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Stranded #4
Doctor Who: Stranded 4
After crashing in 2020 London, the TARDIS crew has found the future of the universe altered and the human race doomed. As the Doctor tries desperately to unravel the paradox, all roads lead back to Baker Street, and the greatest test of all.
4.1 Crossed Lines by Matt Fitton
The Doctor interrupts a pivotal journey for young Robin, while Tania and Helen are caught up in events past and present. As the timeline dissolves and the Void encroaches, the Doctor’s friends ask the Curator for help. But he is not the man he was.
4.2 Get Andy by Lisa McMullin <
The Doctor resolves to make a difference and save one life in particular. But someone else is making a beeline for Sergeant Andy Davidson. Mr Bird has something to prove, and he will go to any extreme to do it.
4.3 The Keys of Baker Street by Roy Gill
Homing in on the root of the problem, the Doctor attempts a risky solution – and disaster strikes. Soon, 107 Baker Street is all that’s left of reality, as the residents climb the floors to face their destiny.
4.4 Best Year Ever by John Dorney
What happens if the world is actually fixed? There are times when even the Doctor cannot help. And whatever the outcome, Liv and Tania have a decision to make.
4.1 Crossed Lines by Matt Fitton
The Doctor interrupts a pivotal journey for young Robin, while Tania and Helen are caught up in events past and present. As the timeline dissolves and the Void encroaches, the Doctor’s friends ask the Curator for help. But he is not the man he was.
4.2 Get Andy by Lisa McMullin <
The Doctor resolves to make a difference and save one life in particular. But someone else is making a beeline for Sergeant Andy Davidson. Mr Bird has something to prove, and he will go to any extreme to do it.
4.3 The Keys of Baker Street by Roy Gill
Homing in on the root of the problem, the Doctor attempts a risky solution – and disaster strikes. Soon, 107 Baker Street is all that’s left of reality, as the residents climb the floors to face their destiny.
4.4 Best Year Ever by John Dorney
What happens if the world is actually fixed? There are times when even the Doctor cannot help. And whatever the outcome, Liv and Tania have a decision to make.
Audiobook
First published April 6, 2022
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 23, 2025
Is it bad that I'm sad to see this series end?
April 12, 2022
That was a satisfying conclusion to this run of stories. Kinda bummed to let go of some of these characters, but I'm sure we'll see some of them again. Big Finish does love a spin-off. And Colin Baker as the Curator this time was a lot of fun.
April 7, 2022
Such a bittersweet collection. I love it so much. Stranded as a whole will probably turn into a comfort listen for me.
October 19, 2023
Story 1 - 5 stars
Story 2 - 4 stars
Story 3 - 4 stars
Story 4 - 5 stars
Story 2 - 4 stars
Story 3 - 4 stars
Story 4 - 5 stars
April 7, 2022
Here we are, a close off to another saga of the Eighth Doctor Adventures. Stranded has been a very interesting ride, the storytelling of this one is way different compared to the last three sagas, very unique and that's what I liked about it.
Here we go.
4.1 Crossed Lines
By Matt Fitton
This episode does continue where What Just Happened? Left off, and doesn't take its sweet time, just jumps right to action, to save Robin from the desolate earth but of course, things didn't go as planned when the TARDIS started to throw a fit and traveled a few months back with Helen and the Doctor.
Helen met with past Tania which is called the 'present' Tania has shifting memories of what happened with Tony in 'UNIT Dating' and the Doctor left her behind trying to quote on quote fix Robin's timeline.
This episode features the return of not only Mr. Bird but also The Curator who this time played by Colin Baker. I have to say Colin did a good job making this one seem so magical about it. I wasn't expecting this one to quickly reveal who Mr. Bird is but it happened. Apparently, he was responsible for some of the events that happened in Stranded 2 and 3.
But of course, with Time crossing the Timeline begins to collapse and The Void starts to eat it up.
Just like with Patience, we get another subtle backstory of the Doctor's Life on Gallifrey which I have to say The Hermit makes a really big impact on the Doctor's life.
The Doctor manages to convince Mr. Bird which resulted in him wanting to save Andy to prove to the Doctor he can be better which leads to.
9 / 10
4.2 Get Andy
By Lisa McMullin
The Doctor decides he wants to rescue Andy because not everything is a fixed point with this whole. This episode has three variables for Andy.
It didn't go well when Mr. Bird saved him first then when the Doctor arrived he noticed he wasn't there he started looking around the ship but couldn't find him when taking too long The Doctor barely reached to his TARDIS and the ship impacted to the station causing the TARDIS to erupt.
