Doctor Who Flashcast on The Incomparable

It’s the end! We break down the end of the Jodie Whittaker/Mandip Gill/Chris Chibnall era. The plot left us mostly cold, but the emotional beats and fan service kept us very warm indeed. And who’s this new Doctor, anyway? Jason Snell with James Thomson, Annette Wierstra and Chip Sudderth.

If it feels like a regular episode, can it be called a special? In any event, the 2022 Easter Special of Doctor Who has arrived. Pirates! Sea Devils! Plot machinations! Interpersonal relationship… developments? It’s the last stop before the final episode of the Chibnall/Whitaker era, and we’ll spend a lot of time wondering (again) how today’s Doctor Who might not be like tomorrow’s Doctor Who. Jason Snell with Steven Schapansky.

It’s a time loop with killer robots with stupid names! We give our quick reactions to this year’s festive “Doctor Who” special, which features time loops and Daleks and comic relief and a little bit of set-up for the remainder of the Chibnall era. Happy New Year, everyone! Jason Snell with Antony Johnston.

The “Flux” season reaches its end. Erika Ensign enjoyed the ride, Annette Wierstra is in the middle, and Jason’s frustrated by all the loose ends. We try to break down an episode jam-packed with plot points, lore, spaceships, and cinematic wipes. Jason Snell with Erika Ensign.

Verity! podcaster and Big Finish writer Lizbeth Myles joins Jason to discuss “Survivors of the Flux,” the penultimate episode of this short, interlinked season. This is an episode that has to do a lot of work setting up for the grand finale, and one-third of the story has to do all that heavy lifting—but with an intriguing emotional aspect to things. What worked? Did we spot all the references? What’s in store for next week? And more broadly, how are we feeling about the Chibnall Masterplan? Jason Snell with Lizbeth Myles.

A lot of stuff happens in this episode. Angels in basements! Angels in tunnels! Angels in a fireplace! Angels in graveyards! If you want Weeping Angels, where else to go but the village of the angels? More broadly, Houman Sadri and Antony Johnston join Jason to discuss how the season is shaping up, where the show may be going from here, and at the end, some particularly wild fan theories—and Jason even invents one of his own. Jason Snell with Antony Johnston.

Just as time has always dreamed of destroying its age-old enemy, space, we have always wanted to podcast weekly about “Doctor Who,” so we did! This week’s episode features flashbacks! Secrets! Surprise appearances! And Tamagotchi baby? We try to break it all down and decide there is too much—so we sum up what we can. Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra.

Popular “Lazy Doctor Who” podcasters Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky join Jason to discuss part two of “Flux,” which features both fictional aliens the Sontarans and actual historical figure Mary Seacole! Also, Yaz meets Vinder at a temple populated by floating triangles, and Dan takes a wok on the wild side. (No?) We also offer some theories about where “Flux” may be going, some of which may be somewhat too reliant on our ridiculously detailed knowledge of “Doctor Who” history. Jason Snell with Erika Ensign.

“Doctor Who” is back and so are we, for part one of this season’s six-episode-long epic story. As is so often true for multi-part Doctor Who adventures, it’s actually hard to judge how it went from a single episode! But we try our best to identify all the dangling threads in episode one, from men in hats to a surprisingly un-chilly Arctic Circle to a tiny house that puts one in the mind of The Master even if he’s not anywhere to be found! Also, we discuss if this sort of storytelling is what “Doctor Who” in a modern context should look like. Jason Snell with James Thomson.

It’s New Year’s Day and there’s new “Doctor Who” on the telly. Jason is joined by an enormous pajama party of a panel as we break down a visit from Daleks, Chris Noth, John Barrowman, and the TARDIS Fam! Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jean MacDonald, Chip Sudderth and Moisés Chiullan.

“Doctor Who” wraps up a pretty successful season this week. But did the finale stick the landing? Has series canon been rewritten forever? Does the Master have a design department? Time for one final breakdown before the Flashcast goes into cold storage until the next holiday special. Host Jason Snell with Antony Johnston and James Thomson.

