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| What: | Lost in Time (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | JG, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 5 May 2010 |
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| Rating: |  10 |
This is the best Box-set of Dr Who ever! Almost all of orpaned episodes in 1 whole Box-set on 3 DVDs. All we need now is the animated episodes.
This Book takes a rest from the recent turmoil in the main character's lives but in doing so allows for a low key murder investigation coupled with the development of a recurring character. It is all handled so expertly by Aaronovitch that you do not for one moment feel that you are immersed in this new culture that I am sure we will see more off.
| What: | Wetworld (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Donna Torchwood, St Louis, MO |
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| Date: | Friday 30 April 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Read this on a train on the way to Chicago. In parts it reads like some of the best writing of master horror writer Stephen King. Both the Doctor and Martha have solid help with the characters in this adventure Candy, Ty and the villain Mr. Pallister. Allons-y!
an awful programme. not only it is not all interviews, the other parts are just picture montages of old dr who memorablia, "fast facts" (some of which are incorrect), and the interviews are either small co-stars or poor footage for DT and john barrowman. not recommended for any fan. (buy creature from the pit instead!)
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 | Have I Got Doctor Who For You |
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| What: | Peladon Tales (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 27 April 2010 |
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| Rating: |  9 |
I suppose you could probably say this is the closest Doctor Who got to a political satire, although to be honest these are merely 'themes' that run throughout. 'Curse' reflects the UK's decision to join the EU (then the EEC), and more blatantly in 'Monster' we have references to the miners' strike.
'The Curse of Peladon' is by far superior to its 1974 sequel. We are introduced to a menagerie of aliens, including the Ice Warriors, Arcturus (creepy voice) and the brilliant Alpha Centauri. The villain here is not who you'd expect, though!
Other well-played characters are David "Son of Patrick" Troughton as the King and Hepesh, the dodgy High Priest. Aggedor doesn't look too bad, either!
'Monster' is a bit more rubbish. As a 6-parter it has to spread out its slightly sparse material out even longer, and I think the miners strike references could have been toned down a bit more. Plaudits have to go to Elisabeth Sladen in only her first season - she does well here.
Extras include 'The Peladon Saga', looking at not just the making-of but also social references (in the vein of 'What Lies Beneath'), and 'The Warriors of Mars', an Ice Warriors documentary (better than 'Sssowing the Ssseedsss' on the Seeds of Death DVD).
The return of jamie has been handled with great strength and at last some mystery in the story arc. City of Spires creates a vivid picture of an alternative highlands, with a strong cast and a great ending, what's next?
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| This is very good on all levels... |
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| What: | The Lost Stories: Paradise 5 (The Lost Stories audio dramas) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 24 April 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The Lost Stories series has been one of so much diversity and Paradise 5 is one of the very best of them so far.
Although I cant see all that much similarity between this and Terror of the Vervoids which replaced this story as the third segment of the Trial of the Time Lord epic. And this story if its possible, to me is even better than that excellent fragment of Trial!
Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant are as assured and brilliant in there roles as ever.
And there are plenty of good ideas rolling around in this little space adventure. The cherubs are a tragic part of the story, but well utilised and thought out.
And the elohim could have been a great new monster for the Doctor to fight. This story has all the atmosphere of a horror tale, woven aboard a futuristic so called paradise space station. And as in every paradise there is a rather vile serpent.
Good speech from the Doctor in the final scene. Makes the sixth Doctor a little more likeable than some of his rather overtly violent outings in previous tv outtings. An interdimensional creature seeking armies to fight. Good idea. You just cant get away from wars can you?
And the acting support is excellent. Memorable and good characters. All the ingredients of great Doctor Who are there once again. This tale really is a one of the best stories Ive heard in a long time...
And so we follow on the heels of the excellent Leviathan. One question on my mind when I ordered this story: would it live up to Leviathan's standards? In short the answer is a resounding yes! Had these stories have been produced and shown in the time when they were first realised, I could have seen the audience figures going up and up and up.
I cant believe stories as good as The Hollows Of Time never made it to the TV. Goodness knows why the BBC couldnt have started over with all these excellent lost stories.
Chris Bidmead has crafted a tale with good pacing and good spins and turns. And the Tractators are back. And they are not quite as bad as they first appeared to be in that great tv story Frontios. I notice they have used some of the score from that story again. The Tractator's theme it should be called.
