Category: Big Finish Reviews

Big Finish review-The Diary of River Song 4

In The Diary of River Song Series 4, River Song finally encounters the legendary Fourth Doctor, after her adventures with the eighth, seventh, and sixth Doctors. Emma Reeves and Matt Fitton’s Time in a Bottle presents a fascinating story concept of a place in space where time has vanished. However, the story’s potential is limited by the box set format, which would have benefited from a longer runtime. Nevertheless, the story serves as a solid introductory adventure that introduces the main villain and pits River against her intellectual rival, showcasing her Doctor-like qualities. It’s a good old-fashioned pulp adventure with a James Bond-esque feel and receives a rating of 7/10.

Kings of Infinite Space is the strongest story in the set, featuring a well-paced, paradoxical, and fun adventure with action, humor, and great use of the vortex manipulator and time travel locations. Alex Kingston and the rest of the cast are on top form, making it feel like a Moffat-era Doctor Who story. It’s highly entertaining and rewards repeat listening, earning a rating of 8/10.

Whodunnit is an interesting story with thought-provoking philosophical discussions, well-rounded characters, and good pacing. However, it doesn’t quite fit in this box set, and given more time to explore the premise, it could have been great. It’s still an enjoyable listen with a fun take on murder mystery cliches, rating a 7/10.

The season finale, Someone I Once Knew, delivers an exciting and unexpected spin on the River/Doctor dynamic. John Dorney’s writing subverts expectations, and the chemistry between Tom Baker and Alex Kingston is natural and brilliant. It’s a promising pairing that fans will hope to see more of in the future, rating a 7/10.

Overall, Series 4 of The Diary of River Song successfully combines the unique styles of the Steven Moffat era and Big Finish originality. While not every story works perfectly and some suffer from prequel limitations, the set is an absolute joy to listen to and leaves listeners eager for Series 5.

Big Finish Review-Torchwood: Deadbeat Escape

On a stormy and ominous evening, Hywel Roberts unwittingly steps into a world of terror and danger at a peculiar hotel, where a familiar foe of Torchwood lurks in wait. As the curtains close on the latest series of Torchwood audios, we are left with a collection of exceptional tales that have kept us on the edge of our seats.

In this monthly range, Big Finish has taken a bold step by focusing on a series antagonist, Bilis Manger, and allowing the character to take centre stage without the interference of the Torchwood team. It’s a testament to the confidence that Big Finish has in the Torchwood range and the writers’ ability to create gripping stories.

In “Deadbeat Escape,” we are treated to a spine-chilling tale that could easily fit into a ghostly anthology or Hammer horror film. It’s a departure from the usual Torchwood fare, as we are transported to a more traditional spooky story that doesn’t rely on jokes or pop culture references.

The story is told from the perspective of Hywel Roberts, a relatable and charming new character who unwittingly checks into the eerie hotel. We know from the start that his fate is sealed, which adds to the tension and elevates the stakes of the story.

Murray Melvin as Bilis Manger is as mysterious, charming, and menacing as ever, and Gareth Pierce delivers a standout performance as Hywel Roberts. Despite the absence of the regular Torchwood team, “Deadbeat Escape” still manages to embody the emotive and eerie narrative that we have come to associate with the series.

Deadbeat Escape is a perfect ending to the latest series of Torchwood audios. The exceptional writing and performances leave a lasting impression and cement the series’ place as a master of horror storytelling.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review-Callan volume 1

Callan was a hard-hitting spy drama that followed its hero, played by Edward Woodward, in his missions for “The Section”, a covert government department that dealt with enemies of the state using the most ruthless methods. It ran on ITV for four series between 1967 and 1972 and spawned both a movie and an 80s TV special.

Callan, a natural dead-shot, had a tumultuous past – both military and criminal – and frequently defied his superiors with a great line in sarcasm and a tendency to feel guilty for his victims.
A relationship with Lonely, a petty thief who was frequently lured into his exploits, brought some light comic relief to a show that may have been unrelentingly gloomy otherwise.

Ben Miles takes the lead in the new rendition, with Frank Skinner playing Lonely.
Section boss Hunter and his secretary Liz are played by Nicholas Briggs and Jane Slavin, respectively.

Big Finish has assembled an exceptional cast: Ben Miles as the abrasive Callan, who is tough but not without sympathy, and Frank Skinner as the down on his luck, Loney absolutely shine in this. The duo has a great connection and natural chemistry, which oozes out of the production. Skinner may be the least experienced actor in the audio, but he holds his own with the rest of the cast. I found myself missing him when he wasn’t around.


Liz, played by Jane Slavin, provides some much-needed warmth as well as a gleam of hope for Callan. Nicholas Briggs impresses as the unyielding boss, Hunter.

I wasn’t aware of the TV series before this, but I still found this a compelling drama. Like with their Survivors range, Big Finish has crafted an audioplay that will appeal to fans of the original, whilst also not alienating newcomers.

Big Finish review-The Siege of Big Ben

Jackie Tyler has everything she’s ever wanted: a loving husband and two children. But a terrible, far-reaching plan is underway, and only Jackie and a single friend stand in the way of it.

