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Post by mrfuggleboppins on Jan 14, 2016 15:04:25 GMT
Downloading this on the university network is taking days so I'll add it to iTunes once I'm home.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2016 15:22:59 GMT
Kasran is very excited to meet Churchill and seems to know much of Earth history, including the Roman Empire. I got the impression - probably wrongly - that the planet he's on in A Christmas Carol was quite disconnected from Earth. He talks about Christmas (when he's Michael Gambon) as though it's an ancient mythical thing but here talks about Churchill and Julius Ceaser like they learn about them in school. Feels as though Justin Richards just threw away the fact Kasran is alien and wrote a pretty generic future companion seeing the past. One thing I ADORE though is Chruchill seeing the Dalek in the past and exclaiming "An Ironside!". I think I'd rather have Bill Patterson as Bracewell instead of Danny Horn as Kasran here. I had the feeling Kasran was human, from the far future, on an established earth colony. (But can be wrong.) Well, I say "alien" as in not of this planet rather than non-human but in A Christmas Carol he talks of Earth as this distant relic with old traditions like Christmas long forgotten. Just seems so odd that this would be the case but he learns all about Churchill and Caesar. He even calls Churchill his hero. I'm not liking this story very much. Kasran had such a lovely arc in A Christmas Carol and this just says "That's on hold right now, we'll go get Abigail later" when that's really not what that episode was about at all. Kasran was looking forward to seeing Abigail again each Christmas whereas here it seems he's happy to leave her frozen while he has some fun in Earth's history. That could work if Kasran learned something along the way about love, about why moey isn't the most important thing - the themes his arc is all about. Even if anyone disagrees with me regarding the message of A Christmas Carol, I think it's kinda inarguable that Kasran here could be any companion. There's nothing here that couldn't be any companion at all - Turlough, Ben or Helen Sinclair, rather sadly. He adds nothing to it and his own character arc isn't developed even slightly. I think BF have used him purely because the actor was up for it and it was a recognizable TV character not because there was a story to tell and that's something I hope we don't see as the Nu-Who releases go on.
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Tony Jones
Chancellery Guard
Professor Chronotis
Still rockin' along!
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Post by Tony Jones on Jan 14, 2016 15:31:01 GMT
Before I start listening to this on the way home, I notice no comments yet about Alan Barnes's Hounded story - how was that?
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Post by mark687 on Jan 14, 2016 15:38:40 GMT
Before I start listening to this on the way home, I notice no comments yet about Alan Barnes's Hounded story - how was that? Very Good but as with Oncoming Storm the Doc accent lets it down IMO.
Regards
mark687
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Post by randomjc on Jan 14, 2016 15:47:20 GMT
I had the feeling Kasran was human, from the far future, on an established earth colony. (But can be wrong.) Well, I say "alien" as in not of this planet rather than non-human but in A Christmas Carol he talks of Earth as this distant relic with old traditions like Christmas long forgotten. Just seems so odd that this would be the case but he learns all about Churchill and Caesar. He even calls Churchill his hero. Even if anyone disagrees with me regarding the message of A Christmas Carol, I think it's kinda inarguable that Kasran here could be any companion. There's nothing here that couldn't be any companion at all - Turlough, Ben or Helen Sinclair, rather sadly. He adds nothing to it and his own character arc isn't developed even slightly. I think BF have used him purely because the actor was up for it and it was a recognizable TV character not because there was a story to tell and that's something I hope we don't see as the Nu-Who releases go on. I would argue the just because he views Christmas as something of the past to be forgotten, does not mean that history isn't important. He may just not think highly of traditions. I don't think you can equate Christmas to Caesar or Churchill, since one is a religious custom the others are historical people. Much in the way that we today may focus on historical figures from history, before we focus on religious ceremonies from several millennia ago.
And I wouldn't be surprised if Kasran is only the companion because he was a tv "companion" they could bring in.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2016 16:14:13 GMT
Well, I say "alien" as in not of this planet rather than non-human but in A Christmas Carol he talks of Earth as this distant relic with old traditions like Christmas long forgotten. Just seems so odd that this would be the case but he learns all about Churchill and Caesar. He even calls Churchill his hero. Even if anyone disagrees with me regarding the message of A Christmas Carol, I think it's kinda inarguable that Kasran here could be any companion. There's nothing here that couldn't be any companion at all - Turlough, Ben or Helen Sinclair, rather sadly. He adds nothing to it and his own character arc isn't developed even slightly. I think BF have used him purely because the actor was up for it and it was a recognizable TV character not because there was a story to tell and that's something I hope we don't see as the Nu-Who releases go on. I would argue the just because he views Christmas as something of the past to be forgotten, does not mean that history isn't important. He may just not think highly of traditions. I don't think you can equate Christmas to Caesar or Churchill, since one is a religious custom the others are historical people. Much in the way that we today may focus on historical figures from history, before we focus on religious ceremonies from several millennia ago.
And I wouldn't be surprised if Kasran is only the companion because he was a tv "companion" they could bring in.
I honestly believe Justin has either ignored or forgotten than Kasran is not from Earth. He's certainly assuming Earth history to be THE history when that's not what appears to be the case on screen in A Christmas Carol. My bigger point is that the character is redundant anyway - who adds nothing and learns nothing - regardless of his interests in history making sense. I don't know if you're actually listening to the set or just playing devil's advocate but this story an this Kasran just doesn't mesh with what was on screen. He's just....there. I think Danny was up for it and they wanted someone from the tv series. I don't think that's a good reason to use him. Is anyone honestly buying this set because Kasran is in it? There's no character for him whatsoever which makes me wonder - to give Justin the benefit of the doubt rather than assume he just phoned it in - if they did not know who the companion was when he was commissioned so he wrote generic Who companion rather than an actual character.
