|
Post by Digi on Apr 12, 2018 1:17:00 GMT
Liv is a wonderful, capable companion, right from her first appearance in Dark Eyes 2 (well, not actually her first, but that's splitting hairs). Glad to see a newcomer to the range can immediately see how good she is! I don't know. She was pretty capable when we met her in Robophobia. That's why I noted in parentheses that it wasn't actually her first appearance
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Apr 13, 2018 1:26:04 GMT
How to Make a Killing in Time TravelThis was so much fun, a time crime where the Doctor finds evidence in the vortex before the crime has been committed, as you do if you're a Time Lord. I really enjoyed this space farce where nobody can keep their mouth shut and everyone "spills the beans" all over the place, the multiple criminals double-cross each other by accident because they're too dim to plan anything properly and a dead billionaire drops out of another dimension like the proverbial "skeleton in the cupboard", at the most inconvenient moment. And the prize for 'least capable operator' is up for grabs between the killer, two very minor blackmailing lowlifes, a traitorous prince and a head of security who might just about be able to hand out parking tickets without supervision, on his best days... It's lucky that the Doctor and Liv are on hand to help out! John Dorney's writing is full of wonderful lines and the whole cast are spot-on with the comedy, but for me the best lines seemed to belong to Liv and Nicola Walker's deadpan, brilliantly timed comic delivery was the highlight of the story. I chortled at Liv's description of the normal duties of a Companion and I could imagine generations of them nodding in agreement! I was encouraged to start following this new Eighth Doctor series by the promise it would be a mix of standalone stories and a linked, wider arc, which would make it more accessible for new listeners like me. I've enjoyed the two standalones (I think they are anyway) very much - now for the serious business... (Oh, and I LOLed at the Ogron joke! )
|
|
|
Post by kurumais on Apr 13, 2018 2:09:52 GMT
just started ravenous . they could have used minka from hut 33 in the first story.
ok just finished how to make a killing in time travel this is exactly the kind of story i wish big finish would do more of. the doctor is great for misadventures. and i can only think of a couple that BF have done. the actors all have good comedy.
chops. its nice to break up all the everythings in danger stories.
the credits at the end of each chapter make me think this set was made for radio.
sorry to keep edit/adding just finished world of damnation and my mouth is hanging open. i loved kandyman first time ive "seen" him. i thought nicholas rowe such a great job with all the lines about deserts. they were creepy but also made
me want to raid the pantry. i was a little confused with the jarl parts. at first they seemed like flashbacks to when he ruzzella and crab man arrived, but the "present" were part of those too. so they didn't seem like flashbacks when they finished.
i havent been listening to BF in the past few months so i have a huge backlog. i am hooked again.
btw i have i posted how much i love liv chenka, because i do.
|
|
|
Post by mrperson on Apr 14, 2018 20:31:16 GMT
i was a little confused with the jarl parts. at first they seemed like flashbacks to when he ruzzella and crab man arrived, but the "present" were part of those too. so they didn't seem like flashbacks when they finished. Yeah, I was also rather confused around that part of the ep.
|
|
|
Post by mrperson on Apr 14, 2018 20:36:13 GMT
Anyway, I quite enjoyed this release.
The only thing I could have done without is the Kandyman. Fortunately, this was audio, so I didn't have to actually look at the absurdity, but there was still the idea of a robot built out of sugar which just does not work for me. Not one bit.
|
|
|
Post by Audio Watchdog on Apr 15, 2018 22:25:44 GMT
That was rather a good opening gambit. So it is to be something from the old days of Gallifrey is it? Something called The Ravenous? I quite liked the two one-offs to start the set, or as Dorney said in the extras, something kind of like the mid-series Lucie Miller era, leading into the hunt for Helen. I look forward to volume two and the discovery of what is at stake. The more I hear the 11, the more I like him.
|
|
|
Post by Timelord007 on Apr 16, 2018 6:49:47 GMT
Dorney & Fitton prove yet again what a amazing pair of writer's they are delivering yet another outstanding quality written audio drama, top notch acting from the cast Mark Bonar is outstanding as The Eleven & Paul McGann knocks it out the park as the Doctor.
