Goodreads feminist reviews - Doctor Who audiodramas: The Blazing Hour

 Audio: The Blazing Hour, a Big Finish audiodrama from the 2021 Main Range series, featuring the Fifth Doctor and Turlough.

5/5. Goodreads review also here.  

 This story is a really good take on criticizing capitalism, colonialism and corrupt politicians. Peter Davison and Mark Strickson as Five and Turlough are on top form, with a great dynamic going on, and it's very refreshing that all the supporting cast are poc, with several female characters in varied roles as prime ministers, politicians, scientists and activists.

Representation matters 😃!

+1 In stark contrast to "Kerblam!" (welp), this story handles the criticism of a ruthless capitalist human colony system extremely well throughout. The story also includes a fleshed-out range of greymoral politician and corporate characters ranging from the overtly corrupt, to the incompetent and careless about life, to the more honourable. Unlike "Kerblam!", however, despite the existing 3D characterizations and greymorality amongst the cast, the story criticizes the more corrupt politician and corporate archetypes consistently when it's due, even though they may end up choosing a slightly less amoral and profit-exclusive action from time to time thanks to the influence of the Doctor and (mainly) their own self-survival selfish mindsets. 

For example, when an amoral and corrupt politician decides to sacrifice herself to help save the day, the Doctor, and especially Turlough, highlight the fact that her motivations where still mainly money and profit and her former problematic behaviour was not completely swept under the rug just for a 'redemption in death' trope, which was also refreshing. Meanwhile, anti-capitalist activists who also died in this story and showcased a much more moral and kind mindset throughout the plot's conflict were completely ignored by the final Prime Minister's official eulogy, as Turlough bitterly commented on. This kind of discourse was honestly sorely missed in "Kerblam!", which instead chose to coddle the capitalist higher-ups for making the slightest effort towards a potentially better (but for whom?) system.

I love Thirteen and the Fam, but Kerblam!'s way of tackling capitalism was not it

+1 The topic of profit over human (and alien native) life is repeteadly highlighted amid the social criticism themes of this story, and colonialism and classism are also strongly featured throughout. It's very refreshing that the most honourable politician characters happen to be members of the native species of the colonized planet, and activists against the capitalist system are also given positive characterizations.

+1 The story heavily tackles how a capitalist, colonialist and classist system can often put lives at risk by prioritizing profit, and the plot revolves around a catastrophic accident in an energy plant catalized by the corporate leaders in spite of the misgivings and warnings of the lead scientist of the project. While some have interpreted this plot as an anti-nuclear energy metaphor (the story uses "time energy" xD, but it's a valid comparison), Mark Strickson and the cast in general have spoken in the behind the scenes tracks about environmental factors and the need for green energy, speaking favourably about nuclear power as well. This story was indeed inspired by accidents such as Chernobyl, but, instead of being an anti-nuclear energy story, I personally interpret it as a criticism of how incompetent and amoral corporates in a capitalist society are quickly prone to putting lives in danger by throwing caution and safety to the wind and prioritizing profit, disregardless of the type of energy that the power plant may be using.

The Blazing Hour's excellent supporting cast. From top to bottom, left to right: Lynsey Murrell, Donna Berlin, Rakle Ayola, and Raj Ghatak.

+1 As mentioned above, the diversity representation among the cast is excellent, with a 100% poc supporting cast and women in many different roles, from the lead scientist to the president of the colony, several politicians and a member of the activist groups opposing the capitalist system. The fact that all the supporting cast are either of black or South Asian ethnicity, and that there are so many female characters in varied roles, puts a quick end to any possibility of negative stereotypes associated to either gender or race, in regards to the role, integrity values and personality of each character. As such, we have black actresses in positive roles of a competent and intelligent scientist or a brave activist (both roles very nicely played by Lynsey Murrell), not just as a moderately incompetent prime minister (Donna Berlin) or an amoral, self-serving politician (an excellent Rakle Ayola). Women also take a clear centre stage among the supporting cast, with only two distinct male characters, an incompetent corporate boss and a more principled native local leader, played by the same actor (Raj Ghatak). The voice work and variety of accents used by the supporting cast is so good you don't even realize many play at least two characters because all voices are so distinct.

