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Continuing my Twelfth Doctor rewatch. And going to put this two-parter's discussion in a spoiler cut.
( spoilers )
( spoilers )
Continuing my Peter Capaldi rewatch, and onto another I had very bad memories of. Overall I still found it a disappointing episode, but there was more that I liked this time. The large group of young schoolchildren seemed more palatable, and well-defined individuals, providing good material to watch, and complicating the experiences of the three main leads. Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor seemed to particularly thrive with young Maebh. And it was fun to see the two schoolteachers coping out of the classroom, as well as the challenges of their own relationship.
The first half or so of the story was solid for me, but things fell away after then. Too hand wavy, too vague explanations. I appreciate that a lot of the Steven Moffat era of Doctor Who has a fairytale quality and dreamlike nature. But I think Frank Cottrell-Boyce stretched this too far.
The environmental aspect was refreshing, but still too vaguely handled. And the ending was far, far too predictable for me.
I'd probably skip this on future rewatches, but am pleased that I enjoyed it more this time.
The first half or so of the story was solid for me, but things fell away after then. Too hand wavy, too vague explanations. I appreciate that a lot of the Steven Moffat era of Doctor Who has a fairytale quality and dreamlike nature. But I think Frank Cottrell-Boyce stretched this too far.
The environmental aspect was refreshing, but still too vaguely handled. And the ending was far, far too predictable for me.
I'd probably skip this on future rewatches, but am pleased that I enjoyed it more this time.
Small Prophets TV series - some thoughts
Mar. 18th, 2026 09:57 pmFinished watching this, having watched spread out and slowly.
Just beautiful, a gem of a series, that has so much of the feel of Mackenzie Crook's Detectorists, but tells an original story, with brand new characters, with warmth, style and pathos.
The character interactions were magical throughout.
So much of the best bits of the series were the small details, so very carefully observed, acted and directed.
And every character was rounded and sympathetic to an extent. That's top writing.
I especially enjoyed some of the moments in the DIY store.
But the best part was the relationship between Michael and Kacey.
For goodness sake BBC, renew it for a second series! Though I am rather wondering how well that would work. I'll certainly watch.
If you're in the UK and can watch this on iPlayer, I thoroughly recommend doing so.
If you're in another country, I hope it is broadcast where you are and you get a chance to see it!
It really is very special.
Just beautiful, a gem of a series, that has so much of the feel of Mackenzie Crook's Detectorists, but tells an original story, with brand new characters, with warmth, style and pathos.
The character interactions were magical throughout.
So much of the best bits of the series were the small details, so very carefully observed, acted and directed.
And every character was rounded and sympathetic to an extent. That's top writing.
I especially enjoyed some of the moments in the DIY store.
But the best part was the relationship between Michael and Kacey.
For goodness sake BBC, renew it for a second series! Though I am rather wondering how well that would work. I'll certainly watch.
If you're in the UK and can watch this on iPlayer, I thoroughly recommend doing so.
If you're in another country, I hope it is broadcast where you are and you get a chance to see it!
It really is very special.
Recently rewatched this, and enjoyed it again, though perhaps not as much as the first time.
The Golden Age style whodunnit aspect is fantastic. Though I found it frustrating that the Doctor already knows about the Foretold, making me feel one step removed from the story at that point. Writing about (fictional) past legendary things can be tricky, but I think a smoother bit of sleight of hand could have improved this. Taking the viewer along with the Doctor on the journey of discovery can be an important element.
I still find the split between the Agatha Christie esque train setting and the futuristic lab to be extremely jarring. This is a longstanding problem I have with Doctor Who stories that have an atmospheric opening setting, sometimes historical, and then relocate to a different much more scifi setting. Think "The Stones of Blood" for example.
Yet there is a good resolution, and the guest cast is strong. Not least Frank Skinner as train chief engineer Perkins, who has an unnerving ambiguity about whether he's an ally or not. Nicely done.
The Golden Age style whodunnit aspect is fantastic. Though I found it frustrating that the Doctor already knows about the Foretold, making me feel one step removed from the story at that point. Writing about (fictional) past legendary things can be tricky, but I think a smoother bit of sleight of hand could have improved this. Taking the viewer along with the Doctor on the journey of discovery can be an important element.
