|
|
Post by Digi on Nov 10, 2020 3:54:28 GMT
Looooved the big twist, but kinda thought the set ran out of gas after that. I still feel the need to relisten though, for all the clues and cues beforehand!
|
|
|
|
Post by elkawho on Nov 10, 2020 14:07:19 GMT
I am just about at the end of a re-listen. Listening to the first half, how could I NOT notice {Spoiler}
that it was the Doctor? He assembles companions, cares for them as best he can, and REFUSES TO USE WEAPONS. I feel like an idiot. LOL |
|
|
|
Post by tuigirl on Nov 10, 2020 17:13:02 GMT
I am just about at the end of a re-listen. Listening to the first half, how could I NOT notice {Spoiler}
that it was the Doctor? He assembles companions, cares for them as best he can, and REFUSES TO USE WEAPONS. I feel like an idiot. LOL {Spoiler}
On first listen it just is not so obvious. I had a hard time making it click, too. Especially after we get scenes like the jelly person nearly dying while fleeing from the explosion.
But on re-listen, when you pay attention to all the cues, it becomes obvious.
I think this works well because we had the Master before impersonating the Doctor and being "good" to further his own agenda, this is why it takes so long to catch on.
I think it is well done and it even gains on a re-listen. |
|
|
|
Post by Ian McArdell on Nov 11, 2020 9:13:39 GMT
My take on 'Hearts of Darkness' is up at CultBox - in short: high concept adventure full of big characters and even bigger performances. Great stuff! |
|
|
|
Post by jimmys on Nov 12, 2020 7:45:44 GMT
Finished this set a couple of days ago and found it most enjoyable, not quite up to Callous excellence but still very good. Jacobi's Master really is becoming one of my favourite versions. I will admit that I guessed the twist early on in the first story.
Oh and I did like the, very, soft nod to Sound of Drums. Unlikely to have been intential but it made me chuckle
|
|
grinch
Castellan
Likes: 6,744 
Member is Online
|
Post by grinch on Nov 14, 2020 17:14:16 GMT
Very much a step up from the quite self indulgent Anti-Genesis. Thought the supporting cast were also terrific in this.
|
|
grinch
Castellan
Likes: 6,744
Member is Online
|
Post by grinch on Nov 15, 2020 12:57:20 GMT
“I learnt it from the Master.”
That one line in this has got me thinking. Could it possibly be a reference towards Milo Parker’s Young First Master in Masterful? Maybe he was influenced/manipulated by his future incarnations into becoming the monster he would later become? Planting a seed of evil if you will.
Perhaps I’m overthinking it. In fact, I probably am. But it wouldn’t surprise me if that was the direction Masterful was going in.
|
|
|
|
Post by Whovitt on Nov 19, 2020 8:24:53 GMT
I seem to be finding myself saying this a lot lately, but I think I would have enjoyed this more if not for my own (not necessarily unfair) expectations of the release. The general "problem" I have with the War Master series is that I buy them because I want to hear Derek Jacboi as the War Master. Now, as all of you who have heard this release will know, that's not what we get from this set  For the first episode I spent the whole time wondering why they were writing him so out of character, and by the time the twist came in episode two I'd all but give up on the story I'm afraid. The twist was too little too late for me. Maybe with some distance and an open mind I will be able to come back and find it more enjoyable, but like I say, buying a release of Derek Jacobi as the War Master and not getting that for 95% of the story was pretty disappointing. It looks like he's going to have a pretty substantial role in Killing Time though, so there's always that to look forward to  |
|
|
|
Post by Timelord007 on Nov 19, 2020 8:46:48 GMT
These War Master box sets keep getting better & better, Derek Jacobi is my second favourite Master after Roger Delgado, Jacobi ozzes menace, evil & utter callousness who revels in being utterly evil without hamming it up.
The confrontation between Jacobis Master & McGanns Doctor didn't disappoint & the twist was excellent.
5/5.
|
|
|
|
Post by tuigirl on Nov 19, 2020 19:54:29 GMT
I seem to be finding myself saying this a lot lately, but I think I would have enjoyed this more if not for my own (not necessarily unfair) expectations of the release. The general "problem" I have with the War Master series is that I buy them because I want to hear Derek Jacboi as the War Master. Now, as all of you who have heard this release will know, that's not what we get from this set For the first episode I spent the whole time wondering why they were writing him so out of character, and by the time the twist came in episode two I'd all but give up on the story I'm afraid. The twist was too little too late for me. Maybe with some distance and an open mind I will be able to come back and find it more enjoyable, but like I say, buying a release of Derek Jacobi as the War Master and not getting that for 95% of the story was pretty disappointing. It looks like he's going to have a pretty substantial role in Killing Time though, so there's always that to look forward to I kind of agree with you there....
{Spoiler} It was simply mis-labelled and should have been labelled The Eighth Doctor Time War 5.... But that would have given the twist away. I however had not as much issue with the story, plot and twist since I like both characters very much, plus I do love a good body swap story, and I thought it was very well done. |
|
|
|
Post by christmastrenzalore on Nov 23, 2020 12:33:06 GMT
I am just about at the end of a re-listen. Listening to the first half, how could I NOT notice {Spoiler}
that it was the Doctor? He assembles companions, cares for them as best he can, and REFUSES TO USE WEAPONS. I feel like an idiot. LOL In previous stories, we've seen this pattern of the Master playing nice to some end, while we're waiting for the penny to drop when he does something incredibly horrible. At least that's my reasoning for why it wasn't super obvious. The only thing that caught me as being off was his vocal performance, which was much looser and friendlier, which I just rationalized away. |
|
|
|
Post by Kestrel on Dec 11, 2020 7:23:39 GMT
I dunno, they weren't exactly subtle about the twist.
