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Post by Trace on Sept 7, 2016 1:58:51 GMT
All Through The House is so unique among Dorian stories--the hotel out of the past that reappears every Christmas for one day, the ghosts of the past (the brilliant Katy Manning as Isadora), Toby acting--well--not quite like Toby, Satan himself holding court on the 13th floor, angels (and not on tree-tops, nor very angelic)....it's really got it all and I loved it! Tom Allen and Gabriel Woolf, as Camberwell and 'Old Scratch' both supply chills...it's violent and scary and not for the faint of heart! There are moments of levity, like Toby's desire for a PlayStation, and a reference to a well-known scene in Dickens' A Christmas Carol, apparently played out with Dorian and Toby in the nude (it's morning and they've just got up) because it's mentioned that in Dickens' original, the lines were delivered while clothed! FUNNY!!
A bit confused by the rather sudden/abrupt ending! May have to listen to those last 5 minutes again to make sure I understand it correctly!?! Especially in regards to Toby and the future. If anyone cares to "spoiler" me, I'd love to hear another take on it!
All in all, a GREAT Christmas release!!
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 7, 2016 2:05:17 GMT
Toby is no more. What came back with Dorian from the hotel was the Devil in Toby's body. Whether Toby is actually gone for good I guess remains to be seen I have to listen again (which of course I plan to do before the end of this week) to explain in more details. There is a lot of what the Man Upstais is telling Dorian when he making his deal only makes sense in the end...a lot of double talk.
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Post by Trace on Sept 8, 2016 1:41:17 GMT
Thank you!!! That is the same assessment I had!
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 13, 2016 0:54:53 GMT
I haven't given my analysis of All Through The House yet and still very much plan to (not from lack of enthusiasm but la k of time)
However I want to open up the discussion of the Feast of Magog which is the Dorian story in the Worlds of Big Finish set. Just a note Dorian's tale actually starts at the end of the Sherlock story The Adventure of the Bloomsbury Bomber
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Post by Trace on Sept 13, 2016 4:12:49 GMT
I'm out of town this week, but started listening to Worlds of Big Finish on my drive to the airport...I figured that to fully appreciate The Feasts of Magog, it should probably be listened to along with the other stories in that collection, yes? So, I'm in the middle of the Abby and Zara story now, and will continue until I've heard them all!
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 13, 2016 22:55:39 GMT
I'm out of town this week, but started listening to Worlds of Big Finish on my drive to the airport...I figured that to fully appreciate The Feasts of Magog, it should probably be listened to along with the other stories in that collection, yes? So, I'm in the middle of the Abby and Zara story now, and will continue until I've heard them all! I honestly don't think you have to there is an over arching arc to all the stories but each are stand alone adventures as well
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Post by Trace on Sept 19, 2016 3:19:11 GMT
The Feast of Magog is a very different and very good Dorian story! I decided to listen to all of "The Worlds..." stories for context, and am now done with the first four and into the 'Vienna' story, so only the last two to go. As Kim said, you don't need all the stories to understand the Dorian one, but the connecting ark makes it all more fun!
Feast is fun and scary and I love the apocalyptic themes of Gog and Magog. Pitting Dorian against end times prophecies and those evil ones who would hasten their occurrence give it a frantic urgency! No surprise that Dorian is my favorite so far. I love the Sherlock Holmes cameo/connection, and how nicely Sherlock's story builds the setup for this one. Really loved Pamela too, and she's quite a tragic figure isn't she? I think Dorian loved her in his own way.
A really nice special series!
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 19, 2016 10:17:44 GMT
Going to open up discussion for Shades of Gray and a week early for Picture of Dorian Gray.
Just going the home stretch now that we have a release date for the final series. My goal is to finish the group listen before October 10th so if anyone has any more thoughts on any earlier stories feel free to share them.
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 21, 2016 22:53:06 GMT
All Through the House
Of the two stories I slightly preferred the scary Santa over the Hotel disaster story but I did love the return of Katy Manning as Isadora and of course the few minutes of bliss we get with Dorian & Toby in the beginning of the story. They role play A Chirstmas Carol I absolutely love it.
