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Post by relativetime on Feb 8, 2022 23:32:05 GMT
Just finished this a short while ago.
I thought it was good. I had some complicated feelings about this being a multi-Doctor story that I wasn’t expecting to have going in. Mostly I was concerned this story wouldn’t fit very well with The Three Doctors, one of my favorite classic stories. It doesn’t really pertain to the quality of the story itself necessarily and I think the majority of my issues were resolved by the end anyways. But it’s still something I wrestled with for most of the runtime. The interaction between the two eras different characters was really fun though.
Michael Troughton’s Second Doctor was surprisingly uncanny at times. Not a complete replica of his father’s voice of course, but there was no mistaking who he was playing for any of the scenes he was in. My biggest hurdle was trying not to hear General Sharp, his character in volume 5 - I think if this had been the first time I’d ever heard Michael Troughton’s voice I would have had a much easier time. Overall though I had no problems with his performance here and I certainly wouldn’t mind hearing more.
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Post by constonks on Feb 9, 2022 3:36:34 GMT
Took a LONG time for me to get used to Michael Troughton's Second Doctor after so long listening to Frazer Hines' version but by the time his last few scenes rolled around, I was just seeing the Second Doctor in my head without thinking about it. (And I like Season 6B as a concept so it's nice to see the Second Doctor dealing with time anomalies on behalf of the Time Lords!)
As for the story, it was exactly what I was expecting - an era-accurate Season 7 story with a little twist!
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Post by theillusiveman on Feb 9, 2022 5:00:35 GMT
Well finished listening to the Boxset Was fairly decent had a good twists, cast were rather good Michael Troughton was fairly solid as the second doctor there were some moments that he didn’t sound like Patrick but for the most it he was pretty solid I still feel that Christopher tompson should have been given a shot as the second doctor but I think that yeah Michael is solid in the role probably in ranking: Chris Michael Frazer By all mean bring on Beyond War Games Would you say it’s a good set up for his upcoming series? Curious to know if this is intended as a sort of pilot or merely another mission for the Second Doctor. Yeah it certainly is intriguing
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Post by elkawho on Feb 9, 2022 14:06:03 GMT
It was an ok story. I didn't love it. And it took me we a good while to hear Michael as the Second Doctor. I guess I'm just so used to Frazer. So for a good while the story just felt weird to me, as if I wasn't sure what I was listening to. It might be different on second listen, since this iteration of both The Second Doctor and older Jamie won't feel so weird to me.
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Post by shallacatop on Feb 9, 2022 14:51:13 GMT
I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this. A seven part story written by Nicholas Briggs and script edited by Alan Barnes was hardly high up on my wishlist! It's a good story that isn't conscious of trying to be era authentic and ends up succeeding in being era authentic by doing so! It's not a story that has the Doctor being all "good grief", "great balls of fire" or "reverse the polarity". The Annihilators is nice and pacey, helped by the episodes sticking to the 25 minute mark or just below, Tim Treloar is better than recent efforts and there's some nice turn of events.
I think where it does falter a little is with the Second Doctor and Jamie. Michael Troughton isn't brilliant; he gets the performance and intonation, but not the actual voice. It gets better as the story goes on and I'm sure it'll be improved by the time the sets come round. Frazer Hines seems to forget he's meant to be an older Jamie at first, but then soon gets into the swing of it. Performance aside, I'm not sure the pair needed to be in the story and if The Annihilators was released in, say, 2024, I don't think there'd ever be consideration to including them. I also don't think it's that intriguing of a set up for Beyond War Games because of how superfluous they are to the story. I was curious about the range already, their appearance here doesn't increase that curiosity.
I'm glad that they finally went with a seven part story in the Third Doctor Adventures. I'd quite like a five parter and a six parter sooner rather than later.
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Post by bonehead on Feb 9, 2022 18:57:30 GMT
I'm three episodes into this and enjoying it more than I thought I would. Episodes are certainly fast moving. So far Michael Troughton sounds absolutely fine as the Second Doctor, but then, he's only heard briefly. Discussing recasts for a moment, I don't think of Sadie Miller, Daisy Ashford and now Michael Troughton as 'full' recasts in the way I do of Tim Treloar and Jon Culshaw. I think relatives of the deceased are continuing the legacy as an extension of the origininal characters rather than coming into it new. I'm not sure anyone could object to the son or daughter of the originals taking over the role; it seems to be more of an obvious choice. I think all of BF's recasts have worked very well and that continues into this story, where I was focussing so much on Michael's Doctor that I'd put out of my mind that the Third Doctor, the Brig and Liz Shaw are also played by recasts.
