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A review by melsage1823
Doctor Who: The Sirens of Time by Nicholas Briggs
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
A Mystical Mind Blowing Multi-Doctor Story That Stands The Test Of Time.
Considering the fact that this is Big Finish's first ever Doctor Who production it is massively impressive at how good this story is. Despite being released in 1999 it still stands the test of time. Multi Doctor stories are very hard to do on audio but The Sirens Of Times passes the test with flying covers. It's a really good story that despite spanning over two hours kept me hooked.
I love multi-doctors stories and this excelled really well and it feels suspenseful when all The Doctor's come together. Peter Davison, Colin Baker And Sylvester McCoy have electrifying chemistry and are a delight to listen to together. An important component of a multi-doctor story is that the actors have great chemistry together and they certainly do. The contrasting personality of all three incarnations makes for a very interesting story with a perfect mix of drama and humour.
Very enjoyable and a good introduction to the company's main range. That being said I do have a few nitpicks.
In two hours a lot of things happened and the set up was well done but I think it happened to rapid for me. I'm use to the normal landing place let's explore formula but instead nearly five minutes in we're head first into the action and considering the fact that it's 2 hours I wish there was room to breathe. It also would have helped if we get proper build up to Five being separated from his companions instead of it happening off audio. With 2 hours it really felt like there should have been more time to breathe with each Doctor instead of diving head first into an action packed timey whimey plot.
Another thing is that I feel while we got to explore The Doctor's flaws as a whole, the stakes were mainly high for only Five. He was a punching bag for the whole story and as a result it left no chance for Six and Seven to get their own angst defining moments. Give the timelord a break he was two other incarnations to explore. With him being the Punching Bag it kind of felt like he had nothing to do and no purpose to being there other than exposition. I still liked Five in this story though don't get me wrong.
Apart from that though this is a really good story and as I mention a good start to The Doctor Who monthly range. I haven't seen much of Classic Who but it pays tribute to the show heartwarmingly and keeps the essence of what on screen full episode story arc would look like. It also is very brave and bold in the story it tells, the twists will leave you gaping in shock the further you listen. Its absolutely fantastic and perfectly foreshadows the brilliance to come with Big Finish's use of The Doctor Who licence.
There's so much I could praise about but to spare a read, I'm gonna highlight some of my favourite aspects.
The aesthetic and feel of this audio is wonderful. It's formated exactly like Classic Who and stays true to the shows style. Like I said I haven't seen much of Classic Who but through the writing you can tell how much respect Nick Briggs and the rest of the Big Finish team have for the source material. This story felt like the Classic Who version of Day Of The Doctor with the high stakes to save Galifrey and all of time itself. I also love how the full audio is split into several different parts and that it uses each part to build and introduce each Doctor before they all come together. It also means that as a result its a great jumping on point for new listeners. If your new to Big Finish and want a taster this definitely is the story to start with.
Secondly I need to praise the creativity and bravery. Doctor Who hasn't done much adult or dark content due to constraints but The Sirens Of Time goes wild and that is its strength. No confined by TV ratings. Nick Briggs and the team are able to pull off a truly fantastic time whimey story that really explores the time travel aspect of the show and the butterfly effect. Without spoilers I can say that it really expands on The Doctor's character and shows that he isn't always right. It also has a villian that's really compelling, the villians motive is really basic but the methods and means they use to get what they want is super dark and disturbing. Your on the edge of your seat the entire time praying all The Doctor's will be okay and that everything will be okay in the end.
Finally the sound design. Considering the fact that this is one of Big Finish's oldest Doctor Who audios it's really impressive how well it manages to still hold up. Released in 1999 and its still brilliantly edited together. It felt like I was watching a serial of Classic Who. I was very immersed and able to easily visualise the story in my head as I listened. The sound scapes are perfectly designed by Nicholas Briggs allowing you to feel immersed in the location, when your on Galifrey you feel like your on Galifrey. When your on a planet with quick sand, it feels like your on a deadly planet with quick sound. It's not a hundred percent perfect but it's really good for its time. It shows the potential to grow Big Finish has and it has indeed. The Sirens Of Time is worth if for the sound alone.
Overall a fantastic audio that is a wonderful multi doctor story as well as a good introduction to Big Finish. Its bold and is a two hour action packed ride. This adventure with Peter Davison, Colin Baker And Sylvester McCoy will not disappoint you and is a hundred percent worth the listen.
