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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2019 21:35:18 GMT
I would go along with that, but could I add my own recommendation for Matt Fitton's Monsters of Gokroth? I found this to be a terrific tale, and well ahead of the two stories that followed it. Haha, that was exactly the one I liked the least. It was basically just a ton of monster noises screaming in a forest and completely non-conductive for relaxing listening at night before going to sleep.
If you wanted to stay awake on the other hand... ideal.
But I admit I never have been into the old movies this was a pastiche of, so it completely went over my head.
I think that's part of the reason it appealed to me so much - I am a big fan of the old monster movies, and I liked the way the script paid homage to that style, but also turned a few elements on their heads. It seems like a love-it-or-hate-it release!
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Sept 25, 2019 22:29:56 GMT
Haha, that was exactly the one I liked the least. It was basically just a ton of monster noises screaming in a forest and completely non-conductive for relaxing listening at night before going to sleep.
If you wanted to stay awake on the other hand... ideal.
But I admit I never have been into the old movies this was a pastiche of, so it completely went over my head.
I think that's part of the reason it appealed to me so much - I am a big fan of the old monster movies, and I liked the way the script paid homage to that style, but also turned a few elements on their heads. It seems like a love-it-or-hate-it release! It was easily my favorite installment of the three for all the reasons you mentioned.
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Post by slithe on Sept 29, 2019 10:29:25 GMT
Easily one of the best MR releases that I've heard in a long, long while. Brilliantly structured, performed and engaging. Yep, the accents are a bit 'cod' in places (though not as bad as 'Allo 'All'!), but I didn't let that distract from the enjoyment of the story.
Lyons has written a great script, which is tightly paced, well plotted and characterised. The idea to start the adventure with the Doctor right in the middle of the action means that the listener has to pay close attention to what is going on. It also ensures that the 'classic misdirection' of the magician is very, very effective (as shown by the final episode!) Baker is on top form here, even though the Doctor is more in the background here than has been the case in previous adventures. Baker shines in all his scenes and is particularly great with Bryant and Schwab. This is Old Sixie at his best and definitely had we seen more of this on TV, his era would have been extremely successful.
The guest cast here is great - Schawb is a real highlight as Houdini and I thought he did a good job in the role. His interactions with Peri are particularly amusing and the two get to bicker together, giving the Doctor a welcome respite from arguing. Bruce is good as Smith/Schmidt and comes across as sympathetic in her scenes with the Doctor. Elstob is rather 2D as Brandt and I would say that he is the weakest link of the story, playing the 'classic' megalomanic villain (not as bad as Zaroff though in the Underwater Menace!)
As ever with a Lyons story, there are a few hidden points that are subtly developed. The idea of patriotism and identity is well developed - with everyone not quite who they seem. Whilst this plays well into the misdirection angle, it also echoes the more subtle themes of nationalism that engulfed Europe during the Great War (and ultimately helped lead to the Second). The effect of war is also subtly done, the female characters lose their husbands and are unaware of this, Schmidt is also treated as inferior as she is not her husband. The idea of honour/bravery is also good here - Houdini admits he is not who people think he is and 'admits' to being a fraud (which nicely demolishes the hero worship that builds up around famous people), Brandt is also, deep down, a coward and cannot cope with the reality of 'actual war' (as Houdini correctly guesses). The hardship of War is also nicely done - the effects of the British naval blockade on Germany are subtly mentioned and the paranoia in the USA of spies and immigrants not being loyal (which would culminate in the 1920s) are hinted at.
Undoubtedly, the twist here is excellent and I will not spoil it for people who have yet to hear this. Certainly, it is a very clever idea and says more about the relationship between these characters than anything else. With this known, I think the story might lose some of its effects, but it is worth a listen just to hear any other misdirections.
A great release and a great trilogy. Well done MR!
Love the Doctor's line about fake news too!
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Post by mark687 on Oct 1, 2019 14:02:30 GMT
MR Subscriber PDF Script in Accounts
Regards
mark687
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2019 13:12:50 GMT
Strange that there's no sign of the Subscribers Short Trip An Ocean of Sawdust.
