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Post by number13 on Dec 23, 2023 13:05:11 GMT
The Empty Man
I hope you're settled down with a nice cuppa and just possibly something in the chocolate biscuit line, because I've a few things to say about this story! I loved it. Brilliant writing and performances, terrific atmosphere throughout and the themes and references rang so many bells for me - and there was one moment especially that felt written for me personally and made my BF year for sure (even though I know it was just one of those random moments with which the Universe likes to tease us!) And I'm already enjoying the Charley/Audacity double act hugely - and was pleased to hear in the interviews how much they're enjoying performing it!
In case you didn't already know, I'm a fan of the classic ghost stories of M.R.James; hence my username, which is the title of one of his early stories. And this story has Jamesian elements sprinkled through it like the silver tokens in one of the posh Christmas puddings of Charley's time. (And elements of other things too: 'I know my way around a Prysler - now, um, gently. Hang on, that's not right either.' No Doctor, but it's very close and for me struck another loud Chime of Midnight!)
The 1940s setting makes it more 'Night of the Demon' (the later film version) than 'Casting the Runes' but the theme of pursuit by an implacable enemy through the metropolis is done perfectly - though in this case, it seems the 'casting' was accidentally done by Charley thanks to her - unusual - history with Time and timelines. Mr. Eldridge is not only a vaguely Jamesian figure in his Christmas telling of ghostly tales (though James was many years younger when he wrote most of his famous stories) but he shares his name with a character from the James' story 'The Tractate Middoth'. Though our Mr. Eldridge is a much nicer person than the other one, that's for sure! But the Doctor has never heard of him or his ghost stories and keeps confusing the ghostly works of James, Dickens and others with possibly being his. Something timey-wimey is going on I think, because the Doctor is usually far more historically acute than this.
Which leads to the moment that made my BF year. Here's the quote and I burst out laughing and had to skip back for what I missed: 'Do they regularly speak in initials in the future then?' 'In certain online forums it's all squiggles and digits. 'Number 13', was that one of your stories?' 'No it was not! (said Mr. Eldridge with irritation, but not before I'd said out loud 'No Doctor, it's one of ME!' ) Then I went back and heard that section again: that I should find 'online forums' and 'Number 13' mentioned within ten words in a BF script which had special appeal to me, well that's the sort of joke the gods of Olympus used to play on mortals! These days we know it's just a random coincidence, but sometimes, aren't they fun! And just in time for Christmas.
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Post by bonehead on Dec 23, 2023 13:46:10 GMT
Excellent post, number13. All this time, and I didn't know that's why you chose than username!
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Post by number13 on Dec 23, 2023 16:15:04 GMT
Excellent post, number13 . All this time, and I didn't know that's why you chose than username! Thanks!
And also thanks because you've reminded me that a few years ago I used to have a note about my username as a tagline for each post, can't remember why or when I removed it or even that I did, but I guess I must have done? I'll add it back pronto!
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Post by number13 on Dec 24, 2023 12:44:47 GMT
Winter of the Demon
I hadn't expected so many Jamesianisms (is there such a word? There is now! ) two stories running, but I was very pleased to find them nonetheless. The title is clearly linked to 'Night of the Demon', the film version of 'Casting the Runes' and that's just for starters.
The strange runic document that not even the Doctor can read, which almost flutters into the fire driven by an impossible gust of wind until it's neatly fielded by Audacity? That's a string of nods to events in 'Casting the Runes'. The idea of the crown of power removed from its long resting place, triggering a deadly guardian which will destroy all who have touched that crown - 'A Warning to the Curious'. And there were others too; I really enjoyed these tributes to The Master - not 'Old Pointy-Beard' obviously, that's what his fans call M.R.James, who was Provost of King's - it's a play on his college title, his initials and his unchallenged place (in our opinion) at the very top of the ghost story writers' league.
Beyond all that, it's a very good 'Doctor Who' story in the classic style - monster, villain, friendly local characters, horrible deaths, end-of-the-world - you know the sort of thing! It's a tried-and-tested formula and I guess after 60 years we know it works. I also enjoyed all the local elements of Edinburgh history worked into the story, which are all quite real. The timeball tower isn't unique to Edinburgh, there's one at Greenwich and others scattered around the world at ports of the former British Empire, all the way to New Zealand. Though I don't think any of the others were ever used to Save The World!
