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 | The Best Way to get into the Modern Who |
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This was mu first Doctor Who purchase once I got into the series last Summer. I found it on Amazon, and wanted to get a good chunk of Who. The biggest complaints about this unit was the scratching of the discs coming out of the packaging. I found a way around that, and this has become a treasure in my Doctor Who collection.
| What: | Earthshock (Target novelisation readings) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 8 July 2013 |
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| Rating: |   4 |
This is a very well realised audio, except for some reason Nicholas Briggs decided to voice the wrong Cybermen instead of the ones in the TV story. Now, I understand that he might like to suggest that the 80's Cybermen were not very good in Earthshock and beyond - but to do it in this audio reading is a true travesty. It wrecks the whole thing for me, because I know the voices are totally wrong - and yet Davison is excellent and the background noises are excellent. Why did you do this Briggs? Why? Very sad..
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| A good but not great start |
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| What: | Timewyrm: Genesys (New Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Vince Rayner, Havant, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 6 July 2013 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
Not bad but I found none of the characters that interesting and found myself speed reading the last chapters so I could get to the far superior second book.
I was rather going under the impression that this story would not match Farewell Great Macedon. After that masterful historical it would be hard for anything to reach that high point. But boy was I again glad to be proved wrong. This story boasts some very intriguing and interesting ideas, which actually seem well ahead of their time. The sound design again is absolutely corking. And the result is that The Masters of Luxor rips along and doesn't feel like three hours long whatsoever. Carole and William again seriously make me smile with their spot on recapturing of that golden age time of the first TARDIS crew who made the series get off on such a brilliant high footing. And this story doesn't half boast some memorable set pieces. This story doesn't seem much of a story geared for children, its a real mature adult tale with some pretty bold statements peppered throughout. Joe Kloska also seriously impresses in all his roles, and the Perfect One is a seriously heartless, tragic villain. Never has the look at robots and if they could possess feelings been done quite as brilliantly as it is here I this story. Really, the BBC often astounds me. I wonder every time almost why these great stories were never created. but I don't have to ask anymore. Big finish have done a stunning job and the result is an instant Doctor Who classic, just as bold and noticeable as the epic Farewell Great Macedon. Big Finish just keeps on getting better and better all the time.
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| SOUND SCENE IMPRESSIVE.... |
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| What: | Phantoms of the Deep (Fourth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 5 July 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This Tom and Mary season just keeps getting better. Still is so brilliant to listen to the delightful Mary. She will be sorely missed now. These stories too just keep getting better and better. Jonathan Morris again has his brilliant fascination with the concept of time, but here we get the deep and the water soundscape of the deep also into the mix. And add to that a real fast paced decent storyline and great performances and we get what we always expect of Big Finish. I first rate adventure that just gets going and doesn't pause for breath. The TARDIS crew of 1978 is so brilliantly evoked so far in this second run of Tom's story for Big Finish. All I cat wait for now is the Fourth Doctor meets the Cybermen again...its been too long since Revenge of the Cybermen. This story really does have an awesome deep sea feel sound scene to it. It makes you feel the claustrophobia palpably. Jonny Morris has just gone and done it again. A corker of a story. And I don't think I need to mention Alice Krige relly do I?
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| Nothing new...well almost... |
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| What: | Regeneration (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 5 July 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Probably many fans will be acquiring this book/dvd set mainly for the early treat of the Tenth Planet, like I did. For this reason alone this set is to be commended. The restoration of this story is in the BBCs usual excellent high standard. The animated episode four those is an unequivocal delight. All the likenesses are there for everyone, but its the brilliant recreation of the Mondas giants that truly grabs the attention. This episode, you can tell, has been lovingly done. There is no fault with this brilliant episode, and it is a must have for any person who calls themselves a fan of the great Doctor. And William Hartnell is clearly unwell, but still manages such a magnificent performance as the great Doctor. He was the man who brought this character to life. And his regeneration scene frankly to me is still the best of all of them. One cant see where he goes and Pat Troughton comes in.
The other stories may well all have been previously released, but there are some great stories in amoungst these. There is the epic The War Games, Pat Troughton's brilliant swansong, in which I believe this fine actor was at his all time best with the exception of his later re-appearance in the Two Doctors with Colin Baker. Theres not many shows that can run for four hours and keep the interest and fast pace that the War Games manages with consummate ease. This is another extremely enjoyable story that has always been one of my top Who tales. There is so much revealed in this story, and so many excellent ideas.
Planet of the Spiders may well not have the best regeneration scene, but it certainly has some classy moments all along the way. Jon Pertwee goes out with one of the most touching regeneration scenes I think. He bows out in amazing style. And Elisabeth Sladen and Nicholas Courtney off course are and will always be fondly remembered for their brilliant roles both now and back then when this story was first put together.
Logopolis as well sees a tremendous bow out for that most recognizable of Doctors, all tooth and curls Tom Baker. Tom had a lot to live up to, being that he was not quite as well known when he took over the role of the Doctor as the previous actors. But boy, he did not disappoint. His tenure boasted so much, so many iconic villians, so many lush scripts and stories and settings. And Logopolis adds a fitting end to 7 extremely impressive years as the Doctor. Tom Baker had some brilliant out of this worldness to him. And the harder science base to this story is also different and engaging. And the regeneration scene is awesomely done.
