Project: Torchwood: Mark Morris

Once again, another month in lockdown and it seems we’re far from clear of this invisible threat to humankind. It’s funny how it sounds so much like one of the sci fi programmes and films we’ve grown up watching on the television over the years.

So, our intrepid team have put their noggins together and brought you yet more reviews of some stonkingly awesome audios from Big Finish, and those old Classic Doctor Who episodes from yesteryear. Also, our Who reviewer Matt has written a Who story that will blow your socks off. I’m in absolute awe of it. Do please mind you read A Doubtful Holiday. I can actually visualise the companions of the 13^th Doctor pulling all those expressions.

We see Lady Mayhurst’s first chapter of Laura from her Dark Doctor series begin, with Chapter 2 airing in July. You can always get ahead of the stories by visiting the Dark Doctor Page on Facebook (link is in last month’s Issue.

Andrew has delighted us with both parts of the Sarah Jane Adventure story – The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith – bring some hankies, it’s a tear jerker.

We delve into the horror story that is Apostle, for some DW, SJA and TW connections and scare ourselves silly with the film itself. I have to admit, it’s just not my cup of tea, or coffee or milkshake. I’m such a wimp! But there are a lot of cast in there and some surprising scary ass make up that leaves you asking yourself – is that really Gwen’s Mum – Mary Cooper???

We have more Lockdown Specials to share with you and we hope to have more next month, along with hopefully a little surprise to share with you all. So, watch this space. If you want to get involved in the Lockdown Specials by writing one of your own, do please get in touch with us. We’d love to share your stories.

Thank you as ever to all the wonderful people who have shared their stories and their reviews with us this month.

Which leaves me with only one more thing to say.

Croeso i Issue 81: WATNOW: MD: Dead of Night (bit of a mouthful, I have to admit).

Djak

Articles Lockdown Special June Edition by DJ Forrest

Hi Folks

For our June Edition of Lockdown Special, we have not only writers and broadcasters, we also have our very own team writer, Matt, adding his words to the post. If you would like to join in with our Lockdown articles, do please get in touch as we’d all love to hear from you.

Monday, 5 November 2018

Big Finish Reviews+ The Dispossessed by Tony J Fyler

Tony is possessed of an urge to run away.

There are some stories which, whenever you watch them, make you ache with sadness for what could have been, had the tone been different, had the budgets been higher, had the overall intention been clearer and bolder.

We all have our own list of those stories, and many of the names on those lists will be different from fan to fan.

Mark Morris’ story The Dispossessed isn’t, in any fundamental way, the darker, more horrific, more effective evil elder brother of Paradise Towers. But you’d be forgiven for drawing comparisons between the two, as even Mel almost does here.

A vertical living environment, with lifts that sometimes go nowhere, and other times go somewhere you’d rather they didn’t. A wandering gang of husk-like former residence, drained by some unknown force and set to wander the halls and walkways, looking for others to turn. Two young people hiding out in this madhouse world, trying to survive. A brusque efficient stranger with a winning manner and a job to do. And lurking somewhere, the force behind the world-within-a-world, responsible for everything, but subtle. Winning. Persuasive. A kind vampirically plausible mind with a need that can only be fulfilled by more, and more, and more –

Erm…it’s a bit dark, this one.

And yet for all that, it’s only really dark when you sit back and look at what you’ve heard. As a listen, The Dispossessed doesn’t really wear its themes too heavily, so you don’t plod through it. Rather you spin, in something like a waltz, from character-group to character-group, getting piece after piece after piece of the picture and crucially, not being conspicuously clear in your mind till pretty late in the game who’s behind the set up in which we find ourselves, or whether there’s actually an objective wrongdoer here. Morris balances our expectations and the delivery of crucial information well, to build a kind of dystopia which could all be a misunderstanding…but is it?

Ace and Mel find themselves separated from the Doctor after a smack-in-the-face, did-not-see-that-coming cliffhanger, and we build up contradictory pictures of what’s going on depending on whether we follow the Doctor’s storyline or that of his friends. While the Doctor gets involved in the fight for survival and the mission of an unusual visitor, Ace and Mel get an altogether different perspective on events and realities, and Morris plays with our minds right into episode 4, while nevertheless delivering some solid eighties scares and drama and a pulse of something altogether more 21^st century in terms of its unnerving allegory of fake news.