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Post by tuigirl on Feb 9, 2022 19:00:40 GMT
Well, there are some people who say that Nick should not write stories (this is even mentioned by Nick himself in the extras). But, believe me or not, he delivered a good story here and the writing is uncannily close to the era it tries to emulate. This certainly is one of Nick's better efforts! Of course the story itself is the usual B-movie plot with some alien monsters and a more or less predictable twist, but that is exactly what it should be. I also think this worked really well as a long 7 part story. Nick was also doing the incidental music, and he once again made a 3rd Doctor story sound exactly as it should. This could have been a sound recording of a lost TV episode. Performance-wise: the 3rd Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier are once again very well done and believable. Where it did fall apart for me is when the 2nd Doctor turned up. As some others have mentioned, it took a long time for me to come to terms with the "new voice" of the 2nd Doctor. But it is not only the voice. For me, the spirit and soul of the 2nd Doctor was missing. I have spoken about this before- for example, when Katy Manning does a reading of a 3rd Doctor audiobook, she perfectly catches the 3rd Doctor's spirit and soul. I immediately accept her in the role, even if she does not sound a lot like Pertwee. Honestly, I had a hard time accepting Michael Troughton as the 2nd Doctor here, it just did not quite gel with me. I also agree that Jamie and his Doctor were a bit superfluous here. I get it, like they said in the extras, they were very excited about the new range and wanted to show it off before it starts properly next year. But I could have wished for them to have a bit more impact. Otherwise, not bad at all.
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Post by Max The Autist on Feb 9, 2022 20:53:24 GMT
Well, there are some people who say that Nick should not write stories (this is even mentioned by Nick himself in the extras). But, believe me or not, he delivered a good story here and the writing is uncannily close to the era it tries to emulate. This certainly is one of Nick's better efforts! Of course the story itself is the usual B-movie plot with some alien monsters and a more or less predictable twist, but that is exactly what it should be. I also think this worked really well as a long 7 part story. Nick was also doing the incidental music, and he once again made a 3rd Doctor story sound exactly as it should. This could have been a sound recording of a lost TV episode. Performance-wise: the 3rd Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier are once again very well done and believable. Where it did fall apart for me is when the 2nd Doctor turned up. As some others have mentioned, it took a long time for me to come to terms with the "new voice" of the 2nd Doctor. But it is not only the voice. For me, the spirit and soul of the 2nd Doctor was missing. I have spoken about this before- for example, when Katy Manning does a reading of a 3rd Doctor audiobook, she perfectly catches the 3rd Doctor's spirit and soul. I immediately accept her in the role, even if she does not sound a lot like Pertwee. Honestly, I had a hard time accepting Michael Troughton as the 2nd Doctor here, it just did not quite gel with me. I also agree that Jamie and his Doctor were a bit superfluous here. I get it, like they said in the extras, they were very excited about the new range and wanted to show it off before it starts properly next year. But I could have wished for them to have a bit more impact. Otherwise, not bad at all. When you say it's like the era how exactly do you mean that? Because, unpopular opinion, I hate Pertwee's first season. It feels so empty and boring to me which, aside from Nick writing it which always gives me some anxiety, keeps me from wanting this... Does this improve upon the feeling of the season it's set in or does it feel the same?
