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Post by Star Platinum on Jan 23, 2018 18:18:45 GMT
Night thoughts.
This is a great story, sharp dialog, great atmosphere and a general sense of dread throughout.
I’ve always felt that, on a technical level, ace and the 7th doctor have always been one of the weaker teams. While the characters are great , the skill of the actors can lead to uneven performances from them. Hex is definitely a stabilizing influence. It just means that while the Highs are certainly high, the lows can be dreadful b
Fortunately this story is a highlight in every sense.
If memory serves me correctly, this was an unused script that would have been from season 27. It’s a real shame this never made it to the small screen. It would have been remembered as one of McCoy’s best.
Given the history of this script, it’s surprising just how well hex fits into it. It’s certainly a better effort than was had with Rory in series 6 of Nuwho, where he felt like an after thought several times.
Ace shows an unusual amount of sensitivity while dealing with sue, it’s quite nice to hear. Especially as her character is known for her own issues. Her anger and self esteem issues are played so often, that hearing her so quiet and kind with sue is a real treat. I’d love more material like that for her.
The story itself is great, it’s got several layers to it which unfold at a natural pace and nothing feels rushed or out of place.
My biggest praise for this story is the ending. Too often stories feel the need to have everything explained, nothing is left open for the listeners interpretation. In fact, my only issue with static was that everything was explained, and that simply isn’t always necessary in a horror.
In this case, Night thoughts offers a couple of theories about how everything happened. Both equally valid, if you want a timey wimey zombie story, it is exactly that. If you want a story about a disturbed girl taking revenge against wrongs committed against her family, it’s exactly that.
Wonderful in every sense.
9/10
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Post by Star Platinum on Jan 23, 2018 18:23:39 GMT
Time works.
This story screams divergent universe, more so that some of the stories set within the divergent universe!
That being said, I really struggled with this story. I listened to it while I was driving and had a hard time following what was going on for most of it.
I don’t understand what was going on with time in the beginning, or how the doctor and his companions got separated at the beginning. I’m not even sure what’s the goal of the clockwork men was.
That being said, very atmospheric, and a good supporting cast.
I think I’ll give this one another chance in the future when I can give it more attention.
I’ll rate it then.
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Post by Star Platinum on Jan 28, 2018 5:44:43 GMT
Fatal Concequences
This one stuck me as being similar to test of nerve, at the very least being of the same quality. While it wasn’t quite as good, it certainly was a good listen.
I’m glad will isn’t totally evil, he seemed to good to become a cackling bad guy.
I’m really going to have to revisit mask of mandragora. This entire story arc sprung from it.
Josh too, Man I want to get to dreamland!
8/10
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Post by glutamodo on Jan 28, 2018 17:35:18 GMT
Just wanted to say that I still like these mini-reviews, and I continue to follow this thread.
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Post by Star Platinum on Jan 30, 2018 17:54:28 GMT
Just wanted to say that I still like these mini-reviews, and I continue to follow this thread. I’m glad to hear it, it’s been tougher lately, the main range feels like it’s running out of steam. Can’t wait for Briggs to take over.
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Post by Star Platinum on Jan 30, 2018 17:56:30 GMT
The Kingmaker.
What can I say about this story?
It’s perfect in almost every sense of the word.
You know a comedy is good, especially if you laugh before the joke actually happens
For this particular team. If I want something darkly funny, with Everyone putting in excellent performances this is my first choice.
One of my top five stories.
10/10
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Post by Star Platinum on Jan 30, 2018 18:02:28 GMT
Sarah Jane Smith: Dreamland
After the events of the last few stories, I don’t think that Sarah Jane would ever be the same, there’s been too many betrayals to her. I’m almost glad that this series is divorced from the future SJA. I haven’t seen to much of the SJA but I have a hard time reconciling the two Sarah’s.
How did Nat drive Sarah to will’s funeral?
This story feels like a coda to the series, with the bulk of the series wrapping up in the previous story. I’m sorry to see josh go, I didn’t care for him in the beginning but he did grow on me.
What was that light? I guess we’ll never know.
I’m curious to see where the series would have gone, cliffhanger aside, she’s lost from one of her supporting cast and would have good enough reason to be more paranoid than ever.
Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith.