Considering the fact that this is Big Finish's first ever Doctor Who production it is massively impressive at how good this story is. Despite being released in 1999 it still stands the test of time. Multi Doctor stories are very hard to do on audio but The Sirens Of Times passes the test with flying covers. It's a really good story that despite spanning over two hours kept me hooked.
I love multi-doctors stories and this excelled really well and it feels suspenseful when all The Doctor's come together. Peter Davison, Colin Baker And Sylvester McCoy have electrifying chemistry and are a delight to listen to together. An important component of a multi-doctor story is that the actors have great chemistry together and they certainly do. The contrasting personality of all three incarnations makes for a very interesting story with a perfect mix of drama and humour.
Very enjoyable and a good introduction to the company's main range. That being said I do have a few nitpicks.
In two hours a lot of things happened and the set up was well done but I think it happened to rapid for me. I'm use to the normal landing place let's explore formula but instead nearly five minutes in we're head first into the action and considering the fact that it's 2 hours I wish there was room to breathe. It also would have helped if we get proper build up to Five being separated from his companions instead of it happening off audio. With 2 hours it really felt like there should have been more time to breathe with each Doctor instead of diving head first into an action packed timey whimey plot.
Another thing is that I feel while we got to explore The Doctor's flaws as a whole, the stakes were mainly high for only Five. He was a punching bag for the whole story and as a result it left no chance for Six and Seven to get their own angst defining moments. Give the timelord a break he was two other incarnations to explore. With him being the Punching Bag it kind of felt like he had nothing to do and no purpose to being there other than exposition. I still liked Five in this story though don't get me wrong.
Apart from that though this is a really good story and as I mention a good start to The Doctor Who monthly range. I haven't seen much of Classic Who but it pays tribute to the show heartwarmingly and keeps the essence of what on screen full episode story arc would look like. It also is very brave and bold in the story it tells, the twists will leave you gaping in shock the further you listen. Its absolutely fantastic and perfectly foreshadows the brilliance to come with Big Finish's use of The Doctor Who licence.
There's so much I could praise about but to spare a read, I'm gonna highlight some of my favourite aspects.
The aesthetic and feel of this audio is wonderful. It's formated exactly like Classic Who and stays true to the shows style. Like I said I haven't seen much of Classic Who but through the writing you can tell how much respect Nick Briggs and the rest of the Big Finish team have for the source material. This story felt like the Classic Who version of Day Of The Doctor with the high stakes to save Galifrey and all of time itself. I also love how the full audio is split into several different parts and that it uses each part to build and introduce each Doctor before they all come together. It also means that as a result its a great jumping on point for new listeners. If your new to Big Finish and want a taster this definitely is the story to start with.
Secondly I need to praise the creativity and bravery. Doctor Who hasn't done much adult or dark content due to constraints but The Sirens Of Time goes wild and that is its strength. No confined by TV ratings. Nick Briggs and the team are able to pull off a truly fantastic time whimey story that really explores the time travel aspect of the show and the butterfly effect. Without spoilers I can say that it really expands on The Doctor's character and shows that he isn't always right. It also has a villian that's really compelling, the villians motive is really basic but the methods and means they use to get what they want is super dark and disturbing. Your on the edge of your seat the entire time praying all The Doctor's will be okay and that everything will be okay in the end.
Finally the sound design. Considering the fact that this is one of Big Finish's oldest Doctor Who audios it's really impressive how well it manages to still hold up. Released in 1999 and its still brilliantly edited together. It felt like I was watching a serial of Classic Who. I was very immersed and able to easily visualise the story in my head as I listened. The sound scapes are perfectly designed by Nicholas Briggs allowing you to feel immersed in the location, when your on Galifrey you feel like your on Galifrey. When your on a planet with quick sand, it feels like your on a deadly planet with quick sound. It's not a hundred percent perfect but it's really good for its time. It shows the potential to grow Big Finish has and it has indeed. The Sirens Of Time is worth if for the sound alone.
Overall a fantastic audio that is a wonderful multi doctor story as well as a good introduction to Big Finish. Its bold and is a two hour action packed ride. This adventure with Peter Davison, Colin Baker And Sylvester McCoy will not disappoint you and is a hundred percent worth the listen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Murder, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Death