ljwilson
Chancellery Guard
It's tangerine....not orange
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Post by ljwilson on Dec 23, 2020 9:48:59 GMT
A slightly above average Doctor Who story, but not by much.
The Doctor and Peri's visit to a prestigious university (The C.A.G.E) is fairly padded, from rummaging around in store rooms to discussing the pros and cons of futuristic internal room design. Each time I try and listen to this one I'm left slightly bemused about the banality of much of the dialogue.
Still, the story is quite good in parts with The Rani involved in doppelganger-esq brain swapping experiments and the sound design is of the usual BF high standard. Ultimately though, it is slightly boring and just about nudges a weak 6 out of 10.
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Post by grinch on Dec 23, 2020 9:52:44 GMT
I remember rather liking this when I first listened to it. And I thought Siobhan Redmond was a worthy successor to the late Kate O’ Mara. But I’d have to agree that not a lot has stuck with me to be honest. Alongside Planet of the Rani, I’d argue we still have yet to experience that truly great Rani story.
In hindsight, it’s just a shame the character is stuck in a legal limbo as I’d be keen to see what else you could do with her.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 10:18:13 GMT
I remember rather liking this when I first listened to it. And I thought Siobhan Redmond was a worthy successor to the late Kate O’ Mara. But I’d have to agree that not a lot has stuck with me to be honest. Alongside Planet of the Rani, I’d argue we still have yet to experience that truly great Rani story. In hindsight, it’s just a shame the character is stuck in a legal limbo as I’d be keen to see what else you could do with her. I didn't realise there were legal problems involving The Rani. That's a shame.
That said, and I don't enjoy saying this, but I found Siobhan - who is usually a terrific actress - an empty void in the role. Her diction was immaculate, and perhaps that was part of the problem. There was no character there at all. She wasn't particularly evil, didn't have that sense of furious camp like Kate O'Mara: nothing. I'm sorry to say that, because I've heard she was O'Mara's choice, but I can't help but imagine what an edgier, more imaginative casting choice would have brought to proceedings.
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Post by grinch on Dec 23, 2020 10:34:32 GMT
I remember rather liking this when I first listened to it. And I thought Siobhan Redmond was a worthy successor to the late Kate O’ Mara. But I’d have to agree that not a lot has stuck with me to be honest. Alongside Planet of the Rani, I’d argue we still have yet to experience that truly great Rani story. In hindsight, it’s just a shame the character is stuck in a legal limbo as I’d be keen to see what else you could do with her. I didn't realise there were legal problems involving The Rani. That's a shame.
That said, and I don't enjoy saying this, but I found Siobhan - who is usually a terrific actress - an empty void in the role. Her diction was immaculate, and perhaps that was part of the problem. There was no character there at all. She wasn't particularly evil, didn't have that sense of furious camp like Kate O'Mara: nothing. I'm sorry to say that, because I've heard she was O'Mara's choice, but I can't help but imagine what an edgier, more imaginative casting choice would have brought to proceedings.
I suppose if I were to play devils advocate for a moment you could argue that this incarnation of the Rani is more of a cold, emotionally detached scientist for whom her experiments and their results are above anything else. Compared to the furious camp of her previous incarnation perhaps. I will admit though it has been a while since I listened to it so my memory of her performance might be completely different. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 11:02:29 GMT
I didn't realise there were legal problems involving The Rani. That's a shame.
That said, and I don't enjoy saying this, but I found Siobhan - who is usually a terrific actress - an empty void in the role. Her diction was immaculate, and perhaps that was part of the problem. There was no character there at all. She wasn't particularly evil, didn't have that sense of furious camp like Kate O'Mara: nothing. I'm sorry to say that, because I've heard she was O'Mara's choice, but I can't help but imagine what an edgier, more imaginative casting choice would have brought to proceedings.
I suppose if I were to play devils advocate for a moment you could argue that this incarnation of the Rani is more of a cold, emotionally detached scientist for whom her experiments and their results are above anything else. Compared to the furious camp of her previous incarnation perhaps. I will admit though it has been a while since I listened to it so my memory of her performance might be completely different. I haven't heard this for a while either, and you are right. Siobhan's incarnation is far colder, and it's true to say that no two incarnations should be the same, concerning any Time Person. Perhaps Siobhan was encouraged to play it that way, but the end result just didn't have any impact on me at all, sadly. |
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Post by denyer97 on Dec 23, 2020 11:39:05 GMT
I too remember being left a little cold by this story. I imagined it would be such a big event story and it just wasn't. I don't mind the portrayal but it's not a patch on Kate O'Mara and not as successful as some other Big Finish recasts such as Alex McQueen. Personally I'd like to see Tamzin Outhwaite or Juliet Stevenson in the role.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 11:54:24 GMT
I too remember being left a little cold by this story. I imagined it would be such a big event story and it just wasn't. I don't mind the portrayal but it's not a patch on Kate O'Mara and not as successful as some other Big Finish recasts such as Alex McQueen. Personally I'd like to see Tamzin Outhwaite or Juliet Stevenson in the role. I think Lucy Briggs Owen, who has been in a lot of Big Finish stuff, would be terrific as The Rani. She's been great in everything she's been in. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 12:15:05 GMT
Lets face it, the closest you will get to Kate O'Mara is Joan Collins - and she is still good.
