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The Early Adventures #3.1
The Early Adventures: The Age of Endurance
The TARDIS materialises on board a still and eerie spaceship. When a squad of soldiers land, they realise they've found themselves in the middle of a war zone. With one of their crew trapped by the enemy, the Doctor and his friends find themselves locked in a desperate race for survival. Vast warships manoeuvre around each other as both sides try to out-think their opponents, flying into ever more dangerous areas of space. The stakes could not be higher. But as ever in war, the lines between good and evil are hard to define. Will anyone survive to claim the moral high ground?
- GenresDoctor WhoAudiobook
2 pages, Audio CD
First published September 14, 2016
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 2, 2016
The first doctor encounters a genetically engineered race of killer reptiles chasing a race of synthetic artificial intelligences, neither of whom are quite what they seem.
An epic story about scientists playing God to save and rebirth a barren, dying race.
An epic story about scientists playing God to save and rebirth a barren, dying race.
November 24, 2019
Having reached the end of the black-and-white era with the previous release, the Early Adventures returns to the beginning, with another story set during the TV show's first season, with William Russell (Ian) and Carole Anne Ford (Susan) sharing the narration duties. This time round, the role of Barbara is recast, rather than her lines being delivered by the narrators. While this would have allowed her to take more of a part in proceedings, it's not an opportunity taken in this release, and she spends almost the entire story unconscious.
The Doctor is also absent for at least half of the run time, putting Susan and Ian centre-stage and leaving them to solve the central problem themselves. Which, honestly, Susan does very little of, spending more time running from the monsters than doing anything particularly useful. Barbara has so few lines that it's hard to judge the new actor's performance of the role, but it's also the case that Russell now sounds so little like his 30-year old self (and who of us will, 50 years on?) that suspension of disbelief tends to falter with him as well.
These weaknesses are, of course, entirely unavoidable given the format of this audio series. It's hard to be too critical of them, but it doesn't help that the story is an unremarkable one. The TARDIS arrives on an abandoned spaceship and becomes embroiled with some former slaves trying to escape their masters. There is some nuance to this, with the slaves being far from blameless themselves and a nice evocation of a vaguely steampunk starship combined with other retro technology. (The science is complete nonsense, but the TV show has done much worse, so I can't hold that against them).
So, some good points in there, but not quite enough to do it for me. For some reason, the limitations of the format are really starting to show themselves with this particular release.
The Doctor is also absent for at least half of the run time, putting Susan and Ian centre-stage and leaving them to solve the central problem themselves. Which, honestly, Susan does very little of, spending more time running from the monsters than doing anything particularly useful. Barbara has so few lines that it's hard to judge the new actor's performance of the role, but it's also the case that Russell now sounds so little like his 30-year old self (and who of us will, 50 years on?) that suspension of disbelief tends to falter with him as well.
These weaknesses are, of course, entirely unavoidable given the format of this audio series. It's hard to be too critical of them, but it doesn't help that the story is an unremarkable one. The TARDIS arrives on an abandoned spaceship and becomes embroiled with some former slaves trying to escape their masters. There is some nuance to this, with the slaves being far from blameless themselves and a nice evocation of a vaguely steampunk starship combined with other retro technology. (The science is complete nonsense, but the TV show has done much worse, so I can't hold that against them).
So, some good points in there, but not quite enough to do it for me. For some reason, the limitations of the format are really starting to show themselves with this particular release.
July 13, 2021
The Age of Endurance is an Early Adventure I've heard mixed things about some saying it's really good and others not so much so I decided to dive into this now sooner than later and to my pleasant surprise I actually really rather enjoyed myself with this story.
When The Tardis arrives onboard The Vanguard they find a dead body that's slowly decomposing but soon they'll have other worries to think about for they are soon going to become embroiled in a war between two races where The Shift are the enslavers and trying to gain back their control over the escapees but when chaos ensues Barbara is kidnapped and soon The Tardis crew are separated but the trouble is only beginning.
