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 | A very very welcome comeback... |
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Welcome back Tom. The BBC have finally persuaded good old Tom back for a set of five linked audio stories, but the overall question is...was it worth it? In my view I can answer that with a resounding YES.
These stories have to be good. Theyre all written by Paul Magrs for a start. One writer who is never ever predictable. He always creates good strong characters and odd situations.
Where these adventures succeed most is in fact the way it captures Tom's original period of Doctor Who so well. It has all the atmsophere and threats, whilst at the same time not being stupidly overcomplicated like some of the more modern Doctor Who stories.
And a great idea is in bringing back old Richard Franklin. Mike Yates was always an interesting character.
There is so much going for this series. It has a great central enemy, with the first four tales brilliantly written. Stuffed animals, wierd shoes, dead lion's mouths, pigs and nuns. Especially a Sting in the tale manages to capture a side of Tom rarely seen on TV, a more vulnerable Doctor perhaps, or at least one more prone to make mistakes.
If there are any flaws then it has to be the last part. Hive Of Horror is not at all bad in itself at all. There are many good moents in this concluding part, its just that after the eerie build up of an enemy supposedly very powerful, it all ends rather normally with a "typical" ending. But with a guy who claims to love simplicity, maybe i shouldnt be so harsh. What to recommend the last part? Mike being given more to do after a run of barely a few minutes per story. Rula Lenska giving a great performance as the Queen of the hive.
And great leading from Tom, who seems to have never even stopped being the fourth doctor.
Overall, a highly entertaining series, good acting and good set pieces. A good piece of relief from over done stories of the modern era. Carry on Tom!!!
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| Great but a little rushed |
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I enjoyed Cyberman 2: it carried on the season 1's compelling plot, still had a great cast and introduced some very good new ones and one of our favourite baddies are still handled very well. All this rolled up and delivered with a great sound track with a strong sense of atmosphere.
Without giving too much away, my issue is the conclusion, it just felt too quick and a little unrealistic. Part 4 could have been 2 parts to flesh out the plot or give the whole thing a better ending. Like many doctor who endings just a little too easy, with a better end it could have been a 9 or perhaps a 10.
However I feel about the ending overall Cyberman 2 is still a great story and worth a listen.
Overall, I'd say that The Dead Shoes is an improvement upon The Stuff of Nightmares (the previous and first story in this series). What we have here is some dry, cobwebby horror, in the form of a fairy tale. In the early half of this story, it seems that Tom Baker is really catching his stride with this material, sounding even better than his best moments in The Stuff of Nightmares, though he seems to lose this edge a bit by the end. The main problem here comes from the gratuitous and plainly ridiculous use of the Doctor's scarf, to lasso a woman who is about to leap off of a cliff, to sort of rappel down from a great height, and as a trip wire, if I remember correctly... Worse than cringe-worthy. Yet, aside from that glaring shortcoming, this remains an interesting production, with a significant creepiness factor...
The final in the trilogy pulls everything together, having zombies was great, the setting dark and holding off the daleks till the end really adds to the plot. Lots of twists and turns some good acting from the supporting cast. Whilst a strong 8 for me if a little darker, chimes of midnight dark, it could have been a 9 or 10 but still great.
The Stuff of Nightmares is really more of an audio book than an audio drama - this is mostly a reading of lines telling the story, rather than characters acting out a story, though there is a bit of that as well. The production (meaning music, sound effects, and so on) is minimal. The scenario of the fourth Doctor calling in an older Mike Yates is a bit baffling, though it does offer a strangely interesting situation - it's a change of pace, at least.
In the favor of this production, Tom Baker really sounds very good here, surprisingly so, especially considering that this his first real foray back into the role in a very long time, and considering that he was given what's really a pretty naff script. The threat so far is mostly a variety of stuffed animals, inexplicably coming nastily to life. One gets the sense that this story was crafted for very young listeners, yet I fail to see how this would appeal to that age group, especially since children haven't seen Tom Baker in the role on TV since 1981.
