Cameron Mason's Reviews - Big Finish Audio Reviews Condensed

Big Finish Productions - The Tomorrow People

The New Gods
John, Elena, Paul and TIM
The breakout of a new Tomorrow Person leads the Tomorrow People to investigate two popular media personalities, Zane and Katya. A new series of The Tomorrow People begins, based around the 70s original rather than the 90s remake. Nicholas Young and Philip Gilbert quickly settle back into their characters of John and TIM, with Helen Goldwyn impressing as the other regular Tommorow Person Elena. Rebecca Levene and Gareth Roberts have written an interesting story based around celebrities and their fans with a religious twist. A fine start to a new series of The Tomorrow People.
Preliminary Rating: 7.5 - 8.5/10

The Deadliest Species
John, Elena, Paul, Stephen and TIM
A more serious Tomorrow People story from the prolific pen of Gary Russell. The more dangerous effects of being a Tomorrow Person are explored through the return of Stephen, with Peter Vaughan Clarke returning to his old role as if he'd never been away. The regulars of this series are once more in top form, and the other guest actors, Lisa Bowerman and Roy Skelton performing to their usual high standards. A triumph for The Tomorrow People series.
Preliminary Rating: 9 - 10/10

The Ghosts of Mendez
John, Elena, Paul and TIM
An incident at a new art gallery sees the Tomorrow People nearly exposed to the public, and under threat from the military. Austen Atkinson's script is impressive, giving all the regulars a fair chunk of the action, and puts the characters through a lot. Maggie Stables is excellent in her role as Doctor Caine, giving the character a chilling sadistic streak. The idea of the Tomorrow People being perceived as a threat by the government is an issue that will hopefully be expanded upon in future stories; the use of this idea in The Ghosts of Mendez gives the impression that this is just the start of trouble from the corridors of power for the Tomorrow People.
Preliminary Rating: 8 - 9/10

The Sign of Diolyx
John, Elena, Paul and TIM
The breaking out of a new Tomorrow Person leads the Tomorrow People to Wales, where an alien war criminal is about set themselves free. As with other Robert Perry/Mike Tucker stories, the influences on their work can be subtly or blatently picked up on by the listener. Influences on The Sign of Diolyx include K9 and Company, The Stones of Blood, The D�mons, The Sands of Time and The Wizard of Oz. John and Paul get the bulk of the action in Wales, while Elena spends time running around a capsule before ending up in a twisted version The Wizard of Oz; a brilliant sequence that should have gone on longer. The first season of Big Finish's The Tomorrow People ends with an interesting story, backed up by an interesting and revealing interview with some of the cast and crew of The Sign of Diolyx.
Preliminary Rating: 7.5 - 8.5/10

A New Atlantis
John, Elena, Paul and TIM
Elenor is in contact with new Tomorrow Person whom no one else can contact. John is off to the Canary Islands for reasons of his own and Paul ends up at the home of the mysterious Sir Henry Thermaddon. Nigel Fairs kicks of the second season of The Tomorrow People with a story that allows each of the regulars a slice of the action, while still writing a coherant story. The different storylines for John, Elena and Paul tie together well, resulting in a tight knit story in the end. A New Atlantis kicks off a story arc which could get very nasty for the Tomorrow People...
Preliminary Rating: 7.5 - 8.5/10

The Power of Fear
John, Elena, Paul and TIM
At the seaside resort of Mayview-on-sea, a woman encounters a real fright in the haunted house, as UFOs are sighted over the area. As the Tomorrow People begin to investigate, It soon becomes clear that something has made a rather erroneous study of how humanity perceives fear... Steve Lyon's has written a rather witty script that plays up to the strengths of the regular characters, and gives the guest actors great material to work with. Of these, Ann Wenn seems to have taken inspiration from Educating Rita for her role as Mave, producing a delightful character who I'd like to see more of in future plays. The Lateps come across as both dangerous and pathetic, with their background information coming across quite well, adding a twist to the final episode of the story. Although the humour won't appeal to everyone, The Power of Fear is a interesting addition to the range.
Preliminary Rating: 7 - 8/10