 

+1 I also really liked the dynamic of Five and Turlough in this story. This is from the time at the end of Season 21 when they are having adventures alone, and in these audios with them you can clearly see that the bond between them has deepened, with Five being outright distraught and grieving for more than one episode when he is told that Turlough has allegedly died in the explosion caused by the accident, one of these scenes also acting as an additional stab in the feels with the reference to the companions he has formerly lost in this incarnation - most notably, Adric 😭 (a great characterization that is a refreshing change in contrast to the horrid treatment of Turlough's graphic torture and assault and the infuriating resulting emotional disconnect from the Doctor in books such as The King of Terror 😣 Although the Doctor isn't always the best when it comes to comforting and communicating with their companions when they are grieving, traumatized or struggling with mental health, truth be told :S - Tegan really needed that closure scene in Power of the Doctor 😭. So yeah, I really appreciated that Five was much more open emotionally in this respect throughout this audio).

Look at all the wholesome!

 +1 Turlough's dynamic with activist Fionn is also excellent, showing a partnership between a woman and a man that is refreshingly devoid of any sexism (or romance, for a change), and filled with mutual respect. It reminded me a bit of Turlough's dynamic with Norna on 'Frontios' quite a bit, although this one is more fleshed out.

+1 And as final related notes, I also liked the fact that when Turlough's legs get injured by the explosion and Fionn gets him a wheelchair to be able to get out of the building, she asks if he has a problem with it, and he remarks that not at all, as 'some of the best people use wheelchairs', and he's rather more worried about the fact that Fionn would have to wheel him around among the wreckage. 

 I also loved Turlough's characterization in this story, and you can really see his growth. Having evolved from his prior self-survival priorities (stemming greatly from his background and former trauma), he retains his sarcasm and more acerbic wit, but also showcases a greater willingness to make things right and take an active stand in trying to solve the situation, even though he still tends to berate himself for being a coward (which he honestly isn't, hot take. Like the Third Doctor said, bravery isn't about not being afraid, it's about being afraid and doing what you must in spite of it). Also, seeing as he originally comes from a high-class aristocratic family on his planet Trion, I also really liked to see how often and how intensely he criticized the self-serving attitude of the corrupt politician and corporate characters throughout the story, condemning that their one and only motivation seems to be only profit, money and power.

Goodreads reviews - Doctor Who audiodramas: Gardens of the Dead

The Black Guardian manipulates Turlough (still from Season 20)

 

Audio: Gardens of the Dead, a Big Finish short trip written by Jenny T. Colgan and performed by Mark Strickson. 

4.5/5. Goodreads review also here. 

An entertaining half-hour featuring a Fifth Doctor story with Turlough, Nyssa and Tegan, from Turlough's point of view. Some thoughts -

+1 Turlough is one of the most morally ambiguous Doctor Who companions, forced and controlled by the Black Guardian to kill the Doctor, in a similar way to River Song's arc in S6 of New!Who (minus the romance, although plenty of people ship Five and Turlough, and the latter is definitely very easily read as queer-coded and might very well have developed a crush on the Doctor during his time on the TARDIS). When I first wrote this short review a few years ago, I hadn't watched anything about Vislor Turlough apart from some references and clips, but I still liked his characterization in this story. He shows anguish at the thought of killing the Doctor, tries to resist the Black Guardian's control and ends up helping to save the Doctor - and also Nyssa - from the story's alien menace instead of leaving them to die. As for now, I've already watched near all of Five's run with Turlough, and yep, I really like the complexity of his character and arc, and disagree with the apparent common dislike of this companion, to be honest - Nope, must protect Turlough and all of Five's companions at all costs xD

+1 Nyssa has a more contemplative role than a proactive one in this story, although she also saves Turlough from the alien menace of the story at an earlier part of the story.

