BFA: Absolution
Nov. 4th, 2007 07:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fangrrl_squeesAbsolution arrived in the mail, yesterday, so - despite the fact that it was past midnight and I was well into my cups, I immediately copied it to my iPod so that I could listen to it today.
Unfortunately, I was sewing up a corset as I listened, so I'll admit that it wasn't getting 100% of my attenion - further reviews upon further listening.
But for now, an initial opinion:
It was alright. There were a few things left unexplained, which bugged me a bit - how the 'prophecy' featuring C'rizz providing, y'know, deliverance to "hell" actually came to be, etc. The setup reminded me a lot of the Divergent universe, in fact - an unnatural society created to serve a specific purpose which becomes apparent when the Doctor et al arrive on the scene. And, like the Divergent universe, there are some plot holes you could throw a cat through - but, really, I need to listen to the story again, as the confusion could well be from sloppy listening on my part.
The big reveal about the bad guy, wasn't. Meh. Indeed, it was a bit disappointing that that aspect of the story (who was really responsible for the state of "hell", the identity of the bad guy) was so predictable. If I can see a plot point coming, then it's too bloody obvious - it's not for nothing I'm known as Ms. Oblivious.
I liked the setup for "hell" and C'rizz's role in it - although it got a bit too cheezy at the end. The entire cast was excellent - great performances all round, even when things crossed the line into panto (fortunately, those panto-moments didn't last too long).
But, imho, the best part of the entire story was at the end - Charlie dealing with C'rizz's death and, more to the point, calling the Doctor on his reaction, or utter lack thereof, in fact. I wish she'd pushed the you wanted things to be like they were before he arrived bit a little harder, as there's a whole slew of interestingly awful things that could have come out of that conversation (not the least of which being about the relationship/lack thereof between Charlie and The Doctor) but that was not to be. Well, there's always The Girl Who Never Was (December) for that sort of angsting about, I suppose. Definitely looking forward to that, and not just because it's Charlie's turn to go...
I feel bad for C'rizz - the character was rife with unexploited potential and, based on the first listening, Absolution confirmed that. Sure, C'rizz's overall purpose was revealed but, y'know, learning that whilst knowing that the character's on his way out,wais hardly satisfying. Indeed, his stated purpose was hardly satisfying, either. Clever, yes, but as of the first - admittedly scanty - listening, ultimately unsatisfying. It's a shame, as I've grown quite fond of the character...
I've got a lot of sewing to do in the next three weeks (an entire 19th Century ensemble for a friend, plus finishing my own, ditto) but I hope to find the time to sit down and give Absolution a more-focused listening and, I hope, a second chance to satisfy.
Unfortunately, I was sewing up a corset as I listened, so I'll admit that it wasn't getting 100% of my attenion - further reviews upon further listening.
But for now, an initial opinion:
It was alright. There were a few things left unexplained, which bugged me a bit - how the 'prophecy' featuring C'rizz providing, y'know, deliverance to "hell" actually came to be, etc. The setup reminded me a lot of the Divergent universe, in fact - an unnatural society created to serve a specific purpose which becomes apparent when the Doctor et al arrive on the scene. And, like the Divergent universe, there are some plot holes you could throw a cat through - but, really, I need to listen to the story again, as the confusion could well be from sloppy listening on my part.
The big reveal about the bad guy, wasn't. Meh. Indeed, it was a bit disappointing that that aspect of the story (who was really responsible for the state of "hell", the identity of the bad guy) was so predictable. If I can see a plot point coming, then it's too bloody obvious - it's not for nothing I'm known as Ms. Oblivious.
I liked the setup for "hell" and C'rizz's role in it - although it got a bit too cheezy at the end. The entire cast was excellent - great performances all round, even when things crossed the line into panto (fortunately, those panto-moments didn't last too long).
But, imho, the best part of the entire story was at the end - Charlie dealing with C'rizz's death and, more to the point, calling the Doctor on his reaction, or utter lack thereof, in fact. I wish she'd pushed the you wanted things to be like they were before he arrived bit a little harder, as there's a whole slew of interestingly awful things that could have come out of that conversation (not the least of which being about the relationship/lack thereof between Charlie and The Doctor) but that was not to be. Well, there's always The Girl Who Never Was (December) for that sort of angsting about, I suppose. Definitely looking forward to that, and not just because it's Charlie's turn to go...
I feel bad for C'rizz - the character was rife with unexploited potential and, based on the first listening, Absolution confirmed that. Sure, C'rizz's overall purpose was revealed but, y'know, learning that whilst knowing that the character's on his way out,wais hardly satisfying. Indeed, his stated purpose was hardly satisfying, either. Clever, yes, but as of the first - admittedly scanty - listening, ultimately unsatisfying. It's a shame, as I've grown quite fond of the character...
I've got a lot of sewing to do in the next three weeks (an entire 19th Century ensemble for a friend, plus finishing my own, ditto) but I hope to find the time to sit down and give Absolution a more-focused listening and, I hope, a second chance to satisfy.