When this season’s available as a binge watch you’ll forget this gap ever even happened. We’re here to discuss the first half of the “Doctor Who” season finale, which is a little like reviewing the first half of a book or movie. What will happen next week? We have endless theories and no hard evidence! Are these red herrings we see before us? Why is the Lone Cyberman so effective as a villain? Ko Sharmus isn’t a planet, he’s a person! Bring on Barack Stemis. Host Jason Snell with James Thomson.

Did “Doctor Who” create “Frankenstein”, or did “Frankenstein” create “Doctor Who”? It’s worth pondering as we discuss an episode in which Mary Shelley encounters some notable time travelers, Lord Byron is really into the Doctor, and Graham eats a spooky sandwich. Recorded live in Los Angeles at the Gallifrey One convention, nearly every “Doctor Who” podcaster watched this episode in a single room—and then fled to their own individual rooms to record episodes about it. This one is ours. Host Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra and Jean MacDonald.

This week Houman Sadri joins Jason to discuss angry gods, quick resolutions, animation, nightmare fuel, the realities of being a “Doctor Who” companion, and the importance of seeking help when you are struggling, all embedded inside a discussion of this week’s episode. Plus, we dive deep into conspiracy corner to talk further about the ramifications of “Prisoner of the Judoon” and how it hangs over every dramatic moment of this episode. Host Jason Snell with Houman Sadri.

This week Jason and guest Antony Johnston form two points of a globe-spanning triangle! But rather than solving an international mystery, we’ll just discuss the latest episode of “Doctor Who,” which trades last week’s momentous canon-altering events for a fun adventure romp that works pretty well. Is that one guy hiding under a boat somewhere? Where did that text message come from? Two middle-aged men stick up for Graham! Yaz gets to use her police skills! Ryan is an impressive adventurer who works out! We cover it all… in plastic. Host Jason Snell with Antony Johnston.

The Judoon return! And that’s what everyone will be talking about when they finish this episode. Or… maybe not. Jason needs to bring in both of our Lazy Doctor Who podcasters to help him spin conspiracy theories and try to come to grips with all the surprises in this episode. Doctor’s orders: Do not listen to this podcast before watching the episode! Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Jason is flitting about the universe, so Erika takes over the flashcast and brings in fellow Verity! cohost Liz to discuss historical figures from a country neither of them lives in. Also scavenger aliens, electricity, and beloved actors and their accents. Host Erika Ensign with Lizbeth Myles.

It’s a base, er, resort under siege! And who better to discuss it than Erika Ensign of Verity and Lazy Doctor Who? Erika finds a lot to like about this episode! Jason… is also present! Join us, won’t you? Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign.

Lizbeth Myles joins Jason to discuss the second part of this season’s “Doctor Who” premiere. We discuss the delights of Sacha Dhawan’s performance, the Doctor’s acquisition of a historical girl gang, and an enormous amount of classic series references. Then we ponder the proper way to portray Gallifrey in “Doctor Who” and our confidence in this season’s apparent story arc. Host Jason Snell with Lizbeth Myles.

One year later, Doctor Who is back, and it’s got a few surprises up its tuxedoed sleeve. We’re reintroduced to our returning characters! Jason does some California fact checking. And can we judge “Doctor Who” season premieres and holiday specials by the same standards as the rest of their seasons? James Thomson joins Jason to note a few references to James Bond movies! (Okay, it’s more than a few.) Host Jason Snell with James Thomson.

The Doctor Who Flashcast returns for one episode in 2019, and this is it! A strange creature is lurking beneath Sheffield. The Doctor and her fam are on the case. Chris Chibnall puts a fun new twist on a classic monster! A microwave is also an oven! We break down “Resolution”, this year’s New Year’s Day special. Host Jason Snell with Dan Moren.