8/10
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Post by Star Platinum on Jan 30, 2018 20:00:28 GMT
The settling
This is a great story, the Aztecs for hex basically.
I love the framing device, while it does minimize the threat to the regular during the story, it allows the writer to really play up the effects of what they’ve been through, especially for hex.
While hex carries the majority of the story, The Doctor does quite well in it himself. Forced into the role of his own name, he delivers a baby in the middle of a bloodbath. Life amongst death.
Big Finish has always done well with controversial historical figures and Cromwell is no exception. While I don’t know too much about him, he’s played quite well and is a fascinating character to follow.
A great story and a defining story for hex.
9/10
Sounds like the McGann tardis, have they changed the desktop?
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Post by Star Platinum on Jan 30, 2018 20:01:07 GMT
Something inside
Amnesia, again? Seriously?
Two minutes in and baxendale is already taking the piss, great.
This story just didn’t connect with me, I couldn’t stay focused on it.
I just wish that Big Finish would ban Eighth Doctor amnesia stories, they don’t work.
6/10
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Post by mark687 on Jan 30, 2018 21:56:15 GMT
Something inside Amnesia, again? Seriously? Two minutes in and baxendale is already taking the piss, great. This story just didn’t connect with me, I couldn’t stay focused on it. I just wish that Big Finish would ban Eighth Doctor amnesia stories, they don’t work. 6/10 8th Doc got Memory Loss (Tick) Drink a Shot
Regards
mark687
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Post by Star Platinum on Feb 1, 2018 16:00:58 GMT
The nowhere place
This is a great story. If memory serves correctly, it’s possibly the last great sixth doctor and Evelyn story.
I love when doctor who does stories like this, the strange and unexplainable. The idea of a door opening and compelling people to go to their deaths. Is great.
Combined with great performance from the leads and you have a winner.
8/10
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Post by Star Platinum on Feb 2, 2018 5:15:38 GMT
Red
This was a pretty good story.
It’s one that while I can appreciate what it does, it’s not exactly for me.
The world building is excellent, and the idea of a world glorifying violence in that way is quite fascinating. It’s almost fetishized in a sense.
Bonnie turns in another great performance, her second last for quite some time.
A good story,
7/10
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Post by Star Platinum on Feb 2, 2018 22:20:28 GMT
The reaping
This is a great story, I love it.
The thing that really hits me in This story is the new Who influences, it’s really quite pronounced. The focus on the companion and their family, it’s fantastic.
The performances are all around fantastic, barring one.
Jeremy Lindsay Taylor his role as Nate is so flat it’s either terrible acting or brilliant foreshadowing. I’m not sure which.
The coffee scene is just wonderful, I’ve always enjoyed scenes where he talks his way out of danger.
I get the significance of the whole 86/87 thing, but why are they saying it to Peri? She isn’t trying to repress any memories.
Utterly fantastic, only marred by the utter train wreck that is the gathering.
9/10.
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Post by mark687 on Feb 2, 2018 22:40:28 GMT
The reaping This is a great story, I love it. The thing that really hits me in This story is the new Who influences, it’s really quite pronounced. The focus on the companion and their family, it’s fantastic. The performances are all around fantastic, barring one. Jeremy Lindsay Taylor his role as Nate is so flat it’s either terrible acting or brilliant foreshadowing. I’m not sure which. The coffee scene is just wonderful, I’ve always enjoyed scenes where he talks his way out of danger. I get the significance of the whole 86/87 thing, but why are they saying it to Peri? She isn’t trying to repress any memories. Utterly fantastic, only marred by the utter train wreck that is the gathering. 9/10. Love this and the next 1, 2 of my Desert Island CDs (Yes I still have a Personal CD Player).
Powerhouse Performances all round and the Ending!
Regards
mark687
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Post by Star Platinum on Feb 6, 2018 20:09:50 GMT
The gathering
I don’t know where to start.
I have a few issues with Joseph Lidster. I generally tend to enjoy his stories, but I find he’s erratic. When he’s got a good story, he’s outstanding. The reaping, Master, one rule are all fantastic stories, stories that are a delight to listen to. Then we have stories like the rapture, Terror Firma and the gathering.
Stories that I always dread hearing. Bad ideas, terrible plot twists and generally a frustrating lack of what lidster does so well.