One detail I really liked was the use of a mass of iron to quell the fusion power of the demon - that's actual science in the middle of a monster story. When a big enough star gets hot enough to fuse other elements into iron, that's the end of the fusion chain because making iron takes energy instead of releasing it. The core collapses and - boooooom! (As someone once said. ) Thankfully for Edinburgh, the demon collapsed inwards without the 'boom' and the world is saved again.
Finally, I must thank Big Finish for making sure there was an Evil Capitalist in this set. It's been quite a while since I found one and I feel they're like oranges in a Christmas stocking - whatever else may be in there, I always have the expectation that if I delve deeply enough into a BF boxset, somewhere at the bottom of one story there will be an Evil Capitalist. A Big Finish boxset just wouldn't be a Big Finish boxset without them.
Both these sets have been excellent; Audacity is great and I'm really enjoying seeing her teamed up with young Eight and Charley, and looking forward to their next adventures together. 5*
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Post by Ian McArdell on Jan 12, 2024 11:06:33 GMT
Forgot to post a link to my review on CultBox - Despite my misgivings about re-introducing Charley, there's actually a nice dynamic between her and Audacity. This is another entertaining trio of festive stories with plenty to chill the blood and warm the soul. 'Winter of the Demon' is particular fun.
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lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
Likes: 5,819
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Post by lidar2 on Jan 28, 2024 22:27:39 GMT
Enjoyed this set a lot, 3 good stories. Not convinced that is is entirely era-authentic. This was when things were hotting up between the Dr and Charley, so the complete lack of jealousy on Charley's part when the Dr arrives with Audacity and her romance with the Scottish captain in the 3rd story kind of jar a bit.
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Post by tuigirl on Jan 29, 2024 7:16:47 GMT
Enjoyed this set a lot, 3 good stories. Not convinced that is is entirely era-authentic. This was when things were hotting up between the Dr and Charley, so the complete lack of jealousy on Charley's part when the Dr arrives with Audacity and her romance with the Scottish captain in the 3rd story kind of jar a bit. Yeah, I thought this, too. Taking Scherzo into account, it indeed jars a bit.
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Post by number13 on Jan 29, 2024 10:30:23 GMT
Enjoyed this set a lot, 3 good stories. Not convinced that is is entirely era-authentic. This was when things were hotting up between the Dr and Charley, so the complete lack of jealousy on Charley's part when the Dr arrives with Audacity and her romance with the Scottish captain in the 3rd story kind of jar a bit. Yeah, I thought this, too. Taking Scherzo into account, it indeed jars a bit.
That's true. Perhaps the idea of Doctor-Companion romance - even fledgling romance - isn't allowed now?
If so, that suits me just fine. I forget who said this (newspaper??) of Sixie & Peri in the 80s but - 'no hanky-panky in the TARDIS!' Anyway, we now know he's married in a complicated timey-wimey way and it would be very foolish for anyone to cross swords with River Song!
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Post by tuigirl on Jan 29, 2024 18:02:13 GMT
Yeah, I thought this, too. Taking Scherzo into account, it indeed jars a bit.
That's true. Perhaps the idea of Doctor-Companion romance - even fledgling romance - isn't allowed now?
If so, that suits me just fine. I forget who said this (newspaper??) of Sixie & Peri in the 80s but - 'no hanky-panky in the TARDIS!' Anyway, we now know he's married in a complicated timey-wimey way and it would be very foolish for anyone to cross swords with River Song!
I also hate this doctor-companion relationship with a passion. They are totally different species. It just does not make any sense biologically...
I think Colin once said that would be like if a human falls in love with a hamster. Nah, even worse. It just creeps my out, honestly. There are sci-fi horror movies about that kind of thing.
But of course there are also tons of "romantic" novels going for that type of thing. Along the lines of "I was taken by the Wolf-Man from Mars".