The dynamic between Turlough and Nyssa, the least explored onscreen, is at the centre of this story

 

-1 Tegan, however, doesn't do that much in this story. Nor did the Doctor, for that matter, as it's a story more focused on Turlough and Nyssa, but ah well, it's a shame when Tegan (female companions in general) is underused in the stories, because she's everything (and having to do it in stiletto heels 24/7, no less, because the costume designers be hating her 😬).

+1 Typical Whovian anti-violence themes: The TARDIS team (mainly Nyssa and Turlough) save the day first with a water bottle and then with a garden hose from the TARDIS, which is pretty epic xD 👌

-1 I didn't quite like how Strickson mimicked Tegan's voice, and there's only so many times I can hear references to Tegan's 'annoying Australian shouting' without being rather annoyed about it myself 😒 (no one disrespects Tegan in this house xD). And although there's no outright sexist content in the dialogue, I can also see this linked too easily to sexist and simplistic stereotypes, such as 'assertive woman who likes to keep in control of her life'='annoying woman who shouts and complains about things'. Usually opposed to the idea of the 'nicer, sweeter, and usually more passive and dumb woman' - I guess some people may associate this with Nyssa in contrast to Tegan, although she's anything but passive or stupid. 

 +1 As well as including Turlough's reflections on his thraldom with the Black Guardian and his times with the TARDIS team, the theme of the story is contemplative and melancholy, focusing on the people the TARDIS team has lost in their lives, and it was a lovely nostalgic touch to the action of the story.

The Classic Who Season 20 TARDIS team

Goodreads reviews - Doctor Who audiodramas: I Am the Master

Geoffrey Beevers' Master (promotional pic from Big Finish covers). Palpatine vibes xD

Audio: I Am the Master, a Big Finish short trip written and performed by Geoffrey Beevers.

 5/5. Goodreads review also here. 

Geoffrey Beevers' engaging monologue as the Crispy Master is equally creepy and charismatic as he recounts, from a literal soundbooth xD, how he came to rule and cause the destruction of a planet.

As well as revelling in his evil power games, the Master also includes in his storytelling a surprising amount of social criticism as he explains how he exploits a series of societal factors for his benefit - from capitalism, politics and environmental issues, to people's hypocritical binary ideas of good and evil, to how distorted ideals for egalitarian and utopic societies can create oppression, war and totalitarian regimes very easily. Loved this take, combining actual legit social critique with an exploration of the Master's amoral logic and pragmatism which he uses to destroy and gain power.

Some quotes of this that I quite liked:

 "Another thing that helps - helps me, that is, which is what ultimately counts - is that life forms can always be convinced that they are the goodies, pure and virtuous, and that some other life form is evil and must be destroyed! That's really the most helpful handle to have if you want to create death and destruction - 'Oh look, over there are some really bad people! They're not good, like you and me! Why don't you go and kill them?' Haven't you noticed how the so-called goodies usually end up killing just as many people as the so-called baddies? So, what does it really matter if  the goodies win, so long as there's lots of destruction (...). I find that's a comfort, when I'm feeling a bit depressed, to remember - evil always originates in the attempt to eliminate evil in others. And the winner of the battle will always call themselves goodies anyway by definition, so I find there's a big area there that I can really exploit. Another ares is the whole thing of unintended consequences. People can start out oh so confident, with all kinds of good intentions, but they just don't think of the terrible side effects. But I mustn't give away all my secrets. I don't want people aware of what I'm doing when I hypnotize them."

"Recently I've become quite interested in the destructive power of ideas. It is evident that the bright ideas of one generation can feed the disasters of the next. All it needs is simplification and distortion. Let me illustrate this with the aid of your own, miserable civilization: 'Love your neighbour' in the right hands can become the Inquisition. 'Men should be equal' [not women, heh] can become Stalinism. Freedom can become - well, you get my meaning. Simplify and distort."

And we also have a bonus final ASMR 'hipnosis-in-progress' session with the Master whispering 'And you will obeeeey meeee' into the in-universe microphone inside his TARDIS disguised as a sound booth lol xDDD  

Beevers' Master's 'crispy' gone-wrong incarnation from "The Keeper of Traken"

Goodreads feminist reviews - Doctor Who Audiodramas: The Ravelli Conspiracy

4/5. Goodreads review here.