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Post by mark687 on Feb 9, 2022 21:05:04 GMT
Well, there are some people who say that Nick should not write stories (this is even mentioned by Nick himself in the extras). But, believe me or not, he delivered a good story here and the writing is uncannily close to the era it tries to emulate. This certainly is one of Nick's better efforts! Of course the story itself is the usual B-movie plot with some alien monsters and a more or less predictable twist, but that is exactly what it should be. I also think this worked really well as a long 7 part story. Nick was also doing the incidental music, and he once again made a 3rd Doctor story sound exactly as it should. This could have been a sound recording of a lost TV episode. Performance-wise: the 3rd Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier are once again very well done and believable. Where it did fall apart for me is when the 2nd Doctor turned up. As some others have mentioned, it took a long time for me to come to terms with the "new voice" of the 2nd Doctor. But it is not only the voice. For me, the spirit and soul of the 2nd Doctor was missing. I have spoken about this before- for example, when Katy Manning does a reading of a 3rd Doctor audiobook, she perfectly catches the 3rd Doctor's spirit and soul. I immediately accept her in the role, even if she does not sound a lot like Pertwee. Honestly, I had a hard time accepting Michael Troughton as the 2nd Doctor here, it just did not quite gel with me. I also agree that Jamie and his Doctor were a bit superfluous here. I get it, like they said in the extras, they were very excited about the new range and wanted to show it off before it starts properly next year. But I could have wished for them to have a bit more impact. Otherwise, not bad at all. When you say it's like the era how exactly do you mean that? Because, unpopular opinion, I hate Pertwee's first season. It feels so empty and boring to me which, aside from Nick writing it which always gives me some anxiety, keeps me from wanting this... Does this improve upon the feeling of the season it's set in or does it feel the same? Fortunately this has a more pacey Ambassadors of Death style rather then the meandering Silurians Regards mark687
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Post by Max The Autist on Feb 9, 2022 23:03:22 GMT
When you say it's like the era how exactly do you mean that? Because, unpopular opinion, I hate Pertwee's first season. It feels so empty and boring to me which, aside from Nick writing it which always gives me some anxiety, keeps me from wanting this... Does this improve upon the feeling of the season it's set in or does it feel the same? Fortunately this has a more pacey Ambassadors of Death style rather then the meandering Silurians Regards mark687 Ambassadors is my favorite of his first season so that is DEFINITELY good news. Who knows, I might just wind up buying this after all...
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Feb 9, 2022 23:42:26 GMT
This is the first time in a spell that I’ve started and finished a box set in a sitting. This was Nick at his best. It was a era specific, series 7 specific 7 parter that gets filtered through a modern storytelling filter, so it all moves a brisk pace. Of the recast team members Culshaw was especially on fire. It was odd not hearing Frazer as 2 but I quickly warmed to Troughton’s take on his father as the second Doctor. People tend to forget how ahead of his time Barrie Letts was as far as environmental concerns go but as Nick laid his cards on the table we got treated to the full Letts as far as concerns about what humankind is doing to the planet & each other. I wish those 50 years old concerns felt dated, sadly they do not. Anyway, a hugely entertaining set and something of a huge surprise.
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Post by tuigirl on Feb 10, 2022 9:38:04 GMT
Well, there are some people who say that Nick should not write stories (this is even mentioned by Nick himself in the extras). But, believe me or not, he delivered a good story here and the writing is uncannily close to the era it tries to emulate. This certainly is one of Nick's better efforts! Of course the story itself is the usual B-movie plot with some alien monsters and a more or less predictable twist, but that is exactly what it should be. I also think this worked really well as a long 7 part story. Nick was also doing the incidental music, and he once again made a 3rd Doctor story sound exactly as it should. This could have been a sound recording of a lost TV episode. Performance-wise: the 3rd Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier are once again very well done and believable. Where it did fall apart for me is when the 2nd Doctor turned up. As some others have mentioned, it took a long time for me to come to terms with the "new voice" of the 2nd Doctor. But it is not only the voice. For me, the spirit and soul of the 2nd Doctor was missing. I have spoken about this before- for example, when Katy Manning does a reading of a 3rd Doctor audiobook, she perfectly catches the 3rd Doctor's spirit and soul. I immediately accept her in the role, even if she does not sound a lot like Pertwee. Honestly, I had a hard time accepting Michael Troughton as the 2nd Doctor here, it just did not quite gel with me. I also agree that Jamie and his Doctor were a bit superfluous here. I get it, like they said in the extras, they were very excited about the new range and wanted to show it off before it starts properly next year. But I could have wished for them to have a bit more impact. Otherwise, not bad at all. When you say it's like the era how exactly do you mean that? Because, unpopular opinion, I hate Pertwee's first season. It feels so empty and boring to me which, aside from Nick writing it which always gives me some anxiety, keeps me from wanting this... Does this improve upon the feeling of the season it's set in or does it feel the same? Well, it tries to be true to the source material....