To boil this story down to its simplest element, it’s an origin story for the computer in the harvest. But was that really necessary?
Then there is Tegan. Extra miserable in this story, what happens to her almost feels like a punishment. Ruining her life as a result of traveling with the Doctor is a toxic idea.
Terrible, avoid it.
2/10
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Post by Star Platinum on Feb 10, 2018 20:22:42 GMT
Gallifrey: Weapon of Choice
What a thrill to wake up yesterday morning to find Gallifrey series 1-3 finally available for download.
Between this, Companion Chronicles Series 1 as well as Cryptobiosis and Her Final Flight; Big Finish is doing well in the download rights department. Here’s hoping for Benny!
This is a fantastic story, it does a lot of the leg work drawing from much of the setup done in Apocalypse Element and neverland as well as seeding not only the Timeonic fusion Device and hints of the imperiatrix.
It does all this and manages to be a fantastic thrilling story in its own right.
Arcadian is a wonderfully slimy character I’m looking forward too as well as Narvin, who has quite the journey ahead of him.
A great start to a journey I’m quite looking forward too.
9/10
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Post by Star Platinum on Feb 14, 2018 8:05:22 GMT
I, Davros
This ones been a bit of a pain to write, been putting it off for about a week or so.
I’ll be doing all four as a single unit, just to save a little bit of time.
What a tour de force, riveting stuff. I, Davros is a miniseries that is the essential listening for everyone that listens to Big Finish. I never say just how good Briggs is as the Daleks. Just the emphasis he’ll put on certain words shows just how difficult it is for the Daleks to say them.
Part one is a great start to the series, introducing Davros as a child. There is an innocence to him, he’s not yet the monster we know him to become. Yet there are times where that savagery shows itself. His attack on Magrantine, asking for Brogan’s body. He’s a disturbed child, that’s for sure.
Then we have Calcula, she’s amazing. Carolyn Jones is a wonderfully nasty, manipulative character. She’s kaled through and through and consistently one of the most enthralling characters in this series.
Part two passes the torch to Terry Molloy, a soldier whose talents are being squandered is sent on a suicide mission. The real interesting bit is Yar-Vell’s role. She took Brogans death hard and became a peace activist as a result. The part that really gets me is how Calcula finishes her off. So devoted to Davros she’s kill her own daughter, wow.
Part 3 is, in my opinion the weakest part. It’s not bad by any means, but it’s got the most ground to cover and parts of it are built just to tie in with Davros.
Part 4 is a great return to form, Davros has solidified his power and staged a coup. His ideas are terrifying and he’s well on his way to creating the Daleks
A phenomenal series, one of the single strongest stories by Big Finish.
9/10
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Post by Star Platinum on Feb 14, 2018 20:18:07 GMT
Gallifrey: Square One
This is an interesting story.
It takes a common time trope and applies it to a political situation.
I almost admire what the villain was trying to do. Unfortunately it wasn’t for the right reasons.
I do wish that it was explained a little more clearly, I’m not sure how time was looped.
Louise Jameson continues to delight, I’m looking forward to more from her
8/10
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Post by glutamodo on Feb 14, 2018 23:43:13 GMT
I'm glad that Louise was game to effectively re-create her performance as Leela for audio. Some actors might have only remembered wearing the skimpy leather outfit and having a secondary role,to be perhaps a bit demeaning, and not want to go near it again. I think while Louise might have seen it that way a little back in the day, I'm glad she doesn't now, and has allowed the character to be played along all sorts of different paths. (and that the BF writers have given her some nice juicy bits of script to bite into)
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Post by Star Platinum on Feb 15, 2018 23:09:57 GMT
I'm glad that Louise was game to effectively re-create her performance as Leela for audio. Some actors might have only remembered wearing the skimpy leather outfit and having a secondary role,to be perhaps a bit demeaning, and not want to go near it again. I think while Louise might have seen it that way a little back in the day, I'm glad she doesn't now, and has allowed the character to be played along all sorts of different paths. (and that the BF writers have given her some nice juicy bits of script to bite into) Leela is, in my opinion, one of the best treated companions by Big Finish. Between Gallifrey, Jago and Litefoot and the fourth Doctor Adventures she’s had some wonderful development. She’s become one of my favourite companions because of Big Finish. They really took advantage of her unique nature and wrote stories suited for her.
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