Review-Doctor Who: Grey man of the mountain

Something haunts the peak of Ben MacDui.
Something with heavy footsteps, striking terror in the hearts of those who sense it. With climbers going missing, retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart visits Scotland to investigate.
But when some old friends join his ascent, he worries that they will make things even more dangerous. As the snows blow in, and mists surround them, the Doctor, Ace and the Brigadier will face the Grey Man of the Mountain…


This year’s Christmas offer from Big Finish is a pretty strong release, it’s more subtle than last year’s ‘Blood on Santa’s Claw and Other Stories’. Written by Verity’s Lizabeth Myles, it teams The Brigadier up with The Seventh Doctor and Ace. Jon Culshaw plays the role exceptionally well. He’s so pitch-perfect that, if you didn’t know this wasn’t Nicholas Courtney, you wouldn’t know this wasn’t Nicholas Courtney.




McCoy and Aldred are on top form as always. The setting and environment make for a tense and unnerving experience. The audio is so vivid, I could see the action playing out in my mind’s eye. This felt like a Seventh Doctor/Ace era storyline. The audio even plays around with Ace’s sexuality, by maybe possibly giving her a love interest with Lucy Goldie’s vlogger character. The pair of have such natural chemistry.
There are a few niggles though. Vivien Read slightly overplays the landlady. It’s like she’s in completely different story-at times she reminded me of David Walliams’ Scottish riddler from Little Britain.
The audio also overruns by about 30 minutes. This, plus a sizeable guest cast makes material thin on the ground, I found myself starting to drift a bit towards the end.


Those nitpick’s aside, Grey man of the mountain is an immersive, atmospheric and underplayed Christmas special. Which takes full advantage of its setting, cast and the medium of telling a story for audio.

⭐⭐⭐

Doctor Who: Grey man of the mountain is available to purchase directly from Big Finish



Episode 239: The War Master: Hearts of Darkness

Martyn is joined by Dominic G Martin AKA Who Chaser.

The Duo discusses the fifth series in The War Doctor range, by Big Finish Productions. (there are some spoilers). They also talk about Dominic’s love for cosplay, his fan audios and, YouTube channel.

The War Master is a character played by Sir Derek Jacobi, that originated in the TV series Doctor Who.

The War Master: Hearts of Darkness is available to purchase directly from Big Finish.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to Spotify, Amazon Music, PodchaserPlayer FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

We also have a Smartlink.



Equipment used in the creation of this feature was purchased through a grant from Graeae and The Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

If you’d like to support the show, then please shop via our Amazon link. A small percentage goes our way, at no extra cost to you.

Chris is taking part in Movember if you’d like to donate you can do so here.

Check out our Youtube, We Sound Familiar and, Comedians talking football.

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Episode 231:Big Finish-Doctor Who: Out of time

In which Martyn, Sam, and Chris discuss ‘Out of time’ the latest Doctor Who release from Big Finish.

Out of Time 1 stars David Tennant and Tom Baker. It was written by Matt Fitton and directed by Nicholas Briggs.

Read Martyn’s written review here.



The Big Finish Chris appears on can be bought here.

Check out Chris’ adaptation of Sleuth here.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to;

Podchaser, Player FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

If you’d like to support the show, then please shop via our Amazon link. A small percentage goes our way, at no extra cost to you.

Check out our Youtube.

Check out We Sound Familiar.

Check out Comedians talking football.

Twitter:

Martyn – @BadWilf

Gerrod –@InGerrodsMind

Pete – @BeeblePete

Sam-@Sammichaelcomic

Chris-@ChrisWalkerT

Doctor Who: Out of Time 1 is now available from the Big Finish website.



Review-Doctor Who: Out of time

Covid 19 has been an utter horror, but it has given Doctor Who fans content we wouldn’t have gotten without it. Not only did we get a Sarah Jane Smith finale written by Russell T Davies, we also got the news that Christopher Eccleston has signed up to Big Finish.

It also enabled Big Finish to bring forward their release of Out of time 1. This was recorded entirely in lockdown and only happened because the events of this year cleared out David Tennant’s insane schedule.

Out of Time is the first, in a trilogy of original audio adventures that sees the Tenth Doctor pit himself against his most iconic foes, with a former Doctor by his side. In this story he’s joined by The Fourth Doctor, played by the legendary Tom Baker.



Multi-Doctor stories are nothing new, but this is the first time these two incarnations have met and it’s absolutely joyous. There’s the standard bickering we get when two Doctors meet, however there’s more love and mutual respect between these two.

Writer Matt Fitton perfectly manages to balance the tonal difference between two entirely different eras of the show. Ten and Four bounce of each other spectacularly well. Both lead actors absolutely soar in their respective roles.

Howard Carter’s music perfectly compliments the drama, punctuating the actors performances. The supporting cast are all on top form and Nicholas Briggs takes on a dual role as actor and director, he does both with absolute vigour. This is clearly a passion project for all involved, a love letter to Doctor Who and its fans.