BUT as others have mentioned, the pacing is modern, so although there are a few lengths in there, it does not really damage the drive of the story. I do not think BF would get away with having 70s style pacing in a modern play these days.
However, there are several repetitions in there (just like in the original material), a lot of running to and fro through corridors if you will. Many silly and forced cliff-hangers. Many situations of "are they dead of not".
And the Brigadier is really really into blowing stuff up.
For me, I did not think of this release as particularly boring, but I admit I took a break twice. I do not think it is a release you can just breeze through.
And I had no issue with Nick's writing.
And this comes from me, I had been pretty critical of some of the more popular releases by BF recently.
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Post by bonehead on Feb 10, 2022 19:55:32 GMT
I'm delighted to say I really enjoyed this. Initially, the idea of another crossover put a doubt in my mind as to whether I should order - I'm glad I did. The 3DAs remains one of Big Finish's strongest ranges, and it was a joy to hear the Second Doctor become a part of it, however fleetingly.
I love it when Big Finish produce stories that can only work on audio, and take full advantage of that medium. The Second Doctor, with an aged Jamie adds a bit of extra spice to an entertainingly Barry-Lett's-type of tale, with the human race being held to a certain degree of account for its actions. I love that kind of thing. I love the fact that the Second Doctor and Jamie aren't given any explanation as to their incongruous inclusion here - another tale for another day. If I hadn't already pre-ordered the upcoming Second Doctor set, I would do so now. So, job done.
Michael Troughton, like Tim Treloar, has a slightly higher vocal register than the originals. They are both absolutely spot-on in most scenes, and not quite there in others - but that's fine with me. These are recasts, and very good ones. Good enough, in fact, to change my initial dislike of such things.
The second intro music 'blast' caught me out every single time. It's something that disorientates me constantly. Other than that, everything here gelled with me. The cast is terrific. I'm really glad Mark Elstob has become a regular with Big Finish. The aliens sounded to me rather like Edith Evans. Crucially, this seven-parter never drags, which is some feat. It's all fast-moving and eventful. Great fun, strongly recommended to anyone on the fence, as I was.
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Post by IndieMacUser on Feb 11, 2022 11:22:33 GMT
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Post by jacobz40 on Feb 11, 2022 11:55:25 GMT
It's been a bit since I watched Season 7, but I seem to be starting the episodes with the opening theme, then the last few lines of the previous episodes, then a shortened ending theme, and only THEN does the episode begin in earnest.
Am I forgetting about a 1970 episode format or is this a tech issue?
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Post by shallacatop on Feb 11, 2022 11:59:19 GMT
It's been a bit since I watched Season 7, but I seem to be starting the episodes with the opening theme, then the last few lines of the previous episodes, then a shortened ending theme, and only THEN does the episode begin in earnest. Am I forgetting about a 1970 episode format or is this a tech issue? I think it’s an attempt to emulate the different title openings of Ambassadors of Death and Inferno. It doesn’t really work on audio, but I appreciate the effort.
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Post by mark687 on Feb 11, 2022 12:20:00 GMT
It's been a bit since I watched Season 7, but I seem to be starting the episodes with the opening theme, then the last few lines of the previous episodes, then a shortened ending theme, and only THEN does the episode begin in earnest. Am I forgetting about a 1970 episode format or is this a tech issue? In Honor of Ambassadors of Death TV Story that did the same thing Regards mark687
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Post by masterdoctor on Feb 11, 2022 23:31:21 GMT
One thing I noted in the interviews alongside confirmation of the 2nd Doctor set in 2023 is that Volume 10 of the 3DA's in October is also supposed to play with the format of the boxset. I'm curious as to what that means. Is it that the 3rd Doctor will get three one hour stories/one one-hour and one two-hour, or something different to most ranges, say an anthology with 6 30 minute episodes?
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Post by Who Review on Feb 14, 2022 10:37:56 GMT
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Post by Ian McArdell on Feb 15, 2022 13:32:00 GMT
Well, I bloomin' loved this. Season 7 has always been a favourite (I remember a friend getting hold of aussie broadcast recordings pre-VJS release) and The Annihilators pushed all those buttons. Loved the introduction of the Second Doctor and Jamie too - exciting times. My take is up at CultBox.
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