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Dead Man Walking (Sapphire and Steel)
Also embarrassingly silly is the use of violence and swearing. I'm no prude, and love a little extreme violence now and then. The prison setting could have been enhanced by some appropriate language, here and there. A decent character actor could have a ball with some of the dialogue, whereas the Big Finish Players sound far too sweet, and green. So, instead of raucous prison banter we are treated to sudden outbursts, which reminded me of children shouting 'naughty words' beyond their comprehension. It doesn't add an adult tone, nor make the drama more compelling. It's just cringeworthy, and a little pathetic.
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Dead Man Waffling: The end of the season.
Review date: 2006-02-20 Rating: 6 out of 10
Dead Man Walking: Phew, this is a slight step forward since the last Big Finish Sapphire & Steel release, the dreary and dreadful 'Lighthouse'.
This new audio drama, which is also the last in the current series, is written by Nigel Fairs, who also directs the action. Glancing at the inlay notes reveals that Fairs developed an idea by John Ainsworth, who was approached to pen a script for this unpredictable series. I can't help wonder if the drama would have been different in Ainsworth's hands. For although the quality is better than the previous release, there is still much to disappoint, and annoy.
Why, oh why, do the writers and creative team include child characters and then cast 30-somethings in the roles?! A pivotal scene in this drama is ruined by some snigger worthy acting by Jo Castleton pretending, sorry, I mean acting, out the part of a young boy. It's silly, doesn't work, and never has done. Perhaps Big Finish believe Jimmy Krankie is a real school boy, too?
There are positive sides to this release, I promise. The actual story is effective, evocative and (most importantly) suits Sapphire and Steel. I'm not sure we needed Silver this time round, but I'm sure David Collings was grateful for an afternoon away from the care home. Colling's is a fabulous actor, and has enlivened many a dull fantasy show, but please include him if you need Silver's talents and Colling's saucy tones.
Lastly, I am looking forward to the next season, but please, please, get some decent writers in. The new Doctor Who has proven that non-genre writers can turn in fantastic genre work. So, skip the fanboys and hacks, and get some fresh talent involved.
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Product Details/Specifications
Authors:
Nigel Fairs
Recording label: Big Finish Productions Ltd
Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions Ltd
EAN: 9781844351428
Binding: Audio CD
ISBN: 1844351424
Publication date: 2006-01-01
Format: Audiobook,
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)