The case is surprisingly small for a story that delivers quite complex and multi-layered thrills of unease. Morgan Watkins and Anna Mitcham as Ruck and Jan play it straight, likeable but never too sickly-sweet, whereas Stirling Gallacher’s Isobel comes across as bluff and focused all at once – but is there more to her mission? Meanwhile, Nick Ellsworth brings a real ‘Count Dracula welcoming you to his home’ vibe to Arkallax, supposed at least by Isobel to be a monster, when he encounters Ace and Mel, and happily, expansively – but truthfully? – tells them the story of his flight from a past that went wrong. Who can be trusted in this spiderweb of storytelling? The Doctor eventually presents himself as part-saviour, part-sacrifice to try and break his friends free of the rules which govern the absurdist dark world in which they find themselves, and Morris actually makes you wonder, in a series where the hero always has to win eventually, whether in fact that’ll happen this time, and whether the Doctor may finally have over-extended himself in his self-belief.

The story ends with another of those ‘didn’t-see-that-coming’ punches in the face, this time from a totally unsuspected direction. We’d love to spoiler it for you, but we can’t, because a) friends don’t spoiler endings for friends, and b) it leads directly in to the thoroughly bizarre premise of the next story in the Seventh Doctor’s adventures.

The Dispossessed is not, as we’ve said, the evil elder brother of Paradise Towers. But if a vacancy opened up for that role, Mark Morris would be more than staking his claim on it with this story – it’s eighties tower block terror synthesised through a modern psychological horror mindset and sprinkled with just a touch of Seventh Doctor magic.

Thursday, 5 April 2018

Beyond the TARDIS Bafflegab: Blood on Satan's Claw by Tony J Fyler

Tony’s feeling devilish.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

(Sigh). Thank you. Just needed to get that out of my system.

I used to be a horror fan. These days, I’m older and less fearless, and so it’s quite possible that horror stories will just give me the screaming heebie-jeebies.

Spoiler alert: Get some heebie-jeebie insurance before you listen to Blood On Satan’s Claw, adapted from the 1971 movie by horror writer, and on the basis of this, scary git, Mark Morris, and released by Bafflegab. Get as much heebie-jeebie insurance as you can afford, frankly, because this thing gets you coming and going.

The weird thing is it absolutely shouldn’t work.

It’s a story of 17^th century rural folk, and it’s pretty black and white in its worldview: God is good, and represented by the forces of the Establishment. Satan is evil, and real, and represented by sex and violence that slip their bounds and infect society. It’s more or less The Archers meets Hellraiser.

There’s no real way that should scare the pants off us in the 21^st century. We’re a relatively secular society these days, all grown-up and cynical and sneering at the nature of ‘the Devil.’

This audio works. It works jussssst fine, thank you very much.

It works because it strikes enough modern notes and balances them against the classical to deliver a taut drama of the edge of things – 17^th century good and evil might be its primary colours, but there’s a modern sensibility in evidence here: teenage sexuality, innocence and experience are all on display as part of the fight for the soul of the village, along with peer pressure, the unrestrained ambition of the young, the potential effect of grief as a portal to ‘dark forces.’

That’s the thing. If you’re scared of devils and demons, this’ll scare the pants off you. If you prefer your horror modern and rich, vivid and psychological – this’ll scare the pants off you. Either way, the chances are, you’re going to finish this one shivering and pantless.

Where Blood On Satan’s Claw is most successful is in its atmosphere – from early in the story, Angel and Margaret, (the two leaders of the revolution of the young which forms the backbone of the story here), flaunt their sexuality to Mark (one of a few avatars of corruptible and incorruptible youth), and you’re constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the tease of terror embodied by their ‘worldly’ knowledge to materialise into the actual, outright horror of action. It doesn’t under-deliver either – there are a handful of sequences which are truly gruesome or sickening to contemplate, including at least a couple of killings, and a whispery children’s demon-summoning ceremony. But it’s in the self-assurance of ‘devilish’ characters, chiefly Angel and Margaret, that the tension is stoked – their knowledge of ‘worldly’ things, the easy scorn they pour on the strictures of 17^th century society and establishment, and the resonances of that power with the sexualised youth of our own day and age, make them very compelling devils to follow.

Mark Morris’ Blood On Satan’s Claw delivers more than two hours of a world going mad from the bottom up, in a production that bristles with fear both ancient and modern, and keeps you constantly on edge, waiting for the next episode of ghastly, demonic bullying to come and put you through the wringer.

On the strength of this release, we can only look forward to further upcoming dabbles with classic horror – watch out soon, as Bafflegab brings Clive Barker’s The Hellbound Heart to audio life. After this adventure into the heart of youthful darkness, we say bring it on! Just let us invest in some heebie-jeebie insurance first.

Thursday, 7 September 2017

Who Reviews Forever Autumn by DJ Forrest

Written by Mark Morris

For BBC Books

Published 2007

Forever Autumn by Mark Morris has sat on my bookshelf for ever such a long time. I had this idea to read them all once I’d purchased every single 10^th Doctor novel. However, there’s been a considerable number of books published involving the 10^th Doctor, with the varying companions and there are still a few I don’t as yet own, and because of this, I decided I wanted to read them all in order. That’s not as easy as it sounds, and so it sat there, and waited. Until eventually, when I stared at the considerable array of novels on several shelves, that, I needed to read them, review them, and then decide which ones deserved to remain on the shelf, or go to the auction site.

I have a few favourite authors, and I’ve kept a few of the novels because I like the structure of them, the writing of them, and the humour within, and those who seem to connect with the 10^th that others seem to lack. And you notice that within the story – which ones have the 10^th pegged perfectly. Which ones can write about the companions and ‘get them’ before they become immortal, or before they grew a brain and became less of the temp from Chiswick but a companion you’d warm to.

I’m aware that the novels are aimed at a younger reader than myself – although in some ways, some of the novels don’t make it as obvious as others.

Forever Autumn never has that feeling that it’s aiming its story at a much younger audience, but I guess it is. One reader pointed out recently, one tiny flaw with the story, in that the author had slipped up in writing about a character’s back yard, calling it a ‘garden’. A minor detail when you think of the bigger picture that the story conveys.

I was quite taken by the alien content in the story, continuing with the Halloween feel to it, by having wraith like creatures that reminded me of the Silents in a dementor costume, with swirling green mists making life difficult for the locals to do much, other than run when scary ass clown suits chase them down the street, hell bent on wreaking destruction wherever they go.

I liked, no, I loved this story. It’s a Keeps for sure. Mark Morris is a fantastic writer, who knows how to scare the crap out of you. If this is a book for young children, then I am surely a wimp. Hell, I know I’m a wimp. I only have to look at Mark Morris’ Facebook profile to remind myself of a childhood fear, and one that I’m now hoping I’ll not have etched on my mind when I go to sleep tonight.

Halloween is a time of monsters and aliens, of rocket ships and spirits, of pumpkins and graveyards, of Time Lords and Drs, and things that go mwhahaha in the night. Be sure that cushion is big enough to hide behind, that you’ve checked the strength of those torch batteries – because when the lights go out, you’ll want to be sure you’ve got a safe place to hide.

Well I’m spooked already!

Monday, 7 August 2017

The Whoniverse Round-Up August 2017

August 2017

John Barrowman

This month saw John Barrowman rushed to hospital with an appendicitis. After surgery to remove his appendix, he now sports three holes in his belly, which we’ve yet to see – but not sure we really want to. He vlogged his way through his stay at the hospital, watched over by his Mum and Dad and sister Carole. Heavily sedated for the pain, he kept his fans up to date on everything, slipping in and out of his Scottish accent that we don’t often get to hear – unless he’s with his family.

Glad to note that surgery went well and he’s home convalescing. Or out Comic Conning!

Steven Savile.

