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Post by omega on Jul 7, 2016 5:11:26 GMT
And moving on to Season 4 with the brilliant opener The Enigma of Dorian Gray. Can't believe we are already in Season 4! Which is available for free!
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Post by acousticwolf on Jul 8, 2016 13:41:40 GMT
A welcome return to Narration . I'd forgotten about this story, so it was a nice surprise pressing "play" ... and flipping heck I hadn't realised Anthony Howell was playing Notting either (I don't normally check the cast list on first listen). Dorian back to being self-centred (I had to remind myself that this was set before "Darkest Hour", so I can forgive him that). The idea of using the computer to store memories is not new, but this is done in a very imaginative way and having Beauty "wanting to become complete - i.e. Notting -" and the comparison with Dorian as the "template" is brilliantly done. A great start to series 4 ... Cheers Tony
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Post by kimalysong on Jul 8, 2016 22:44:08 GMT
No matter how many times I listen to this one I am never sure what happened to Notting. However after listening this time I thought maybe he had something similar to Alzheimer's and put his memory in BEAUTY to keep himself alive somehow.
Anyways Enigma of Dorian Gray is a wonderful character piece to open Series 4. I suppose the biggest twist is there is nothing supernatural to this story. There is even one point in the story when Dorian can't get the door open where you (and Dorian) think BEAUTY is keeping the door locked to keep Dorian there. But as it turns out the door was just stuck. Or was it? After all it obviously did send the letter to Dorian. So BEAUTY does seem pretty smart for a computer.
I absolutely love the last moments of this story where we get Dorian's final thoughts on BEAUTY where he admits to himself what he can't admit to Notting. Notting accused Dorian of being like a computer. A perfect copy with no soul. Dorian acts offended at this as though it's not true. But in the end he admits he does see his similarity with BEAUTY: "Just a degraded copy talking to itself in the dark. I know what's that like. I know a little of such things. And I didn't want there ever to be another". Such a powerful line and shows Dorian's own self loathing that he keeps hidden from others.
Another line I love in this story is when Dorian calls himself a "self made man" . I am not really sure what not having a soul really means for Dorian but I do like that this story and the range as a whole in my opinion emphasizes that Dorian always has choices in the decisions he makes. He's not good or evil because he doesn't have a soul. He's a capable of both. He's immortal but otherwise Dorian is too human. He's capable of the same mistakes as any human. True his immortality means he has more chances of learning from his errors but making the same mistakes is also a very human response. Do we always learn from our mistakes? And the fact that Dorian does have choices, does make mistakes, can feel emotions and can hurt and help others. Doesn't that prove he is still much closer to a human being then a perfect computer template?
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Post by Trace on Jul 9, 2016 3:32:38 GMT
Love the return to narration for this series and the jump back to the late 60's....I always like Dorian when we're traveling through the centuries and across the globe with him! Kim, I think you've really hit on something regarding the Alzheimer's...at first, I had thought that Notting probably had some terminal illness like cancer but the point is clearly made that he isn't dead, so I think Alzheimer's/Dementia is more likely, and what better way to preserve your brain when you know you're going to be incapacitated (thoughts, intelligence, etc.) than to create an artificial receptacle! Dorian as the template just fits so well with his own lack of a soul. But, as you say (and as Dorian himself says) there are times when even someone without a soul wants to be a better person--kinder, more compassionate, more "feeling"--and for that reason, he's really not a good template for the machine after all. I loved this story--the lack of a "monster of the week" made it unique and special. Who is the villain here? Notting? BEAUTY? Dorian? None of the above, I think. Actually, the only villain is conscience. And it's not really a villain--just the main antagonist. It's victim is Dorian Gray. Great start to Series 4.
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roygill
Big Finish Creative Team
Likes: 78
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Post by roygill on Jul 9, 2016 7:55:14 GMT
I hesitate to jump in and say things - especially when there's interesting discussion happening! - but for what it's worth, yes, my intention was very much that Notting has Alzheimer's/dementia.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jul 9, 2016 8:29:08 GMT
I hesitate to jump in and say things - especially when there's interesting discussion happening! - but for what it's worth, yes, my intention was very much that Notting has Alzheimer's/dementia. Thanks for popping along and clarifying that for us and can I congratulate you on a first rate Dorian story . Ok, enough fawning... Cheers Tony
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Post by kimalysong on Jul 9, 2016 9:25:53 GMT
I hesitate to jump in and say things - especially when there's interesting discussion happening! - but for what it's worth, yes, my intention was very much that Notting has Alzheimer's/dementia. No I really appreciate the clarification and I echo Acousticwolf's comments we are happy to have you here. Very much looking forward to your story in the final series.
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Post by omega on Jul 9, 2016 9:29:15 GMT
I hesitate to jump in and say things - especially when there's interesting discussion happening! - but for what it's worth, yes, my intention was very much that Notting has Alzheimer's/dementia. No I really appreciate the clarification and I echo Acousticwolf's comments we are happy to have you here. Very much looking forward to your story in the final series. Same here. You're an excellent writer and I hope you keep doing more Dark Shadows and maybe even do some Torchwood audios.
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Post by elkawho on Jul 10, 2016 3:52:49 GMT
No I really appreciate the clarification and I echo Acousticwolf's comments we are happy to have you here. Very much looking forward to your story in the final series. Same here. You're an excellent writer and I hope you keep doing more Dark Shadows and maybe even do some Torchwood audios. Oh, yes. roygill, I would love to hear a Torchwood story from you. That would be great.
