An Autist Reviews: Abbey Of Heretics (The Diary Of River Song 7.2)

*This is an older review, it is not as detailed as my more modern reviews*

*All Reviews Are Spoiler-Free Aside From Any Spoiler Sections*

Illuminate - verb - To decorate a page or first letter of a manuscript with gold, silver, or colored designs.

(Figured someone would appreciate the true definition.)

Inside of an abbey full of illuminators and heretics the nuns are falling ill. An old, crazy nun argues with a seemingly younger one about whether heretical books should be kept at the abbey and another nun treats the ill. A demon stalks the woods, and as Sister Melody approaches the abbey in search of a book, a holographic monk seeks assistance. This is an odd story… it’s really more of a historical than it is anything else. River runs about the abbey working with and against other nuns until, as the image of the episode might allude to, a fire starts. It’s a simple story that could have been executed in half the time. There is a character who only exists to be a deus ex machina and waste time, another exists only to faint, and one is just plain crazy.

The acting is solid, truthfully the acting and the effects are the only solid parts of this rather flimsy story. The nuns all sound distinct and all are very well acted. River is portrayed lovingly by Alex, and all in all the acting holds up. The effects are also superb, always telling you where you are, what is happening, etc. You are never given too much, but also never given too little. It is, however, a shame that the music is so subtle, bland, and unnoticeable.

As for if this has replay value… it doesn’t. Relistening doesn’t add anything, it really feels about the same, maybe puts a little more context into certain conversations, but really doesn’t do anything of import.

All in all, a bland and forgettable story, even if well written, but one that has some intrigue and is certainly fun to listen to. I wouldn’t listen to it over and over again, but I certainly won’t complain about having to listen to it. The nuns are great, the story is at least entertaining, and you do get some real emotion out of it.

Total - 7

Plot - 7
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Story - 6
Writing - 8
Enjoyment - 7

Acting - 8
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MCs - 8
SCs - 7
BGs - 9

Effects - 8
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Music - 6
Voices - 8
Actions - 10

Replay - 6
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Re-Enjoyment - 7
Details - 6
Twists - 6

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