I would say this: if you want to do this story you will need to read the books. I actually think that the story is good and interesting and it does the multi-doctor part in a new and interesting way. But Ten is my favourite and that might be part of my judgment. I think that @BillFiler might be a better judge of this.
9 Likes
I actually think the whole “Time Lord Victorious mentality” that 10 have got in The Waters of Mars is handled really well in the event. Especially in the books where he gets to play off of 8 and 9 (most in the second book). They might have something to say about this Time Lord Victorious lark.
But the reason for what is going on with 8 and 9 comes from other parts of the event (mainly the Eight Doctor Big Finish stuff and the comic with the Ninth Doctor).
I definitely found the books to be a good read but maybe a bit too short (so big margins in the printed version).
10 Likes
I don’t mind a few short reads. It’s been taking me ages to get through books lately.
9 Likes
Yes, the first book is very short (my e-book version is around 120 pages), and I suspect the others arte as well. And this one is an interesting and fun read as well, so I recommend it!
8 Likes
So, today was Dalek day in my TLV marathon!
Daleks! = 5.6/10
Part 1: 6/10
Part 2: 4/10
Part 3: 5/10
Part 4: 6/10
Part 5: 7/10
I rewatched Daleks! on @Tian’s behest—and with TLV in mind—and have to admit that I enjoyed it more this time around. The animation is what it is, but the story makes sense when you know the context, and it does some interesting things with the Emperor, the Mechanoids, and the Archivists. The yellow robot in Part 2 (the weakest part) is still very annoying, though, and I find it disappointing that we never meet the Entity properly. The first and last episodes are the strongest.
I also read the two Titan comics that formed the Defender of the Daleks storyline:
Defender of the Daleks = 6/10
Good art, big panels and fun characterisation of Ten. A bit slow in parts and takes a good while to set things up, while delivering a hasty climax. But how exactly is this related to TLV? They mention the Dark Times, and we meet the same Emperor and Strategist - but the Hond appear from nowhere (and are hardly used), and there’s no Kotturuh or Brian? And Thirteen pops up for a brief appearance at the end. Also, last we saw of Ten, he was preparing to fight Eight, Nine and the Daleks, and now he’s here? I think this should be read before The Knight, The Fool, and the Dead because it doesn’t make much sense here.
Tomorrow is audio day, as I finally tackle the BF audios I’ve listened to before!
9 Likes
The “Monsterous Beauty” comic story is also going to be anthologized in a trade paperback next month.
8 Likes
The thing is that you follow the main story until everybody meets then you get to see how everyone else got there. First the Daleks and then the other Doctors.
There are other orders of reading this but I feel like this gives the best rhythm to the event.
6 Likes
Made tons of progress on TLV today, mostly on audio!
Listened to the first half of Echoes of Extinction. It was fine, but it was unclear how it connected to the arc. I really liked the robot servant.
He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not = 6/10
It’s an interesting Western-style story with dodgy American accents, a bored Paul McGann and a fabulous Silas Carson as Brian. It is pretty straightforward and slow and hints at some of the effects of Ten’s actions in the Dark Times.
The Enemy of My Enemy = 6/10
Very similar story here, but with Daleks scheming on an alien planet. The cast is pretty forgettable. There’s a new super weapon as well and more repercussions from Ten’s actions. The end with Eight taking the Daleks to the Dark Times to investigate leads directly to the end of The Knight, The Fool and the Dead.
Master Thief = 6/10
The first half of the Short Trips release. Culshaw is a good narrator, but his Delgado voice isn’t as effective as his Ainley voice. This one runs out of energy halfway through.
I finished the day with some more comics, from DWM and Comics Creator. Oh, and that blasted T-shirt!
Monstrous Beauty = 7/10
This is fun! Nine and Rose in the Dark Times, ancient Gallifrey before the Time Lords, Commander Rassilon and cool vampires! It is fast-paced and packs quite a lot despite the short length. It’s pretty simple but deepens the lore of Gallifrey in the Dark Times and explains how Nine got to where he is at the end of The Knight, The Fool and the Dead.
Can I Help You? = 0/10
It’s a T-shirt with a cool picture of Brian the Ood and text you cannot read. I can’t rate it fairly.
I read the first three chapters of All Flesh is Grass and truly love the epic feel of it. Three Doctors leading three armies in a three-way war, and we cut quickly between the three Doctors until Ten decides to escape. I love how the contact scene sneakily references Charley and Storm Warning!
