Nevermore, never really goes anywhere convincing. Whilst the plot is clever and generally entertaining, over it feels flat and at times rushed.
As the first story with a new companion there is nothing that stands out or gives anything original from the new partnership. Only time will tell if this new duo is to bring in the crowds.
| What: | The Caves of Androzani (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 1 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The Caves of Androzani is definitely a very fine piece of storytelling. It is riddled with echoes of Phantom of the Opera, but it is by far better than any version of that film Ive ever seen. If a lot of Doctor Who stories can be called gritty and brilliant and shocking, then this tale is a real stone!
The strength of all the characters is one of the best things here. All the cast have such meat given to their characters. They all act with such zeal and relish too. This in fact is highly unbelievable as this was Grahame Harpers first directing job for Who. It really is excellently shot too.
Sharaz Jek is a supremely excellent and exciting character. Chris Gable gives one of the single finest acting turns as the horribly burnt scientist. And his scenes with Nicola Bryant are very emotional indeed. the scene where Jek has had his mask pulled off and goes to see if Peri is alright is an exquistiely directed scene, as Jek recoils and breaks down because he knows just how ugly he looks now due to that other extremely strong character Morgus. "Do you think bullets could stop me now?!" is one of the best lines in any story ever.
From the word go, this plot is so vividly brought to life, everyone gives the script a 110 percent. And to end it all with one of the best regeneration scenes is just the icing on the cake.
Peter's acting for the cliffhanger to part three is incredible. This is by far his best acting as the Doctor. He has a strength and heart that quite frequently wasnt present in a lot of other Doctor Who stories. Like another reviewer said, its no wonder he had second thoughts about leaving. But as a final story, he couldnt have gone out on a higher note.
This story's lighting too is spot on. Its so dark and effective and chilling. Even the Magma Beast isnt as bad as all that, and isnt shown too often either. The head of the thing is actually quite gross in fact. I love the twist of when Timmon takes over from Morgus! That scene is again awesome. I love it when the psychoes get their just desserts!
Rob Glenister too gives a brilliant turn as Salateen, well Ive already said this story is one of the most tense, gripping and thoroughly brilliant stories ever to have graced Doctor Who. Robert Holmes certainly returned with such gusto. No other Peter Davison tale was quite as emotionally driven as this final outting, except Kinda and Snakedance.....
| What: | Spearhead from Space (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 1 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Spearhead is yet another story that I didnt gel with when I was young, but I certainly gel with it now.
I love the comedy throughout this tale, its a good reprieve from the far harder and more sinister moments along the way.
Caroline John makes a really good debut as Liz Shaw. Shes such a cool companion and I dont know why they got rid of her after only one season. She deserved a far longer run at the role. She gelled with Jon Pertwee so very well indeed.
Nicholas Courtney also just gets better and better as the arrogant but basically lovable Brigadier. Although I never have been able to figure out what gave him the right to take the TARDIS key from the Doctor in the first place. He had no ruddy right! A pig headed lout most of this first season was all his character was!
The autons here are so much more scary than the pathetic new series takes. They are so freaking unnerving, with their lumpy and unfinished appearance. They ooze menace in every scene. And the fight sequence at the end of this tale rates as one of the finest in the shows history, throughly taught and realistic.
Hugh Burden is chilling as Channing also. He really acts totally inhuman, and his presence steals every scene he's in. John Woodnutt is excellent as Hibbert too. And his character develops well all through the story.
The only let down here is that Jon Pertwee gets sadly rather a sad amount of stuff to do throughout. He's almost like a spare part, and the Doctor should not be a spare part. Although at least after part two he gets someserious action, and immediately begins to make his presence known.
This story overall was a powerful start to Jon's time as the Doctor. The best scenes are when the autons come to life and step out of the window onto the street. A brilliantly recorded scene. This is one of the greats of Doctor Who in my opinion, with very little that lets it down along the way.
