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Post by theotherjosh on Jul 12, 2017 19:44:30 GMT
Big Finish has such a large number of authors where one says, “Oh, this was written by X. This story is going to be great!” and John Dorney is at the top of that list.
However, I’ll confess that it didn’t grab me until part two, buy once all the pieces were in place, it just kept building on itself and getting better and better. I like this kind of story, where we take a concept that’s silly on its face and play it straight. I see I’m not the only one who thought of Paradise Towers.
I like that Mel suggests time-travelling to the point of the mystery to get some answers. I always appreciate when someone suggests a sensible solution to a problem, even if it’s not feasible in the context of the story. I’m still not sure about the team of Mel and Ace, but I’m more receptive to it than I was before.
I used to live up in Keene, N.H. Part of Jumanji was filmed there. I moved away years ago, but I still have friends there and there is this group called Free Keene who go around harassing parking attendants and filming them when they get upset. Imagine the worst dudebro Liberterians you can think of and you’re halfway there. I couldn’t help but think of those dumbos every time someone mentioned the Free Parkers. It added another level of absurdity to my experience.
Is “Miss” offensive? Ace seems really bothered about it. I’ve known some middle-aged women who don’t like being addressed as “Ma’am”, which is how I tend to address women I don’t know (though I of course don’t use it if they ask not to be addressed that way), but I’ve never known anyone to get upset about “Miss”.
Mel blusters her way into access as the Doctor would, kind of cool. In fact, Mel comes off a lot more interesting than Ace. I don’t even understand how that’s possible. Dorney has upended my entire world! Did we somehow slip into the Inferno universe again?
It’s hardly a controversial opinion, but Dorney is a great writer, with a knack for adding spice to what would be a mundane exchange in the hands of a another writer
“You’re coming with me.” “Really? Why would I want to do that?” “Because I still have a gun and you still have friends. I think we’d both rather that didn’t change.”
“Fortunately, there’s only so much exploding a small computer can do.” I laughed out loud at this. It just struck me as really funny.
I like the Seraphim AI. She ruminates on an injustice for hundreds of years until it swallows her up. One of my favorite books was described by the author as the story of "a wrongfully punished man whose character was twisted by the act."
Not sure what the Doctor was thinking in their exchange, though.
“They treat as things, mere machines.” “Well, you are machines-“
No! Bad Doctor! Don’t say that! And this isn’t a dig on the script. In fact, it’s perfectly keeping in character, because the Doctor says bone-headed things all the time. But boy, that was a (characteristically)ill-considered observation.
And…it’s not a real Seventh Doctor story if it doesn’t feature Sylvester McCoy squawking as a baddie strangles him.
Great story, obviously. It's John Dorney. What else would you expect?
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Post by Timelord007 on Jul 13, 2017 6:39:21 GMT
That was fun. I do love 'Doctor Who' when it's intense and complex - but sometimes it's great to have a much lighter, witty story like this one, that just entertains. mark687 summed it up perfectly as 'Paradise Towers type done right.' and I can't improve on that description; it is a 'Paradise Towers' sort of story, but with better characterisations, much more humour and excellent style. The guest characters are all played slightly 'heightened' (but never over the top) which keeps the humour going even when the events being reported are actually dark, with the sound design and music getting into this spirit too. And the Doctor, Ace and Mel are excellent, the three performances obviously, but also their witty bantering conversations and the way they each play full parts in the mystery. The Doctor may or may not be up to some scheme..., Ace does her adventurous action hero surrounded by explosions - mostly not her fault for once - and also pushes herself to do as the Doctor would, and Mel is the brilliant software engineer with the photo memory that she was originally sketched as in the TV stories. Sophie Aldred and Bonnie Langford were the stars of this story for me, two excellent roles to play and played excellently. You can spot all the nods to the style of 'devolved society' stories along the way and fun they are too, before the story ends {Ending Spoiler} with a stream of continuity of worlds enough to satisfy any fan! And the carefully flagged-up MYSTERY of the Dreamspinners... is never solved or even mentioned for most of the story - a nice joke at our expense! I should say that I was expecting to enjoy this story; John Dorney was the first 'Big Finish' writer I 'discovered' with his perfect adaptation and completion of 'The Foe From the Future', (only the second BF I bought and still in my top ten.) Then his great performance in 'Farewell, Great Macedon' and shortly after that I heard 'Requiem for the Rocket Men', still my second favourite 4DA... just after 'The Wrath of the Iceni' by - oh yes of course... (Thanks to Timelord007 for those story recommendations a few years back; every one a winner as is every John Dorney story I've heard since.) Cheers buddy, I'm glad you enjoyed them my friend, John Dorneys my favourite Big Finish writer, in Dorney i trust.
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Jul 13, 2017 15:53:38 GMT
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Jul 13, 2017 15:54:17 GMT
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Post by IndieMacUser on Jul 13, 2017 17:26:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2017 16:42:48 GMT
I listened to this last night and while it took a while to get going, once everything settled in to place The High Price of Parking was a cracking Seventh Doctor Adventure that could easily fit in to the televised McCoy era of Doctor Who with no problems. (And be a better story than most of those stories too!) It was bit of a comedy adventure for the Seventh Doctor, set on a planet for parking... I get the feeling Mr Dorney must be the type of guy who keeps forgetting where he parks in those multi-storey car parks to think of such an unusual setting for a story. But it worked anyway, the characterisations of Mel and Ace were pretty much spot on too, so I enjoyed listening to this. A slow burner, but a good Seventh Doctor story that's up there with the best of McCoy's TV outings.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2017 15:54:35 GMT
I think the regulars are superbly written for - Ace manages to exhibit all her trademark cheekiness without ever being even slightly irritating. No 'bilgebags' or 'bogbrains' here - just Sophie Aldred being brilliant with some great lines. Same too for Mel - she retains the occasional and endearing skill she had on television for slightly awkward dialogue (hello Pip and Jane), but Bonnie makes it sound comepletely naturalistic. Interesting the Sophie says this is probably set during an early phase of Ace's relationship with Mel. Sylvester is always great, delivering his lines like a rollercoaster - a truly eccentric Doctor. Only Gabrielle Glaister's strangely accented Cowley lets things down a little - surprising as she's usually brilliant (modelled on Blakey from On The Buses, all too obviously in retrospect. Perhaps that inspiration should have been toned down a little). The story itself is very reminiscent of Paradise Towers, and BF's own Spaceport Fear, both of which I enjoyed. A whole civilisation influenced by, and dictated by, something that on the surface might seem very silly. But it's that balance of surreal humour and how serious the situation has become that I enjoyed most about this. Very skilfully done, and very Series 24 (which I enjoyed a lot).
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Post by kimalysong on Jul 23, 2017 11:51:45 GMT
I though the 7th Doctor, Ace, Mel were really written well, I thought the world was very interesting, and I loved the humor...
But for some reason that I can't put my finger on this wasn't a favorite. Maybe because I don't drive I can only experience not knowing where you park your car second hand.
I will say that I did really like that Mel got to use her computer skills. Still hoping for more Mel & Ace interaction before this trilogy is over.
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Post by Timelord007 on Jul 27, 2017 7:06:37 GMT
I haven't listened to any Big Finish for nearly 2 weeks & felt my love affair with the show was over.
John Dorneys my favourite DW writer but i couldn't muster any enthusiasm to listen to any BF drama numb to Doctor Who because of recent events until last night......
The High Price Of Parking has ignited my love for Doctor Who & reminded me why i love the show, John Dorneys script contains a clever plot, great characters & wonderful performances by the cast, in Dorney we trust who yet again proves his genius for ingenious storytelling.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jul 27, 2017 7:49:29 GMT
I haven't listened to any Big Finish for nearly 2 weeks & felt my love affair with the show was over. John Dorneys my favourite DW writer but i couldn't muster any enthusiasm to listen to any BF drama numb to Doctor Who because of recent events until last night......The High Price Of Parking has ignited my love for Doctor Who & reminded me why i love the show, John Dorneys script contains a clever plot, great characters & wonderful performances by the cast, in Dorney we trust who yet again proves his genius for ingenious storytelling. Just one more thing we have to thank dorney for . Is John Dorney the Messiah? "No he's not, he's a very naughty boy!" ... and we thank him for it. Glad you have re-found your love Simon Cheers Tony
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Post by mrperson on Jul 27, 2017 23:48:44 GMT
I haven't listened to any Big Finish for nearly 2 weeks & felt my love affair with the show was over. John Dorneys my favourite DW writer but i couldn't muster any enthusiasm to listen to any BF drama numb to Doctor Who because of recent events until last night...... The High Price Of Parking has ignited my love for Doctor Who & reminded me why i love the show, John Dorneys script contains a clever plot, great characters & wonderful performances by the cast, in Dorney we trust who yet again proves his genius for ingenious storytelling. Next up, try the latest Classic Docs/New Monsters. I've only listened to the first one and damn, is it good..... Guess who authored it.
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Post by Timelord007 on Jul 28, 2017 7:03:47 GMT
John Dorney to put it plainly just 'gets' Doctor Who, i can't wait to hear Classic Doctors New Monster's Vol 2.
