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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on May 7, 2019 9:03:53 GMT
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Post by mark687 on May 7, 2019 9:36:28 GMT
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Post by Timelord007 on May 7, 2019 12:50:14 GMT
And the new F5 refresh champion is............Shane lol
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2019 15:09:18 GMT
Great that this i out so early in the month. I have four free days to enjoy this and the 3DAs! I love it when this kind of thing happens
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Post by tuigirl on May 7, 2019 16:50:10 GMT
Downloading now! No idea when I get around to it... maybe tomorrow or hopefully the weekend.
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Post by mark687 on May 7, 2019 18:24:37 GMT
Another almost what if Hinchcliffe and Holmes were a Team in the 80s
Nice character and World Building.
So far I think I'd recommend the trilogy to a newcomer as an intro to BF.
Regards
mark687
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Post by elkawho on May 8, 2019 2:33:16 GMT
Another good story for Seven and Mags. I'm enjoying Jessica Martin so much. While I know that Mags isn't quite an original BF companion, she might as well be. It's been so long since I've liked a character that BF has developed and fleshed out as much as I do her. I hope she stays around well past this trilogy, although I tend to think that she won't.
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Post by Max Kashevsky on May 8, 2019 10:11:21 GMT
The influences are obvious (Jane Austen + Game of Thrones + werewolves = Moons of Vulpana). But Reeves combines them in really delightful ways. My favorite bit is the pun about when Mags would be "changing" for the big event.
Being so heavy on genre helps this trilogy sell its wonderfully off-kilter tone and rich visuals.
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Post by number13 on May 9, 2019 0:00:45 GMT
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a Who fan of the good fortune to be in possession of an MR sub will never be in want of a great story - they just keep coming!
Another great adventure for Seven and Mags with this excellent debut (in the MR) from Emma Reeves, hope we don't have to wait too many moons for the next one. I enjoyed having another story which taps into literary and film roots like last month's (and next month's from its title) - that's turning out to be one of the themes of the trilogy. Definitely some Jane Austen and 'Game of Thrones' vibes as mentioned above, and surely that aristocratic residence ruled by a formidable matriarch has a touch of 'Downton Abbey' too - at least before the carnage starts!
By chance I'm partway through (another) rewatch of the BBC classic 1979 version of 'Pride and Prejudice' so this story couldn't have been better timed, with its lighter first half of courtship games among a bunch of aristocratic cubs drawing Mags into their privileged circle. Though as the Vulpanese are parttime wolves not lions I suppose we should be thinking ' Pack and Prejudice' rather than 'Pride' I like the story's sudden shift in form at half-time, so right for this story of lycanthropy!, as the Vulpanese nobles shift (in morality if not in shape) from their seeming civility into the openly bloodthirsty rulers who keep a whole population for prey. (Can you imagine the fuss if they'd shown this on BBC1 in 1988!) As Mark mentions, a convincing world and very Hinchcliffe & Holmes Gothic, and 'Game of Thrones' is just about the right parallel for the second half, I lost count of the number of double-crossings and backstabbings and I thought it was so realistic that Jaks turns out to be a revolutionary who only wants to overthrow the old order so he can grab all the power in the new one. Typical! And I liked the idea that it was his rebellion interfering with the natural cycles of Vulpana which brought down their previously stable (if very flawed) civilisation and would eventually wipe most of them out. An extinction rebellion, in fact... Excellent performances all round (and top sound design/music) and Jessica Martin is terrific again. Mags' ongoing storyline has real depth and 'humanity'; I do hope the trilogy ends happily for her, although I'm a bit nervous given the obvious film parallel of the final story and how that movie turned out... Two little links to earlier Who: I liked what could be a parallel with 'The Androids of Tara', another world where the aristocrats are unskilled, scheming parasites and the "peasants" are the engineers, doctors etc. and get no respect for it. Also, perhaps we can think of it as BF continuity with Marc Platt's excellent early story 'Loups-Garoux' in that there the Earth werewolf-packs are also ruled by alpha females - perhaps the Vulpanese had more links with 'offworlders' than they realised?