The Series 11 finale is here! Annette Wierstra joins Jason to discuss the season as a whole and the final episode in particular. How does Graham’s story arc resolve? Does the plot matter? Is the villain particularly villainous? Can dimensionally transcendent beings be impressed by a TARDIS? It’s the last Doctor Who Flashcast of 2018, but the moment has been prepared for. See you on New Year’s Day! Host Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra.

As the season nears its end, we discuss an episode featuring a blind girl, a cabin in the woods, a mysterious mirror, and a missing father. There are also, surprisingly, a creepy Farscape-style labyrinth, flesh moths, and a nigh-omnipotent talking frog whose name is disappointingly not Calgon. Host Jason Snell with James Thomson.

“Doctor Who” ventures to Lancashire’s Pendle Hill this week for a story of King James, witch trials, and alien mud zombies. Jason’s guest is Lancashire’s own Antony Johnston (writer of Atomic Blonde, Wasteland, and The Fuse), who gives this episode a bit of a fact-check. But most of the time we’re just talking about how much we enjoyed Alan Cumming’s performance, the logistics of a three-companion TARDIS, and the merits of Chris Chibnall’s very different vision of the show. Host Jason Snell with Antony Johnston.

We’re going to be honest: We really didn’t like this week’s “Doctor Who” episode, which looked like it was going to be a clever critique of Amazon and turned out to be an episode with a lot of ambition that collapsed into a confused heap. If you liked this episode, you might want to skip our podcast! But if you want to listen to two guys tear this episode apart, you’ve come to the right place. Host Jason Snell with James Thomson.

This week “Doctor Who” returns to difficult moments in 20th Century history, this time during the partition of India. There are (unnecessary?) aliens, but of course, the real monsters are the human beings. Jason welcomes Jean MacDonald to break down an emotional episode. Host Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald.

This week’s “Doctor Who” features an alien junkyard, a medical spaceship with gleaming white walls, a legendary general, an ode to antimatter, and an adorable alien menace. Jason discusses “The Tsurunga Conundrum” with Liz Myles of the Verity podcast! Host Jason Snell with Lizbeth Myles.

I am an arachnid I am in Graham’s attic Don’t know what I want Don’t know why I’m big I want to web the passerby ‘Cos this episode’s arachnidy Dude! There was a new episode of “Doctor Who” with lots of great character stuff, a surprisingly funny appearance by Chris Noth, and a whole lot of spiders. Also, I call people “dude” now. Host Jason Snell with Jeff Gamet.

Better late than never, we’re back to discuss a trip to the Jim Crow era with “Rosa.” Did this episode manage to thread the needle and do justice to a key moment in the Civil Rights movement? Will Costco—or is it Krasko—return, and would anyone care if he did? And how is Jodie Whittaker shaping up after three episodes? We break it all down. Host Jason Snell with Aleen Simms.

Shannon Sudderth joins Jason to discuss the first planetary trip for the Doctor’s new crew, featuring shout-outs to past eras, a restatement of the Doctor’s philosophies about brains and bullets, the hint of a story arc, and a delightful reunion with a wheezing blue old friend with a new look. Host Jason Snell with Shannon Sudderth.

She’s here! It’s back! “Doctor Who” returns, with a new Doctor and a new showrunner. Jodie Whittaker takes up the TARDIS and sonic screwdriver with “The Woman Who Fell to Earth.” In truest Lazy Doctor Who style, we gather around our living room coffee table to break down the Sunday-morning airing of the newest “Doctor Who” episode. Is crane operator Carl bound for greatness? Are Ryan’s YouTube optimization skills weak? What’s the verdict on the new sonic and costume? And… is this season going to be like “Murder, She Wrote”? We break it all down, live from our living room, in our pajamas. Host Jason Snell with Lauren Snell, Jamie Snell and Julian Snell.