This was a really good story with some creative ideas and moral dilemma's about why playing god may not be it so much of a good thing and that it will have consequences, there's a lot in this story about a race becoming infertile and having to survive by other means, whilst another species was experimented upon in the hopes of bringing back their normality. Nick Wallace has handled this so well because I couldn't help but think this story wouldn't quite work with the 1st Doctor but to my surprise, he has a good grasp on the overall feel of the era and the characters, however, I will say Barbara had nothing to do in this story and was removed out of the picture for the most of it which is a shame.
William Russell and Carole Ann Ford do a magnificent job narrating this story whilst also playing their own characters. The sound design is gorgeous as usual and is pretty atmospheric in places.
Overall a really good space opera type story that really kept my attention for the whole remainder, it may have its flaws but it's a damned good tale nonetheless! 8/10
When The Tardis arrives onboard The Vanguard they find a dead body that's slowly decomposing but soon they'll have other worries to think about for they are soon going to become embroiled in a war between two races where The Shift are the enslavers and trying to gain back their control over the escapees but when chaos ensues Barbara is kidnapped and soon The Tardis crew are separated but the trouble is only beginning.
This was a really good story with some creative ideas and moral dilemma's about why playing god may not be it so much of a good thing and that it will have consequences, there's a lot in this story about a race becoming infertile and having to survive by other means, whilst another species was experimented upon in the hopes of bringing back their normality. Nick Wallace has handled this so well because I couldn't help but think this story wouldn't quite work with the 1st Doctor but to my surprise, he has a good grasp on the overall feel of the era and the characters, however, I will say Barbara had nothing to do in this story and was removed out of the picture for the most of it which is a shame.
William Russell and Carole Ann Ford do a magnificent job narrating this story whilst also playing their own characters. The sound design is gorgeous as usual and is pretty atmospheric in places.
Overall a really good space opera type story that really kept my attention for the whole remainder, it may have its flaws but it's a damned good tale nonetheless! 8/10
September 9, 2022
A very solid Doctor Who story. Unfortunately it’s the same Doctor Who story you’ve heard a thousand times before. It’s so weird that a franchise with almost limitless potential like Doctor Who it could even be said to have a formula, but it does and this one plays the hits through and through.
The weirdest part about it is that the formula wasn’t really established until the 2nd Doctor Era. The 1st Doctor era was mostly marked by how experimental it was. The series was so new they tried a little bit of everything. The historicalls could feel a bit stale after a while of course but the sci-fi stories were wildly creative sometimes to their detriment.
So in this audio you get to hear the cast of the first Doctor era go through a story from the modern incarnation of Doctor Who. It’s not bad, it’s really good in fact, but it’s not as creative as I’d like it to be.
The weirdest part about it is that the formula wasn’t really established until the 2nd Doctor Era. The 1st Doctor era was mostly marked by how experimental it was. The series was so new they tried a little bit of everything. The historicalls could feel a bit stale after a while of course but the sci-fi stories were wildly creative sometimes to their detriment.
So in this audio you get to hear the cast of the first Doctor era go through a story from the modern incarnation of Doctor Who. It’s not bad, it’s really good in fact, but it’s not as creative as I’d like it to be.
July 23, 2018
42 WORD REVIEW:
This First Doctor audio drama evokes something of Warriors’ Gate, and again shows Nick Wallace to be one of Doctor Who’s most effective and talented writers. The scenario intrigues and the alien Shift would be brilliant on TV (as they are here).
This First Doctor audio drama evokes something of Warriors’ Gate, and again shows Nick Wallace to be one of Doctor Who’s most effective and talented writers. The scenario intrigues and the alien Shift would be brilliant on TV (as they are here).
May 22, 2017
The Doctor and his companions try to stop an alien from hurting a alien species from slavery.
February 14, 2024
It’s been over two years since I’ve listened to one of these Early Adventures. Not sure why exactly, as I’ve still got several to listen to. Well in any case, this one was very typically (First) Doctor style. Enjoyable and entertaining. William Russell’s Doctor is still pretty good.
November 20, 2024
Fine voice acting, but the plot could’ve been a bit better.
