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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Oct 7, 2020 9:10:04 GMT
www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-time-lord-victorious-short-trips-master-thief-lesser-evils-2260
Master Thief by Sophie Iles
The Master wants to plunder one of the most secure vaults in the universe, the Repository. He’s got a plan, and a deadly new weapon to assist him. However, as the Master quickly discovers, getting in might be easy, but getting away with it might cost him everything.
Lesser Evils by Simon Guerrier
The Kotturuh have arrived on the planet Alexis to distribute the gift of death to its inhabitants. The only person standing in their way is a renegade Time Lord, who has sworn to protect the locals. A Time Lord called the Master...
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Post by theillusiveman on Oct 7, 2020 12:12:12 GMT
Well Master Thief story was interesting, the concept was good and was engaging, not entirely sold on the impression of Delgardo but as a short trip it was good
the ending i wasn't sure how i felt about :/
Lesser Evils was another interesting story, The Ainley Impression was heaps better bar the occasional bit where it just sounds like Jon Culshaw but there are moments which felt that Anthony Ainley was there in the recording booth so good work Jon culshaw, i felt that Lesser Evils was the more connected to the Time Lord Victorious arc than Master Theif
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Post by mark687 on Oct 7, 2020 13:00:32 GMT
A side to the Master we've never encountered before so they're intriguing on that score. However the TLV element The Kotturuh I have problems with: 1. The assign everything a time limit life span but they've no idea how much time will pass on a planet before that limit is reached.
2. Timelords have some form resistance because of Regeneration so they seem a bit "So What" as a threat. Regards mark687 |
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Post by mrtc2003 on Oct 7, 2020 13:18:56 GMT
I have to say that I've lost track a bit of the TLV so hadn't realised this was out. I'll have to make a point of getting it.
I did listen to the trailer and, although I wasn't blown away by the impersonations of either Master, I think they're fine for a narrated short story. I'm not sure I'd feel quite the same if Culshaw were playing the role in a full-cast play, though.
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Post by mark687 on Oct 7, 2020 13:20:09 GMT
"Alternate Covers" from the Author  Regards mark687 |
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Post by shallacatop on Oct 7, 2020 13:44:29 GMT
I'm not sure how Master Thief connects to Time Lord Victorious, but I'm sure there's some throwaway reference that will have a nod into another story; that's part and parcel of these types of crossovers. But as its own story I really liked the heist and character journey the story took us on, with a different take on The Master. I didn't think the impression was up to much and I would never have guessed it was meant to be the Delgado Master; it was neither an impression or an affection take. It's not a first person story, however, so it doesn't take you out too much and lets you get on with enjoying the story at hand.
Lesser Evils I thought was essentially an extended conversation for The Master and the Kotturuh. There's some great descriptions of the latter and I liked how they were realised on audio, with a story that plays well in the Short Trips format. I especially liked how it was implied that what the Kotturuh do could be perceived as a benefit to races, rather than an act of cruelty. Culshaw's Ainley impression is more akin to the approximations you'd get from a companion reading a Short Trip than, say, his interpretation of the Brigadier. It makes for a pleasant Short Trip, but I'm not sure how it'd work in a full cast environment.
I think we knew their links to Time Lord Victorious would be tenuous, as we begin to understand the distinction between the actual TLV storyline and the wider Dark Times setting. As a part of Master centric Short Trips I'd say they're essential purchases for fans of the character, not only for the insights into the character, but also the rarity to get new stories with these two incarnations. And you get a quid knocked off than if you were to buy two STs individually too!
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Post by shallacatop on Oct 7, 2020 13:47:29 GMT
A side to the Master we've never encountered before so they're intriguing on that score. However the TLV element The Kotturuh I have problems with: 1. The assign everything a time limit life span but they've no idea how much time will pass on a planet before that limit is reached.
2. Timelords have some form resistance because of Regeneration so they seem a bit "So What" as a threat. Regards mark687 I think that's an interesting comment. I wouldn't say either of them are problems. 1. I think the fact they assign the lifespan without full knowledge is an intended piece of carelessness that demonstrates the horror of what they're doing and how nobody should have the right to do that.
