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Ravenous #2
Doctor Who: Ravenous 2
Having reunited his companions, the Doctor decides to lift their spirits by treating each of them to a trip to their home world.
On Kaldor Liv is confronted by a face from her past, and on Earth Helen must summon all her skill and knowledge to help save her friends from eternal damnation.
But try as they might to stay out of danger, dark forces are emerging. Dark enough to strike fear into the hearts of a Time Lord.
2.1 Escape from Kaldor by Matt Fitton
Returning to a home world she’d rather forget, Liv reluctantly accompanies Helen to the grand opening of a luxury shopping mall. But when a glitch in the system sends the Robots of Death on a rampage, Liv’s past comes crashing down about her.
2.2 Better Watch Out by John Dorney
The Doctor hopes to take Liv’s mind off recent events by treating his companions to a traditional European Christmas. But not everybody is full of the spirit of Christmas when a wave of misery follows the Krampus as they run through the streets of Salzburg.
2.3 Fairytale of Salzburg by John Dorney
With the Doctor and most of the population condemned to hell, Liv and Helen race against time to discover the source of all this chaos, and to find the one man who can save the people of Salzburg from eternal damnation.
2.4 Seizure by Guy Adams
As if it wasn’t enough to be trapped in the labyrinth of a dying TARDIS and pursued by a ghost, the team find themselves face to face once more with the Eleven. But the Doctor has bigger things to worry about when he discovers they’re being hunted by the only creature to strike fear into the hearts of a Time Lord: The Ravenous.
Directed By: Ken Bentley
Cast
Paul McGann (The Doctor), Nicola Walker (Liv Chenka), Hattie Morahan (Helen Sinclair), Mark Bonnar (The Eleven)
On Kaldor Liv is confronted by a face from her past, and on Earth Helen must summon all her skill and knowledge to help save her friends from eternal damnation.
But try as they might to stay out of danger, dark forces are emerging. Dark enough to strike fear into the hearts of a Time Lord.
2.1 Escape from Kaldor by Matt Fitton
Returning to a home world she’d rather forget, Liv reluctantly accompanies Helen to the grand opening of a luxury shopping mall. But when a glitch in the system sends the Robots of Death on a rampage, Liv’s past comes crashing down about her.
2.2 Better Watch Out by John Dorney
The Doctor hopes to take Liv’s mind off recent events by treating his companions to a traditional European Christmas. But not everybody is full of the spirit of Christmas when a wave of misery follows the Krampus as they run through the streets of Salzburg.
2.3 Fairytale of Salzburg by John Dorney
With the Doctor and most of the population condemned to hell, Liv and Helen race against time to discover the source of all this chaos, and to find the one man who can save the people of Salzburg from eternal damnation.
2.4 Seizure by Guy Adams
As if it wasn’t enough to be trapped in the labyrinth of a dying TARDIS and pursued by a ghost, the team find themselves face to face once more with the Eleven. But the Doctor has bigger things to worry about when he discovers they’re being hunted by the only creature to strike fear into the hearts of a Time Lord: The Ravenous.
Directed By: Ken Bentley
Cast
Paul McGann (The Doctor), Nicola Walker (Liv Chenka), Hattie Morahan (Helen Sinclair), Mark Bonnar (The Eleven)
5 pages, Audiobook
First published October 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 23, 2026
2026 52 Book Challenge - 50) Set In A Castle
This is probably one of the best boxsets I've listened to for Doctor Who in a while. All four stories were decent, and I rather enjoyed the two in the middle, but it was the final story of the boxset that was the standout. It was so atmospheric and creepy being chased around a castle while it changed around them, and considering who was chasing them. I really enjoyed it.
This is probably one of the best boxsets I've listened to for Doctor Who in a while. All four stories were decent, and I rather enjoyed the two in the middle, but it was the final story of the boxset that was the standout. It was so atmospheric and creepy being chased around a castle while it changed around them, and considering who was chasing them. I really enjoyed it.
October 12, 2018
I enjoyed this. It was nice to see Khaldor again. Even if Liv and Helen didn't get quite the data I hoped for. I'm not a Christmas person, and a Christmas story in October just felt a bit odd. They realy should have released it in December I think. Then I would have been more in the mood for it. I was disappointed the lesbians disappeared so quickly and didn't get much closure. But LOVED all the Sian Philips part, especially the reveal at the end. It was nice to have a problem solved by someone other than the doctor. The last story was very creepy and atmospheric as they were chased through a dying Tardis with a holographic ghost. Definitely a return to form for this Tardis Team!