However the ending of this story (although it pains me greatly its just brilliant) and I just love the set-up when they talking to the Man Upstairs. I love how the Man Upstairs cannot lie but can obviously twist the truth. My favorite line was when he said "You let me enter your heart". I just love the double meaning of that line. Dorian and the listener of course takes it literally but of course the Man Upstairs means it figuratively the heart being Toby.
A few observations at the start of the story Toby doesn't seem to recognize the Brigadoon hotel but by the end he obviously does remember. Would things have turned out differently if he had told Dorian what Simon had told him?
And sure Dorian shouldn't have trusted the Man Upstairs but what other choice did he really have? It did seem like a lose lose situation.
I'll be honest this ending killed me in so many ways (when he told Dorian he had his soul the whole time I think I lost it) but I thought it was brilliant. I have a small ounce of hope that Toby can be saved. I know the devil tells Dorian that Toby is gone but well he does twist the truth after all. Granted I know it is a small hope. I can take the pain I can. It's a beautiful pain after all. And one of the reasons I love this series so much is it may not always be what I want to happen but the story affects my emotions on so many levels. It never lets me go.
However I do wish Toby had at least got to play his Play Station. That's just beyond cruel. They should have stayed in and watched Eastenders.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 23:47:31 GMT
Warning Big Post on the first 2 Seasons and the Specials. You have Been Warned!!!
This World, Our Hell: A great start to the series as it highlights both the supernatural and emotional elements that play a huge part in the theme of the Series. Alexander Vlahos has a silky and smooth voice that I could listen to him read the Twilight books and enjoy them as he just posses the gravitas and charisma an actor needs to play a lead role in his own story. Steffan Rhodri brings in a wonderful performance as Oscar Wilde that his nearing the end of his life and has to come to terms that his life is almost up. The Sound Design is most wonderful and that continues throughout the series. The one thing is that the conclusion left me a bit more wanting, but other than that it is a 8.5/10.
The Houses in Between: Very good at setting up how Dorian affects the people around him and can destroy lives in the time it takes to say The Confessions of Dorian Gray. The Ending left me emotionally ruined after we find out that Rosina Sawyer was Pregnant. A definite 9/10.
The Twittering of The Sparrows: Katy Manning brings home a very different performance as Dora. Having to deal with your older brother staying young forever and you having to grow old and wither would really make a person bitter. Best so far at a 10/10.
The Heart That Lives Alone: Three words, Beautiful, Chilling and Heartbreaking. 11/10!!!
The Fallen King of Britain: Again we are shown a Dorian that is so focused on living it up that he deeply affects and hurts Simon in such a bad way when all Simon wanted was to get through to Dorian. 10/10.
The Picture of Loretta Delphine: A horrifying two hander between Dorian and the wonderful Katherine Mangold as Kayla and never did I think that Gary Russell was this dark. 9/10.
The Lord of Misrule: Very good Music and Dorian makes a very good mod. 8/10.
Murder on 81st Street: Everything was good but that was it, Very good Performance from Sarah Douglas tho. Average at 7/10
The Immortal Game: I like this one a lot, Dorian was very good in this and Hugh Ross As The Montagues/Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was a very brilliant performance and the writing was spot on. 9/10.
Running Away With You: A very dark and adult season finale that was very well done by @scotthandcock and Lalla Ward was very very good choice to play the less than innocent Ms. Harker. 10/10!
Ghosts of Christmas Past: A very good crossover for Dorian and Sherlock and while not as dark as other stories still brought out a very manipulative Dorian after he was owed with so much. 8/10.
The Prime of Deacon Brodie: A very haunting story about the aftermath of war and what happens when it all comes back to "Haunt" you. 10/10!
The Mayfair Monster: Colin Baker and Hannah Spearitt pull amazing performances out of their hats and Alex and Jolson Westhorpe wrote an amazing script that would have been an amazing place to go out on. 10/10!
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 22, 2016 0:35:11 GMT
So thrilled you joined us masterdoctor I'm so happy to read your thoughts on all the stories.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 0:39:37 GMT
So thrilled you joined us masterdoctor I'm so happy to read your thoughts on all the stories. Thanks!