I still find the split between the Agatha Christie esque train setting and the futuristic lab to be extremely jarring. This is a longstanding problem I have with Doctor Who stories that have an atmospheric opening setting, sometimes historical, and then relocate to a different much more scifi setting. Think "The Stones of Blood" for example.
Yet there is a good resolution, and the guest cast is strong. Not least Frank Skinner as train chief engineer Perkins, who has an unnerving ambiguity about whether he's an ally or not. Nicely done.
Recently I rewatched the Matt Smith Doctor Who stories again. And I'm now rewatching Peter Capaldi's run. But it's been tricky to keep going. I think he's one of the best actors ever to play the part, but the characterisation as presented is often so unlikeable. Especially at the start of his run, but also with his treatment of Danny. It's very difficult to relate to this Doctor early on, and to want to watch the series.
I paused my rewatch part way through "Robot of Sherwood" and it took me some months to summon up the enthusiasm to restart. I'm now part way through series 8 episode 6 "The Caretaker". I've enjoyed some of the previous stories more than I expected to. Not least "Time Heist" which I could barely remember anything of. Though I rather yearn for simpler old style storytelling, rather than Steven Moffat esque convoluted timey wimeyness.
But I'm still hating the dislikeable aspects of this Doctor, which are particularly evident in
8. Not so much his alienness, but what I perceive too often as unnecessary cruelty to watch in the series. It feels like experiencing the early Sixth Doctor all over again. But pushing on ...
I paused my rewatch part way through "Robot of Sherwood" and it took me some months to summon up the enthusiasm to restart. I'm now part way through series 8 episode 6 "The Caretaker". I've enjoyed some of the previous stories more than I expected to. Not least "Time Heist" which I could barely remember anything of. Though I rather yearn for simpler old style storytelling, rather than Steven Moffat esque convoluted timey wimeyness.
But I'm still hating the dislikeable aspects of this Doctor, which are particularly evident in
8. Not so much his alienness, but what I perceive too often as unnecessary cruelty to watch in the series. It feels like experiencing the early Sixth Doctor all over again. But pushing on ...
Book review: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Jan. 23rd, 2026 06:17 pmJust finished this, my second book finished of the New Year. And it was honestly one of the most powerful and affecting books that I've read for a very long time. A tale of Shakespeare, yet not of Shakespeare, a moving family story, an immersive glimpse of Tudor England. I'm reluctant to say too much in detail to spoil things.
Structurally it was really interesting, different in some ways I gather from the film version. I also found it phenomenally immersive, similar to the effect that Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall series had on me. I wondered if this was due to the present tense used throughout much of the book, but I don't think that's so much the reason, as an acute sense of authorial observation and description. And just thoroughly good writing.
It has big standout moments that are particularly powerful, but also moved me constantly throughout, both by the feelings conveyed, and the power of the writing, which was both lyrical and addictive in equal measure.
Just an incredible achievement. And one that I would recommend without question.
Structurally it was really interesting, different in some ways I gather from the film version. I also found it phenomenally immersive, similar to the effect that Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall series had on me. I wondered if this was due to the present tense used throughout much of the book, but I don't think that's so much the reason, as an acute sense of authorial observation and description. And just thoroughly good writing.
It has big standout moments that are particularly powerful, but also moved me constantly throughout, both by the feelings conveyed, and the power of the writing, which was both lyrical and addictive in equal measure.
Just an incredible achievement. And one that I would recommend without question.
We've started watching the new remastered Blu-ray version of the BBC 1988-1990 Narnia TV stories. Working slowly through the three televised serials (Lion, Caspian & Dawn Treader, and Silver Chair), before watching the new extended combined making of documentary on the final disc.
First "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Which I watched in 1988, and later on video with Martin who'd never seen it. He's never seen the other Narnia TV stories at all.
Some quick thoughts, more about the production side of things than the story itself (mostly):
Martin stunned me tonight by saying that he doesn't think he'd ever read any of the original Narnia books, even as a child, growing up in Britain in the 1970s and 1980s.
He also wouldn't have noticed the Christian/religious elements in this Narnia story, without me hinting. Despite growing up in a more religious and consistently church going household than me. Though we're not sure how much of that side of things sunk in.
First "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Which I watched in 1988, and later on video with Martin who'd never seen it. He's never seen the other Narnia TV stories at all.
Some quick thoughts, more about the production side of things than the story itself (mostly):
- Relatively little happens in quite a few of the earlier episodes, at least compared to 1984’s “The Box of Delights”, which admittedly I adore.