In the variation of Andy, he and Mr. bird ended up lost and tried to find civilization but the reality around them was glitching.
The Doctor lays in the erupted console room which is running low on oxygen the voice interface forms Liv and Helen and all started to reminisce of the adventures he had with them and I have to say that this Episode has the most wholesome moment ever in Doctor Who it just almost made me want to cry on the inside.
The actual Liv and Helen decide that they can save the Doctor since he tried to save Andy by going there earlier, preventing Andy from getting rescued by Mr. Bird and having the Doctor arrive and rescue both which Helen jumps in because Andy was being reasonably a scaredy-cat which did go according to plan which has this Andy Variation disappear leaving with the true Andy.
8.5 / 10
4.3 The Keys of Baker Street
By Roy Gill
This is one is more likely my favorite story out of this set, this being episode is more Character heavy focus but this does reveal that the entire time since the beginning of Stranded 1, they were not in the True Timeline, like some kind of borderline alternative timeline, it sounds ridiculous but it does quite make sense to certain things through the whole saga, especially with Stranded 3.
So the Doctor continues trying to have Robin's timeline be nudged in the right direction but that causes the reality to be consumed by the Void, you see the theme in this with 107 Baker Street being the only one standing.
The Curator appears one last time and he and the Doctor do meet.
All deep characters stuff and the Timeline are set to proper 2020, the true 2020.
9/10
4.4 Best Year Ever
By John Dorney
This is more likely the closest thing to ever to get a Slice of Lifestyle in a Doctor Who story, and I am not kidding by saying that, that's what this episode is, like pure Slice of Life similar to Stranded 1 of course with everyone dealing with the pandemic throughout 2020 and by early 2021, The Doctor and Helen take their leave.
There is nothing much to say about this one and a very interesting way of concluding the saga, but it makes total sense as this Saga is truly about the People.
10/10
Conclusion - Stranded is not for everyone, this is when Big Finish was breaking boundaries of Doctor Who storytelling, avoiding the usual style of formulae, I like the ambition, it's different, and they also manage to keep with having a story, I truly recommend this.
Here we go.
4.1 Crossed Lines
By Matt Fitton
This episode does continue where What Just Happened? Left off, and doesn't take its sweet time, just jumps right to action, to save Robin from the desolate earth but of course, things didn't go as planned when the TARDIS started to throw a fit and traveled a few months back with Helen and the Doctor.
Helen met with past Tania which is called the 'present' Tania has shifting memories of what happened with Tony in 'UNIT Dating' and the Doctor left her behind trying to quote on quote fix Robin's timeline.
This episode features the return of not only Mr. Bird but also The Curator who this time played by Colin Baker. I have to say Colin did a good job making this one seem so magical about it. I wasn't expecting this one to quickly reveal who Mr. Bird is but it happened. Apparently, he was responsible for some of the events that happened in Stranded 2 and 3.
But of course, with Time crossing the Timeline begins to collapse and The Void starts to eat it up.
Just like with Patience, we get another subtle backstory of the Doctor's Life on Gallifrey which I have to say The Hermit makes a really big impact on the Doctor's life.
The Doctor manages to convince Mr. Bird which resulted in him wanting to save Andy to prove to the Doctor he can be better which leads to.
9 / 10
4.2 Get Andy
By Lisa McMullin
The Doctor decides he wants to rescue Andy because not everything is a fixed point with this whole. This episode has three variables for Andy.
It didn't go well when Mr. Bird saved him first then when the Doctor arrived he noticed he wasn't there he started looking around the ship but couldn't find him when taking too long The Doctor barely reached to his TARDIS and the ship impacted to the station causing the TARDIS to erupt.
In the variation of Andy, he and Mr. bird ended up lost and tried to find civilization but the reality around them was glitching.
The Doctor lays in the erupted console room which is running low on oxygen the voice interface forms Liv and Helen and all started to reminisce of the adventures he had with them and I have to say that this Episode has the most wholesome moment ever in Doctor Who it just almost made me want to cry on the inside.
The actual Liv and Helen decide that they can save the Doctor since he tried to save Andy by going there earlier, preventing Andy from getting rescued by Mr. Bird and having the Doctor arrive and rescue both which Helen jumps in because Andy was being reasonably a scaredy-cat which did go according to plan which has this Andy Variation disappear leaving with the true Andy.
8.5 / 10
4.3 The Keys of Baker Street
By Roy Gill
This is one is more likely my favorite story out of this set, this being episode is more Character heavy focus but this does reveal that the entire time since the beginning of Stranded 1, they were not in the True Timeline, like some kind of borderline alternative timeline, it sounds ridiculous but it does quite make sense to certain things through the whole saga, especially with Stranded 3.
