Derelict Space Sheep
@maxmooneydss.bsky.social
42 word reviews
www.derelictspacesheep.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/36777029-derelict-space-sheep.com
www.derelictspacesheep.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/36777029-derelict-space-sheep.com
The one bona fide classic from Red Dwarf’s Dave years. The regulars bring effortless timing and character dynamics. Naylor revels in the trivially absurd, seeding jokes for harvesting on the fly and then offering a delightful, Dwarfishly droll commentary on religious idolatry. #RedDwarf #Lemons
November 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
A sadly diminished swansong. The missions remain fun but the writers lose their way trying to integrate relationship issues and deep-and-meaningful conversations that a) the actors can’t pull off, and b) the characters for some reason can never attempt while in transit. #MacGyver
November 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
A sadly diminished swansong. The missions remain fun but the writers lose their way trying to integrate relationship issues and deep-and-meaningful conversations that a) the actors can’t pull off, and b) the characters for some reason can never attempt while in transit. #MacGyver
An unusual three-plus-one-parter. The Cybermen don’t offer much, but the androids serve (with considerably more nuance) to explore the grey area between human and artificial life. Terry Molloy plays an authority figure without megalomaniacal ambitions, which makes for a nice change! #DoctorWho
November 21, 2025 at 10:48 AM
An unusual three-plus-one-parter. The Cybermen don’t offer much, but the androids serve (with considerably more nuance) to explore the grey area between human and artificial life. Terry Molloy plays an authority figure without megalomaniacal ambitions, which makes for a nice change! #DoctorWho
There’s a SF idea hiding somewhere in this 4-parter, but it’s overwhelmed by a soundscape of chaotic action scenes and a pointlessly cackling villain(ess). In partial mitigation, Peri and Erimem are granted some airtime. Peter Davison puts on his usual acting masterclass. #DoctorWho #AxisofInsanity
November 17, 2025 at 9:22 AM
There’s a SF idea hiding somewhere in this 4-parter, but it’s overwhelmed by a soundscape of chaotic action scenes and a pointlessly cackling villain(ess). In partial mitigation, Peri and Erimem are granted some airtime. Peter Davison puts on his usual acting masterclass. #DoctorWho #AxisofInsanity
The mystery element sits largely in the background of this Second World War POW story—as would have been the reality! Gilbert himself was interned in northern Italy in just such a camp as depicted. The upshot is a thoroughly convincing narrative. #DeathInCaptivity #MichaelGilbert #WWII
November 16, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The mystery element sits largely in the background of this Second World War POW story—as would have been the reality! Gilbert himself was interned in northern Italy in just such a camp as depicted. The upshot is a thoroughly convincing narrative. #DeathInCaptivity #MichaelGilbert #WWII
This swinging sixties invasion story starts out in full flippancy mode and just barely injects enough seriousness to keep its regulars from losing all credibility. Tom Baker and Lalla Ward do ultimately walk that fine line, producing a fun if throwaway two-parter. #DoctorWho #WaveofDestruction
November 13, 2025 at 8:44 AM
This swinging sixties invasion story starts out in full flippancy mode and just barely injects enough seriousness to keep its regulars from losing all credibility. Tom Baker and Lalla Ward do ultimately walk that fine line, producing a fun if throwaway two-parter. #DoctorWho #WaveofDestruction
A gentle fairytale that foregrounds, in its young protagonist, a healthy lack of preconceptions. Through Odd, Gaiman subtly modernises the genre’s worldview, bringing clarity and self-awareness (plus a certain phlegmatic Britishness) to the endlessly fascinating characters of Norse mythology.
November 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM
A gentle fairytale that foregrounds, in its young protagonist, a healthy lack of preconceptions. Through Odd, Gaiman subtly modernises the genre’s worldview, bringing clarity and self-awareness (plus a certain phlegmatic Britishness) to the endlessly fascinating characters of Norse mythology.
A straight historical adventure, engagingly scripted and giving Ace and Hex some room to breathe. On the downside, Sutton resorts to the usual, lazy trope of a mentally unhinged human adversary, while needlessly dredging up famous personages (Florence Nightingale, perhaps, but Tolstoy?!). #DoctorWho
November 11, 2025 at 9:02 AM
A straight historical adventure, engagingly scripted and giving Ace and Hex some room to breathe. On the downside, Sutton resorts to the usual, lazy trope of a mentally unhinged human adversary, while needlessly dredging up famous personages (Florence Nightingale, perhaps, but Tolstoy?!). #DoctorWho
A six-parter adapted by Parkin from his own novel. In script and performance, ‘Cold Fusion’ perfectly captures (indeed, elevates) the early Davison era—an exemplar of what Big Finish can accomplish when not going through the motions or faffing about with Daleks. #DoctorWho #ColdFusion
November 10, 2025 at 1:21 PM
A six-parter adapted by Parkin from his own novel. In script and performance, ‘Cold Fusion’ perfectly captures (indeed, elevates) the early Davison era—an exemplar of what Big Finish can accomplish when not going through the motions or faffing about with Daleks. #DoctorWho #ColdFusion
Stitched-together short stories, none especially gripping. The racial depiction of Fu Manchu isn’t so problematic as the sledgehammered assertion of villainy, which itself is nothing compared to Petrie’s besotted witterings re Kâramanèh. Bolen reads as if auditioning for a Bertie Wooster gig.
