It wasn't McGanns first Big Finish audio, his first one he recorded was 'The Stones of Venice.' Yes this is the first one chronologically, but at the point of recording he has settled more into the role. Charley is a well regarded companion and she laid the template for future companions such as Rose Tyler and Clara Oswald (but better than those two). Good review.
DUDE. I hope you some day get the chance to listen to every single one of the Eighth Doctor audios. McGann has some of THE best DW stories I know, and he almost instantly became one of my all-time favourite Doctors when I started listening to The Eighth Doctor Adventures. Eight also has some of my favourite companions of all time; Charley, Lucie, Molly, Liv...
I found his early stories a bit hit-and-miss, especially when they got a bit fan-wanky leading into Zagreus. He absolutely shined when he got his own 8th Doctor Adventure line. The Horror Of Glam Rock (guest starring the future Wilf) remains my all time favorite title... and love the glam rock version of the theme.
Steven Clubb I know it's not exactly a fan favourite, but I actually really like Zagreus. Sure it's trying to bite off more than it can chew, but I also appreciate how ambitious and experimental it is? And the next story, Scherzo, is one of Big Finish' best, IMO. Again, it's experimental as hell, but it packs a huge emotional punch and really uses the audio medium to its full potential. And you kind of need the context of Neverland + Zagreus to fully appreciate Scherzo, so...
BackAlleyTANGO The problem with Zygreus is it's too damn long. There's probably a really good two hour adventure in its three hour run time. It starts off well, but gets less and less interesting as it goes on.
FINALLY!!! The 8th Doctor is totally “my” Doctor. This is the beginning of his Big Finish run. Charley becomes such a great companion after this audio drama. If you listen to this run in order, and get to the Zagreus story arc, you will get such a grand appreciation for all of the Big Finish stories. Lucie Miller is a really great 8th Doctor companion, but Charley is absolutely fantastic because of how the Doctor takes her out of her time when she should have died. Vortisaurs are awesome!!! Paul McGann did the audio book for “Vurt” in 1993. The only real issue with the TV movie he did is it was written how Classic Who was written and the lack of the technology for the story that was told.
I don't think you can blame Paul McGann for the bit where he's talking to himself... That was the writers fault! Thank god he meets up with Charley soon after. I would recommend listening to the first two seasons of Paul McGann Doctor Who in order as the whole sub-plot about Charley having should have died in the R101 has got to be enjoyed that way.
Right? Charley is getting an, actually pretty sad, overarching story line. And it does NOT make her the most important person in the universe or something. I like this!
Modern Doctor Who is sometimes accused of 'remaking' certain old alien ideas. If you have a species with interesting idea but no real name value then its design is altered and name changed. Its because of the way the way the BBC handles creator contribution to the IP amd the royalties involve. Revisiting this story makes me wish the show would give us a historical companion again. The bait and switch with Clara doesn't count!
Going forward, the "alien presence" may actually potentially be a spoiler because Big Finish does pure historicals as well. Also, my personal recommendation (from a very long list of BF recommendations) would be "Full Fathom Five" from Doctor Who Unbound. Like I said in my last comment about it, Unbound follows these "what if" scenarios (so the series is non-canon). Full Fathom Five is my favorite story, and David Collings is my favorite non-canon Doctor.
Oh yes indeed, if I'm gonna rank the Unbound Doctors I'm probably gonna say 1. Martin Bannister, Derek Jacobi (Not really a Doctor but still counts) 2. David Collings 3. Geoffrey Bayldon 4. David Warner 5. Michael Jayston (The Valeyard) 6. Arabella Weir
Charley has possibly become my favorite companion, next to Ace and Clara. There's something just so warm and inviting about her interactions with the Doctor. I've been going through the Eighth Doctor Main Range for the first time, and I'm really liking it. Some of the stories were misses (Minuet in Hell was just rubbish) but the highs are really high. Currently up to Seasons Of Fear. EDIT: Yeah I agree the first scene with the Doctor alone was indeed pretty cringey.
YAY! More BF talk. Will watch a bit later. Couple of interesting BTS history. BF approached McGann's agent when they launched, but she didn't pass the offer on to McGann. The agent was Janet Fielding, who played Tegan and who had a somewhat difficult relationship with Doctor Who at the time. It was only recently she started doing regular audio adventures. This had a knock-on effect because Moffat had tentatively agreed to write some audios, but only for the then-current Doctor. When they couldn't get McGann, he dropped out.
Oh, and if you're not really feeling McGann's Doctor at the start of his Monthly Range era, I recommend starting with the Eight Doctor Adventures instead, and the two-parter 'Blood of the Daleks'. :)
9:00 I recommend listening to Terra Firma, then revisiting this part of the review. IMPORTANT: make sure you've listened to all the other 8th Doctor Monthly Series prior to Terra Firma, or you will have major spoilers exposed...
