The Doctor's Beard Podcast

Episode Title: "From Carnage to Cleavage" - Planet of Fire Review PLANET OF FIRE (February-March 1984) Writer: Peter Grimwade (his final Doctor Who work) Director: Fiona Cumming (her last story, dating back to The Highlanders) Location: Lanzarote, Canary Islands - chosen after Cumming promoted it with holiday photos! THE SHOPPING LIST EPISODE: Peter Grimwade faces an enormous writing burden with his final Doctor Who script - a literal checklist: Introduce Perry, reintroduce Kamelion (and write him out), fill in Turlough's background, bring back the Master and kill him off, and oh yes, set it all in Lanzarote because we want a holiday! PERI: The accent is terrible, the acting is broad, the costumes are... strategic. But she's a complete 180 from Tegan, which makes her "a refreshing change" in Jim's words. Also: Why does Fiona Cumming, a female director, go along with the obvious cheesecake shots? THE QUESTION: Why was Turlough sent to Earth instead of being on the ship with the others? THE DEATH: The Doctor hesitates as the Master burns in the flames. Both hosts question whether he could've saved him (echoing the Davros dilemma from Resurrection). KAMELION'S END: The prop finally works by having Kamelion transform into Howard (Perry's stepfather) and then the Master. Jim asks the obvious: "Why didn't they just do that all along?" THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WOUND THEORY: Jim theorizes that while previous Doctors showed physical deterioration before regeneration, Davison is being psychologically and mentally wounded - all the ethical dilemmas (Davros, the Master, Kameleon) are wearing him down, setting up the regeneration. LOCATION WORK: Both hosts praise the Lanzarote filming and volcanic landscapes doubling for Sarn. Jim wanted more of the shipwreck dive sequences. The café scene where the Doctor leaves alien money behind stands out as atypical behavior. THE SOPHIE ALDRED ACE PODCAST UPDATE: John reports the interviews barely discuss Doctor Who - Sylvester McCoy talks about pissing off Richard Burton and friendship with Ian McKellen; Katy Manning discusses life philosophy ("Every day is a blessing"). The hosts approve: "We've heard all the Doctor Who stuff for years!" NEXT TIME: The Caves of Androzani - "Once daily Androzani! Major and minor!" The end of Peter Davison, the introduction of Colin Baker, and the return of Robert Holmes! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #PlanetOfFire #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Turlough #PerryBrown #NicolaBryant #MarkStrickson #TheMaster #AnthonyAinley #Kamelion #PeterGrimwade #FionaCumming #Lanzarote #CanaryIslands #TurloughOrigins #Trion #MiniMaster #TissueCompressionEliminator #CrispyMaster #1984 #ClassicWho #Season21 #Sarn #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #FromCarnageToCleavage #Cheesecake #PinkBikini #Speedo #80sTV #Whovian #CompanionDebut #CompanionExit #PodcastCommunity

Episode Title: "Santa's 3D Printer & The Killer Snowman" - Fantasy Takes Over & The Mechanoids Attack! - Patreon Exclusive Sample CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast delivers a festive Patreon Exclusive perfect for the holiday! Join John (as Santa Claus) and Jim (as the Evil/Demon Magician) as they unwrap a mixed Santa's bag - three Doctor Who strips from the 12-week Dalek Master Plan era, plus an emotionally satisfying Dalek comic featuring the Mechanoids' first appearance! THE SEA CHANGE: Jim identifies a major shift in the Doctor Who strip: "The stories have really become little fantasies than science fiction." What began as simplistic but genuine sci-fi has transformed into Oz-esque fantasy adventures with frog people, ancient mariners, and yes - Santa Claus himself. DOCTOR WHO STRIPS: "SHARK BAIT" (November 22 - December 13, 1965) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin The Doctor helps frog people with their shark problem before the story pivots to an ancient mariner trying to claim the TARDIS as his home. Meandering plot reminiscent of Dalek Master Plan's mid-story shifts. "A CHRISTMAS STORY" (December 20, 1965 - January 10, 1966) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin John's bold claim: "Actually better than the TV episode [Feast of Steven]!" Santa Claus appears as a character (Jim loves this trope from comics), falling behind on toy TARDIS production due to overwhelming demand. The Doctor saves Christmas by providing Santa with... a 3D printer! "Maybe the Doctor gave us 3D printing. Whoever thinks they invented it needs to read this story." The B-Plot: A creepy demon magician hampers Santa's efforts. But the REAL terror? The Killer Snowman who literally tries to choke John to death!  