Project: Destiny
Project: Destiny had a hell of a lot to live up to and sort out. Would Hex die? Would he finally find out his heritage, about who his mother was? And what impact had the Forge’s reappearances throughout his recent life had on the Doctor? Occasionally, when a story like this is released, the need for clarification ruins any plot or interest in the episode, but, Big Finish chose the masterminds behind the whole of the ‘Project:’ trilogy to wrap up, at least some of, the dangling plot threads that had bugged fans incessantly for the last few months.
From what I have seen, the overall feeling for the play is downbeat. What should have been a momentous release was actually a slightly tedious and disappointing story. For many, this was simply from the placement of the story and the timing of its release. Considering it had been over 18 months since the Angel of Scutari closed with a dying Hex in the TARDIS, many people had either forgotten about him or were creating a conclusion in their head that was so extraordinary that anything else would be a disappointment. Add to that the next release to which many hold as the epitome of audio drama, Project: Destiny was relegated to the forget pile, for many an opportunity wasted. Unfortunately, for a time, I also believed this.
However, Re-listening to it almost 3 years after its release has given me a new sense of perspective. Without the agonising wait to hear the conclusion to a long passed cliff-hanger or the feeling of something momentous about to penetrate my ears, I could settle back and enjoy what is a really good story. Granted, it isn’t A Death in the Family, but I now see that it doesn’t deserve the cruel reputation given to it (even by myself in the past). The previous cliff-hanger is resolved in a somewhat predictable way (though I can’t blame them for that, as there really wasn’t any other way to end it, after all, we knew Hex would live). The many subplots about Hex’s past are addressed head on for the first time, and Philip Olivier is given a chance to show many sides to his character that we have never seen before. Seeing the usually compassionate and caring man in such a state of confusion, to a point where he is willing to shoot his best friends, is actually terrifying, more so than the idea of the contagion or the contaminates. Cassie’s final end is also neatly cleared up, giving the final piece she deserves. It also gives the Doctor some relief, to let go of someone he cared about, even if it was another incarnation.
The main contagion plot is really just another take on the zombie apocalypse/doomsday tales. Unfortunately, there really isn’t enough new there to justify an amazing review, it is a good idea and fits the story well, but there just isn’t anything new for the audience. On the other hand, where this subplot excels are its character relationships. The bickering between Ace and Lysandra or between The Doctor and Nimrod is exceptional and really does push the play in new directions. After all, despite the alien contamination, Project: Destiny really is a character piece. Even Nimrod, who in many ways could be seen as quite a 2D villain without much room for development, is pushed into a new light where the audience are forced to question whether this man has truly changed his ways. It is only really the events in part 4 where we realise the truth.
One character obviously made a huge impression with the creators. First time round I missed it, but now I can see how the potential was there. Lysandra went on a journey in more ways than one. In the days, weeks or maybe months this story is set over, there is a noticeable change in her character. To begin with, she is simply a lackey, ‘just following orders’, with a supressed hatred for the Doctor. By the end, she has shed this skin, her times and arguments with Ace have shown her that the Doctor does do good, and she is forced in the end to create her own orders to overthrow the oppressors.
And, as Project: Destiny draws to a dark and quite shocking conclusion (think The Doctor Dances, where that day didn’t go quite as well for the Doctor); I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of faith in Big Finish. After all, if my faith can be redeemed in this serial, then hope can still prevail for the other weaklings straggling at the back (The Natural History of Fear, I’m looking at you!). So, if there is anything that I can recommend about this over anything else, re-listen to it. Months, maybe years down the line, take one return trip to the discs, you may just see it in a new light.
From what I have seen, the overall feeling for the play is downbeat. What should have been a momentous release was actually a slightly tedious and disappointing story. For many, this was simply from the placement of the story and the timing of its release. Considering it had been over 18 months since the Angel of Scutari closed with a dying Hex in the TARDIS, many people had either forgotten about him or were creating a conclusion in their head that was so extraordinary that anything else would be a disappointment. Add to that the next release to which many hold as the epitome of audio drama, Project: Destiny was relegated to the forget pile, for many an opportunity wasted. Unfortunately, for a time, I also believed this.
However, Re-listening to it almost 3 years after its release has given me a new sense of perspective. Without the agonising wait to hear the conclusion to a long passed cliff-hanger or the feeling of something momentous about to penetrate my ears, I could settle back and enjoy what is a really good story. Granted, it isn’t A Death in the Family, but I now see that it doesn’t deserve the cruel reputation given to it (even by myself in the past). The previous cliff-hanger is resolved in a somewhat predictable way (though I can’t blame them for that, as there really wasn’t any other way to end it, after all, we knew Hex would live). The many subplots about Hex’s past are addressed head on for the first time, and Philip Olivier is given a chance to show many sides to his character that we have never seen before. Seeing the usually compassionate and caring man in such a state of confusion, to a point where he is willing to shoot his best friends, is actually terrifying, more so than the idea of the contagion or the contaminates. Cassie’s final end is also neatly cleared up, giving the final piece she deserves. It also gives the Doctor some relief, to let go of someone he cared about, even if it was another incarnation.
The main contagion plot is really just another take on the zombie apocalypse/doomsday tales. Unfortunately, there really isn’t enough new there to justify an amazing review, it is a good idea and fits the story well, but there just isn’t anything new for the audience. On the other hand, where this subplot excels are its character relationships. The bickering between Ace and Lysandra or between The Doctor and Nimrod is exceptional and really does push the play in new directions. After all, despite the alien contamination, Project: Destiny really is a character piece. Even Nimrod, who in many ways could be seen as quite a 2D villain without much room for development, is pushed into a new light where the audience are forced to question whether this man has truly changed his ways. It is only really the events in part 4 where we realise the truth.
One character obviously made a huge impression with the creators. First time round I missed it, but now I can see how the potential was there. Lysandra went on a journey in more ways than one. In the days, weeks or maybe months this story is set over, there is a noticeable change in her character. To begin with, she is simply a lackey, ‘just following orders’, with a supressed hatred for the Doctor. By the end, she has shed this skin, her times and arguments with Ace have shown her that the Doctor does do good, and she is forced in the end to create her own orders to overthrow the oppressors.
And, as Project: Destiny draws to a dark and quite shocking conclusion (think The Doctor Dances, where that day didn’t go quite as well for the Doctor); I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of faith in Big Finish. After all, if my faith can be redeemed in this serial, then hope can still prevail for the other weaklings straggling at the back (The Natural History of Fear, I’m looking at you!). So, if there is anything that I can recommend about this over anything else, re-listen to it. Months, maybe years down the line, take one return trip to the discs, you may just see it in a new light.