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Post by slithe on May 12, 2019 11:28:41 GMT
Another excellent release. This seems to be shaping up to be one of the best 7th Doctor Trilogies for a long while - with this, and the previous release, of very high quality.
The story itself is pretty good. Again, there is the 'horror/gothic vibe' that was used in the previous story, which suits with the character of Mags I suppose. The story also has similar themes/motifs to the previous one as well - the castle, the horror references, the colour scheme for the cover, etc. This seems to show a better focus on a theme/story-arc that was missing from many of the trilogies. There is also the over-arching idea of the Doctor trying to 'teach' Mags something and being a master manipulator of events (which are yet to be fully developed/explored) - which fits with the overall direction of the Seventh Doctor. Whilst this is still the 'TV' Seventh Doctor (the costume and TARDIS) there is a gradual creeping towards the 'darker' character portrayed in the NAs.
There is some good world building here - Vulpana is well visualised and imagined. Again, there is a subtle political angle here - the 'dislike' of off-worlders and the outside, the reliance on 'traditional ways' and a 'deeply divided society'. Fits ideally with the current climate in the UK (which might be me inferring more than is intended by the author) and the political angle that was taken in the 1980s with McCoy. As noted above, the change in tone between the two halves of this story is interesting. The Vulpanese nobility seem charming in the first two episodes (perhaps too much so) and then become awfully repugnant at the start of the third episode. The basis of society being so divided and the lower orders as 'prey' for the rich is a repugnant prospect.
Jacks being the double-crosser is well hidden and is, for once, a genuinely interesting plot-twist. His character is probably the most interesting of the lot - the other two brothers are more clichéd and the squabbling between them becomes less interesting as the story progresses. Whilst Ulla was a convincing matriarch and a shining beacon in the patriarchal world of Vulpana, the 'deus ex machina' approach with her suddenly distrusting her son in Part 4 was a bit of a let down and her self-sacrifice at the end was inevitable.
Interestingly, the Doctor sits more in the background here as well. The intro is good and you know from the previous adventure that he has 'business' with Mags that is going to be developed. The idea of taking Mags back home to show her something is interesting (and also sadistic on a level). You get the feeling that the Doctor is well aware of what will happen and just lets Mags get on with it - she is to experience all the bloodshed, carnage and hurt - with the intention of either toughening up or learning control. Quite a callous approach. The Doctor's apparent willingness to 'leave' her also shows that the character is becoming darker and isn't as cuddly as we thought - the fact that this is Mags not Ace also makes it more believable.
Mags is also a stand out here. Well scripted and well acted - she drives this one forward (just like the previous adventure) and is more than capable of taking care of herself. The interaction between her and Ace is worth seeing for the next adventure.
Overall, a great release. The use of a Holmes/Hinchcliffe approach (rather than a Sawardian one) means that although dark, this story doesn't become a blood/gore fest. So far the Seventh Doctor adventures have a new energy/dynamic that has not been seen since some of the Hex adventures back in the mid-2000s. Let's hope this standard keeps going for the final release and into Baker's trilogy. After a choppy start with Kamelion, the MR is back on form. Bravo!
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Post by tuigirl on May 12, 2019 13:28:23 GMT
Well, for me, this was a definite improvement from the last one. I really enjoyed the first half. That was great! Again, we have great performances from McCoy and Jessica Martin and it creates a believable world and atmosphere. However, this release was let down a bit by the ending, which completely overwhelmed my ability to suspend my disbelief.