March 2, 2020
Escape from Kaldor: I went into this boxset with a surprisingly bad attitude. I didn't like the first Ravenous boxset and Doom Coalition was wearying. The story starts confusing, and not in a good way, with the Doctor talking to some business woman while Liv and Helen get lunch on Kaldor. But then it suddenly all just comes together into a fun romp about rebelling robots and corporate greed. There's nothing astonishing here, but it had an energy that the Eighth Doctor stories haven't had in ages.
Better Watch Out/ Fairytale of Salzburg: A two part story about the Doctor visiting Salzburg only to find that Krampus had as well. This is one of the better stories I've heard from big finish in some time. It's dark, creepy and yet manages to remain feeling Christmasy throughout. It has two framing devices and surprising amount of backstory and mythology and yet works beautifully. This is the kind of risky fascinating story Big Finish used to be known for. I only wish it had been released on its own instead or in addition to being part of the larger arc.
Seizure: The Doctor, Liv, and Helen respond to a distress signal from their old enemy The Eleven only to find themselves on a dying Tardis being hunted by a Timelord legend called the Ravenous. The story starts creepy, but I found myself pretty underwhelmed by the Ravenous, which is unfortunate considering that their name would imply that they are going to be showing up a lot.
I'm not very impressed by the beginning of the overarching story, but this is still a huge return to form for the Eighth Doctor.
Better Watch Out/ Fairytale of Salzburg: A two part story about the Doctor visiting Salzburg only to find that Krampus had as well. This is one of the better stories I've heard from big finish in some time. It's dark, creepy and yet manages to remain feeling Christmasy throughout. It has two framing devices and surprising amount of backstory and mythology and yet works beautifully. This is the kind of risky fascinating story Big Finish used to be known for. I only wish it had been released on its own instead or in addition to being part of the larger arc.
Seizure: The Doctor, Liv, and Helen respond to a distress signal from their old enemy The Eleven only to find themselves on a dying Tardis being hunted by a Timelord legend called the Ravenous. The story starts creepy, but I found myself pretty underwhelmed by the Ravenous, which is unfortunate considering that their name would imply that they are going to be showing up a lot.
I'm not very impressed by the beginning of the overarching story, but this is still a huge return to form for the Eighth Doctor.
July 16, 2019
Escape From Kaldor/ Seizure both standard Big Finish Doctor Who quality but the Krampus 2 parter was amazing
January 21, 2025
This volume is far superior to its predecessor. I enjoyed seeing Liv with her sister and absolutely loved the Krampus two parter. The Ravenous are a brilliant villain! I look forward to volume three.
October 25, 2018
2.1 Escape from Kaldor by Matt Fitton
L'ottavo Dottore, Helen e Liv si recano sul pianeta natale di Liv... per rilassarsi un po'.
Peccato che i robot della morte (già conosciuti nel serial omonimo con il quarto Dottore) non abbiano perso le loro brutte abitudini.
2.2 Better Watch Out by John Dorney
Voglia di vacanze 0 soliti disastri 2
Il periodo natalizio non ha mai portato bene al Dottore... se poi si cercano i giorni visitati dal malefico Krampus, il disastro non può che essere imminente.
2.3 Fairytale of Salzburg by John Dorney
Conclusione dell'avventura precedente. Senza infamia e senza lode, nell'insieme una storia che lascia il tempo che trova.
2.4 Seizure by Guy Adams
Il Dottore riceve una richiesta di aiuto da The Eleven e, nonostante il parere contrario di Liv e Helen, decide di soccorrerlo. Il ritrovarsi dentro un Tardis morente, in compagnia della creatura che da il nome alla serie si rivela essere il minore dei problemi... perché The Eleven è The Eleven e si comporta di conseguenza.
Mentre il primo episodio è una storia autonoma, utile per scaldare i motori, la coppia che segue avrebbe brillato più come avventura del Main Range che non come un due parti che riempie metà box set.
Storia su più livelli, anche intetessante ma, cone già detto, fine a se stessa.