The Caves of Androzani has often bee cited as one of the all time greats of Doctor Who. And its not hard to see why. There is a level of acting in this serial that even every modern actor would be hard pressed to beat. For a start, peter Davison really gives all his oomph into the role of the Doctor, even though the Doctor isn't actually the centre of the story. But his scenes are immediately attention grabbing. Then we have the supremely excellent Chris Gable as Sharaz Jek. A very good multi-layered character who gets a really decent level of development along the way. Morgus and Salateen and Chellak and Stotz are all portrayals of the worst kinds of villain.
Time and The Rani has always been so badly maligned. But aside from the flimsy regeneration, which could not be avoided due to the shocking treatment of Colin Baker in the role of the Doctor. But this slight wobbly start gives way to me what is a real firm and stolid start to the Seventh Doctor. Sylvester immediately grabs the role with both hands and makes himself noticed. And Kate O'Mara is awesome as the time lady villainess the Rani. And the other effects in this story are of a very strong kind. The spinning spheres of the Rani's traps particularly are of note. And Bonnie Langford is not half as bad as Mel as she's frequently accused of being. She's a real marvel actually in my view.
Paul McGann should have been given a series. Glad Big Finish have had the sense to give him such brilliant chances in the audio series. But desite many of the elements of the Movie being rather weak in my book, Paul is immediately the Doctor. He has a great presence that makes him just as good as any before or after him. And his chemistry with Daphne Ashbrook is clear to see, and they do rise the movie from being totally rather a wash out. And Ric Roberts definitely deserves plaudits for the role of the Master. We at last get a Master who is really nasty and slimy. Just the rest of the storyline is a little forgettable in my view. But Paul certainly is impressive, and still is an amazing Doctor. What I wouldn't give to see him back in the new series some time.
Chris Eccleston and David Tennant and Matt Smith have all been formidable in the reimagining of Doctor Who for these modern times. Just a pity so often this new series for me has failed to hit the mark. The stories, NOT the actors, are what let them down most of the time. But one thing is truly sure, every actor whose been the Doctor so far has been seriously impressive. The guys at the bbc have always chosen well and no man has yet failed in being The Doctor. Chris seriously delivers the hurt broken side of the Doctor after the time war, which makes one feel for him almost all the time. David is really a goliath of a Doctor, and his tenure does boast most of the new series great tales, and he's never boring to watch. Catherine Tate was a serious revelation too. And Bernard Cribbins was so endearing as her Dad. And now Matt Smith is nearing the end of his time as the Doctor, and boy has he been all the Doctors in one so many times. A classy actor who just deserves better story treatment. But his acting class cannot be denied. Thanks to all the Doctors for making this programme what it is today! I thank you very much for Doctor Who is still my favourite show ever. Long may it carry on......
| What: | Prisoners of Fate (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 2 July 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Nissa's subplot comes rushing to a twisting turning, mind bending conclusion. Starting with a traditional plot, with the tardis crew landing on an alien planet with strange forces at work the plot slowly builds revealing glimpses of the cause, with a sudden twist.
The final episode requires a lot of concentration, at times confusing, but still overall an enjoyable story.
| What: | The Lady of Mercia (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 28 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
This time it's Tegan's turn and the lady of Mercia plays well to her strengths.
Big finish has covered the middle or dark ages a couple of times and whilst entertaining the period seems to limit plots to lots of running around.
Whilst there is lots of running around, there are some great scenes and dialog mixed with some comical moments making this an enjoying outing for the gang.
| What: | The Romance of Crime (Missing Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 26 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Embarrassed to admit it but I'd never read any of Gareth Roberts Who books before his recent wonderful adaptation of Shada but since then I've been catching up & this is my favourite so far.
It's not as good as Shada, but then what could ?, but it's not far off.
Gareth gets the 4th Doctor, Romana & K9 perfectly. You can hear the voices in your head, the Doctors humour & bluffing, Romana's aloofness & frustration with her fellow time lord & K9's inscrutable logic & whirring engine.
All the rest of the characters are well rounded & interesting & the story zips along at a cracking pace.
The Ogrons get a nice little back story as well, though my one disappointment with this book I'd that the Ogrons are own the front cover & so the surprise of them suddenly turning up some way into the story has been removed.
That little quibble apart this book I one of the best past doctor books, in any range, I have ever read. Highly reccomended and it can only be hoped that Gareth Roberts gets to write more past Doctor books in the future.
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| Fails to building the original |
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| What: | Eldrad Must Die! (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 21 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Eldrad must die in many ways is a good solid story, but overall fails to build on or take forward the original plot from the 4th Doctor story.
That aside it is still an enjoyable audio in which the doctors companions are put to good work and in typical style one of them is let hanging about a bit.
