In Review: Big Finish: Vienna, Series 02

Synopsis: Three brand new adventures for glamorous bounty hunter Vienna Salvatori.

Tabula Rasa by James Goss

Ever woken up and can’t remember where you are? What if you couldn’t remember who you are? Or why there’s a dead body outside your door?

Vienna Salvatori is hunting for a killer – but can she be sure it’s not herself?

Underworld by Cavan Scott

Something bad is lurking down in the Undercity. Innocent citizens are turning on each other, baying for blood.

Vienna must team up with jaded cop Lieutenant Jexie Reagan. She’s never had a partner – but will either of them make it through the night alive?

The Vienna Experience by Jonathan Morris

Ever wanted to experience the life of an assassin? Longed to feel the thrill of the hunt? Now is your chance to get beneath the skin of Vienna Salvatori. See what she sees. Hear what she hears.

And pray she never finds out.

Review: This second series served as my introduction to Vienna Salvatori (Chase Masterson) and her universe. Vienna facilitated cyberpunk noir narrative wonderfully. The first story in the box set, “Tabula Rasa,” played with the amnesiac detective who doesn’t remember how she ended up with a body in the next room trope. The second story, “Underworld,” twisted the tale of the damaged cop struggling with a tragic past amidst corruption trope. The third story, “The Vienna Experience,” linked the whole set together with faceted jewel plot twists. These facets reflected back upon each other in a yarn that toyed with the revelation of the power behind the scenes trope. If I said anymore about the narrative, I would spoil the many sparkling surprises.

I enjoyed Chase Masterson’s previous trippy sci-fi noir effort, Yesterday Was a Lie, so I appreciated that Vienna was an even more hard-boiled variation on that theme. Masterson obviously had a blast throughout, as did her game supporting cast. Special kudos go to Samantha Béart as Lieutenant Jexie Reagan. She deftly played off Masterson, while sporting an above average New York accent. They’ll make an interesting double act going forward.

• You can purchase Vienna, Series 02 here: http://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/vienna-series-02-1106

Written By: James Goss, Cavan Scott and Jonathan Morris

Directed By: John Ainsworth

Cast

Chase Masterson (Vienna Salvatori), Samantha Béart (Lieutenant Jexie Reagan) Harry Ditson (Chief Doran Curtis), John Schwab (Anders), Tim Beckmann (Concierge), Duncan Wisbey (Detective Guy Wilkes), Nigel Carrington (Carlos Van Meyer), Donna Berlin (Valentine), Regina Regan (Kelsey)