Il quarto e ultimo episodio, come ambientazione e personaggi, avrebbe a mio parere meritato più dell'episodio singolo in cui è relegato. Il Tardis morente e il legame telepatico con i Time Lords sono resi ottimamente, The Eleven è sempre superlativo e resta uno dei miei villain preferiti delle produzioni BF, il Ravenous lo abbiamo appena incontrato e, si presume, quella che sembra una storia conclusa troppo velocemente vedrà la sua reale conclusione nel terzo cofanetto.
Voto, cone sempre, più che positivo.
L'ottavo Dottore, Helen e Liv si recano sul pianeta natale di Liv... per rilassarsi un po'.
Peccato che i robot della morte (già conosciuti nel serial omonimo con il quarto Dottore) non abbiano perso le loro brutte abitudini.
2.2 Better Watch Out by John Dorney
Voglia di vacanze 0 soliti disastri 2
Il periodo natalizio non ha mai portato bene al Dottore... se poi si cercano i giorni visitati dal malefico Krampus, il disastro non può che essere imminente.
2.3 Fairytale of Salzburg by John Dorney
Conclusione dell'avventura precedente. Senza infamia e senza lode, nell'insieme una storia che lascia il tempo che trova.
2.4 Seizure by Guy Adams
Il Dottore riceve una richiesta di aiuto da The Eleven e, nonostante il parere contrario di Liv e Helen, decide di soccorrerlo. Il ritrovarsi dentro un Tardis morente, in compagnia della creatura che da il nome alla serie si rivela essere il minore dei problemi... perché The Eleven è The Eleven e si comporta di conseguenza.
Mentre il primo episodio è una storia autonoma, utile per scaldare i motori, la coppia che segue avrebbe brillato più come avventura del Main Range che non come un due parti che riempie metà box set.
Storia su più livelli, anche intetessante ma, cone già detto, fine a se stessa.
Il quarto e ultimo episodio, come ambientazione e personaggi, avrebbe a mio parere meritato più dell'episodio singolo in cui è relegato. Il Tardis morente e il legame telepatico con i Time Lords sono resi ottimamente, The Eleven è sempre superlativo e resta uno dei miei villain preferiti delle produzioni BF, il Ravenous lo abbiamo appena incontrato e, si presume, quella che sembra una storia conclusa troppo velocemente vedrà la sua reale conclusione nel terzo cofanetto.
Voto, cone sempre, più che positivo.
September 27, 2026
Ravenous 2 continues the Big Finish attempt to emulate New Who. It supposedly fits in the grand story arc of the Ravenous "season," but only the 4th episode actually does this. The rest of the set bears no apparent relationship to the Ravenous arc. Perhaps it will become apparent after the next 2 sets. As it is, this set demonstrates the limits of using the same writers over and over. It feels like it is becoming a factory production, just reusing the same designs with a slightly different paint job. The set's structure is a one-part story, a two-part story, and then a one-part story. So, for the "theme" of the first two parts, the Doctor has decided that his companions need a holiday (where did that idea come from?) and so each should visit home. "Escape from Kaldor" by Matt Fitton takes Liv back to Kaldor City, where she definitely does not want to be. We learn that Liv has a sister, and that the two of them have issues. Meanwhile, the story gives Fitton a chance to return to previous Big Finish Kaldor stories, to have people chased by killer androids again, and Liv and sis to carry on their personal feud in the midst of being hunted by killer androids. The story also creates the pretext for the Liv-only Kaldor series without her actually leaving the TARDIS crew. That this story is the best in the set is depressing.
The next story is the 2-parter: "Better Watch Out" and "Fairytale of Salzburg," both by John Dorney. It's an unholy mess. The Doctor's plan to get time off with companions takes Helen back to Earth, this time Salzburg shortly before Christmas. Dorney wants the story to be a Christmas Doctor Who, so has shoved in all sorts of Christmas elements - a bit of A Christmas Carol, a bit of The Sound of Music, a bit of the historical St. Nicholas, a bit of It's a Wonderful Life, and a bunch of the local Salzburg Christmas legend, the Krampus. Dorney just cannot make all the parts fit. For instance, the story seems to be set in the early 21st century, yet a main component is an evil landlord conniving to kick out tenants, all of which is very 19th century (it's our A Christmas Carol element), not at all the way rents operate in 21st-century European cities. Apart from some automobiles, the story does not at all feel like 21st-century. Then, what precipitates the disaster of the Krampus coming to life is a mysterious, unexplained figure who grants wishes and then vanishes. No explanation. He's just there to get the job done for the writer (perhaps a stand-in for the writer?). The dialogue is atrocious, full of boring, out of context speeches. Plus, in the middle of a big city getting destroyed by magical, malicious imps and a giant demonic Krampus, characters seem to be able to find each other without any trouble at all. When the plot needs them to meet, they meet, no matter how far away from each other they were or how little each knew where the other was. For a story that is meant to make the listener appreciate the magnificence of storytelling, it is not told very well.