 A story with the First Doctor, Vicki and Steven, who find themselves in early 16th Century Italy embroiled in intrigues featuring Giuliano de Medici, his brother Pope Leo X, and Niccolo Machiavelli. More engaging than I expected - I quite enjoyed this historical adventure :) And while I initially thought Peter Purves (Steven)'s impersonation of the Doctor's voice to be a bit meh at first, it grew up on me as the episode wore on. Also, female director (yay representation!).

The TARDIS team ^^!

+1 Ethics and anti-violence - When blackmailed into poisoning Giuliano de Medici, Steven refuses to kill anyone (he also opposes Carla's desire to poison Machiavelli after he's used and betrayed her). The Doctor and Vicki also try to stop the political intrigues and the murderous intent of the Medici ruler, and reach non-violent solutions (with varying degrees of success).

Steven: "I've thought about it, Carla, I've thought about this a lot - What you want me to do is murder! I can't help you, I'm sorry."
Carla: "You value your morals so highly, do you?"
Steven: "I do, yes." 

Steven: "You don't care who's hurt as long as you put the right people in charge. What happens when they decide they like power a little too much? Trust me, they'll soon realize the best way to keep it is by slaughtering a few more enemies."

+-1 Social criticism themes (about political intrigues, the religion institution, tyrannical rulers,...). However, the figure of Pope Leo X, while criticized in some ways, is also idealized in others, with the plot choosing to mainly criticize the tyrannical and violence-friendly Giuliano de Medici in comparison to his more 'reasonable and learned' pope brother. Pope Leo's corruption is also highlighted during the plot, but he's mainly shown in a rather sympathetic light :S.

Giuliano de Medici

Steven: "So there's nothing in this period we need to watch out for?"
The Doctor: "Oh, there's a little backstabbing, I suppose. Some plots, the odd civil war, torture, religious persecution...And the ever-constant threat of violence and damnation should we be foolish enough to criticize the current religious orthodoxy, huh!"
Steven: "Right. Then perhaps we should go." (xD)

Some themes which can be discussed from a feminist viewpoint are addressed, such as -

-The way Machiavelli uses servant Carla (who is in love with him and also bears grudges against the Medici) for his own political schemes is criticized. 

Machiavelli is not seen in a very good light in general, backstabbing the TARDIS team in various ways in 'machiavellian' style  - maybe a cliché, but I'm all for viewing historical figures who spent quite a lot of their time getting drunk and using women in a non-positive, non-idealized light. He was also a pretty sexist dude, seeing women as "weak, lesser and incapable of ruling government compared to the 'strong man'" and promoting abuse against women.

Hell yeah, go criticize this sexist dude, Big Finish

The Doctor clearly has not great liking of Machiavelli:
 
The Doctor: "It seems to me that you have all you can wish for, heh! Why do you try to claim power and influence for yourself by this foolish scheme?"
Machiavelli: "Have you never been attracted by the thrill of turbulent times, Doctor?"
The Doctor: "Possibly. Possibly, my good man, ha!"
Machiavelli: "We are quite similar, then, I think"
The Doctor: "We are most certainly not!" 

The Doctor: "Cesare Borgia, the very worst of them all, a bully and a tyrant! No doubt a close associate of yours, huh?"
(...) Machiavelli: "Have you ever considered that good ends may sometimes justify brutish means?"
The Doctor: "And does this theory form part of your treaties, huh?"

 -The way Popes used to use women as their 'consorts' for physical and emotional companionship is also addressed, with people assuming Vicki became Pope Leo X's 'companion' because of her interactions with him (which is not the case here, Pope Leo X clearly insinuating he's gay - although this being the Church, pederasty is the word :/). But even though Vicki's fortunately not a target of unwanted "affections", she's still treated in a very entitled way by Pope Leo, who demands she entertain him with poetry and companionship (he basically tells her that unless she has something interesting to entertain him with, he will not protect her from her torture-friendly brother :S). He also asks her to leave her companions and travel with him in order to offer him advice (at least he acknowledges her intelligence - "Is there no end to your talents? Poetry and politics, and now horse-riding!"; "Your wise counsel would be much appreciated" - But still, entitled).

