I always love when the show delves into myths and legends, especially when it comes to the Great Vampires. This also marks Big Finish’s more ambitious arcs spanning multiple episodes– and it’s a solid start!

It’s hard to argue that one of the most compelling elements of the Sixth Doctor’s early run of Big Finish is his vulnerability – How a character as loud-mouthed and arrogant as this incarnation is forced out of his depth, and he becomes a more genuine, kind-natured character as a result. This is on full display here as his childhood fears shine through – The hints towards the Zagreus nursery rhyme, as well as the ghost stories of the Dark Times and the cultural fear of the Vampires. The Doctor’s hostility is well-founded and has a narrative purpose rather than it did on television, and helps to further the conflict between himself and Evelyn. His prejudices drive his motivation, and Evelyn calls him out, taking great offence when he refuses to explain his trauma. It establishes so much about their attitudes towards the situation as well as what they mean to each other. As much as I love Evelyn, she feels surprisingly unaffected by the horrors occurring around her, especially being covered in someone else’s guts. She’s incredibly wilful and has a lot of agency in the plot, but I think that she would make more of a fuss when people around her are dying in such violent ways. Despite this, I really do enjoy her motherly instinct around characters like Cassie, as it adds an element of personal stakes into the adventure: She’s made herself responsible for this young girl, and when her life is threatened, it pushes Evelyn further into the heroic role. She’s settled very well on board the TARDIS by this point, and takes everything in her stride, standing up to Vampires and Time Lords alike without batting an eyelid – How many people can do that?!

There’s an interesting subversion of the typical vampire story, with the horror in a far more clinical sense than usual. There’s always been a connection in literature between vampirism and homosexuality through a religious perspective, acting as a metaphor for sin and contamination, and so this situation almost riffs off the terror of the AIDS crisis in a way. The Twilight virus spreads through the seedy underbelly of London – exploring the gritty, hidden parts of the city. While this makes for an interesting backdrop, I think this undermines the threat of vampires, the grotesque body horror and violence that they are associated with. Reggie and Amelia are so ruthless and unempathetic, and make an excellent foil for the Sixth Doctor, but their more scientific disposition don’t scream vampire to me. As well as this, Nimrod’s suave charm is compelling, and the steampunk Cyborg aesthetic fits the environment excellently. It’s a solid set up for the Forge arc, with plenty of mysteries left hanging, but it’s also the least interesting part of the story for me.

It's always odd when Big Finish does a “present-day” story for the Classic Doctors, who feel so intrinsically linked to the late 20th Century. The urban atmosphere of the London backstreets is built perfectly—the idea that these horrors are happening behind closed doors in our own world is far more unsettling than a far-off alien planet. The Twilight diner itself is rough, and uncomfortable, and a great way to build tension. There’s a real claustrophobic feel to the story, with narrow alleyways, locked doors, and dark basements reinforcing the threat of the Vampires hiding in the shadows.

Cassie is the emotional core of this story, and Rosie Cavaliero is easily the standout of the guest cast. She’s such an ordinary character, with her own flaws and ambitions, which are all stripped away as she descends into the nightmare of the Twilight Virus, and her fate genuinely stings. Her interactions with Reggie flesh out the story’s themes of coercive control, as this dark, abusive environment strips her of all agency, eventually becoming fixed in this violent mindset.

The music in Project: Twilight is subtle but effective. The lack of bombastic action cues is a real strength, reinforces a noir-like atmosphere.

The dialogue isn’t the most memorable –I do enjoy the interactions between the Doctor and Evelyn (when don’t I?), they inform so much about their moralities and love for each other, but aside from that, it just ends up feeling generic for the most part.

Favourite Line: “The next sunrise over this city will be dripping with blood.”

Favourite Cliffhanger: Part One

I do appreciate that this story is trying something new with the concept of vampires, but I don’t feel it always works. It’s at time a little convoluted, but where this story shines – as per usual – is through the character conflicts between the Doctor and Evelyn.

Really interesting story that perfectly introduces The Forge which is a group I’ve been looking forward to meeting  for a good long while from the little I knew of the EU they really interested me, this story is also definitely dark in places and I understand how that may not be for everyone but I didn’t mind personally compared to even just some of the stuff from S22 I’d argue it’s at least a little more tasteful if a little edgy and surface level maybe…  Six & Evelyn’s dynamic here is also just top tier stuff I love the tension they have in this particular story but at the end they still care for each other it’s just good stuff and I’m going to be sad when I move onto the 7/Ace/Hex arc soon.

I found this one to be rather dull in parts.
The vampire twist was cool - other then that was really uninteresting

Disclaimer: This Review features slight Spoilers for Jubilee, you have been warned!

I love Vampires, they are my favorite classical Monsters, there is so much you can do with them. I'd argue even with some of their lesser stellar Outing in the Past, be it in Novels or Films, there is still at least something to grab on it.

'Project Twilight' still has Elements I like, Ideas which are intriguing and yet.. what did I listen to?

I am somebody who argues Doctor Who can and at times *should*, if it's allowed to explore some darker themes, which you couldn't do on the TV Show and yes this Story does explore some mature Topics. But I sadly cannot emphasize on it, exploring it well.

Its graphic Imagery feels 'edgy' at times, almost trying to shock you and making you go: "Oh this is Doctor Who?" and it just doesn't work. It feels like it does all of it for the sake of it.

Let's look at a later, more grim 6 Story! 'Jubilee' has some dark Imagery as well, but with this one, despite it being at times more violent. I mean, 6 loses his legs, it never feels like Shearman does it because he can, he uses his Imagery to emphasize how this version of 6 feels lost. Can you tell me when and if this Story does that? No? We are just basically torturing a poor Woman?

It feels unnecessary cruel. Now, do I think a cruel Story can work? Oh, Absolutely!! But Cavan just writes a very cruel Story, which I argue (at least for me) lacks some Depth or the Reason to be that.

And yet I do like some of its Concept presented here, the Forge seems interesting for example. All of our Actors do a good Job at it and if it wasn't for them and giving in a solid Performances, I think I would dislike this Audio much more.

Again I mentioned it somewhere before, but I hate to be negative, but I can't hide my Disappointment, I love me a good Vampire Tale, but this just puts me off.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I didn't see the vampire twist coming, and thought the Forge teases for this arc were perfectly set up. I am SO intrigued how this arc is going to continue in future stories. I also enjoyed the dynamic between the Doctor and Evelyn being a bit more strained than usual, I love when companions stand up to him and don't take his nonsense.