mbt66
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Post by mbt66 on Jul 26, 2017 13:14:06 GMT
Since the sad news I have been thinking about what, if anything, Big Finish should do with Jago & Litefoot.
Personally I think it would be nice, if Christopher Benjamin agreed to it, to have one last boxset to provide a final closure to the range and give an opportunity to celebrate the talents of all involved. So here is my "wishful thinking"...
Jago & Co : The Litefoot Inheritance
The pre-titles sequence would have Jago escaping the alternate London with a "Goodbye Professor" as Litefoot is left behind.
Disc 1 - A World Without. (...Jago & Litefoot)
Inspector Quick with the aid of Doctor Luke Betterman is investigating a mysterious cult and lamenting the loss of those infernal investigators Jago & Litefoot. However at the end of their investigations they discover a connection to the Professor.
Disc 2 - The Return of Jago
Jago arrives back in his London and to the comfortable surroundings of the Red Tavern. There he recounts to Ellie his final adventure with his good friend George and explains why Litefoot chose to remain behind.
Disc 3 - The Companion of Young George
Jago and Ellie return to Litefoot's house to go through his things and are surprised to find a young woman doing the same! Mrs Constance Clarke, companion to the Sixth Doctor and in the past a partner in adventure with a young George Litefoot (played by Blake Ritson.) After telling them all about it they all look for an artefact Litefoot agreed to keep safe. An artefact that could save the Doctor.
Disc 4 - The Number of the Beast
Jago goes on one final adventure with Ellie, Quick and Constance Clarke to try and rescue the Doctor from a cult whose main goal is the destruction of the Time lord.
At the successful conclusion the Doctor departs having first proclaimed that he will always need his good friends Jago & Litefoot.
He soon returns with a surprise for everyone. He has found the Professor!
(All of this could be done without any words from Professor Litefoot, but it would be nice if Big Finish could insert a final phrase taken from a past audio, so that Trevor Baxter could have the last line! I would have to re-listen to them all, but I am hoping for something like ”So are you ready for more adventure?")
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Post by number13 on Jul 26, 2017 13:43:00 GMT
Jago & Co : The Litefoot Inheritance Brilliant. I'm not sure whether all involved would ever want to do it, but perhaps in the fullness of time? And if so, I couldn't think of a better way than your outline to 'sign off' properly, in style and with all the respect due to such a wonderfully unique partnership and such popular actors. If they ever did produce such a set, I for one would be placing a pre-order on the very day of announcement. |
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Post by Digi on Jul 26, 2017 14:23:10 GMT
A full set might be a bit much, but I could see some of your ideas working on a slightly smaller scale a la Voyage to Venus and Voyage to the New World.
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Post by whiskeybrewer on Jul 27, 2017 11:35:13 GMT
That's a brilliant idea and I love how it works
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Jul 27, 2017 18:32:13 GMT
It is a very good idea but it also makes me very sad to think about.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2017 18:43:55 GMT
Some sort of memorial story would be nice, but I wonder if the actors involved could bring themselves to do it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2017 19:35:01 GMT
Although the box-set idea is something that appeals to me, I think it more likely that Henry Gordon Jago may pop up in a future Doctor Who story - with one of the two Bakers - for some sort of memorial for their dearly departed friend. Although I would order this, if it happened, it would also sadden me greatly, because it would 'confirm' that the fictional character of George Litefoot had gone - so how sad it would make the actors, I can only imagine.  |
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Jul 27, 2017 21:24:39 GMT
A lot of these people that we listen to perform are well into their 60s, 70s and 80s. That they pass away isn't surprising but can be shocking. I was surprised by how deeply troubling Trevor Baxter's passing was to me. I suppose that after over 60 hours of listening to Jago & Litefoot over the past 9 years or so AND listening to all the behind-the-scenes discs, I came to love the energy, dedication & sense of humor that Trevor Baxter brought to the character of George Litefoot and to his love for the job and his fellow players. I came to love that voice in my head and I grew used to it. It became a part of my life. Trevor's voice, and indeed Christopher's, Lisa's & Conrad's voices, became something of a safe haven and a home. I would hate to think Baxter's passing means we will no longer have any adventures with Henry Gordon Jago still to come but if we don't....if Trevor Baxter's passing means what we have is all we have, then I have to accept that. It is human nature to want more. To be a little bit greedy about stuff we love but if the team decides with one half of the double act gone that done is done, well, I understand. Sorry. This turned out to be a much longer and more emotional that what I had planned on writing.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2017 21:44:00 GMT
