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| What: | The Mind of Evil (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 13 September 2012 |
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| Rating: |  10 |
This is such an excellent story and this audio version serves it well, with excellent linking material from Richard Franklin. It's just as exciting on audio, as it is in pictures! Well worth buying, and if you like it - please buy more, so they produce many more of these soundtracks. :)
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 | Not As Good As It Should Have Been |
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| What: | The Cradle of the Snake (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | David Layton, Los Angeles, United States |
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| Date: | Sunday 9 September 2012 |
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| Rating: |  8 |
With a classic TARDIS team in place, it was a good idea to return to some old ground and resolve some old questions. Bringing on board a writer for the TV series, albeit from a little after, would additionally bring the flavor of the original series to the new audio. On one level, this is a success. The four principal actors got along very well in the 1980s and work well together reunited. They are in full form in this third of the first trilogy with them. The script has some interesting ideas. The most interesting is to have the Mara take control of the Doctor this time. It seems logical, given the escalation factor that goes along with these things. Davison is brilliant playing evil, in particular in bringing out the delight the Mara has at causing chaos. We also get the joy of Nyssa's getting taken over, so that Sarah Sutton can play "naughty." She does very well with this, too. Writer Marc Platt also does a very good job of recreating some of the surrealistic touches of the original Mara stories.
There are two major areas where the drama fails to deliver. The first is the character of the snake herder. Vernon Dobtcheff is forced (or maybe chose to) play this with the standard, hokey wise-simple-native accent, unbearably slow delivery, and portentous-sounding voice that just gets irritating. As an American, all I hear is the stereotypical "wise Indian" of bad old western movies. The other failure is in the writing. Platt stays true to Chris Bailey's originals in certain regards, such as that no one dies, but everyone feels threatened. However, the script lacks the rich mythical-literary background that made Bailey's scripts so effective. Platt goes for a more straight Doctor Who approach. To me, anyway, this makes the story less interesting than the originals.
Overall, "The Cradle of the Snake" is a treat for the fan in the listener, allowing the principal actors to give it their best and delivering a classic-style story without too many frills.
| What: | Live 34 (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Patrick Alexander, Bellevue, United States |
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| Date: | Wednesday 22 August 2012 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
I thought this was a good story told in a very interesting way. I loved the style. As for it not being Doctor Who, I would compare it to the new series episode "Blink". That was "not really Doctor Who" in the same way this story is and "Blink" is one of the best Doctor Who episodes EVER (in my opinion.)
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| Ah, the feel of the old times... |
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This would have been one of the stron gest opening stories for a season if it had have made it to the screen all those years ago. Just so glad that now we have yet another lost brilliant story restored to us by the brilliant staff of BFP! Colin Baker as per usual is on brilliant form, and Nicola does her sidekick thing just as well. And its a welcome return from a Doctor Who stalwart in the form of Stephen Thorne, man that guy never loses that frightening and powerful voice of his, from Omega to Eldrad to Max Vilmio to Malador. Hes always the right choice to play those truly really nasty villians that old Doctor Who always had in abundance.
And Graham Cole is back! And this time with a speaking role, in fact two, and one as the role he played way back in the Eighties, the Melkur. A suitably brilliant come back for those creepsville statues with the red lazers...only this time its the genuine article. The lament of the Melkur for a start is highly nasty and well realised, and YUCK. All the elements of this story go together so well, and so yes Jonny Morris has done it again, produced a corker of a story that has the ingredients of old classic Colin Baker but with a sparkling audio edge! Great lost story yet again. One of Colin's strongest so far.
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| Every Dr Who/Archive enthusiasts book |
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| What: | Wiped! (Miscellaneous factual books) |
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| By: | Andrew Walmsley, Blackpool, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 15 August 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This is the most comprehensive book i have ever read on the subject if archive TV material, and not only goes into detail of how and why the episodes were junked, but is an insight into how TV programmes are archived in general and the processes involved in there storage and retrieval from damaged material for future generations to enjoy.
It is a detective story and so much more and i cannot praise Richard for this book highly enough.
| What: | The Unfolding Text (Miscellaneous factual books) |
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| By: | Sebastian Perry, Chattanooga, United States |
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| Date: | Friday 3 August 2012 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
...While this book indeed delves into the creation of Doctor Who, it serves more as an introduction into British science fiction television production, technique and marketing strategies.
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| A brilliant return from Geoffery Beevers |
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| What: | Trail of the White Worm (Fourth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 30 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
I have immensely enjoyed these Tom Baker adventures. They have really been great, all the stories very different in style but all true to the feel of the Tom Baker era of the show. And with Louise Jameson in on the brilliant work, then its little wonder this first series of Fourth Doctor stories works so well.
(Looking forward to listening to the next series, though it is very saddening to hear of the passing of Mary Tamm, such a brilliant actress and always one of my favourite companions on the TV show, even if it were for just a single season. She was fantastic and brought a charm to the role of Romana that I feel overall Lalla Ward failed to keep up)
Tom Baker leads a very assured cast in what is basically a four part story. And like the other stories before it Tom baker's doctor comes to life, despite Tom's obvious age. He is still that great great unpredictable whimiscal Doctor, and these stories have been a trove of gems of dialogue for his Doctor. The Fourth Doctor is captured so very indeed.
Maybe the only sore point with this story is Leela. I feel that with all her instincts she should have known she was being led to someone bad in the Master, and yet appears not to know very much at all which is at odds with many stories before. But aside from this minor quibble, this story plods along extremely well indeed. Michael Cochrane in particular impresses as yet another psychotic Colonel, a role he seems always fated to act brilliantly.