The third story is "Seizure." This is the only one that connects with the Ravenous story arc, mainly by introducing said horrifying monster, which had only been mentioned in Ravenous 1. The Doctor responds to a call for help from The Eleven, despite Liv and Helen saying they want nothing to do with it. He lands the TARDIS inside a dying TARDIS, where The Eleven is trying to escape from "The Ravenous," some sort of horror from the old days of the universe that loves to eat Time Lords. The story is pretty by-the-numbers for what Big Finish has been doing with the Doctor 8 box sets. There are no original ideas, just the same old ones redressed. It appears that in the 2010s, the only new monsters that Big Finish can come up with are motivated by just one thing - hunger. They eat. That is all. It's a boring motivation. One would think that some race from the deep past gifted with language abilities enough to wax poetic (in very long monologues) about how hungry they are might just have something more to them. Do they have a culture (implied as necessary, since they have language)? Do they have individuality? Do they have higher ambitions? No. So, for the 20th or 30th time (I lost count), The Doctor and crew get menaced by something that wants to eat them. We've already done that story. Can we please do another? The Eleven in this one is totally wasted as a character. All he does is whine "Let's go," and then just steals The Doctor's TARDIS, and not in any clever way, just by picking his pocket of his TARDIS key. Really? That is all you could come up with, Guy Adams?
The takeaway here is that Doctor 8 really, really needs a new set of writers.
The next story is the 2-parter: "Better Watch Out" and "Fairytale of Salzburg," both by John Dorney. It's an unholy mess. The Doctor's plan to get time off with companions takes Helen back to Earth, this time Salzburg shortly before Christmas. Dorney wants the story to be a Christmas Doctor Who, so has shoved in all sorts of Christmas elements - a bit of A Christmas Carol, a bit of The Sound of Music, a bit of the historical St. Nicholas, a bit of It's a Wonderful Life, and a bunch of the local Salzburg Christmas legend, the Krampus. Dorney just cannot make all the parts fit. For instance, the story seems to be set in the early 21st century, yet a main component is an evil landlord conniving to kick out tenants, all of which is very 19th century (it's our A Christmas Carol element), not at all the way rents operate in 21st-century European cities. Apart from some automobiles, the story does not at all feel like 21st-century. Then, what precipitates the disaster of the Krampus coming to life is a mysterious, unexplained figure who grants wishes and then vanishes. No explanation. He's just there to get the job done for the writer (perhaps a stand-in for the writer?). The dialogue is atrocious, full of boring, out of context speeches. Plus, in the middle of a big city getting destroyed by magical, malicious imps and a giant demonic Krampus, characters seem to be able to find each other without any trouble at all. When the plot needs them to meet, they meet, no matter how far away from each other they were or how little each knew where the other was. For a story that is meant to make the listener appreciate the magnificence of storytelling, it is not told very well.
The third story is "Seizure." This is the only one that connects with the Ravenous story arc, mainly by introducing said horrifying monster, which had only been mentioned in Ravenous 1. The Doctor responds to a call for help from The Eleven, despite Liv and Helen saying they want nothing to do with it. He lands the TARDIS inside a dying TARDIS, where The Eleven is trying to escape from "The Ravenous," some sort of horror from the old days of the universe that loves to eat Time Lords. The story is pretty by-the-numbers for what Big Finish has been doing with the Doctor 8 box sets. There are no original ideas, just the same old ones redressed. It appears that in the 2010s, the only new monsters that Big Finish can come up with are motivated by just one thing - hunger. They eat. That is all. It's a boring motivation. One would think that some race from the deep past gifted with language abilities enough to wax poetic (in very long monologues) about how hungry they are might just have something more to them. Do they have a culture (implied as necessary, since they have language)? Do they have individuality? Do they have higher ambitions? No. So, for the 20th or 30th time (I lost count), The Doctor and crew get menaced by something that wants to eat them. We've already done that story. Can we please do another? The Eleven in this one is totally wasted as a character. All he does is whine "Let's go," and then just steals The Doctor's TARDIS, and not in any clever way, just by picking his pocket of his TARDIS key. Really? That is all you could come up with, Guy Adams?