A lot of these people that we listen to perform are well into their 60s, 70s and 80s. That they pass away isn't surprising but can be shocking. I was surprised by how deeply troubling Trevor Baxter's passing was to me. I suppose that after over 60 hours of listening to Jago & Litefoot over the past 9 years or so AND listening to all the behind-the-scenes discs, I came to love the energy, dedication & sense of humor that Trevor Baxter brought to the character of George Litefoot and to his love for the job and his fellow players. I came to love that voice in my head and I grew used to it. It became a part of my life. Trevor's voice, and indeed Christopher's, Lisa's & Conrad's voices, became something of a safe haven and a home. I would hate to think Baxter's passing means we will no longer have any adventures with Henry Gordon Jago still to come but if we don't....if Trevor Baxter's passing means what we have is all we have, then I have to accept that. It is human nature to want more. To be a little bit greedy about stuff we love but if the team decides with one half of the double act gone that done is done, well, I understand. Sorry. This turned out to be a much longer and more emotional that what I had planned on writing. No apologies needed, I think many people feel the same. I am planning on revisiting some of the older stories - or I might even attempt a marathon - in a short while. We may never have new stuff, but we've got plenty of older stuff to appreciate all over again. Actually, just listening to Behind The Scenes and the anniversary of Talons of Weng Chiang now has a tragically nostalgic ring to it, in view of Trevor's passing. Also, he still sounds so full of energy and vigour in this. |
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Post by charlesuirdhein on Jul 28, 2017 0:22:36 GMT
I'd recommend, if ye haven't done so already, having a look at what The Scarifyers did when Nick Courtney passed away. Release 6, The Magic Circle. While J&L wouldn't be as comedic as this something could definitely be done.
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melkur
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Post by melkur on Jul 28, 2017 20:09:35 GMT
I don't know about a full four-part box-set without him, but I can definitely see a thirty or forty minute short-trip style audio working (possibly even a two-parter)...
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Jul 29, 2017 1:05:37 GMT
I'd recommend, if ye haven't done so already, having a look at what The Scarifyers did when Nick Courtney passed away. Release 6, The Magic Circle. While J&L wouldn't be as comedic as this something could definitely be done. Yes the switch from Nick to David was handled quite well but I do think this is a different circumstance. 5 releases worth of Scarifyers is quite a different thing than 13 box sets and various special releases as well as appearances with the 4th & 6th Doctors featuring the two of them. I'm not saying it can't be figured out but the question I have is does it need to be figured out? As stated elsewhere that we have what we do is something of a miracle. Do we really need to try and capture lightning in a bottle again? |
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Post by charlesuirdhein on Jul 29, 2017 1:07:39 GMT
I'd recommend, if ye haven't done so already, having a look at what The Scarifyers did when Nick Courtney passed away. Release 6, The Magic Circle. While J&L wouldn't be as comedic as this something could definitely be done. Yes the switch from Nick to David was handled quite well but I do think this is a different circumstance. 5 releases worth of Scarifyers is quite a different thing than 13 box sets and various special releases as well as appearances with the 4th & 6th Doctors featuring the two of them. I'm not saying it can't be figured out but the question I have is does it need to be figured out? As stated elsewhere that we have what we do is something of a miracle. Do we really need to try and capture lightning in a bottle again? No, but a sense of closure can be provided. I wouldn't ask that J&L continue as J&Whoever. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2017 6:41:46 GMT
Personally, unless Christopher Benjamin and Conrad Asquith no longer wish to continue, and they themselves want to call it a day, I don't think it proper that their Big Finish careers are at an end due to this sad circumstance and the passing of the wonderful Trevor Baxter. They have already lost a friend and a colleague, that they should lose their own characters and Big Finish careers on top of that seems unnecessarily harsh to me.
I think a memorial release with Jago detailing Jago and Litefoot's potentially final adventure together, and how Jago got back would not only be a fitting tribute to Trevor Baxter, but also test the waters to see if the cast and the listeners wanted them to go on to new adventures with Jago, Ellie and Quick. And Litefoot's tale needn't be one of sacrifice or loss, he may have found a reason and a purpose to staying behind, while still retaining the ability to return one day himself, when said task is over. The characters still get to miss him and feel a loss without the need for him to be gone from their lives forever.
It will never be the same without Trevor Baxter, but that doesn't mean it can't still work and be something worthwhile all the same, and that they can't go on having adventures until the Professor's promised return one day. Hell, that's how I'd approach it anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2017 9:59:49 GMT
Perhaps the Fourth Doctor could hear about Litefoot's passing, attend the funeral and whisk Jago away for some adventures. At the end of it, Jago could admit that all this travelling isn't as much fun without his old friend, and ask to be taken to the Tavern where he bids a final goodbye to The Doctor. Whatever happens (or not), I trust Big Finish to handle the situation with sensitivity and respect.
