Martine: The relationship between Martine and Cassie strikes me as one of the more realistic to be portrayed in a Big Finish story for some time because it is able to develop and crack at a reasonable pace. It feels like a relationship that has been earnt because the time devoted to it, the efforts of the actresses and how it convincingly starts falling apart because of the stresses of real life rather than because of some cod SF reason. When they row incessantly in Martine’s head in this story (an effect of the Swenyo) it reminded me so much of me and my ex at breaking point. Through her hallucinations we get to learn so much more about Martine, but whether the people we experience are fact or Martine’s interpretation of them we will never know. She’s now the richest woman in the universe with all the Swenyo but all the good it is doing for her is to drive her batshit crazy with visions. Her Dad was proud of her for getting out amongst the stars but her Mum just thought she was letting them down and saying there was something wrong with their lives. Speaking us somebody who moved away from his family to a similar reaction, I know exactly what she has been through. It’s very cruel at the climax how the Swenyo convinces Martine that she is talking to Cassie and that she thinks she has the chance to say I love you. The Master cuts through that misconception with cruel honesty and is able to drop his kindly façade and give her the sort of dressing down I am sure he’s wanted to ever since he appeared on Callous.
Standout Performance: Whilst they were used sparingly but to frightening effect in Call for the Dead, this is where the Ood really come into their own. Silas Carson’s smooth voice makes a pleasing counterpoint to Samantha Beart’s more emotional delivery and I loved the scenes of the Ood trying to understand his companion psychologically. Beart really has to sell her hysteria and claustrophobia and she acquits herself beautifully. You really feel that you are struggling with her.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘People forget about me all the time. Perhaps I have that kind of face’ says an Ood!
‘Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind’ ‘I shall be very kind!’
‘The problem with a dead ghost is that however hard you try you just can’t kill him.’
Great Ideas: Cooking and eating Ood is something I never thought I would hear on audio. How very unpleasant.
Audio Landscape: It’s been quite a while since a Big Finish story has kept me on the edge of my seat through its soundscape alone but the opening few minutes of this story are so tightly directed with footsteps, breathing and screams all being used to chilling effect.
Isn’t it Odd: Calling an Ood ‘dood’. Just no.
Standout Scene: I’m still not sure who Jacobi was in the phantasms but the character he played was so much fun, whilst being horribly disturbing at the same time. The weird cockney accent towed the fine line between amusing and bizarre.
Result: Hallucinogenic and claustrophobic with a terrific pair of performances, The Persistence of Dreams is another vivid addition to this set. I can really relate to Martine’s personal and family issues, they reminded me of the worst of my past and so I felt a connection with her as she was put through the emotional wringer whilst exposed to the Swenyo. It’s a complete diversion from the rest of the set and stands out because of it. It’s not often that a Big Finish story allows us to get this close to somebody who is going through the emotional and psychological wringer because that is far too adult material for the regular Doctor Who ranges. Handcock doesn’t mind shoving your face in the mud for a while and Guy Adams is happy to make that happen. The dangers of the mineral that they are mining are laid bare in this instalment, with its ability to soak into your mind and dredge up the worst of the past but bring to the fore in the most disturbing way possible. Imagine the Master, who is an expert of the mind, being in control of an element that can bring people to their knees with the worst of your memories. Samantha Beart has a tricky task of holding up much of this instalment which is packed full of weird, angst ridden, emotive material but she handles it very well, only occasionally relying on hysterics (which is my worst kind of audio experience). Silas Carson was even better in the somewhat thankless role of the Ood character, who is effectively one note but manages to find some real nuance in his role. The direction stands out too with some sequences really telling the story with no dialogue whatsoever. Baffling, challenging and different: 8/10
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