The white worm too is well realised, and I cant wait to get the last story and find out what happens for all involved as the Doctor and Leela look to see what happens when the infamous brilliant Kraals turn up for the grand finale!
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| Not perfect, but enjoyable |
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| What: | The Juggernauts (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 30 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Big Finish here do what the old series used to do rather often, display whats in the story on the cover and so destroy any wonderings as to who Professor Vasso really is, so all sense of mystery that could have been presented in dissappointingly gone.
Terry Molloy though steals the show, as does also a far better version of Melanie Bush, who came over as the in tune with the theme tune screamer whilst on screen for her far too short tenure. (Whats more, Im so very glad to see at last that after some years Bonnie's going to be back to do a new audio story at last!) Terry gives his usual excellent performance as Davros, and is really sick in this one.
The voice of the Mechanoids are so very well realised, and sound just like they did back in the Chase all those years ago on the old series of the series. And they square off well against the daleks who are the usual stupid tin boxes they always were on TV.
Yet the story is not quite as brilliant as it could have been. Some of the supporting cast are quite good, and some really match up to Colin, Bonnie and Terry. But the last scene where Mel leaves that music box on the dalek ship is a very touching moment. But still sometimes this tale does seem to drag, but it is still far better than anything on the new series at the moment.
Although the human flesh used in the mechanoids adds the ghoulish feel of Colin's first season on TV to this audio. And I love the twist of Mel's back up plan and her anger at Davros's callous behaviour. Really makes you see how Good Bonnie Langford is!
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| Loved This Story Troughton returns |
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| What: | Fear of the Daleks (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Andrew Shaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 24 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I just started listening to these stories a couple of weeks ago as I thought i wouldnt like them, but I was very pleased I took the time to listen, This story is great for me because I loved watching The 2nd Doctor episodes and I know theres not a lot, but she brought him back and you could imagine all of them there getting up to there antics and then theres The Daleks, it is a great story in my mind, and the confusion she faces as remembering them and wondering how she could do so as she says she didnt meet them obviously a side effect of The Timelords sending her and Jamie back at the end of the 2nd Doctor's run, my favourite in these stories so far, Great Story and Great Characters Wendy Padbury tells this well (The Doctor, Zoe & Jamie) Remembered....
| What: | The Blue Tooth (The Companion Chronicles audiobooks) |
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| By: | Andrew Shaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 24 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
I just have gotten into the Companion Chronicles because before I thought I only want stories with the Doctor in but these ar actually good and through their stories you can imagine the Doctor doing what there saying, But I love the Cybermen (Classic Style) any 60's-80's, and I knew straight away about the Cybermats but i was expecting a Mutated Cyberman with blue Fangs when it started, but finding out what is really happening is great I really enjoyed this, and Thought there was going to be a Cyber Invasion and at some point I thought the Cyberman in the chair was The Cyber controller, but great twist I will be starting to buy more of these.
| What: | The Dalek Painting Book (Miscellaneous activity books) |
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| By: | russell britain, solihull, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 18 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I had this book when I was a child. To my recollection the artwork was to a very high standard. The book featured some cardboard stencils of Daleks as well as pages to colour. My sttrongest memeory was of pictures of the Daleks on hover platforms. I recall there being a storyline to thepictures about a Dalek attack on a research base I think on a planet other than Earth.
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| Sowing the seeds for the future |
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| What: | The Butcher of Brisbane (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I was nervous at first knowing this story's links to Tom Bakers past and perhaps best loved story. But this quickly becomes a powerfull and well constructed story. Tegan & Nissa are given real room to develop in an atmospheric plot, which builds and builds.
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| Stupidly named aliens but good story |
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| What: | The Jupiter Conjunction (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
Starting off in classic who style: wrongly accused, mystery and twists which all adds up to a strong open. The second half isn't as strong but is held up by some strong acting and development of the cast.
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| Tiger tiger burning bright |
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| What: | The Emerald Tiger (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Emerald tiger carries you quickly into imperial India, the crew of the tardis all delivering strong performance. The strange hidden world is strong but Tarzan lets it down.
| What: | Wirrn Isle (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
There is a lot of buzz around Nerva station at the moment, perhaps hoping to capture the historic success of Tom Baker in the 70s. Well this does it in style: atmosphere, strong cast, playing on human nature all comes together in an excellent story. Flip continues to be a great new addition with Colin.
| What: | The Fourth Wall (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
We all love reality TV don't we, this gives a great look at the future in a tongue in cheek way. The doctors new companion continues to stand out as a strong partner. Colin Baker as every is excellent.
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| A clone by any other name |
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| What: | The Curse of Davros (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
A new companion, old enemies always a good mix. This is a fast paced and at times gritty story, the new companion is strong and has some good lines. The twist is great, but I won't give it away as makes the story.
| What: | Army of Death (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Lots of running around between two cities who are trying to wipe each other out isn't oringal but is great fun. This is classic who, but with the undead is cool.
| What: | The Witch from the Well (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
A clever plot mixing time travel with gothic horror into a delisious story. The screech of the witch sends a shiver down your spin and nothing is what it seems.
| What: | The Silver Turk (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 14 July 2012 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
I'm not sure how many more ways we can find for cybermen to be found in bits and pieces trying to come back. Starting well, this feels like two stories in one, the first half good, the second no so, but as ever the strong cast keep it going.