Christmas means more Doctor Who! Time to say goodbye to Peter Capaldi, hello and goodbye to David Bradley’s First Doctor, to Pearl Mackie as Bill, and maybe some other familiar faces will show up. Plus, this episode marks the end of the Steven Moffat era! So much to talk about… so we do. Host Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullan, David J. Loehr and James Thomson.

We wrap up this season of Doctor Who with a discussion of the finale, notes about Steven Moffat’s bag of tricks, an appreciation of Pearl Mackie and Michelle Gomez, and speculations about where the Christmas Special will take us. Host Jason Snell with James Thomson.

So it’s come to this. The penultimate episode of the season. A pre-credits regeneration tease. An enormous spaceship where all is not what it seems. The adventures of Doctor Who, Exposition, and Comic Relief. A surprise inside a surprise. A return to good ol’ Body Horror Cybermen. And a shock ending magnified by its placement at the end of an era, when all bets are off. Host Jason Snell with Aleen Simms.

Scotland, monsters, Roman soldiers, and the return of Rona Munro to “Doctor Who” after nearly thirty years—that’s what we have in “The Eaters of Light.” Jason and David appreciate the sparkling dialogue, while trying to ignore some of the plot mechanics. And finally, we spend some time talking about Missy’s story arc and the best role of The Master in a modern version of “Doctor Who.” Host Jason Snell with David J. Loehr.

The Ice Warriors return, as does (somewhat controversial) writer Mark Gatiss, in “Empress of Mars.” This episode felt like classic series “Doctor Who”, and piled on the old-series references too. How did we feel it measured up to this season, and to Gatiss’s previous work? How convenient was it that the TARDIS and Nardole disappeared? And was it a nice respite before we dive into late-season drama? Host Jason Snell with James Thomson.

The Zombie Monks have taken earth! Now it’s time for Bill to save the world—with the occasional help of Nardole—so long as the Doctor doesn’t keep getting in the way. Plus, Missy is trying to be good—but is it the wrong kind of good? Rachel Donner joins Jason to talk about this week’s “Doctor Who”, plus “Wonder Woman” (no spoilers), and even a little bit of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Host Jason Snell with Rachel Donner.

The end of the world is coming. But from where? Is it the obvious choice… or something entirely different? And what are the Doctor and Bill willing to do about it? That’s all part of the intriguing premise of “The Pyramid at the End of the World”, this week’s Doctor Who episode. Chip Sudderth of This Week in Time Travel joins Jason to break it down. Host Jason Snell with Chip Sudderth.

A planet of executioners! A call from the Vatican! A surprise visit from Missy! Nardole’s bad-ass moment! Bill’s ruined date! There’s a whole lot to talk about in “Extremis”, Stephen Moffat’s latest (and last?) attempt to write a story that deviates from the “Doctor Who” norm. We liked it a lot, but that won’t stop us from nitpicking about how random number generators work… Host Jason Snell with Dan Moren and James Thomson.

Space: The final frontier. These are the voyages of The Doctor and Bill, and maybe Nardole. Their mission: to seek out distress calls from strange space stations, and fight the end stage of capitalism before it kills everyone. Live from Seattle, Jason and Glenn discuss “Oxygen” by Jamie Mathieson from a big red couch. Host Jason Snell with Glenn Fleishman.

A haunted house! A bunch of college students! Alien wood bugs! A parent’s love for a child! This episode had a whole lot of tropes, but to be honest, not much worked for us beyond Bill and The Doctor. If you’re looking to this podcast for a shot of positivity about “Doctor Who” every week, this week you will not be satisfied. On the other hand, if you’d like to hear us complain about “Knock Knock,” you’re in luck! Host Jason Snell with Joe Rosensteel.

This week’s “Doctor Who” features some fantastic dialogue and relationship building between Bill and the Doctor—all on the ice of the Thames during the last Frost Fair. Plus, a giant fish that may or may not be an alien! Commentary on historical racism and classism! And at the end of the episode we get wild and speculatish about what’s knocking on the door of The Vault. Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign and Lizbeth Myles.