And as usual, women have to gain favour and 'power' by complying to this kind of male entitlement behaviour (Carla later also has to resort to using her 'feminine wiles' and declare she's hopelessly in love with him in order to take back the TARDIS key while he's distracted with his inflated ego :/).

Vicki: "Your Holiness, have mercy, I did not realize that Carla had such feelings for you. But then again, how could she not?"

Pope Leo X: "What? What do you mean?"

Vicki: "How could she not have feelings for you? The luster of your intellect, those piercing eyes...(...) And your wit, charm,..."

Carla: "I'm so sorry, my Lord! I was overcome by your presence!"

(...)

Pope Leo X: "Well, I suppose my presence can be quite overpowering."

Also, let's note how men - even members of the Catholic Church - come to no harm if they go a-dallying with as many women as they like, while for women their everything depended on their 'reputation' on that respect. Here with a bonus of heteronormativity (although I'm not keen to defend the Church's homosexual pederasty, of course):
 Pope Leo X: "As leader of the Church, I am forbidden to marry, but that does not mean that I may not enjoy female company."
 Vicki: "Is that...encouraged?"
 Pope Leo X: "Maybe not encouraged, but it is certainly expected that I would take a consort, and so far, well, I have failed to do so."
 Vicki: "Failed?"
 Pope Leo X: "It would do no harm to my, um, public image to be seen arm in arm with a fair lady such as yourself ."
 Vicki: "Because you are expected to enjoy female company?"
 Pope Leo X: "Exactly."
 Vicki: "But, as it happens, you don't enjoy female company?"
 Pope Leo X: "Um, well, controlling an empire leaves very little time for such things."

Carla: "Every Pope needs a consort. And this Pope especially needs a consort, given the rumours." 
Vicki: "But I'm not his consort!"
Carla: "Have it your way. And at least you can be sure that he won't, not with you anyway."

(About Pope Leo Xs sexuality - this would be a good historical LGBT+ example in order to get narrow-minded religious people tearing at their hair (xD) if he hadn't taken advantage of young men in the usual pedophilic way the Church has going on :S (cf Wikipedia, "the pope's familiar banter with his chamberlains – handsome young men from noble families – and the advantage he was said to take of them" Not only age gaps, but power imbalances stemming from class differences and servants vs their lords as well - this happens *a lot* with female servants and handmaids, too). So not super keen to idealize or exalt that issue much, to be honest).

-Other issue that is tackled in a positive way is the patronizing way in which the Medici brothers treat Vicki (who is way smarter than both of them and uses their entitled sexist mindset in her favour more than once). Bonus points for Vicki demanding to be taken seriously and not to be called 'child' (chided, they end up resorting to 'person' a couple of times xD :D).

Pope Leo X: "I will write a letter for this child-"
Vicki (admonishing voice): "I'm not a child!" 
Pope Leo X: "This...person" (:D xD)

Also-
Pope Leo X: "I'm sure you can look after yourself, child - uh, girl, uh, young woman-"
Vicki: "Vicki"

Can we also talk about Vicki's complete snark and badassery xD?

Giuliano de Medici: "Prisoner! Guards, seize her!"
Pope Leo X: "No, no, no! Leave her alone!"
Vicki: "Oh, make your minds up!" (xDD) 

Giuliano de Medici: "She's part of it, I know she is! She was in [Machiavelli's] house!"
Vicki: "Well, this is your house, so by the same logic, I must be on your side!" (xDD)

+1 Vicki's actions are proactive throughout the story. She finds herself having to take part in the political intrigues between the Medici brothers and using her favourable relationship with Pope Leo X in order to try to free her companions from prison and get back the TARDIS key (Pope Leo being of an artistic disposition, he thinks the TARDIS is 'Greek art' and wants to take it with him xD). Steven and the Doctor have also good moments (one highlight is the Doctor impersonating a textile merchant, calling the Pope 'my dear chap' and trying to convince him that the TARDIS is not a valuable Greek piece of art xD), but I found Vicki to be the highlight of the audio adventure - Badass, smart, assertive and proactive female companions ftw :D!

