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Post by mrperson on Dec 10, 2018 20:57:25 GMT
Now that was fantastic. I loved this set.
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Post by Digi on Dec 11, 2018 13:48:43 GMT
I finished this set off the other day too...
Seen some comments that it’s Master-lite, and while not untrue, I think that’s actually one of its great strengths. Too much of the Master all the time runs the risk of getting a little hammy or unbelievable. I think the execution here was excellent — we had a running, continuous story going on, with the Master stepping in as needed to nudge Callous in the direction he wanted. In telling the story this way, they managed the seemingly impossible outcome of having the Master be both understated, and the overarching, driving force behind the entire storyline. Clever bit of writing, that.
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Post by IndieMacUser on Dec 12, 2018 11:31:39 GMT
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Post by Whovitt on Dec 16, 2018 2:00:52 GMT
For what The Master of Callous is, it's good. It's a well told, has a brilliant atmosphere and fantastic music. But it's not what I was looking/hoping for in a War Master release. I get that it makes sense to have him working behind the scenes for the most part, but I bought this set to listen to Derek Jacobi. As the Master. When he appeared in only 7 of the 77 minutes that make up the first episode, I knew that I wasn't going to enjoy this series as much as the first, and I was right. The second episode was fantastic as he was actively playing a part in the proceedings, but then we get episode 3. Again, for what it is, it is brilliant, but it's not what I was hoping for in this series. It was basically an entire filler episode which ended up contributing absolutely nothing to the plot whatsoever (that I noticed, anyway); I hope someone can explain something I might have missed, otherwise I might just skip it on my next listen to this set (which will hopefully happen one day in the far future when I've finally caught up on my backlog...). The final episode was also good, and the cameo at the end was a nice treat for those who recognised the voice (people new to Big Finish will no doubt have no idea the significance of what was going on there). Summary: Two good episodes because the Master was actually in them, two slightly disappointing episodes because he wasn't. It was much like with Series 1 - most other people loved The Sky Man and thought it was the best episode in the set, but it was my least favourite because it didn't feature the Master enough. Maybe I'm looking for the wrong things in this series? I'm looking forward to Series 3 though - even if it continues with some of the trends that 'plagued' the first two series, there'll be enough other stuff going on to maintain my interest
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Post by Bazoolium on Dec 16, 2018 15:31:24 GMT
For what The Master of Callous is, it's good. It's a well told, has a brilliant atmosphere and fantastic music. But it's not what I was looking/hoping for in a War Master release. I get that it makes sense to have him working behind the scenes for the most part, but I bought this set to listen to Derek Jacobi. As the Master. When he appeared in only 7 of the 77 minutes that make up the first episode, I knew that I wasn't going to enjoy this series as much as the first, and I was right. The second episode was fantastic as he was actively playing a part in the proceedings, but then we get episode 3. Again, for what it is, it is brilliant, but it's not what I was hoping for in this series. It was basically an entire filler episode which ended up contributing absolutely nothing to the plot whatsoever (that I noticed, anyway); I hope someone can explain something I might have missed, otherwise I might just skip it on my next listen to this set (which will hopefully happen one day in the far future when I've finally caught up on my backlog...). The final episode was also good, and the cameo at the end was a nice treat for those who recognised the voice (people new to Big Finish will no doubt have no idea the significance of what was going on there). Summary: Two good episodes because the Master was actually in them, two slightly disappointing episodes because he wasn't. It was much like with Series 1 - most other people loved The Sky Man and thought it was the best episode in the set, but it was my least favourite because it didn't feature the Master enough. Maybe I'm looking for the wrong things in this series? I'm looking forward to Series 3 though - even if it continues with some of the trends that 'plagued' the first two series, there'll be enough other stuff going on to maintain my interest I agree that there should have been a bit more Derek Jacobi, he really is the pull for these releases. I know everyone praised the Sky Man from the first boxset, but it wasn't the lack of Jacobi that made it amazing. Maybe something where the Master has to go back in time and foil one of his own plots. Perhaps he destroyed a world that is now needed for the Gallifreyan war effort. I haven't heard much Gallifrey stuff, was it Narvin at the end?