But the Doctor isn’t the man he was…

The Siege of Big Ben is a highly anticipated release. Ever since we left the Tylers and the meta-crisis tenth Doctor at the end of series 4, (10 years ago!) fans have wondered what happened next. Thankfully, Big Finish has given us some answers with this release.

This can’t have been an easy thing to write. Not only did Joe Lidster have to tell a gripping story that lives up to the fans expectations. He had to re-introduce us to the parallel Earth, or “Pete’s world”.

A base under siege scenario is a stablemate for Doctor Who. But Lidster manages to beautifully subvert what could be a repetitive format and turn it into a glorious character piece.

The script draws parallels between The Doctor being more human, and the human, being more like The Doctor we know and love. Having Jackie be the most Doctor-like character in the story adds an interesting dynamic.

The script is sharp, the direction is smooth and David Roocroft’s sound design is inspired. All in all, The Siege of Big Ben is a story about love, loss and the difficulties that come with moving on. You feel all of these things whilst listening. Camille Coduri oozes charm and instantly reminds you, why we all love Jackie Tyler.

This world is waiting for further exploration and I hope, this leads to some full-cast adventures.

10/10.

Check out our other Big Finish reviews.

Big Finish review-Torchwood: Goodbye Piccadilly

Sgt Andy Davidson wakes up in the 1950s. He’s chained to a bed, his clothes are missing and the building’s on fire. Norton Folgate needs his help. The streets of Soho are swarming with gangsters, rumours and betrayals. Somewhere out there is a mysterious alien artefact, and Andy and Norton have to get to it first. Because tonight they’re going to save Torchwood.

I’ve been looking forward to another adventure with Andy and Norton, since last year’s Ghost Mission. There’s just something about this pairing that works so well. Norton Folgate, played brilliantly by Samuel Barnett, is a welcome addition to the Torchwood range. His witty and flamboyant personality is the perfect foil for Andy’s more serious demeanor.

Goodbye Piccadilly is absolutely gripping, from start to finish, the script is sensational.

The direction is smooth, the sound design is flawless. Tom Price gives another fantastic performance as Andy Davidson, capturing the character’s determination and vulnerability. His chemistry with Samuel Barnett is electric, and their banter is a joy to listen to.

What’s great about this audio, is that all of the London events-bar the alien invasion and the time travel, are real. James Goss took his research for this story extremely seriously, he looked at books such as ‘hidden London’ for inspiration and it shows. The life drawing class, the police raids and, gay men being hosed down are all things that actually happened in the 1950’s.

Big Finish has once again proved that Torchwood Big Finish, is Torchwood at its best. Goodbye Piccadilly is a must-listen for any Torchwood fan. Just remember, Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners.

REVIEW: BIG FINISH: JENNY — THE DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER

She’s got planets to save, civilisations to rescue, creatures, to defeat… and an awful lot of running to do!

It’s difficult to believe the character of Jenny debuted in Doctor Who 10 years ago. Since then fans have wondered whatever happened to The Doctor’s daughter?

The character was rife for further exploration and it’s amazing the BBC never thought to bring her back.

Thankfully, we have Big Finish. They’ve taken the character and given her a range of her own.

The scripts are sharp, funny and perfectly honed. A lot of work and love has clearly gone into this box set. The stories are kinetic and full of real-world allegories; which in lesser hands could’ve come across as clunky.

Georgia Tennant and Sean Biggerstaff have instant chemistry as Jenny and Noah. A personal highlight is they allow Jenny to be fun. She makes jokes, which work well and relieves tension in scenes. The mystery surrounding Noah is intriguing and you finish the audios with even more questions about him.

Big Finish has done it again. The Doctor’s daughter is fantastic, a breath of fresh air. The theme music is epic. familiar but different. It perfectly encapsulates the Doctor’s nature in Jenny. The stories and the cast are engaging. The sound design is flawless.

Jenny-The Doctor’s daughter is firing on all cylinders. A perfect synergy between cast and crew. I’m practically begging for series 2.

Written By: Matt Fitton, John Dorney, Christian Brassington, Adrian Poynton

Directed By: Barnaby Edwards

Cast

Georgia Tennant (Jenny), Sean Biggerstaff (Noah), Siân Phillips (COLT-5000), Stuart Milligan (Garundel), Sarah Woodward (Vesh Taralesh), Clare Corbett (Lukaku), Arabella Weir (Angie Glazebrook), Silas Carson (Ood Leader), Rosalyn Landor (Vanessa Elledge), Olivia Darnley (Emily Cole), John Dorney (John Macguire), Pik-Sen Lim (Old Woman), Arina II (Shoon-Wei), Sara Houghton (Alitta), Paul Courtenay Hyu (Po), Adèle Anderson (Dreyda), Anthony Calf (Cal). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Producer: David Richardson
Associate Producer: Georgia Tennant
Script Editor: John Dorney, Matt Fitton
Executive Producers: Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs

Big Finish review-Torchwood: We always get out alive

In “We always get out alive,” Gwen Cooper and Rhys Williams are faced with a cataclysmic event and must flee as fast as they can. As Torchwood operatives, they’re no strangers to danger and uncertainty, but this time there’s something else in the car with them, heightening the tension and suspense.