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mbt66
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Post by mbt66 on Jul 30, 2017 10:27:09 GMT
Just a little back up regarding my original post.
I started thinking about what Big Finish could do with the world of Jago & Litefoot they had created over the years.
Obviously the most likely is simply not to do anything - all the stories with the Doctor happened before the start of series 13 and now Jago & Litefoot are trapped in a parallel world having steampunk adventures with airships! Perhaps in time someone will write the comic book!
Perhaps their time has past and it is now time for the audio adventures of The Paternoster Gang to claim their Victorian London.
However I still couldn't help thinking about what potential options there were for more audios.
Replace the Professor with a Betterman!
Hence the idea of the first disc.
I can see a Doctor Betterman Investigates range working. Someone needs to fill the void left by Litefoot no longer being in our world. The characters from Jago & Litefoot, including Jago could mark guest appearances in this new ongoing series.
Do a companion chronicle style release with Christopher Benjamin
Hence the idea of the second disc
However having a one off companion chronicle would be incredibly emotional, but it would be a nice bookend for the range considering it was as in a companion chronicle that Jago & Litefoot started on audio.
Rejuvenate the Professor either doing early adventures or due to the parallel world hopping have it as a side effect.
Hence the idea of the third disc
The rejuvenation could work for Henry Gordon Jago as well in time. Let's Face it Christopher is only a little younger than Trevor. But in truth this is my least favourite notion. I can see a flashback working for a story, but not long term.
Individually I found all these notions unsatisfying and only made me sadder to think about them.
Hence the idea of a final boxset combining elements of all those options, with a chance to resolve the cliffhanger of the last boxset and finish it all with an upbeat ending.
Trevor Baxter may have passed, but Professor Litefoot would live on.
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Post by constonks on Jul 30, 2017 16:34:56 GMT
an earlier version of this post made no sense as I missed a crucial line of the original post...
There are already two stories set after the Jago and Litefoot series as we know it: Jalxar and Kravenos are both well after the series, taking place a decade after Talons, after a period of calm for the duo. Also, both men died during the 20th century and Future Ellie said she attended Litefoot's funeral (and lamented his choice of "All Things Bright and Beautiful"). IMO any Jago-without-Litefoot story should be set in 1900 or later - and I think it should include that funeral.
I'd honestly like to see a series of short stories or something with Jago and Litefoot, something like the Sherlock Holmes collections, where they take place in no particular order, throughout the career of the investigators, including a "How We Escaped" story. Depending on BF's license, of course - not sure if Jago and Litefoot stories count as Doctor Who or whether their rights to the characters extend to prose.
I think it would be lovely to have some more adventures with Henry Gordon Jago and I hope that, once time has passed, Christopher Benjamin decides to keep going - or at least show up in a couple more Fourth (or other) Doctor stories. I don't think a direct replacement a la Scarifyers is the right way to go, but if a new Henry Gordon Jago boxset were released, I'd be pretty happy.
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mbt66
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Post by mbt66 on Jul 30, 2017 16:42:32 GMT
The pre-titles sequence would have Jago escaping the alternate London with a "Goodbye Professor" as Litefoot is left behind. The pair splitting in the other world doesn't really work, though, as there are two stories set after the Jago and Litefoot series as we know it: Jalxar and Kravenos are both well after the series, taking place a decade after Talons, after a period of calm for the duo. Also, both men died during the 20th century and Future Ellie said she attended Litefoot's funeral (and lamented his choice of "All Things Bright and Beautiful"). So any Jago-without-Litefoot story has to be set in 1900 or later - and I think it should include that funeral. I'd honestly like to see a series of short stories or something... Did you not read all the way to the end? And yes I agree that a short story collection would be very welcome. |
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Post by constonks on Jul 30, 2017 17:29:55 GMT
The pair splitting in the other world doesn't really work, though, as there are two stories set after the Jago and Litefoot series as we know it: Jalxar and Kravenos are both well after the series, taking place a decade after Talons, after a period of calm for the duo. Also, both men died during the 20th century and Future Ellie said she attended Litefoot's funeral (and lamented his choice of "All Things Bright and Beautiful"). So any Jago-without-Litefoot story has to be set in 1900 or later - and I think it should include that funeral. I'd honestly like to see a series of short stories or something... Did you not read all the way to the end? Ha funnily enough I read literally every sentence other than the relevant one. Whoops. |
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Post by barnabaslives on Jul 31, 2017 9:43:07 GMT
I think I might like to see the series continue as something like Jago & Friends if Christopher were interested.
I can think of at least five friends - Ellie, Quick, Vastra, Strax and Jenny (not appearing as The Pasternoster Gang), not to mention a Time Lady, numerous versions of a certain Time Lord, and a robotic dog.
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