The stars are going out - A Rose Tyler: The Dimension Cannon thread

After seeing some people talking about the series (and to remind myself to continue with it at some point), I decided to make a thread!

Rose Tyler: The Dimension Cannon is a Big Finish series following Rose’s adventures between Doomsday and Partners in Crime, as she’s trying to find her way back to the main universe from Pete’s World, travelling through other parallel worlds. It also features the return of Jackie Tyler (from our world) and Pete Tyler (from Pete’s World), as well as introducing a new parallel version of Clive Finch from a universe doomed to death that Rose visited.

There’s been Three Boxsets so far, the first containing four stories and the latter two being three each:

  • The Dimension Cannon
  • Other Worlds
  • Trapped

Have you listened to any of these stories? Do you have a favourite?
What do you think of these companion focused spin offs? Are there any others you’d like to see get one?

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Perfect timing! I’m about to start listening to this today! I’ll update here as I go along!

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I really like this series, I think its a great way to cover a Rose spin-off during a gap we knew nothing about. I’ve heard the first two sets when they came out, and the 1st story of boxset 3 which I’m finally getting round to now!

I really loved how the first two boxsets showed just how different the different versions of Earth could be, and how different the different Tylers could be! That’s a lot of differents :sob:

I’m not sold on the plot of series 3 yet so I’ll be sure to report back…

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You made this topic while I was posting about it somewhere else :grin::wink:

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yesss i love these! really good stories.

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S3 E2 review! Finale next…

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Have the other two ready to listen to some day, but for now I must say that the first boxset is absolutely brilliant. It’s what if we did Doctor Who, but except for saving the day, we just like, didn’t do that. Each time (not each time, but let me be hyperbolic it reads nicer) still, they give you that hope, that yes! We’re gonna save the world! and then they don’t and everybody dies horribly.

We’re going to places to have an adventure, but unlike DW, there’s no real goal to it. It’s a very vague ‘find David Tennant’ at best. And Rose and company arrive, and they walk around, and they do stuff. They try to help whoever they meet, and that’s it. And sometimes they only help those who can give something back. They’re no saviours like the Doctor, they’re just people in the end. That’s what we all are.

That’s what the boxset is about. Every story has these enormous end of the world stakes, but it’s not about those stakes. Doctor Who always has to go: “If we don’t stop these Daleks, it will mean… The end of the world! cliffhanger sting” But here they go: “We’re in a crisis, our planet might die out in a few years.” And then focus on the relationship of two people. It’s very intimate drama, told through end of the world alternate universe sci-fi. We’re not here to save the world. We’re here to give these people their small moments of hope and happiness. And that’s it. Once that’s done we go. Because that’s what life really is about. Even if they all still die once we’ve left. Even if in the end it’s all meaningless, because the fact that it’s all meaningless is meaningless. Do it just because.

And I really love how the last story ties it all together. Previously, yes, it was the end of the world, but it didn’t feel like it had to be. There was still hope. That glimmer to make you think that this time, they are going to survive, and each time they stretch out that hope a little longer. Now, at the last story, we’re finally gonna save them all. And it’s not that. It’s more explicit than the previous story could be. It’s all those themes but made much more literal. It is the end of the world. And there’s nothing you can do about it. At the end of this story everybody you’re gonna meet and sympathize with will die. But it’s also the story with the least bleak outlook on humanity. Ironically, for being the story without one, it’s the story with the most hope. Because like I said, it’s not about the end of the world and they couldn’t make it clearer in the last one. There’s nothing interesting to do with the end of the world. It’s completely inevitable, so why care. And it’s simply stories about the people.

And then in a twist, after Rose and Jackie leave, and you’re expecting to hear the sounds of everybody screaming and crying, because the inevitability of death has come upon them- It doesn’t come. Because in the end that’s not what mattered. The little moments did, and you got those. And the only story which absolutely confirms to you at the beginning that everybody is going to die is the only one that doesn’t show it. As the Curator once said: “Now what do you think that means eh?”

So again, absolutely genius boxset, one of the best pieces of Doctor Who media ever released. Even if I think that Ghost Machines isn’t a 10/10, all the stories together, and how they thematically link up make that the set in its entirety still is. Peak, as they say.

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I just finished series 3! Honestly, the worst set IMO. However, the final couple of scenes in series 3 reduced me to tears and that doesn’t happen often with Big Finish! Review contains spoilers ! Review of The Good Samaritan by twelvesoswald · TARDIS Guide

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Okay, guys, I listened to the first two stories of the first set today.

The Endless Night was a good opener. Billie Piper didn’t bother me one bit and getting to hear more Clive is a bonus. I like the approach they are going for here, with dimension hopping. I just hope that they dare to explore the alternative dimension in various interesting ways. This one has a comedic edge at first but turns a bit bleaker towards the end. Surprisingly character-centric and introspective as well. 8/10

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Knowing what to expect, The Flood was a superb continuation. This version of the UK is more interesting, with Rob being a better version of Rose (and the fact that she sort of fancies him is a bit weird but fun). Also, the little subplot with Clive and Caroline is sweet. I also like the contrasts and similarities to our world and that we have a bit of a villain here as well in the idiotic Kinnear. 8.5/10

By the way totally called Donna’s identity from her very first mention :wink:

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Ghost Machine. A really interesting commentary on sentient technology with a surprisingly sombre and likeable Jackie?! A bit messy in the end. 8/10.

Do you like Rose now?

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The Last Party on Earth. A surprisingly character-centred and slower finale to the set. I loved the idea of a world facing doom and the people simply partying and putting aside all differences until it’s time to go. Good way to explore the people of the Powell Estate as well, even if it was an alternate dimension. Still, I want a bit more tension in my Who. 7/10.

Overall, a very strong set!

And Rose didn’t bother me at all, quite the contrary! This is how I want my Rose; she’s a strong enough character without the Doctor. Billie, Jackie, and Shaun are all great in this.

On to the next set!

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I felt that the four stories of the first set explored four similar worlds and hoped for a bigger variety in this second set; otherwise, things would turn stale. Saltwater unfortunately ended up being a bit of a disappointment, in that it’s a bit slow and not very engaging, despite strong performances and a good basic premise. So I was a bit worried to continue. 6/10.

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Luckily, Now Is the New Dark (love the title) proved me wrong—this is the strongest story so far! It’s an interesting whodunit in a medieval world with a strong villain, a strong henchman, a fun version of Jackie, a good use of Clive, and a couple of really good twists. Rose is a bit annoying for a second when she begins pining for the Doctor again, but it’s short-lived. 9/10.

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I really need to listen to these later sets, don’t I

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The second Rose Tyler set ends on a string note with The Rogue Planet. The dimension exoplred here is very similar to the prime one, but with very interesting character twists that make for both fun and poignant moments. And it culminates in the biggest world-ending stakes yet. 8/10.

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The third Rose Tyler set begins with the atmopsheric but underwhelming Sink or Swim. It’s dreary and very different from the previous stories, but it’s also quite boring. Highlights are a very different take on Jackie and the introduction of Rose’s alternate-world sibling Danni, played with gusto by Em Thane. 5/10.

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The Lower Road is a bit drawn out, but overall an interesting story centred on a couple of familiar thematic beats and a further exploration of Rose and Danni’s relationship. It has good performances and a predictable plot. 7/10.

And finally, The Good Samaritan brings this set to a satisfying close. It’s another false utopia story and one that allows Danni to shine while building good tension for an action-packed finale and an ending that ties neatly to Series 4. 9/10.

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