Now this is creative storytelling. I thought I would struggle to get on board, the brilliant use of structure and audience expectations creates a brilliant timey-esc story that fits together perfectly. I do need to re-listen.

Okay, I listened to this one pretty recently and I have some really strong (very positive!) feelings about it so, strap in, this is going to be a long, rambly ride... heavy spoilers, especially towards the end of this review. 5/5

The brutal arrest and interrogation of Nyssa hits hard in consideration of the terrible crimes committed by psychiatric institutions. The effects of conflict described in terms of ugliness and beauty is truly fascinating - with Briggs known as the voice of the Daleks, it's easy to forget that he can also be a fantastic writer. The idea of 'otherness' is heavily pushed here - anyone else who grew up on the sidelines, marginalised by your peers, feel really called out here?

I feel like this story managed a great balance of politics and morality - it's like, the effect of political decisions told through conflicted feelings, that just makes it hit much harder than if we saw the carnage from a wider, more outside perspective, and this really could have only been acheived with this innovative story structure. I found the structure really enjoyable, not at all confusing, and I think it allowed for a proper exploration of the Doctor and Nyssa's involvement in it all that would have been much more difficult/impossible if it wasn't told in this order.

In love with the way the story challenges the Doctor's role in the story - in all stories! The way he acts just as much of an all-knowing superior saviour as the Koteem do to the Veln, just because he has a cool ship (time travel) and a cool name and backstory (time lord, Gallifrey). This deals so well with the problem of the bystander... Usually, the Doctor arrives to save a race. But today, the races were already saving themselves, just not in a way that everyone could agree upon. As Nyssa said, they made no difference. They changed nothing. But I think, that's the point - they didn't have to. They can save themselves. They can make the choice, to live or to die, and that's their decision.
And in the end, isn't that all we want? That autonomy? Isn't that all that matters?

Pollution and oil & gas and global warming and capitalism's genocides and the saviour complex of the guilty party and the fact that in climate change we are not all in the same boat because some of us are in yachts.... damn this is a good story. "Ridiculed me in public, but took my money behind closed doors" HELLO!!! I just. I cannot say anything about this that isn't said in itself.

OMG IT WAS THEM. IT WAS THE TARDIS THAT CAUSED THE COLLISION. ALL THIS TIME THINKING THEY DID NOTHING AND IT WAS THEM. But of course, it could have been anything... It didn't have to be them, that's not the point, that's just the ironic icing on the cake. The point is that the Koteem did this to themselves, they used this oil and gas I mean dyestrial, they poisoned themselves, and then the captain took shortcuts that endangered the Veln's lives to save a few bucks, they did this to them, they did it... Never forget, it wasn't the Doctor that caused this all. It was greed. Capitalistic greed, plain and simple... Two whole species, destroyed... Because of capitalistic greed...

I cannot think of anything uglier.

Creatures of Beauty é uma história sobre causa, efeito, ações e consequências. Mais um áudio do período experimental da BIG FINISH que apresenta uma narrativa não linear, fragmentada com o fim da história sendo o final da parte 3 e o início sendo o parte 4. Podemos dizer que foi algo arriscado, poderia muito bem ter sido um grande desastre confuso incoerente, dada a frequência de mudança de sua Linha do tempo.
Mas isso acabou se resultando em uma sacada genial, o áudio apresenta sua forma diferenciada de dar progressão a sua história, aos poucos gradualmente vamos montando o quebra cabeça e tudo em sua mente começa a clarear, tudo começa a fazer muito sentido.
Então, não se espante por não entender absolutamente nada na primeira metade do áudio, não se preocupe quando o sentimento de ter sido jogado a um mundo frio, confuso cheio de dúvidas bater em sua consciência kkkkk, porque por mais estranho que pareça, isso é algo muito relevante para sua experiência completa.
Em resumo, Creatures Of Beauty é uma história infelizmente incompreendida por parte de alguns, ela possui vários tons pesados distribuídos em sua trama, temos momentos sombrios, deprimentes e alguns bem brutais.

This is a very enjoyable story. It took me a little while to realise it was being told out of sequence. On reflection it seemed to be primarily be about world building and exploring the history of two very different societies/ how they interact with each other. Very dark, very serious but skilfully written.

I don't think its one of my absolute favourites on first listen but I could imagine it becoming one on a second listen - there is so much to unpick. I think it is difficult to track the progression of the story, work out where it started and where it ended up as its told non-linearly, so there may have been a major revelation which eluded me.

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

"Creatures of Beauty: A Puzzle That Never Quite Fits"

Creatures of Beauty immediately sets itself apart with a gripping and unconventional opening. The Doctor and Nyssa find themselves under interrogation on an alien world, accused of crimes they don’t fully understand. This premise creates an intimate, uneasy atmosphere, as the story promises intrigue and peril. Nicholas Briggs crafts a layered narrative that piques curiosity, leaning into the potential of its mysterious setup.

An Experiment in Structure

The story unfolds through a non-linear format, jumping between timelines and perspectives. While this approach is ambitious, it often feels more like an unnecessary gimmick than a storytelling necessity. The fragmented structure disrupts the flow, making it harder to fully engage with the plot or its characters.

Similarly, the cliffhangers, which should inject momentum and suspense, fall flat. They lack the urgency needed to propel the listener forward, leaving the transitions between parts feeling less compelling than they ought to be.

Strong Performances and Character Focus

At its core, Creatures of Beauty thrives on its character-driven approach. The separation of the Doctor and Nyssa allows each to forge new dynamics with the supporting cast, enriching the story's emotional texture. Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton rise to the occasion with thoughtful performances, effortlessly conveying the depth and complexity of their respective arcs.

The guest cast is equally strong. David Daker, familiar from The Time Warrior and Nightmare of Eden, delivers a nuanced performance, while Jemma Churchill, later seen in Village of the Angels, brings a layered intensity to her role. Together, they enhance the world-building and provide much-needed texture to the narrative.

Themes and Execution

The story’s exploration of ecological disaster and a deadly disease offers moments of tension and moral reflection. These themes, paired with excellent sound design and atmospheric direction, create a haunting backdrop for the characters’ struggles. However, while the ideas are compelling, their execution lacks the emotional heft needed to leave a lasting impact.

The dialogue-heavy scenes, while well-written, occasionally falter under the weight of a disjointed narrative. The plot feels scattered, with its core themes and emotional beats struggling to coalesce into a cohesive whole.

Production and Sound Design

Big Finish’s production values shine as always. The soundscape effectively immerses the listener in the alien world, and the performances are consistently strong. Yet even the high-quality production cannot entirely salvage the story’s uneven pacing and lack of focus.

A Puzzle Worth Solving?

Creatures of Beauty is a story that might reward repeat listens, as its layered approach reveals nuances upon closer inspection. However, on a first pass, its ambition is overshadowed by a narrative that never quite finds its footing.

While the strong performances and intriguing premise make it an admirable experiment, the story ultimately struggles to rise above its structural flaws. For all its potential, Creatures of Beauty leaves an impression of missed opportunities rather than a truly unforgettable experience.

The Verdict: Flawed Brilliance

Creatures of Beauty offers an intriguing blend of mystery, character drama, and high-concept themes, but its non-linear storytelling and lack of narrative cohesion detract from its impact. A fascinating but flawed entry in the Big Finish catalogue.

📝50/100