British Scifi

Audio Review: Avalon – Volume 1 (From ‘The Worlds of Blakes 7)

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Review by Ian McArdell

Avalon Volume 1 launches Big Finish’s new range exploring ‘The Worlds of Blakes 7’. With the sad passing of key cast members rendering full-cast dramas with the Liberator crew untenable, this spin-off range aims to broaden the storytelling universe. Focussing on other characters and situations, other battles against the Federation, it still allows for some of the original cast to feature, essentially as guest stars. In this first boxset, Sally Knyvette and Stephen Greif reprise their roles as Jenna Stannis and Travis respectively.


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Audio Review: Blake’s 7 – Lucifer Genesis

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Review by Ian McArdell

Lucifer Genesis is the final instalment in the late Paul Darrow’s trilogy of Blake’s 7 stories, charting the ongoing exploits of the character he so memorably brought to life: Kerr Avon.
First published by Big Finish in 2015, it has been recorded as an audiobook by Darrow’s colleague, Stephen Grief. Grief, of course, played the role of Travis in the television show’s first year. Up front, it is worth saying that I have not read either of the other Lucifer books, but it does not seem to matter – Lucifer Genesis is a relatively self-contained epic. It is also one that has a tremendous scope, with an intricate plot charting Servalan’s rise to power, then weaves in and out of established onscreen Blake’s 7 events. Throughout Avon is positioned as Servalan’s nemesis, with characters such as Blake and Travis merely diversions to be handled along the way.

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Audio Review: Blake’s 7 – Uprising

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Review by Ian McArdell

Released alongside the latest audio drama box set, Restoration Part One, Christopher Cooper’s Uprising is a novel set in the early part of Series B. While the audio dramas may be hemmed into a sweet spot of continuity, no such restrictions hamper prose and so the story takes place between the episodes Shadow and Weapon, and features the full, original line-up of Blake, Vila, Avon, Jenna, Gan, Cally and Orac on board the Liberator, with the relentless Space Commander Travis on their trail. Continue reading →

Audio Review: The Omega Factor Series 3

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Review by Ian McArdell

Three series in, and with an episode tally now exceeding the original television run, Big Finish’s continuation of the 1970’s supernatural thriller series The Omega Factor is on robust form. Continue reading →

Audio Review: Blake’s 7 – Crossfire Part 2

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Review by Ian McArdell

Hot on the heels of their thrilling 40th Anniversary release, Big Finish are back for more as Crossfire – a twelve-part season of stories set within the programme’s third series – continues.

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Audio Review: Blake’s 7 – The Way Ahead (40th Anniversary Special)

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Review by Ian McArdell

In writing a 40th anniversary story, writer Mark Wright was set a tremendous challenge; to create a tale which offers each of the show’s main characters a chance to shine, while at the same time maintains a tone which resonates with the core themes of the show and celebrates what we all love about Blake’s 7. Continue reading →

Audio Review: Blake’s 7 – The Spoils of War

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Review by Ian McArdell

After break of almost two years, Blake’s 7 have returned to Big Finish with a new box set of adventures under the title The Spoils of War.
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Review: Doctor Who – Vortex Ice / Cortex Fire

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Review by Doctor Squee (Host of Gallifrey Stands Podcast)

After the success of last month’s 5th Doctor release ‘Alien Heart / Dalek Soul‘ Big Finish now gives us a 6th Doctor 2-story set in the same format; with each story taking an hours running time. It’s a really strong format that leads to sharp pacey stories. These two follow that trend. Continue reading →

Audio Review: The Omega Factor Series 2

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Review by Ian McArdell

In 2015, Big Finish revived the late 1970s BBC science-meets-supernatural thriller series The Omega Factor to quite some acclaim. Indeed, one episode was nominated for a BBC Audio Drama Award.

Starring Louise Jameson; a member of the original cast, as Dr Anne Reynolds, the audio drama picked up the Edinburgh based tale of Department 7 in the present day. Fresh to this continuation of the show is John Dorney as Adam Dean, son of the original lead character Tom Dean (an investigative journalist who was played by the late James Hazeldine). Continue reading →