But, yeah, I agree. I almost feel cheated, if that makes sense? Obviously the stories were great and it was clearly a lot of fun for McGann and Jacobi to record, but I'm not buying this range to listen to stories where Derek Jacobi plays the lead, I'm here for stories where the War Master is the lead.
So spending so little time with the actual War Master just feels... like a bait-and-switch. Its pretty evident that they were very proud of the premise here, and I don't begrudge them that, but surely they could have found ways to integrate McGann's War Master into the earlier stories more? Or maybe simply moved the "reveal" to the end of the first episode?
|
|
|
|
Post by causality on Dec 11, 2020 19:50:54 GMT
Ok am spoiler free and am thinking given the cover with the lightning between McGann and Jacobi that this Jacobi who seems all nice and reasonable and not the cold calculating anti hero we have come to know that it’s a body swap,mind you Narvin says kill the Doctor not kill the Master as he would have done..ok am probably wrong most times I am
19:54-no Daleks 😱
19;56-still No Daleks 😱😱
19:58- are there to be NO DALEKS???😱❤️
20:02-Nick Briggs only mentioned as Executive producer-😱😱😱😱❤️
20:18-doesn’t like guns 😳
well not very dramatic first story to be honest am I treating it as a fourparter?Very reminiscent of the Picard series which left me kind of non plussed it’s the assembling of a crew it needs Jeri Ryan to kick it into gear.I did enjoy the little beats of the theme music at certain moments though.
Am I thrilled enough to move onto part 2 straight away?...actually am not...but I will have another whisky while I listen to the extras
|
|
|
|
Post by causality on Dec 11, 2020 20:46:05 GMT
episode 2-The Scaramancer-Lisa McMullin20:45-concerned about cold blooded murder?😉 20:52-saves another life come off it 😜 20:59-mention of Daleks😭😭😭😭😭 21;06- {Spoiler}
Jacobi is McGann
21:26- oh am so right some kind of swap has taken place,but still doesn’t explain Narvins comments if he knows
21:27-well all is revealed ......I deserve a third whisky.
It all seemed too obvious Jacobi seemed to be missing his usual evilness and was showing too many concerns for others wellbeing’s for him not to be The Doctor
so I guess the next two episodes are McGann being obviously evil with no hiding as no need to disguise it now
|
|
grinch
Castellan
Likes: 6,744
Member is Online
|
Post by grinch on Dec 28, 2020 14:47:24 GMT
I know it was probably just so as the War Master could have some victorious parting words at the end of this boxset but I do wonder if the fact that the War Master has committed numerous atrocities under the guise of the Doctor will have any impact on future Eighth Doctor sets?
Could see a story arc of the Doctor having to prove his innocence while the likes of the Shadow Proclamation and other law enforcement agencies are on his tail coming to pass.
|
|
|
|
Post by inchmix on May 12, 2021 10:42:27 GMT
I am just about at the end of a re-listen. Listening to the first half, how could I NOT notice {Spoiler}
that it was the Doctor? He assembles companions, cares for them as best he can, and REFUSES TO USE WEAPONS. I feel like an idiot. LOL Got the CDs just this weekend that has passed. It's probably my favorite box in this range. (Tho I like series 1 as well)
Must admit I didn't pick it in the first-half either I can see myself re-listening to this box a few times
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Wearer of Hats on May 14, 2021 22:23:57 GMT
I rated it a three, although perhaps it has been soured by the fact I was attacked by a dog while listening to it, but a War Maater at 3 is still heads and shoulders above many many other things rated even at 4 in my book.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim Bradley on May 15, 2021 11:12:57 GMT
Hello everyone! I've heard all of 'The War Master' box sets by Big Finish so far. Greatly enjoyed them. I'll be sharing my reviews on the five box sets on 'Bradley's Basement' later in the year. I'm currently looking forward to 'Killing Time' with the War Master, Nyssa and Jo!  Tim |
|
|
|
Post by Kestrel on May 15, 2021 12:33:05 GMT
I rated it a three, although perhaps it has been soured by the fact I was attacked by a dog while listening to it, but a War Maater at 3 is still heads and shoulders above many many other things rated even at 4 in my book. I'm fairly confident that you could cast Derek Jacobi and Paul McGann in a drama with the worst possible script imaginable, and it'd still result in a damned fine listen. Like, I definitely think this is one of the weaker War Master sets, but that's only because WM1, WM2 and WM4 are so ridiculously good. |
|
For the first episode I spent the whole time wondering why they were writing him so out of character, and by the time the twist came in episode two I'd all but give up on the story I'm afraid. The twist was too little too late for me. Maybe with some distance and an open mind I will be able to come back and find it more enjoyable, but like I say, buying a release of Derek Jacobi as the War Master and not getting that for 95% of the story was pretty disappointing. It looks like he's going to have a pretty substantial role in Killing Time though, so there's always that to look forward to 
