Author: Derelict Space Sheep

Doctor Who: The Power of Three

Doctor Who: The Power of Three

by Chris Chibnall; dir. Douglas Mackinnon (BBC, 2012)

TV poster: “Doctor Who: The Power of Three” by Chris Chibnall; dir. Douglas Mackinnon (BBC, 2012)

An important episode in Amy and Rory’s storyline. Gentle humour, endearing character moments, but the ‘stuff of nightmares’ Shakri are brushed aside with laughable ease. Chibnall might have done better to spend less time on Rory’s dad and more on the resolution.

Space 1999: Breakaway

Space 1999: Breakaway

by E. C. Tubb (Orbit, 1975)

Book cover: “Space 1999: Breakaway” by E. C. Tubb (Orbit, 1975)

A novelisation of episodes 1, 13, 19 and 10 (production code rather than broadcast order) of the 1975 British SF series. Tubb’s prose is slapdash, and the stitching together of crises affords a lurching, improbable quality to science that already obliterated credulity.

Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes

Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes

dir. Mikkel Nørgaard (2013) [Danish, subtitled; originally ‘Kvinden i buret’]

Film poster: “Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes” dir. Mikkel Nørgaard (2013) [Danish, subtitled; originally ‘Kvinden i buret’]

Danish cold case crime drama whose value (beyond standard Nordic Noir) lies in a killer driven by plausible motivation, and the ‘thrown-together’ relationship between brooding misanthrope police detective Carl Mørck (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) and his genial new immigrant partner Assad (Fares Fares).

Twilight Covenant

Twilight Covenant

by Whitney Hill (Benu Media, 2024)

Book cover: “Twilight Covenant” by Whitney Hill (Benu Media, 2024)

A rousing conclusion to both the Trickster Cycle and Shadows of Otherside. Arden signs off in style, as she (and no doubt Hill) finally grows tired of pulling punches in the fight for rights and recognition. A breathless, one-sitting read, gloriously cathartic!

A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle of Endymion

A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle of Endymion

dir. Hiroshi Nishikiori (2013)

Film poster: “A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle of Endymion” dir. Hiroshi Nishikiori (2013)

This feature-length anime offers a suitably grand-scale plot playing out within the Certain Magical/Certain Scientific universe. Unfortunately, there’s rather too much bitsy interplay between established characters, and not enough focus on newcomers Arisa, Shutaura, and Ladylee Tangleroad, whose stories actually underpin events.

The Key to Rondo

The Key to Rondo

by Emily Rodda (Omnibus/Scholastic, 2007)

audiobook read by Edwina Wren (Bolinda, 2010)

Book cover: “The Key to Rondo” by Emily Rodda (Omnibus/Scholastic, 2007); audiobook read by Edwina Wren (Bolinda, 2010)

A manifestly competent tween quest fantasy that does most things right, if perhaps leaning a little too heavily into established fairytale elements. When betting on opening chapters (against those of, say, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), put your money on Rodda.

Doctor Who: The Unquiet Dead

Doctor Who: The Unquiet Dead

by Mark Gatiss; dir. Euros Lyn (BBC, 2005)

DVD cover: “Doctor Who: The Unquiet Dead” by Mark Gatiss; dir. Euros Lyn (BBC, 2005)

A pronounced example, early in the format, of everything happening too fast. While Dickens and Gwyneth are good value, and there’s depths to plumb in Eccleston’s Doctor’s fair-weather avuncularity (a domineering temper simmering behind the goofy grin), it all just rattles by.

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice (1994)

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice

by Laurie R. King (St Martin’s Press, 1994; reprinted Allison & Busby, 2010)

Book cover: “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” by Laurie R. King (St Martin’s Press, 1994; reprinted Allison & Busby, 2010)

Mary Russell proves both a worthy viewpoint protagonist and a match for her mentor, albeit her intellect is kept largely unflaunted. King presents a respectful and convincing characterising of Holmes in his older years (likewise depictions of Mycroft, Watson and Mrs Hudson).

Chaos;Head (2013)

ChäoS;HEAd

by Toshiki Inoue; dir. Takaaki Ishiyama (2013)

TV poster: “ChäoS;HEAd” by Toshiki Inoue; dir. Takaaki Ishiyama (2013)

12-part anime adaptation. Chaos;Head captures the disturbing essence of a shut-in’s societal withdrawal and delusions, yet alienates viewers by heaping on too many layers of unreality (especially as protagonist Takumi Nishijo remains a wet dishmop with zero personality beyond jejune inner monologuing).

Derelict Space Sheep