Brief Summary
This episode of The Sirens of Audio celebrates 25 years of Doctor Who audio dramas at Big Finish Productions. The hosts, Dwayne and Phillip, along with guest Kenny Smith, discuss Big Finish's influence on the TV series, standout stories, key figures, and the impact of recasting. They also offer recommendations for new listeners and share personal anecdotes about their experiences with Big Finish.
- Big Finish's influence on the TV series and standout stories
- Key figures and the impact of recasting
- Recommendations for new listeners and personal anecdotes
Intro
The intro features a comedic sketch with Bonnie Langford and Dwayne Voss engaging in a power struggle over their respective YouTube channels and podcasts. Langford's character threatens to dominate the fandom and crush lesser creatives, while Voss's character dismisses her ambitions as ultimately insignificant.
Introduction
Dwayne introduces the show, The Sirens of Audio, which explores Doctor Who and other cult TV in the audio medium. He welcomes Phillip and Kenny back to the show. Phillip discusses his exhaustion following recent live events and birthday celebrations. Kenny shares his experience interviewing Doctor Who actors at conventions in Glasgow.
Rabbit Hole: Big Finish's Influence on the TV Series
The hosts discuss Big Finish's influence on the Doctor Who television series. Phillip notes that some Big Finish concepts and stories, such as "Dalek" (based on "Jubilee") and the Cybermen from "Spare Parts," have been adapted for TV. He argues that the TV series should utilize Big Finish's talented writers like John Dorney, Tim Foley and Nick Briggs. Kenny mentions Russell T. Davies's introduction to "The Big Finish Doctor Who: The Inside Story," where he stated that Big Finish reinvented Doctor Who. He also draws parallels between Bernice Summerfield and River Song. Dwayne emphasizes the importance of fan-driven content like Audio Visuals and the Virgin New Adventures in keeping Doctor Who alive during the "Wilderness Years." Phillip highlights how Big Finish improved companion characters like Ace and Charlie, influencing the new series. Kenny adds Steven Moffat's acknowledgement that the mention of the Eighth Doctor's companions in "Night of the Doctor" was an apology for his initial dismissal of Big Finish.
25 Years of Big Finish: Standout Moments and First Experiences
The hosts transition to discussing standout moments from Big Finish's 25-year history. Kenny's first Big Finish experience was with the Bernice Summerfield audios, having followed the New Adventures book series. He emphasizes the high quality of Big Finish's sound design from the beginning. Phillip's first experience was "The Sirens of Time," which he found fantastic. Dwayne's first experience was "The Chimes of Midnight," which had a significant impact on him. Kenny recalls the excitement surrounding the announcement of Paul McGann's return as the Eighth Doctor and the creation of fan-made program guides. Phillip remembers receiving the Eighth Doctor audios in the mail while living in Melbourne and being blown away by "Storm Warning" and the character of Charlie. Kenny mentions creating a fanzine dedicated to the Eighth Doctor audios and interviewing cast and crew members. Phillip shares that he discovered Big Finish through Kenny's fanzine.
The Gary Russell Era: Experimental Stories and Key Characters
The discussion shifts to the two distinct eras of Big Finish: the Gary Russell years and the Nick Briggs years. Dwayne notes that Gary Russell's era had a distinct flavor, characterized by experimental stories like "The Natural History of Fear" and "Flip-Flop." Kenny highlights "Storm Warning" and "Neverland" as particular highs, praising the emotional depth of "Neverland" and the innovative storytelling of "Creatures of Beauty." He also mentions "ish" for its clever linguistics and "Night Thoughts" as a terrifying story. Phillip mentions the Christmas specials, the return of old companions in non-companion roles, and the Sarah Jane Smith Adventures spin-off. He also praises the experimental nature of episodes like "Scherzo" and the cohesive nature of the "Davros" series. Kenny praises Gary Russell for allowing the Sixth Doctor to be portrayed in a more compassionate light, redeeming the character.
The Nick Briggs Era: Spin-Offs, Trilogies, and Recasting
The hosts discuss the Nick Briggs era, noting the addition of David Richardson as a line producer. Dwayne highlights the Jago & Lightfoot spin-off as a favorite, praising the chemistry between the leads and the series' unique themes. Kenny agrees, sharing his interview experiences with Trevor Baxter and Christopher Benjamin. Phillip notes the experimental format of the monthly range, including three-episode stories and trilogies. Dwayne mentions the Stockbridge Trilogy and the Ace and Hex trilogy. Phillip praises the Black and White Trilogy and the introduction of new characters like Aimes and Sally Morgan. Kenny highlights the Key to Time trilogy and the Graceless series. The discussion moves to the Fourth Doctor Adventures, with Phillip praising the one-hour format and the Mary Tamm season. He also mentions the novel adaptations range, highlighting "Goth Opera" and "Cold Fusion."
New Doctors and Spin-Offs
The panel discusses the return of David Tennant to Doctor Who, noting that Big Finish had him long before he was cast as the Doctor. They also touch on the new series characters, such as Unit, and the return of John Hurt. The recasting of the War Doctor with Jonathan Carley is discussed, as well as the recasting of the first and second doctors. The panel also discusses Jake Dudman, who does impressions of the 10th, 11th, and 12th doctors. The return of Christopher Eccleston is also discussed, with the panel hoping he comes back for more stories.
The End of the Monthly Range and Torchwood
The hosts discuss the end of the monthly range and the Torchwood spin-off. Dwayne expresses sadness over the end of the monthly range, while Phillip is happy to move on. Kenny understands why they did it, but still misses it. The panel agrees that Torchwood is still going strong, and that James Goss was writing top-notch stories through lockdown. The panel also mentions other spin-offs, such as the War Master and Lady Christina.
Recommendations for New Listeners and Final Thoughts
The hosts provide recommendations for new listeners. Kenny suggests the Lucy Miller Adventures and the 10th Doctor box sets. Phillip recommends quizzing new listeners on their favorite Doctor and companion to tailor recommendations. Dwayne suggests starting with "Storm Warning." The hosts share final thoughts on the last 25 years, expressing gratitude for the relationships and experiences gained through Big Finish. Kenny thanks the hosts for their podcast and shares anecdotes about the Big Finish community. Phillip expresses amazement at the support from the Big Finish team and the opportunity to connect with fellow fans. Dwayne proposes a reunion in 25 years to discuss the 50th anniversary of Big Finish.