- I wondered where I recognised the Professor from. Seymour in Last of the Summer Wine! Which my family was glued to on Sunday nights back then.
- Barbara Kellerman’s White Witch stretches things too much towards overacting.
- Aslan’s camp looks to older me now more like a 60s hippies commune.
- Ronald Pickup - yay!
- Aslan moves his body well but his mouth movements are very stiff.
- I do like the special effects of the creatures and phantasms that the Witch conjured. But many of the other special effects are less successful for me, and often clunky. Again not overall as good for me as in the earlier Box of Delights.
- The direction could be better in a lot of places, to smooth how the child actors are handled. It just often feels awkward.
- And it is so unsubtly Christian. In the whole Narnia book series that is most true of this book and, above all, the final one. But I’m finding it harder to watch as an adult.
Martin stunned me tonight by saying that he doesn't think he'd ever read any of the original Narnia books, even as a child, growing up in Britain in the 1970s and 1980s.
He also wouldn't have noticed the Christian/religious elements in this Narnia story, without me hinting. Despite growing up in a more religious and consistently church going household than me. Though we're not sure how much of that side of things sunk in.
The War Between the Land and the Sea
Jan. 17th, 2026 12:33 amNote: this aired in the UK on BBC TV in December 2025. It is expected to air worldwide on Disney+ sometime in early 2026.
Just finished watching this Doctor Who spin-off. I’m going to jot down some brief thoughts with mild spoilers in them, avoiding some of the biggest stuff. But to be on the safe side I’ll still put this into spoiler space.
( spoilers )
Just finished watching this Doctor Who spin-off. I’m going to jot down some brief thoughts with mild spoilers in them, avoiding some of the biggest stuff. But to be on the safe side I’ll still put this into spoiler space.
( spoilers )
As I'm currently working my way through rewatching Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor stories, I thought I might afterwards those post about my favourites from his era. And since before him I rewatched the Eleventh Doctor I might as well do the same now for Matt Smith's era! Hopefully Jodie Whittaker's era will follow in due course.
So, Eleventh Doctor. I really like his old man in a young body characterisation. And he's very well performed. Fortunately also paired with strong companions throughout, and generally good writing.
In chronological order, here are some thoughts on some of my favourite stories from his era:
So, Eleventh Doctor. I really like his old man in a young body characterisation. And he's very well performed. Fortunately also paired with strong companions throughout, and generally good writing.
In chronological order, here are some thoughts on some of my favourite stories from his era:
- The Time of Angels / Flesh and Stone. The first time we see River with this incarnation, and the return of iconic monsters the Weeping Angels. This is a tight puzzle box of a two parter, with much to enjoy, and also mysteries only to be uncovered later on. It's also one of Amy's best stories. And remarkably, it was the very first story Matt Smith and Karen Gillan filmed.
- Vincent and the Doctor. I've studied art history at university. But am often rather immune to its qualities. I also don't resonate much with Van Gogh's work, Starry Night excepted. But this is a beautiful story of a troubled artist, briefly enlivened by a visit from the Doctor and Amy. And the visual effects as they look up at the night sky is quite magical.
- The Girl Who Waited. An acting tour de force from Karen Gillan, playing two versions of Amy, and a beautiful tale of love, longing, and survival. It's really special.
- Asylum of the Daleks. On the one hand this is a difficult watch, with the fractured relationship of Amy and Rory viscerally depicted. But it's also a thrilling piece of scifi. And seeing the surprise first appearance of Jenna Coleman's Clara was a jaw dropping moment.
- The Angels Take Manhattan. I like historical Who, and this is a powerful mix of 1930s New York, Weeping Angels, River, and Amy and Rory, in a story that will linger long in the mind. The music is also stunning.
- The Snowmen. A call back - or forward? - to another Doctor Who tale, this is a Christmassy gem, and another introduction for Clara. The story wanders a bit in the third quarter, but overall is a strong one for me. A mix of festive fun and moving pathos.
My end of year full reading recap will be posted on my main blog - and a link to it posted here - by Hogmanay. In the meantime, here is my complete list of books finished this year, including 4 newly finished since my last post.
Of the newly finished ones, Alice's Oxford was a little bit too speculative for my taste, and plagued with an overly small font. But I did find a lot to enjoy, and am very glad I read it. Though I wanted clearer maps, to understand the geography. I've only been to Oxford a couple of times.