{Spoiler} I really like crazy scientist villains, especially of the Bond Villain type... however, I have always wondered how these lonely evil visionaries are able to build huge evil lairs complete with private armies. Same problem here, although it really takes the cake- the author does not have a sense of scale about the size of moons at all. Something big enough to influence the other moons, build without anybody noticing by a few rebels and some alien mercenaries? And it is small enough to be destroyed by a 100 handgranates? Seriously? I know this most likely was done for drama reasons and for the redemption of the mother wolf character, but this whole evil plan makes "Moonraker" look like a science documentary. Maybe the guys who helped build this artificial moon could give Darth Vader a hand next, since their know-how could seriously speed up building the Death Star...
But apart from that moon-sized point of critique, a very enjoyable release.
And I liked the trailer for next time, which promises to be very interesting again.
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Post by number13 on May 12, 2019 13:44:05 GMT
big enough to influence the other moons, build without anybody noticing by a few rebels and some alien mercenaries? And it is small enough to be destroyed by a 100 handgranates?
I wondered about that too! Then I imagined a thin outer shell with a very powerful gravity generator inside, more like a ship than a solid moon - like the Death Star as you mention - and the surface might even have been 'solid holographic' etc.? Easy for some species in the Whoniverse and Jaks could have promised them half the kingdoms in return; money no object. (He'd have tried to cheat them later, of course! ) That was my explanation anyway! A few lines from the Doctor could have covered it easily. The destruction was easier to explain - the Doctor did say to Lady Ella that he needed to (string of Seven's technobabble) the grenades to increase their power before he detonated them. So I guess he did that part of his plan before she blew up the 'moon'.
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Post by tuigirl on May 12, 2019 14:14:20 GMT
big enough to influence the other moons, build without anybody noticing by a few rebels and some alien mercenaries? And it is small enough to be destroyed by a 100 handgranates?
I wondered about that too! Then I imagined a thin outer shell with a very powerful gravity generator inside, more like a ship than a solid moon - like the Death Star as you mention - and the surface might even have been 'solid holographic' etc.? Easy for some species in the Whoniverse and Jaks could have promised them half the kingdoms in return; money no object. (He'd have tried to cheat them later, of course! ) That was my explanation anyway! A few lines from the Doctor could have covered it easily. The destruction was easier to explain - the Doctor did say to Lady Ella that he needed to (string of Seven's technobabble) the grenades to increase their power before he detonated them. So I guess he did that part of his plan before she blew up the 'moon'. Well, good ideas...
still, it is pretty close to "Kill the Moon" level of ridiculous if you think of it. It was a great story, but this just made me shake my head.
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Post by number13 on May 12, 2019 14:34:53 GMT
Well, good ideas...
still, it is pretty close to "Kill the Moon" level of ridiculous if you think of it. It was a great story, but this just made me shake my head.
At least the only thing that hatched here was Jaks' plot!
Oh I loathed 'Kill The Moon' so much, especially after the horror spiders start which looked so promisingly scary. One of two real blots on Season 8 imo along with 'In the Forest of the Night'; I liked the CGI...
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Post by slithe on May 13, 2019 8:38:13 GMT
big enough to influence the other moons, build without anybody noticing by a few rebels and some alien mercenaries? And it is small enough to be destroyed by a 100 handgranates?
I wondered about that too! Then I imagined a thin outer shell with a very powerful gravity generator inside, more like a ship than a solid moon - like the Death Star as you mention - and the surface might even have been 'solid holographic' etc.? Easy for some species in the Whoniverse and Jaks could have promised them half the kingdoms in return; money no object. (He'd have tried to cheat them later, of course! ) That was my explanation anyway! A few lines from the Doctor could have covered it easily. The destruction was easier to explain - the Doctor did say to Lady Ella that he needed to (string of Seven's technobabble) the grenades to increase their power before he detonated them. So I guess he did that part of his plan before she blew up the 'moon'. I also wondered about this and the construction of the 'moon' was the plot point that was a bit of a weakness that wasn't fully addressed (or came across as plausible). I explained it away by hints made by Ella, Jacks, Issak and Top about 'outsiders' and 'outside worlds'. I guessed that outsiders had visited Vulpana (or crashed) and their technology was salvaged by Jacks who worked on the project for several generations. The fact that Barton is 'one of a series' of assistants suggested that people had been co-opted to help and the project was the result of this work. Whether the others had noticed (or cared) is another question. Got the feeling that the Doctor knew more - there's a hint in episode one when he looks up at the sky, in the third episode when he 'talks' to the TARDIS and in his concluding comments to Mags at the end. I am hoping that these are loose plot threads that might be drawn together at the end of the trilogy (rather than a plot hole). However, does everything have to be explained away? I remember in The Force Awakens when the new Death Star uses a sun as a weapon, thinking - 'hang on a minute - the gravity of the sun is keeping all the planets in orbit, this makes no sense' and having to suspend disbelief to enjoy the story... Perhaps this is one of those moments!