November 9, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Stitched-together short stories, none especially gripping. The racial depiction of Fu Manchu isn’t so problematic as the sledgehammered assertion of villainy, which itself is nothing compared to Petrie’s besotted witterings re Kâramanèh. Bolen reads as if auditioning for a Bertie Wooster gig.
Minchin’s latest musical potpourri encompassed heartfelt life insights, barn-burning social commentary and exquisitely timed expectation gags (laced with self-aware, wildly inappropriate escalations!). Highlights included 'Turn', 'Lullaby' and 'White Wine in the Sun'…plus riotous song introductions.
November 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Minchin’s latest musical potpourri encompassed heartfelt life insights, barn-burning social commentary and exquisitely timed expectation gags (laced with self-aware, wildly inappropriate escalations!). Highlights included 'Turn', 'Lullaby' and 'White Wine in the Sun'…plus riotous song introductions.
A light mystery that mostly solves itself, under cover of Daniel’s poised audiobook reading and the infectious enthusiasm carried over by Greenwood from her copious research into 1920s Melbourne (especially Chinese immigrant culture), the theatre and Gilbert & Sullivan (Ruddigore in particular).
November 5, 2025 at 10:41 AM
A light mystery that mostly solves itself, under cover of Daniel’s poised audiobook reading and the infectious enthusiasm carried over by Greenwood from her copious research into 1920s Melbourne (especially Chinese immigrant culture), the theatre and Gilbert & Sullivan (Ruddigore in particular).
A cleverly executed MG novel. Things mostly go wrong for the protagonists—a seven-year-old boy, his 11-year-old brother and sister, their grandpa and his dog—but their travails are told with humour and they come away with a deeper appreciation of family. #BetsyByars #TheNotJustAnybodyFamily
November 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
A cleverly executed MG novel. Things mostly go wrong for the protagonists—a seven-year-old boy, his 11-year-old brother and sister, their grandpa and his dog—but their travails are told with humour and they come away with a deeper appreciation of family. #BetsyByars #TheNotJustAnybodyFamily
An excellent follow-up season leading inevitably to cancellation. Alongside the female empowerment and action/investigation plot strands, the writers work in an honestly-played relationship breakup explored from the angle of how it affects a stepmum (Jessica Alba) and stepdaughter (Sophie Reynolds).
November 3, 2025 at 10:31 AM
An excellent follow-up season leading inevitably to cancellation. Alongside the female empowerment and action/investigation plot strands, the writers work in an honestly-played relationship breakup explored from the angle of how it affects a stepmum (Jessica Alba) and stepdaughter (Sophie Reynolds).
Set #1: thirty years on, performing ‘The Soft ‘n’ Sexy Sound’ album in its entirety, Dave Graney managed to channel both Jim Morrison and Jonathan Richman, this unique dichotomy enabled by the Coral Snakes’ consummate musicianship. Pick of the night: ‘Morrison Floorshow’. #DaveGraney #SoftNSexySound
November 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Set #1: thirty years on, performing ‘The Soft ‘n’ Sexy Sound’ album in its entirety, Dave Graney managed to channel both Jim Morrison and Jonathan Richman, this unique dichotomy enabled by the Coral Snakes’ consummate musicianship. Pick of the night: ‘Morrison Floorshow’. #DaveGraney #SoftNSexySound
Set #2: kept on track by the tight yet accommodating backing of the Coral Snakes, Graney returned for a second, heavier round of growled rock poetry and stoned tai-chi dance moves. Pick of the night: ‘I’m Just Havin’ One o’ Those Lives’. #DaveGraney #TheSoftNSexySound #TheCoralSnakes
November 1, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Set #2: kept on track by the tight yet accommodating backing of the Coral Snakes, Graney returned for a second, heavier round of growled rock poetry and stoned tai-chi dance moves. Pick of the night: ‘I’m Just Havin’ One o’ Those Lives’. #DaveGraney #TheSoftNSexySound #TheCoralSnakes
Colin Baker and Frazer Hines make for good listening, undiminished by the passing years. The story, while diverting enough, exists mostly to reunite their characters, the Overlord proving a paltry adversary even by Doctor Who’s standards of dim villains with dubious schemes. #DoctorWho #CityofSpires
October 29, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Colin Baker and Frazer Hines make for good listening, undiminished by the passing years. The story, while diverting enough, exists mostly to reunite their characters, the Overlord proving a paltry adversary even by Doctor Who’s standards of dim villains with dubious schemes. #DoctorWho #CityofSpires
A bit rushed towards the end, but otherwise a hugely enjoyable series that goes about its business—monster-hunting parents, burgeoning supernatural teen children, shadowy government agency and ‘us versus them’ ambiguity—without pandering to or spoon-feeding enough viewers to stave off cancellation.