9/10
|
|
|
Post by IndieMacUser on Apr 17, 2018 21:05:31 GMT
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Apr 18, 2018 0:50:57 GMT
World of Damnation / Sweet SalvationSo what do you do if you're a criminal Time Lord in a high-security asylum? Find an ally, pretend to be reformed, take over the asylum, escape, take over the world. Obviously. It's an excellent, well-imagined 'asylum break' / 'world takeover' story pair from Matt Fitton, making an exciting four-parter (in classic-era terms) full of ideas, great world-building and really excellent characters, some new, some familiar to followers of the Eighth Doctor's boxsets (but new to me) - and a second helping of one very strange character from the past! For me the outstanding highlights of this story were those characters, so well written and wonderfully played. I liked the minor characters such as "Crabhead" (it's always good to have a properly alien alien, no foam rubber suit required on audio ) and the three major "new" characters were superb; all heard for the first time on audio for me as I've yet to hear 'Doom Coalition'. I'd liked the idea of The Eleven but nothing prepared me for Mark Bonnar's stunning performance(s), absolutely brilliant!! (' I quite agree', ' told you so, human! ', ' a logical conclusion to reach', ' too right, old chap! ', ' yeeeeesss ') The early scenes with Helen suggested at least part of him might be reforming, but we've seen an imprisoned Time Lord pull that trick before so I wasn't surprised when the real Eleven broke out. I like the way this showed Helen's kindness, and as we later learn, she's also been fighting a determined battle against the Kandyman for control of the asylum's System - as a good Companion would. As for the Kandyman - excellent! To say I wasn't keen on the 80s original is an understatement!, but I had faith in BF and sure enough here's another character splendidly rebuilt (literally, this time) for audio. Reconstructed as a humanoid polycarbonate android by the Eleven (after some unsatisfied Androgum customers left 'Bertie' in fragments - I loved this detail and Androgums would, wouldn't they!) Nicholas Rowe's refined-sugar Kandyman is now a silky-smooth masterchef of culinary chemistry, feeding his malevolent molecules to willing victims via perfectly tailored treats for every taste. With just a little bit of thought-spider silk in every bite... 'World of Damnation' keeps its secrets well with cleverly used flashback sections like Ruzalla and Jarl's arrival, but the writing and performances make it a pleasure to follow and it paid off well as I got into the plot and discovered the returning characters. I was pleased about this, Helen and the Eleven and their past were all new to me, but Matt Fitton gives enough character introduction and background skilfuly mixed into the dialogue that I was able to keep up. And I later discovered that if I didn't quite get what was supposed to have happened to Helen, the Doctor didn't either, so that was clearly OK! Then 'Sweet Salvation' was more straightforward, an exciting and fast-moving finale on a corrupt colony where only the Doctor, Liv and Helen can save the people from their own government and helpful Professor Elvan's war on crime. It's a cracking story, with 'wide-screen' setpieces, character moments and A Very Big Explosion to finish, with sharp dialogue, a dusting of satire and a string of top performances. All I could have asked for - and a delicious twist to finish, something ancient, something from the Old Time of Gallifrey, something that scares the Eleven, something - Ravenous! A superb set, a feast for the ears - and I can't wait for the second helping!
|
|
|
Post by icecreamdf on Apr 25, 2018 4:00:33 GMT
The two stand alone episodes were great. Especially How to Make a Killing in Time Travel. Once they got to the asylum, things got too confusing though. I didn't always know whether or not we were in a flashback. I also don't like the changes they made to the Kandy Man. Why couldn't they keep the original version that we all know and...well that we all know?
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Apr 25, 2018 9:21:53 GMT
The two stand alone episodes were great. Especially How to Make a Killing in Time Travel. Once they got to the asylum, things got too confusing though. I didn't always know whether or not we were in a flashback. I also don't like the changes they made to the Kandy Man. Why couldn't they keep the original version that we all know and...well that we all know? This 'new' version was the original version (as I understand it), before the writer's vision from 'The Happiness Patrol' was JN-T'd in production. I loved the fact that some angry Androgums broke up the TV version - and then probably feasted on liquorice, Androgums being Androgums. And it took the Eleven to rebuild him to a more credible design. Even the Eleven's wildest incarnations presumably drew the line at rebuilding 'Bertie'!
|
|
|
Post by icecreamdf on Apr 26, 2018 0:09:17 GMT
The two stand alone episodes were great. Especially How to Make a Killing in Time Travel. Once they got to the asylum, things got too confusing though. I didn't always know whether or not we were in a flashback. I also don't like the changes they made to the Kandy Man. Why couldn't they keep the original version that we all know and...well that we all know? This 'new' version was the original version (as I understand it), before the writer's vision from 'The Happiness Patrol' was JN-T'd in production. I loved the fact that some angry Androgums broke up the TV version - and then probably feasted on liquorice, Androgums being Androgums. And it took the Eleven to rebuild him to a more credible design. Even the Eleven's wildest incarnations presumably drew the line at rebuilding 'Bertie'! I wonder how the Kandy Man got rebuilt before the Androgums ate him. If I recall, he was pretty much destroyed in the Happiness Patrol.