December 21, 2017
Off from Uni for a bit and back to Big Finish! :)
It's been about 4 months since I've last listened to a Big Finish. Now have back my time and energy to listen Big Finish again.
The Age of Endurance is from the Doctor Who Early Adventures range and written by 'Nick Wallace.' Not a very familiar name to most as he's not done too much work for Doctor Who. Mainly Short Story work, a collaboration with Justin Richards from 'The Worlds of Doctor Who,' a single Companion Chronicle, Iris Wildthyme and a few Bernice Summerfield. But his most recognisable work being a novel from the Past Doctor Adventures series 'Fear Itself.' Acclaimed to be one of the greatest releases from the entire range and a novel I am very interested in trying soon.
Due to Fear Itself having a strong reputation, I was quite excited to finally check out his Early Adventure story. I was quite impressed with it. Nothing sensational but overall a very enjoyable story with great moments, character development, twists and especially sound design.
Sound design was top notch here. Don't really rate sound design because Big Finish are always gold when it comes to that. However, this release really shows great sound design and really elevates the atmosphere of the story to a very high level. 10/10 to sound design. Great work from Nick Wallace as on paper I think it's atmospheric, the director and the sound designer.
All characters were enjoyable and performances fantastic. The gold medal goes to William Russel. Playing his own character Ian Chesterton, narrating the story and voicing the Doctor. Being in his 90s, he's still got it and it's seriously incredible.
Can say the same with everyone else. Ian's character has highlights within the story. Especially episode 03. Barbara was a little underutilised in my opinion.
Myla is a great character. She has this inner conflict inside her that she did something wrong that created something terrible. It plays on the fact of you can't play god. If you play god, it will eventually turn against you.
The villains being The Shift were good. Same with their leader called Arran voiced by Tom Bell. There's a nice twist in the story connected with Myla and I liked it. Again, plays on the fact that someone shouldn't play god.
Overall, a very good listen. Not sure if I prefer it to Domain of the Voord. Pretty close and I rate them the same. It isn't on the levels of The Yes Men but a cracking release none the less.
8/10
It's been about 4 months since I've last listened to a Big Finish. Now have back my time and energy to listen Big Finish again.
The Age of Endurance is from the Doctor Who Early Adventures range and written by 'Nick Wallace.' Not a very familiar name to most as he's not done too much work for Doctor Who. Mainly Short Story work, a collaboration with Justin Richards from 'The Worlds of Doctor Who,' a single Companion Chronicle, Iris Wildthyme and a few Bernice Summerfield. But his most recognisable work being a novel from the Past Doctor Adventures series 'Fear Itself.' Acclaimed to be one of the greatest releases from the entire range and a novel I am very interested in trying soon.
Due to Fear Itself having a strong reputation, I was quite excited to finally check out his Early Adventure story. I was quite impressed with it. Nothing sensational but overall a very enjoyable story with great moments, character development, twists and especially sound design.
Sound design was top notch here. Don't really rate sound design because Big Finish are always gold when it comes to that. However, this release really shows great sound design and really elevates the atmosphere of the story to a very high level. 10/10 to sound design. Great work from Nick Wallace as on paper I think it's atmospheric, the director and the sound designer.
All characters were enjoyable and performances fantastic. The gold medal goes to William Russel. Playing his own character Ian Chesterton, narrating the story and voicing the Doctor. Being in his 90s, he's still got it and it's seriously incredible.
Can say the same with everyone else. Ian's character has highlights within the story. Especially episode 03. Barbara was a little underutilised in my opinion.
Myla is a great character. She has this inner conflict inside her that she did something wrong that created something terrible. It plays on the fact of you can't play god. If you play god, it will eventually turn against you.
The villains being The Shift were good. Same with their leader called Arran voiced by Tom Bell. There's a nice twist in the story connected with Myla and I liked it. Again, plays on the fact that someone shouldn't play god.
Overall, a very good listen. Not sure if I prefer it to Domain of the Voord. Pretty close and I rate them the same. It isn't on the levels of The Yes Men but a cracking release none the less.
8/10
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews