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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2017 22:12:59 GMT
7.2 Struggled a bit with this one. There was nothing wrong with the story at all, in fact I thought it was an interesting new direction. No complaints about the characters or acting either.
What I struggle with is the ‘story told in flashback’ format. I find it lazy when you see it on TV, but the problem on audio (for me, at least) is that it makes it a little challenging to follow when you’re switching back and forth between timeframes. On TV you can make it clearer with visual cues—camera filters, differing hairstyles, visible injuries, etc.—but here on audio it’s often just one scene ends and the next is in the other timeframe. Bit of a nuisance, IMO.
One thing... Jenny weepily wondering what she could possibly have done to push Greg away...I can’t remember the last time I scoffed so hard. I don’t know how TV Jenny was written/acted, but she was always unbearable to Greg in the audio series. Can’t stand the character, and this stuck out like a sore thumb to me. I noticed the irony with which Jenny questioned her relationship with Greg too. She has always been a stubborn character - aggravatingly so at times. But this was put to good use in this story, I thought, especially at the beginning in her conversations with Ruth (on that note, how quickly Helen Goldwyn's Ruth has immediately become established in these audios). Jenny will never realise how impossible she can be, is my guess. Characters are flawed. I do feel this is one of Lucy Fleming's finest hours. Simon Clark's script allows her quite a few emotional moments and she rises to the opportunity. Legacy is, for me, another terrific episode - very character-based, and we have a fine new character in Barstow. Many of these new communities are morally corrupt, it seems. And sadly, that's probably the way things would be in 'real life' (whatever that is). The elevation of Greg's character and reputation is entirely fitting with my memory of the final episodes of the television show. I hope this isn't the last we hear of Ian McCulloch's character. |
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Post by Digi on Dec 7, 2017 23:32:16 GMT
I hope this isn't the last we hear of Ian McCulloch's character. On that I heartily agree. Who knows - we had John Redgrave turn up a few box sets in, after his untimely demise in Series 1. No reason it can't be done again. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 17:12:19 GMT
Old Friends
Reading the synopsis and cast list for this story, we may have been lead to believe this story is set in a certain timeline. The reality is different, both shocking and brilliantly conveyed. As usual, Louise Jameson rises to a terrific bit of character development and scripting (c/o Matt Fitton). I suppose there was a morbid inevitability to Jackie's situation. She's suffered as much as anyone if not more, and is burdened with misplaced guilt as well. Even so, this is listening to an old friend declining entirely. It's excellent, of course, but isn't easy listening. This is BF taking full advantage of the 'individual' episode anthology approach to Survivors over the past couple of box-sets, and works incredibly well. What a terrific set so far.
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lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
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Post by lidar2 on Dec 14, 2017 13:35:43 GMT
7.1 {Spoiler}Wrenching, just wrenching. I’ll admit I’m a little disappointed that they copped out at the end, but oh what a hard episode to hear! {Spoiler}
I agree 100% re 7.1, but won't say anymore for fear of spoliers |
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Post by Digi on Dec 14, 2017 15:13:09 GMT
7.1 {Spoiler}Wrenching, just wrenching. I’ll admit I’m a little disappointed that they copped out at the end, but oh what a hard episode to hear! {Spoiler}
I agree 100% re 7.1, but won't say anymore for fear of spoliers I’m still holding out hope (so to speak) that the end of Abby’s tale will be/be similar to its grim conclusion in the book. (The audiobook BF produced was terrific, in case any Survivors fans here haven’t picked it up) |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2017 20:48:17 GMT
Reconnection
This final story in the set is another good 'un. Written by Christopher Hatherall, it concerns sabotage, lies, racism and sexism - just another day in Survivors, really. And a pretty big explosion too. However, the high-point for me is the meeting of two of the show's legendary characters later on in life, after the television show had ended. Abby and Jenny are older a lot more hard-bitten here, both coping with their own (perceived) personal tragedies. And they don't like each other! At least initially, anyway. They warm to each other and rediscover what made them friends in the first place. But it's a fascinating relationship, and could only have been done on these audios. This is when Big Finish comes into its own. For all the apparent limitations of audio (as opposed to the visual medium), there are definite advantages too - and Reconnection successfully plays with that. This tells a good tale as well as planting scenes for audio adventures after the TV series. Terrific.
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Post by The Matt on Jan 18, 2018 21:48:14 GMT
Quite disappointed with this set to be honest.
Journeys End was a solid entry. I always think people exaggerate how hard it is to listen to Survivors as it's oh so dark. I've never really bought into that however the scene of Abby at "Peters" grave was pretty chilling. Pity they massively chickened out with the ending though.
Legacy - A decent story told well. Nice to see a couple of male characters who weren't evil despots or sadistic villains. This set is becoming a tad sexist.....
Old Friends - One of the poorest entries into the Survivors universe. Filled with dialogue that was no doubt supposed to be deep and meaningful but just came across as woefully overwrought and delivered in painfully earnest voices. I actually stopped listening to the set half way through this story as it was so dull and listened to two other sets. They should have left Jackie there frankly.
Reconnection - oh look, yet more evil men yawn. A fairly boring story which ended the set on quite the anticlimax.
I usually love Survivors and never have I ever quit listening half way through before. Must try harder BF!!
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Post by elkawho on Jan 19, 2018 3:12:50 GMT
Quite disappointed with this set to be honest. Journeys End was a solid entry. I always think people exaggerate how hard it is to listen to Survivors as it's oh so dark. I've never really bought into that however the scene of Abby at "Peters" grave was pretty chilling. Pity they massively chickened out with the ending though. Legacy - A decent story told well. Nice to see a couple of male characters who weren't evil despots or sadistic villains. This set is becoming a tad sexist..... Old Friends - One of the poorest entries into the Survivors universe. Filled with dialogue that was no doubt supposed to be deep and meaningful but just came across as woefully overwrought and delivered in painfully earnest voices. I actually stopped listening to the set half way through this story as it was so dull and listened to two other sets. They should have left Jackie there frankly. Reconnection - oh look, yet more evil men yawn. A fairly boring story which ended the set on quite the anticlimax. I usually love Survivors and never have I ever quit listening half way through before. Must try harder BF!! Other than your assessment of Journey's End, I disagree with almost everything you've said. Except I completely agree that I'm tired of the 'evil men' trope. It is becoming sexist. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2018 10:26:19 GMT
I'd not really noticed the 'evil men' thing, but now you come to mention it, it's a definite theme. Mind you - and I'm sticking my neck out here - look at the dictators and evil-doers that are around today and throughout history. Most of those have been men!
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Jan 21, 2018 18:48:31 GMT
I'd not really noticed the 'evil men' thing, but now you come to mention it, it's a definite theme. Mind you - and I'm sticking my neck out here - look at the dictators and evil-doers that are around today and throughout history. Most of those have been men! Speaking as a 53 year old man, men are definitely the source of most of history's problems. |
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