Forget the war and death and boring stuff like that with another trip to the Braxiatel Collection!
1 Comment
Tom Swift
on May 9, 2016 at 3:55 AM
The Final Amendment
Set concurrently to the ‘End of the World’, we have Bernice Summerfield on her own separate adventure, with her completely unaware of what’s happened. It’s clear that both writers have talked to each other, with some scenes (a tragic final phone call) shared across both plays. And thematically there are other parallels; whilst ‘The End of the World’ is about humans looking at the world and struggling to understand, ‘The Final Amendment’ is about the media looking at us mere humans and warping them beyond recognition.
There are some particularly nice touches here. The story is about clones, particularly some created for a Jason Kane television show (whilst one play offers the dead a final shot of redemption, here we see the real sins of the damned). Joseph Lidster mixes in some important messages about family values and fundamental morals, with some cheap shots at the media and the range’s own history (including a very recognisable cameo).
Taking centre stage in this production alongside Bernice is Sara Carver, ably playing Kadiatu-Lethbridge Stewart, a character from the Virgin books who hasn’t seen the light of day for over ten years. She’s introduced clearly enough here with a few references to her history, but fortunately there’s practically no foreknowledge required to understand her here. Her on/off relationship with Bernice is actually part of the stories strongest aspects, as its one of the few parts which doesn’t go horrendously over-the-top. Yes, this is once another story, where the villains really ARE mad-cackling evil people plotting the end of the world with a smile and a wink… And it works, but only because of the really-really macabre things going on in the background to pull you back to earth.
The Final Amendment is a strong release, with plenty of different aspects to recommend of its own. Consistently moving and witty it’s a fine addition to what seems to be the range’s strongest series of audios so far. Yet though, it’s strongest selling point, must be that ‘bizzare’ trailer that kicks things off…
The Final Amendment
Set concurrently to the ‘End of the World’, we have Bernice Summerfield on her own separate adventure, with her completely unaware of what’s happened. It’s clear that both writers have talked to each other, with some scenes (a tragic final phone call) shared across both plays. And thematically there are other parallels; whilst ‘The End of the World’ is about humans looking at the world and struggling to understand, ‘The Final Amendment’ is about the media looking at us mere humans and warping them beyond recognition.
There are some particularly nice touches here. The story is about clones, particularly some created for a Jason Kane television show (whilst one play offers the dead a final shot of redemption, here we see the real sins of the damned). Joseph Lidster mixes in some important messages about family values and fundamental morals, with some cheap shots at the media and the range’s own history (including a very recognisable cameo).
Taking centre stage in this production alongside Bernice is Sara Carver, ably playing Kadiatu-Lethbridge Stewart, a character from the Virgin books who hasn’t seen the light of day for over ten years. She’s introduced clearly enough here with a few references to her history, but fortunately there’s practically no foreknowledge required to understand her here. Her on/off relationship with Bernice is actually part of the stories strongest aspects, as its one of the few parts which doesn’t go horrendously over-the-top. Yes, this is once another story, where the villains really ARE mad-cackling evil people plotting the end of the world with a smile and a wink… And it works, but only because of the really-really macabre things going on in the background to pull you back to earth.
The Final Amendment is a strong release, with plenty of different aspects to recommend of its own. Consistently moving and witty it’s a fine addition to what seems to be the range’s strongest series of audios so far. Yet though, it’s strongest selling point, must be that ‘bizzare’ trailer that kicks things off…
8 / 10