October 26, 2025 at 8:44 AM
A bit rushed towards the end, but otherwise a hugely enjoyable series that goes about its business—monster-hunting parents, burgeoning supernatural teen children, shadowy government agency and ‘us versus them’ ambiguity—without pandering to or spoon-feeding enough viewers to stave off cancellation.
An enormous anthology, remarkable for having no truly poor stories—though also very few classics. Keith Moray’s traditionally styled ‘The Fulham Strangler’ and Claude Lalumière’s more experimental ‘A Scandal in Arabia’ come closest, showing Moriarty to be as dangerous as Holmes asserted. #Moriarty
October 25, 2025 at 9:10 AM
An enormous anthology, remarkable for having no truly poor stories—though also very few classics. Keith Moray’s traditionally styled ‘The Fulham Strangler’ and Claude Lalumière’s more experimental ‘A Scandal in Arabia’ come closest, showing Moriarty to be as dangerous as Holmes asserted. #Moriarty
40 years on from their second album, an ever-young/reinvented Pseudo Echo have brought musicianship to the fore, cultivating a sublimely 80s, endorphin-pumping live act. Highlights other than ‘Funky Town’ included ‘A Beat For You’, ‘Living in a Dream’ and ‘Nutbush City Limits’. #PseudoEcho
October 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
40 years on from their second album, an ever-young/reinvented Pseudo Echo have brought musicianship to the fore, cultivating a sublimely 80s, endorphin-pumping live act. Highlights other than ‘Funky Town’ included ‘A Beat For You’, ‘Living in a Dream’ and ‘Nutbush City Limits’. #PseudoEcho
Two episodes of untethered timey-wimeyness, deliberately written to be explicable only in retrospect. All very clever, but it doesn’t make for a great listen. Louise Jameson narrates as Leela, and she and John Leeson play all the parts (including a sketchy Doctor). #DoctorWho #TheTimeVampire #Leela
October 23, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Two episodes of untethered timey-wimeyness, deliberately written to be explicable only in retrospect. All very clever, but it doesn’t make for a great listen. Louise Jameson narrates as Leela, and she and John Leeson play all the parts (including a sketchy Doctor). #DoctorWho #TheTimeVampire #Leela
Book two of the ‘Machineries of Empire’ trilogy is strangely engrossing, given it mostly comprises a series of abstruse machinations, and one of the three viewpoint characters (Brezan) contributes almost nothing. Lee’s prose, too, is workmanlike. Still, the reader is pulled along. #RavenStratagem
October 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Book two of the ‘Machineries of Empire’ trilogy is strangely engrossing, given it mostly comprises a series of abstruse machinations, and one of the three viewpoint characters (Brezan) contributes almost nothing. Lee’s prose, too, is workmanlike. Still, the reader is pulled along. #RavenStratagem
More ambitious than the usual run-around. The dystopia, however, is both overplayed and oversimplified, outlawing all questions but in standard interrogative form only (not other means of eliciting information), and having persons raised without such phrasings still instinctively reaching for them.
October 21, 2025 at 8:44 AM
More ambitious than the usual run-around. The dystopia, however, is both overplayed and oversimplified, outlawing all questions but in standard interrogative form only (not other means of eliciting information), and having persons raised without such phrasings still instinctively reaching for them.
A disarming little story that, in setting itself up as a comedy, appears to make one point about men, women and the human condition, switches as if to make another, then turns out to have been about robot sentience and master/slave dynamics. #RobertSheckley #HumanMansBurden
October 20, 2025 at 8:43 AM
A disarming little story that, in setting itself up as a comedy, appears to make one point about men, women and the human condition, switches as if to make another, then turns out to have been about robot sentience and master/slave dynamics. #RobertSheckley #HumanMansBurden
A plotless short story likening career spacers to lovelorn young men grown old in service to the Foreign Legion. Russell pitches this as a SF fairy tale, but the framing narrative is awkward and the voice offers nothing of his usual personality. #EricFrankRussell #TheDoor
October 19, 2025 at 6:06 AM
A plotless short story likening career spacers to lovelorn young men grown old in service to the Foreign Legion. Russell pitches this as a SF fairy tale, but the framing narrative is awkward and the voice offers nothing of his usual personality. #EricFrankRussell #TheDoor