Monday 20 October 2014

My first 100 Doctor Who audio plays

I've now listened to one hundred Big Finish audios (well, 101 if we include Treasure Island) and wanted to summarise here.

TOP 3 PAUL McGANN
3. The Natural History of Fear by Jim Mortimore

I didn't know this one was so good until the end of episode 4. Structurally, not thematically, Doctor Who's The Sixth Sense.

2. The Chimes of Midnight by Robert Shearman

This one feels more like the aforementioned movie but it's even cleverer. The repetition is insidious. Another structurally outstanding one. (NB can't believe Shearman's Scherzo was beaten into fourth place!)

1. Seasons of Fear by Paul Cornell and Caroline Symcox

I came to this one ignorant and thoroughly enjoyed it. Like The Chase done well, but without Daleks. (Actually, no Daleks anywhere on this list!)

TOP 3 SYLVESTER McCOY
3. Dust Breeding by Mike Tucker

I mainly enjoyed this one for a certain guest star, plus realising how much I enjoy listening to Sylvester McCoy.

2. Bang-Bang-a-Boom by Gareth Roberts and Clayton Hickman 

I enjoyed The One Doctor very much, then this trumped it with its knowing parodies, false ending and spoon playing.

1. Master by Joseph Lidster

Nothing you're expecting, but all the better for it. Also, Philip Madoc.

TOP 3 COLIN BAKER
3. The First Sontarans by Andrew Smith

You expect an origin story, but Andrew takes a totally different angle on that idea. Much better than The Two Doctors.

2. Davros by Lance Parkin

The wonderful Terry Molloy carries this play with no need for Daleks.

1. The Holy Terror by Robert Shearman

Still probably my favourite play overall - funny, irreverent, shocking, very clever, daring and bonkers.

TOP 3 PETER DAVISON
3. The Game by Darin Henry

Something of a surprise as it looked thoroughly unengaging. But one of several Fifth Doctor plays to get a boost from a terrific Peter Davison performance.

2. The Kingmaker by Nev Fountain

This might become a favourite after another listen. Irreverent medieval humour with Arthur Smith, Richard III and a special guest. The bravura final episode deserves applause.

1. Omega by Nev Fountain

Entertaining and interesting throughout ... And then a cliffhanger turns everything upside down in a spectacular manner. Nev Fountain is now a name that makes me anticipate a play keenly.

TOP 1 TOM BAKER
1. Destination: Nerva by Nicholas Briggs

I've only listened to one of these. I liked it, but perhaps more for a spot- on Tom and Louise than its script. Why is it on Nerva anyway?

TOP 3 OTHERS
3. The Coup by Simon Guerrier (UNIT)

I know it's only short, but it served as a great curtain raiser for what would be an underwhelming franchise. I like the twist and Nick Courtney is better used here than in its sequel.

2. The Mahogany Murderers by Andy Lane  (Companion Chronicle)

I have yet to listen to any of the Jago & Litefoot adventures, but if this is anything to go by, that's a treat to come. The story is fine, but secondary to the telling.

1. Sympathy for the Devil by Jonathan Clements (Unbound)

My favourite by far of the Unbound plays, pairing an alt-exiled Doctor with an embittered Brig who once blew up London. And then there's Sam Kisgart.

Loads of great stories there...loads to come too.

Sunday 5 October 2014

The 2014 season: half-time score

Because I don't want to say much about Kill The Moon, to avoid spoilers, I decided instead to write a blog about the entire season so far. We're halfway through – in fact, more than halfway through – so, what do I think of Peter Capaldi's first season so far?

(Note: I am writing this without having re-watched any of the episodes. First impressions only.)

1. The 12th Doctor himself is growing on me over the course of the season. As he should be. He seemed very uncertain about the role to begin with, but possibly that was intentional. He remains irascible and grumpy, but in The Caretaker, despite this, he was far more likeable than in Robot of Sherwood. For me, his finest moment today… Will be something I come to later.

2. Clara is much, much better this year. As she becomes more Northern, she develops more personality. She also gets loads to do.

3. I like Danny Pink (but harbour theories about where the arc might take us) and Courtney was surprisingly good too.

4. I am intrigued about Missy.

5. Unsure why we have to spend so much time at Waterloo Road...sorry, Coal Hill. I hope the next companion actually travels with the Doctor.

6. Moffat is, I believe, trying hard to counteract accusations of misogyny. He's being more or less successful with some slips: Kill The Moon (OK, he didn't write it) aces the infamous Bechdel test and is the first episode this year to realise the Doctor doesn't have to insult Clara's appearance to prove he doesn't fancy her.

7. Proper scares: especially Listen and this week's spider things.

8. Time Heist is more fun than Who's been since, ooh, The Unicorn and the Wasp? Speaking of which, The Caretaker equals The Lodger in terms of quality.

SOME SPOILERS BELOW

9. The argument between Clara and the Doctor yesterday is one of the best moments yet and Capaldi's face when he sees he's pushed her too far is his highlight thus far. My first reference point was Resurrection of the Daleks, but really it's episode 4 of The Massacre. This is how Peri should've left.

10. Listen upends Who mythology like The Doctor's Wife before it. Nothing has actually changed since, so it gets away with it. 

11. Although I remain on the fence about the season's earliest episodes, I'm saying this year we haven't had a duffer yet. That's already more hits than series 7 managed.

So, on the whole - bravo.