Big Finish

[Michele]

Yup, I really enjoyed A Thousand Tiny Wings too. Great little contained, base-under-siege style story, except trapped in the jungle with a house full of women (mostly). I thought the sound design was great too -- really brought the setting alive in my imagination. I think I was just a smidge let down by the ending, but nothing serious and not enough to dampen my very enthusiastic impression of the story as a whole.

[Michele]

By the way, Big Finish have released a couple of free stories lately as podcasts. You can check out their website for Living Legend -- a bit of light fluff involving the 8th Doctor and Charlie which I really enjoyed -- and Cuddlesome -- a bit of fluff involving the 5th Doctor which I didn't really enjoy.

http://www.bigfinish.com/podcast/

[James (DWP)]

I'd agree with Michele's assessment of the two recent freebies on BF's podcast feed - except I'd go further and say Cuddlesome is a really poor example of the 5th Doctor stories. 

On another topic, I finished listening to The Rocket Men yesterday - another superb Companion Chronicle written by John Dorney.  It's a first Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki story and is read by William Russell - who is just immense in it.   

I have to say that I've been disppointed with the main range of late.  The most recent 5th Dr, Tegan, Turlough and Nyssa trilogy has been very lacklustre, and Davison sounds as though he's struggling with a heavy cold.  The stories themselves do not spread themselves well over four episodes and Rat-Trap, the last in the trilogy has 14 characters in the first episode alone.  The last play I really enjoyed was Feast of Axos.

I have yet to listen to Robotophobia or Recorded Time, but I feel with just one or two exceptions, the last few months plays has definitely seen a dip in quality.   

[Michele]

Well, Big Finish has a couple more freebies up now:

The Ratings War is one of the worst things I've heard them produce, in my opinion. Seems like if you're going to release freebies, you should put out a few strong stories to bring in new listeners -- not the dregs of the stories to turn them away....

No Place Like Home just got posted today. Haven't listened to it yet. It has to be better than the previous two...right??

[Michele]

Whew! No Place Like Home is better than the previous two. It's worth a listen, here's the link:

http://www.bigfinish.com/news/Podcast-No-Place-Like-Home-24-August-2011

[Ian]

I'm considering giving BF another spin once I finish the rather lacklustre Hornet's Nest. Funds (or to be more precise my permission from the boss to spend them) are limited however, so I've been browsing the 'Big Finish for a Fiver' list. Previously I picked up 'Spare Parts' at this price, which was something of a bargain.

Most of what's in there now are spin off series without the Doctor, which I'm less interested in, and there only seem to be a handful of proper DW audios up at the moment. Are any of these worth a flutter, or are they reduced for a reason?

Doctor Who - Shada
Doctor Who - The Maltese Penguin
Doctor Who - Cryptobiosis
Doctor Who - Real Time
Doctor Who - Her Final Flight
Doctor Who - Phantasmagoria

[James (DWP)]

Out of those I would recommend Phantasmagoria and Shada.  Maltese Penguin is fun, but mainly a Frobisher story, Real Time was a BBCi special production and not that good IMO, Cryptobiosis and Her Final Flight were past subscriber freebies and not all that either I'm afraid!

[Michele]

The only one on your list I've listened to is Phantasmogoria, but I enjoyed it well enough. Don't discount the Doctor-free ranges. I think the Companion Chronicles is one of BF's most consistently strong ranges. Dalek Empire is another personal favorite.

[Series runner]

After a scan through the suggestions , i`ll get "Chimes of Midnight" to help my commuting hassle
Thanks

[Michele]

Series runner,

Let us know your opinion of Chimes -- that's one that is generally loved by fans, but I was less impressed. I really need to listen to it again one of these days...

[Series runner]

Sure will , Michelle

FYI was in California earlier this month - San Francisco / Silicone Valley / San Jose / Santa Clara - enjoyed it immensely

[Michele]

Ah, my old stomping grounds!

Was a great place to grow up, other than the occasional earthquake.

I still have family out there, so I get back on occasion.

 

[Series runner]

Well , shame to say I bought the download but I didnt actually receive a link.
Sent an email to the Big Finish Enquiries addy - but had no reply after 4 days 
Sent another chaser just in case its "lost in space" ( sorry - wrong show lol)

Que sera sera .... downloaded some more of the excellent DWP podcast instead

ITEM NAME                   AVAILABILITY         TYPE     QTY, EACH    SUBTOTAL
Doctor Who - Main         
Range - 29 - The           
Chimes of Midnight -       
Download                    Available Now        Download 1 x £7.99 = £7.99
Available Now       

So a bit tricky on the review ...........

Liked the podcast though !!