Some people go for the first thing, others for the latter.
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lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
Likes: 5,819
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Post by lidar2 on Jan 30, 2024 8:51:42 GMT
That's true. Perhaps the idea of Doctor-Companion romance - even fledgling romance - isn't allowed now?
If so, that suits me just fine. I forget who said this (newspaper??) of Sixie & Peri in the 80s but - 'no hanky-panky in the TARDIS!' Anyway, we now know he's married in a complicated timey-wimey way and it would be very foolish for anyone to cross swords with River Song!
I also hate this doctor-companion relationship with a passion. They are totally different species. It just does not make any sense biologically...
I think Colin once said that would be like if a human falls in love with a hamster. Nah, even worse. It just creeps my out, honestly. There are sci-fi horror movies about that kind of thing.
But of course there are also tons of "romantic" novels going for that type of thing. Along the lines of "I was taken by the Wolf-Man from Mars".
Some people go for the first thing, others for the latter.
Ten-Rose sometimes makes me think of a teacher in his mid-30s having an inappropriate relationship with a teenage pupil. Just doesn't seem right somehow. Three-Jo was similar, but felt ok because Three did the right thing and never expressed his feelings (very British I know) and the end of Green Death has a sort of Brief Encounter vibe that I like. Four-Romana felt ok from that point of view because they were equals.
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Post by number13 on Jan 30, 2024 11:33:51 GMT
I also hate this doctor-companion relationship with a passion. They are totally different species. It just does not make any sense biologically...
I think Colin once said that would be like if a human falls in love with a hamster. Nah, even worse. It just creeps my out, honestly. There are sci-fi horror movies about that kind of thing.
But of course there are also tons of "romantic" novels going for that type of thing. Along the lines of "I was taken by the Wolf-Man from Mars".
Some people go for the first thing, others for the latter.
Ten-Rose sometimes makes me think of a teacher in his mid-30s having an inappropriate relationship with a teenage pupil. Just doesn't seem right somehow. Three-Jo was similar, but felt ok because Three did the right thing and never expressed his feelings (very British I know) and the end of Green Death has a sort of Brief Encounter vibe that I like. Four-Romana felt ok from that point of view because they were equals. I've always seen the Third Doctor as Jo's favourite uncle (just ahead of her actual uncle who wangled her the job of a lifetime in the first place!) and they were very fond of each other, but there is a line in 'The Green Death' which says it all from the Doctor's pov as Jo turns down the trip to Metebelis III to go off campaigning in Wales: 'the fledgling flies the coop'. He's been helping her to grow as a person and now is her time to strike out on her own, like a child leaving home, not the break-up of any kind of relationship. One more thing I love about the Pertwee era is the way the long stability given by the Letts/Dicks team, the UNIT family and Katy Manning playing Jo for three full seasons meant that story arcs could be followed over years, unusual for the time. Mike Yates of course, but also Jo's growth from the very young 'ham-fisted bun vendor' who trashes the Doctor's work with the best of intentions! and is easy for the Master to hypnotise, to the resolute Jo of Season 10 who defeats the Master's later attempt to control her on the Ogron homeworld, and finally goes off to save our planet.
As for the Fourth Doctor and Romana... I doubt he ever noticed her as a beautiful Time Lady, in either incarnation! Remember 'The Pirate Planet', when Romana gets a local to stop and talk (which the Doctor has failed to do) and he asks K9 why. 'She is much prettier than you are, master'. And then the Doctor's astonished 'Is she?' Even the metal computer has seen the obvious, but not the Fourth Doctor!
