Analyzing the structure of the box set, these are full cast audio
dramas, but the format borrows a little from The Confessions of Dorian
Gray, not only featuring narration by the main character to the audience
(think Torchwood: The Conspiracy), but also taking place in
different times in Winston’s life. There is no overarching plot, instead
standalone episodes. And I know there are a select few who hoped that
Chris, David and Matt would be providing the voices for the Doctor since
Big Finish acquired the rights and surprising fans by withholding their
involvement feels right up their alley… sadly I must inform you that
Ian McNeice in fact provides the voices for the Doctors. Better luck
next time.
The Oncoming Storm
Arguably
the greatest highlight in not just this story, but the whole box set,
is Ian McNeice’s narration. Every word feels as if the man has dug it up
from deep within his soul and his delivery on even the most mundane
line sounds utterly fantastic. Like John Hurt, he is one of those actors
you can listen to all day even if they are reading out loud the most
humdrum thing under the sun.
The Oncoming Storm at its heart is a simple story. It’s not
too complicated, but also not too simple. It is a fun. This three letter
word is the best way I know how to describe it to you. It’s just fun to
listen to. It’s engaging and it feels like one of those stories you can
just listen to at any time of the day, in any mood and as many times as
you want without getting bored with it. Stories like these are in my
opinion the best kind of Doctor Who tales and because I don’t want to
repeat myself, almost every story in the box set feels like this.
Praise has to go to the unique characterization of the Ninth Doctor.
From the very first lines of dialogue, it’s clear when in his timeline
this episode is set. This is a Doctor fresh out of the Time War. He is
constantly angry and insulting. You can feel the self-loathing and
desperate desire to lash out at the closest somebody dripping from his
words. It’s similar to his no-nonsense, sardonic portrayal in Rose, but exaggerated to an acceptable degree.
While the villain isn’t a particularly new Doctor Who creation (to be
honest it feels somewhat lazy), it does attempt to recreate itself,
thereby making the audience feel as though they are listening to
something new-ish. The villain is fun/funny to listen to and the script
juggles that expertly by making them necessarily threatening when the
scene calls for it.
This story isn’t without its flaws though, the degree of which
varies. There isn’t enough of the Ninth Doctor for my taste, which is
perhaps a good thing as McNeice’s impersonation of Christopher
Eccleston’s Doctor is dreadful. The supporting cast is also somewhat
forgettable.
Rating this story: 8/10
Hounded
Following strongly from The Oncoming Storm, Hounded
not only features the Tenth Doctor, but it also provides us with a
unique insight into the psyche of Winston Churchill, specifically the
manic mood-swings he was known for. As with other stories featuring
Churchill, Hounded manages to add to his friendship with the Doctor, but approaches it from a different angle.
The mystery surrounding the shadowy black hound that is plaguing Churchill is well-developed and as with The Oncoming Storm,
the pacing feels just right. A particular highlight was the traditional
capture and interrogation scene Doctor Who is known for, though I must
admit that I principally enjoyed this one tremendously more as it felt
like one of the most realistic ones we’ve ever had.
Hounded also fixes the issue I had with Hetty Warner
(Winston’s secretary) in the previous story by giving her much needed
focus and also doing so without diminishing the role of either the
Doctor or Winston. She feels more 3-Dimensional here even if the plot
doesn’t dig into her past too much.
Special mentions also go out to the Tenth Doctor giving a very Seventh Doctor-like speech that is emotionally super charged. The Curse of Fenric is strong in this one. The resolution in this tale also feels the most satisfying and organic in the whole box set.
While Hounded’s supporting cast is better than its
predecessor, they are still pretty forgettable. Ian McNeice’s
impersonation of the Tenth Doctor is also just as bad as his
impersonation of the Ninth Doctor. Seriously, I can understand not being
able to get Christopher Eccleston in, but not being able to get David
in when he’s due to make his return later this year? Disappointing.