India Fisshers Charley is pretty highly regarded both as a Companion of the 8th Doctor and. of later via Timey Wimey circumstances Colin Baker;'s sixth Doctor. and ultimately as her own . I wont say much more than that as it would be even more spoiler-y than it already is by nature
Good video. Charlie is actually my favorite for companions introduced in the audio, although that isn't too many as they tried to bring back companions from the series, but she is definitely in my top 10, possibly top 5. I like the fact that you make reference to things that are perhaps a little less well know, The Dark Crystal in this case.
This was the first big finish audio drama I ever bought. (Not the first one I listened to, i was able to hear sirens of time first actually). Because of that, this audio has a special place in my heart. Although I do acknowledge your criticism about 8 in the beginning. (I just love Paul McGann’s voice so I personally have no problem with it)
Hey, the intro talk is not the fault of the actor, but of people telling him to do it... And, spoilers: Possibly, in universe, of Eight still being a bit "out of it" from having lost two companions and his memories of them.
Finally watched it. I think it's safe to say Charlie is well-regarded as there's two box sets of her spin-off series... not convinced they've justified their existence but her story doesn't end with McGann. I won't spoil the really big development in her story, but she has a really great run much further down the timeline.
Despite its fame, the Hindenburg had a relatively high percentage of survivors. Even for total deaths, it barely places in the top five of airship disasters, and that is mostly against ships that carried half as many people. The Hindenburg (35 airborne fatalities) had a 66% survival rate. The R38 (44 fatalities) had a 10% survival rate. The R101 (48 fatalities) had an 11% survival rate. The Dixmude (48-52 fatalities, I've seen three different figures for how many people were actually aboard) had no survivors. The Akron (73 fatalities) had a 4% survival rate. The Hindenburg saw a single ground crew fatality, for a total ground and air combined death toll of 36. In the case of the Akron, a blimp searching for survivors itself crashes, causing two more fatalities. In comparison, the Titantic (~1500 fatalities) had a 33% survival rate.
Jonathan Schmidt ^^ It's the first and it's shows, but it's still really good and made me like and care about the characters of Eight and Charley right away.
Yes, the exposition at the beginning is agonizingly bad, but the fault lies with the writer and the producers, who really should have known better. The opening scene really does sabotage the introduction of the eighth Doctor's audio adventures. Fortunately, The Chimes of Midnight was soon to arrive, and that one shows not only how the pitfalls of audio can be avoided but how they can be exploited to maximum effect. I expect everyone has been urging you to listen to that one already, so I'll just add my recommendation to the list.
While I did like Storm Warning, I must admit that it has faults. It gets better though. I personally liked the second 8 audio, Sword of Orion, the most of his first "series"
Yes, I know it's an unpopular opinion, but I just like the base-under-siege type of stories and the creepy atmosphere, reminded me of stories like the moonbase which is my favorite 2nd Doctor episode alongside Tomb of the Cybermen and Enemy of the World. But that's what I like about the show, there is everything for everybody.
Out of 8s many companions, Charley is my second favourite after Mary. Crizz is a bit boring, Lucie gets on my nerves, the rest I can't afford to listen to.
I loved Storm Warning. And yes I think the creatures in Father’s Day are pinched from the Vortasaurs in this. Paul McGann is my second favourite Doctor and if the SJW problem the 13th Doctor seems potentially mired in sinks the show I think we should have an 8th Doctor spun-off to replace it...
It wasn't McGanns first Big Finish audio, his first one he recorded was 'The Stones of Venice.' Yes this is the first one chronologically, but at the point of recording he has settled more into the role.
Charley is a well regarded companion and she laid the template for future companions such as Rose Tyler and Clara Oswald (but better than those two).
Good review.
Charlotte Pollard is awesome!!!!! (She even has her own spinoff)
No way, really?
Yes she has her own series n also travelled with 6 for awhile after 8
DUDE. I hope you some day get the chance to listen to every single one of the Eighth Doctor audios. McGann has some of THE best DW stories I know, and he almost instantly became one of my all-time favourite Doctors when I started listening to The Eighth Doctor Adventures. Eight also has some of my favourite companions of all time; Charley, Lucie, Molly, Liv...
I found his early stories a bit hit-and-miss, especially when they got a bit fan-wanky leading into Zagreus.
He absolutely shined when he got his own 8th Doctor Adventure line. The Horror Of Glam Rock (guest starring the future Wilf) remains my all time favorite title... and love the glam rock version of the theme.
Steven Clubb I know it's not exactly a fan favourite, but I actually really like Zagreus. Sure it's trying to bite off more than it can chew, but I also appreciate how ambitious and experimental it is? And the next story, Scherzo, is one of Big Finish' best, IMO. Again, it's experimental as hell, but it packs a huge emotional punch and really uses the audio medium to its full potential. And you kind of need the context of Neverland + Zagreus to fully appreciate Scherzo, so...