"Oh, Steven...Try and get out of trouble till I get back with the Doctor!"

I love how Vicki is allowed to be portrayed as cute and sweet *while* being very proactive, smart and capable :D We  need more female characters like her (Jaylah is another great example of this)!

Machiavelli: "[The Doctor] has gone to the palace to secure your freedom. I little expected you would be able to affect your own release. You certainly have proven a fine and swift negotiator with our Holy Father!"

 Look how smart and capable Vicki is ^^ <3:

 Steven: "Oh, that's just brilliant! Trapped again!" (he's so done xD)
The Doctor: "And with Vicki in here with us, we've no possible means of escape!"
Vicki: "Well...I wouldn't go that far!"
Steven: "Eh? What are you talking about, Vicki? We're as trapped as we've ever been!"
Vicki: "We're not! I've got these keys!" 
The Doctor: "Hah! Where did you get those, child?"
Vicki: "If didn't know if I could trust Carla, so when I saw the guard at the door I said, better safe than sorry - I gave him a big hug and grabbed the keys off his belt. (...)  There you go! We're free!"
  Bonus line of Steven being 100% done xD: "Vicki, we're in the subterranean cells of a 16th Century Medieval gangster with no access to the TARDIS! It's not exactly what I'd call 'free'!"

Look at these dorks ^^

+-1 There are not many female characters in this story - Vicki and Carla are the only ones. They do have some scenes talking together and forming an alliance in order to get the TARDIS key back.

+-1 Carla is initially described as wanting revenge against the Medici and not caring if other people get hurt in the process (which Steven criticizes her for), and backstabs both Steve and later Vicki throughout the plot. However, she is seen in a more sympathetic light when Machiavelli is described using her by exploiting her grudge against the Medici, as well as the intense crush she has on him (problematic relationship with emotional dependence issues - "I have nothing left"; "I will only be satisfied when he's dead").  She ends up as the Pope's companion, so she definitely deserves better :S

 Steven: "Well, Carla, she hates the Medici, Doctor, the whole family! She was telling me horrible stories about what they've done, who they've killed."
Machiavelli: "Yes, poor girl."
The Doctor: "She must have been very easy to...manipulate."

The Doctor: "So, Signor Machiavelli has abandoned you to your fate, has he, huh? I'm very sorry, my dear."
Steven: "He was using you, Carla. If his plan had worked, you would have been arrested and killed!"

Also, special mention to the 'I'm so done with everything' prison guard who keeps losing his prisoners and fears writing long reports more than death xDD

Vicki: "I insist that we not being followed."
Guard: "That's a bit tricky, really. Because we've been doing not at all in keeping the prisoners in the cells as of late. Every time one escapes, I have to write a report, and probably face torture and death myself." (he wrote a lot of reports during this adventure, then xD)
Carla: "If [the Pope] finds out you've disobeyed his orders, given via Signora Vicki, you'll-"
Guard: "Face torture and death?"
(...) Carla: "And have to write an even longer report." (xDD)
Guard: "Ah, go on then. I'm thinking of quitting anyway." (xDD)

And I'll finish this review with some good old Whovian ethics from the Doctor, showing the TARDIS to Pope Leo in order to influence him into controlling his more violent brother: "I wanted to give you a glimpse of this, something bigger, something outside yourself. (...) Your brother and his nefarious associates, they believe they can control the state of Florence, control the future. They believe, if they make the right decisions, frighten the right people, execute their friends, well, then they can bend the universe to their will."
Vicki: "But life isn't quite as straightforward as that."
Steven: "No, it isn't" 
 *cue TARDIS dematerializing in order to scaring the religious fanatics of the day into being a little less violent, perhaps xD* (effect marred by the Pope being kinda idealized, but yeah)