Wintering promised so much but was ultimately extremely disappointing. It stretched the concept of "wintering" to breaking point, and was repeatedly too self indulgent and written from a position of great privilege which the author seemed quite unaware of. Some good bits in there, and at times her writing was truly beautiful. But in the end, nope, not good. And a very poor ending.
The Doctor Who book about River Song's introductory episodes is one in the "Black Archive" series of episode analysis books from Obverse Books. I liked a lot about this, but was frustrated by how much the author ended up writing about things outside the two episodes, including River Song's wider arc, Steven Moffat's writing more generally, and paraphrasing rather too many science books. In the end I gave it 3/5 stars, but it's not one of the best "Black Archive" books for me.
The King of Elfland's Daughter was my book club read for December. I'm very glad I read it. It's a classic fantasy, which has influenced many other authors, including Tolkien. But it had flaws. It's more descriptive-driven than either plot-driven or character-driven. And with a positively glacial pace of story I found it hard to stay engaged and keep reading through to the end. Yet overall glad that I read it. And I loved one character especially. But I don't think I will ever reread it.
- ( earlier books )
- Alice's Oxford: People and Places that Inspired Wonderland by Peter Hunt
- Wintering: How I learned to flourish when life became frozen by Katherine May
- Silence in the Library / The Forest of the Dead by Dale Smith
- The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany
Of the newly finished ones, Alice's Oxford was a little bit too speculative for my taste, and plagued with an overly small font. But I did find a lot to enjoy, and am very glad I read it. Though I wanted clearer maps, to understand the geography. I've only been to Oxford a couple of times.
Wintering promised so much but was ultimately extremely disappointing. It stretched the concept of "wintering" to breaking point, and was repeatedly too self indulgent and written from a position of great privilege which the author seemed quite unaware of. Some good bits in there, and at times her writing was truly beautiful. But in the end, nope, not good. And a very poor ending.
The Doctor Who book about River Song's introductory episodes is one in the "Black Archive" series of episode analysis books from Obverse Books. I liked a lot about this, but was frustrated by how much the author ended up writing about things outside the two episodes, including River Song's wider arc, Steven Moffat's writing more generally, and paraphrasing rather too many science books. In the end I gave it 3/5 stars, but it's not one of the best "Black Archive" books for me.
The King of Elfland's Daughter was my book club read for December. I'm very glad I read it. It's a classic fantasy, which has influenced many other authors, including Tolkien. But it had flaws. It's more descriptive-driven than either plot-driven or character-driven. And with a positively glacial pace of story I found it hard to stay engaged and keep reading through to the end. Yet overall glad that I read it. And I loved one character especially. But I don't think I will ever reread it.
Current reading: Wheel of Time book 10
Nov. 3rd, 2025 10:28 pmResuming my read of Wheel of Time book 10. Still enjoying the book series, though I've developed a very specific way of reading it, and still expect far too many characters/infodump from Robert Jordan early on! Currently pleased to see two characters again, and trying to remember prior plot for them!
This book is very much in the doldrums stage of the series, so if I can get through here I'm confident I'll get to the end. Making good progress anyway.
This book is very much in the doldrums stage of the series, so if I can get through here I'm confident I'll get to the end. Making good progress anyway.
Bernice Summerfield: The Wake
Oct. 19th, 2025 11:08 amOnto the last story in the 8th season of Benny audios from Big Finish. Going to discuss this with big spoilers for this story and the previous but one story as well.
( spoilers )
( spoilers )
Current watching
Jun. 24th, 2025 03:18 amBeen too sleepy to watch any more movies. And still haven't got to Rings of Power season 2. Our Babylon 5 rewatch is also currently on hold while we try to catch up with a mass of too much recorded telly in our Sky Q box.
I have been binge watching a lot of the early episodes of Glee. Which though cliched and corny is remarkably watchable. As a musical theatre fan I'm also happily there for all the songs shoehorned in. Martin hasn't strictly been watching it, mainly commenting as he potters around that "That sounds very weird!" But he did say tonight that having sat in for a bit more he can see how the format works, and is starting to appreciate it.
I'm also watching a lot of recorded panels/talks from the recent Cymera 2025 festival in Edinburgh of science fiction, fantasy and horror writing. Have already enjoyed panels including authors John Gwynne and Cymera regular T.L. Huchu. With many more to watch in the next 3 weeks or so while I still have access to them using my purchased digital festival pass.