2. I didn't get any form of resistance from Lesser Evils, to be honest. There's at least two or three mentions that the Kotturuh could end the Master's life whenever they wanted to, which in turn prompts the Master to get the Kotturuh on side. Not only in his defence of Alexis, but also to save himself. |
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Post by mark687 on Oct 7, 2020 14:14:14 GMT
A side to the Master we've never encountered before so they're intriguing on that score. However the TLV element The Kotturuh I have problems with: 1. The assign everything a time limit life span but they've no idea how much time will pass on a planet before that limit is reached.
2. Timelords have some form resistance because of Regeneration so they seem a bit "So What" as a threat. Regards mark687 I think that's an interesting comment. I wouldn't say either of them are problems. 1. I think the fact they assign the lifespan without full knowledge is an intended piece of carelessness that demonstrates the horror of what they're doing and how nobody should have the right to do that.
2. I didn't get any form of resistance from Lesser Evils, to be honest. There's at least two or three mentions that the Kotturuh could end the Master's life whenever they wanted to, which in turn prompts the Master to get the Kotturuh on side. Not only in his defence of Alexis, but also to save himself. Interesting so don't per-suppose malice in the Kotturuh intent, they just do what they do as casually as possible like breathing and the 2nd thing she is more frustrated at the Master's lack of concern the line is something like "We Timelords have prior deal in place with Death" then? Regards mark687 |
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Post by shallacatop on Oct 7, 2020 14:31:12 GMT
I think that's an interesting comment. I wouldn't say either of them are problems. 1. I think the fact they assign the lifespan without full knowledge is an intended piece of carelessness that demonstrates the horror of what they're doing and how nobody should have the right to do that.
2. I didn't get any form of resistance from Lesser Evils, to be honest. There's at least two or three mentions that the Kotturuh could end the Master's life whenever they wanted to, which in turn prompts the Master to get the Kotturuh on side. Not only in his defence of Alexis, but also to save himself. Interesting so don't per-suppose malice in the Kotturuh intent, they just do what they do as casually as possible like breathing and the 2nd thing she is more frustrated at the Master's lack of concern the line is something like "We Timelords have prior deal in place with Death" then? Regards mark687 Yeah, that's my interpretation of them. They have powers that nobody should do and they go around implementing lifespans on races as per their design. They do it casually and with little fanfare. As you say, it's actioned as though it's like breathing, which makes what they do all the more horrific.
I think that line is the Master bluffing more than anything else. He's hinting at his ability to regenerate, but the story does make some mentions that the Kotturuh could end the Master, so I'd take that as gospel of their abilities and that not even Time Lords can escape it. As I say, it's an interesting post from you and both of our interpretations are different. Some of mine comes from the way the Kotturuh are realised in The Knight, The Fool and The Dead, which is their biggest part of the whole TLV project, as well as being the big piece of the story alongside All Flesh is Grass. |
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Post by Digi on Oct 7, 2020 15:53:44 GMT
Do Daleks appear in either/both of these stories? (I'm still keeping score of the Dalek to no-Dalek ratio in 2020 releases ) |
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Post by shallacatop on Oct 7, 2020 15:58:05 GMT
Do Daleks appear in either/both of these stories? (I'm still keeping score of the Dalek to no-Dalek ratio in 2020 releases ) No Daleks whatsoever. From a Time Lord Victorious perspective you'd be following The Kotturuh's involvement in Lesser Evils if you were to follow a character timeline. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2020 17:44:00 GMT
Don't want to be that guy... But I will. Shouldn't this be in The Master's section of the forum?
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Post by Digi on Oct 7, 2020 17:47:41 GMT
Do Daleks appear in either/both of these stories? (I'm still keeping score of the Dalek to no-Dalek ratio in 2020 releases ) No Daleks whatsoever. From a Time Lord Victorious perspective you'd be following The Kotturuh's involvement in Lesser Evils if you were to follow a character timeline. Thank you! Don't want to be that guy... But I will. Shouldn't this be in The Master's section of the forum? No. We said from the outset that that subsection is for Master standalone ranges (War Master, Missy, Master!, etc), while Master appearances in other ranges (ie Doctor Who: Monthly Range, Doctor Who: Short Trips) will remain where they are. |
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Post by sherlock on Oct 8, 2020 11:06:40 GMT
Well I quite enjoyed those. Culshaw’s narration is good and both stories come with nice descriptions.
