The new 4th Doctor series has arrived! I’m really looking forward to hearing this!
It’s here, The King of Sonar!
Tag: Audio books
I do like audio books.
The 6th Doctor
I’d never been a big fan of the 6th Doctor. To be honest, by the time Colin Baker had taken over the role I wasn’t really watching anymore. Even so, the 6th Doctor never got a great reception. So when I had the opportunity to grab a 6th Doctor audio story from big finish as part of their Christmas sale, I thought, why not.
Anyway, I’ve just finished listening to “The First Sontaran”, and it’s great stuff. It far exceeded my expectations and made me want to listen more of the 6th Doctor stories. Also, this was one of the ‘Lost Stories’. I’ve got the 4th Doctor box set of these, but none of the others at all, apart from this one now of course.
So it doesn’t look like I’ll be running out of Doctor Who stories any time soon.
Blake’s 7: Fractures
Look what just turned up in the post! I’m looking forward to listening to this and then deciding if it’s worth subscribing to the rest of the series.
Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – Tales from The Vault
I bought this as the story had Mary Tamm in it. I hadn’t realised that she only had a really very small part in this, which was a bit of a disappointment really. However, as a story it was really very good and actually great to hear so many of the companions from the past again.
I’ve got another couple of companion stories to listen to, which I bought simply because they were Mary Tamm stories. I’m hoping she’ll be in them a little more than in this one though.
Doctor Who: Hornets’ Nest – the Dead Shoes
The second story in this first series from Paul introduces the third of the trio who are to be so significant throughout these stories. I won’t say who, as it might spoil it if you ever do listen to these stories, and they’re well worth it too in my book.
The second story is a nice time traveling jaunt with some lovely typically english characters and the Doctor being his usual self. It moves on the story arc just the right amount without giving away too much and delivers on its own story just as well. It also sets up a few things very nicely for later on, much later on in fact.
So of course I’d recommend it without a second thought. It’s a great story (as part of the arc) and it’s available on iTunes. Click below.
Doctor Who: Hornet’s Nest – the Stuff of Nightmares
I can remember finding out about this story and buying it on iTunes and then listening to it on a train home one winters evening and being struck by just how much fun it was to listen to. Whilst on the one hand it was a very traditional fourth Doctor story, it was also different in the way it was told and how it was constructed. A nicely congruent departure for number 4. Added to that was the excellent script, which I’m sure was added to by Mr Baker, it was, and still is a joy to listen to.
My favourite line from that particular story is “Glumly I had a terrible pot of tea and a damp Garibaldi“, which speaks volumes about the story and the writing.
Even though I know the story very well I can still safely say that it’s one of my favourites out of all of the stories in the whole series. Perhaps because it’s the beginning, perhaps because it’s lovely to hear old and new characters come back into a story. I don’t know, and perhaps it’s better like that.
Doctor Who, Paul Magrs, and some wonderful stories
Having just finished listening to all three story arcs by Paul Magrs I thought I might write a little something about each of these lovely stories. So expect some waffling on about Doctor Who over the next few days. Not that you wouldn’t expect waffling on about Doctor Who if you’re a regular reader of this blog.
Starting Serpent Crest
I’ve listened to the Hornet’s nest and Demon Quest, and now it’s time for the third in the Paul Magrs set of stories, Serpent Crest. I don’t think I’ve listened to this for about a year or so and I’m looking forward to hearing it again this week. The whole thing is in 5 episodes and runs for about five and a half hours, which is just about right for listening to in a week.
That should keep me going until some new Doctor Who arrives in January anyway.
New Who!
Ferril’s Folly
Tales from the Vault
The Stealers from Saiph
Ok, not exactly new Doctor Who, and, in fact, arguably not Doctor Who as these are of course “Companion Chronicles”. However, they are the remaining Mary Tamm stories that I haven’t heard, so I’m looking forward to listening to them a great deal.
Doctor Who: The Sands of Life
Another great fourth doctor story with Mary Tamm, and with the excellent inclusion of David Warner. This is the second story in Big Finish’s second season for Tom Baker, and this story is really the kick off for the main story arc in the series. It’s a great story arc too, and David Warner is at the centre of it. It’s far more like a serious Doctor Who story as opposed to the Auntie Matter, which was quite frivolous and yet wonderful to listen to.
The Sands of Life is quite a traditional story in many ways. The doctor meets a life form he’s not met before which is threatening all life on earth but only due to a mistake caused by Cuthbert (played by David Warner). I won’t say anymore about the story in case you do listen to it. I’d recommend it, it’s an excellent story and it continues with “War with the Laan”, but more of that another day.
I am Ashley Elsdon 