So the Doctor continues trying to have Robin's timeline be nudged in the right direction but that causes the reality to be consumed by the Void, you see the theme in this with 107 Baker Street being the only one standing.
The Curator appears one last time and he and the Doctor do meet.
All deep characters stuff and the Timeline are set to proper 2020, the true 2020.
9/10
4.4 Best Year Ever
By John Dorney
This is more likely the closest thing to ever to get a Slice of Lifestyle in a Doctor Who story, and I am not kidding by saying that, that's what this episode is, like pure Slice of Life similar to Stranded 1 of course with everyone dealing with the pandemic throughout 2020 and by early 2021, The Doctor and Helen take their leave.
There is nothing much to say about this one and a very interesting way of concluding the saga, but it makes total sense as this Saga is truly about the People.
10/10
Conclusion - Stranded is not for everyone, this is when Big Finish was breaking boundaries of Doctor Who storytelling, avoiding the usual style of formulae, I like the ambition, it's different, and they also manage to keep with having a story, I truly recommend this.
April 8, 2022
So here we are at the end game. Stranded has been a very fun series of adventures and I've enjoyed every moment of it from the best bits and arguably the worst bits as well. But now it's coming to an end and I've dived right in!
Crossed Lines:
Matt Fitton has sort of been one of the weak points in Stranded, the opening story he wrote for the overall series was a lot of fun but Dead Time left a lot to be desired. However, he's back on his A-game and writing an exciting and actually quite creepy at times paradoxical adventure where we finally get to see what this alternative timeline is doing to the known universe and the consequences it could have.
It was fun, crazy, adventurous with a surprising twist that really changes a lot of what we know about the series but in a way that makes sense. Colin Baker was easily the standout in this as The Curator hopefully, we get to see more of him! 10/10
Get Andy:
Lisa McMullin's stories in Stranded have been absolute joyrides to listen to. Get Andy proves to be a hilarious time-hopping adventure with plenty of emotional weight behind it and it's good to see a different side to Mr. Bird as previously established in the series.
There are some really written jokes in this that made me chuckle but the story also has a number of sweet scenes that made my heart swell. But I will say it's not the most unique story in Stranded but it's still a really fun one! 8.5/10
The Keys of Baker Street:
Roy Gill is slowly becoming one of my favorite Big Finish writers and now he's been left in charge of tying up most of the threads and the arc for Stranded which surprise, surprise he manages to write an incredible story that ties everything up really well in an exciting way whilst also, of course, being a heavily character-driven story with themes of forgiveness and moving on.
Saying much about this installment, in particular, would ruin too much so it's better left unsaid for the most part, but this is an amazing way to conclude the overall arc of the series, but I'm still interested to see how John Dorney's story comes together and what's going to happen with Liv and Tania! 10/10
Best Year Ever:
The storyline may be over but now it's time to tie up the character arcs we've been following since the first set. John Dorney has managed to make an engaging, light-hearted yet emotional story about the devastating year that was 2020 and the pandemic, making for arguably one of the most unique installments in the series with The Doctor and his friends being thrown into a very real current world situation and having to deal with it day by day.
It's heartbreaking listening to some of the battles the characters have to go through but it makes you feel fuzzy on the inside all the same with its special little moments such as Christmas Day and the New Year's Day fireworks.
John Dorney is the only writer who could have pulled this off in such a satisfying way and even though I can imagine this story may be too real for some, it's the best possible way this series could have concluded. 10/10
Overall: Stranded has been a wild ride with an amazing cast, a unique direction for Doctor Who to go into, and a series of characters you can't help falling in love with, I think this series has been a success! 38.5/40
Crossed Lines:
Matt Fitton has sort of been one of the weak points in Stranded, the opening story he wrote for the overall series was a lot of fun but Dead Time left a lot to be desired. However, he's back on his A-game and writing an exciting and actually quite creepy at times paradoxical adventure where we finally get to see what this alternative timeline is doing to the known universe and the consequences it could have.
It was fun, crazy, adventurous with a surprising twist that really changes a lot of what we know about the series but in a way that makes sense. Colin Baker was easily the standout in this as The Curator hopefully, we get to see more of him! 10/10
Get Andy:
Lisa McMullin's stories in Stranded have been absolute joyrides to listen to. Get Andy proves to be a hilarious time-hopping adventure with plenty of emotional weight behind it and it's good to see a different side to Mr. Bird as previously established in the series.