John recognizes similarities to Matt Smith's "The Snowman" Christmas special, theorizing Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat were subconsciously influenced by childhood comic memories. "Bill Mevin's family needs a few ducats... or grubsits." "THE DYTUS EXPEDITION" (January 22 - February 12, 1966) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin The long-extinct Dytus bird escapes a space zoo. The Doctor offers to recapture it, leading to jungle adventures with unfortunate native stereotypes (echoing the recent Monstrons issue). Jim gets "a real Doctor Dolittle vibe" from the giant creature quest on an island. Both hosts confess: "I like stories about space zoos" (with John teasing an upcoming episode will satisfy this). THE DALEKS: "EVE OF WAR" (December 11, 1965 - January 8, 1966) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts) Artists: Richard Jennings (Parts 1-5), Ron Turner (Parts 6-7) Artist Change Alert: Ron Turner takes over for the final two installments, redesigning Daleks to resemble the movie versions. He continues as the strip's artist going forward. The Story: After rebuilding Skaro in "just a few months" (!) with intricate surveillance to prevent future invasions, the Daleks plan to mine nearby planet Auric. That's when the Mechanoids attack. This is the "first meeting" between Daleks and Mechanoids in strip continuity - different from TV universe. The Mechanoids are presented as equally conquering, totally machine entities (unlike the Daleks with organic components inside). Key moment: The strip explicitly clarifies Mechanoids are "totally machine" while Daleks are not - important distinction! True Cliffhanger: The story literally ends mid-narrative with "TO BE CONTINUED" - not just teasing the next adventure but stopping in the middle of this one! THE BIG QUESTION: John asks Jim: "Do you find yourself enjoying reading these more than watching some of the Dalek stories on TV?" Only one Dalek strip disappointed them across the entire run - and the end approaches! Time to buy the collection. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE DOCTOR'S BEARD PODCAST! Support year-round comic discussions, novel reviews, live watch parties and more for just $3/month at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #PatreonSample #ChristmasEve #HolidayEpisode #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #BillMevin #SharkBait #AChristmasStory #DytusExpedition #SantaClaus #3DPrinter #KillerSnowman #FantasyWho #SpaceZoo #Daleks #DalekChronicles #EveOfWar #Mechanoids #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #RonTurner #ArtistChange #FirstMeeting #Skaro #ToBeContinued #VillainProtagonists #RootingForDaleks #DalekMasterPlan #1965Comics #1966Comics #VintageComics #RetroComics #BritishComics #ComicReview #ChristmasComics #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #ChristmasGift #MerryChristmas #Whovian #SupportThePodcast #CollectorsEdition

Episode Title: "Help Me! - Oh No, Don't Hurt My Daleks!" - The Monstrons Defeat & Problematic Depictions - Patreon Exclusive Sample HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast delivers another Patreon Exclusive featuring comics discussion! Join John (as Kenix of the Monstrons) and Jim (as the Golden Emperor Dalek) as they tackle Bill Mevin's Doctor Who strip and confront a troubling but emotionally powerful Dalek comic. DOCTOR WHO STRIP: "ENTER THE GO RAY" (October 25 - November 15, 1965) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin Jim's opening assessment: "I like the art. All right, next." The TARDIS crew lands on a world straight out of Oz novels - inhabitants roll on single wheels instead of feet! Accused of stealing pile-cardium that powers the city, the Doctor races against time in radiation suits to provide mercury as an alternative power source while the Go Rays pound on the door. John's highlight: "They look like gingerbread cookies on wheels in the end." THE DALEKS: "MENACE OF THE MONSTRONS" (October 23 - December 4, 1965) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts) Artist: Richard Jennings ⚠️ Content Warning: The hosts must address the strip's deeply problematic visual depiction of the Monstrons as offensive African stereotypes. Jim expresses discomfort and surprise at such imagery appearing in 1965, creating "a weird dichotomy" - the characters are portrayed as highly intelligent and capable (defeating the Daleks), yet drawn in extremely unflattering stereotypical ways. The Story Itself: An alien race with "Engibrain" android soldiers kicks the Daleks' "shiny metal asses" (to quote another robot from pop culture). The Monstrons arrive using the same conquest playbook as the Daleks, setting up base in a volcano, and capturing Daleks as souvenirs after believing they've destroyed the race. Both hosts admit they were rooting for the Daleks throughout, celebrating when they finally turn the tide. UPCOMING TEASE: The 12-part Dalek Master Plan begins next! John warns about the infamous Part Six (which "does not hold up" and could be removed without affecting the story), but promises excitement after Mission to the Unknown. Only three episodes exist: Parts 2, 5, and 10 - everything else remains missing with no BBC animation. LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? Comics discussions, novel reviews, live watch parties, and more await! Support the show for just $3/month at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Happy Holidays from The Doctor's Beard Podcast! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #PatreonSample #HolidayEpisode #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #BillMevin #EnterTheGoRay #JillianCount #22WordBalloons #PowerRunning #ThoughtBalloon #Daleks #DalekChronicles #MenaceOfTheMonstrons #Monstrons #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #ProblematicDepictions #RacistImagery #1965Comics #ContentWarning #VillainProtagonists #RootingForDaleks #EmotionalDaleks #BraveLittleDalek #GoldenEmperor #Engibrain #Androids #Skaro #VolcanoBase #DalekMasterPlan #MissingEpisodes #ClassicDoctorWho #VintageComics #RetroComics #BritishComics #ComicReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #HolidayGift #Whovian #SupportThePodcast