And is Professor Stream the Master? What is really good is that you can easily think so, but you dont find out. I find this an intruiging thing to do. Leave it to the veiwer or listener in this case to decide. And if it was the Master, or whoever, blowing into pieces isnt a very nice end at all for anyone. That might have been just a bit too over the top for a PG 1986 adventure but it certainly is a great ending.
And again it boasts good characters that are likeable. And the relaxed start is a breather from more far paced tales that sometimes are too quick for their own good.
This is another delightful example of what might have been. This really should have been made at the time it was written. But im glad its been done now!!!!
| What: | The Lost Stories: Leviathan (The Lost Stories audio dramas) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 24 April 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
It has to be said that overall, so far, this lost stories series has been excellent. the stories in their way have many strength and maybe yes a few weaknesses but with this story this is happily not the case.
I could have seen Leviathan as being a story very hard to realise on the screen in the mid eighties. There are si many good ideas floating around in here that it wouldnt have been cheap.
This is a good multi layered story, with many good twists and turns. The ending of Part one is surprising to me, and despite the clues I didnt have a clue it would turn out to be a huge spaceship.
And then there is the gruesome body tanks. Now that is a more ghoulish and scary theme to this excellent tale that doesnt pause for breath from the moment it starts. And there is also plenty of excellent dialogue from all involved that make this lost story very good indeed.
It has all the elements that Doctor Who needs. Ken Bentley has directed this audio brillantly.
Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant: its good to hear them together again, and they work so well with each other. Im glad that the overall banter has calmed between them that was the usual vein in the Colin Baker Doctor Who tv period.
This is a Robert Holmes type story: excellently realised and very well plotted, with plenty of good and different elements floating around!!!
| What: | Dalek War (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Mark Finney, Richmond, VA, USA |
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| Date: | Wednesday 14 April 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
All the key ingredients for the best of Doctor Who; Pertwee, Delgado, Jo Grant, Daleks, and outer space!
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| Scooby Doo in all but name... |
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| What: | Black Orchid (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 12 April 2010 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
OK, maybe the title of this review is a little over the top, but some elements of that "detective" cartoon and this "whodunnit mystery" do correlate. A silly runaround in corridors of a manor house, a doubting Thomas-esque policeman, and a mystery with just one suspect...
'Black Orchid' is unlucky in some ways. Sandwiched between adventurous historical 'The Visitation' and Doctor Who's #19 story, the thrilling 'Earthshock', this is like the mouldy lettuce in an otherwise delicious layered sandwich. The plot is thin and wishy-washy, and I'm not a massive fan of the characters, who with only 2 episodes have no time to develop. OK location work, but it's no saving grace for this story.
Extras-wise, this is as insubstantial as the story. A 'Now and Then' which lists locations not used for Cranleigh Hall - YAWN! 'Stripped for Action' is alright, but the Fifth Doctor's comic strips hardly stand out either in quality or impact. There's little else of note on this disc, which is sadly pretty poor.
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| Good, if you like this sort of thing... |
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| What: | Island of Death (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Josh, Sitka, Alaska |
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| Date: | Friday 9 April 2010 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
For those of you who don't know it this book is a follow up to the two BBC radio dramas that Jon Pertwee did in the early nineties, just before his death. This in mind I was very eager to read this book, as I enjoyed those radio dramas, ('Paradise of Death' and 'The Ghosts of N-Space').
Island of Death is a Doctor Who adventure that you will enjoy if you liked the radio dramas. While this is not the best Doctor Who story I have ever read, it was certainly a very fun read. I also learned that a Time Lord's respitory bypass system makes them naturally boyant (no idea if I spelled that right) in water.
The only problem I had with this story is that, like many other BBC Doctor Who stories, the climax comes far to quickly at the end. (I often wonder if the BBC enforces strict guidelines on how long a book can be!)
Other than that it is well worth the read.
I really enjoyed this story. it gave a great insight to what could have happened if Great Britain had lost WW2. Terrance Dicks does a great job with this story i couldnt put it down.
Entertaining start to the series of new adventures. picking up where the original series finished after the last episode survival. John Peel does a good job with the first book. and the story is of a more adult nature which i enjoyed. well worth reading
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| a great start point to the eighth doctor |
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a great little story, moves along at a steady pace. not Charles Dickens by any means but it is a great introduction to the eighth Doctors adventures. once i started reading found it hard to put down. a brilliant trip down memory lane. i always enjoy a Terrance Dicks story never to taxing to read. best part for me was when the eighth doctor meet up with the sixth doctor.you can just see Colin Baker saying these lines. not to be underestimated.
