a merry ghoul (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
merryghoul) wrote2020-01-11 11:06 am
merryghoul) wrote2020-01-11 11:06 am
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The Diary of River Song S7 review: She’s flexible
The series where River solves four mysteries that aren't connected to each other, and she solves one of them as Melody Malone.
Just going to launch into the stories without a lot of verbiage.
Colony of Strangers by James Goss
A parody of a Scandinavian noir show--think something like the original The Bridge here. River is sent by an unknown Doctor to Bondar, a "Nordic colony." Bodies are washing up on the beach there. It's up to River and another policeman on the colony to find out why. I felt this was a good fusion of a Scandinavian mystery and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This wouldn't be the story I'd be raving about in this series, though. You know how every time I'm picky about how the accents in this series sound funny to me? I'm going to do it again, starting with River's partner/companion for this story sounding thisclose to The Swedish Chef.
Abbey of Heretics by Lizbeth Myles
Per Myles, a story inspired by the Cadfael television series (itself inspired by a book series). River goes to the 12th century to find a book, The Book of Stars, disguised as a nun. But there's something more sinister in the nunnery and among the nuns themselves. This story wasn't bad, but it didn't stick with me as much as the other stories. Like, I can recall The Book of Stars, and I can recall the twist ending, but I feel I'd have to listen to this story again to find the details I missed.
Barrister to the Stars by James Kettle
River picks a barrister from the 20th century to defend her in a murder case far in the future. But there's another mystery and a scheme to be uncovered that's surrounding the murdered alien's death. The story is more inspired by contemporary courtroom dramas. It's also the weirdest story. And to me it was the funniest, all while providing a countless amount of twists leading up to an unexpected conclusion. My favorite of this series by far.
Carnival of Angels by Roy Gill
You could say this serves as more of a prequel to The Angels Take Manhattan more so than The Angel's Kiss: A Melody Malone Mystery did. It's also a sequel to Animal Instinct, as this story brings back Luke Sullieman, River's student in that story. River, as Melody Malone, gets a client who seeks out Melody to figure out who killed him. They're both lead to Coney Island and attractions fueled by Weeping Angels. And the Angels are working for someone else. The story itself is great, exploring River's connection to the Weeping Angels and why she was able to meet Eleven, Amy, and Rory to brief them on the Weeping Angels in that time. The American-sounding voice acting, not so much. It took me back to that Eighth Doctor story with Marchosias in it. I don't know anyone that likes that story at all.
I had some issues with this boxed set. But, to be honest, this set hit a sweet spot for me. I've long wanted a series with River working on her own and not trying to save the lives of other Doctors. Even though the last story is set just before The Angels Take Manhattan, River works these cases without encountering a Doctor. Or a Master, for that matter. As amusing as it is to see River and any of the Doctors work together, this series proves River can work independently of the Doctor and still carry a Diary of River Song series. Hopefully there's more of this in series 8(!).
Just going to launch into the stories without a lot of verbiage.
Colony of Strangers by James Goss
A parody of a Scandinavian noir show--think something like the original The Bridge here. River is sent by an unknown Doctor to Bondar, a "Nordic colony." Bodies are washing up on the beach there. It's up to River and another policeman on the colony to find out why. I felt this was a good fusion of a Scandinavian mystery and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This wouldn't be the story I'd be raving about in this series, though. You know how every time I'm picky about how the accents in this series sound funny to me? I'm going to do it again, starting with River's partner/companion for this story sounding thisclose to The Swedish Chef.
Abbey of Heretics by Lizbeth Myles
Per Myles, a story inspired by the Cadfael television series (itself inspired by a book series). River goes to the 12th century to find a book, The Book of Stars, disguised as a nun. But there's something more sinister in the nunnery and among the nuns themselves. This story wasn't bad, but it didn't stick with me as much as the other stories. Like, I can recall The Book of Stars, and I can recall the twist ending, but I feel I'd have to listen to this story again to find the details I missed.
Barrister to the Stars by James Kettle
River picks a barrister from the 20th century to defend her in a murder case far in the future. But there's another mystery and a scheme to be uncovered that's surrounding the murdered alien's death. The story is more inspired by contemporary courtroom dramas. It's also the weirdest story. And to me it was the funniest, all while providing a countless amount of twists leading up to an unexpected conclusion. My favorite of this series by far.
Carnival of Angels by Roy Gill
You could say this serves as more of a prequel to The Angels Take Manhattan more so than The Angel's Kiss: A Melody Malone Mystery did. It's also a sequel to Animal Instinct, as this story brings back Luke Sullieman, River's student in that story. River, as Melody Malone, gets a client who seeks out Melody to figure out who killed him. They're both lead to Coney Island and attractions fueled by Weeping Angels. And the Angels are working for someone else. The story itself is great, exploring River's connection to the Weeping Angels and why she was able to meet Eleven, Amy, and Rory to brief them on the Weeping Angels in that time. The American-sounding voice acting, not so much. It took me back to that Eighth Doctor story with Marchosias in it. I don't know anyone that likes that story at all.
I had some issues with this boxed set. But, to be honest, this set hit a sweet spot for me. I've long wanted a series with River working on her own and not trying to save the lives of other Doctors. Even though the last story is set just before The Angels Take Manhattan, River works these cases without encountering a Doctor. Or a Master, for that matter. As amusing as it is to see River and any of the Doctors work together, this series proves River can work independently of the Doctor and still carry a Diary of River Song series. Hopefully there's more of this in series 8(!).