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Post by nottenst on Jul 28, 2017 20:06:39 GMT
I get the feeling Mr Dorney must be the type of guy who keeps forgetting where he parks in those multi-storey car parks to think of such an unusual setting for a story. I can't remember whether it is in the regular interview or only in the expanded extras, but people do talk about getting lost in those multi-storey car parks and automated cars. Nice bits.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2017 21:08:03 GMT
I get the feeling Mr Dorney must be the type of guy who keeps forgetting where he parks in those multi-storey car parks to think of such an unusual setting for a story. I can't remember whether it is in the regular interview or only in the expanded extras, but people do talk about getting lost in those multi-storey car parks and automated cars. Nice bits. I don't bother with the interviews, but I do know there are people who forget where they park... there's one of them here in Stevo Towers!
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Post by Timelord007 on Jul 29, 2017 8:13:02 GMT
I can't remember whether it is in the regular interview or only in the expanded extras, but people do talk about getting lost in those multi-storey car parks and automated cars. Nice bits. I don't bother with the interviews, but I do know there are people who forget where they park... there's one of them here in Stevo Towers! I have strange dreams about forgetting were i parked my car & trying to find it before the ticket expires, weird eh then again I'm not exactly wired up right.
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Aug 4, 2017 22:35:06 GMT
If the 7th Doctor's TV era was as entertaining as The High Cost Of Parking, well I'd be a bigger fan of the 7th Doctor. A inventive and clever script with a lot of moving pieces that doesn't ever seen rushed or overly fussy AND plays to the strengths of the leads. I felt like that last year's 7/Ace/Mel trilogy was more miss than hit but this shows that this slightly tweaked version of the TV trio has a lot to offer. Well done and another strong Main Range entry.
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Post by jasonward on Sept 16, 2017 15:47:08 GMT
Really enjoyed this story, loved that I had to keep listening just to understand what on earth was going off, it kept me focused on the story. Is “Miss” offensive? Ace seems really bothered about it. I’ve known some middle-aged women who don’t like being addressed as “Ma’am”, which is how I tend to address women I don’t know (though I of course don’t use it if they ask not to be addressed that way), but I’ve never known anyone to get upset about “Miss”.
Yep, I've met a number of women who don't like being called "Miss" and on the very few occasions I've asked what the issue is, I've been told it's because they don't like a prefix that defines them as married or not married. Me? I'll call you whatever you tell me to call you. In the absence of such guidance I try to use first name and/or surname as per circumstance allows.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 0:05:02 GMT
Really enjoyed this story, loved that I had to keep listening just to understand what on earth was going off, it kept me focused on the story. Is “Miss” offensive? Ace seems really bothered about it. I’ve known some middle-aged women who don’t like being addressed as “Ma’am”, which is how I tend to address women I don’t know (though I of course don’t use it if they ask not to be addressed that way), but I’ve never known anyone to get upset about “Miss”.
Yep, I've met a number of women who don't like being called "Miss" and on the very few occasions I've asked what the issue is, I've been told it's because they don't like a prefix that defines them as married or not married. Me? I'll call you whatever you tell me to call you. In the absence of such guidance I try to use first name and/or surname as per circumstance allows. It scans pretty well with Ace's character as well; lying about her age to Kane, bombing a derelict house as a way of venting her frustrations, biting back when Mike tries to domesticate her in Remembrance of the Daleks, etc. She doesn't strike me as someone who likes being treated as though she's finespun: Thinking about it, I tend to use the terms "person" or "human being" in a sentence mostly out of pure lethargy because it can be used for any identity, we're all people. I tend to avoid names altogether because I'm just rubbish at remembering them. They tend only to be used to draw attention anyway.
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Post by eric009 on Sept 17, 2017 11:16:29 GMT
10 out of 10 for the story got a friend who not a big fan of dr who but I got him 1963 - The Assassination Games as he heard of Counter-Measures it was at BF Day 5 I got 3 copies of it went to pay for it and it was John Dorney he was very pleased I was 3 copies of it very nice man(John Dorney that is), my friend has since got all the Counter-Measures
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Post by theotherjosh on Sept 18, 2017 14:36:58 GMT
Yep, I've met a number of women who don't like being called "Miss" and on the very few occasions I've asked what the issue is, I've been told it's because they don't like a prefix that defines them as married or not married. That’s interesting and I hadn’t considered that angle. It’s been several months since I’ve listened to the story, and as best I recall, Ace was addressed as “Miss” because the speaker didn’t know her name. There aren’t a lot of options under those circumstances, and I don’t think “Miss” used under those circumstances carries an assumption as to marital status; it’s just a placeholder used to address a young woman of unknown name until a better one can be assigned. On the other hand, if you were to address her as “Miss McShane”, “Miss” does carry the connotation of an unmarried woman, as “Ms.” is available an alternative that doesn’t contain that assumption. Me? I'll call you whatever you tell me to call you. In the absence of such guidance I try to use first name and/or surname as per circumstance allows. Yeah, that’s the way to do it. Everybody’s got their own preferences. Personally, I hate it when people I don’t know are overly familiar with me, and use my name to end every sentence. “Hi, Josh. How are you doing, Josh? Can you do me a favor, Josh?”
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