mbt66
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 3,075
|
Post by mbt66 on Aug 11, 2019 14:27:43 GMT
That War Valeyard cover is absolutely amazing! If I'm honest, the last two Eighth Doctor Time War sets haven't been that amazing (well, except maybe Planet of the Ogrons). Not bad, but nothing to write home about. I have a good feeling about this set though, so bring on Tuesday I agree completely with this, though I’d also add Starship of Theseus alongside Planet of the Ogrons. Let’s hope part 3 breaks the trend and we get more than just one amazing story in the set!
|
|
|
Post by tuigirl on Aug 11, 2019 14:30:16 GMT
I agree completely with this, though I’d also add Starship of Theseus alongside Planet of the Ogrons. Let’s hope part 3 breaks the trend and we get more than just one amazing story in the set! Third time lucky. However, Planet of the Ogrons and lately Lies in Ruins raise the bar pretty high.
|
|
|
Post by shallacatop on Aug 11, 2019 15:15:01 GMT
I think some of the best Time War stuff with the Eighth Doctor has been outside of his range. Day of the Vashta Nerada, Lie in Ruins and the War Master appearance are all great, helped greatly by Paul McGann’s rough and weary performances. I have a soft spot for the two Short Trips.
It’s not uncommon - I think the same with the Fourth Doctor stories, where his best have been outside his own range.
|
|
|
Post by tuigirl on Aug 11, 2019 15:22:00 GMT
I think some of the best Time War stuff with the Eighth Doctor has been outside of his range. Day of the Vashta Nerada, Lie in Ruins and the War Master appearance are all great, helped greatly by Paul McGann’s rough and weary performances. I have a soft spot for the two Short Trips. It’s not uncommon - I think the same with the Fourth Doctor stories, where his best have been outside his own range. Totally agree with you there!
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Aug 12, 2019 0:34:59 GMT
I agree completely with this, though I’d also add Starship of Theseus alongside Planet of the Ogrons. Let’s hope part 3 breaks the trend and we get more than just one amazing story in the set! Making me feel better about not being onboard this range yet, thanks all!
|
|
|
Post by dangerwillrobinson on Aug 12, 2019 6:38:55 GMT
|
|
|
Post by smith11 on Aug 13, 2019 9:19:08 GMT
It’s in accounts!
Downloading now
|
|
|
Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Aug 13, 2019 9:19:49 GMT
|
|
|
Post by dangerwillrobinson on Aug 13, 2019 10:36:14 GMT
|
|
|
Post by mark687 on Aug 13, 2019 15:13:01 GMT
Just thought I'd say I really am impressed with how consistently strong both strands of 8th Doctor series have stayed over the past 3 years Anyway more Spoilish thoughts for this set: This does exactly what I would do with The Valeyard if I had any talent. He's equal parts dangerous, Damaged and Mournful, Jayston and McGann sizzle, debating/teaching each other what it means to be "The Doctor" blimey quiet awesomeness.
Rakhee Thakrar shines as Bliss in general but is fleshed out best in State of Bliss (though I'm expecting some kind of rug pull in Boxset 4.)
As always great supporting Cast especially in State of Bliss. Regards mark687
|
|
|
Post by tuigirl on Aug 13, 2019 15:51:47 GMT
Awesome, downloading now. Might even be able to start on this this evening. Double awesome. Really have been anticipating this one.
|
|
|
Post by Audio Watchdog on Aug 13, 2019 19:08:46 GMT
I'm trying to make sense of State of Bliss. So listen to Companion Piece, The Starship of Theseus and then State of Bliss?
|
|
|
Post by shallacatop on Aug 13, 2019 19:38:08 GMT
Wasn’t a big fan of State of Bliss. It starts off sound, but as it advances, it becomes apparent it’s just a retrospective backtrack. That’d be fine if it feels earned, but I don’t think it does. The story amounts to nothing in the end. I do like the occasional deflated ending in Doctor Who. It’s reminiscent of the Hartnell era, where their only victory is the fact they’re still alive. This doesn’t work because it’s not built up to be anything interesting. It’s been clear since Theseus that Bliss is an anomaly of the Time War, so the revelation here doesn’t do much, especially as there’s no progression. Bliss is still quite a bland character and I’m not a big fan of Rakhee Thakrar, who flips between just reading the lines and a second rate Donna. I sound a lot more critical than I intend. It’s not a bad story. It’s fine, but ultimately pointless as I’m just not invested in Bliss.