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Post by mark687 on Dec 16, 2018 16:09:00 GMT
For what The Master of Callous is, it's good. It's a well told, has a brilliant atmosphere and fantastic music. But it's not what I was looking/hoping for in a War Master release. I get that it makes sense to have him working behind the scenes for the most part, but I bought this set to listen to Derek Jacobi. As the Master. When he appeared in only 7 of the 77 minutes that make up the first episode, I knew that I wasn't going to enjoy this series as much as the first, and I was right. The second episode was fantastic as he was actively playing a part in the proceedings, but then we get episode 3. Again, for what it is, it is brilliant, but it's not what I was hoping for in this series. It was basically an entire filler episode which ended up contributing absolutely nothing to the plot whatsoever (that I noticed, anyway); I hope someone can explain something I might have missed, otherwise I might just skip it on my next listen to this set (which will hopefully happen one day in the far future when I've finally caught up on my backlog...). The final episode was also good, and the cameo at the end was a nice treat for those who recognised the voice (people new to Big Finish will no doubt have no idea the significance of what was going on there). Summary: Two good episodes because the Master was actually in them, two slightly disappointing episodes because he wasn't. It was much like with Series 1 - most other people loved The Sky Man and thought it was the best episode in the set, but it was my least favourite because it didn't feature the Master enough. Maybe I'm looking for the wrong things in this series? I'm looking forward to Series 3 though - even if it continues with some of the trends that 'plagued' the first two series, there'll be enough other stuff going on to maintain my interest I agree that there should have been a bit more Derek Jacobi, he really is the pull for these releases. I know everyone praised the Sky Man from the first boxset, but it wasn't the lack of Jacobi that made it amazing. Maybe something where the Master has to go back in time and foil one of his own plots. Perhaps he destroyed a world that is now needed for the Gallifreyan war effort. I haven't heard much Gallifrey stuff, was it Narvin at the end?
Certainly was.
Regards
mark687
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Post by number13 on Dec 17, 2018 11:34:21 GMT
I agree that there should have been a bit more Derek Jacobi, he really is the pull for these releases. I know everyone praised the Sky Man from the first boxset, but it wasn't the lack of Jacobi that made it amazing. Maybe something where the Master has to go back in time and foil one of his own plots. Perhaps he destroyed a world that is now needed for the Gallifreyan war effort. I haven't heard much Gallifrey stuff, was it Narvin at the end?
Certainly was.
Regards
mark687
And he got a better guest role here than in his recent advertised appearance in the MR imo! Loved that cameo, I thought it was the perfect way to finish the set and maybe to link into the presumably more Time Lordy Vol 3.
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Post by DavidHogan on Dec 17, 2018 19:07:34 GMT
Really enjoyed this release. Top quality world building and Mr. Jacobi was on fire whenever he appeared. Just two boxsets in and thus range is one my favourites!
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Post by mrperson on Dec 18, 2018 19:30:08 GMT
I hope they'll be sets 5-8, then 9-12, then...
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Post by Timelord007 on Dec 22, 2018 8:40:11 GMT
Two episodes in & I'm loving this story, James Goss has captured the devious manipulative nature of The Master perfectly & reminds me of the Seventh Doctor incarnation of playing chess, as the Master is positioning the pieces across the board knowing which to sacrifice to win the end game.
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Post by Timelord007 on Dec 23, 2018 8:57:54 GMT
OMG, Guy Adams you wicked man WOW.
I listened to the final two episodes & this is one of my favourite releases of 2018, this is dark, intense, dramatic & suspenseful from start to finish & showcases the evil dark manipulative nature of The Master.
Derek Jacobi performance for me goes down as one of the best portrayals of The Master to date, he gets the character & delivers a phenomenal wicked intense performance that makes me root for the character when we actually shouldn't be.
The Ood were very well done both scary & sympathetic & the whole story by Goss & Adams gave me chills & had me on the edge of my seat.
This was nearly as disturbing as I Davros & i loved every second of it.
5/5.
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ljwilson
Chancellery Guard
It's tangerine....not orange
Likes: 5,061
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Post by ljwilson on Dec 23, 2018 16:24:48 GMT
OMG, Guy Adams you wicked man WOW. I listened to the final two episodes & this is one of my favourite releases of 2018, this is dark, intense, dramatic & suspenseful from start to finish & showcases the evil dark manipulative nature of The Master. Derek Jacobi performance for me goes down as one of the best portrayals of The Master to date, he gets the character & delivers a phenomenal wicked intense performance that makes me root for the character when we actually shouldn't be. The Ood were very well done both scary & sympathetic & the whole story by Goss & Adams gave me chills & had me on the edge of my seat. This was nearly as disturbing as I Davros & i loved every second of it. 5/5. Good review man, I wasn't the least bit interested in this release but I'd like to hear it now.