|
|
|
Post by elkawho on Apr 26, 2018 3:09:44 GMT
number13 Again, great review. There was a lot in there, but all I have to say is: You HAVE to hear Doom Coalition!
|
|
|
Post by Timelord007 on Apr 26, 2018 5:32:32 GMT
World of Damnation / Sweet SalvationSo what do you do if you're a criminal Time Lord in a high-security asylum? Find an ally, pretend to be reformed, take over the asylum, escape, take over the world. Obviously. It's an excellent, well-imagined 'asylum break' / 'world takeover' story pair from Matt Fitton, making an exciting four-parter (in classic-era terms) full of ideas, great world-building and really excellent characters, some new, some familiar to followers of the Eighth Doctor's boxsets (but new to me) - and a second helping of one very strange character from the past! For me the outstanding highlights of this story were those characters, so well written and wonderfully played. I liked the minor characters such as "Crabhead" (it's always good to have a properly alien alien, no foam rubber suit required on audio ) and the three major "new" characters were superb; all heard for the first time on audio for me as I've yet to hear 'Doom Coalition'. I'd liked the idea of The Eleven but nothing prepared me for Mark Bonnar's stunning performance(s), absolutely brilliant!! (' I quite agree', ' told you so, human! ', ' a logical conclusion to reach', ' too right, old chap! ', ' yeeeeesss ') The early scenes with Helen suggested at least part of him might be reforming, but we've seen an imprisoned Time Lord pull that trick before so I wasn't surprised when the real Eleven broke out. I like the way this showed Helen's kindness, and as we later learn, she's also been fighting a determined battle against the Kandyman for control of the asylum's System - as a good Companion would. As for the Kandyman - excellent! To say I wasn't keen on the 80s original is an understatement!, but I had faith in BF and sure enough here's another character splendidly rebuilt (literally, this time) for audio. Reconstructed as a humanoid polycarbonate android by the Eleven (after some unsatisfied Androgum customers left 'Bertie' in fragments - I loved this detail and Androgums would, wouldn't they!) Nicholas Rowe's refined-sugar Kandyman is now a silky-smooth masterchef of culinary chemistry, feeding his malevolent molecules to willing victims via perfectly tailored treats for every taste. With just a little bit of thought-spider silk in every bite... 'World of Damnation' keeps its secrets well with cleverly used flashback sections like Ruzalla and Jarl's arrival, but the writing and performances make it a pleasure to follow and it paid off well as I got into the plot and discovered the returning characters. I was pleased about this, Helen and the Eleven and their past were all new to me, but Matt Fitton gives enough character introduction and background skilfuly mixed into the dialogue that I was able to keep up. And I later discovered that if I didn't quite get what was supposed to have happened to Helen, the Doctor didn't either, so that was clearly OK! Then 'Sweet Salvation' was more straightforward, an exciting and fast-moving finale on a corrupt colony where only the Doctor, Liv and Helen can save the people from their own government and helpful Professor Elvan's war on crime. It's a cracking story, with 'wide-screen' setpieces, character moments and A Very Big Explosion to finish, with sharp dialogue, a dusting of satire and a string of top performances. All I could have asked for - and a delicious twist to finish, something ancient, something from the Old Time of Gallifrey, something that scares the Eleven, something - Ravenous! A superb set, a feast for the ears - and I can't wait for the second helping! You can take over my G+ reviews anytime buddy, awesome review this.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2018 7:15:56 GMT
World of Damnation / Sweet SalvationSo what do you do if you're a criminal Time Lord in a high-security asylum? Find an ally, pretend to be reformed, take over the asylum, escape, take over the world. Obviously. It's an excellent, well-imagined 'asylum break' / 'world takeover' story pair from Matt Fitton, making an exciting four-parter (in classic-era terms) full of ideas, great world-building and really excellent characters, some new, some familiar to followers of the Eighth Doctor's boxsets (but new to me) - and a second helping of one very strange character from the past! For me the outstanding highlights of this story were those characters, so well written and wonderfully played. I liked the minor characters such as "Crabhead" (it's always good to have a properly alien alien, no foam rubber suit required on audio ) and the three major "new" characters were superb; all heard for the first time on audio for me as I've yet to hear 'Doom Coalition'. I'd liked the idea of The Eleven but nothing prepared me for Mark Bonnar's stunning performance(s), absolutely brilliant!! (' I quite agree', ' told you so, human! ', ' a logical conclusion to