The Fifth Doctor early MR stories have just slipped right off my brain because I yet again have no memory of this but an inkling that I didn’t really like it
Yeah, I was not a fan of this one. But then again, it’s a Five & Nyssa story, so it shouldn’t be surprising. Even William Russell can’t save it. I like the idea but dislike the execution.
5/10
The Game sets itself up as a brutal satire of war as sport, but despite a promising first third and a welcome return from William Russell, it ultimately fizzles out. The story lacks the character depth, political sophistication, or narrative momentum needed to turn its clever premise into something memorable. A decent arena concept gives way to dry, drawn-out diplomacy and a naff villain twist, making this one of the more forgettable Fifth Doctor and Nyssa outings. It’s not unlistenable, but it’s hard to care about the final score.
You’re welcome to read my full review below (spoilers hidden):
I usually look at roughly five different aspects of a story - writing, characters, atmosphere, pacing, and general enjoyment. I rate all of them 1-10 and then take their average as my score. I then present it as xx/100 just because I think it looks nicer.
This is just a bizarre story for me. There’s a lot I like about it: the satire on sport hooliganism, the tribalism aspect of sport, the idea of the sport as an aspect of the military-industrial complex, war profiteering as gambling, gamification of war. It just doesn’t stick the landing though. Massive spans of nothing happening in between five plot points coming out of nowhere. The story may be six parts but it’s the same length as a 4 parter and it doesn’t have the room to do what it wants to do. I really want to like it and there are parts that I genuinely do like. But overall, it doesn’t stick the landing.
So, I am FINALLY caught up with the audio club!!! Huzzah! I do however feel tempted to continue with the 6/Evelyn ones just outside the club… Can I do that? Idk what prerequisites are needed.
Okay the story itself had me actually quite hooked for at least the first half, even 3/4’s despite a fw issues. My main problems were you had to suspend your disbelief far too many times. Why did Nyssa not share the info about Carlisle with the Doctor immediately and wait for him to find out ages later? It felt like the ending just was super predictable with Faye turning against them and the villain itself was just rather rubbish. Some good parts and good elements to this but overall felt me feeling meh. I wonder if this was some inspiration for River Song’s storyline…
Oh also on the 6 part thing, it didn’t bother me at all. I prefer a 4 parter anyday, but it was kinda refreshing almost do have a shorter 6 parter, but I’m not sure why it was needed.
None up until The Crimes of Thomas Brewster, which requires The Haunting of Thomas Brewster if you want to know who Brewster is!
Evelyn also appears in a standalone Companion Chronicle and the Seventh Doctor story A Death in the Family which requires a few of Seven, Ace and Hex’s audios.