Out of time may well be the best multi-Doctor story yet. I can’t wait for the second and third instalments.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cast:

Listen to our podcast discussion about ‘Out of time’ here.

Doctor Who: Out of Time 1 is now available from the Big Finish website.

Big Finish review-Torchwood Soho Parasite

Since he was first introduced in 2016’s Ghost Mission, Norton Folgate (Samuel Barnett) has popped up in several Torchwood audios. His self-serving ways fast cemented him as a fan-favourite. So much so, it’s difficult to imagine the Torchwood cast without him.

In Torchwood Soho: Parasite, we catch up with Norton, as he investigates strange happenings in post-war London. There’re Nazi packages, a man who should be dead, a time-traveling pub and, Torchwood fan-favourite Sergeant Andy Davidson (Tom Price).

Writer James Goss blows me away, with each release. This is no exception. What’s interesting about this box set, is it’s comprised of six half-hour episodes. I loved this format and I hope it stays. It enables the story to be lean and flow at an incredible pace, there’s no filler here.

The story has a non-linear format, but thanks to Scott Handock’s smooth direction, you’re never lost. You know exactly where every character is and their motivations are always clear.



What can be said about Samuel Barnett and Tom Price at this point? They have such great natural chemistry, Norton and Andy are the perfect Big Finish odd-couple. It’s always a joy to hear them interact.

Rounding off the team are Torchwood new-comers, Dervla Kirwan and Joe Shire. Kirwan instantly shines as Lizabeth Hayhoe, she makes the role her own and establishes the character as a force to be reckoned with. Shire is equally charming as Gideon Lyme, a journalist, and love-interest of Norton. There’s also Belle Epoque (Franchi Webb), the immortal landlady of ‘The Stagnant Pond’ pub. All three characters are brilliant for Torchwood, I hope we see them again.

All-in-all, Torchwood Soho: Parasite is a strong release. Highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cast:

Torchwood-Soho: Parasite is available to purchase directly from Big Finish.



Big Finish review-Torchwood: Red Base

Mars may be the next giant leap for mankind, but Starr Base is the first small step. This practice Mars base, located in a quarry in Neath just off the A474, is designed to test humanity’s ability to survive on the red planet. Unfortunately, the crew members are dying and the remaining survivors are terrified, paranoid, and questioning whether something alien has infiltrated Starr Base. To investigate, Sgt. Andy Davidson has been dispatched to determine what has gone wrong.

Torchwood: Red Base, a murder mystery by the talented James Goss, is difficult to review without spoilers. It is a whodunit loosely based on the reality show Eden, which followed 23 participants attempting to build a self-sufficient community in a remote part of Scotland for a year. Unknown to them, broadcasting ceased after only four episodes due to poor ratings.

The Torchwood range has become a personal favourite, and releases like Red Base cement my belief that Torchwood on Big Finish is at its best. James Goss delivers a solid mystery that pays homage to classic whodunits while also providing an original twist. Lisa Bowerman’s direction is as polished as ever, and Blair Mowat’s music is perfectly complemented by Joe Meiners’ sound design.

Tom Price delivers an outstanding performance as Sgt. Andy Davidson, brings humour, empathy, and understanding to the character. It’s been a joy to see Andy evolve over the years and continue to be a fan favourite.

Torchwood: Red Base is now available to own as a collector’s edition CD at £10.99 or on download from the Big Finish website for £8.99.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Episode 228: Susan’s War (Big Finish).

Martyn takes 30mins out of relocating Bad Wilf Towers, to record a quick podcast with Richard from Megan and her poncho boys to discuss the Big Finish audio ‘Susan’s War‘.

Gallifrey needs every Time Lord to fight the Time War. A summons has been issued across the universe to its prodigals. Whatever their skills, the war effort can use them.

Susan’s call-up papers have arrived, and, unlike her grandfather, she is willing to join her people’s battle and finally return home.

Because Susan knows the Daleks, and she will do her duty…

Susan’s War is available to purchase directly from Big Finish.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to;

Podchaser, Player FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

Follow Richard on Twitter @RickyOrr

If you’d like to support the show, then please shop via our Amazon link. A small percentage goes our way, at no extra cost to you.

Listen to Chris’ Second Doctor audio adventures.

Check out our Youtube.

Check out We Sound Familiar.

Check out Comedians talking football.

 

Twitter:

Martyn – @BadWilf

Gerrod –@InGerrodsMind

Pete – @BeeblePete

Sam-@Sammichaelcomic

Chris-@ChrisWalkerT

 

 

Big Finish review-Torchwood: The Sins of Captain John

The Sins of Captain John is a Torchwood release that boasts a fun and engaging four-episode story arc written by David Llewellyn. From zombies in Restoration London to the gates of Hell crashing a funeral, James Marsters as Captain John Hart leads the audience on a wild, unpredictable ride. This release is not suitable for younger listeners due to its adult themes and language.

