Big Finish review-The Return of Jo Jones

In “The Return of Jo Jones,” the Third Doctor is reunited with one of his closest companions. The first adventure takes place on the Isle of Wight, where Jo is summoned to deal with a series of menacing bird attacks that have upset the natural balance of things. This encounter marks a profound shift in Jo’s world, setting the stage for the emotional journey that unfolds throughout the collection.

The second story sees Jo embarking on her first space-time voyage in decades, accompanying the Doctor to the planet Viltris in the 49th Century. Here, long-simmering grievances threaten to erupt into open rebellion, providing a backdrop for Jo’s own struggles with the passage of time.

The final tale takes place on the troubled planet Mercator, where Jo delves into the underlying tensions of the local community, while the Doctor finds himself in grave danger. Each story serves as a mirror for Jo’s own personal growth and the skills she has developed over the years.

Matt Fitton’s “Supernature” is a standout entry, featuring a moving and bittersweet farewell to Stewart Bevan’s character. It also offers a dose of Hitchcockian suspense as Jo grapples with loss and grief.

Felicia Barker’s “The Conservitors” explores themes of power, risk, and resilience, showcasing Jo’s formidable strength of character.

Meanwhile, Lizzie Hopley’s “The Iron Shore” pays tribute to the work of producer Philip Hinchcliffe and horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, highlighting Jo’s empathy and the Doctor’s determination.

The cast of the Third Doctor Adventures is outstanding, with Katy Manning and Tim Treloar giving standout performances. Manning expertly conveys Jo’s pain, perseverance, and spirit, while Treloar continues to impress with his portrayal of Jon Pertwee’s Doctor. Together, they make for a powerful and emotionally resonant listening experience.

Additionally, the sound design is exceptional, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere that draws the listener into each story. From the eerie and unsettling sounds of the menacing birds on the Isle of Wight, to the futuristic and otherworldly sounds, the sound effects help to transport the listener to each unique setting. The use of music also adds to the emotional impact of the stories, with each piece expertly chosen to complement the mood and tone of the scene.

Overall, “The Return of Jo Jones” is a long-awaited and much-needed closure to one of Doctor Who’s most beloved characters. Here’s hoping that we get to hear more of Jo’s adventures with the Doctor before she returns home.

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Big Finish review- Doctor Who: The Doctor Chronicles: The Eleventh Doctor: All of Time and Space

The Doctor Chronicles range from Big Finish has had a mixed reception, with some fans ridiculing the entire range. However, ‘Geronimo!’ stands out as one of the best box sets of 2022, receiving widespread praise for its imaginative and enjoyable stories. Jake Dudman and Safiyya Ingar also established themselves as a new fan-favourite TARDIS team. Now, we are treated to a reunion with the Eleventh Doctor and his cybernetically-enhanced companion in ‘All of Time and Space’.

‘All of Time & Space’ provides a mind-bending experience that offers insightful commentary on the art of creative writing. This gripping story centers around a character who gains sentience inside an unfinished story and must complete a quest that involves erasing the Doctor’s biography. The unknown writer behind this script has shown tremendous potential, and I would love to see more from them.

‘The Yearn’ by Angus Dunican is a true gem of an episode. The gestalt collective is at war with itself, with one side desiring individuality and the other preferring to remain a hive mind. What sets this story apart is the unique depiction of the Yearn as angry, bestial energy panthers. It’s a standout episode and might even be my favorite Eleventh Doctor audio adventure.

‘Curiosity Shop’ is a character-driven piece that showcases the talents of James Goss. The Doctor believes he is a junkyard owner, and it’s up to Val to bring him back to reality as she gives up her cybernetics. The pacing of this dialogue-heavy story is impeccable, making it a brilliant way to wrap up the box set.

Finally, it’s worth noting what a revelation Safiyya Ingar is as the new TARDIS team member. Their performance as Val is nuanced and engaging, and their chemistry with Jake Dudman’s Eleventh Doctor is fantastic. They continue to impress as a versatile actor, and I can’t wait to see where their career takes them.

