REVIEW: Doctor Who Companion Chronicles 6.02 - The Rocket Men

Ian Chesterton (and Vicky, Barbara, and The First Doctor)

Cast:

Ian Chesterton - William Russell
Ashman - Gus Brown

Synopsis:

The TARDIS has landed on Platform Five, a floating city in the sky of the planet Jobis, and for a time the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki get the chance to enjoy this idyllic place.

And then the Rocket Men arrive, led by the sadistic Ashman.

When the only other option to certain death is suicide, Ian Chesterton takes the gamble of his life…

Review:

I like the idea of this particular non-linear narrative structure, but for me unfortunately, it doesn't fare too well in execution. There's very little payoff anywhere to warrant it - no big reveal, no shocking twist, and no plot points gradually falling into place. It might be that it jumps about too much for my liking but I still think It's just a very average story plot-wise.

The main point of the story being about Ian's emotions, which technically I don't have a problem with, it just doesn't seem to reflect the Ian I know as characterised through the TV show - but maybe I'm being biased here.

The second half developed a bit of pace after the dreadfully slow first half and they did seem to try to fit in some worthy plot reveals to reflect the narrative structure but it was like they didn't commit to it enough and it felta little flat. A similar problem befell the aspect of Ian's emotions of which the story is based around - not enough time or scripting was committed to it.



Score:
0/7 - Non-existant
1/7 - As bad as you can get
2/7 - Poor
3/7 - Quite poor / too many poor points / didn't like it
3.5/7 - Neither good nor bad / undecided
4/7 - Quite good / plenty of good points / liked it
5/7 - Good
6/7 - As good as you can get
7/7 - Impossible perfection


Written by: John Dorney
Directed by: Lisa Bowerman
Produced by: Big Finish
Released: August 2011

REVIEW: Doctor Who The Lost Stories 2.6 - Earth Aid

Seventh Doctor & Ace ; and Raine

Cast:

Seventh Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
Raine Creevy - Beth Chalmers
Ace - Sophie Aldred
Victor Espinosa - Paterson Joseph
Shepstay - Nadine Marshall
Yanikov - Basher Savage
Lt Baraki - Ingrid Oliver
Metatraxi - John Banks
Grub - Alex Mallinson

Synopsis:

Welcome aboard the space vessel Vancouver. Its mission: to guard a vast shipment of grain from Earth to the planet Safenesthome. Its medical officer is called simply ‘The Doctor’, and he’s perhaps not all he seems.

When mysterious ships target the Vancouver, the Doctor is pushed to the limit. Meanwhile, there’s something nasty in the grain containers. And it’s not very happy...

Review:

REVIEW: Doctor Who 149 - Robophobia

Seventh Doctor

Cast:

The Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
Liv Chenka/Elicien - Nicola Walker
Farel - Toby Hadoke
Bas Pellico - William Hazell
Selerat - Nicholas Pegg
Cravnet - Dan Starkey
Tal Karus/SV10 - Matt Addis
Leebar/Computer Voice - John Dorney
Robots - Matt Addis, Nicholas Briggs, John Dorney, Toby Hadoke, Dan Starkey




Synopsis:

Nothing has ever been officially confirmed, but there is a rumour that on a Sandminer, bound for Kaldor City, the robots somehow turned homicidal and nearly wiped out the entire crew. Can that really be true?

The robot transport ship Lorelei has a cargo of over 157,000 robots on board, all deactivated. So even if there were any truth in the rumour of that massacre, there'd still be no danger. Surely, there wouldn't...

But then, the Doctor witnesses a murder.