And I dont think the consciousness is actually that bad a design. As it animates plastic, then its body isnt going to look totally relistic is it? Its a plastic octopus. And just to add to that, Jons struggling with the nestene is brilliant to say the least! This is a very good Doctor Who story indeed.
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| Very, very good indeed... |
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| What: | The Five Doctors (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 1 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
When I was younger I didnt use to like the original version of this story at all. I thought it boring and lumbering, like one of the monsters itself. But this extended, amended addition of the story is far far more enjoyable than the original televised version. And anyway, now I cant see why I didnt like it that much, for there is much to enjpy within this splendid anniversary tale.
Peter Davison leads a brilliant cast. This story gets going straight away. And one thing Terrance Dicks does excellently within this story is get all the different Doctor's personalities spot on from the word go. Pat Troughton is wonderful again as the impish and loveable second Doctor, Jon Pertwee is as strong and powerful a presence as he ever was in his own run on the series back in the seventies. But what is particularly excellent here is Richard Hurndall's brilliant interpretation of William Hartnell. He captures Williams persona excellently. No other actor could have nailed the first Doctor as expertly as Richard does here. He does a very fine job indeed. It is really sad that Tom Baker souldnt have been in this tale properly, but clever use is made of some of the matierial from Shada. Another great part of this tale is that I really didnt expect it to be the President who was the treacherous lout. The devious git is very well portrayed. And its highly nostalgic seeing all the old monsters back for either cameos or longer sections, like the Cybermen. (Brilliant that in this film version they actually have them fire back at the Raston Warrior Robot, unlike in the sad original!) And the Raston Warrior Robot scene is excellently done, one of the finest action sequences ever to have graced Doctor Who (Except maybe that one cyberman with his arm clearly inside his suit!)
And there are so many wonderful pieces of scripting all the way through this tale:
"Its a game within a game..."
"Oh there I am, I mean there you are!"
"Of course I can young woman, and kindly refrain from addressing me as Doc!"
"Its an entry coder!"
"Youve had this place redecorated, I dont like it!"
"Dont worry, Tegan will look after the old man"
"I am president am I not? You will obey my commands!"
"You mean youre deliberately going on the run from your own people in a rackety old Tardis?!"
"Great balls of fire!"
"You attract trouble Doctor, you always did! Where the devil are we?"
"You? Help me? Rubbish!"
Classic dialogue!
But even so, I still cant escape from the fact that after such a monster strewn beginning and middle, this story still ends rather flatly at the end. With just that prat Borusa being sealed away for eternity in the Tomb of Rassilon. They should have had one more threat come up then, that would have made the ending far more memorable for me. And the other bit Im miffed at in this film version is that they cut out that Cyberman saying "Ah!" when it locates the Doctor and the Master. I dont know why but I always have loved that single moment! But this film version is definitely far better than the 90 min original, that is evident from the word go.
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| Three stories that proove a point.... |
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| What: | Myths and Legends (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 1 November 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
These three stories within this boxset are always known as three of the dud stories of the Doctor Who cannon. I find it difficult to see what is so bad about all of these tales to be quite honest.
I loved the Time Monster from the very first time I saw it. It is a story that has it all: time experiments going awry, the Master is back again, and Roger gives one of his best performances here, theres Ingrid Pitt as Queen Galeia, and then theres the excelllent looking Minotaur played by Dave Prowse (where have i heard that name before?) and just to top it all off it has a buzz bomb and some excellent cliffhangers. Also the Doctor recalling his memories of the hermit on the mountain is quite a beutifully acted scene, Jon's delivery is perfect. And then if you need anything else just watch the oh so funny John Levene in a nappy at the end of the tale, which in my book rates as one of the funniest endings of a Who tale ever. The acting from all involved in this tale is excellent, and this to me doesnt seem like a six part tale. And Kronos is a brilliant design, original and wonderfully directed. And the fact that Kronos is uncontrollable is a neat little twist at the end, and that Kronos is actually not totally all bad. And what with the memorable time ram scenes and all that, then what is not to like about this brilliant tale?
Underworld is a tale that I have always liked too. I think that actually the CSO caves look highly effective. And from what Ive seen theres actually very little scenes where you can see the actors going through the wall. The characters all act very believably too, as a tired race searching for their race bank for millennia. And I like the passiified Leela for that short time, Louise's smile is quite something. The only slight quibble which isnt too bad when watched on the DVD is that at times its hard to make out what the mad Oracle is saying. But the voice itself is wonderfully done, and is one of the better computer voices within Doctor Who in my opinion. And Tom Baker is on excellent form throughout the story too. This must have been a hard tale to act in, as nearly all the scenes are shot against CSO backdrop. Give credit to all the guys then, this tale is riveting to say the least. Too short in all. More tales like this would have been nice from the BBC. A tale that relies far more on character than action. A really intelligent piece.
The Horns of Nimon is extremely likeable too. The Nimon have a brilliant resonating voice and Graham Crowden is wonderfully OTT as Soldeed. He's a right flaming theatrical jerk all the way through the story. Lalla Ward shines in a tale that really is more of a Romana story, but Tom never just fades into the background. Its just great to see a companion used so well within the story for once. And I just love the characters of Seth and Teka. Janet Ellis is a bit like Nina Thomas, in the fact that she plays a scared youngster so brilliantly. And that the Nimon's whole base should be part of a circuit is a highly original idea. This is a brilliant take on the Minotaur tale. And its paced very well indeed. The plot too is not overcomplicated, and is so easy to follow. I do not agree with a lot of people who say that the Graham Williams period of Doctor Who started its overall downfall. He produced some of the best tales in the history of Doctor Who. This trilogy set of Myths and Legends is brilliant all the way through. These three are more nearer some of the best Doctor Who's, rather than the worst....
| What: | Echoes of Grey (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 29 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
i always really loved the Patrick Troughton time of Doctor Who. I cant put my finger on exactly what was so brilliant about this period, but it was oh so special. The stories were just so consistently good, with very few let downs amoungst the brilliance. Perhaps it was his clownish approach to the role of the Doctor, perhaps it was the fact he had some of the best companions, perhaps it was down to the best villians to ever grace the TV screen. Well, whatever it was, lets just say that with Echoes of Grey, John Dorney captures it all so well and yet also gives something new to the mix of the era too.
The Acromatics are at once a sad, and yet also highly believable set of "aliens". The best intentions that go wrong yet again, as with humanity they always seem to every day. But the thing is that they are not truly evil, they just fulfill the purpose they were created for. This adds to the impact of the play. And the sound score on this play here is excellent, haunting and vibrant, it fits the story perfectly. And that the Doctor should realise that even though he has to end the scheme and destroy the Acromatics, he can see the good points to their creation.
Wendy Padbury does a brilliant job here. Her first story in the Chronicles series was far more traditional, and here there is a lot more to the story than just traditional plot threads. Echoes of Grey has a lot that is fresh and imaginative about it. It is one of the very best companion chronicles Ive heard so far. It is just sad that the second Doctor didnt have this story all those years ago when Pat was still alive, but one cant have it all at once. And at least we have it now!
I could guess that Ali was not who she made out herself to be, but this little thing doesnt mar the overall impact of the story. And I love the conclusion to this tale. Wendy breathes such life into her character again, and reminds us why Zoe Herriot was such a brilliant companion. This story comes highly recommended.....
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| Excellent whims and ways... |
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| What: | The Reign of Terror (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 26 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The first thing i like about this story is that it boasts an excellent cliffhanger to episode one, of the best of the first season of Doctor Who, with the Doctor unconscious as fire engulfs the farmhouse.
The second cliffhanger too isnt bad, and one can note real horror in Ian's face as he sees Barbara and Susan being carted off to the guillotine. These scenes are quite heady and forthright and dont mess about with the true sickness of that method of execution.
And the comic element brought to the character of the Doctor is believable and warm. Him hitting that bloke over the head is brilliant. He is always with the underdog, and never has any quarms of knocking the occasional idiot out.