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Post by Trace on Sept 22, 2016 3:04:04 GMT
So thrilled you joined us masterdoctor I'm so happy to read your thoughts on all the stories. Agreed! It's never too late to jump onboard and as we wind down our group listen it was so fun going back to where it all started with you! I can't quite believe we're up to Shades of Gray! Sad to be near the end but at least we have that story, the novel adaptation, and Series 5 to look forward to! Oh how I'm going to miss Dorian, Toby, Simon, Dottie, Dora, the painting, and all the rest! I know Alex has said the final denouement will divide listeners (which can mean many things!), but I keep hoping that if it means another end to Dorian's life, that Scott and Alex will one day pull another supernatural rabbit out of the hat and give us an occasional return special! Or, there's always the alternate universe solution....after all, we have a Dorian still alive in the 27th century in our next group listen...so, on to Shades of Gray...I should be able to get to it by the weekend!
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 23, 2016 11:41:42 GMT
I ended up buying Worlds of Big Finish from Humble Bundle (one of the few I haven't bought directly from Big Finish) but one of these days I do plan to buy it again directly from Big Finish.
I really bought it for this extra Dorian story The Feast of Magog but I did end up listening to the Sherlock Holmes story which was also enjoyable. One of these days I'll have to listen to the rest.
Of course like I said Feast of Magog is an extra Dorian story for me. But for many people it is also an introductory story to the range and I wonder what new people felt about it. It's tied to the book storyline but I am glad they kept Dorian's narration since it's such a special part of the range for me. This story was early in Dorian's timeline so he doesn't seem to have as much regrets and weight yet but by the end of the story one more regret is added. I do love the pathos of this range.
I do hope people would give it a chance from this story and want to check out more. Though I do think This World Our Hell is the stronger introductory story as it really sets up the themes of the range for me this one is not a bad start at all. And for the seasoned Dorian fan it's an extra gift.
Also I loved the Sherlock & Dorian got to meet up again. I thought that was a nice Easter egg for the fans and maybe it would encourage people to check out Ghosts of Christmas Past.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 19:13:07 GMT
I ended up buying Worlds of Big Finish from Humble Bundle (one of the few I haven't bought directly from Big Finish) but one of these days I do plan to buy it again directly from Big Finish. I really bought it for this extra Dorian story The Feast of Magog but I did end up listening to the Sherlock Holmes story which was also enjoyable. One of these days I'll have to listen to the rest. Of course like I said Feast of Magog is an extra Dorian story for me. But for many people it is also an introductory story to the range and I wonder what new people felt about it. It's tied to the book storyline but I am glad they kept Dorian's narration since it's such a special part of the range for me. This story was early in Dorian's timeline so he doesn't seem to have as much regrets and weight yet but by the end of the story one more regret is added. I do love the pathos of this range. I do hope people would give it a chance from this story and want to check out more. Though I do think This World Our Hell is the stronger introductory story as it really sets up the themes of the range for me this one is not a bad start at all. And for the seasoned Dorian fan it's an extra gift. Also I loved the Sherlock & Dorian got to meet up again. I thought that was a nice Easter egg for the fans and maybe it would encourage people to check out Ghosts of Christmas Past. I liked the Dorian's story in Worlds of Big Finish, and bought Ghosts of Christmas Past when getting all the Sherlock titles, but haven't heard it yet. If I enjoy Ghosts as much as I did the first one I probably will then listen through all the ones on Spotify.
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Post by Trace on Sept 24, 2016 2:49:47 GMT
I have now listened to all of Worlds of Big Finish. The Feast of Magog is my favorite of the stories (no great surprise there!) and I must say I really enjoyed the Sherlock story and the Bernice Summerfield stories next, although still not really enough to jump into either series. Iris was just "ok" for me (although Katy Manning is wonderful). Finally, in retrospect, I didn't really care for Graceless, and didn't like Vienna at all! Funny, because I love Chase Masterson as Maddie Price in Survivors, but I guess Vienna is just not for me.
Hey, I guess I love what I love, and the Dorian stories just touch my soul in some way--they speak to the wonder and tension of stark horror, tragic beauty, hope, immortality, outcasts, love, sadness, regret...it's the same way that Dark Shadows captivates me, and Survivors too. The other stories in Worlds... are of a different style entirely, to my mind.