The Curse of Karvaan
Paul and Elena
A holiday on an alien world goes wrong for Paul and Elena when she runs into an old flame, a pleasure cruise is disrupted by murder, and an ancient curse connected to an ancient tomb takes its revenge... The Curse of Karvaan is different to previous Tomorrow People audio releases - it's set on a planet other than Earth, and only features Paul and Elena; this has given the opportunity to explore Elena's past, and we get an interesting glimpse into Elena's earlier actions as a Tomorrow Person before Paul broke out. The first episode got a bit confusing at times, as the major characters of the story were introduced, but as The Curse of Karvaan gets underway, the individual characters become more well rounded and identifiable. The final third of the story, as the murderer is revealed and the final pieces of the puzzle are placed, make for a very tragic, yet satisfying ending.
Preliminary Rating: 7 - 8/10

Alone
John, Elena and Paul
A Tomorrow Person is breaking out, an alien is in trouble, a psychologist has a patient drawing pictures of an alien sky and John is all alone. Connecting all of this is the stone circle known as the Devil's Hoof... Nigel Fairs' script is well written; it plays out a number of story threads, and until they come together in Part three it's hard to see how they come together, allowing the mystery to play out until Fairs is ready to reveal how it all ties together. Much of the story is based around the theme of loss, which is very effectively explored on several levels, and through several characters. The guest cast do a superb job, with India Fisher in particular putting in a memorable performance. Alone is rather sad story, yet ends with a feeling of hope for the future.
Preliminary Rating: 8 - 9/10

The Slarvian Menace
John, Elena, Paul and Sharon
Galactic Communications sells the latest in mobile phones, but when one of Paul's college friends begins acting strangly after receiving a call from an unknown number, the Tomorrow People decide to investigate... Michael Chance and Rosalind Blessed make a good pair as the humanoids running GC; Chance is both charming and oily at the same time, while Blessed is superbly icy and efficient as Plumbridge. The Slarvians themselves sound appropriately slimy and slug-like. The mobile phone ringtone sound motif is very effective, yet rather annoying at the same time, a deliberate and successful piece of sound design. Caroline Morris makes a good debut as Paul's friend Sharon, and judging by the end of the story, she'll be making further appearance in future stories. An interesting addition to The Tomorrow People range.
Preliminary Rating: 7.5 - 8.5/10

The Warlock's Dance
John, Elena, Paul and TIM
Twenty years ago Claire Jones vanished, today Paul's training was disrupted by a being from another dimension trying to land on Earth, near a village called Water Oakley - a place known for disappearances and full of local folklore... Cavan Scott's script is full of horrific and suspenseful moments, which play out to great effect, aided by Nigel Fairs' excellent sound design. Trevor Littledale makes an excellent debut as TIM, replacing the late Philip Gilbert. Director Nigel Fairs has also brought in a small, but impressive guest cast, with Jackie Skarvellis as nosy old woman Maggie; Neil Salvage as the haunted Rex; Lena Rae as the missing Clare and other characters show a whole range of emotions; and Saul Jaffe as the tragic Phil, still pining for his lost love. Overall, The Warlock's Dance is a lovely horror story with a thrilling climax.
Preliminary Rating: 7.5 - 8.5/10

A Living Hell
John, Elena, Paul and TIM
An intergalactic conference, John's nightmares, a trip to Snowdonia and the latest research by Doctor Caine are interlinked by the culmination in a long term quest for revenge... Nigel Fairs has put together an astonishing story, bringing to a head one story arc, and setting up a couple of others; all within a story that doesn't feel like it is just ticking off items on a checklist. This is John's story, opening up old wounds and allowing Nicholas Young to put in an excellent performance as John confronts his demons. One of the best moments has to be Elena's speech at the conference, a desperate act to end a war, and Helen Goldwyn gives it her all. My only real criticism is that the villains remind me of the Anti-Time People from NeverLand, in terms of the nature of their existence. From how the story ends, I cannot think of a more appropriate title for A Living Hell.
Preliminary Rating: 8 - 9/10

Trigonometry
John, Elena, Paul and TIM

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Saying Goodbye
John, Elena, Paul and TIM

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Lords of Forever
TBA

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The Queen of Slarvos
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A Plague of Dreams
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A Broken Song
John, Elena, Paul and TIM

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Aftermathe
John, Elena, Paul and TIM

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Spiritus Mundi
TBA

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Stemming the Tide
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End of Silence
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Rachel
TBA

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