I have been binge watching a lot of the early episodes of Glee. Which though cliched and corny is remarkably watchable. As a musical theatre fan I'm also happily there for all the songs shoehorned in. Martin hasn't strictly been watching it, mainly commenting as he potters around that "That sounds very weird!" But he did say tonight that having sat in for a bit more he can see how the format works, and is starting to appreciate it.
I'm also watching a lot of recorded panels/talks from the recent Cymera 2025 festival in Edinburgh of science fiction, fantasy and horror writing. Have already enjoyed panels including authors John Gwynne and Cymera regular T.L. Huchu. With many more to watch in the next 3 weeks or so while I still have access to them using my purchased digital festival pass.
Catching up with this, and another 6 titles finished since my last post:
Of the new ones the Colostle solo RPG/journalling game was fun, but not something I decided I'd want to play. An original fantasy setting, with solo gaming mechanics, based on random tables.
The Tarot book was fantastic, and really got me feeling more confident about doing self readings.
I continue to *adore* the Insomniacs After School manga series, which is being slowly but steadily published in English translation.
The Doctor Who book was somewhat fun, and a new tale about River Song. But it ultimately felt a slog to read through, and was overly muddled. I'm guessing Jacqueline Rayner wrote most of it, though Alex Kingston had some input too, and got top billing.
Tom Cox's Notebook is a varied hodge podge of often amusing rambling thoughts. I loved it! I had backed the digital edition, but not read it yet. I ordered a signed paperback from Tom a few weeks ago. He has lots of his books after the collapse of Unbound (who owe him thousands of pounds) and is selling them on.
And we read Kiki's Delivery Service - the original novel the Studio Ghibli film is based on - for my book club. I've not seen the film yet. A very young read, but still charming.
- ( earlier titles )
- Colostle Complete Edition by Nich Angell
- Wild Card: Let the Tarot Tell Your Story by Jen Cownie and Fiona Lensvelt
- Insomniacs After School volume 5 (manga) by Makoto Ojiro
- Doctor Who: The Ruby's Curse by Alex Kingston and Jacqueline Rayner
- Notebook by Tom Cox
- Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono
Of the new ones the Colostle solo RPG/journalling game was fun, but not something I decided I'd want to play. An original fantasy setting, with solo gaming mechanics, based on random tables.
The Tarot book was fantastic, and really got me feeling more confident about doing self readings.
I continue to *adore* the Insomniacs After School manga series, which is being slowly but steadily published in English translation.
The Doctor Who book was somewhat fun, and a new tale about River Song. But it ultimately felt a slog to read through, and was overly muddled. I'm guessing Jacqueline Rayner wrote most of it, though Alex Kingston had some input too, and got top billing.
Tom Cox's Notebook is a varied hodge podge of often amusing rambling thoughts. I loved it! I had backed the digital edition, but not read it yet. I ordered a signed paperback from Tom a few weeks ago. He has lots of his books after the collapse of Unbound (who owe him thousands of pounds) and is selling them on.
And we read Kiki's Delivery Service - the original novel the Studio Ghibli film is based on - for my book club. I've not seen the film yet. A very young read, but still charming.
Bernice Summerfield: Timeless Passages
Apr. 22nd, 2025 04:45 amOnto another one, and this is a relisten for me. As I wrote on Gallifrey Base back in June 2010:
And my feelings haven't changed, though I've now heard way way more Benny audios than I had back then. Timeless Passages is a quite superb Benny audio, and a brilliant piece of scifi storytelling. Totally standalone, so you don't need to have listened to any of the other Benny audios. As is often the case this one has a very small cast, but they are used superbly, very well acted and written, and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. A tightly plotted mystery box of a timey wimey puzzle set inside a giant library. What's not to love about that?
It's a rare Benny audio from this era still available to buy from Big Finish on CD, but also in DRM-free download. £5.99 plus shipping if ordering by post. If you hear just one Benny audio, this is the one I'd recommend by far.
"Timeless Passages is indeed wonderful. I've only heard Benny on audio in some of season 3, Timeless Passages, the Diogenes Damsel, and the Companion Chronicle story. Of these Timeless Passages is easily my favourite, and requires no prior knowledge. And it's *so* timey-wimey :) I just love it."