Tales of the Dark Times = 4/10
Cute, short, simple and pointless. These aren’t even fun and kinda bland.
I’m nearing the end now! I’ll do a couple of smaller stories next and then I’ll finish the book. I’ll probably finish the event next week.
8 Likes
I listened to all of the audio content over the weekend while driving (six hours each way to Montréal… never again). Some of it was really good!
Some of it was not. I literally couldn’t even get five minutes into Mutually Assured Destruction.
I really like that each piece can stand on its own, but it’s frustrating that there’s an overarching story, but you have to consume all the media to understand it. (Maybe even if you consume it all, you still don’t?) Going back and forth across media, no less! At least Doom’s Day grouped together all the comics, all the prose (except the prologue and epilogue), and all the audio. But I wish they’d made it so you could at least get an idea of the story from each medium alone. I am really trying to muster the courage to read two entire novels to get more of Brian.
9 Likes
You don’t have to consume it all to understand it. I’d say that the audios and the books (in the right order) are enough. Having said that, I definitely understand everything better after having consumed (almost) all of it, especially some of the backstory and how Eight and Nine and the Daleks are related to the story arc.
8 Likes
I did the final stretch of this over the weekend and today. It took me a week, but I have returned from the Dark Times!
The Minds of Magnox = 6/10
The only BBC Audio Original of the event. It’s a chance for Brian to shine. Jacob Dudman’s narration is fantastic, but I wasn’t carried away by the story. The coda with Eleven was sweet.
Mission to the Known = 6/10
Another informative Eaglemoss story, with a small Dalek story at the end. It’s a pivotal scene, but it essentially spoils the central twist in All Flesh is Grass.
All Flesh is Grass = 7/10
The second novel and the epic finale to the main event. It’s a fun take on the multi-doctor story: it begins as a three-way battle between Ten, Eight and Nine and their fleets. It then shifts focus to the Doctors slowly working together to stop the Daleks in their latest plan to take over the universe. This is fast-paced and has that season finale feel to it. Ten is pretty unlikeable, but Brian is cool and it’s nice to see Nine and Eight interact. I also like Inyit the Kotturuh. The middle part drags a little for me.
Mutually Assured Destruction = 5/10
Eh, this one is Nick Briggs talking to himself 90% of the runtime, Paul McGann acting weird and the guest actors being forgettable. Not feeling this one.
Exit Strategy = 6/10
The Last Eaglemoss story is also the least interesting. The Dalek story at the end is neat but not very important.
Echoes of Extinction = 7/10
The 8th Doctor side of the story from earlier on is pretty forgettable. The 10th Doctor side is nice, with great performances from Tennant, Burn Gorman and Arthur Darvill. The first half is a 6/10 and the second an 8//10.
The Shattered Hourglass = 7/10
Not really TLV-adjacent, but a nice little story nonetheless. Good tension between Ten and the Commander. Great narration from Neve McIntosh. Lost me a bit at the end.
Genetics of the Daleks = 7/10
A prequel to A Dalek Awakens and a reason for Tom Baker to join TLV. A simple but fun little adventure inside a colony ship and against a single Dalek.
Canaries = 8/10
Only tangentially related to the event, but a very short and very charming little story featuring the Curator and a confusing ending.
I won’t be able to complete the Escape Hunt or the Time Fracture event for obvious reasons. I’ll check out The End of Time and the Time Fracture videos later.
By the way, I noticed on the Tardis Wiki that there are four Eaglmoss stories, but only three are mentioned in the timeline guide. The first one is about the Dalek Restoration Empire, should it be added, @Tian?
Anyway, I survived the Dark Times and I have to say that the event is quite fun overall - the timeline can be confusing and there’s loads of fluff but the main story is worth it.
Here’s the badge for proof - we are Scandinavia Victorious!
I believe @Tian has been waiting a few days to add something to this… 
10 Likes
I wonder who will be number 4. My guess is on @JayPea but I know that @deltaandthebannermen is looking at this.
6 Likes
If @deltaandthebannermen is next, we should make him the Dalek or Brian in the picture above 
9 Likes
He can be Mr. Ball! 
7 Likes
I’m still deep in the palace of King Peladon so I’m not going near this any time soon.
7 Likes
And if @shauny would do the decent thing and give Peladon a badge, more of you might join me there…
9 Likes
How many versions of The Curse of Peladon do I have to experience to gain said badge? 
7 Likes
One will be enough 
- I’m just mad. Mad I tell you!
9 Likes
Yup, that’s why you would be the perfect Mr. Ball 
9 Likes