Best new Who book, not only a gripping story but a vast range of characters which can be related to. One of the most thrilling Who reads ever.
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| Atmospheric, Eerie, Suspenseful Drama |
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| What: | A Thousand Tiny Wings (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Monday 22 March 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
What a treat! A Thousand Tiny Wings is a real change of pace. There really isn't a whole lot happening in this story, yet the suspense and rich atmosphere that are quickly established create a very enjoyable and gripping listening experience. This is accomplished due in no small part to the work of the excellent cast, the intelligent, flowing and sometimes witty script, and the direction and sound design, which really transports the listener to 1950s Kenya. Klein's presence in all of it is fascinating, and gives the whole story a big extra dimension. She featured in Colditz, another of these productions from way back in 2001 - a Nazi woman (or at least a woman associated with the Nazis) from an alternate Earth in which the Nazis won World War II. What results here is a rather relaxed, confined setting, and a slow-going yet suspenseful story, as opposed to a more grand plot unfolding in some vast space with fast-paced action. It gives the feel of a simpler time long ago, while including a bit of stark strangeness and mystery. McCoy's Seventh Doctor is great fun here, and the alien of the story is a rather imaginative creation.
Lots to like - highly recommended!
| What: | The Talons of Weng-Chiang (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 22 March 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
It's no surprise 'The Talons of Weng-Chiang' was recently voted #4 in DWM's 'Mighty 200' survey. It's not just good Doctor Who - it's also great telly.
Superb location work, brilliant period costumes and a wonderful story to tie it all up, this really is one of Doctor Who's all-time classics. In my opinion it is far better than 'Genesis of the Daleks' (#3 in DWM's poll) but no worries. No doubt many fans remembered the mass of brown carpet that is the giant sewer rat (but then there's the Genesis cave clam, so fair do's?).
Actor-wise, Baker and Jameson are great in their detective work in this story, plus there's Litefoot & Jago, and don't forget Michael Spice as Weng-Chiang/Magnus Greel: a voice to be reckoned with.
Not great extras, but to be honest I'm not bothered: 1) The story more than makes up for it, and 2) A special edition of the story is released in 2010, so no doubt this problem will be solved.
Overall, one of Doctor Who's all time greats.
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| The Seeds of Death... Version 2! |
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| What: | The Seeds of Death (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Huw Davies, Taunton, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 22 March 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Here's another v2 review, this time it's 'The Seeds of Death'...
Season 6 is easily my favourite of Patrick Troughton's - lots of good monsters coupled with big, beefy stories. 'The Seeds of Death' is the Second Doctor's third-from-last story, and is the last great black and white 'base under siege' story, with 'The Space Pirates' being a space opera and 'The War Games' being an intelligent epic.
On to the story. The Ice Warriors return in cracking style, with a clever plan. Alan Bennion as Slaar is particularly good. Other guest stars on top form include Louise Pajo as Miss Kelly, and Ronald Leigh-Hunt as Commander Radnor.
The extras on this 2003 DVD are, as one might expect, not amazing. 'Sssowing the Ssseedsss' is an OK documentary, but it would have to wait for 2010 and 'The Curse of Peladon' for there to be a definitive documentary on the Ice Warriors. 'The Last Dalek' (later featured on the 'Lost in Time' boxset) is a bit out of place, giving us some footage from 'The Evil of the Daleks', a story from Season 4!
Overall, a superb story - the extras aren't great, but let it go; for '03 they're not too bad.
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| finally the Toymaker returns! |
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Being a big fan of both Colin Baker and the Celestial Toymaker I quickly snapped up the novelization of the Nightmare fair, and I have to admit to being a bit disappointed. There was nothing wrong with the story, or any of the characters, but it was definetly lacking something.
After hearing the audio version, however, I can say for certain that what it was lacking was the performers! The Nightmare fair was written to be seen, or, failing that, be heard. Colin Baker was on top form with his wonderful dialogue with the Toymaker and other bizarre characters throughout the story. I especially enjoyed the sound of his reaction to the roller coaster!
This is a must have for any fan of the sixth Doctor, or any fan of the series, come to that!