There are some really written jokes in this that made me chuckle but the story also has a number of sweet scenes that made my heart swell. But I will say it's not the most unique story in Stranded but it's still a really fun one! 8.5/10
The Keys of Baker Street:
Roy Gill is slowly becoming one of my favorite Big Finish writers and now he's been left in charge of tying up most of the threads and the arc for Stranded which surprise, surprise he manages to write an incredible story that ties everything up really well in an exciting way whilst also, of course, being a heavily character-driven story with themes of forgiveness and moving on.
Saying much about this installment, in particular, would ruin too much so it's better left unsaid for the most part, but this is an amazing way to conclude the overall arc of the series, but I'm still interested to see how John Dorney's story comes together and what's going to happen with Liv and Tania! 10/10
Best Year Ever:
The storyline may be over but now it's time to tie up the character arcs we've been following since the first set. John Dorney has managed to make an engaging, light-hearted yet emotional story about the devastating year that was 2020 and the pandemic, making for arguably one of the most unique installments in the series with The Doctor and his friends being thrown into a very real current world situation and having to deal with it day by day.
It's heartbreaking listening to some of the battles the characters have to go through but it makes you feel fuzzy on the inside all the same with its special little moments such as Christmas Day and the New Year's Day fireworks.
John Dorney is the only writer who could have pulled this off in such a satisfying way and even though I can imagine this story may be too real for some, it's the best possible way this series could have concluded. 10/10
Overall: Stranded has been a wild ride with an amazing cast, a unique direction for Doctor Who to go into, and a series of characters you can't help falling in love with, I think this series has been a success! 38.5/40
April 1, 2024
The concluding part of this 16-episode "season" of 8th Doctor stories is as strong as those that have preceded it, making this a remarkable outing that has rarely missed a beat. I note that, after this, they are switching to shorter story arcs, or even anthologies, but this has been a high to go out on.
Crossed Lines/Get Andy/The Keys of Baker Street - These three episodes are technically separate, having different settings and being by different authors, but they're so thematically linked that they feel like one long story. This is the wrap-up to the Stranded story arc, as the Doctor comes to realise that the timeline he's in should never have existed and that he can therefore do what the TV show has always insisted he can't - go back in time to undo the events we've already seen. Each episode is a different attempt, one set on a night train to Edinburgh, one flipping between various settings (including a post-apolcalyptic Hull) and the other in the converted Victorian flats that have been the focus of the whole series.
The results are, of course, heavy on the time travel elements and, while there's plenty of threat, there are no monsters and little in the way of villains either. It also relies heavily on having listened to the previous episodes, finally resolving a lot of loose plot threads from earlier in the arc. The Curator also returns, although this time played by Colin Baker, not Tom (a necessity, one assumes, and largely handwaved away). It's not one for those who like straight action-adventure, but it's a clever set of stories full of drama and character moments and, especially in the final piece, an effective sense of impending doom. 5 stars.
The Best Year Ever - And then, a coda, that can finally address the key element of 2020 that was understandably missing from volume 1 (mostly written as it was, in 2019). It's entirely a character piece, a strong piece of emotional slice-of-life writing that evokes what was probably many people's experience of that year - although as a healthcare worker, it wasn't quite the same for me personally. No monsters, no villains, no real sci-fi elements, just 2020 as it actually was. Fantastic stuff that could never work on the TV show, but fits right at home with the themes of this audio "season". 5 stars.
Crossed Lines/Get Andy/The Keys of Baker Street - These three episodes are technically separate, having different settings and being by different authors, but they're so thematically linked that they feel like one long story. This is the wrap-up to the Stranded story arc, as the Doctor comes to realise that the timeline he's in should never have existed and that he can therefore do what the TV show has always insisted he can't - go back in time to undo the events we've already seen. Each episode is a different attempt, one set on a night train to Edinburgh, one flipping between various settings (including a post-apolcalyptic Hull) and the other in the converted Victorian flats that have been the focus of the whole series.
The results are, of course, heavy on the time travel elements and, while there's plenty of threat, there are no monsters and little in the way of villains either. It also relies heavily on having listened to the previous episodes, finally resolving a lot of loose plot threads from earlier in the arc. The Curator also returns, although this time played by Colin Baker, not Tom (a necessity, one assumes, and largely handwaved away). It's not one for those who like straight action-adventure, but it's a clever set of stories full of drama and character moments and, especially in the final piece, an effective sense of impending doom. 5 stars.