|
|
|
Post by Digi on Aug 13, 2019 19:41:20 GMT
^ I disagree completely. I really enjoyed State of Bliss, and in no small part because I think that Thakrar has now settled into the role enough that she does it effortlessly and with flair. I never disliked her in previous sets, but I’m really enjoying her so far in this one (I’ve listened to the first two stories).
|
|
|
Post by shallacatop on Aug 13, 2019 19:48:39 GMT
^ I disagree completely. I really enjoyed State of Bliss, and in no small part because I think that Thakrar has now settled into the role enough that she does it effortlessly and with flair. I never disliked her in previous sets, but I’m really enjoying her so far in this one (I’ve listened to the first two stories). Glad you’re getting more from it than I am. I hoped the story would change my view, but it’s just made me more disinterested in the character. I don’t dislike her, I just find her bland. It’s not a big issue, but as a story that centred around her, my “review” focused on her more.
|
|
|
Post by tuigirl on Aug 13, 2019 20:22:10 GMT
^ I disagree completely. I really enjoyed State of Bliss, and in no small part because I think that Thakrar has now settled into the role enough that she does it effortlessly and with flair. I never disliked her in previous sets, but I’m really enjoying her so far in this one (I’ve listened to the first two stories). I agree with you. Really liked the first story, but I in general like non-linear storytelling. As for Bliss as a character.... She is okay. I am not the biggest fan, but she also is not as annoying or distracting as some other companions. And the actress is doing a great Job in this one, as well. Good start to the set.
|
|
|
Post by mark687 on Aug 13, 2019 20:22:39 GMT
I'm trying to make sense of State of Bliss. So listen to Companion Piece, The Starship of Theseus and then State of Bliss? Its workable just with State of Bliss but you could do as you suggest, in fact that's probably what I'll do with next year's 8th Doc Time War re-listen.
Regards
mark687
|
|
|
Post by shallacatop on Aug 13, 2019 20:27:48 GMT
Enjoyed The Famished Lands. A great concept with some nice Time War connotations. I like the idea of a world hearing about tales of the war, but not quite knowing the difference between the Time Lords and the Daleks. In fact, not caring about the difference, they only see the chaos and destruction that’s affecting them. It links in nicely with what Cass says in The Night of the Doctor.
I enjoyed the concept so much that I think it had the scope to become a little more grim and gritty. Showing us the effects, rather than telling us what has and could happen. Instead, it chooses to focus on building up the world, which is fine in itself and it’s well realised. It’s a slight criticism that can be attributed to the shorter running time, which is just over 45 minutes.
|
|
|
Post by shallacatop on Aug 13, 2019 20:34:52 GMT
^ I disagree completely. I really enjoyed State of Bliss, and in no small part because I think that Thakrar has now settled into the role enough that she does it effortlessly and with flair. I never disliked her in previous sets, but I’m really enjoying her so far in this one (I’ve listened to the first two stories). I agree with you. Really liked the first story, but I in general like non-linear storytelling. As for Bliss as a character.... She is okay. I am not the biggest fan, but she also is not as annoying or distracting as some other companions. And the actress is doing a great Job in this one, as well. Good start to the set. I love non-linear storytelling. I adore River Song and her story, for example. For me, State of Bliss just didn’t feel like it’s crafting a non-linear story. I don’t think it really told us anything new that isn't already implied, or we didn’t already guess. I think it’s come a little late into the set and seems like it’s a backtrack. Maybe I’d have been more interested if it was in the second set and Companion Piece was, well, a piece of that puzzle. It’s not a big issue, as I said, but I wanted to clarify my view better than I perhaps initially did.
|
|
|
Post by barnabaslives on Aug 14, 2019 3:18:40 GMT
I think this is an excellent set and I certainly enjoyed it more than I enjoyed the first two installments. I still feel like Bliss could use more character development somehow - I mean, she has lots of character, it's just that if I try to think of something special about her, I just seem to draw a blank, as opposed to Peri studied botany or Mel goes to the gym or whatever - doesn't seem like it takes much. She seemed a lot more like she belonged in the stories than previously though for some reason, and I'm very pleased about that. Also, I think I'd built up some very high hopes about the Valeyard story but wasn't disappointed. Well done for that too.
|
|