The audio production is a testament to the perfect synergy between writer Guy Adams and director Scott Handcock. While the premise of two characters sitting in a car for 98% of the audio may sound dull, Adams and Handcock have crafted an imaginative and captivating story that is both epic and intimate in scope.

Through the course of the audio, we gain deeper insight into the personal lives of Gwen and Rhys, and their struggles to balance their duties as Torchwood operatives with their responsibilities as parents. The natural chemistry between actors Eve Myles and Kai Owen shines through, adding to the authenticity and emotional resonance of the story.

Adams skillfully uses the audio format to his advantage, leveraging the constrictive nature of the car and the medium of audio to create a gripping and immersive experience for listeners. The audio is a strong character-driven piece, with well-crafted dialogue and superb acting that draws you in and keeps you engaged.

“We always get out alive” is a must-listen for fans of the Torchwood series and audio dramas in general. It is a well-crafted and engaging production that showcases the talents of everyone involved, earning it a solid 5/5 rating.

Big Finish Review-Torchwood:Believe

The Church of the Outsiders is on a mission to lead mankind to a new era of evolution, one that takes them beyond the stars. But Torchwood’s Owen Harper believes they must do everything in their power to stop them. With the original Torchwood team back together in full-cast audio, fans have been eagerly awaiting this moment. Despite the actors recording their parts separately, the result is flawless. You won’t be able to tell the difference, and it’s a joyous reunion.

Set before the end of series 2, Guy Adams has perfectly captured the era, creating an episode that feels like it was plucked straight from 2008. The performances are outstanding, with John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Burn Gorman, Naoko Mori, and Gareth David-Lloyd all shining. Each character is given the opportunity to develop, but the Owen/Tosh relationship is a particular highlight. Owen pushes Tosh to do unspeakable things while attempting to prove himself as a capable leader.

John Barrowman’s performance in this audio is absolutely fantastic. Despite recording his parts separately from the rest of the team, his chemistry with his co-stars is still palpable. He effortlessly slips back into the role of Captain Jack Harkness and delivers a performance that is both charming and commanding. Barrowman’s energy and enthusiasm for the character and the series shine through in every line, making it a real treat for fans to hear him back in action as the iconic Torchwood leader.

Prequel stories can be challenging, but Guy Adams’ script and Gareth David-Lloyd’s performance are so compelling that there’s one moment in particular where you’ll be genuinely concerned for Ianto’s fate. With such high quality, 2018 is shaping up to be an excellent year for Torchwood on audio. This is a must-listen, earning a 10/10 rating.

Review-Torchwood: The Death of Captain Jack

Torchwood: The Death of Captain Jack is difficult to review, without spoiling. So, I won’t be discussing the storyline.

This is a very ambitious audio, from David Llewellyn who once again proves himself to be one of the greatest writers Torchwood has ever had. He perfectly manages to encapsulate the history of Jack and John and give the Torchwood franchise a fresh new spin, all within an hour-long adventure. It’s an absolute joy. James Marsters absolutely shines as Captain John Hart and, instantly reminds us why he was so popular amongst Torchwood fans. He’s the perfect foil to John Barrowman’s Captain Jack.

There’s also a slight dig at Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Director Scott Handcock and producer James Goss have their awesomely unique style all over this release. Torchwood on Big Finish is the best Torchwood has ever been. They just get it, it’s ambitious, it’s loud, it’s sexy and over the top. Which is just how it should be.

10/10.

Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners.

Big Finish Review-Torchwood: Aliens Among Us-Part 2

Torchwood: Aliens Among Us 2 is a bold and gripping addition to the Torchwood series. Picking up where Miracle Day left off, the Torchwood team finds themselves in a Cardiff that’s darker and more dangerous than ever before. The four episodes included in this set explore complex storylines and pack an emotional punch, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating what comes next.

The first episode, “Love Rat” by Christopher Cooper, sets the tone for the rest of the set with a complex storyline that brings Captain Jack back from the dead with a surprising twist. The subsequent episodes, “A Kill to a View” by Mac Rogers, “Zero Hour” by Janine H Jones, and “The Empty Hand” by Tim Foley, continue to up the ante with a mix of action, drama, and suspense.

The addition of Yvonne Hartman to the mix adds a layer of intrigue and excitement, with the Torchwood team facing their toughest challenge yet. The writers skillfully weave together the various storylines, and the performances by the cast are top-notch.

The standout episodes of the set are “A Kill to a View” and “Zero Hour,” which delve into the mysterious rift and bring back fan-favourite character Bilis Manger. Murray Melvin’s performance as Manger is nothing short of exceptional, adding depth and complexity to the character and the story.

Overall, Torchwood: Aliens Among Us 2 is a must-listen for fans of the series and newcomers alike. With its intricate plotlines, strong performances, and cliffhanger ending, it leaves the audience eagerly anticipating the next instalment of the Torchwood saga.

⭐⭐⭐⭐