Rating this story: 9/10
Living History
Winston Churchill, in the TARDIS, with the Doctor and Kazran Sardick, meeting Julius Caesar…what could possible go wrong?
Another strong installment as the box set finally breaks away from
World War II, deciding to instead adopt a more traditional Doctor Who
tone. Unfortunately, the Eleventh Doctor’s role is reduced to that of
taxi driver as he is quickly locked out of the plot, but his absence
allows for a very Laurel & Hardy feel adventure that I feel would’ve
been ruined had he stuck around.
It is so welcoming having Kazran back and Justin Richards nails his
characterization perfectly, even managing to give us a little something
extra. Danny Horn has fantastic chemistry with McNeice and their scenes
together, as well as apart are highlights in my opinion. The brief
scenes with the Doctor and Kazran have also convinced me beyond a shadow
of a doubt that Big Finish needs to make a whole box set featuring the
adventures of the Eleventh Doctor and Kazran. I wouldn’t mind a
Churchill/Kazran spin-off either. If any character deserves to come back
its Kazran!
One criticism I have is that the resolution is quite predictable, but
given everything that precedes it, this can be forgiven I believe.
Rating this story: 9/10
The Chartwell Metamorphosis
After three utterly brilliant and fantastic installments, The Churchill Years draws to a close with The Chartwell Metamorphosis,
a story so incredibly frail and unfortunate that it escapes this
author’s imagination how this story ever made it into the recording
booth.
Whereas Kazran’s return and chemistry with Winston in the previous
installment resulted in many entertaining scenes and an overwhelming
desire for me to see Danny Horn and Ian McNeice paired up again, Holly
Earl’s return as Lily Arwell adds nothing to the plot and falls flat
even at the best of times, which isn’t very often as it is. Her
personality can be summed up as “scared girl trying to act brave”, but
most of the time, Lily just feels annoying and there doesn’t seem to be
any chemistry between her and Churchill at all. This is a case of
bringing a character back just for the sake of it.
Worse than Lily, Winston’s characterization is absolutely butchered
in this final installment. I can accept the senile old grump persona as
this is Winston near the end of his life, but his actions and overall
behavior completely betrays the character of the man we’ve been
listening to for three hours.
The plot starts off engagingly enough, but soon devolves into a
convoluted mess that continuously reminds the listener of what it did to
Winston’s characterization. If it not for the fact that I had to review
and provide my thoughts on this story, I would not have bothered
listening to the whole thing, instead giving into my desire to abandon
this story halfway through.
By the fourth story, I’m convinced McNeice isn’t even trying to
impersonate the Doctor, regardless of incarnation and to be honest, it’s
about the only thing about this story I can forgive. After three
episodes, I’ve grown to accept this element, but if Big Finish chooses
to renew The Churchill Years for a second season – and I hope
they do – then it’s imperative that they use either the older Doctor Who
actors (4-8), or make it a point to kidnap and force Chris and the
newer actors to provide the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Doctor voices.
Rating this story: 3/10
Final Thoughts
Every season has its Sleep No More’s. As Doctor Who fans,
we’re used to one or two duds in our favorite seasons, and even if the
final story I feel ranks as low, if not lower than Sleep No More,
the three-quarters preceding it I feel more than makes up for it. I
said I wasn’t going to repeat myself, but here I am doing it twice over:
These Winston Churchill stories are pure fun. Imagine you’re favorite
Doctor Who episode which isn’t arch heavy and doesn’t take itself too
seriously. It might even be that one guilty pleasure episode…well this
entire box set feels like watching one of those episodes. I for one do
look forward to a second box set exploring the life of Winston Churchill
as he fights to protect the world not only against the Nazi menace, but
whatever else comes knocking at planet Earth’s door.
Doctor Who: The Churchill Years is available on Big Finish's website HERE.
Note: If you liked this review, please like and share
it. If you’re interested in getting into Big Finish or want suggestions on
which stories are great, check out my ranking of them HERE
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