reach', ' too right, old chap! ', ' yeeeeesss ') The early scenes with Helen suggested at least part of him might be reforming, but we've seen an imprisoned Time Lord pull that trick before so I wasn't surprised when the real Eleven broke out. I like the way this showed Helen's kindness, and as we later learn, she's also been fighting a determined battle against the Kandyman for control of the asylum's System - as a good Companion would. As for the Kandyman - excellent! To say I wasn't keen on the 80s original is an understatement!, but I had faith in BF and sure enough here's another character splendidly rebuilt (literally, this time) for audio. Reconstructed as a humanoid polycarbonate android by the Eleven (after some unsatisfied Androgum customers left 'Bertie' in fragments - I loved this detail and Androgums would, wouldn't they!) Nicholas Rowe's refined-sugar Kandyman is now a silky-smooth masterchef of culinary chemistry, feeding his malevolent molecules to willing victims via perfectly tailored treats for every taste. With just a little bit of thought-spider silk in every bite... 'World of Damnation' keeps its secrets well with cleverly used flashback sections like Ruzalla and Jarl's arrival, but the writing and performances make it a pleasure to follow and it paid off well as I got into the plot and discovered the returning characters. I was pleased about this, Helen and the Eleven and their past were all new to me, but Matt Fitton gives enough character introduction and background skilfuly mixed into the dialogue that I was able to keep up. And I later discovered that if I didn't quite get what was supposed to have happened to Helen, the Doctor didn't either, so that was clearly OK! Then 'Sweet Salvation' was more straightforward, an exciting and fast-moving finale on a corrupt colony where only the Doctor, Liv and Helen can save the people from their own government and helpful Professor Elvan's war on crime. It's a cracking story, with 'wide-screen' setpieces, character moments and A Very Big Explosion to finish, with sharp dialogue, a dusting of satire and a string of top performances. All I could have asked for - and a delicious twist to finish, something ancient, something from the Old Time of Gallifrey, something that scares the Eleven, something - Ravenous! A superb set, a feast for the ears - and I can't wait for the second helping! Great review! so would you say that this set is a good jumping on point? Thats what has mainly put me off this set, having not heard either Dark Eyes or Doom Coalition i feared i may be lost but is that not the case?
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Apr 26, 2018 8:37:23 GMT
This 'new' version was the original version (as I understand it), before the writer's vision from 'The Happiness Patrol' was JN-T'd in production. I loved the fact that some angry Androgums broke up the TV version - and then probably feasted on liquorice, Androgums being Androgums. And it took the Eleven to rebuild him to a more credible design. Even the Eleven's wildest incarnations presumably drew the line at rebuilding 'Bertie'! I wonder how the Kandy Man got rebuilt before the Androgums ate him. If I recall, he was pretty much destroyed in the Happiness Patrol. Glued himself back together using lemonade
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Apr 26, 2018 8:42:24 GMT
number13 Again, great review. There was a lot in there, but all I have to say is: You HAVE to hear Doom Coalition! Thanks so much elka I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I know, Doom Coalition is a must now!! My BF listening backlog isn't getting much smaller, but the next time the DC quadrilogy goes on sale, it's mine!
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Apr 26, 2018 8:59:05 GMT
Cheers Timelord and Doctor2402, thanks for your kind comments!
I hadn't heard any of the Eighth Doctor boxsets before this one either and it was fine. The first two standalone stories make a great intro to Eight and Liv Chenka before the other characters come in.
I'm still hazy about exactly what happened to Helen at the end of 'Doom Coalition' but there are enough references in the writing that I got the general idea. Other than that, there weren't any important links back that I felt I was missing, so yes, for me this set was an excellent jumping-on point and I certainly recommend it very highly!
|
|
|
Post by icecreamdf on Apr 26, 2018 18:07:40 GMT
I wonder how the Kandy Man got rebuilt before the Androgums ate him. If I recall, he was pretty much destroyed in the Happiness Patrol. Glued himself back together using lemonade I would think he would be too scared to go near the stuff. Lemonade is basically the Kandy Man's kryptonite.
|
|
|
Post by themeddlingmonk on Apr 26, 2018 18:44:57 GMT
I wonder how the Kandy Man got rebuilt before the Androgums ate him. If I recall, he was pretty much destroyed in the Happiness Patrol. Glued himself back together using lemonade I think there’s a short story where the villain from Androids of Tara reassembled him.
|
|