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Post by shallacatop on May 13, 2019 14:59:25 GMT
The story is sound, there’s some nice world building of Vulpana and its society. I think the story could do with another draft to make it truly great, though. The motivations of the supporting cast don’t always seem entirely consistent and a couple of things happen suddenly without build up. The opening TARDIS scene is poor, there’s some awful dialogue.
The aforementioned TARDIS scene isn’t helped by flat performances from the two stars, but they’re not alone; the whole cast seem strangely lifeless. The story feels like I’m listening to a readthrough, not a performance. The cast perform their lines either slow and strained or shouting and over the top in the worst possible way. I’m inclined to cite poor direction.
I don’t quite follow the logic of a jump in time from The Monsters of Gokroth to The Moons of Vulpana. The former sets up the conflict Mags faces with herself and it’s done pretty well. Vulpana mentions it briefly in a very clunky opening scene and briefly at the end, as though it’s all resolved. I’m not sure why Vulpana doesn’t acknowledge the progression within its story.
A couple of gripes with the writing aside, the story is sound. Its the production that lets The Moons of Vulpana down for me. I wish I wasn’t sounding like a grump with each main range release this year, but I’m holding out for a story I think is truly great. An American Werewolf in London sounds great though!
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Post by IndieMacUser on May 13, 2019 18:24:21 GMT
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Post by barnabaslives on May 14, 2019 5:35:06 GMT
I enjoyed this so much that I accidentally left my comments on the thread for Monsters of Gokroth by mistake, :-) but I thought this was really an exceptional first-rate story. I still don't know quite what to make of a lycanthrope for a companion but I'm hoping that Mags and Ace get to appear together enough in the next one that it will help it to seem more like Mags truly is a Seventh Doctor companion, no matter what I may think of the idea.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2019 22:20:09 GMT
Halfway through this story, I was more than willing to write it off as a misfire. There were interesting elements, and The Seventh Doctor and Mags continue to be a fascinating team, but after last month’s story was so good, this not only didn't measure up, it actually irritated me in places. Mags, a fascinating character treated so well in The Monsters of Gokroth - someone who might well only be around for this trilogy - spends most of the first two episodes fending off offers of romance/procreation with two very camp, squabbling siblings. Displaying some terrible performances, these people reveal to us that Mags’ home-world is frequented by prehistoric attitudes to the opposite sex. As if turning into wolves is not bad enough, they don’t believe in equality either! Is this really the best use of a potentially deadly companion?
Regarding the performances, I was about to add Irfan Shamji to the list of questionable acting (some of the line delivery in his early scenes is very strange), but he improves as the story progresses - and the story improves too. By part four, both Shamji and the drama are firing on all cylinders. With the two brothers gone, things improve immeasurably, and we get a very satisfying finale - it's just a shame we have to wait so long before things become interesting.
So a bit of a mixed bag for me, this. Saved by a much improved second act, it got much better as it went along.
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Post by Ian McArdell on May 30, 2019 8:57:40 GMT
My take on 'The Moons of Vulpana' is up today at Cultbox: Some great world-building and fleshing out of Mags' backstory, not sure about the astrophysics though!
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