The takeaway here is that Doctor 8 really, really needs a new set of writers.
June 19, 2025
Much to my delight, I found this volume to be a significant improvement off of the last one. The stories were much more entertaining, and even the weakest of them was still a decently entertaining.
Escape from Kaldor (Matt Fitton) [4 stars]: Companions backstories can be quite fun, if given the proper care. While Matt Fitton doesn't give us so much detail as to bog the story down, he does give us enough of Liv's past that we're ready to enjoy both the drama and the reconciliation between her and her sister, all against the backdrop portraying the evils of capitalism. I also was made very curious by the end, and just what happened in that year that Liv remained on Kaldor that had her leaving in such a hurry? Crossing my fingers that we'll find out one day.
Better Watch Out (John Dorney) [5 stars]: And so we once again meet the greatest of the Doctor's enemies - Christmas. Or rather, the winter holidays surrounding that time of year according to the Earth calendar lol. I really enjoyed the illusions to The Christmas Carol (alas, no mention that the Doctor hadn't yet had the chance to meet Dickens, something he'd get to do only after the Time War), and the actors did a fantastic job portraying the Imps and the Krampus. The cliffhanger was also quite good as well! Had me eager to find out what happens next.
Fairytale of Salzburg (John Dorney [3.5 stars]: This follow-up to BWO above was a bit weaker than its predecessor, and was by far the weakest story in the volume. It's in this story that we find out the origin of the threat - some wish-granting dude who goaded a teenage girl who had just lost her father to suicide and her home to her Scrooge-esque landlord. The Doctor is, for the most part, absent in the story, leaving it to Liv and Helen to save the day. Well, mainly Helen. Liv makes a brave dash about here and there to buy time for Helen or someone to figure something out. I think that's kind of what is beginning to irk me. I adore Liv - her deadpan sense of humor is absolutely amazing and she's fast becoming one of my favorite characters, but I beginning to dislike how she's constantly being made to box herself, to reduce herself to a grunt in just so the Doctor or Helen can shine.
Seizure (Guy Adams) [5 stars]: I'm glad to see a third name in the author credits. Matt Fitton and John Dorney are brilliant writers, but leaving them to handle the bulk of the Eighth Doctor's adventures was kind of limiting things, and it was beginning to show in the last few volumes. Having a third perspective can bring in new ideas and really freshen things up. I absolutely loved Adams' contribution to the volume. Seizure brings the Doctor, Liv, and Helen into a TARDIS in its death throes, with the ghost of its pilot trying to help as best she can, and a frightening creature stalking their every move. Oh, and the Eleven's back too. The atmosphere of this story was handled perfectly. One can feel the characters' fear as they're racing through corridor after corridor. Liv struggling to keep from losing it as the Ravenous chases her, tormenting her (playing with its food, indeed). And the cliffhanger is left at a very intriguing place. Can't wait to see where things go from here.
Escape from Kaldor (Matt Fitton) [4 stars]: Companions backstories can be quite fun, if given the proper care. While Matt Fitton doesn't give us so much detail as to bog the story down, he does give us enough of Liv's past that we're ready to enjoy both the drama and the reconciliation between her and her sister, all against the backdrop portraying the evils of capitalism. I also was made very curious by the end, and just what happened in that year that Liv remained on Kaldor that had her leaving in such a hurry? Crossing my fingers that we'll find out one day.
Better Watch Out (John Dorney) [5 stars]: And so we once again meet the greatest of the Doctor's enemies - Christmas. Or rather, the winter holidays surrounding that time of year according to the Earth calendar lol. I really enjoyed the illusions to The Christmas Carol (alas, no mention that the Doctor hadn't yet had the chance to meet Dickens, something he'd get to do only after the Time War), and the actors did a fantastic job portraying the Imps and the Krampus. The cliffhanger was also quite good as well! Had me eager to find out what happens next.