And my feelings haven't changed, though I've now heard way way more Benny audios than I had back then. Timeless Passages is a quite superb Benny audio, and a brilliant piece of scifi storytelling. Totally standalone, so you don't need to have listened to any of the other Benny audios. As is often the case this one has a very small cast, but they are used superbly, very well acted and written, and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. A tightly plotted mystery box of a timey wimey puzzle set inside a giant library. What's not to love about that?
It's a rare Benny audio from this era still available to buy from Big Finish on CD, but also in DRM-free download. £5.99 plus shipping if ordering by post. If you hear just one Benny audio, this is the one I'd recommend by far.
Recently I reread "The Musgrave Ritual" story in the Sherlock Holmes canon. I blogged my thoughts then. In a nutshell it's one of my favourite all time Sherlock Holmes stories, revolving around an old riddle and a treasure hunt. I mentioned in that blog that I planned to rewatch the Jeremy Brett version, and newly watch the Basil Rathbone film version. I've done that now, so will jot down some brief thoughts. Note there are some spoilers in here, though light.
Firstly I rewatched the Jeremy Brett TV version from 1986. This takes some liberties with the plot, which in the original story involved a young Holmes on his own in the past, but here was changed to Holmes and Watson going together to a countryside manor for Holmes to recuperate. There are lots of little elements even early on retained and reworked from the original story, such as Holmes having a big box full of old case papers that tantalise Watson. The TV version puts the story of the manor's butler firmly in the forefront, and we see this back story play out early on. James Hazeldine as butler Brunton is extremely effective, and carries his scenes very well. A few small changes are made to the treasure hunt itself, but the story is otherwise largely faithful. And those changes that are made are effective for transferring it to a TV episode. Good stuff.
The Basil Rathbone 1943 movie version is a much looser retelling, but charming in its own way. Here Watson - during WW2 Britain - is working in a Northumberland convalescence home for servicemen suffering from shell shock. And a series of murders lead him to call in Holmes for help. In this version of the story there are three members of the Musgrave family to meet, not one as in the original story, plus a characterful group of wounded servicemen, who are superbly written and acted. The butler Brunton is retained, though here with a wife. And there's another medic, and also the American airman that Sally Musgrave is in love with. The ritual is totally reworked, not really recognisable from Conan Doyle's original. Rather than a hunt around the physical grounds of the manor, this ritual leads to a giant chess game in the house, with the inhabitants playing the chess pieces as Holmes shouts out moves. Ultimately the secret treasure is uncovered and there is a satisfying ending. But it doesn't feel much like the original story. But, as I said, I like it. The direction is dynamic, with sometimes amazing special effects for 1943. The cast of British and American actors generally do a great job, with only a few dodgy accents (London-born Dennis Hoey as Lestrade has a surprisingly poor accent). The film is a little over an hour long, but full of incident and interest, and kept my attention throughout.
So two fun but different retellings of this Arthur Conan Doyle story. My favourite is the Jeremy Brett version, which is more faithful, and also features my all-time favourite Holmes and Watson pairing of actors. But the Basil Rathbone version is a delight in its own way. There's also a 1912 short silent film version of the story, that can be viewed on the story's Wikipedia page.
Firstly I rewatched the Jeremy Brett TV version from 1986. This takes some liberties with the plot, which in the original story involved a young Holmes on his own in the past, but here was changed to Holmes and Watson going together to a countryside manor for Holmes to recuperate. There are lots of little elements even early on retained and reworked from the original story, such as Holmes having a big box full of old case papers that tantalise Watson. The TV version puts the story of the manor's butler firmly in the forefront, and we see this back story play out early on. James Hazeldine as butler Brunton is extremely effective, and carries his scenes very well. A few small changes are made to the treasure hunt itself, but the story is otherwise largely faithful. And those changes that are made are effective for transferring it to a TV episode. Good stuff.
The Basil Rathbone 1943 movie version is a much looser retelling, but charming in its own way. Here Watson - during WW2 Britain - is working in a Northumberland convalescence home for servicemen suffering from shell shock. And a series of murders lead him to call in Holmes for help. In this version of the story there are three members of the Musgrave family to meet, not one as in the original story, plus a characterful group of wounded servicemen, who are superbly written and acted. The butler Brunton is retained, though here with a wife. And there's another medic, and also the American airman that Sally Musgrave is in love with. The ritual is totally reworked, not really recognisable from Conan Doyle's original. Rather than a hunt around the physical grounds of the manor, this ritual leads to a giant chess game in the house, with the inhabitants playing the chess pieces as Holmes shouts out moves. Ultimately the secret treasure is uncovered and there is a satisfying ending. But it doesn't feel much like the original story. But, as I said, I like it. The direction is dynamic, with sometimes amazing special effects for 1943. The cast of British and American actors generally do a great job, with only a few dodgy accents (London-born Dennis Hoey as Lestrade has a surprisingly poor accent). The film is a little over an hour long, but full of incident and interest, and kept my attention throughout.
