Brief Summary
This episode of The Sirens of Audio features a comprehensive review of the Time Lord Victorious audio series, including discussions on various releases from Big Finish and BBC Audio. The hosts share their thoughts and insights on each story, along with exclusive interviews with writers Jonathan Morris (Genetics of the Daleks) and Alfie Shaw (overall series writer and producer). The episode explores the narrative connections, character development, and overall impact of the Time Lord Victorious saga.
- Comprehensive review of Time Lord Victorious audio series.
- Exclusive interviews with writers Jonathan Morris and Alfie Shaw.
- Discussion of narrative connections, character development, and overall impact.
Intro
The episode begins with introductions and a brief overview of what to expect. The hosts will share their thoughts on the Time Lord Victorious audio range, including reviews originally done for the "Prog Too" podcast (now "Around the Console"). Additionally, they will present previously unreleased interviews with Jonathan Morris, the writer of "Genetics of the Daleks," and Alfie Shaw, a writer and producer for the series. A trailer for "Master Thief" and "Lesser Evils" will be played before the main content.
Master Theif / Lessor Evils
The hosts discuss the short trips "Master Thief" and "Lesser Evils," which marked their initial foray into the Time Lord Victorious saga. They praise John khaw's narration and characterization of the Master. "Master Thief" felt like a classic Perry era story, while "Lesser Evils" was initially confusing but later revealed its connections to the broader narrative. The hosts also discuss the introduction of the curu and their role in the Time Lord Victorious universe, recommending the books "The Knight, the Fool and the Dead" and "All Flesh is Grass" for a better understanding of these aliens.
Echoes of Extinction - 8th Doctor side
The hosts review "Echoes of Extinction," an eighth doctor story initially released on vinyl. While designed as a standalone story, it has loose ties to the Time Lord Victorious series. The hosts praise Paul Clayton's performance and Burn Gorman's sinister character, but note that the story's 29-minute length and exposition-heavy nature make it feel somewhat constricted. They also discuss the sound design and its potential impact on vinyl, suggesting it could add a new dimension to the story.
He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not
The hosts discuss "He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not," an eighth doctor story by Carrie Thompson. They praise the ideas, interesting characters, and the introduction of Brian the oud assassin. The story is described as an amusing Western with links to the Time Lord Victorious arc, particularly the planet's altered timeline. The hosts note that the eighth doctor sounds tired, reflecting his state towards the end of his life. One host expresses dislike for the Time War theme music, while the other enjoys it. The hosts also discuss the story's themes, including a critique of patriarchy, and praise the performances of the cast.
The Enemy of My Enemy
The hosts review "The Enemy of My Enemy," a story that sees the doctor joining forces with the dialects. They praise the story's strong connections to the Time Lord Victorious arc, Nick Brigg's performance as the dialects, and Tracyanne Bane's writing. The hosts discuss the subtle references to classic Doctor Who and the characterization of the dialects. One host notes that the ending, where the doctor is duped by the dialects, feels like a trait of the 13th doctor.
The Minds of Magnox
The hosts discuss "The Minds of Magnox," a story set in the middle of "All Flesh's Grass." They praise the author, Darren Jones, and the visual setting of magnox. One host appreciates the clear explanation of the alien landscape and the concept of growing knowledge bumps. The hosts also praise Jacob dudman's performance as the 10th doctor and Brian the oud. They discuss the question the 10th doctor was going to ask, which was never answered. One host notes that this is a period when the 10th doctor is at his craziest and worst, leading to the appearance of the 11th doctor at the end.
Mutually Assured Destruction
The hosts review "Mutually Assured Destruction," touted as "Doctor Who does Die Hard." They praise the nonstop action, adventure, and Nicholas Brigg's performance as the dialects. The hosts discuss the political intrigue between the different types of dialects and the doctor's quest to find disappearing planets. One host notes that the story is injected within the Time Lord Victorious arc, while the other appreciates the driven plot and great dialogue. The hosts also shout out Lizzy hopley, the writer, and the sound design by Peter dogget and Ian M.
Genetics of the Daleks
The hosts review "Genetics of the Daleks," a fourth doctor story tied to the escape hunt game. They discuss the story's self-contained nature and the Dal mutant side of it. One host notes that the fourth doctor takes a long time to appear, while the other praises the lasting of the story. The hosts also discuss the politics and the human element of the story. One host expresses disappointment that the fourth doctor leaves before finishing the job, leading to a bleak ending.
Interview with Jonathan Morris
Jonathan Morris, the writer of "Genetics of the Daleks," discusses how he came to write for Time Lord Victorious. He explains that the story was commissioned late in the process to bridge the gap between Time Lord Victorious and the dalac escape room. Morris describes the process of writing the story, which had to be Standalone and easily changeable due to the pandemic. He also discusses the characters and their motivations, as well as the story's relationship to the escape room game.
Echoes of Extinction - 10th Doctor side
The hosts discuss "Echoes of Extinction" and share their overall thoughts on the Time Lord Victorious series. They compare the concept to the "Key to Time" season, noting that while there were fantastic stories, the overall arc fell flat. The hosts express a feeling of not being completely satisfied with the arc, despite the good production and ingredients. They also discuss the challenges of following the series due to the changing mediums and the lack of a clear through line.
Interview with Alfie Shaw
Alfie Shaw discusses the origins of Time Lord Victorious and his role in the project. He explains that the BBC wanted three stories with Manan, a vinyl, and two short trips. Shaw describes the structure of the main run and the creative freedom given for the short trips. He also discusses the challenges of producing "Echoes of Extinction" during the pandemic and the changes made to the story. Shaw defends Time Lord Victorious as a creative endeavor, despite the financial elements involved. He also shares his thoughts on the individual parts of the series and the challenges of creating a cohesive narrative.