Primeval: Shadow of the Jaguar written by Steven Savile is to be made into a fan made film. Steven has been in talks with The Primeval Site guys on Twitter, and putting the finishing touches to the script for the film. If you were a fan of the Primeval series, then you will be excited as I am to see this story mark the 10th anniversary of the series. Yes, folks. 10 years since Primeval first aired. Can you believe it? No, I was shocked too.

Primeval brought us such great characters and creatures, got a little bit confusing, lost the plot a few times, but all in all, a brilliant tea time series to keep our imagination flowing long after the series ended.

The special effects alone were worth sticking around for, and the 'will they, won't they' moments with Abby and Connor were top of the agenda.

To keep pace with the film as it's put together, check out the Primeval X website for teasers, clips and trailers and exclusive behind the scenes, coming soon.

http://theprimevalsite.weebly.com/primeval-x.html

As well as this exciting news, Steven has a few books to look out for this year. If you’re a fan of Akiri, there’s a third novel out on Tuesday. Akiri Sands of Darkness and Akiri Dragonbane have also just been released.

Winter’s Rage with Sean Black will be due for release soon, and Glass Town is out in December, which means, I’m going to need a bigger bookcase!!!

Paul Magrs

Did you know that Paul Magrs is also an illustrator? No, neither did I. I knew he could draw, and paint, but I didn’t realise he was now an accomplished illustrator.

You can check out his work in Terry Molloy’s new book Montmorency Montgomery Bear - The Bear with the Ginormous Heart. Published by FBS Publishing Limited. If you give @Montmorencybear a follow on Twitter you’ll discover more about his new book.

Guy Adams

Guy has a new book out in January 2018, which you can preorder through Amazon which will intrigue gamers and readers alike. Follow the link or go onto the solarisbooks website for more in depth details

http://www.solarisbooks.com/post/2155

Mark Morris

Check out Mark's new book releases this month. His Obsidian Heart novels are up to their third instalment are out NOW.

Mark has also written the movie novelisation of The Great Wall, a film I had my sights set on watching but just haven't managed to get to a cinema yet. The original story was written by Thomas Tull and Max Brooks.

You can find further details of Mark’s novels by visiting his website or clicking the link here. http://www.markmorrisfiction.com/news-1/

Definitely going to need a bigger bookcase this year.

And possibly work permanent overtime!!!

So, if you’re a book fiend such as me, then you’ll need to talk nicely to the bank manager or do some serious saving. These are books worth collecting.

That’s it for this month. Meet us back here in September for some more tasty treats!

Sunday, 15 June 2014

News Happy Birthday Mark Morris & Susan Bomkamp

Candace Brown and Simon Callow also celebrate today!

On this day 15^th June, there are absolutely no original broadcasted episodes of Doctor Who or Torchwood. Believe me I’ve searched! So in the words of 10^th Doctor – “I am so sorry!”

However, celebrating your birthday with three people from the world of Who and Torchwood is in itself something to be proud of.

Mark Morris is a writer of horror, including several Doctor Who novels & one of my favourite, if not scariest Torchwood novel – Bay of the Dead. When you pick up a Mark Morris novel, it’s very difficult to put it down. Check out our interview with Mark last year. http://projecttorchwood.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/interviews-mark-morris.html

Candace Brown starred as Sarah Drummond, Esther’s sister in Miracle Day. However Candace is no stranger to television. She is best known for her roles in Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives (Mrs Chapman), the Wizards of Waverly Place as well as The Mindy Project as Lauren Ordenstein.

Simon Callow is no stranger to the world of Who, having provided the voice of Tree Blathereen in The Sarah Jane Adventures, Simon is probably better known for his role in Doctor Who as Charles Dickens, in the 9^th Doctor episode: The Unquiet Dead and again in 2011 in ‘The Wedding of River Song’ with the 11^th Doctor.

Those of us who remember and love all things Richard Curtis however, will remember Simon’s portrayal of Gareth in the 1994 film ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ still one of my favourite films, if only for the eulogy read by John Hannah.

Others celebrating their birthday today are: Ice Cube, Noddy Holder, Brian Jacques (author), Anna Hazare and Gary Lightbody to name a few.

Have a fantastic day guys, you deserve it!

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Callow#Film

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candace_Brown

Sunday, 1 December 2013

Who Reviews Issue 8 Ghosts of India by Simon Mallinson

Written by Mark Morris

Published in 2008 by BBC Books
ISBN 978-1-846-07559-9

India in 1947 is a country in the grip of chaos - a country torn apart by internal strife. When the Doctor and Donna arrive in Calcutta, they are instantly swept up in violent events.

Barely escaping with their lives, they discover that the city is rife with tales of 'half-made men', who roam the streets at night and steal people away. These creatures, it is said, are as white as salt and have only shadows where their eyes should be.

With help from India's great spiritual leader, Mohandas 'Mahatma' Gandhi, the Doctor and Donna set out to investigate these rumours.

What is the real truth behind the 'half-made men'? Why is Gandhi's role in history under threat? And has an ancient, all-powerful god of destruction really come back to wreak his vengeance upon the Earth?

Featuring the Tenth Doctor and Donna as played by David Tennant and Catherine Tate in the hit Doctor Who series from BBC Television.

Mark has written a good story with this book, again he has portrayed The Doctor very well and Donna wow, she nearly came out of the book and hit me.

The story is well written with a lot of care given to a historical period which would divide some people. The characters are very convincing; the monster does start to make you think.

I am coming to think that Mark is a very good horror writer, as this book tends to make the goose bumps appear if reading at night, also you tend to start looking at people in a different light.

Again people I would advise everyone to read this book, at the very least watching Jewel in the Crown will never be the same again. Top marks Mark, keep on writing this calibre of work and you be a household name in no time.

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Who Reviews Forever Autumn by Simon Mallinson

Written by Mark Morris

Published by BBC Books

ISBN 978-1-8460-7270-3

It is almost Halloween in the sleepy New England town of Blackwood Falls. Leaves litter lawns and sidewalks, paper skeletons hang in the windows, and carved pumpkins leer from front porches.

The Doctor and Martha soon discover that something long-dormant has awoken, and this will be no ordinary Halloween. What is the secret of the ancient tree and the book discovered tangled in its roots? What rises from the churchyard at night, sealing the lips of the only witness? Why are the harmless trappings of Halloween suddenly taking on a creepy new life of their own?

As nightmarish creatures prowl the streets, the Doctor and Martha must battle to prevent both the townspeople and themselves from suffering a grisly fate. . .

Featuring the Doctor and Martha as played by David Tennant and Freema Agyeman in the hit series from BBC Television.

I have put the synopsis from the actually book as the person who wrote it has done a great job of concise description. From the start of this book which is always best read on a dark and moody autumn night, you will find yourself transported into this small New England Town.

Quickly the story sucks you in, and you find yourself screaming err please don't do that or that is going to hurt. I have never really found myself so engrossed in a book until now. Mark's portrayal of The Doctor and Martha is spookily accurate and visions of the TV series flashes between your eyes and you start hearing the voices.

The story doesn't skip on that horror vibe as well, which is very refreshing and you find yourself looking over your shoulder and hearing creaks and footsteps in the house.

I would advise everyone to read this story and jump and squeal with delight. Thank you Mark in this book you have done wonders and it deserves to be read.

Pages

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Articles Welcome to Issue 81 WATNOW: MD: Dead of Night

Articles Lockdown Special June Edition by DJ Forrest

Monday, 5 November 2018

Big Finish Reviews+ The Dispossessed by Tony J Fyler

Thursday, 5 April 2018

Beyond the TARDIS Bafflegab: Blood on Satan's Claw by Tony J Fyler

Thursday, 7 September 2017

Who Reviews Forever Autumn by DJ Forrest

Monday, 7 August 2017

The Whoniverse Round-Up August 2017

Sunday, 15 June 2014

News Happy Birthday Mark Morris & Susan Bomkamp

Sunday, 1 December 2013

Who Reviews Issue 8 Ghosts of India by Simon Mallinson

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Who Reviews Forever Autumn by Simon Mallinson

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