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Post by pawntake on Jan 14, 2016 16:14:20 GMT
Before I start listening to this on the way home, I notice no comments yet about Alan Barnes's Hounded story - how was that? Very Good but as with Oncoming Storm the Doc accent lets it down IMO.
Regards
mark687
Yes just listened to the 1st story,the Docs accent does spoil it! otherwise I was more than happy. its a shame.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2016 16:39:50 GMT
Story 4 is much better. Again, Ian doesn't do an impression of Matt at all so I have no idea why he felt he had to one for Eccleston. The story's a bit reminiscent of The Crawling Terror from the 12th Doctor books range but only superficially. The supporting cast, including Lily Arwell, do a really good job of convincing me of the fear they're experiencing. She, in particular, sounds absolutely terrified at points. If I have a niggle it's that not much use is made of having the older, infirm Churchill in this one set years after the war. Ian doesn't make him sound any different and he's even described as running away at one point near the end.
There is some lovely Churchillian dialogue here though. I think Ken Bentley has the most feel for what the set should be and the character of the mythical Churchill.
Story 1 and 4 were the highpoints of the set though I must confess, if you're on the fence, about the Nu-Who sets - I'd get The War Doctor and River Song's sets first.
Ian McNiece is fantastic in this set though. YES, he's awful at accents it seems but when he's Churchill - and that's probably 95% of the set - he sounds great. He's in your face, authoritative, charming, curmudgeonly, brave, bold....any number of superlatives. I think it's important to disregard our "real" history. This Churchill is not like the real one but he's not supposed to be. He's a heightened, idealized Winnie and I can't imagine anyone playing it much better than Ian.
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Post by mark687 on Jan 14, 2016 16:50:19 GMT
All done
Stories 4 and 2 were the best for me.
Depending on the details I think I'd buy a Vol 2 of this before I buy River Song Vol 2.
Regards
mark687
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Post by randomjc on Jan 14, 2016 16:52:18 GMT
I would argue the just because he views Christmas as something of the past to be forgotten, does not mean that history isn't important. He may just not think highly of traditions. I don't think you can equate Christmas to Caesar or Churchill, since one is a religious custom the others are historical people. Much in the way that we today may focus on historical figures from history, before we focus on religious ceremonies from several millennia ago.
And I wouldn't be surprised if Kasran is only the companion because he was a tv "companion" they could bring in.
I honestly believe Justin has either ignored or forgotten than Kasran is not from Earth. He's certainly assuming Earth history to be THE history when that's not what appears to be the case on screen in A Christmas Carol. My bigger point is that the character is redundant anyway - who adds nothing and learns nothing - regardless of his interests in history making sense. I don't know if you're actually listening to the set or just playing devil's advocate but this story an this Kasran just doesn't mesh with what was on screen. He's just....there. I think Danny was up for it and they wanted someone from the tv series. I don't think that's a good reason to use him. Is anyone honestly buying this set because Kasran is in it? There's no character for him whatsoever which makes me wonder - to give Justin the benefit of the doubt rather than assume he just phoned it in - if they did not know who the companion was when he was commissioned so he wrote generic Who companion rather than an actual character. I forgot it came out today (thought it was tomorrow). I'm hoping this good at least. I'd hate for 2 of the three first announced New Who stuff to be unimpressive to me. (I did love War Doctor Set. Bring on part 2!)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2016 17:00:32 GMT
The lead performance of this will pull people through, I think though I can't say I'd be disappointed if this didn't go to an ongoing series though I would like Churchill to work with other Doctors in full cast stories. I would really like, if we do get more, for BF to run with the idea from Victory Of The Daleks that Churchill would love to gain the TARDIS to win the war, only do something more serious with it than him nicking the key then laughing
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Post by randomjc on Jan 14, 2016 17:33:01 GMT
Churchill as the villain of an audio would be weird.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2016 21:14:52 GMT
I don't know if you mean my suggestion but I don't think he'd be the villain in it. Neither would The Doctor. Isn't two people both trying to do their best during a war scenario something more interesting than one side having to be the "villain"?
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Post by randomjc on Jan 14, 2016 21:33:44 GMT
Antagonist would be a better term, yes, but putting the Doctor against Churchill would be interesting.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2016 21:37:55 GMT
I would even - in a completely hypothetical story that isn't even happening - be inclined to set it with The Doctor as the antagonist. He's the one that could stop the war at will but won't. He'll stand y and let millions die. Of course, over the story he'd learn why The Doctor can't interfere and come to appreciate it.
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Post by randomjc on Jan 14, 2016 21:43:22 GMT
Perhaps that could be even the first time the Doctor encounters Churchill in person, where Churchill in the in WWII knows who he is, and tries to use the Doctor's unfamiliarity with him to his advantage.
Which doctor would you pit against him in this hypothetical story. (I'm having fun, so I'll keep going.)
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Post by Digi on Jan 14, 2016 23:09:50 GMT
So response to this one seems to be....maybe, maybe not?
I've never been a big fan of the Companion Chronicles (I dislike narration and impressions), so I might give this one a pass.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2016 9:11:14 GMT
I JUST STARTED LISTENING TO IT.
THE ECCLESTON THEME.
OH MY GOD: THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2016 9:20:36 GMT
Yeah I really marked out for the theme as well. I just assumed we'd get something new. What a lovely wee treat.
Oh, and Dalekbuster - the 10th Doc theme here seems to be the S4 version so shouldn't be an issue getting that for the 10/Donna ones!
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Post by dalekbuster523finish on Jan 15, 2016 9:46:52 GMT
Oh, and Dalekbuster - the 10th Doc theme here seems to be the S4 version so shouldn't be an issue getting that for the 10/Donna ones! That's great to hear! Hopefully BF will use it for 10 and Donna.
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