Unfortunately, at least with this installment, this is really not a return to adventures of the fourth Doctor - not a return to the show of the 70s. Yet, the potential is fairly enticing. It makes me wonder with great interest how Tom Baker would do with, say, Louise Jameson or Elisabeth Sladen, or Mary Tamm for that matter, in a full-on monthly audio drama from Big Finish with a really good script to work with...
| What: | Time and Relative (Telos novellas) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Thursday 24 December 2009 |
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| Rating: |   6 |
Time and Relative is indeed a fairly juvenile story, which takes the form of entries in Susan's diary, and is very Doctor-lite, focusing more on the details of Susan's school life in England and her friendships with other teens and kids, in the midst of an invasion by the Cold. And yet, in the middle of all of this, Time and Relative captures the stark mystery that's found in An Unearthly Child, and gives us another look at that rough, early first Doctor, in his alien glory and unconcern for much of human life. That rough, stark alienness was lost fairly early on in the early years of the original series, so it remains a bit fascinating to see, even viewed through the lens of a strange teenage girl's personal writings...
| What: | Relative Dementias (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | , |
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| Date: | Thursday 24 December 2009 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
The story takes a long time to get into gears and is rather boring at the beginning. Once all the pieces are clear, it's a bit confusing but entertaining nonetheless. Ace plays a major part so be warned!!!
| What: | Tomb of Valdemar (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | , |
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| Date: | Thursday 24 December 2009 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
The central plot is quite allright but the telling of the tale on the ice planet is pretty useless, although in the end everything is tied. The book would have been much better had it concentrated on the main Valdemar story. Also Romana si quite out of character and really annoying!
| What: | Blue Forgotten Planet (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Doug, Pocono Summit, PA, USA |
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| Date: | Tuesday 22 December 2009 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Well, everything must eventually come to an end. For Charley, and her twisting & turning of the timelines, it appears that this is the end, and I'll say that it's more like most of the classic Who partings we remember from TV. I've personally enjoyed the character in her many appearances in these audios, but I'd also say that the character has been pretty well exhausted in her nine-year run. Happily, this is a better final story for her than The Girl Who Never Was. Yet, at the same time, there's a bit of a bleak shallowness to Blue Forgotten Planet that keeps it from being a truly outstanding release.
It's great to have the Viyrans back again, once again voiced by the superb Michael Maloney (plus effects). There is actually a good deal of mystery surrounding who they really are, where they come from, and how they could be as powerful as they are. It all leads this listener to believe that they could somehow be involved with some Time Lord faction that is very much in favor of intervention... but we'll have to see if anything is ever revealed about their true origins.
With its orchestral (pseudo-orchestral?) score and moments of high intensity, Blue Forgotten Planet tries to be somewhat cinematic in style, at least in the first half or so. It comes pretty close, but doesn't quite make it, and as I say, parts of the story end up feeling a little thin. Granted, much of what's happening here really is primarily a means to an end - the end of wrapping up Charley's story with the sixth Doctor, settling the Mila situation, and getting the sixth Doctor out of the obvious temporal contradiction issues that come up with all of this, so there's already a lot on the "to do" list here. Having said that, the final scenes between Charley and the Doctor here are nicely done and emotionally poignant, and though perhaps the final resolutions to the central issues of the story are a bit too magical and far-fetched, the tale is concluded rather nicely by the end, and it all works.
Though perhaps not a truly outstanding story, Blue Forgotten Planet is essential listening for the fan of the monthly line.
Relatively clever plot, excellent characterisation of the Doctor, especially in relation to the Daleks. Good application of not just the Daleks and the twisted timelines but also simple but intelligent use of some OldWho Dalek mythology.
Good original characters thrown into the mix, though they may have been used better. Great use of a Space-faring empire and war setting, interesting interactions and a very good climax to finish.
Definitely recommend this book to any fan.
The Doctor is out to stop a troop of ever-dutiful Judoon from creating absolute havoc while in pursuit of 'The Invisible Assassin'.
The Doctor is well written and it uses interesting and creative characters with their own important roles to play and memmorable pesonalities. Parallel plot lines with interlinking consequences, twists, red herrings all spiced up with some good jokes.