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Post by elkawho on Jul 10, 2016 3:56:01 GMT
Gosh, I have nothing to add because I agree with every single word that Trace said. Loved it.
I do find it interesting how much Dorian is defined by that novel. Why can't he just let someone NOT believe that he is "that" Dorian Grey. After all this time it still bothers him what people think of him.
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Post by kimalysong on Jul 11, 2016 22:26:08 GMT
Sorry this is a bit late but for this week we are moving onto Freya by Sam Stone. Last time I listened to this it was while shoveling. Well maybe this story will cool us off a bit.
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Post by elkawho on Jul 12, 2016 3:18:39 GMT
I liked Freya a lot more the second time through. On first listen I thought it was just an ok story, nothing great or special. But on second listen I thought Freya was a great character. I loved that Dorian was trying to get her to bed and completely struck out. A good story that keeps Dorian out of his comfort zone and that alone makes it interesting.
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Post by kimalysong on Jul 12, 2016 10:10:50 GMT
I liked Freya a lot more the second time through. On first listen I thought it was just an ok story, nothing great or special. But on second listen I thought Freya was a great character. I loved that Dorian was trying to get her to bed and completely struck out. A good story that keeps Dorian out of his comfort zone and that alone makes it interesting. Yeah I like to add a subtitle to this story the one where Dorian doesn't get some.
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Post by Trace on Jul 13, 2016 4:04:14 GMT
Freya is a fun treat! Great monster, mysterious lady who remains a mystery....is she or isn't she a Norse goddess? I must say, I also found it quite scary...when the thing was shaking the cabin, and again on the ice. It was getting a little stressful there! My first thought when listening was that it was an abominable snowman or Yeti. But of course, this is Scandinavia, not the Himalayas. I too got a kick out of the only person Dorian hasn't been able to take to bed! Sorry, mate! You might not have liked it anyway--that bright light thing is a real mood kill. Sun blindness does that to people. They left it open-ended in case Freya ever returns. Who is Alyssa that Dorian mentions traveling with at the start? Have I missed something, or simply forgotten something--more likely the later. Alex as Dorian, once again, you beautiful, flawed man!! looking forward to continuing through series 4, the Christmas shows, and then the special shorts and series 5! Great stuff to come. Loved this straightforward story!!
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Post by kimalysong on Jul 17, 2016 20:40:07 GMT
I enjoyed Freya. It might not be my favorite in Series 4 but it's one of the stronger stories in the box. I also think it's a perfect anti-hero story. Dorian neither gets or saves the girl in the end. Although Dorian has some hope that Freya escaped, if she did that would have been more on her than him. The ending when the troll came up again & grabbed Freya really does shock me. Because even though this is is Dorian story, the whole set up is so classic guy saves the girl that I still expected that to happen here. But I loved that this story completely defied my expectations.
As I mentioned earlier last time I listened to this I was shoveling snow which certainly fit the atmosphere of this story. This time there is a heat wave which perhaps doesn't fit quite as well but maybe the thought of snow cooled me off just a bit.
And I won't say what it is but there is a nice Easter Egg in this story for another later story in the box set that takes place earlier in Dorian's timeline.
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Post by Trace on Jul 18, 2016 1:01:33 GMT
And I won't say what it is but there is a nice Easter Egg in this story for another later story in the box set that takes place earlier in Dorian's timeline. Hmmm....I don't think I caught it. Does it have anything to do with the Alyssa that I asked about? I don't remember there ever being an Alyssa....
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Post by omega on Jul 18, 2016 8:20:19 GMT
And I won't say what it is but there is a nice Easter Egg in this story for another later story in the box set that takes place earlier in Dorian's timeline. Hmmm....I don't think I caught it. Does it have anything to do with the Alyssa that I asked about? I don't remember there ever being an Alyssa.... She's a character in story 6 The Abysmal Sea and played by Yasmin Bannerman.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jul 18, 2016 11:53:21 GMT
Freya - A nice standard story, enjoyable (but forgettable when surrounded by others). Poor Dorian, always trying to get his leg over This week's listen is: Human Remains by James Goss A strange one this, it seems to have everything: humour, horror, sorrow, supernatural, bigotry, stereotypes ... I can't decide whether I like this one or not - I hate Dorian's treatment of Doctor Madras and really don't like him in this story. I know from a story point of view he is off his face on drugs, but for me it reminds me how this type of bigotry and racism was once acceptable in media (TV, audio) - shows like "Love thy Neighbour" and "Alf Garnett" were very popular in the '70s and this reminds of them. In 1998 we are supposed to be more tolerant and understanding and to listen to that now is very embarrassing and I feel ashamed of Dorian. In that sense, I think James Goss nailed it. However, Flo I love . She may be stereotypical, but her no nonsense attitude is great and she takes everything in her stride (including Dorian). Story-wise it kept me guessing. I'd decided both of the characters were the cause and the reveal surprised me once more. Very clever to use ... but also quite sad too. I like to think Dorian learned from this, but I'm not sure he ever does ... I did like the narration and the sudden realisation that he was narrating in his head while it was all going on Cheers Tony
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Post by kimalysong on Jul 18, 2016 12:11:41 GMT
Tony I see you are stealing my job from me. But thank you for starting this week's group listen.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jul 18, 2016 12:20:27 GMT
Tony I see you are stealing my job from me. But thank you for starting this week's group listen. Sorry Kim, I thought you were busy with Versailles ... and catching Pokemon . It's only because I listened to Freya and Human Remains this morning and am a bit behind so thought I'd better write my thoughts down now before I forgot. Your job is safe Cheers Tony
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