Dark Eyes 3 (Doctor Who) Audio CD – Audiobook, 30 Nov. 2014

Third box set in the 'Dark Eyes' series of Doctor Who audios. Which are a new batch of Adventures for Paul McGann's Doctor.As with the others, this contains four cd boxes inside one bigger cardboard package. Each cd is a single episode in the story, and they run from fifty two to fifty nine minutes in length [approx]. The fourth box also contains a bonus cd, containing sixty eight minutes of interviews with cast and crew.This picks up from the ending to Dark Eyes two. Although it tries to simplify the narrative to make it easy for new listeners to jump on board, the amount of back story the series has built up by now does mean you're probably better off starting with Dark Eyes one. Which did work very well as a jumping on point if you'd not heard any of the preceding Eighth Doctor stories.The Daleks, who had a presence in earlier Dark Eyes releases, don't feature at all in this. The terrifying gaseous aliens the Eminence do. But the focus is on the Master. As the human war against the Eminence rages across space, he seizes the chance to try a new plan to get what he wants. The Doctor's companion Molly O'Sullivan is his unwitting pawn in all of this....The four episodes are:'The Death of Hope,' which sees the Master and his assistant Sally Armstrong arrive on a desolate colony world. They offer the means of salvation from the Eminence that the colonists desperately need. The Doctor doesn't feature in much of this episode, but it steadily draws you in. Alex MacQueen's charming and playful but dangerous take on the Master is as good as in Dark Eyes Two. It does exist to set things up, but it does end up being very involving.'The Reviled' which sees the Doctor reunited with Liv Chenka on a colony world where the indigenous life form have risen up against humanity. The threat of the Eminence arriving is there as well. The Doctor tries his best as ever to stop the fighting and find a peaceful solution for all. But that may not always be possible. This is quite a superb piece, really getting to the heart of the Doctor's character and his beliefs. Which leads to a powerful and realistic ending.In 'Masterplan' the Doctor and the Master find themselves trapped on an out of control spaceship, and are forced to work together to survive and escape. Meanwhile, Sally and Liv have to deal with a brilliant but dangerous scientist. This episode balances two great character two hander pieces, and develops the main plot very nicely.All of which comes to a head in 'Rule of the Eminence'. This borrows one character and the setting from Sixth Doctor audio 'The Seeds of War', but you don't need to have heard that to hear this. The human race has beaten the Eminence. And the war is over. Or so established history says. But the Master knows better, and his plan is finally put into motion...This is a satisfying wrap to the story. It's not quite as good as parts two and three because it has a lot of story to get through so it's not as good character wise, but it does all that it needs to do nicely, leading to a memorable and emotional ending.Which is not quite the end of the series, as Dark Eyes Four follows. But this is another well produced and very satisfying epic tale in a series of them.The extras disc is also well worth a listen. Particularly the very touching final track.

This is one of the best Eighth Doctor's series ever to own

Absolutely excellent. Great product, great price, great service.

killer mcqueen

Great story. Love Paul Mcganns doctor.

really good story

Most excellent.