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eleanorflovver's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
my favourite eda so far. while parts of it felt a little rushed, the premise was excellent and i started to really like lucie and her dynamic with eight here as they settle more into their yes-and game. i am also a whore for any dark doctor story and it's always good to see the adrenaline junkie dark side of the doctor brought (however briefly) into the light, especially as nuwho was very much in its infancy when this came out. good audio.
melsage1823's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A Creative And Thrilling Adventure That Perfectly Explores Fear And How The Doctor's Mind Works When It Comes To Fear.
Another amazing entry in the 8th Doctor Adventures Range. Phobos is adventurous, mysterious as well as dark in the way it explores fear. Really love how complex and creative it is. Whilst giving us old threats we know from the series, this story gives a very mystical and creepy enemy. Once again I am mind blown, Phobos took many twists and turns I just didn't really expect.
The only thing that spoiled my enjoyment a bit was the pacing. It had so much payoff but dragged a lot. The build up took too long and I don't know it felt too slow paced for me, I was just waiting for the action to happen every time somebody was attacked. Apart from that though I really did enjoyed it.
There's so many things I could praise about this story including the heavily stacked cast that all gave amazing performances but here's a few things that stood out to me.
First the music. I've listened to quite a few stories but this is the best music I've heard so far. Andy Hardwick did an absolutely brilliant job making the music so atmospheric and mystical. The composition seriously rocked. Every piece beautifully matched the aesthetic of each scene. The best theme had to be the motif that played anytime the mysterious phobians were mentioned. Doctor Who is a hard thing to compose due to how unique every story is but Big Finish have handled it really well. The best part of sci-fi music is when it matches the atmsophere and tensity of the scene and Phobos does that perfectly. From its chilling and thrilling moments to its lighthearted fun moments, it's all composed perfectly in the right way that brings out the right emotions. If there's anything you want to get out of the story, listen deeply and closer to the music.
Secondly the twists and turns. Again this is another story that throws you in another direction when you think it's going elsewhere. Similar to Blood Of The Daleks this story has you guessing at every turn what might happen and what's really going on. It plays to some really dark themes and becomes instantly unpredictable as each minute passes. A good story often steers away from what's expected of it and builds a narrative that leaves you mind blown. The twists in this really allowed for Paul MacGann to shine and show off his Doctors darker side eloquently. All of the resolution is teased throughout the story but it comes as a massive shock to the point even Lucie is now doubtful about The Doctor and his character. It creates an interesting Doctor, Companion dynamic for the rest of this series of adventures.
Finally the creativity and inventiveness. I love how fresh this story feels from a typical doctor who story you'd get. It shows just how experimental Big Finish are and how willing they are to explore new concepts. Immortal Beloved perfectly showed the darkside of cloning whilst Phobos shows how powerful Fear is and how it has shaped The Doctor in his long life. It reminds me a bit of the Rings Of Akhaten even though this was done much earlier. It's nice that through the media of audio we get to listen to monsters more physiologically disturbing and mind bending. I also think the setting and whole concept of Phobos seems unoriginal being a holiday destination and all until you peel back the layers and discover the conflicts our side characters are facing. I hope other Big Finish Stories have this creativity and embrace being an exclusively audio medium like this one did.
Overall another fun and intriguing entry in the first series of the 8th Doctor Adventures. It really twisted from your conventional monster on the loose killing tourists story. The side characters were brilliant and Lucie and The Doctor got a whole lot to do here too, both shinning in their own ways. I heavily recommend this one as it's absolutely worth the listen.
The first series of the 8th Doctor Adventures are on Spotify for free. Definitely recommend giving it a try if your a whovian and have an account.
Another amazing entry in the 8th Doctor Adventures Range. Phobos is adventurous, mysterious as well as dark in the way it explores fear. Really love how complex and creative it is. Whilst giving us old threats we know from the series, this story gives a very mystical and creepy enemy. Once again I am mind blown, Phobos took many twists and turns I just didn't really expect.
The only thing that spoiled my enjoyment a bit was the pacing. It had so much payoff but dragged a lot. The build up took too long and I don't know it felt too slow paced for me, I was just waiting for the action to happen every time somebody was attacked. Apart from that though I really did enjoyed it.