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Post by pawntake on Dec 24, 2018 8:18:55 GMT
For what The Master of Callous is, it's good. It's a well told, has a brilliant atmosphere and fantastic music. But it's not what I was looking/hoping for in a War Master release. I get that it makes sense to have him working behind the scenes for the most part, but I bought this set to listen to Derek Jacobi. As the Master. When he appeared in only 7 of the 77 minutes that make up the first episode Summary: Two good episodes because the Master was actually in them, two slightly disappointing episodes because he wasn't. I have not listened to this yet! Sounds like a case of actor unavailability to me!!!!
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Post by Timelord007 on Dec 24, 2018 8:28:35 GMT
OMG, Guy Adams you wicked man WOW. I listened to the final two episodes & this is one of my favourite releases of 2018, this is dark, intense, dramatic & suspenseful from start to finish & showcases the evil dark manipulative nature of The Master. Derek Jacobi performance for me goes down as one of the best portrayals of The Master to date, he gets the character & delivers a phenomenal wicked intense performance that makes me root for the character when we actually shouldn't be. The Ood were very well done both scary & sympathetic & the whole story by Goss & Adams gave me chills & had me on the edge of my seat. This was nearly as disturbing as I Davros & i loved every second of it. 5/5. Good review man, I wasn't the least bit interested in this release but I'd like to hear it now. Thank you, i loved it personally because it was a darker tone storytelling & showcased how dark, devious & manipulative the Master can be.
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Post by Timelord007 on Dec 24, 2018 8:29:29 GMT
For what The Master of Callous is, it's good. It's a well told, has a brilliant atmosphere and fantastic music. But it's not what I was looking/hoping for in a War Master release. I get that it makes sense to have him working behind the scenes for the most part, but I bought this set to listen to Derek Jacobi. As the Master. When he appeared in only 7 of the 77 minutes that make up the first episode Summary: Two good episodes because the Master was actually in them, two slightly disappointing episodes because he wasn't. I have not listened to this yet! Sounds like a case of actor unavailability to me!!!! Less is sometimes more, the first episode is character building, setting up the plot so those 7 minutes of The Master are all the better for it.
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Post by shallacatop on Dec 24, 2018 8:56:00 GMT
The Master’s limited involvement works. In fact, I’d say the overall story in this set is reliant on him working behind the scenes.
That said, I could understand why someone would be disappointed with it. Whether it’s limited availability or not, I don’t know. I suspect not, given it’s not a one-off from Jacobi.
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Post by Whovitt on Dec 24, 2018 10:48:17 GMT
For what The Master of Callous is, it's good. It's a well told, has a brilliant atmosphere and fantastic music. But it's not what I was looking/hoping for in a War Master release. I get that it makes sense to have him working behind the scenes for the most part, but I bought this set to listen to Derek Jacobi. As the Master. When he appeared in only 7 of the 77 minutes that make up the first episode Summary: Two good episodes because the Master was actually in them, two slightly disappointing episodes because he wasn't. I have not listened to this yet! Sounds like a case of actor unavailability to me!!!! I doubt it was a lack of availability, more what Timelord007 said - the story works because he's in it so little. The 'problem' is that I was hoping for more involvement from the man himself. He's just not needed in it any more than he is.
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Post by Timelord007 on Dec 24, 2018 13:13:35 GMT
I have not listened to this yet! Sounds like a case of actor unavailability to me!!!! I doubt it was a lack of availability, more what Timelord007 said - the story works because he's in it so little. The 'problem' is that I was hoping for more involvement from the man himself. He's just not needed in it any more than he is. Maybe in volume 3 he'll appear more, it's a stand alone set apparently while volume 4 connects to volume 2.
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Post by Who Review on Jan 6, 2019 10:04:46 GMT
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lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
Likes: 5,787
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Post by lidar2 on Jan 7, 2019 16:20:43 GMT
About to start listening to this, really looking forward to it.
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