An excellent new installment.
| What: | Autonomy (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Tim, Australia |
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| Date: | Tuesday 22 December 2009 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
It was great to see the Autons again, but I was unimpressed from early on in the book with way too much contrivance in the plot. The characters were shoddy, the Doctor's characterisation was way over the top and didn't fit the situations.
Less action seens with more detail and content would have served better than the repeated dashing about blowing up Autons and running from Autons which filled up a lot of the book.
The climax was thoroughly dreadful. It isn't even really explained, the Doctor saves the day with a MacGuffin he retroactively inserts into the plot. Cheap, nasty and forgettable.
This is a very, very good book. It is just like the TV show on a good day. It's top notch and I loved it.
The language and storyline are perfect 4th doctor stuff.
If there ever was a PDA to recommend to someone it's this.
| What: | Fear of the Dark (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Ron, England |
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| Date: | Monday 21 December 2009 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Can someone tell me what has happened to night vision goggles in the DW universe?
I wonder why rabbits never took off and smeg did. Not a bad read if you suspend your disbelief and you haven't just eaten. Try not to read this book in the dark it could damage your eyes.
This is just poor, the Ice warriors up to their same old tricks, changing the atmosphere. The locals and Sil are unfortunately just thin plot devices. Dialog is week and sexist, I know its suppost to be funny but at the end makes you gringe. Peri just seems to wonder about and Sil a lost opportunity, he just sits about.
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| Takes you back with loosing too much |
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The Colin Baker of today is outstanding but the old one, wasn't given the chance to develop. Nightmare fair takes you back to a doctor half way between the two. A great old foe, unfortunately Peri isn't given too much to do other then follow other about. Shame.
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| up with Arrangements for war... |
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| What: | Catch-1782 (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 20 December 2009 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Some stories race by and leave you wondering what the henry is going on. Some stories bore you to tears with typical ideas and typical presentation. We seem to finally get a great break from the norm with this lovely and charming tale from Alison. The ideas are just simple and put together to form such a delightful little tale. This has more of a feel of a Hetty Wainthropp investigates...although that isnt hardly surprising, what with Derek Benfield starring as a fine character. I love the fact that Bonnie is getting to do Mel far better than she ever did on screen. Her acting is beefy and solid in all areas. Colin Baker doesnt need any help as usual in being great either, nice pace and great to not be overburdened with twists and turns at every post. This is just a nice little tale of love and loss and is up their with Arrangements for War in my book.
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| a very very good story... |
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| What: | Master (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 20 December 2009 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
What grabs you is the intense performance by Geoffery Beevers on his second return to the role of the master. He brings a new dimension to the character, which is hard to do after such a great Master that was Roger Delgado. This story is laced with menace and good little twists. And also a bit of guilt trip as well. The doctor doing good everywhere for a mistake in his past is believable and very well laid out in this tale from Joseph. So many layers conspire to make an atmospheric end to the trilogy of villians run of big finish audio adventures. Recommended for likers of horror story with an emphasis on story more than blood and stupidity...
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| ANOTHER ODDITY FROM PAUL MAGRS.... |
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| What: | Excelis Dawns (Excelis audios) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 20 December 2009 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
What i like a lot about Paul's writing is he is never predictable. his stories always have a strong and fresh idea in them. And good choice of actress to bring his wonderful creation Iris Wildthyme to life. It mostly is Katy who drives and makes this story the oddity it truly is. This has a different approach, far more of a character study than anything else. Not all that much happens in the overall plot, but it can certainly be forgiven for a great display by Katy, who works well with Peter
Davison too. This is yet another memorable Paul Magrs script that once more feels just like a stage play...
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| "Sarah's gone up in the world!" |
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I really enjoyed this season of the Sarah Jane Adventures. The acting this time round has improved a great deal and has added to the enjoyment of the show.
Most episodes on this dvd are very enjoyable, most notably the second episode Day of the Clown and the finale of the series: Enemy of the Bane. The special features on this disc are reasonble with the real standout being the Comic Relief Special.
Overall a very good series....bring on the series 3 dvd and then maybe series 4!
