Doom Coalition One

DOOM COALITION

The Eleven by Matt Fitton

Based on his works in the 10DA’s, and the River Song spinoff, I haven’t quite cared for Matt Fitton as a writer so far. But he can put out a heck of a script if he wants to, it seems. This is a fantastic renewal for the eighth doctor. I’m not sure if Dark Eyes renews him more, as I’ve not heard it, but still, Doom Coalition, am I right?

I’ve been thinking...The Eleven May be the best concept for a time lord the show has ever had. He’s fantastically played here, and is instantly a compelling antagonist. More about him later. 

This is the Eight I like. Having left Lucie, (with a lot of trauma involved) he’s now traveling with Liv, who he’s already with him at the start of the story. Paul McGann is revitalized. He’s been waiting for scripts this good for a while. 

He’s gloriously irreverent about Gallifrey, and he’s convincing at all times. Welcome Back!

Unlimited Rice Pudding: Mr. McCoy gets a cameo which gives weight to the story. Eight and Seven are the polar opposite Doctors, and Eight is still a bit broken over all the things he used to be that Seven Represents. Having Seven catch the Eleven and Eight be part of the reason he gets away is astonishingly good character work. It legitimizes the Doctor’s grudge against the Eleven, and once again, Seven is still mocking him from the past. It’s sort of beautiful, really.

I’m Sorry About The Doctor: Liv establishes herself well, even if you haven’t heard Dark Eyes. (Like Myself.) She’s a realistic character, so earthy and real. She’s wry and feels like she has to apologize for The Doctor constantly wherever they go. I also adore how as soon as the time lords find a use for her, they go from being mean to nice, and she doesn’t buy it for one moment. What a companion. One story in and you’ll already like her. 

The Eleven: The Eleven is so, so good. The epitome of unhinged, a Missy-esque character that unlike comedy, is played for horror. He does all of those voices, and there’s so much nuance to him. Like the way when he says getting out of prison will be child’s play, actually results in him getting out of prison with a toy. The sound design couldn’t be better, all the overlapping voices screeching out in anger. What a villain. 

Overall: This is the good stuff. 9/10

The Red Lady By John Dorney

This may be the best Eighth Doctor Big Finish Script since The Charley era. 

Summarizing the Red Lady is exceedingly difficult, as it relies on a brilliant concept that is similar to The Weeping Angels, but not really. Mostly. Sort Of. Anyway, this is Helen’s intro story, and it’s dang good. 

Bring Me Knitting: Paul McGann is perfect in this story. His performances story to story can be very similar, as with all Doctors, but he seems just so excited with the material. The way he barges into Helen’s office never ceases to make me laugh, and the way he’s so gravely serious about our titular threat, and that he doesn’t understand it, also gives me chills. Legend.

I’m Sorry About The Doctor: She takes a bit of a back seat so they can introduce Helen, but Liv is present throughout, and continues with that wry humor that I absolutely adore from her. She’s just as great as before, and the story still remains very accessible despite several mentions of some Dark Eyes episodes she was in.

I Could Do So Much More: An Exceedingly Strong character introduction, Helen is a very strong companion here. Although Charley sort of brushed off the problems of the period involving Women, Helen is bound by them, and she can’t make her way where she wants to in society, and the story seems richer for it. This is a very realistic depiction of the 60s. Did Mr. John Dorney loan a TARDIS? 

The Monsters: The Red Lady is such a delicious subject, and without a doubt the most terrifying villain we’ve faced In the 8DAS. If I write about her more, she’ll escape from the writing…

Overall: A Electrifying Character Piece with a heavy spillage Of horror. John Dorney cements himself as one of the strongest Who writers here. 10/10

The Galileo Trap by Marc Platt

The Galileo Trap is a celebrity historical, and one of the most generic Who stories ever created. One struggles to come up with anything negative to say about it, it’s a structurally sound story that depicts Galileo in a historically accurate and dignified manner, but one struggles the very same way to praise it as well. It’s no Rosa or Vincent and The Doctor, but if you enjoyed stories like The Unquiet Dead or Shakespeare Code, you’ll certainly enjoy it. The most one could say in it's favor is that John Woodvine is a fantastic Galileo. Beyond that, you stretch things. 

Bring Me Knitting: He’s on autopilot. I can’t say anything about him here I haven’t before. He’s at his average degree of greatness, which is high, but you can’t say much more than that. 

I’m Sorry About The Doctor: Liv continues to be great, by cementing herself as Helen’s mentor. Yes, her. It’s interesting, hearing a companion teaching a companion how to companion to the Doctor. It’s an interesting dynamic. Liv is perfect. Three stories I’ve heard from her, and I genuinely can’t think of a way to improve her. 

I Could Do So Much More: She’s not as strong as the previous story, but Helen continues to be interesting, and it’s a run of the mill first TARDIS trip for her. I do like her analysing everything. She can’t get over that Museum job, can she?

The Monsters: Thoroughly Boring, but I was surprised that important Church figure Galileo’s Daughter was an alien assassin who eats people. The more you know. 

Overall: A Perfectly Good Way To Waste An Hour. I can’t see how a story like this could offend you. I also couldn’t see it on anyone’s top 10 list. 6.5/10

The Satanic Mill by Edward Collier

The Satanic Mill is a bust. It’s worse than generic, it takes an awesome idea and does absolutely nothing of merit with it. It has a tiny cast which is exactly what the story doesn’t need. The Eleven is here, but he’s less unpredictable horror villain and more raving lunatic who no one takes seriously. And the Plot is solved by the Sonic Screwdriver, which summons the TARDIS and then they just leave. I could give a full review, but come on! It’d just be this:

Bring Me Knitting: Does Frick All. Summons the TARDIS to fix his problems. Annoying. 

I’m Sorry About The Doctor: Has No Wry Comments. Lack of Liv material is annoying. 

I Could Do So Much More: Suspiciously absent. This absence is annoying.

The Eleven: Raving Idiot. Screams for himself to be quiet. Very Annoying. 

Overall: I mean, come on! The Satanic Mill feels unfinished. It is barely a script. It is barely an audio. One point for some good music, and two points for it's good ideas.

If the rest of the boxset wasn’t so good, It’d be unforgivable. And it borders on that, as the next boxset seems to ignore it. 

3/10

UPDATE: