Customer Reviews

Project: Twilight (Dr Who Big Finish)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A casino that doesn't deal in money...a long thought abandoned government project...a young waiter at the casino who is being used by everyone...all in a story where nothing and nobody is what they seem. So begins Project: Twilightl, the twenty-third audio story from Big Finish productions. It showcases solid performances and really neat plot twists with a dark and gritty tone that makes Project: Twilight is a terrific Doctor Who adventure.

That said, it offers the "colorful jester" incarnation of the Doctor (Colin Baker) a real chance to shine. Baker is never dull and never over the top, two of his biggest problems during his TV reign. He is allowed moments to show a deeper and almost darker side to the so called "colorful jester". It's a fine performance, though not quite Baker's best which is not a bad thing to say the least is. To help out Baker's Doctor is Maggie Stables as companion Evelyn Smythe. Evelyn is given a wonderful sub-plot and scenes throughout with one of the supporting character Cassie. It allows some great moments for Stables to show off her talent and she has a wonderful rapport with Baker's Doctor.

The supporting cast is also fine. It starts with Rob Dixon as Reggie Mead , the want to be London gangster who is owner of the Dusk casino to Amelia Doory (Holly De Jong) as Reggies ally with a strange past. It moves on to Nimrod, the mysterious presence throughout who is never what he seems. These characters are certainly a gritty, more world-weary collection of people than we are used to- but one that is fitting for the story around them.

The true stand-out of the supporting cast is Rosie Cavaliero as Cassie, the waitress at The Dusk. Her character is the one who can't help but feel sorry for in every way. Away from her son and used by everyone, Cassie is a three-dimensional character is what could have been a two-dimensional story. Though this story came out well before the revived series began, one feels her character could just as easily be a character from the nerw series and the whole story one from it as well.

Be forewarned that this is not the pantomime style Doctor Who story. It is a dark and gritty story that (in tone anyway) is more akin to the Hinchcliff / Holmes days. The tone is set from the opening in 1915 right onto the locations in the present day. It is a story where nothing and nobody is what they seem. The cliffhangers are excellent and the plot is full of enough twists and turns to fill up a John le Carre thriller. It's good not to have a traditional (aka straightforward) story especially when dealing with a story like this one.

While the dark and gritty tone may turn off some fans, Project: Twilight is a terrific release from Big Finish. From good performances to the tone and locations, Project: Twilight is a good example of Big Finish at work. It takes the "colorful jester" Doctor and makes him something deeper, darker, and better.