The Best Year Ever - And then, a coda, that can finally address the key element of 2020 that was understandably missing from volume 1 (mostly written as it was, in 2019). It's entirely a character piece, a strong piece of emotional slice-of-life writing that evokes what was probably many people's experience of that year - although as a healthcare worker, it wasn't quite the same for me personally. No monsters, no villains, no real sci-fi elements, just 2020 as it actually was. Fantastic stuff that could never work on the TV show, but fits right at home with the themes of this audio "season". 5 stars.
May 17, 2022
Doctor Who: Stranded 4 - 4.625/5 stars
“This is my multiverse of madness.”
I love how the multiverse is mentioned a few times in this. Tania Bell is great, I’m gonna miss her. The crazy timeline bending nonsense is fascinating. The only downside to this and the previous sets is the Curator. He felt so unnecessary overall. With the full context of his appearance, he basically just appeared to be a mysterious presence.
4.1 Crossed Lines by Matt Fitton - 4/5 stars
Great start to the final boxset. The shocking revelations are perfect and I can’t wait to see how all this pays off. Colin Baker as the Curator is interesting, I feel that they did more with him here than in his other two appearances. Tie-ins to previous bits from most of the stories help build upon them and give another context to past events.
4.2 Get Andy by Lisa McMullin - 4.5/5 stars
Get Andy is a crazy, time-bending, paradox inducing story about saving Andy from dying like he did at the end of the last boxset. The Doctor dies. There are some wholesome moments and some depressing moments that make this the gorgeous experimental mess that it was going to be from the start.
4.3 The Keys of Baker Street by Roy Gill - 5/5 stars
I love this story. The Doctor and crew are trapped in a dimension that is slowly collapsing. Each door to a flat in the baker street house opens up another echo from the past (future since the story is set in the 1990s). Different echoes are set in scenes that could be added to previous stories through the last 3 boxsets. This style just feels so fun and interesting.
This story also proves that the Curator picked each of the people living at the Baker Street house to help the Doctor fix the timelines.
4.4 Best Year Ever by John Dorney - 5/5 stars
“The real 2020, how bad can it be.”
This is a satisfying and funny conclusion where the characters live through 2020 with the covid pandemic. There are obviously a few heartbreaking twists (Ron’s death). It’s a cute goodbye to the people living at 107 Baker Street.
“This is my multiverse of madness.”
I love how the multiverse is mentioned a few times in this. Tania Bell is great, I’m gonna miss her. The crazy timeline bending nonsense is fascinating. The only downside to this and the previous sets is the Curator. He felt so unnecessary overall. With the full context of his appearance, he basically just appeared to be a mysterious presence.
4.1 Crossed Lines by Matt Fitton - 4/5 stars
Great start to the final boxset. The shocking revelations are perfect and I can’t wait to see how all this pays off. Colin Baker as the Curator is interesting, I feel that they did more with him here than in his other two appearances. Tie-ins to previous bits from most of the stories help build upon them and give another context to past events.
4.2 Get Andy by Lisa McMullin - 4.5/5 stars
Get Andy is a crazy, time-bending, paradox inducing story about saving Andy from dying like he did at the end of the last boxset. The Doctor dies. There are some wholesome moments and some depressing moments that make this the gorgeous experimental mess that it was going to be from the start.
4.3 The Keys of Baker Street by Roy Gill - 5/5 stars
I love this story. The Doctor and crew are trapped in a dimension that is slowly collapsing. Each door to a flat in the baker street house opens up another echo from the past (future since the story is set in the 1990s). Different echoes are set in scenes that could be added to previous stories through the last 3 boxsets. This style just feels so fun and interesting.
This story also proves that the Curator picked each of the people living at the Baker Street house to help the Doctor fix the timelines.
4.4 Best Year Ever by John Dorney - 5/5 stars
“The real 2020, how bad can it be.”
This is a satisfying and funny conclusion where the characters live through 2020 with the covid pandemic. There are obviously a few heartbreaking twists (Ron’s death). It’s a cute goodbye to the people living at 107 Baker Street.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2023
Box set finale per la serie Stranded.
Tutti i nodi stanno per venire al pettine e, nel bene o nel male, l'ottavo Dottore e l'eterogeneo gruppo di compagni dovrà risolvere il paradosso che li ha catapultati in una Londra alternativa.
4.1 Crossed Lines by Matt Fitton
Il Dottore si trova a dover interrompere un viaggio fondamentale per il giovane Robin, mentre Tania e Helen sono invischiate eventi passati e futuri e, mentre la linea temporale sembra scomparire, si trovano obbligate a chiede l'aiuto del Curatore che, però, non è più l'uomo che era.
