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Post by fantasticalice on Nov 16, 2019 5:43:51 GMT
My favourite fake out was that. It's not really two stories. Normally with a split like this we'd have two standalones but there are several 2 hour MR tales that play ju7st like this and I thought it was brilliant.
Also that ending wow! I love the 5th Doctor but It's been awhile since I have heard him really get emotional. It has me wanting to hunker down and get through Planet of SPiders and Tom Baker's entire run so I can proiperly watch the whole 5th Doctor run inbstead of sneaking serials here and there.
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Post by slithe on Nov 16, 2019 11:17:03 GMT
One of the best releases from BF for a very, very long time if I'm honest. Definitely held up to the anticipation and I will be registering to these again very, very soon. Whilst I usually 'wait' for the CDs - I downloaded this to see if it was worth the inevitable hype that was going to build and I am glad that I did (would still be waiting for the CDs as they've yet to dispatch - grrr...) Warzone:At first, I was not sure whether I was going to like this one. The premise is nothing new per se and a variety of different genres/authors have experimented with this format - The Running Man and The Long Walk (Stephen King) being the most obvious. Doctor Who itself has also gone for a 'killer' sporting/challenge approach in the past as well - The Game, The Ultimate Treasure as obvious standouts for me. As such, I thought that would be re-tread of those themes and the initial scenes in Part I seemed to bear that out. Fortunately, the whole thing shifts up a gear very quickly - the decision to split the TARDIS crew is a good one and increases the tension/pace. In many ways, Part I is a bit of 'slow burner' with the listener gradually putting the bits together and, ultimately realising the horrors of the actual Warzone track. For once, the cliffhanger of jeopardy actually does work - the new BF companion means that Marc technically can 'die' and we are not entirely sure of his fate. The subtle clues about who might be running the Warzone format are well sewn by the end of Part I and the hints about 'upgrading' and 'improving' lead, ultimately to one conclusion. It is great when the Doctor realises this and the horror in Davison's voice is very believable. Although there is some good misdirection here, watching the Doctor switch into a desperate man trying to 'save' Marc is great to listen to. The irony that Tegan tries to 'save' Marc is great and shows the ultimate tragedy behind the Cybermen in a way that we do not see/hear very often. In many ways, the story borrows heavily from the 2006 Cyberstories and is a great segue between the classic and new eras of Doctor Who. The music is great here and the entire thing kept me engaged for the hour. Just enough to warrant a re-visit with little padding. Conversion:Again, I echo some of the earlier comments here. I didn't think this was as great as Warzone, but I suppose it is pitching for a different effect. The decision, like Feast of Fear, to start mid-action is good and avoids some of the unnecessary info-dumping that we would see elsewhere. The idea of trying to 'stop' Marc's full conversion is an interesting approach and, just like Androzani, you really see the Fifth Doctor throwing everything away to try to save him. If, BF is supposed to be cannon alongside the TV show, you have to wonder about the sanity of the Fifth Doctor - he lost Adric, has nearly lost Marc (does he really win here) and almost loses Peri - you get why he is willing to sacrifice himself. What I found interesting is that the script pitches the Fifth Doctor in a way that we never saw on screen - Davison's darker Doctor gives the Seventh a run for his money - the manipulation of the Space Pirates shows that and his determination to risk everything to 'save' Marc (even if it means Tegan and the others die) shows that the Doctor is far more 'alien' than we want to see. The ethical questions raised by this story are interesting. In the end, the surgeon at the Hospital Base decides that vivisecting Marc might be useful (ironically triggering the return of the Cybermen). Definitely, along with the subject matter, an unpleasant interlude that would not be entirely out of place in a Sawardian universe (along with the viral warfare). The idea of 'human' Cybermen is an interesting development and, a terrifying prospect. With the modification of plastic surgery and improvements in medical science, the idea is not so entirely far fetched. As ever, the Cybermen being in the background makes this a good story. Ironically, they are more incidental to the plot and the action is firmly focused on the Doctor and the TARDIS crew. Whilst it is nice to see a return of David Banks and Mark Hardy, I am not sure we really needed them back in these roles. I get the tie to Adric, but it is not essential to the plot. The closing scenes with the characters are also reminiscent of the 2006 Cyberstories as well. Overall, two good releases and a very good end to an impressive Davison trilogy. Davison should take well deserved praise here as this is the most engaged I've heard him for a while. Certainly better than the Kamelion stuff. The MR has had a far better close to 2019 and the next release should also be good (fingers crossed). Several things remain unresolved though: {Spoiler} 1. The 'split' TARDIS crew implies a series of Doctor-less or Solo Doctor Adventures. 2. Marc, being cybertised, cannot age and is condemned to an eternity of existence (or until his body fails) 3. The reason for returning to Cicero is not addressed. 4. The comment to Tegan about not 'knowing' the Doctor - is this just an aside line or something more? 5. The undercurrents within the TARDIS crew - the relationship with Tegan/Nyssa was looked at in Feast of Fear but the comments about who 'likes' who and is Marc actually a surrogate are interesting...
