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Post by martinw8686 on Jun 30, 2023 15:39:51 GMT
Operation Dusk 4.5/5
Very good use of a returning monster, great setting and doing something different. Slyv is on great form, this is by far the best I've heard from 7 in years.
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Post by nardole on Jul 1, 2023 16:56:46 GMT
And hiding in the news article...mention of November's title...The Last Day 1 I wonder if they'll address that companion that 7 apparently lost that 8 talks about in the edas. |
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enofa
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Post by enofa on Jul 2, 2023 0:40:46 GMT
Really pleasantly surprised with this - easily my favourite Seventh Doctor release since The High Price of Parking. Neither of these stories is an outright classic, but it’s an atmospheric piece that does something new with the Vashta Nerada paired with an optimistic space opera that finally gives Naomi a chance to shine.
Sylv is so much better here than he’s been in the past two boxes, Christopher Naylor has really ‘got’ how to do Harry at this point, and Naomi is developing into a likeable character.
It’s nice to have something to say about this release as it’s one I didn’t have high hopes for.
As for The Last Day, I love the way his regeneration was seeded throughout the later VNAs, so it’s going to have to be magnificent to supersede that in my own personal canon, but I’m excited to see where it goes. Especially if it means we get more Benny!
One thing I am worried about is by the time Harry and Naomi have settled in they’re either going to leave or be eclipsed by next year’s 4DA season. BF have been very reluctant to keep their new companions on long term in recent years. Marc was in and out once his arc was done, Margaret got one season, Ann/Anya similar, and it’s possible Hebe will be gone after her next boxset. It feels a tiny bit like new companions are being introduced to tell a single story rather than simply being part of the ongoing narrative. When was the last time we got the equivalent of Erimem, Evelyn or Hex, who just felt like they could have been TV companions?
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Post by nardole on Jul 2, 2023 1:49:16 GMT
yea I agree besides the 8th doctor companions they do seem to go pretty fast.
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enofa
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Post by enofa on Jul 2, 2023 10:45:16 GMT
I wouldn’t be surprised if Audacity ends up being the same either.
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Post by elkawho on Jul 2, 2023 12:37:35 GMT
Really pleasantly surprised with this - easily my favourite Seventh Doctor release since The High Price of Parking. Neither of these stories is an outright classic, but it’s an atmospheric piece that does something new with the Vashta Nerada paired with an optimistic space opera that finally gives Naomi a chance to shine. Sylv is so much better here than he’s been in the past two boxes, Christopher Naylor has really ‘got’ how to do Harry at this point, and Naomi is developing into a likeable character. It’s nice to have something to say about this release as it’s one I didn’t have high hopes for. As for The Last Day, I love the way his regeneration was seeded throughout the later VNAs, so it’s going to have to be magnificent to supersede that in my own personal canon, but I’m excited to see where it goes. Especially if it means we get more Benny! One thing I am worried about is by the time Harry and Naomi have settled in they’re either going to leave or be eclipsed by next year’s 4DA season. BF have been very reluctant to keep their new companions on long term in recent years. Marc was in and out once his arc was done, Margaret got one season, Ann/Anya similar, and it’s possible Hebe will be gone after her next boxset. It feels a tiny bit like new companions are being introduced to tell a single story rather than simply being part of the ongoing narrative. When was the last time we got the equivalent of Erimem, Evelyn or Hex, who just felt like they could have been TV companions? I completely agree with you regarding new companions over the last few years. I really do miss having ongoing original companions that we get to know well and care about. These day the rarely become more than a plot device for an arc or two and then leave. Why should I care about Hebe? or Marc? or Ann Kelso? or any of the other recent additions? (Although they did a nice job with Anya Kingdom in Dalek Universe.) It seems like the Eighth Doctor is the only one who gets long time companions these days. I wonder why the decision has been made to continue to short change these characters rather than give them a real place in BF Doctor Who lore? |
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Post by martinw8686 on Jul 2, 2023 18:29:21 GMT
All the temporary companions mentioned are good points, but just to play devil's advocate, I would say no one has mentioned Constance and Flip with the 6th Doctor.
I'm hoping Cross and Sullivan hang around a while.
I also appreciate it's difficult to find a gap to fit a long term companion in for some of the Doctors. The First, Second and Fifth Doctors kind of segwayed from companion to companion so it takes creatively to make that work.
With Three and Four there's a little more wiggle room to exploit between seasons, for example,
Between Liz Shaw and Jo Grant, also between Jo and Sarah Jane.
Between Sarah Jane and Leela, Between Leela and Romana 1. Also potentially a companion for the Fourth Doctor and Adric.
7 and 8 have large gaps, so in theory there is plenty of room for original companions
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Post by martinw8686 on Jul 2, 2023 19:26:48 GMT
Naomi's Ark 4/5 Another great story, Slyv very good again, and a wonderful tale for Naomi Cross, the ending really made me smile. More please Big Finish!  |
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enofa
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Post by enofa on Jul 2, 2023 19:42:31 GMT
All the temporary companions mentioned are good points, but just to play devil's advocate, I would say no one has mentioned Constance and Flip with the 6th Doctor. Fair, they’re probably the last time we got seemingly long term new companions. And sadly cut off too soon due to Lisa Greenwood’s illness. |
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Post by nardole on Jul 2, 2023 22:33:13 GMT
I hope they do more with them soon.
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Post by Who Review on Jul 7, 2023 18:51:40 GMT
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Post by Chakoteya on Jul 11, 2023 8:03:29 GMT
I'm very sad to say this, but so soon after listening to it, I'm struggling to recall precisely what the stories were about... and I don't think I can blame dementia either because I know what I had for dinner last night.
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Post by IndieMacUser on Jul 11, 2023 8:57:21 GMT
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Post by elkawho on Jul 18, 2023 15:02:12 GMT
I just relistened to this and it was even better the second time around. So much so that I changed my poll rating from 4/5 to 5/5. The Vashta Nerada story is terrific. The idea of a civilization attempting to subdue the Vashta Nerada and use them as a weapon is fascinating. The story really comes together nicely and it's paced perfectly. And the mention of The Forge was terrific! But what really impressed me on this second listen was Naomi's Ark. I was so impressed with the main story on it's first listen that I didn't give this one it's due. I liked it enough, but didn't realize just how great it is. I have been extremely unimpressed with the character of Naomi in all of her previous stories, but they really used this set to highlight her and finally write her well. She's very good in Operation Dusk, but she really shines in this one. And the aliens in this are so fascinating. I just love the entire thing.
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Post by cjr on Jul 18, 2023 17:45:22 GMT
I just relistened to this and it was even better the second time around. So much so that I changed my poll rating from 4/5 to 5/5. The Vashta Nerada story is terrific. The idea of a civilization attempting to subdue the Vashta Nerada and use them as a weapon is fascinating. The story really comes together nicely and it's paced perfectly. And the mention of The Forge was terrific! But what really impressed me on this second listen was Naomi's Ark. I was so impressed with the main story on it's first listen that I didn't give this one it's due. I liked it enough, but didn't realize just how great it is. I have been extremely unimpressed with the character of Naomi in all of her previous stories, but they really used this set to highlight her and finally write her well. She's very good in Operation Dusk, but she really shines in this one. And the aliens in this are so fascinating. I just love the entire thing. I have to agree - this was the first set since River’s Friend of the Family set that I’ve both completed (the backlog is real!) and then wanted to hear a second time. Sylvester seems engaged, and he is always a joy to listen to when he’s fully in the zone. The 7th Doctor has done some terrible things. His various justifications don’t lighten his actions. And here he gambles and takes action in a way that has huge repercussions and is a wild over-reach. His desperation doesn’t justify his actions. Naomi’s character seems more… everything. In awe of the wonder of the Universe. Capable. Definitely capable. And she and her story hold my attention, and made me want to hear more of her journey and development. Which, to be honest, I was nonplussed about going into this set originally. I’m giving it a 5/5. |
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Post by thegreendeath on Jul 26, 2023 2:11:42 GMT
Gosh I thought “Frozen Worlds” was really well written. Great prose, wonderful sci-fi ideas and rich character work for Ace. Well performed by Sophie as well. Some of these interludes are better than others, but I’ve really appreciated the series so far and this one in particular was my favorite that I’ve heard so far.
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Post by nardolespinoffwhen on Jul 27, 2023 16:56:40 GMT
I thought both stories were great. I've been really enjoying piecing together the Harry and Naomi arc and this release really showcased both. This is definitely Naomi's box set though, came across brilliantly and I enjoyed 'Naomi's Ark' much more than I expected based on the synopsis.
Looking forward to them meeting Four next year and to also see where their travels with Seven take them. Maybe in future we could get a set with them and Nine?
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Post by thegreendeath on Aug 7, 2023 2:14:52 GMT
Wow Naomi’s Ark was a fantastic story. With real stakes that were more personal than universe-shaking (my general preference) and suddenly Naomi is such a great character - with such warmth and depth. I hope future writers get her in the mold used in this set rather than the London Orbital (which I didn’t like any better upon second listen).
Also loved the overall humanistic spirit of this story and how it examined 7 through that lens. Probably my favorite aliens in a BF for a long long time.
Got to say, I think the box set era is coming into its own now and as each range’s individual show runner gets their heads around the job we’re seeing a wider range of stories and moods.
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Post by shallacatop on Aug 18, 2023 13:00:23 GMT
Finally getting round to this and chuffed to say I loved Operation Dusk. Vashta Nerada well realised, pacy plot, Sylv on fine form and Naomi & Harry aren’t badly served. It is a bit convenient that they give more detail about what’s happened around the time UNIT Nemesis came to an end, but it is what it is when you’re allowing real life events to seep into the fiction.
Looking forward to Naomi’s Ark.
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Post by shallacatop on Sept 1, 2023 13:44:23 GMT
Naomi’s Ark was terrific. Perfect story for the three part format and a wonderful platform for the very underserved Naomi. I loved the worldbuilding and how it was utilised to analyse the Doctor was fascinating; brilliant concept. I could see the events of this coming back into play in The Last Day or a Time War story.
I think the best outing for any of main range Doctors since the move to box sets. More please and now very much looking forward to The Last Day.
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