4.2 Get Andy by Lisa McMullin
Andy sembra essere la figura chiave per risolvere alcuni eventi critici, ma non è la cosa migliore che potrebbe capitargli.
4.3 The Keys of Baker Street by Roy Gill
Nel tentativo di risolvere le cose, il Dottore riesce solo a complicarle. La realtà continua a dissolversi e Baker Street è il solo frammento che sembra restare concreto... almeno per il momento.
4.4 Best Year Ever by John Dorney
Nel finale le cose si risolvono, non senza difficoltà.
Tutto torna nella norma, ma è la normalità del nostro 2020 e una quarantena non è la realtà che i nostri si aspettavano.
Conclusione caotica come sempre, soprattutto dopo tanta distanza dall'ascolto del terzo volume.
I vari personaggi riescono a sistemarsi e sembra che diremo un nuovo addio a Liv, ma sappiamo che potrebbe non essere definitivo.
La sostituzione tra i due Baker nel ruolo del Curatore non ha disturbato ed ha senso con il personaggio, considerando che potrebbe essere una futura emanazione del Dottore (come suggerito nello speciale dei 50 anni della serie) e ascoltare Colin è sempre un piacere.
Come obiettivo del nuovo anno dovrei impormi di attendere l'ascolto dei vari cofanetti di una serie solo al termine della pubblicazione... già mi dimentico le cose dopo dieci minuti dall'ascolto, recuperare i pezzi a distanza sta diventando sempre più difficile.
Tutti i nodi stanno per venire al pettine e, nel bene o nel male, l'ottavo Dottore e l'eterogeneo gruppo di compagni dovrà risolvere il paradosso che li ha catapultati in una Londra alternativa.
4.1 Crossed Lines by Matt Fitton
Il Dottore si trova a dover interrompere un viaggio fondamentale per il giovane Robin, mentre Tania e Helen sono invischiate eventi passati e futuri e, mentre la linea temporale sembra scomparire, si trovano obbligate a chiede l'aiuto del Curatore che, però, non è più l'uomo che era.
4.2 Get Andy by Lisa McMullin
Andy sembra essere la figura chiave per risolvere alcuni eventi critici, ma non è la cosa migliore che potrebbe capitargli.
4.3 The Keys of Baker Street by Roy Gill
Nel tentativo di risolvere le cose, il Dottore riesce solo a complicarle. La realtà continua a dissolversi e Baker Street è il solo frammento che sembra restare concreto... almeno per il momento.
4.4 Best Year Ever by John Dorney
Nel finale le cose si risolvono, non senza difficoltà.
Tutto torna nella norma, ma è la normalità del nostro 2020 e una quarantena non è la realtà che i nostri si aspettavano.
Conclusione caotica come sempre, soprattutto dopo tanta distanza dall'ascolto del terzo volume.
I vari personaggi riescono a sistemarsi e sembra che diremo un nuovo addio a Liv, ma sappiamo che potrebbe non essere definitivo.
La sostituzione tra i due Baker nel ruolo del Curatore non ha disturbato ed ha senso con il personaggio, considerando che potrebbe essere una futura emanazione del Dottore (come suggerito nello speciale dei 50 anni della serie) e ascoltare Colin è sempre un piacere.
Come obiettivo del nuovo anno dovrei impormi di attendere l'ascolto dei vari cofanetti di una serie solo al termine della pubblicazione... già mi dimentico le cose dopo dieci minuti dall'ascolto, recuperare i pezzi a distanza sta diventando sempre più difficile.
May 9, 2022
Crossed Lines:
5/10
Verdict: Recommended
This story is fine on the whole, it does feel somewhat lost though. There are several biggish reveals in this story, one I probably should have seen coming earlier but didn't. Colin Baker as the Curator is decent, he doesn't add all that much to the role but it does establish that other actors can play the part. The void acting as an antagonist is interesting, and the setting is pretty fun. Other than that it's kind of standard fair for this run of stories.
Get Andy:
5/10
Verdict: Recommended
Another one that's kind of essential but feels very loose given that the majority of it happens in alternative timelines. There's some decent drama, good acting and a little bit of comedy, but a lot of it feels very pointless, like my time was being wasted.
The Keys of Baker Street:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
Very fun story with a somewhat wholesome ending not considering the twist. The relationships between all the characters are centre place in this and everything is top notch, the really creative setting, the dialogue, the acting, all of it. Plus, that ending caught me off guard, took me a second but I audibly did a gasp laugh. Also have to say, they've made Colin's Curator distinct by making them a lot more proactive than their counterpart, loved them in this, like a sci-fi genie.