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Nov 18, 2019 7:18:00 GMT
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Post by Ian McArdell on Nov 18, 2019 12:35:53 GMT
My take on Warzone/Conversion is up at CultBox: "... Peter Davison gives a riveting performance: it was thrilling for his Doctor to be so brutal."
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Post by constonks on Nov 18, 2019 22:25:56 GMT
Both did some really bold stuff - Warzone is easily the coolest Cyberman story BF has done in a while (and having just relistened to Spare Parts made it feel all the more menacing).
Conversion is - as has been said - a less effective Cyberman story, but a real cracker of an emotional one for the Doctor and the team. Can't wait for the next Fifth Doctor stories to see what they do with this totally new era (and so so so happy they didn't just kill Marc and move on, as I expected them to - this trilogy is not tied up with a bow at all!) Also! As of this release, for the first time in my entire super-sub, I am caught up on the main range! My super-sub which ends with Blood on Santa's Claw!
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Post by glutamodo on Nov 21, 2019 14:48:44 GMT
Warzone. Well, certainly better than I expected. However, I spotted the twist quite early on. Not that it was that hard to guess. Also, great cliffhanger. These 5th Doctor audios lately were a real positive surprise, and a couple of months ago I had not even had them on the radar. Not a big 5th Doctor fan myself. But these stories are very enjoyable and well above average. Also love the characterization of the Doctor and his team and especially Mark is a good addition. Definitely worth it. I actually didn't guess.
I try to avoid spoilers, and while I knew the 2nd half was a Cyberman story....
{Spoiler} All I knew about this set was it was two stories. I thought they would be separate, not parts A and B of a narrative. So when the Doctor started asking Big Questions in Warzone, I was also asking them in my head, thinking totally that this was vetting process for a Super-Soldier program. So when it turned out to be a Cyberman Thing, I was surprised, but the felt stupid that I didn't see it coming. Cybermen are kinda-sorta "super Soldiers" after all.
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Post by dannybl on Nov 21, 2019 16:36:16 GMT
Haven't listened to this yet but by the looks of things this is the best Fifth Doctor release in years?!
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Post by tuigirl on Nov 21, 2019 16:53:50 GMT
Haven't listened to this yet but by the looks of things this is the best Fifth Doctor release in years?! It made me look forward to the next 5th Doctor story. First time ever. Draw your own conclusions.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 18:49:28 GMT
Others have said it better above with their reviews a riveting two stories .
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Post by antartiks on Nov 21, 2019 19:11:40 GMT
Haven't listened to this yet but by the looks of things this is the best Fifth Doctor release in years?! I'm with tuigirl here, I usually am not a fan of the Fifth Doctor at all but this might be his best episode since My Dinner with Andrew at least I think.
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Post by slithe on Nov 21, 2019 20:26:26 GMT
Haven't listened to this yet but by the looks of things this is the best Fifth Doctor release in years?! Yes, I would agree with this. It is definitely one of the best releases for the Fifth Doctor in a while - possibly the Emerald Tiger? I also think this has been one of the strongest Davison trilogy for a while as well. All three releases are strong this time around, which is unique as there is usually one release that is below par. This story also leads nicely into the next series of adventures with this TARDIS crew. A lot of loose ends are still to be tied up and, hopefully, this will lead to a new approach with Davison's stories. My only gripe is that this approach, which I enjoy a lot, doesn't really fit with the TV version of the Doctor during Season 20 and the majority of Season 21. Perhaps had Nyssa remained until Season 21, then it might have been a better fit. Otherwise, a really good set of releases...
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Post by slithe on Nov 21, 2019 20:28:25 GMT
Also! As of this release, for the first time in my entire super-sub, I am caught up on the main range! My super-sub which ends with Blood on Santa's Claw! I often wished that the super-sub had been on offer again! Not sure that BF would offer something similar, especially as changes are afoot for the MR audios.