However, all in all, and as book-ends to the over-arcing story and as supplements for Dorian, it was a fun listen, and I'm glad I did it!
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Post by Trace on Sept 28, 2016 2:03:34 GMT
Just finished Shades of Gray, and loved it as much this time as the last! It's a much more weary Dorian, and why not...he's had 27 centuries to get to that point! I love hearing about the collection of artifacts, particularly the crimson pearl--a nice nod to Dark Shadows. I also find it interesting how this story came about, and that it was never intended as a "pilot" for the Confessions series, but rather, another adventure for Bernice Summerfield and her allies. I actually think it plays really well as the endpoint of Dorian's adventures as we know them, and though it's now considered an alternate universe Dorian, I like to think of it as the same one--just 6 centuries later!
Spencer is an interesting character--another of Dorian's love interests...albeit one with a very different ending than some of his others!
So glad this story was included in the bonus materials for the Series 1 and 2 box sets! I originally thought I was going to have to purchase the Benny set, just so I could have SoG. Very nice to have it as part of Dorian.
Now, I will be moving on to our last group listen, the novel. I will feel VERY primed and ready for Series 5! Thanks Kim, for getting this off the ground. It's been wonderful!
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Post by acousticwolf on Sept 28, 2016 8:09:16 GMT
I will feel VERY primed and ready for Series 5! Thanks Kim, for getting this off the ground. It's been wonderful! I agree completely and even though I haven't been able to participate these last few weeks, i've enjoyed being able to dip in and read what others think. So I echo Trace's comments - thanks Kim . Cheers Tony ... and in my heart the Dorian in Shades is the same
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 28, 2016 11:41:24 GMT
Trace acousticwolf I was thrilled you both participated thank you very much. I was so happy to read everyone's thoughts on each story. And Tony you can always go back and add thoughts to the story's you missed. Anyways Shades of Gray is a fascinating story for me. Although I will say right out I don't see it as the same Dorian. Of course I do see that a much older Dorian would be more wary but he just seems different from the Dorian in Confessions. But both interpretations work. I loved hearing Alex play Dorian in a different way than the Dorian in Confessions. It's like watching a play on two different nights you get two different interpretations of the same character. I also enjoyed hearing the Bernice Summerfield cast play different characters in each story. Another thing that I found interesting about Shades of Gray is certain plot points seem to have been expanded in Confessions. In the first story the girl in the institution turns out to be another girl's imaginary friend. This concept is also used in Running Away with You. Although this time it is Dorian's imaginary friend causing the trouble giving the story a more personal touch. But I do love that concept so I enjoyed hearing it again in Shades. The character Bernice plays in the 2nd story reminds me of Victoria Lowell in how she manipulates Dorian to get to his picture. Art and Dorian being framed is even involved in both stories. And in both cases the villain plays quite a big price. And then there is the last story with Spencer reminds me of some of the things that happened with Toby in the Christmas special. In both cases someone Dorian loved was used to hurt him. I loved all 3 stories in this but I guess because I'm a romantic at heart this was probably my favorite. I loved the tragic end. Verdict is still out on how things will end for Toby. Also Gabriel Woolf and Richard Franklin seem to be playing similar characters. Anyways I really enjoyed Shades of Gray but I think Confessions improved on all the ideas presented in this story and is even better. Instead of getting this one great story we get a collection of brilliant stories in the Confessions.
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Post by omega on Oct 12, 2016 23:47:25 GMT
Regarding Picture, how much of it happened and is canon within the Confessions continuity? This World Our Hell explains that it's a fictional novel within the Confessions continuity, with characters alluding to it in reference to Dorian and his copy of the book shows up in Fallen King of Britain and Blank Canvas.
Ghosts of Christmas Past confirms that the encounters with Sibyl Vane and Alan Campbell did happen in Confessions. In Fallen King of Britain the fact that the literary Dorian is blond while Confessions Dorian is black-haired is noted. Running Away With You confirms that Basil's murder was carried out as it was in the novel. For Confessions to happen at all Dorian becoming remorseful and defacing the Portrait cannot have happened.
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