There's so many things I could praise about this story including the heavily stacked cast that all gave amazing performances but here's a few things that stood out to me.
First the music. I've listened to quite a few stories but this is the best music I've heard so far. Andy Hardwick did an absolutely brilliant job making the music so atmospheric and mystical. The composition seriously rocked. Every piece beautifully matched the aesthetic of each scene. The best theme had to be the motif that played anytime the mysterious phobians were mentioned. Doctor Who is a hard thing to compose due to how unique every story is but Big Finish have handled it really well. The best part of sci-fi music is when it matches the atmsophere and tensity of the scene and Phobos does that perfectly. From its chilling and thrilling moments to its lighthearted fun moments, it's all composed perfectly in the right way that brings out the right emotions. If there's anything you want to get out of the story, listen deeply and closer to the music.
Secondly the twists and turns. Again this is another story that throws you in another direction when you think it's going elsewhere. Similar to Blood Of The Daleks this story has you guessing at every turn what might happen and what's really going on. It plays to some really dark themes and becomes instantly unpredictable as each minute passes. A good story often steers away from what's expected of it and builds a narrative that leaves you mind blown. The twists in this really allowed for Paul MacGann to shine and show off his Doctors darker side eloquently. All of the resolution is teased throughout the story but it comes as a massive shock to the point even Lucie is now doubtful about The Doctor and his character. It creates an interesting Doctor, Companion dynamic for the rest of this series of adventures.
Finally the creativity and inventiveness. I love how fresh this story feels from a typical doctor who story you'd get. It shows just how experimental Big Finish are and how willing they are to explore new concepts. Immortal Beloved perfectly showed the darkside of cloning whilst Phobos shows how powerful Fear is and how it has shaped The Doctor in his long life. It reminds me a bit of the Rings Of Akhaten even though this was done much earlier. It's nice that through the media of audio we get to listen to monsters more physiologically disturbing and mind bending. I also think the setting and whole concept of Phobos seems unoriginal being a holiday destination and all until you peel back the layers and discover the conflicts our side characters are facing. I hope other Big Finish Stories have this creativity and embrace being an exclusively audio medium like this one did.
Overall another fun and intriguing entry in the first series of the 8th Doctor Adventures. It really twisted from your conventional monster on the loose killing tourists story. The side characters were brilliant and Lucie and The Doctor got a whole lot to do here too, both shinning in their own ways. I heavily recommend this one as it's absolutely worth the listen.
The first series of the 8th Doctor Adventures are on Spotify for free. Definitely recommend giving it a try if your a whovian and have an account.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping
olliewheaton's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
wanderlustlover's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the first season and half of The Eight Doctor & Lucie Miller incredibly close together and back to back, so all of them are going to end up with the same review for the moment while I'm fixing up my forgotten rec's and clearing out my Currently Reading Folder (which shouldn't be 40+ books, it should be somewhere relatively close to right under ten).
I have loved meeting Eight, and his resigned but inspirational way of being. I love Lucy's moxy, and her mouth. Her mouth may be the best thing on the planet. Even though I know the episodes are roughly the same length as tv episodes, from single one hours to double-extended two hours, somehow they end up feeling like bite-size, leaving me wanting just a little more from every single one.
I have loved meeting Eight, and his resigned but inspirational way of being. I love Lucy's moxy, and her mouth. Her mouth may be the best thing on the planet. Even though I know the episodes are roughly the same length as tv episodes, from single one hours to double-extended two hours, somehow they end up feeling like bite-size, leaving me wanting just a little more from every single one.
nwhyte's review
On Phobos, the Doctor and Lucie find themselves in a leisure resort on the eponymous Martian moon, where there are peculiar things afoot. It turns out to be a bit of a mess of aliens, robots and conspiring humans, with Big Name Actors such as Nerys Hughes and Timothy West. It gets unpacked more or less convincingly, with a couple of lucky escapes and fortunate coincidences. Wikipedia sees links with The Fearmonger and The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit; it reminded me more of The Leisure Hive.
chicafrom3's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Eight, Lucie, a bunch of sports nuts, and a monster that feeds on fear.
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