The Diary of River Song Series Five
I'm sorry, I just can't make fun of this cover...
The Diary of River Song Series Five
The Sheer Awesomeness radiating from River 5 is unmistakable. I mean, yes, you do get all these guys together in Ravenous Four, but come on, the insanity when this boxset dropped was unreal, the first appearances of both the Eric Roberts Master and Missy as well in Big Finish was a shock unlike any other. And although it's not the strongest River set, it's incredibly enjoyable and/or decent throughout, and as one of my first introductions to how Big Finish does the master, I was not disappointed.
The Bekdel Test by Jonathan Morris
This feels like it was broadcast on television. Exceedingly Moffatian, the Bekdel Test is a delight, with two of Moffat's leading ladies (who incidentally have better chemistry together than anyone else before or since) interacting in a fantastic way. Sometimes as I've mentioned in previous reviews, your synopsis only really needs to be two characters that have never met interacting in a comedy.
Take Torchwood: Sync as another example. These are for better or worse, a staple of the River Song range, and love em or leave em, The Bekdel Test is a stellar example, one that although isn't flawless, is incredibly memorable, and IMMINENTLY QUOTABLE. If I could give this a 10, I would, but y'know, my objectivity as a reviewer and all that. 9/10
Animal Instinct by Roy Gill
I kind of also love this one. The insanity of putting such a classic vindictive master on River's side and highlighting their similarities is excellent, and the tension while you're waiting for the other shoe to drop is something the War Master range perfected (and is equally present here.)
Although it certainly isn't flawless, it introduces River's first companion (!) (That Matters) in Luke Sullivan, who is pretty much a pretty boy.
It shows even in audio for some reason. Nonetheless, Animal Instinct, although not reaching the highs of the previous story, is still a tale to aspire to, and the Mayan Archaeology Indiana Jones Vibes it radiates is definitely something this range should have had loooong ago... 8.5/10
Lifeboat and The Deathboat by Eddie Robson
A bit of a damp squib, but Eric Roberts tries, and for the most part pulls off his suave Terminator expy Master in a none-embarrassing fashion. THE SHOCK. Although he's better in other Big Finish appearances, He still manages a fair amount of dignity. Although the story does try and pull off a "surprise, this character played by an actor who is the Master is actually the Master" which is a trick that's quota has been more than filled by now. I would legitimately have been so much happier if Roberts wasn't advertised at all if you're going for that trick. Or maybe move it to a boxset that is literally not billed around multiple versions of the Master, that'd be real smart of you Big Finish.
The 80s vibes are on point though. 7/10
Concealed Weapon by Scott Handcock
The War Master's most embarassing outing, the plot here is paper thin, it's And Then There Were None In Space, with the Master, without the mystery element.
So literally nothing that made And Then There Were None Good Then.
Wow. Could Have Thought Ahead about that.
You see, as soon as there is a death the audience instantly knows it's the master, waits a long time for the shoe to drop, the story acts self satisfied that WOO, it's the master, bla, bla, bla, and twenty minutes later, it ends. There ya go!
Although it sort of has a good final twist, this is a script that is weak, and frankly if you're pitting two characters as awesome as these two against each other, you should like, give them something interesting to do, as the bare minimum. I may be harsh, but this deserves it. Sir Derek Jacobi, however is excellent, and although he tries desperately to save it, audio is a format where the script HAS to work. Can we just not, next time?
4.5/10
UPDATE:
The Bekdel Test by Jonathan Morris
This feels like it was broadcast on television. Exceedingly Moffatian, the Bekdel Test is a delight, with two of Moffat's leading ladies (who incidentally have better chemistry together than anyone else before or since) interacting in a fantastic way. Sometimes as I've mentioned in previous reviews, your synopsis only really needs to be two characters that have never met interacting in a comedy.
Take Torchwood: Sync as another example. These are for better or worse, a staple of the River Song range, and love em or leave em, The Bekdel Test is a stellar example, one that although isn't flawless, is incredibly memorable, and IMMINENTLY QUOTABLE. If I could give this a 10, I would, but y'know, my objectivity as a reviewer and all that. 9/10
Animal Instinct by Roy Gill
I kind of also love this one. The insanity of putting such a classic vindictive master on River's side and highlighting their similarities is excellent, and the tension while you're waiting for the other shoe to drop is something the War Master range perfected (and is equally present here.)
Although it certainly isn't flawless, it introduces River's first companion (!) (That Matters) in Luke Sullivan, who is pretty much a pretty boy.
It shows even in audio for some reason. Nonetheless, Animal Instinct, although not reaching the highs of the previous story, is still a tale to aspire to, and the Mayan Archaeology Indiana Jones Vibes it radiates is definitely something this range should have had loooong ago... 8.5/10
Lifeboat and The Deathboat by Eddie Robson
A bit of a damp squib, but Eric Roberts tries, and for the most part pulls off his suave Terminator expy Master in a none-embarrassing fashion. THE SHOCK. Although he's better in other Big Finish appearances, He still manages a fair amount of dignity. Although the story does try and pull off a "surprise, this character played by an actor who is the Master is actually the Master" which is a trick that's quota has been more than filled by now. I would legitimately have been so much happier if Roberts wasn't advertised at all if you're going for that trick. Or maybe move it to a boxset that is literally not billed around multiple versions of the Master, that'd be real smart of you Big Finish.
The 80s vibes are on point though. 7/10
Concealed Weapon by Scott Handcock
The War Master's most embarassing outing, the plot here is paper thin, it's And Then There Were None In Space, with the Master, without the mystery element.
So literally nothing that made And Then There Were None Good Then.
Wow. Could Have Thought Ahead about that.
You see, as soon as there is a death the audience instantly knows it's the master, waits a long time for the shoe to drop, the story acts self satisfied that WOO, it's the master, bla, bla, bla, and twenty minutes later, it ends. There ya go!
Although it sort of has a good final twist, this is a script that is weak, and frankly if you're pitting two characters as awesome as these two against each other, you should like, give them something interesting to do, as the bare minimum. I may be harsh, but this deserves it. Sir Derek Jacobi, however is excellent, and although he tries desperately to save it, audio is a format where the script HAS to work. Can we just not, next time?
4.5/10
UPDATE:
Comments
Post a Comment