I’m coming to the end of ‘Solitary Confinement’ now and been questionining my ranking for this range. One of my mates told me this was the worst release in the whole range - I disagree, but it certainly has its issues.
Would love to hear how you lot rank the sets!
So, my ranking.
1st Place - ‘Anti-Genesis’
Genuinely one of the finest things BigFinish have ever released. I’m not the biggest ‘Genesis of the Daleks’ buff, but the idea of the Master hijacking the creation of the salt-shakers is phenomenal.
The stakes are high. The backdrop is grand. The Master finally wins, but you know what they say… he who wins must lose.
2nd Place: ‘Killing Time’
Very easily could have taken the top position; if only the final episode had been a bit tighter in the writing department.
Lou Morgan’s scripts are uncomfortable listens, because they put two much loved companions through a living hell, but they’re immaculately written. She cemented herself as one of the writers to watch.
James Goss also deserves credit for creating a sparring partner for the Master: Calantha is amazing, please bring her back!
3rd Place: ‘Hearts of Darkness’
Sandwiched in-between two of the darkest and most plot heavy releases in this range, we have quite possibly the most fun outing.
‘Hearts of Darkness’ is very easy to just pick up and listen to; no relliance on past continuity, just some fun adventures with Jacobi and McGann.
The twist is pretty obvious, but I wont spoil if you haven’t heard it.
The music in this set was also just chef’s kiss gorgeous!
4th Place: ‘Only the Good’
The one that started it all. I fully admit that the first episode was a little bit on the generic side - I blame the lack of world-building - but everything else was immaculate.
‘The Sky Man’ remains one of the most well-loved stories in this range for good reason.
5th Place: ‘The Master of Callous’
Put your pitch-forks away! I know this is often considered one of the greatest War Master releases, but I honestly just found it alright.
‘Call for the Dead’ was really chilling, and I love the trippy imagery from ‘The Glittering Prize’. The other two episodes though… can’t really remember anything about them, except that I enjoyed them.
6th Place: ‘Self-Defence’
My choises for sixth and seventh place were actually quite difficult - both sets had their strong suits, and their failings.
But ‘Self-Defence’ is the one I would rather listen to again, if someone made me choose.
‘The Players’ is something of a weak-link, but that gives way to the gorgeously written ‘Boundaries’.
The finale is also spectacular!
7th Place: ‘Escape from Reality’
When I first reviewed this set - back on the OTHER SITE - it probably would have ranked among my favourites. Unfortunately, it became pretty stale upon relistens.
‘The Adventure of the Deceased Doctor’ was genuinely immaculate, with Sherlock’s fate being horrifying.
The other episodes though. Genuinely not fussed.
8th Place: ‘Solitary Confinement’
I only finished ‘Solitary Confinement’ recently. I must confess that I thought it would rank higher than this, but we’ve heard a lot of this before.
Most of the episodes are character studies that amount to “the Master gaslights an innocent into doing his bidding”. That story formula was perfected by the sixth set, but I will admit that ‘The Walls of Absence’ was uterlly sublime!
‘The Life and Loves of Alexander Bennett’ was very nearly as arduous to listen to as the stupid Coney Island from the worst set.
9th Place: ‘Rage of the Time Lords’
The only installment of this range I regret buying. The first episode was bland and forgettable, but that wasn’t anyone’s fault - it was meant to be about Witchfinder Generals, and only got changed because of how recent the abysmal TV story featuring the same was then.
‘The Coney Island Chameleon’ on the other hand… woah boy! What a stinker! Dreadful performances throughout.
Even McGann’s cameo apperance can’t save this dire set.