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| Interesting and well thought out! |
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| What: | Beautiful Chaos (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Nathan Harrison, Basingstoke, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 20 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Beautiful chaos is a great read and is very clever too. There is also an emotional depth to it.
| What: | Shroud of Sorrow (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Nathan Harrison, Basingstoke, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 20 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Shroud of Sorrow is an amazing book which salutes to 50 years of Doctor Who. I highly recommend this book and characterisation is done to a great level!
| What: | The Face of the Enemy (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Sunday 16 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
"The Face of the Enemy" is fairly typical McIntee, high on action, low on probability. Alright, this novel is a deliberate fan wank, designed as such, and so pulls off that questionable job admirably enough. The Doctor and Jo are gone, and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart is left to deal with an alien menace on his own, except that it is not really alien and he doesn't go it alone. Instead, he finds himself recruiting help from Ian and Barbara and the Master. The story itself mixes equal parts of the Sweeney, James Bond, and UFO. I found the inclusion of Ian and Barbara unhelpful, and the story could have proceeded just as well without them. About halfway through, the story shifts focus so that the Master becomes pretty much the protagonist. McIntee writes the Master well enough, getting the Delgado style just right. The plot ticks along nicely, as long as one does not pay too much attention to it, much like its stylistic sources. In general, it is an enjoyable read, if not very deep.
| What: | Robophobia (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I was always thinking that the Voc Roots would be a villain that wouldn't gel with the seventh Doctor, for some reason, but I was glad to be proved so wrong by this brilliant follow on from The Robots of Death, which for me wasn't as good as everyone else says it was, but Robophobia is a brilliant story from start to finish. It takes a neat little twist with the Voc Robots, and the human participants are all colourful and somewhat devious. And add to that the ever brilliant Sylv McCoy and you have a brilliant story. Touch of horror, touch of romance, touch of plain good old sci fi whodunit which outclasses the original in every respect. Or at least it does in my opinion. I also feel too that Sylvester McCoy is the only Doctor who really works well without a companion around him. He's got such a brilliant whimsical but also a streak of ruthlessness and a manipulative side. And this makes for great drama. Nick Briggs has done it again, written a corker of a story!
| What: | Eye of Heaven (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
I read this book a couple of years ago but can't remember anything about it apart from being so dull.
| What: | Superior Beings (BBC Past Doctor novels) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This is fast paced, throughly excting yarn which held my attention for the entire book.
Sometimes in these PDA books, the writers get bogged down in the description of the aliens & there history. It often becomes all sub Tolkien (I'm not a fan) and starts to drift off into fantasy.
This novel keeps the alien baddies very basic but also very interesting.
Been warned. This is a very graphic (violence) novel in places and is probably not for the faint hearted, however if like me your a fan of the Ailen/Ailens films I think you may like this all though having said that its nothing like either !
The Doctor, Peri & the rest of the cast are really well fleshed out and throughly interesting, though like Caves Of Androzani not many of them survive, and I really enjoyed the ending.
A highly reccomended book with a bounus feature of Peri being naked in a couple of scenes, if only it was on film !
| What: | The Curse of Davros (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 12 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This story is one of those types of story that truly has it all, and I will list what it has below:
I, maybe because Im just dumb, never once guessed the twist in this tale. It came as a really freaky and brilliant cliffhanger to part two. Im not going to give too much away but Colin Baker and Terry Molloy seriously impress me at least even if they don't others.
Secondly, Lisa Greenwood is just as awesome, if not better, than Lucie Miller. As Flip she is a ruddy revelation I can tell you. Another in the line of unforgettable brilliant companions to spar off the brilliant Sixth Doctor. I love her infectious drive, Lisa's acting is so ruddy good and really grabs the attention and makes her stand out.
Jonathan Morris really is a great writer, he's woven good sci fi and history together in a satisfying blend that at least for me works so well. Well enough for me to call this story one of the favourites of all time for me in the Big Finish universe.
The daleks again are on fine form, once more voiced by that brilliant stalwart Nick Briggs. The pace never lets up, this tale just zooms like a rocket. An absolutely brilliant entry into the monthly range. All the supporting characters too are noticeable and come over well too. There is nothing not to like in this great adventure....
| What: | The Mind of Evil (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 9 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The colour here is excellent: bright life back for one of my all time favourite Doctor Who stories. Another Don Houghton marvel of a tale, with more adult themes. Roger Delgado perhaps gives his best ever performance as the Master here, and Jon Pertwee is as brilliant as he ever was. The restoration of this story is excellent (Im not going to say its perfect or say that anyone restorers don't do a good job, they can only work with what limited material they have, which I AM well aware of!!!!! Just cant help it if previous releases have been distracting) The Mind of Evil is still one of the very best examples of Doctor Who at the height of its powers. Brilliant action, brilliant acting, and very good production indeed make this story a real real treat.
| What: | Borrowed Time (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Nathan Harrison, Basingstoke, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 8 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
This book was a great read from start to finish with complex ideas and great use of story. The whole concept of wanting to borrow more time with a price that must be paid was genius!
| What: | The Menagerie (Missing Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 7 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
A slow start for a book that starts out to much like Tolkien novel for me (I'm not a fan of Tolkien ) and is quite slow builds into quite a good but very violent ending. This I quite an adult book in many ways. Zoe & Jamie are handled very well and aren't reliant on the Doctor. Not bad, not bad at all.
