Big Finish Review - Doctor Who: Protect and Survive (7th Doctor, Ace and Hex)
I've fallen behind with my BF releases lately, and haven't had time to write much - if anything - about those I have managed to listen to, but this one is so bloody good, that I had to shout about it!
Doctor Who: Protect and Survive by Jonathan Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. This is just... incredible. Seven isn't one of my favourite Doctors and I've said before that I sometimes find Sylvester McCoy's vocal mannerisms rather irritating - but that said, I can't deny that some of my favourite Big Finish DW stories are in fact Seventh Doctor ones.
,
,
,
, are all terrific stories which also feature my favourite companion combo - Ace and Hex. The manipulative nature of the Seventh Doctor lends itself to intriguing and intricate stories and Doctor Who: Protect and Survive is a superb example of that. It's the first in a trilogy, so there are no real answers to be had by the end of this story, which runs straight into the next one, Doctor Who: Black and White, in which the mystery of the Doctor's absence deepens.
Protect and Survive is carried by Ace and Hex who find themselves alone in the TARDIS with the Cloister Bell tolling and the Doctor nowhere to be found. They manage to land in the middle of nowhere and meet a pleasant elderly couple who are busily preparing their house for the advent of a nuclear war.
It's absolutely gripping stuff as we discover that all is not as it seems (of course). The atmosphere is claustrophobic and tense and the performances are fantastic.
Hex is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Doctor's manner of expecting him (and Ace) to take part in his schemes without question and without knowing much - if anything - about his plans. He's perfectly justified in that, but I do hope this isn't leading towards his departure because he's one of my favourite BF companions.
I can't say much more about the plot without ruining it for anyone who hasn't listened to it yet, but there are evil aliens, time-loops and the Doctor dealing out his own brand of justice. (Anyone who thought Ten was a bit high-handed when it came to handing out punishments will be able to see/hear where that came from!)
But it's brilliant. Now go and listen to it for yourself and agree with me!
Doctor Who: Protect and Survive by Jonathan Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. This is just... incredible. Seven isn't one of my favourite Doctors and I've said before that I sometimes find Sylvester McCoy's vocal mannerisms rather irritating - but that said, I can't deny that some of my favourite Big Finish DW stories are in fact Seventh Doctor ones.
,
,
,
, are all terrific stories which also feature my favourite companion combo - Ace and Hex. The manipulative nature of the Seventh Doctor lends itself to intriguing and intricate stories and Doctor Who: Protect and Survive is a superb example of that. It's the first in a trilogy, so there are no real answers to be had by the end of this story, which runs straight into the next one, Doctor Who: Black and White, in which the mystery of the Doctor's absence deepens.
Protect and Survive is carried by Ace and Hex who find themselves alone in the TARDIS with the Cloister Bell tolling and the Doctor nowhere to be found. They manage to land in the middle of nowhere and meet a pleasant elderly couple who are busily preparing their house for the advent of a nuclear war.
It's absolutely gripping stuff as we discover that all is not as it seems (of course). The atmosphere is claustrophobic and tense and the performances are fantastic.
Hex is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Doctor's manner of expecting him (and Ace) to take part in his schemes without question and without knowing much - if anything - about his plans. He's perfectly justified in that, but I do hope this isn't leading towards his departure because he's one of my favourite BF companions.
I can't say much more about the plot without ruining it for anyone who hasn't listened to it yet, but there are evil aliens, time-loops and the Doctor dealing out his own brand of justice. (Anyone who thought Ten was a bit high-handed when it came to handing out punishments will be able to see/hear where that came from!)
But it's brilliant. Now go and listen to it for yourself and agree with me!