Overall, ‘All of Time and Space’ is another fantastic box set that lives up to the high bar set by ‘Geronimo!’. The writers deserve kudos for their imaginative and enjoyable stories, and Jake Dudman and Safiyya Ingar continue to impress as the new TARDIS team. I eagerly anticipate what’s in store for the Doctor and Val in their next adventure.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Big Finish review-Out of time 3: Wink

Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor has found new life and renewed vitality in Big Finish’s audio dramas, where he’s been able to showcase his talent in ways that weren’t always possible during his time on television. In recent years, Baker has consistently delivered impressive performances in some of Big Finish’s best scripts, such as Doctor of War and Mind of the Hodiac. Fans have been eagerly anticipating his latest collaboration with David Tennant in Wink, the third installment of Big Finish’s Out of Time series, and thankfully, it does not disappoint.

McMullin’s cleverly crafted script highlights the distinct personalities and shared history of the Sixth and Tenth Doctors. Baker and Tennant play off each other effortlessly, creating an entertaining dynamic that’s both fun and occasionally tense. Tennant’s portrayal of the Tenth Doctor is as brilliant as ever, adding his own unique spin to the character and complementing Baker’s Sixth Doctor perfectly. Together, they face off against one of the Doctor’s most iconic foes, and McMullin masterfully builds suspense and tension throughout the story.

Big Finish has always been renowned for its ability to bring high-concept ideas to life through immersive sound design and music, and Wink is no exception. The talented cast, which includes returning favorites Ayesha Antoine and Clive Hayward, delivers superb performances, and the production values are top-notch. The result is an audio drama that is thrilling, entertaining, and engaging from start to finish.

If Wink does indeed mark the final installment of the Out of Time range, then it serves as a fitting conclusion. Once again, Big Finish has demonstrated their ability to bring a fresh and innovative approach to Doctor Who storytelling, while Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor finally gets the chance to shine alongside the great David Tennant.

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Angela Bruce returns to Doctor Who

Brigadier Winifred Bambera returns to the UNIT front line in her own brand new series of full-cast audio dramas from Big Finish Productions.

Angela Bruce, who made her Doctor Who debut in the 1989 TV adventure Battlefield, will don camo garb once more for a new series of audio adventures set to begin in June 2022, according to Doctor Who Magazine issue 573.

Bruce is also recognisable to sci-fi fans for her performance as Brigadier Winifred Bambera in the 1989 Doctor Who serial Battlefield, as well as her portrayal of Dayna Mellanby in Blake’s 7 audio drama The Syndeton Experiment.

Her other notable credits include Red Dwarf (as Deb Lister, a female counterpart of Dave Lister in a parallel universe), Prime Suspect and Only Fools and Horses in which she played Councillor Murray.

Angela Bruce said: “If I wasn’t Brigadier Bambera as she is now in this wonderful box set, I’d marry her. I would. I’d marry her. I find her irresistible. Within one character, you get to have all the control and all the power that you have ever desired. I feel deep joy in bringing her back. It’s really nice being thought of. It’s really nice that Big Finish has thought, ‘Brigadier Bambera, we haven’t heard anything from her for a while.’ And you go, ‘Oh really, you’d like to hear from me? You’d like to write something for Brigadier Bambera?’ YES! Bring. Her. On.   You’re meeting Bambera – and me – at a time when I’m full. Bambera’s happy in her own skin. And so am I. So this is the right time to meet her again. I think fans will love these new UNIT adventures. It’s brought that hunger back in me. Brigadier Bambera’s getting stronger every day.”  

This will mark Angela Bruce’s first time playing the character since she last appeared in the 2011 Big Finish story ‘Animal’.

UNIT – Brave New World: Volume 1 (title TBA) is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition box set (3CD + download) at £19.99 or on download only at £16.99, exclusively from the Big Finish website.  

 

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.

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