The scene where Barbara tells Ian to read his history books too before openly judging a person is a real good script point. Wish more people would do this sort of thing nowadays rather than blowing each other away. Doctor Who always does have a lot of good and insightful things to set about history and the present.
This tale begins strongly, with the Doctor ranting at Ian for nothing at all from the previous story. That he should be saved from the barn by the little boy he had earlier talked to is great, and wakes him up to the fact that they arent all that bad actually. This historical story is really strong for a whole host of reasons. The acting is strong, the themes are goos, and the sets are highly credible. This is another excellent historical tale...
| What: | Circular Time (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 26 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Spring is the weakest of the pack. But even this is very easy to follow and listen to. The tale is just nicely paced and unravels with a speed that is acceptable. The characters are well brought to life by all those involved. The bird people are a very believable race. The moral tone to this tale too is hard to miss. It may not be totally original, but it is fun and a good start to the four short tales here. Tales of the Unexpected to the fore again here.
Summer boasts a great performance from David Warner as Isaac Newton. He captures the mentality of this very well known historical figure and makes it his own from the word go. He kept me gripped all along the way with his delivery of every line. Its sad he's only in one episode of these four. And again the plot of this episode is so easy to follow and isnt overburdened by padding either which is great.
Autumn is the best. A bit of a love tale for Nyssa. This is touching and totally relaxed. A neat little slice of story. And the cricket isnt boring in the slightest. I love the game. And again here the plot is just so easy and clear. Sarah Sutton seems to relish her chance to shine here. She's so very good here. The ending of the episode is really sad though. I was upset that Myssa felt she had to leave Andrew in the end. But as she left in Terminus then that couldnt ever happen I suppose.
Winter is slightly more brainy than the other three episodes. Built around a trap set by the Doctor as he nears the end of his fifth life. Nyssa is well brought into the tale. Winter is also sad, as the Doctor has to let go of all the characters who are now present within his dream. These four little tales are excellently done. They are not brain freeing, they are just charming and rather victorian in feel. What more could a Whovian ask for?! Sheer and utter brilliance.
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| I love this one to pieces.... |
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| What: | Other Lives (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 26 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Other Lives is in the vein of Arrangements for War and Catch 1782. In the fact that it is more character based than action packed. But I have to admit that Gary Hopkins has created here a story that is really nice to listen to. And it is a break from the heavier sci fi tales around it.
The characters here are so well rounded and lovely. This has the feel of a Charles Dickens tale. And all the main three cast get a good slice of action. I love the fact also that this story isnt totally rushed. It just plods on at a nice and warm pace. The plot threads for all three of the TARDIS crew are nothing to do with each other either for the most of the story, which is interesting and different.
Ron Moody too appears here! Probably no wonder its like a Charles Dickens then! Although theres no singing here, thank goodness! You could imagine sitting down in front of the fire with a cup of tea and just falling asleep to this story.
C'rizz's predicament is believable and strong here too. And Paul's main line of story is excellent what with the woman who thinks he's her husband. And Charley is wonderfully played again by India. All of them seem to be glad with this tale, its so easy to follow, and is roundly satisfying. And a nice ending too for once. One would wish for more stories like these please...
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| For once I agree with the main... |
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| What: | Scaredy Cat (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 26 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 2 |
Yes, for once the other reviewers are totally right about this story. It is not highly original, or even well paced, which is bad for a story thats hardly over an hour. And for once sadly, not Even Paul McGann can save this one. The characters are all bland and boring. The plot is weak and irrelevant, and doesnt really make a whole lot of sense to me. And with those woeful ape blokes all over the place. This is one of the few Big Finish tales that really is very bad indeed. I cant even think of anything that is memorable about this tale apart from after Will Shindlers first audio for Big finish, this is a massive let down. One doesnt know why this story was done. Gladly, this isnt often repeated to such bad effect from this point on with Big Finish, sigh of relief....
