Minuet in Hell
|
|
Big Finish Productions Minuet in Hell |
|
| Written by | Alan W Lear with Gary Russell |  |
| Format | Compact Disc | |
| Running Time | 90 mins | |
| Released | 2001 | |
| Continuity | After The Telemovie |
| Starring Paul McGann, India Fisher and Nicholas Courtney |
| Also featuring Robert Jezek, Morgan Deare, Helen Goldwyn, Maureen Oakeley, Nicholas Briggs |
| Synopsis: The twenty-first century has just begun, and the newly-formed state of Malebolgia is seceding from the rest of the United States of America. After his successful involvement with Scotland's devolution, Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart has been invited over to Malebolgia to offer some expertise. However, there's someone held in a lunatic asylum who interests him, someone who believes he travels through space and time in the TARDIS. It is not, however, his old friend the Doctor... |
Heavenly Music To My Ears by Matthew Hobbs 9/5/01
Minuet In Hell is by far the better of Paul McGann's first full season in the role of the Doctor. Perhaps I have had time to warm to his performance, but I think it's more to do with being able to follow this story and not get lost or lose interest due to a waning of storyline. It's seems to have host of good aspects and nothing bad that I can really pick at - it's by no means amazing, The Marian Conspiracy is still my favourite Big Finish, but it is a contender for second place with The Fires of Vulcan.
My first reaction was that this story moves Doctor Who forward in the direction I would take if I were the producer - a dream that I'm sure most Whovians share. Whilst the tried and tested formula of landing on a planet leaving the TARDIS and embarking on an adventure will always be the most reliable back bone of any Doctor Who story, I do feel that the series does lend itself to approaching stories from another angle.
I love the employment of the Master to rescue the Doctor in The Five Doctors, a plot device that could have been used to much greater effect given a more adventurous producer and scriptwriter. I do resent JNT's heavy reliance and dependence on the past to prop up the present in Doctor Who. When anything ceases to be creative and adventurous then it runs the risk of becoming stagnant and eventually dieing - a fair argument to what may have partly contributed to the cancellation of our beloved series.
Here we start the adventure midway, when we are obviously missing an history of recent events so that we, the listener, are playing catch up and doing a little guess work as to what might have preceded to give way to the opening scenario we find ourselves in. This is an excellent tool to engage the listener from the start and to keep him absorbed for any clues that may be lingering around. I was gripped from the beginning.
The idea of using Christian symbolism of hell and demons usually gives me an edgy wariness in approaching a story, and I confess this was my feeling on reading the back sleeve of the CD, it wasn't long before such concerns were waylaid though and I was able to enter whole hearted into the story and not feel as if I had to keep my guard up - a wonderful place to be to be able to fully enjoy Doctor Who.
Another endearing quality that I found and which you will discover five minutes into the story is that it bears an uncanny resemblance to The Television Movie from the point after the Doctor's regeneration (the, 'Who am I?' plotline.) Whether this was intentional or not I can't say, but it works excellently for the hardened Who fan who is wary of new Who and a new Doctor (like me) to relax, open up and accept not only Paul McGann but the story being told too.
I so loathed the crass attempts at humour that JNT seemed to so desperately try and inject into his last years as the producer of DW. They seemed so false and were so cringe-worthy that I was embarrassed to introduce DW to other people. Here they seem to have got the balance quite right. The humour is injected by the head demon, who is genuinely sarcastic in a way that is amusing but doesn't detract from the production or seem abrasive to the listener but lightens the mood at just the right place and heightens the story to a more real level.
Of course the Brig. is in this one - and I must admit again some initial apprehension as to how he might fit in, but this was also mingled in with a curiosity to how the rapport with Paul McGann's Doctor would work - if indeed it would (after all the Brig. and Tom never got it on really in my book - Tom's too bloody full of himself). I leave that one for you to discover. But I would say that ever since Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart lost his moustache, side arm and Brigadier's uniform he never seemed as good. I love UNIT and would bring it back as an independent series with out a second thought and would most certainly re-establish it in the new series I would produce (not with Nicholas Courtney though - bygones must be called bygones). So where would the Brigadier fit in to Doctor Who if he has to appear out of uniform? Advisor to UNIT possibly? I haven't worked that one out - I did like him in Minuet In Hell though - nice to see him with a beard.
I want to comment on a point that might be construed as a spoiler here so jump over this next paragraph until you've listened to it if you want.
Charley. I love the new approach to the companion/assistant. The idea of a foreboding cloud covering her character concerning her rightful place in history - dead, yet here present place - alive in the TARDIS and the questions that holds about her future. I thought for one scary moment at the end of Sword of Orion that they were gonna cop out of such a strong plot device, but I'm pleased to say they keep it intact in a very solid way at the end of this adventure. You again see the mental wrangling that the Doctor has about loyalty to friends against loyalty to the laws of time (the latter having been betrayed by him a number of times). You leave the adventure freshly questioning the future. Great!
The only downside I would comment on is that it is set in America. That in itself doesn't find any objections in myself, but I do objected to the over characterised American accents. Bugging is the only word I can use. Americans are great people I love their open freedom of inhibition and I would relish an opportunity to explore their country - there's a comment made to the end which holds an opposite sentiment, which though not anti-American certainly isn't pro - I disapprove.
So leaving the new Doctor on what I consider a strong story raises my expectations to new heights for the future of Big Finish Doctor Who. The knowledge that a second season of Paul McGann's Who has been recorded whets my appetite in eager anticipation of what the future may hold for the Doctor and Charley. Let's hope Big Finish have the courage to be adventurous and creative with their productions, yet loyal and true to the ethos, history and premise of what has to be the best television series ever dreamed of ... Doctor Who!
Hell's Not Just For Children Anymore by Peter Niemeyer 23/5/01
I try very hard not to be whole-heartedly negative in my reviews. I think a reviewer who has nothing positive to say quickly becomes tiresome. And I hopefully have put in enough positive words in my reviews to have earned the occasional "hated it" review, because I'm certainly going to write one here.
I paid for the bloody CD, so I listened to the whole thing. That was literally the only thing that got me through parts 2 and 3. I could not believe how excruciating this story was. I thought that nothing could be worse than Winter for the Adept. I was wrong.
First off, I'm an American, and I simply could not believe that this story took place in any part of America in this reality. The worst offense was the vocabulary. Senator Pickering used phrases like "you varmit" and "tarnation". Perhaps if the TARDIS had landed inside a Merry Melodies cartoon with Yosemite Sam, or if this was a cross-over with the Dukes of Hazzard, then I could have found it believeable. But nobody in the States talks like that. Becky Lee's "Grandpappy", though not as cartoonishly ludicrous, also rang false.
The second worse offense was the accents in general. In a television story, I could forgive an actor's bad accent if the movement and facial expressions have enough to make up for it. But in audio, all you have is the voice. None of the so-called Americans sounded like Americans. Given that there is a fair-sized fan base (and therefore fair-sized customer base) over here, I'd strongly encourage Big Finish to either hire genuine American English speakers or not attempt an American-based story in the future.
The third worse offense was the dialog, especially that given to the
supporting people. Consider these gems from Part One:
Pickering - "Allow me to explain the basic principles of the PSI-859."
Pargeter - "You do that, ma'am. I'm darn sure I'll follow it all."
Pickering - "Why thank you senator. I'm truly sure you will."
Becky Lee - "Ginger peachy. You Charlie. Me Becky Lee Kowalchik. Me
from Los Angeles."
I'm sorry, but this isn't the way that real people talk.
The other thing that bugged me was the "let's do it all" attitude of the villain. Why would an aspiring politician who already had demonic assistance to aid his political ambitions feel the need to run an illegal gentlemen's club and get involved with the PSI-859 and an insane asylum? The motivation is explained, but it reminded me too much of Resurrection of the Daleks, where the Daleks were planning to subversively take over the planet Earth, win the war against the Movellans, and invade Gallifrey at the same time.
There are only a few kudos I can give. Paul McGann turns in a stellar performance. India Fisher doesn't fare as well, but that's more the result of the ludicrous situations Charlie was in. I do like the idea of the Doctor's mental breakdown. It was a very promising premise that was foiled by horrible execution. It was also nice to see the Brig again, but I wish he could have spent more time with the Doctor, even if he didn't know who the Doctor was. Ironically, the thing I enjoyed the most was the companion name dropping, which firmly established Charlie as a post-Sam companion.
This really was in my mind the worst Big Finish audio production to date. BF has done some great stuff so far, which made this production seem all the more amaturish. I know that every season has its clunkers, and I suppose it's unfair for me to expect BF to be any different. But for as mind-numbingly bad as The Twin Dilemma was, at least I didn't pay $25 to watch it.
2 out of 10
A Review by Stuart Gutteridge 27/5/01
Minuet In Hell brings Paul McGann`s first audio season to a satisfying conclusion, tying up some loose ends (Ramsey) and leaving others waiting to be resolved (Charley).It also returns The Doctor to America, fittingly given that this is where the Eighth`s adventures began. The story sees The Doctor in an asylum, without his memory, seemingly trapped in his own hell; (this seems unlikely as hell for The Doctor would probably be worse than this.) Elsewhere Charley is also suffering from amnesia and is pressganged into working at the local Hell Fire Club, whilst The Brigadier oversees the creation of the fifty first state and a demon is also running amok. Just another normal day then...
Minuet In Hell is however great fun. Paul McGann shows his acting prowess here, although his involvement is minimal at the outset. India Fisher continues to impress and Nicholas Courtney is excellent as the Brigadier. The supporting players should get a mention here Robert Jezek is menacing as Dashwood, Nicholas Briggs is great as Gideon Crane (in possibly his best outing thus far) and Helen Goldwyn playing a virtual Buffy clone in Becky Lee is a welcome addition. Best of all however is the demon Malchosias whose sarcastic humour is not unlike James Marsters` Spike from Buffy, which is ironic given that he was considered for a part in this. Overall Minuet In Hell is highly enjoyable with great acting and a great script thrown in for good measure.