Best Year Ever:
8/10
Verdict: Recommended
I love it, every bit of it. God man I don't even know where to start, but I suppose with the words absolutely adorable. The most wholesome doctor who story I have listened to in a long time, no threat, no world ending stakes, taking the series back to how it started. The relationships are centre stage and this is written beautifully. I adore every character, every arc. It's tragic, it's wonderful and it's everything I love about Doctor Who. Amazing job, thank you Big Finish for making this.
5/10
Verdict: Recommended
This story is fine on the whole, it does feel somewhat lost though. There are several biggish reveals in this story, one I probably should have seen coming earlier but didn't. Colin Baker as the Curator is decent, he doesn't add all that much to the role but it does establish that other actors can play the part. The void acting as an antagonist is interesting, and the setting is pretty fun. Other than that it's kind of standard fair for this run of stories.
Get Andy:
5/10
Verdict: Recommended
Another one that's kind of essential but feels very loose given that the majority of it happens in alternative timelines. There's some decent drama, good acting and a little bit of comedy, but a lot of it feels very pointless, like my time was being wasted.
The Keys of Baker Street:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
Very fun story with a somewhat wholesome ending not considering the twist. The relationships between all the characters are centre place in this and everything is top notch, the really creative setting, the dialogue, the acting, all of it. Plus, that ending caught me off guard, took me a second but I audibly did a gasp laugh. Also have to say, they've made Colin's Curator distinct by making them a lot more proactive than their counterpart, loved them in this, like a sci-fi genie.
Best Year Ever:
8/10
Verdict: Recommended
I love it, every bit of it. God man I don't even know where to start, but I suppose with the words absolutely adorable. The most wholesome doctor who story I have listened to in a long time, no threat, no world ending stakes, taking the series back to how it started. The relationships are centre stage and this is written beautifully. I adore every character, every arc. It's tragic, it's wonderful and it's everything I love about Doctor Who. Amazing job, thank you Big Finish for making this.
April 15, 2022
Disclaimer: This release features the COVID pandemic, lockdown, deaths by COVID and unlawful breaking of curfew rules. It could trigger panic attacks in some people. Sadly Big Finish did not add a disclaimer like this to the release. So please take care everyone.
Wow, what a ride.
First off-
I was a bit hesitant about this release since the first half of Stranded 3 was.... not so good.
But I am happy to report that this time, it does pick up and we get a wonderful rollercoaster ride with lots of action, explosions, emotions and timey-whimey shenanigans.
I liked it.
It felt like coming back home with the TARDIS crew and the residents of the house in Baker street.
And I absolutely adored the scene with the birthday cake!!!! OMG. How wonderful was that?
Performances were great, but we have come to expect this from this team.
I also was a bit hesitant about using Colin Baker (who I usually adore) as the curator. Well, I should not have worried, Colin does great. And it somehow does work quite well for me using a different face here.
In some weird twist, we also get to see the REAL 2020, COVID and lockdown and all, in comparison to the parallel universe one, and if I would have listened to it before the pandemic, I would have thought the writers had gone insane. Life really is stranger than fiction sometimes.
As for the ending and conclusion (no spoilers from me)- but this is EXACTLY what I would have done and what I expected to happen. I am fine with it.
So all in all, very enjoyable release and I am happy it came back to strength after the weird dip in story quality that was Stranded 3.
Wow, what a ride.
First off-
I was a bit hesitant about this release since the first half of Stranded 3 was.... not so good.
But I am happy to report that this time, it does pick up and we get a wonderful rollercoaster ride with lots of action, explosions, emotions and timey-whimey shenanigans.
I liked it.
It felt like coming back home with the TARDIS crew and the residents of the house in Baker street.
And I absolutely adored the scene with the birthday cake!!!! OMG. How wonderful was that?
Performances were great, but we have come to expect this from this team.
I also was a bit hesitant about using Colin Baker (who I usually adore) as the curator. Well, I should not have worried, Colin does great. And it somehow does work quite well for me using a different face here.
In some weird twist, we also get to see the REAL 2020, COVID and lockdown and all, in comparison to the parallel universe one, and if I would have listened to it before the pandemic, I would have thought the writers had gone insane. Life really is stranger than fiction sometimes.
As for the ending and conclusion (no spoilers from me)- but this is EXACTLY what I would have done and what I expected to happen. I am fine with it.
So all in all, very enjoyable release and I am happy it came back to strength after the weird dip in story quality that was Stranded 3.