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Post by bonehead on Jan 30, 2024 11:57:50 GMT
Ten-Rose sometimes makes me think of a teacher in his mid-30s having an inappropriate relationship with a teenage pupil. Just doesn't seem right somehow. Three-Jo was similar, but felt ok because Three did the right thing and never expressed his feelings (very British I know) and the end of Green Death has a sort of Brief Encounter vibe that I like. Four-Romana felt ok from that point of view because they were equals. I've always seen the Third Doctor as Jo's favourite uncle (just ahead of her actual uncle who wangled her the job of a lifetime in the first place!) and they were very fond of each other, but there is a line in 'The Green Death' which says it all from the Doctor's pov as Jo turns down the trip to Metebelis III to go off campaigning in Wales: 'the fledgling flies the coop'. He's been helping her to grow as a person and now is her time to strike out on her own, like a child leaving home, not the break-up of any kind of relationship. One more thing I love about the Pertwee era is the way the long stability given by the Letts/Dicks team, the UNIT family and Katy Manning playing Jo for three full seasons meant that story arcs could be followed over years, unusual for the time. Mike Yates of course, but also Jo's growth from the very young 'ham-fisted bun vendor' who trashes the Doctor's work with the best of intentions! and is easy for the Master to hypnotise, to the resolute Jo of Season 10 who defeats the Master's later attempt to control her on the Ogron homeworld, and finally goes off to save our planet.
As for the Fourth Doctor and Romana... I doubt he ever noticed her as a beautiful Time Lady, in either incarnation! Remember 'The Pirate Planet', when Romana gets a local to stop and talk (which the Doctor has failed to do) and he asks K9 why. 'She is much prettier than you are, master'. And then the Doctor's astonished 'Is she?' Even the metal computer has seen the obvious, but not the Fourth Doctor! I wonder if he was beginning to warm to Romana by the time of State of Decay (and her to him) with the exchange of, "You are wonderful" lines. I took that as an indication they might have been getting closer, especially in view of the way the lines were delivered (which is ironic because I believe the actors weren't speaking to each other at the time!).
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Post by number13 on Jan 30, 2024 12:08:32 GMT
I've always seen the Third Doctor as Jo's favourite uncle (just ahead of her actual uncle who wangled her the job of a lifetime in the first place!) and they were very fond of each other, but there is a line in 'The Green Death' which says it all from the Doctor's pov as Jo turns down the trip to Metebelis III to go off campaigning in Wales: 'the fledgling flies the coop'. He's been helping her to grow as a person and now is her time to strike out on her own, like a child leaving home, not the break-up of any kind of relationship. One more thing I love about the Pertwee era is the way the long stability given by the Letts/Dicks team, the UNIT family and Katy Manning playing Jo for three full seasons meant that story arcs could be followed over years, unusual for the time. Mike Yates of course, but also Jo's growth from the very young 'ham-fisted bun vendor' who trashes the Doctor's work with the best of intentions! and is easy for the Master to hypnotise, to the resolute Jo of Season 10 who defeats the Master's later attempt to control her on the Ogron homeworld, and finally goes off to save our planet.
As for the Fourth Doctor and Romana... I doubt he ever noticed her as a beautiful Time Lady, in either incarnation! Remember 'The Pirate Planet', when Romana gets a local to stop and talk (which the Doctor has failed to do) and he asks K9 why. 'She is much prettier than you are, master'. And then the Doctor's astonished 'Is she?' Even the metal computer has seen the obvious, but not the Fourth Doctor! I wonder if he was beginning to warm to Romana by the time of State of Decay (and her to him) with the exchange of, "You are wonderful" lines. I took that as an indication they might have been getting closer, especially in view of the way the lines were delivered (which is ironic because I believe the actors weren't speaking to each other at the time!). He says she's wonderful; but Romana replies 'yes I suppose I am!' which is very Romana. It could be taken in different ways; she has just remembered a vital bit of Time Lord lore that will get them out of a tricky spot.
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Post by bonehead on Jan 30, 2024 12:17:49 GMT
I wonder if he was beginning to warm to Romana by the time of State of Decay (and her to him) with the exchange of, "You are wonderful" lines. I took that as an indication they might have been getting closer, especially in view of the way the lines were delivered (which is ironic because I believe the actors weren't speaking to each other at the time!). He says she's wonderful; but Romana replies 'yes I suppose I am!' which is very Romana. It could be taken in different ways; she has just remembered a vital bit of Time Lord lore that will get them out of a tricky spot.
This is also very true; it's rare that The Fourth Doctor is appreciative of his travelling companions by this time and I enjoyed the implication, enigmatic though it was.
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