Brief Summary
In this episode of The Sirens of Audio, Dwayne and Philip discuss the character of Benny Summerfield in celebration of her 25th anniversary at Big Finish, focusing on the audio adaptation of "Love and War." They explore the complexities of adapting dense novels into audio dramas, the character's significance, and the broader themes within the story. They also discuss accessibility in Doctor Who and share recommendations for further listening.
- Benny Summerfield's 25th anniversary at Big Finish.
- Discussion of "Love and War" audio adaptation.
- Accessibility in Doctor Who.
- Recommendations: Radio 2 celebrations and "Once and Future" series.
Introduction
Lisa bman introduces the Sirens of Audio, a show that explores the universe of Doctor Who and the audio medium. Dwayne and Philip greet the audience, setting the stage for a discussion about Benny Summerfield and the audio adaptation of "Love and War."
Listener Feedback: Accessibility in Doctor Who
Dwayne reads a long comment from a YouTube user named Aaron, who is blind, about the accessibility of Doctor Who content through audio descriptions on the BBC iPlayer. Aaron shares his emotional experience of watching the 60th-anniversary content with audio descriptions, highlighting the impact of accessibility for visually impaired fans. He also mentions his love for the "Once and Future" series and his history with Doctor Who, starting in 2005.
Discussion on Accessibility and Streaming Services
Philip and Dwayne discuss the importance of accessibility in media and how it's becoming more of a norm. They reflect on the availability of Doctor Who content on streaming services like Disney+ and BritBox, noting the challenges of content disappearing from these platforms. They also touch on the license fees associated with accessing content on BBC iPlayer and the advantages of owning physical copies of favorite series.
Love and War: Introduction and Facts
Dwayne reads the blurb for "Love and War," a Virgin New Adventures adaptation written by Paul Cornell and adapted by Jack Raina. The story is set on the planet Heaven, where the Doctor, Ace, and Benny Summerfield become involved in a complex plot involving war, romance, and mysterious forces. Philip shares facts and trivia about the audio adaptation, including its release date, cast, and its place in the series of novel adaptations by Big Finish.
Impressions and Analysis of "Love and War"
Dwayne and Philip share their impressions of the "Love and War" audio adaptation. Dwayne notes that the story is dense and requires knowledge from the novels, while Philip feels the audio adaptation is rushed and lacks the depth of the novel. They discuss the character of Benny Summerfield and her significance in the story, as well as the challenges of adapting complex narratives into audio dramas.
Themes and Connections in "Love and War"
The hosts explore the themes and connections within "Love and War," including the Draconian-Human war setting, the concept of pter space, and the inspiration behind the villains, the Hutai. They discuss the complex relationships between the characters, including the open relationship between Ace and Jan. They also touch on the controversial elements of the story and how Doctor Who has always pushed boundaries.
Casting and Production of "Love and War"
Dwayne and Philip discuss the casting and production of "Love and War," highlighting the large cast of characters and the distinct voices brought in by director Gary Russell. They note that many of the cast members only appeared in this one Big Finish story. They also comment on the dark and depressing nature of the Church of Vacuum within the story.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Dwayne and Philip share their final thoughts on "Love and War," recommending it to listeners interested in Benny Summerfield's introduction and novel adaptations. They also suggest exploring other novel adaptations and the Benny Summerfield series. Philip recommends the Radio 2 celebrations for Doctor Who's 60th anniversary, while Dwayne recommends the "Once and Future" series.
Recommendations: Radio 2 Celebrations and "Once and Future" Series
Philip recommends the Radio 2 celebrations for Doctor Who's 60th anniversary, highlighting the interviews and interesting segments. Dwayne recommends the "Once and Future" series, noting that they will be doing a retrospective on the series in two weeks.
Next Week's Episode: Interview with India Fisher
Dwayne announces that next week's episode will feature an interview with India Fisher, who played Charlie Pollard with the Eighth Doctor. Philip expresses his excitement for the interview and mentions the upcoming Eighth Doctor story with Conrad Westmass and India Fisher. Dwayne also teases a special announcement for Australian listeners.
Conclusion
Dwayne and Philip thank each other for their company and sign off, reminding listeners to comment, email, or contact them via social media. They announce the episode title and credits, and thank the listeners for tuning in.