James Marsters truly shines in his portrayal of the swashbuckling Captain John, and it’s clear that he has a great deal of affection for the character. He breaks the fourth wall with ease, creating a connection with the audience akin to that of the Whoniverse’s answer to Deadpool. Even the director gets in on the fun in a moment where Captain John laments not being able to hear the theme song. It’s an incredible performance by James Marsters as Captain John Hart. Marsters delivers an absolutely stellar performance, showcasing his versatility as an actor and his ability to portray a wide range of emotions. He has the ability to convey the complex emotions of his character. Captain John is a complex character, and Marsters does an excellent job of portraying his many facets. He can be charming and witty one moment, and then cruel and ruthless the next. It’s a testament to Marsters’ skill as an actor that he is able to make all of these aspects of Captain John feel so believable. It’s evident that Marsters has a deep affection for the character, and he seems to relish every moment of his time as Captain John.

One of the things that makes Marsters’ portrayal of Captain John so enjoyable is his ability to break the fourth wall effortlessly. He talks directly to the audience, often making fun of his own situation and poking fun at the other characters. This creates a unique connection between Captain John and the audience, and it makes the listening experience all the more enjoyable.

David Llewellyn’s script is both fast-paced and funny, and Scott Handcock’s direction expertly matches the tone of the story. The supporting cast is also incredibly talented, each giving a memorable performance without outshining Captain John.

Overall, The Sins of Captain John is an excellent addition to the Torchwood canon, and fans of the show will undoubtedly enjoy this latest instalment. It’s been 12 years since we first met the character, and it’s great to hear James Marsters back in the role, leading us on his own adventures. The only thing left to say is, to roll on to Volume 2!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Big Finish review-Torchwood: Fortitude

Fortitude is a remarkable example of small-scale storytelling. Despite its limited cast and singular setting, writer James Goss has crafted an engrossing and atmospheric tale that blends character-driven drama with suspenseful action. From the moment Queen Victoria and Maharaja Duleep Singh find themselves stranded on a storm-battered fort, the audience is drawn into a world where sinister forces are at work. As the tension mounts and the characters encounter ghosts and a menacing alien force, the stakes are raised to a fever pitch.

The strength of Fortitude lies in its characterisations. Paul Bazely’s portrayal of Duleep Singh is particularly noteworthy, capturing the intense emotions of a man who has lost everything. Rowena Cooper’s performance as Queen Victoria is equally impressive, portraying a monarch who is both cunning and ruthless. Even the supporting character of Colonel Crackenthorpe, played by Mark Elstob, is given significant depth and nuance. As the story unfolds, the audience learns more about his motivations and past, adding to the complexity of the overall narrative.

Like many Torchwood stories, Fortitude explores dark themes and contains mature content. However, unlike some of the more gratuitous entries in the series, the adult material in Fortitude serves a purpose, highlighting the complex relationships and moral dilemmas at play.

Overall, Fortitude is a triumph of storytelling, with an excellent script, first-rate performances, and haunting sound design. It is one of the best Torchwood audios to date, offering an adventure that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, science fiction, and captivating storytelling.

Torchwood: Fortitude is available to buy directly from Big Finish.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review-Torchwood: Dead man’s switch

One of the most intriguing characters from Torchwood on TV was Bilis Manger, the creepy time traveller portrayed by Murray Melvin. While his potential was never fully realised on the show, Big Finish has once again demonstrated their talent for taking supporting characters and making them shine in this latest production. In Dead Man’s Switch, Bilis is at his best and most sinister.

The story begins with three strangers – an antique dealer, a property developer, and a heartbroken hairdresser – sitting on a train going nowhere. They are soon joined by the enigmatic Bilis, who has a chilling message for them: he wants to tell them how they died.

As with many Big Finish audios, Dead Man’s Switch is a departure from the usual Torchwood fare.

The three guest actors are perfectly cast, but it is Murray Melvin who truly steals the show with his masterful portrayal of Bilis Manger. His gravitas and otherworldly aura are palpable, making his return in future productions eagerly anticipated.

One of the standout features of Dead Man’s Switch is David Llewellyn’s exceptional script. His talent for crafting multi-layered characters and intricate plots is on full display in this production, and he takes full advantage of the audio medium to create a palpable sense of dread and tension throughout.

The dialogue is sharp and evocative, capturing the distinct voices and personalities of each character. The pacing is masterful, with the story slowly building towards its gruesome conclusion. Llewellyn’s attention to detail and willingness to take risks make Dead Man’s Switch one of the most memorable Torchwood audios to date.

Overall, Dead Man’s Switch is a testament to the power of great writing in audio drama. It showcases the incredible potential of the medium to tell gripping stories and immerse listeners in terrifying new worlds.

⭐⭐⭐⭐