Fairytale of Salzburg (John Dorney [3.5 stars]: This follow-up to BWO above was a bit weaker than its predecessor, and was by far the weakest story in the volume. It's in this story that we find out the origin of the threat - some wish-granting dude who goaded a teenage girl who had just lost her father to suicide and her home to her Scrooge-esque landlord. The Doctor is, for the most part, absent in the story, leaving it to Liv and Helen to save the day. Well, mainly Helen. Liv makes a brave dash about here and there to buy time for Helen or someone to figure something out. I think that's kind of what is beginning to irk me. I adore Liv - her deadpan sense of humor is absolutely amazing and she's fast becoming one of my favorite characters, but I beginning to dislike how she's constantly being made to box herself, to reduce herself to a grunt in just so the Doctor or Helen can shine.
Seizure (Guy Adams) [5 stars]: I'm glad to see a third name in the author credits. Matt Fitton and John Dorney are brilliant writers, but leaving them to handle the bulk of the Eighth Doctor's adventures was kind of limiting things, and it was beginning to show in the last few volumes. Having a third perspective can bring in new ideas and really freshen things up. I absolutely loved Adams' contribution to the volume. Seizure brings the Doctor, Liv, and Helen into a TARDIS in its death throes, with the ghost of its pilot trying to help as best she can, and a frightening creature stalking their every move. Oh, and the Eleven's back too. The atmosphere of this story was handled perfectly. One can feel the characters' fear as they're racing through corridor after corridor. Liv struggling to keep from losing it as the Ravenous chases her, tormenting her (playing with its food, indeed). And the cliffhanger is left at a very intriguing place. Can't wait to see where things go from here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2021
The second volume in this collection of 8th Doctor stories follows on from the previous one but has no apparent connection to it until we reach the final episode. Taken as a whole, it’s better than volume #1, but not yet up to the standards of the previous “season”.
• Escape from Kaldor – The first episode is essentially standalone. The Doctor takes his companions to Liv’s homeworld of Kaldor, where, of course, we meet the robots from Robots of Death. The main story here isn’t anything special; better ones have been done with the same ‘monsters’ before, and there are no real twists as to why, on this occasion, problems start developing with the robots’ control systems. The story is, however, pulled above the average by the elements dealing with Liv, and the reasons for her reluctance to return home. It turns out to be this, rather than the more intriguing set-up of The Sons of Kaldor, that leads into the separate Robots series, and any connection with the rest of the Ravenous storyline is not yet apparent. 3 stars.
• Better Watch Out/Fairytale of Salzburg – One might think that the modern show had run the theme of “Christmas special” dry, but this 2-hour story is another twist on that format… albeit one released in October. The TARDIS arrives shortly before Christmas in present-day Salzburg, giving the Doctor a chance to expound his love of the season. Naturally, it all goes wrong, in this case when an overly enthusiastic Krampus descends on the city. Which is doubly odd, because it ought to be mythical. An interesting feature of the story is that it’s told in flashback by the Doctor and another narrator who is initially unidentified – as are the people they are telling the story to. The two narrations are independent, and not entirely chronological, so it’s important to keep up as viewpoints shift. It’s cleverly done, with many Christmas themes in it, beyond the Krampus itself, and a key role for Helen in particular. The only weakness is that it’s never really explained what’s behind it all. 4.5 stars.
• Seizure – The final story of the set is also the only one that ties in with the series arc (at least so far as one can tell at this point). It sees the Doctor answering a distress call from a dying TARDIS and ending up trapped inside its collapsing structure. One could argue that not very much happens in it, since it’s mostly just a fight for survival, but it’s full of atmosphere with a sense of despair and foreboding. It ends on a cliffhanger that leads into the next volume. 4 stars.
• Escape from Kaldor – The first episode is essentially standalone. The Doctor takes his companions to Liv’s homeworld of Kaldor, where, of course, we meet the robots from Robots of Death. The main story here isn’t anything special; better ones have been done with the same ‘monsters’ before, and there are no real twists as to why, on this occasion, problems start developing with the robots’ control systems. The story is, however, pulled above the average by the elements dealing with Liv, and the reasons for her reluctance to return home. It turns out to be this, rather than the more intriguing set-up of The Sons of Kaldor, that leads into the separate Robots series, and any connection with the rest of the Ravenous storyline is not yet apparent. 3 stars.
