The Next Universe Review Thread!! (SPOILERS APLENTY!!)

[Si Hunt]

Why is a mouse when it spins?

Si.

[SiHart]

So, the Massanicassan lives on... amazing!

[Richard Brinck-Johnsen]

But has he really been resurrected or is this a version plucked from an earlier point in time before the events of Massanicassa? Continuity headache ahoy!

[Si Hunt]

That's the question!

Si.

[SiHart]

Technically, while Nick's body is actually and irrevocably dead, his spirit lives on with the other Massanicassans within the void of the simulacrum.

[Si Hunt]

... and people playing close attention to Episode 2 will note that "the self renewing Nano Technology of the death zone" can create physical entities, like Father Christmas. Or... Nick? Is it a Nano Nick?

Si.

PS I can't believe I didn't have to look that quote up, I went over that scene so many times in editing

[Paul Monk]

Martin's delivery of 'My pineapple is going everywhere' is one of the funniest moments ever I reckon. Was laughing out loud to myself when I heard that.

[Ian Lethbridge-Stewart]

Martin's delivery of 'My pineapple is going everywhere' is one of the funniest moments ever I reckon. Was laughing out loud to myself when I heard that.

The whole idea of there being a pineapple in it is just funny for a start! I assume it's a reference to what's on the table in one of the TARDIS scenes in the Five Docs!

[Richard Brinck-Johnsen]

Hope we'll get some more of the earlier Doctor and Ed in the final episode. Revisiting that era of the PS Audios has been immense fun.

[SiHart]

The whole idea of there being a pineapple in it is just funny for a start! I assume it's a reference to what's on the table in one of the TARDIS scenes in the Five Docs!

Of course. As you may have noticed, this story is a subtle homage to The Five Doctors, with tiny, little nods to the story here and there...

[Si Hunt]

Yes, very pleased to say that both Doctors and Ed appear in the finale.

Also I'd recommend a refresher listen to "Sting of the Time Bees" as preparationary material.

Si.

[SiHart]

I recommend you listen to every audio we've done, just in case there's something in them...

[Si Hunt]

Quiet you.

Si.

[Antony Cox]

Having now listened to this episode, it's brought back all the memories of recording my Toymaker lines - I'd forgotten all about it! I now distinctly recall deliberately saying one of my lines in exactly the same way as Hibbert delivers a particular line in Spearhead, and it does indeed sound just like him!

Lots of fun to be had in this episode, and doesn't it weave up, down and round like a rollercoaster!

[Ian Lethbridge-Stewart]

I now distinctly recall deliberately saying one of my lines in exactly the same way as Hibbert delivers a particular line in Spearhead, and it does indeed sound just like him!

I'll have to re-listen to it and listen out for that now!

[Antony Cox]

You'll recognise it immediately - the bit in Spearhead is where Hibbert says to the Doc & co when he first meets them:

"...but I can assure you, they can't move on their own accord!"

...or something like that. He kind of laughs when he starts the line and that exactly what I did with old Haymaker.

[Rob McCow]

I thought Ant's turn as the Toymaker was brilliant in The Next Universe. It was even more menacing that it was in Keepsake - great stuff!

[Richard Brinck-Johnsen]

It's also the first time this version of the Toymaker has faced the Doctor and yet Ant and Paul make it sound like it really is a reunion of Gough and Hartnell.

Hopefully that's not the last we'll hear from the Toymaker or from Ben Bassey either. Better not say any more, half the office can probably hear the sound of cogs whirring in my brain

[SiHart]

Who knows where the Doctor will be going next?

[Rob McCow]

It could be Mars or Venus!

[SiHart]

But whatever he may do...

[Martin Penny]

Just had a chance to catch up and listened to both episodes back to back, lovely stuff!

The returning character cameos are great, it seems so long since we last saw Vera and Scott. I think the phone conversation between Harold and the Doctor (with the Doctor and Ed sighing) was probably one of the funniest moments ever - "two hat obsessed shopkeepers are on their way to look after you". I was also chuckling at the Clear Waters appreciation society guy (think it was Si Hart) shouting "BOO! BOO I SAY!"

Part one must surely have the finest cliffhanger ever. There aren't many episodes of Doctor Who that end with Father Christmas machine gunning the companion.

Also love the scene where everybody in Rob sub-conscious is played by Tim, utterly bizarre!

Oh, and Daleks! I had forgotten they were in it, despite doing one of the voices a long time ago, that opening scene was amazing.

[SiHart]

You were a Dalek? Is there no end to your talents Martin?

[Si Hunt]

Oh yes Martin was my Dalek buddy. We did them between us!

SO glad you enjoyed it Martin, it means a lot that it got the Penny stamp of approval!

Si.

[Martin Penny]

I remember doing mine very Peter Hawkinsy!

Another bit that had me guffawing in the car was Father Christmas's ghostly scream, followed by a feint "Ho...ho...hooooooooooo..." as he faded away.

Also, "I'm just knitting! I mean using the time scoop! I mean ironing!"