BackAlleyTANGO The problem with Zygreus is it's too damn long. There's probably a really good two hour adventure in its three hour run time. It starts off well, but gets less and less interesting as it goes on.
Really, my issues around that time center on the whole Gallifrey angle. Romana as President being something I really don't like.
Steven Clubb but having her as President had been set up in the New Adventure books and I love that Big Finish treated that like Canon.
FINALLY!!! The 8th Doctor is totally “my” Doctor. This is the beginning of his Big Finish run. Charley becomes such a great companion after this audio drama. If you listen to this run in order, and get to the Zagreus story arc, you will get such a grand appreciation for all of the Big Finish stories. Lucie Miller is a really great 8th Doctor companion, but Charley is absolutely fantastic because of how the Doctor takes her out of her time when she should have died. Vortisaurs are awesome!!! Paul McGann did the audio book for “Vurt” in 1993. The only real issue with the TV movie he did is it was written how Classic Who was written and the lack of the technology for the story that was told.
I don't think you can blame Paul McGann for the bit where he's talking to himself... That was the writers fault! Thank god he meets up with Charley soon after. I would recommend listening to the first two seasons of Paul McGann Doctor Who in order as the whole sub-plot about Charley having should have died in the R101 has got to be enjoyed that way.
John A. Short With a slice of Plum Pudding no doubt
Right? Charley is getting an, actually pretty sad, overarching story line. And it does NOT make her the most important person in the universe or something. I like this!
“The Natural History of Fear.” Now, THAT’s a good one.
Oh gosh yes
If you expected for this to be better wait until you hear the Chimes of Midnight thats one of the best episodes/audios of the Whoniverse
Really enjoyed this episode. The "do you feel that?...and thats why were alive!" Moment gives me chills Everytime!!
Modern Doctor Who is sometimes accused of 'remaking' certain old alien ideas. If you have a species with interesting idea but no real name value then its design is altered and name changed. Its because of the way the way the BBC handles creator contribution to the IP amd the royalties involve.
Revisiting this story makes me wish the show would give us a historical companion again. The bait and switch with Clara doesn't count!
Going forward, the "alien presence" may actually potentially be a spoiler because Big Finish does pure historicals as well.
Also, my personal recommendation (from a very long list of BF recommendations) would be "Full Fathom Five" from Doctor Who Unbound. Like I said in my last comment about it, Unbound follows these "what if" scenarios (so the series is non-canon). Full Fathom Five is my favorite story, and David Collings is my favorite non-canon Doctor.
Oh yes indeed, if I'm gonna rank the Unbound Doctors I'm probably gonna say
1. Martin Bannister, Derek Jacobi (Not really a Doctor but still counts)
2. David Collings
3. Geoffrey Bayldon
4. David Warner
5. Michael Jayston (The Valeyard)
6. Arabella Weir
Charley has possibly become my favorite companion, next to Ace and Clara. There's something just so warm and inviting about her interactions with the Doctor. I've been going through the Eighth Doctor Main Range for the first time, and I'm really liking it. Some of the stories were misses (Minuet in Hell was just rubbish) but the highs are really high. Currently up to Seasons Of Fear.
EDIT: Yeah I agree the first scene with the Doctor alone was indeed pretty cringey.
Storm Warning isn't the geatest, but I recommend continuing with the Eighth Doctor in the early monthly range as the stories get better and better.
Sooooo good
YAY! More BF talk. Will watch a bit later.
Couple of interesting BTS history. BF approached McGann's agent when they launched, but she didn't pass the offer on to McGann. The agent was Janet Fielding, who played Tegan and who had a somewhat difficult relationship with Doctor Who at the time. It was only recently she started doing regular audio adventures.
This had a knock-on effect because Moffat had tentatively agreed to write some audios, but only for the then-current Doctor. When they couldn't get McGann, he dropped out.
Oh, and if you're not really feeling McGann's Doctor at the start of his Monthly Range era, I recommend starting with the Eight Doctor Adventures instead, and the two-parter 'Blood of the Daleks'. :)
9:00 I recommend listening to Terra Firma, then revisiting this part of the review. IMPORTANT: make sure you've listened to all the other 8th Doctor Monthly Series prior to Terra Firma, or you will have major spoilers exposed...
India Fisshers Charley is pretty highly regarded both as a Companion of the 8th Doctor and. of later via Timey Wimey circumstances Colin Baker;'s sixth Doctor. and ultimately as her own . I wont say much more than that as it would be even more spoiler-y than it already is by nature
Good video. Charlie is actually my favorite for companions introduced in the audio, although that isn't too many as they tried to bring back companions from the series, but she is definitely in my top 10, possibly top 5. I like the fact that you make reference to things that are perhaps a little less well know, The Dark Crystal in this case.