• Better Watch Out/Fairytale of Salzburg – One might think that the modern show had run the theme of “Christmas special” dry, but this 2-hour story is another twist on that format… albeit one released in October. The TARDIS arrives shortly before Christmas in present-day Salzburg, giving the Doctor a chance to expound his love of the season. Naturally, it all goes wrong, in this case when an overly enthusiastic Krampus descends on the city. Which is doubly odd, because it ought to be mythical. An interesting feature of the story is that it’s told in flashback by the Doctor and another narrator who is initially unidentified – as are the people they are telling the story to. The two narrations are independent, and not entirely chronological, so it’s important to keep up as viewpoints shift. It’s cleverly done, with many Christmas themes in it, beyond the Krampus itself, and a key role for Helen in particular. The only weakness is that it’s never really explained what’s behind it all. 4.5 stars.
• Seizure – The final story of the set is also the only one that ties in with the series arc (at least so far as one can tell at this point). It sees the Doctor answering a distress call from a dying TARDIS and ending up trapped inside its collapsing structure. One could argue that not very much happens in it, since it’s mostly just a fight for survival, but it’s full of atmosphere with a sense of despair and foreboding. It ends on a cliffhanger that leads into the next volume. 4 stars.
October 10, 2018
This was great!
While the first story acted as a bit of a warm-up with a story that was nothing really new (Robots of Death), it really picked up in the following stories.
The second and third stories are a two-parter and they might well be the best Doctor Who Christmas story so far. The setting is Salzburg at the present day, during the Krampus run (google it! "Krampuslauf"- it is a tradition from Bavaria and Austria where people dress up as demons and run through the street). It is told in a non-linear way and is full of atmosphere and very creepy. They also do justice to a historic figure which is brought in- which is very well done. I do not want to say anothing more to avoid any spoilers.
The last story continues with the demonic theme- we finally meet the Ravenous! The setting is very like a haunted house story, full of atmosphere and menace. Imagine you are in a haunted house, and kind of have to team up with the Eleven, who himself is one of the creepiest Big Finish villains.
All in all I enjoyed it very much and think this is better than the first Ravenous box set.
Very much recommended for a dark and chilly winter evening, but have a fire or some candles going to keep away the darkness...
While the first story acted as a bit of a warm-up with a story that was nothing really new (Robots of Death), it really picked up in the following stories.
The second and third stories are a two-parter and they might well be the best Doctor Who Christmas story so far. The setting is Salzburg at the present day, during the Krampus run (google it! "Krampuslauf"- it is a tradition from Bavaria and Austria where people dress up as demons and run through the street). It is told in a non-linear way and is full of atmosphere and very creepy. They also do justice to a historic figure which is brought in- which is very well done. I do not want to say anothing more to avoid any spoilers.
The last story continues with the demonic theme- we finally meet the Ravenous! The setting is very like a haunted house story, full of atmosphere and menace. Imagine you are in a haunted house, and kind of have to team up with the Eleven, who himself is one of the creepiest Big Finish villains.
All in all I enjoyed it very much and think this is better than the first Ravenous box set.
Very much recommended for a dark and chilly winter evening, but have a fire or some candles going to keep away the darkness...
January 4, 2019
Well, four stars for Episodes 2 and 3 here which make a nice Christmas-themed two-parter. Takes awhile for the various parts to come together, and it's a little mix of A Christmas Carol plus It's a Wonderful Life (which is sort of A Christmas Carol anyway) plus everyone going to hell for their sins.
No, really.
The first episode set on Kaldor was kind of boring, and Liv's crankiness bothered me. Look, woman, your friends are trying to give you a nice day back home. Stop being grouchy. Really, it kind of made me tired of Liv. Okay, yes, your chief character trait is (rolls d20) CYNICISM! And then there's that odd ending. Should we make more out of the "missing year"?
And the last episode was essentially lets run from the scary monster for an hour with one of the most abrupt and unsatisfying endings yet.
But the middle two episodes are good. Christmas in hell. That's the stuff.
No, really.
The first episode set on Kaldor was kind of boring, and Liv's crankiness bothered me. Look, woman, your friends are trying to give you a nice day back home. Stop being grouchy. Really, it kind of made me tired of Liv. Okay, yes, your chief character trait is (rolls d20) CYNICISM! And then there's that odd ending. Should we make more out of the "missing year"?
And the last episode was essentially lets run from the scary monster for an hour with one of the most abrupt and unsatisfying endings yet.
But the middle two episodes are good. Christmas in hell. That's the stuff.