Master Thief seemingly lacks any firm TLV connection (unless any of the artefacts or the victims of the Master’s rampage come into play elsewhere) but is a decent standalone story for Delgado’s Master. I guess the intent behind the ending is we assume the Master will sort himself out off-screen?
Lesser Evils is really interesting, especially in light of reading The Knight, The Fool and The Dead. The Master accomplishes what the Doctor couldn’t and gets the Kotturuh to hesitate enough to truly talk about what they’re doing. Of course the Master has his own reasons for doing so, but it’s very interesting seeing how his approach differed from the Tenth Doctor’s simple outrage. Culshaw’s take on Ainley is very good, more so than his Delgado, so I wonder if he’ll get another go at the character.
The Kotturuh are the most interesting thing going for TLV at the moment. It is as simple as breathing for them, and it’s also something they must do according to their beliefs. In the novel they’re kinda just an evil force of nature, as we only see them from other characters’ perspectives, here we get their side of imposing death and it’s eerily calm and reasonable. I like their voice here and I think it will enhance my re-reading to have this voice to imagine for them.
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Post by themeddlingmonk on Oct 8, 2020 11:21:18 GMT
Well I quite enjoyed those. Culshaw’s narration is good and both stories come with nice descriptions. Master Thief seemingly lacks any firm TLV connection (unless any of the artefacts or the victims of the Master’s rampage come into play elsewhere) but is a decent standalone story for Delgado’s Master. I guess the intent behind the ending is we assume the Master will sort himself out off-screen? Lesser Evils is really interesting, especially in light of reading The Knight, The Fool and The Dead. The Master accomplishes what the Doctor couldn’t and gets the Kotturuh to hesitate enough to truly talk about what they’re doing. Of course the Master has his own reasons for doing so, but it’s very interesting seeing how his approach differed from the Tenth Doctor’s simple outrage. Culshaw’s take on Ainley is very good, more so than his Delgado, so I wonder if he’ll get another go at the character. The Kotturuh are the most interesting thing going for TLV at the moment. It is as simple as breathing for them, and it’s also something they must do according to their beliefs. In the novel they’re kinda just an evil force of nature, as we only see them from other characters’ perspectives, here we get their side of imposing death and it’s eerily calm and reasonable. I like their voice here and I think it will enhance my re-reading to have this voice to imagine for them. I’ve heard somewhere that Master Thief is supposed to tie into a loose thread from one of the Eighth Doctor audios. Not sure how much truth there is to that. Also I wasn’t sure of the Ainley impression my self. I just felt like I was hearing Tom Baker. |
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Post by shallacatop on Oct 8, 2020 11:41:09 GMT
I think one of the artefacts is probably the most obvious link to the wider piece. I hadn’t heard about it connecting to one of the Eighth Doctor audios myself, but that seems a sensible shout.
Time Lord Victorious aside, they’re two strong stories for the Master and two incarnations we don’t get much from. A little bit of me would’ve liked it to have been Beevers reading them, with his take on the incarnations and perhaps a couple of bitchy digs!
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Post by barnabaslives on Oct 8, 2020 12:05:35 GMT
I think this thread is getting a little too spoilery for me since I haven't listened to all of the second story yet, but I should complement Jon Culshaw on the fact that I much enjoyed the first story (and his narrative style overall).
"I wasn't outraged by it" doesn't sound like much of a complement, lol, but I do struggle to accept recasts and Delgado is my first Master after all, so yes that really is high praise coming from me.
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Post by Who Review on Oct 8, 2020 12:07:37 GMT
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melkur
Chancellery Guard
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Post by melkur on Oct 8, 2020 13:15:18 GMT
I'm not a regular Short Trips listener (I normally prefer full-cast to book-readings), but I found these two to be enjoyable.
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Post by mark687 on Oct 8, 2020 22:21:28 GMT
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