A Review by Richard Radcliffe 30/5/01
Paul McGann’s last Audio Adventure (until Jan 2002) is the most Thriller like story Big Finish have produced so far. At 130 minutes it also is one of the longest (I think only Holy Terror comes close). But do the Episodes drag? Not at all – there is enough story here for a story twice that length.
The Doctor has lost his memory. This was very easy for me to envisage, as just a short while ago the same thing happened in the Books (The Burning). This is quite different from that memory loss though – as it seems have to produced a greater losing of the mind. The Doctor is a troubled soul for a great deal of this audio. Charley too has suffered a memory loss – and the overall effect this creates (both the Doctor and Charley not having a clue who or what they are) is fascinating.
The setting of the story also provides much. The new state of Malebolgia comes across as a warped, slightly futuristic vision of Southern USA. With its over the top, extreme Senator and Evangelist, this is definitely an America of Fiction – at least I hope it is! There is also a fair helping of Buffy the Vampire Slayer thrown in for good measure in the form of Becky Lee – Charleys mate throughout. The demons that appear are also Buffy territory – some wonderful lines uttered here by the main Demon. So much then to digest. So much to take on board for the listener.
Yet it all comes together very well. It is unlike any Doctor Who story that I can think of. In an attempt to bring in some semblance of Who though – we have the Brigadier. It is always wonderful to see the old chap. I especially enjoyed his E-Mail updates, and the reactions of the Minister back in England! The Brigadier wanders through the story, looking after Charley sometimes – but he doesn’t have a great deal of action. His is a reflective roll throughout – to update the listener of the many new developments the story introduces.
Paul McGann is brilliant as the topsy-turvy Doctor. His emotional range is vast, and this ultimately becomes his best performance as the Doctor to date. Charley is her usual ebullient self – and she really features strongly. I have been very impressed with the way she has established herself as a great Companion. Credit to India Fisher and the Writers.
For me though the most fascinating aspect of the story was Gideon Crane. The Doctor’s cellmate was a total revelation. Now I know Nicholas Briggs has played the Doctor on fan Audios in the past – but this was a performance of real note. For much of the story he really thinks he is the Doctor, and acts accordingly – terrifically portrayed.
A lot to take in on this Audio. Definitely one of the best, and full of wonders for all. 9/10
BOOM by Robert Thomas 11/6/01
First off I want to deal with the negative aspect of this story, certain yank accents. The accents of Dashwood, Becky Lee and Waldo will really p**s off the Americans - being Welsh I have to put up with Ray in Delta and the Bannermen, believe me I feel your pain. That being said they sound like typical redneck accents to me.
This season goes out with a bang and I have to say this is the one that got the most out of me. Part one started off in a way that I thought it would fizzle out, go no where and was hard to get into. But from then on I was really hooked. The Doctor and Gideon Crane shared a fantastic sub-plot that develops right through the story. Charley is not her usual self as she is not her loud outgoing self and is brought down a bit to fit the story and its atmosphere. Her situations are fantastic as I have a very visual mind - she goes through a lot of S and M gear. Listen out for a certain scene that continues a little ongoing thing for her.
The Brigadier is used well and has one of the best post UNIT reasons for being there. His scenes with The Doctor are brilliant and surprisingly he takes The Doctor role for a lot of the early action. One certain thing that this story does is give us some old fashioned over the top villains. Dashwood is played wonderfully over the top and Marchosias gets a lot of good lines. The supporting characters are ok, I liked Waldo but can see why some people may find him irritating. Becky Lee however is my favorite original character and gets some good lines.
However this story is very adult - I must mention the female Doctors opinion to the "working girls". It made a right miserable cow seem sympathetic at the end.
I'd say this is my favorite of the season - a very good season. Its not far off Big Finish's best work, which for me is still The Holy Terror. My only regret about this story is that I didn't ask Peter Niemeyer to do a joint review of this - he hated it, and would have been a better review to do one we hated and liked than one we both liked.
A Review by John Seavey 13/1/04
Words fail me. I mean, I could decide to go into great detail on what's wrong with Minuet in Hell... I could discuss the American accents, the state of Malebolgia (why is it even set in a made-up state? The whole thing could happen in Alabama and only need three lines of dialogue changed), Becky Lee the Demon Hunter, the "which of us is really the Doctor?" conundrum that isn't (which one has TWO HEARTS?), and everything... and oh, there is so much everything... that makes this as bad as it is. But really, this is just too much. This is the Doctor Who equivalent of the 'Star Wars Holiday Special' -- something so astonishingly bad, so spectacularly creatively misguided, so incompetently executed, that it transcends decisions on its quality and becomes a creative phenomenon all its own. It stands like the stone heads of Easter Island, a monument to something we cannot understand, let alone judge.