October 21, 2018
RAVENOUS 1 RATINGS:
Escape from Kaldor: 8.5/10
Better Watch Out: 10/10
Fairytale of Salzburg: 10/10
Seizure: 9/10
Escape from Kaldor: 8.5/10
Better Watch Out: 10/10
Fairytale of Salzburg: 10/10
Seizure: 9/10
February 9, 2019
Great adventures. Liv visits her home world. The Doctor, Liv and Helen spend Christmas in Saltzburg. And the Eleven is back.
January 21, 2022
Ep. 2 & 3 are basically one, and the final story kind of ends on a bit of a cliff hanger.
December 30, 2022
A pretty good follow-up. I liked the use of Krampus. Ends on a thrilling cliffhanger.
October 20, 2024
2.1 'Escape from Kaldor' by Matt Fitton: 4*
2.2 'Better Watch Out' by John Dorney: 5*
2.3 'Fairytale of Salzburg' by John Dorney: 5*
2.4 'Seizure' by Guy Adams: 5*
2.2 'Better Watch Out' by John Dorney: 5*
2.3 'Fairytale of Salzburg' by John Dorney: 5*
2.4 'Seizure' by Guy Adams: 5*
May 1, 2026
Another solid Ravenous box set
November 8, 2019
Interesting mix of stories including the Krampus and the Ravenous.
August 12, 2020
Escape from Kaldor:
7/10
Verdict: Optional
Fun story with some nice fan fodder and decent characters. The robots are pretty fun villains, even if the villain behind them is a pretty generic capitalist bad man.
Better Watch Out / Fairytale of Salzburg:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
I love a Big Finish Christmas story, they're always so gloriously dark yet intensely hopeful and festive at the same time. This does drag a bit, but the plot on the whole is pretty solid and it's a fun romp throughout. I like the way the story is almost told as a folk tale throughout, with the narration from The Doctor and the other person.
Seizure:
6/10
Verdict: Recommended
I really liked the horror aspects to this story, with the sense of impending doom and the doctor's hysteria brought on by the Tardis they're in going insane. The setting was also great, with the scene shifting unpredictably due to the unstable nature of the Tardis. That was up until the titular Ravenous show up, which was where I kind of tuned out. Silly voices and a goofy ghost plot sort of ruined this for me. I really liked Eleven in this, but his presence wasn't felt all that much, acting more like a plot point in this story. Even at that, his dialogue was pretty enjoyable, especially given his paranoid state.
7/10
Verdict: Optional
Fun story with some nice fan fodder and decent characters. The robots are pretty fun villains, even if the villain behind them is a pretty generic capitalist bad man.
Better Watch Out / Fairytale of Salzburg:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
I love a Big Finish Christmas story, they're always so gloriously dark yet intensely hopeful and festive at the same time. This does drag a bit, but the plot on the whole is pretty solid and it's a fun romp throughout. I like the way the story is almost told as a folk tale throughout, with the narration from The Doctor and the other person.
Seizure:
6/10
Verdict: Recommended
I really liked the horror aspects to this story, with the sense of impending doom and the doctor's hysteria brought on by the Tardis they're in going insane. The setting was also great, with the scene shifting unpredictably due to the unstable nature of the Tardis. That was up until the titular Ravenous show up, which was where I kind of tuned out. Silly voices and a goofy ghost plot sort of ruined this for me. I really liked Eleven in this, but his presence wasn't felt all that much, acting more like a plot point in this story. Even at that, his dialogue was pretty enjoyable, especially given his paranoid state.
December 28, 2024
Review by Story…
Better Watch Out/Fairytale of Salzburg: it’s a tall order to make a two part Christmas adventure for the Doctor who stars in the greatest Christmas episode of all time. But god damn they did it. One of the best Christmas episodes of Doctor Who yet again. The 8th Doctor and Christmas simply does not miss. 5/5
Better Watch Out/Fairytale of Salzburg: it’s a tall order to make a two part Christmas adventure for the Doctor who stars in the greatest Christmas episode of all time. But god damn they did it. One of the best Christmas episodes of Doctor Who yet again. The 8th Doctor and Christmas simply does not miss. 5/5
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October 20, 2018This is the best 8th Doctor release in quite some time. It achieves so so much, so it being a recent best, when most 8th releases are fabulous just means it's that good. Only audio to get me to feel scared for a bit.
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