This was the first big finish audio drama I ever bought. (Not the first one I listened to, i was able to hear sirens of time first actually). Because of that, this audio has a special place in my heart. Although I do acknowledge your criticism about 8 in the beginning. (I just love Paul McGann’s voice so I personally have no problem with it)
This was my first audio drama that I ever bought. Nearly 300 purchases later, I’d say this was a good start for me!
Hey, the intro talk is not the fault of the actor, but of people telling him to do it...
And, spoilers:
Possibly, in universe, of Eight still being a bit "out of it" from having lost two companions and his memories of them.
Finally watched it.
I think it's safe to say Charlie is well-regarded as there's two box sets of her spin-off series... not convinced they've justified their existence but her story doesn't end with McGann.
I won't spoil the really big development in her story, but she has a really great run much further down the timeline.
Charley is actually a companion I adored right from the get-go. She’s my favorite of 8’s companions. She may very well be my favorite companion ever.
Despite its fame, the Hindenburg had a relatively high percentage of survivors. Even for total deaths, it barely places in the top five of airship disasters, and that is mostly against ships that carried half as many people. The Hindenburg (35 airborne fatalities) had a 66% survival rate. The R38 (44 fatalities) had a 10% survival rate. The R101 (48 fatalities) had an 11% survival rate. The Dixmude (48-52 fatalities, I've seen three different figures for how many people were actually aboard) had no survivors. The Akron (73 fatalities) had a 4% survival rate.
The Hindenburg saw a single ground crew fatality, for a total ground and air combined death toll of 36. In the case of the Akron, a blimp searching for survivors itself crashes, causing two more fatalities.
In comparison, the Titantic (~1500 fatalities) had a 33% survival rate.
Awesome!
Jonathan Schmidt ^^ It's the first and it's shows, but it's still really good and made me like and care about the characters of Eight and Charley right away.
Zegraus is the best doctor who story ever so check it out
You're getting into arc territory! There's a whole storyline concerning Charley. She's met three doctors: Paul McGann, Colin Baker, and Tom Baker.
When did she meet T... oh right. The 50th Anniversary
2:51 jokes on you, I think lazy town
If you want a really good Paul McGann audio, try Chimes of Midnight by Robert Shearman.
Yes storm warning and Charley is one of the best companions in the show
Also Charley's so good she gets her own spin off
Spoiler
And travels with the sixth doctor
I listened to this a while back and really liked it
I’d say you should listen to jubilee, IT IS GOOD
Oliverfan2005 Yes, and he should listen to the Six and Evelyn stories in order
Charley is my favourite companion but the overall consensus is split for some reason
Once you listen to Zagreus, you should start Gallifrey (its really good imo)
I definitely think of led zeppelin in most situations
Yes, the exposition at the beginning is agonizingly bad, but the fault lies with the writer and the producers, who really should have known better. The opening scene really does sabotage the introduction of the eighth Doctor's audio adventures. Fortunately, The Chimes of Midnight was soon to arrive, and that one shows not only how the pitfalls of audio can be avoided but how they can be exploited to maximum effect. I expect everyone has been urging you to listen to that one already, so I'll just add my recommendation to the list.
8s audio's don't really pick up until his second season.
For the 6th Doctor, I recommend starting with the Marian Conspiracy
So which has been your favourite Big Finish story so far?
Spare Parts
Thought it might be. Mine's probably Master.
While I did like Storm Warning, I must admit that it has faults. It gets better though. I personally liked the second 8 audio, Sword of Orion, the most of his first "series"
Julian S Really? I loved Storm Warning, but I could not get into Sword of Orion at all, and it killed my attempt to get into the story arc.
Yes, I know it's an unpopular opinion, but I just like the base-under-siege type of stories and the creepy atmosphere, reminded me of stories like the moonbase which is my favorite 2nd Doctor episode alongside Tomb of the Cybermen and Enemy of the World. But that's what I like about the show, there is everything for everybody.
I found Sword Of Orion boring, but i did like the Spin Off that came out of it though: "Cyberman"
Im slow. This is an audio cast not a tv program?
You are correct.
Out of 8s many companions, Charley is my second favourite after Mary. Crizz is a bit boring, Lucie gets on my nerves, the rest I can't afford to listen to.
C'rizz: Doctor remember i killed my girlfriend L'da, oh and Doctor we need to go look for Charlotte.
The majority of C'rizz's lines
I loved Storm Warning. And yes I think the creatures in Father’s Day are pinched from the Vortasaurs in this. Paul McGann is my second favourite Doctor and if the SJW problem the 13th Doctor seems potentially mired in sinks the show I think we should have an 8th Doctor spun-off to replace it...