The Dark Flame is the second story to feature Bernice Summerfield in the main range. Following on from The Shadow of the Scourge I had high hopes of this one. Trevor Baxendale pens his first script. Like The Shadow of the Scourge this story has links to the Virgin New Adventures and as a result this story feels like a special as it doesn’t have the natural tone of a regular story.
The story would sit very well in the last season as it has dark tones throughout create a grim feel to the whole thing. The relationship between the Doctor, Ace and Benny seems better structured that in Scourge. Lisa Bowerman is wasted in my opinion in her own series and should do more in the main range. The way she is with the other two actors is a joy to listen to.
Thankfully the story is helped due to the strong performances that Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred and Lisa Bowerman give. In particular Aldred’s Ace is more grown up than we have ever witnessed. She always seemed to be more grown-up than previous companions and that has continued with Big Finish. The whole feel of the story isn’t quite right. There are loads of things going for it such as the dark feel to it. There are some great pieces of dialogue which help carry the story along. Michael Praed was also very good as Slyde and was another good piece of casting.
When the whole thing had ended I felt that it was a far better effort than Scourge. The characters, the plot and more importantly the feel of the whole product was far better. Baxendale should be given the opportunity to write another story at some point down the road.
The story would sit very well in the last season as it has dark tones throughout create a grim feel to the whole thing. The relationship between the Doctor, Ace and Benny seems better structured that in Scourge. Lisa Bowerman is wasted in my opinion in her own series and should do more in the main range. The way she is with the other two actors is a joy to listen to.
Thankfully the story is helped due to the strong performances that Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred and Lisa Bowerman give. In particular Aldred’s Ace is more grown up than we have ever witnessed. She always seemed to be more grown-up than previous companions and that has continued with Big Finish. The whole feel of the story isn’t quite right. There are loads of things going for it such as the dark feel to it. There are some great pieces of dialogue which help carry the story along. Michael Praed was also very good as Slyde and was another good piece of casting.
When the whole thing had ended I felt that it was a far better effort than Scourge. The characters, the plot and more importantly the feel of the whole product was far better. Baxendale should be given the opportunity to write another story at some point down the road.
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