April 15, 2022
Stranded 4 is... meh. After the Lucie Miller EDAs, we entered an era of boxset seasons for the Eighth Doctor that were made up of four four-part boxsets. These were: Dark Eyes, Doom Coalition, Ravenous, The Eighth Doctor: The Time War (which technically occurs somewhat later in the Doctor's lifetime than the rest but was made during the same period as the rest), and finally Stranded. Stranded is an odd beast. After the explosive end of Doctor Who: Ravenous 4, the TARDIS was heavily damaged and ended up stranding the Doctor, Liv and Helen on Baker Street in 2020. However, as this was written and recorded in 2019, the 2020 of Stranded is a non-Covid one. Over the course of the series, it's revealed that something is very wrong with the future of humanity and in trying to fix things, the Doctor seems to just make things worse.
So that brings us to the final installation of the Stranded series. Here, the Doctor learns how to fix time and escape the abberant timeline with help from the Curator (played here by Colin Baker instead of Tom Baker) and finally in the conclusion of episode three, we arrive in the real Covid Lockdown world. The final episode is essentially just a "Doctor and friends experience Covid Lockdown" while the TARDIS heals for the rest of the year. It feels almost tacked on, a coda that's not quite part of the rest of the series. Stranded is probably my least favorite of the Eighth Doctor boxset series of this era. It's different, and doesn't have the Time Lords as part of the arc, which I applaud, but it's just not my cup of tea. So, feel free to check it out, but maybe check for sales or your local library.
So that brings us to the final installation of the Stranded series. Here, the Doctor learns how to fix time and escape the abberant timeline with help from the Curator (played here by Colin Baker instead of Tom Baker) and finally in the conclusion of episode three, we arrive in the real Covid Lockdown world. The final episode is essentially just a "Doctor and friends experience Covid Lockdown" while the TARDIS heals for the rest of the year. It feels almost tacked on, a coda that's not quite part of the rest of the series. Stranded is probably my least favorite of the Eighth Doctor boxset series of this era. It's different, and doesn't have the Time Lords as part of the arc, which I applaud, but it's just not my cup of tea. So, feel free to check it out, but maybe check for sales or your local library.
February 26, 2024
A decent end to an overall mid range. I applaud Stranded for trying to do something different, and boldly shaking up the format, but a lot of the series felt aimless. It felt like a bottle episode of show, if you stretched it into an entire season (since each of the sagas is four sets of four episodes, ie essentially a 16 episode season each time). In an audio medium, I found it especially dull, since it doesn’t really play into any of the strengths of the format. That said, there were some great stories throughout, and very strong performances.
April 11, 2022
The Stranded saga reaches its end. In a strange piece of serendipity (given that the first volume was recorded in late 2019) this series about the peripatetic Doctor and his friends being forced to stay in one place ended up being the perfect metaphor for the pandemic against which the audience listened to it. In the final volume the writers lean into this coincidence and come up with a very satisfying and emotional end for one of the best Doctor Who series yet.
November 28, 2022
The relationships with the 'normal' residents of Baker Street as well as those among the regulars were at the heart of this final quartet. For me, the final story in which the Doctor and all the other characters live through an entire year of the COVID lockdown is superb - no aliens, no heroics, just trying to get by like the rest of us. A little Doctor Who character drama done wonderfully through the virtue of the performances alone.
April 13, 2022
An okay end to what has been a very up and down series. The final episode was pure perfection - exactly what this series should have been all along. Instead we've had to listen to an awful lot of traveling around for a group of people who are supposed to be 'stranded'. Colin Baker does really well in this set, and the music is pretty good. Not much else stands out though.
June 14, 2022
A beautiful and compelling end to the best series, in recent years, from Big Finish. Some really abstract stories with a powerful human undertone break away from Doctor Who’s norm, and breaks away so very very well.
January 25, 2023
It was quite fun having Colin Baker as The Curator, who can apparently change faces fluidly. I can’t help but wonder how different the last story would have been had the pandemic not happened, but it turned out to be very poignant and heartfelt.
February 22, 2025
Two really good and two really great stories end the fantastic Stranded series, it’s one of the few multistory Doctor Who audio adventures I’m definitely gonna revisit. Loved the characters so much, I’m really gonna miss them.
August 5, 2025
It feels like the end of an era -- the 8th Doctor won't be putting out zany season-style boxsets anymore. Looks like it's stand-alone episodes going forward. I'll definitely miss the big stories this format allowed for. I definitely got emotional during the final episode.
April 28, 2022
3.5 Stranded has been a weird set of stories and this is another group of those. And we even get a COVID special.
May 21, 2022
The doctor and friends fix the timeline.
May 18, 2025
I don’t know how Big Finish can top this whole series. This is PEAK.
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