She would be great in the role and a perfect tribute to her friend Kate.
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Post by slithe on Dec 23, 2020 12:25:05 GMT
Out of the two Rani stories - this is the better one. Sadly, I found this (and Planet of the Rani) to be the weakest in their respective trilogies.
Redmond is a good choice for the incarnation, but is let down by poor writing and stories that are not that interesting. It doesn't help that both the BF Rani stories are very similar in plot/style - with prison/cages involved.
Personally, I'd rather see the Rani against the Seventh Doctor and see her trying to 'play him at his own game'.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 12:32:12 GMT
Lets face it, the closest you will get to Kate O'Mara is Joan Collins - and she is still good. She would be great in the role and a perfect tribute to her friend Kate. I think Siobahn needs another shot at it as she is brilliant and yes the Character didn’t particularly stand out story wise as I would expect but for me while we are doing Soap Divas lol for the role Stephanie Beacham would be blooming fantastic in the role but I shall relisten let’s be honest we have so many great releases it takes a lot to REALLy stand out |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 12:38:54 GMT
I remember rather liking this when I first listened to it. And I thought Siobhan Redmond was a worthy successor to the late Kate O’ Mara. But I’d have to agree that not a lot has stuck with me to be honest. Alongside Planet of the Rani, I’d argue we still have yet to experience that truly great Rani story. In hindsight, it’s just a shame the character is stuck in a legal limbo as I’d be keen to see what else you could do with her. What are the legal problems involved ? |
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Post by grinch on Dec 23, 2020 12:41:28 GMT
I remember rather liking this when I first listened to it. And I thought Siobhan Redmond was a worthy successor to the late Kate O’ Mara. But I’d have to agree that not a lot has stuck with me to be honest. Alongside Planet of the Rani, I’d argue we still have yet to experience that truly great Rani story. In hindsight, it’s just a shame the character is stuck in a legal limbo as I’d be keen to see what else you could do with her. What are the legal problems involved ? I’m not sure about the fine print to be honest as it’s all been very vague as far as I know but I think after Pip and Jane Baker sadly passed away who exactly owned the rights to the character became messy. |
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Post by sherlock on Dec 23, 2020 12:41:30 GMT
I remember rather liking this when I first listened to it. And I thought Siobhan Redmond was a worthy successor to the late Kate O’ Mara. But I’d have to agree that not a lot has stuck with me to be honest. Alongside Planet of the Rani, I’d argue we still have yet to experience that truly great Rani story. In hindsight, it’s just a shame the character is stuck in a legal limbo as I’d be keen to see what else you could do with her. What are the legal problems involved ? The rights for the Rani belonged to the Bakers, presumably now their estate, so using the Rani is complicated. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 12:50:35 GMT
Lets face it, the closest you will get to Kate O'Mara is Joan Collins - and she is still good. She would be great in the role and a perfect tribute to her friend Kate. Stephanie Beecham could give her a run for her money too  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 13:11:36 GMT
Lets face it, the closest you will get to Kate O'Mara is Joan Collins - and she is still good. She would be great in the role and a perfect tribute to her friend Kate. Stephanie Beecham could give her a run for her money too She would definitely be ideal and a touch of class added right away and distinctive vocally |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 13:19:49 GMT
Stephanie Beecham could give her a run for her money too She would definitely be ideal and a touch of class added right away and distinctive vocally She's the only actress I can think of who could match Kate's 'It's the man I want' line delivery! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 13:24:06 GMT
She would definitely be ideal and a touch of class added right away and distinctive vocally She's the only actress I can think of who could match Kate's 'It's the man I want' line delivery! 😂😂 |
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Post by grinch on Dec 23, 2020 13:52:00 GMT
I always thought Shirley Henderson would make for a very sinister War Rani. An incarnation which would say little making her all the more frightening when she begins to dissect someone for the Gallifrey war effort.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 14:06:28 GMT
I always thought Shirley Henderson would make for a very sinister War Rani. An incarnation which would say little making her all the more frightening when she begins to dissect someone for the Gallifrey war effort. oh yes she would be very sinister in fact if Missy ever regenerates into another woman lol |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 16:01:56 GMT
I always thought Shirley Henderson would make for a very sinister War Rani. An incarnation which would say little making her all the more frightening when she begins to dissect someone for the Gallifrey war effort. oh yes she would be very sinister in fact if Missy ever regenerates into another woman lol Missy should have regenerated into Lily Savage's persona, courtesy of Paul O'Grady. It would be great on Audio too, all the trademark Missy dialogue, but with a caustic, fag in mouth, Mancunian delivery. Funnily enough, when the character first started appearing on the Telly in the early 90's (It was before the Internet after all) I suspected she was played by Sean Pertwee, given the more than passing semblance to a younger Jon Pertwee, had he ever played a grotesque pantomime dame in his youth.... |
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