Doctor Who Club of Australia

[Theta Sigma]

Finished Part 1 of the Big Finish story Dreamtime featuring the Seventh Doctor, Ace and Hex (played by Philip Olivier). Hex is an original Big Finish companion who was introduced in the previous Seventh Doctor/Ace Big Finish story The Harvest. This is Hex's first trip in the TARDIS.

This story is very appropriate to this Australian forum it takes on old Aboriginal stories hence its title Dreamtime and Uluru is featured in the story but in a surprising place (unless of course you have a look at the cover beforehand) and it has Australian actors in it.

The story also features the character Commander Korshal (Steffan Rhodri) whom writer Simon A Forward had introduced earlier in the Benny audio The Bone of Contention released in September 2004 six months before Dreamtime was released in March 2005. I have not listened to The Bone of Contention yet but ironically it is the next Benny audio I am planning to buy on my next opportunity.

As to Dreamtime, I quite like what I am hearing from the first episode as it is very intriguing.

[Sulp Niar]

It's also, from what I've heard, got the Galyari, which Simon A Forward introduced in 'The Sandman'. That said, I haven't heard 'Dreamtime', so maybe I'm wrong.

I wish I had it though. It's on the top of my to-do list, along with "get a life" (which has been scrubbed out and rewritten a few times).

Slightly off-topic: I've always thought that Simon A Forward is quite an underrated author. Not that anyone hates him, or anything, but it's largely indifferent. Considering my impressed reaction to the script of 'The Sandman', and his seriously-goddamn-excellent-who-cares-if-it's-aping-Dostoyevsky 'Emotional Chemistry', I think he's wonderful. Very wonderful.

And, of course, it's nice to see an Australian story. The only other I can think of is 'The Gathering' (barring a couple of Short Trips stories), but to delve into Dreamtime spirituality and stories - as I assume 'Dreamtime' does - is very welcome for me.

[Theta Sigma]

Yes it does have the Galyari and Dreamtime does referenced back to The Sandman.

Finished episode 2, another smooth episode with a good cliffhanger.

[SharazJek]

This is my least favourite Big Finish monthly, coming in equal last with Nekromantia.

As much as I try, I just cannot enjoy it. It's incomprehensible twaddle.

[Theta Sigma]

Part 3:
Dreamtime is perhaps approriate for this episode because like any dream people tend to be bewildered on what they just dreamt of.
Part 3 was bewildering but on the plus side Sylvester McCoy brings a dark performance towards the end of this episode and the cliffhanger is not bad.

[Theta Sigma]

Part 4:
Very unsatisfactory conclusion. Despite being impressed with the first two episodes, the story has been let down by the last two episodes.
Since this is Hex's first audio adventure since joining the TARDIS crew, Philip Olivier did very well with what he has been given and look forward to hear more of him in future.