So two fun but different retellings of this Arthur Conan Doyle story. My favourite is the Jeremy Brett version, which is more faithful, and also features my all-time favourite Holmes and Watson pairing of actors. But the Basil Rathbone version is a delight in its own way. There's also a 1912 short silent film version of the story, that can be viewed on the story's Wikipedia page.
Bernice Summerfield: The Tartarus Gate
Apr. 10th, 2025 10:09 amOn to my next audio, the first in the seventh series of Big Finish Benny audios. This story follows on from the upheaval of the previous one, before sending Jason off on a quest to rescue Benny who has vanished from time and space.
There are a lot of clever ideas in this audio. The aliens involved have a datascape virtual world that they inhabit. And they can also control time to go back in time. But I don't think I was in the right mood for this level of abstraction. It's also rather difficult to successfully achieve in audio alone.
The writing wasn't great. There were some particularly painful extended info dumps. Again very much the "tell not show" poor form of storytelling. And this wasn't even the huge back story elements of especially Benny but also to an extent Jason that the story relied on.
Stephen Fewell and Lisa Bowerman were acting their socks off as Jason and Benny though.
But ultimately not a great audio by a long chalk.
I do remember the next one is a fab story, so looking forward to that ...
There are a lot of clever ideas in this audio. The aliens involved have a datascape virtual world that they inhabit. And they can also control time to go back in time. But I don't think I was in the right mood for this level of abstraction. It's also rather difficult to successfully achieve in audio alone.
The writing wasn't great. There were some particularly painful extended info dumps. Again very much the "tell not show" poor form of storytelling. And this wasn't even the huge back story elements of especially Benny but also to an extent Jason that the story relied on.
Stephen Fewell and Lisa Bowerman were acting their socks off as Jason and Benny though.
But ultimately not a great audio by a long chalk.
I do remember the next one is a fab story, so looking forward to that ...
Onto my next story, and it's the last episode of season 6 of Big Finish's Benny audios.
And it's a key story. I can't really say much even in spoiler space without giving too many important things away. But it certainly changes things up.
It's also impressive how full cast it feels, against so many Benny audios that feel too sparse. There's a key core cast here of Benny, Jason, Brax and one other. But then there are another eight or so cast members. And it just feels full of folk. But also very well paced in the writing. Joseph Lidster has done a fantastic job.
I do feel I'm missing out on some of the beats in this story by not having read the Big Finish Benny books around this time. Particularly some of the short story collections. However I have most of the books in house, so may dig out a few key short stories to read.
But, yes, epic, very moving, and a huge shake up to the status quo.
And it's a key story. I can't really say much even in spoiler space without giving too many important things away. But it certainly changes things up.
It's also impressive how full cast it feels, against so many Benny audios that feel too sparse. There's a key core cast here of Benny, Jason, Brax and one other. But then there are another eight or so cast members. And it just feels full of folk. But also very well paced in the writing. Joseph Lidster has done a fantastic job.
I do feel I'm missing out on some of the beats in this story by not having read the Big Finish Benny books around this time. Particularly some of the short story collections. However I have most of the books in house, so may dig out a few key short stories to read.
But, yes, epic, very moving, and a huge shake up to the status quo.
Starting Wheel of Time book 9
Mar. 5th, 2025 04:34 pmStarted reading The Wheel of Time #9 today, worryingly my Kindle estimates 1 hour 26 minutes to read just the prologue. Chapter 1 starts 77 pages in. Robert Jordan is bombarding me with new characters. I'm adopting my usual "If they're important I'll encounter them later!" not remembering strategy. Am still enjoying this mammoth series, though I've been forewarned that I'm going into a really poor run of books. But I'm enjoying it in spite of the writing more than because of it. Though I still admire the ambition of the large scale writing. Even if I wish it was maybe not quite so large scale!