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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 Oct 3, 2019 8:45:18 GMT
Listening to this today and tomorrow. Only episode 1 done so far, but strange that it uses the Season 23 theme, whereas the 1st 2 stories inthis trilogy used the season 22 theme
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Post by shallacatop on Oct 9, 2019 19:27:15 GMT
I thought this one was great. It's fun and playful spy thriller, well paced and still has some reflective moments. We're thrown into the middle of things from the very beginning, barely having time to acknowledge that the theme arrangement is different, and it keeps you guessing throughout. Colin and Nicola are almost supporting characters in this one, but both put in good turns. Most of the running time is devoted to its guest cast, particularly Harry Houdini, who is very well realised by John Schwab. This allows them to feel like rounded characters, as we spend time with them and understand their motivations and situations, which doesn't happen all that often in the main range.
I have mentioned my dismay at the way Colin typically plays the Doctor at Big Finish - he's often so different that he's almost Unbound - but there's always a bit more edge when he's opposite Peri which I like; very much a bridge between Seasons 22 and 23.
After a poor first half of the year, this trilogy has been a real return to form for the main range. I can't wait to get stuck into the new Fifth Doctor one!
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Post by thegreendeath on Oct 13, 2019 4:04:14 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I don’t know if I’ve heard a Lyons story I didn’t like and this one may not be his absolute best but it’s still a wonderfully constructed corker that I imagine will play well in relistens.
I thought Nicola did a fantastic job here as did Colin and Schwab. There was a lot going on and so it was good that it seemed the cast really spent time figuring out the script before the recording (which isn’t always necessary but was helpful here).
In the extras sounds like Schwab is itching to do more stories as Houdini, so here’s hoping! I think he’d make for a great boxed set with different Doctors rather like Churchill.
Really happy with Ainsworth’s first run as script editor, think he did a stellar job crafting three stories that had different tones and all played to their respective writers’ strengths.
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Post by nottenst on Oct 24, 2019 15:54:43 GMT
Just finished this yesterday. I thought it was nicely done. It merits a second listen to once you know the twist. Even though I was thinking that something was off, I didn't anticipate just how much until the reveal. And even after that, I was thinking for a bit that something else was going on until the 6th Doctor really explained it.
I also would like to see more with Houdini. Perhaps even have him go for some trips in the TARDIS.
And I see the extended extras are now available, so need to listen to those.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2021 8:42:29 GMT
Am having a main range rest at moment but looking forward to this (people are positive about it )when I get back to them.I enjoy Peri and am looking forward to the future Box set. Don't bother with the previous McCoy trilogy. There was some.... room for improvement. But the trilogy with Colin- first rate. It was quite a rest hahah ...and then I remember the disappointment I felt with the box set..which I have now reevaluated since it’s first listen. I did Emissary and Memories at the time and this is me just getting to this,actually it’s a pity as am really enjoying it so far and am only on episode 1.I actually am no expert on Houdini or accents.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2021 9:38:58 GMT
John Schwab is excellent in his role it’s very much his show for the most part,I was nervous he may slip into the John Barrowman Captain Jack over exuberant,”i wish I was a Doctor” style of acting and thankfully he held tight to the reigns on that.It’s good he has met the Doctor in other incarnations as he is a pleasant enough character in this to resume the role.Steve Lyons delivers a good action packed script but he pretty much always does-I relistened to what I thought was a failed script on his part (personally speaking)but now I have enjoyed Warlocks Cross too so all is forgiven lol...Final episode now...
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Post by slithe on Jan 3, 2021 12:24:54 GMT
I personally think this is an underrated gem that often gets overlooked. Released with Tartarus, which is an excellent story, this one got ignored, which is a shame.
On the face of it, this one comes across as rather stereotypical - German Axis Thugs (though the temptation to set in WWII was avoided), stereotypical US bravado (or brashness) and a desperate plot to save the world from the 'evil, power-crazed soldiers'. However, dig a bit deeper and it is far more cleverer - there is a lot of misdirection and slight of hand (Peri being the obvious one - it is a clever twist that Nicola Bryant is playing someone else), similarly the other characters have ulterior motives as well. It's also a clever attack on the futility of war and the danger of relying on 'heroes/idols'.
I quite liked Houdini in this - there was a temptation not to visualise as an alternative Captain Jack (that figure looms large here). Not absolutely outstanding but a good effort and an enjoyable story that is worth several relistens to pick up all the false clues/red herrings.
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Post by Ela on May 24, 2021 1:48:50 GMT
Listened to this the other day. Very enjoyable story with an unexpected twist.
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