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Post by glutamodo on Nov 22, 2019 1:11:57 GMT
This story lets Five finally "vent" about the demise of Adric, something that should have been done decades ago. And Davison really sells it!
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Post by Timelord007 on Nov 22, 2019 8:29:07 GMT
I literally had chills & goosebumps throughout this top notch audio drama, this is hands down for me one of Peter Davisons best performances as The Doctor.
5/5.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2019 11:11:15 GMT
... this is hands down for me one of Peter Davisons best performances as The Doctor. 5/5. Can't disagree with any of that. Definitely a top notch Fifth Doctor release and it gets a 5/5 from me too. I thought it was brilliant.
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Post by Timelord007 on Nov 22, 2019 11:43:43 GMT
... this is hands down for me one of Peter Davisons best performances as The Doctor. 5/5. Can't disagree with any of that. Definitely a top notch Fifth Doctor release and it gets a 5/5 from me too. I thought it was brilliant. Listening to this late at night in the dark somehow enhances the chill factor & atmosphere, i agree with you my friend this was top notch Fifth Doctor.
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Post by barnabaslives on Nov 24, 2019 6:42:16 GMT
Finally finished this the last couple of days. I'm sure I agree with all the complements that others have given this audio and more. I could so easily have been disappointed by this considering the sensitive nature of the territory it's walking on, but I wasn't - quite the opposite. Top marks for both stories, and yes - well done with the whole trilogy.
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Nov 27, 2019 9:38:52 GMT
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Post by constonks on Nov 27, 2019 19:31:11 GMT
Haven't listened to this yet but by the looks of things this is the best Fifth Doctor release in years?! Basically, yeah. It is.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2019 2:21:58 GMT
Finally caught up! It's the human race. Fall behind and you'll be disqualified.Warzone ends up being more than the apparent sum of its parts in the best possible way. It's another instance of taking an old or familiar idea (in this case, a gauntlet codified in Who's penchant for running) and adding that particular twist or turn that makes it unique. It's such a visual story that it really shouldn't work on audio and yet everything from the delightful papier-mâché Morris to Warzone's pseudo-poster child Herb (nice to see Angela Bruce pop up again) contributes to the frenetic energy of the thing. The purpose of Warzone isn't too far removed from what we've seen from the Cybermen elsewhere. Their involvement isn't obvious, but it is... logical. They seed worlds with their technology, construct farms to harvest "components" for units. They're a silver plague of uniformity that preys on developing cultures -- and people. Janet Fielding and George Watkins have earnt some serious kudos for the immediately visceral part of this journey. Fielding's performance for the cliffhanger has got to be her defining moment as much as Marc's breathless sense of adventure was for the latter. It's breathtakingly heartwrenching. The tragedy here is somewhat different from Adric's in that the impetus isn't on the Doctor alone. Tegan is directly responsible for Marc's conversion. That's going to do much for their characters in the future. What did you feel at the end, Doctor, the gun in your hand? Anger? Fear? Satisfaction?I'm really glad we got David Banks back for this one. The Neomorphs always had this fascination with emotions akin to a small child with a butterfly in a killing jar. His Cyberleader is the most invasive. Prodding. Asking. Needling. The perfect impetus for exploring Marc's Conversion and Five's desperation. This has to be the Fifth Doctor at his most reckless. The furthest the character has been pushed on an emotional level in... quite some time, I think. I don't think we could have ever gotten this during the solo Five/Nyssa run. Primarily because of who the Doctor and Nyssa both are. There, they were always such a balance for one another that it would have taken a proper shove to explore this emotional territory in the way that it is here. There's something about the makeup of the Season 20 teams with that extra third (or fourth) member that just seems to tilt the balance one way or the other. The Doctor and Tegan's conversation on Adric was exquisitely difficult. Very well-written. The kind of discussion that's never easy to have because people and their interactions are ultimately complex. "Did you like him?" Tegan asks, and the pregnant pause isn't because the answer's "No." Far from it. It's because it's a reminder of every lost chance, every possibility for joy that team will never have. Made so much harder by the fact that Adric wasn't an adult like Marcipor, he was a kid. And made impossible by the fact that Marc is not Adric. I'm going to double down on my recommendation circa Tartarus. If anyone wants to slot this into the preexisting timeline with ease, check up The Sands of Time for many similar themes explored over this trilogy. For the trilogy itself, it's been an incredible journey. Marc's really left an impression. I've no idea where it's all going to go next, but I'm 100% onboard.
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