The Monthly Adventures : Storm Warning

(McGann Series 1)

(8 and Charley)

I don't really need notes for this

10/10

'You feel that pounding in your heart, that tightness in the pit of your stomach, the blood rushing to your head? Do you know what that is? That's adventure. The thrill and the fear and the joy of stepping into the unknown. That's why we're all here, and that's why we're alive!'

Where it all began!

This story is a lot of fun. It's not perfect, not at all, but it's fun. And compared to more recent Doctor debuts like Ravagers, this really is the start of a new era with promise of more to come.

Something I noticed, compared to more recent Eight releases, is how the Doctor's characterisation is actually very similar to the TV movie. When he does the 'How!' greeting to Charley he seems a little weird but also giddy like the infamous 'These shoes! They fit perfectly!' scene. He also name drops throughout just like in the TV Movie. Likewise he is in awe of the way the the decks of the Triskele ship move around the people exclaiming 'Brilliant, just brilliant! I love it!' with youthful awe, something that seems refreshing in contrast to his later Time War and Stranded characterisations.

I also realised that both Charley and Molly O'Sullivan are introduced in the same way - through a scene where they are writing aloud. Charley's character is also well formed by the end of this story.

I liked how it used the real-life triskelion motif and gave it a sci-fi meaning. However, I do agree episode 3 was the weakest and a little dull. I can't say I care much for the Triskele. I also don't understand how the Lawgiver could tell that the Doctor wasn't human but Engineer Prime couldn't?

Finally it is notable that the Doctor did try to order an evacuation on the airship. It wasn't just Charley he tried to save, he tried to save everyone 'parachutes all round' but nobody listened to him. If they had done, though, the web of time would probably be torn to shreds!

Overall, thoroughly enjoyable. Setting up what's to come, with contagious fun and excitement from McGann and Fisher.

7/10

Really great introduction to the 8th Doctor’s adventures. A fun slice of historical Sci-fi with an alien race that provides some interesting commentary on free will and the things that drive us, although these aren't explored with too much depth. What we get instead is a bombastic adventure with grounded stakes and an engaging and well performed larger than life cast of characters. McGann is enthusiastic and satisfyingly deceitful whilst giving enough indication of his moral compass – strong but unsure in himself, pragmatic but easily waylaid. India Fisher's new companion, Charley Pollard, is a great ball of energy and bounces well off McGann's Doctor. A thoroughly enjoyable second pilot for the Eighth Doctor.

I had a good time listening to this episode, despite my rating. Two and a half stars doesn't mean it's rubbish, no, it means it's a decent story that doesn't offer much but is still very enjoyable to listen to. The concept of the aliens is a bit cool, but the concept itself doesn't make them very interesting, I think. On the other hand, McGann is very convincing as the Doctor and I really enjoy listening to him talking.

This is just a fairly standard, run-of-the-mill story.  Paul McGann mainly does a good job; India Fisher does a great job as Charley; the setting's interesting, the Web of Time arc gets fully going. This story is an interesting concept with a promising plot but is not executed quite as well as it could have been. Some of the dialogue feels really clunky especially when it's just the Doctor is alone and some of the voices are just overly cartoonish. The sound effects are also particularly bad especially the bullet effects. This along with slower pacing full of expository dialogue you have a story that is good but falls short of greatness