Episode Title: "Midichlorians Before Midichlorians!" - The Sorcerer's Apprentice Novel Review - Patreon Exclusive Sample HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast presents another special Patreon Exclusive - this time venturing beyond comics into the world of Doctor Who prose! Join John (the Apprentice) and Jim (the Sorcerer Supreme) as they discuss Christopher Bulis's The Sorcerer's Apprentice from the Virgin Missing Adventures line. JIM'S BACKYARD: "I don't know from podcasting... but a good old fashioned book is my bailiwick." Jim reveals his Doctor Who origin story: reading Target novelizations in the late 70s/early 80s (American publisher reprints with Harlan Ellison introductions stating "My Hero, Doctor Who"), then driving to Windsor, Canada with his father to find British Target editions. He sold those collections years ago and now kicks himself regularly. CHOOSING THE BOOK: Jim turned to Facebook Doctor Who groups for recommendations on First Doctor original novels. Two titles dominated suggestions: The Venusian Lullaby by Paul Leonard (First Doctor, Ian, Barbara - takes place between The Dalek Invasion of Earth and The Rescue) The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Christopher Bulis (First Doctor, Susan, Ian, Barbara - takes place between Marco Polo and The Keys of Marinus) Jim chose The Sorcerer's Apprentice because it comes chronologically first and includes Susan. The cover features the Doctor, Susan, and the TARDIS being breathed upon by a fire-breathing dragon - an actual scene from the book! THE MISSING ADVENTURES SERIES: Virgin Books received the Doctor Who license after the 1989 "rest" (not cancellation). They launched: New Adventures: Continuing Sylvester McCoy/Ace stories with ongoing character development Missing Adventures: Original novels set during the first six Doctors' eras DOCTOR WHO THE MISSING ADVENTURES: THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE (1995) Writer: Christopher Bulis The Setup: The TARDIS lands on an Earth-like world with a stereotypical medieval setting - knights, dragons, castles, a king and queen, princess and her fiancé. But there's also real magic. The core conflict: Science versus Magic - the Doctor representing science, the world representing magic. The Twist: Outside this medieval world exists a solar system-spanning empire with spaceships and lasers. Legends and names derive from Arthurian mythology - the planet is called Elbyon (spelled differently from Albion, an old name for England). CHARACTERIZATION - NAILED IT: Jim praises Bulis for capturing the actors' voices perfectly: "I'm reading this and I'm hearing William Hartnell, William Russell, Carol Ann Ford, and Jacqueline Hill. That's what really makes this come alive." Character Rankings: The Doctor - Spot on throughout Ian - "Really strong... there's a particular way you have to have Ian talk" Susan - Well-captured, gets meaty material Barbara - Sadly underused, separated from the group early and relegated to a tangent storyline CLEVER CONTINUITY TOUCHES: Language Mystery: The Doctor and Susan speak to each other in an unidentifiable language Barbara has never heard before - a subtle nod to their alien origins without spelling it out. The Ring Returns: The Doctor's ring (featured prominently in "The Web Planet") plays a significant part in the action. Jim appreciates the callback to their ongoing discussions about when the ring matters versus when it's forgotten. Ian Learns Swordfighting: Ian explicitly states he doesn't know how to sword fight - perfectly placed between "Marco Polo" (where he wouldn't know) and "The Romans" (where he suddenly does). This novel explains where Ian learned! Susan's Difference: Brief references to Susan being "different" from the humans, reinforcing her alien nature without heavy-handedness. NO SMIRKING OR WINKING: Unlike some novelizations that project future Doctor knowledge backward, Bulis respects the 1964 timeline. Jim: "If you really want to be accurate, you have to write it from 'it's 1964 and that stuff hasn't happened yet.'" LISTENER COMPLAINTS ADDRESSED: Jim found limited online reviews, mostly negative: Splitting Up the Crew - Complaint: Early series constantly separated characters. John's defense: You couldn't fit this anywhere in the Susan timeline without that happening Stereotypical Setting - Complaint: Bulis uses standard tropes. John's defense: "We say things like that, but when somebody does something different and out of the ordinary, we criticize them for that too" Jim on fan expectations: "Obviously writers can't kill characters, have them get pregnant, lose limbs, or murder somebody... especially when they tell us exactly where these stories take place in canon timeline." AVAILABILITY: Out of print for nearly 30 years but readily available on eBay and used bookstores for around $10. Jim found both Sorcerer's Apprentice and Venusian Lullaby from American sellers at reasonable prices. JIM'S READING PLAN: Will eventually read The Venusian Lullaby, then plans to read one original novel per Doctor as the podcast progresses, soliciting recommendations from fan communities for each era. LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? This novel discussion is just one example of Patreon exclusive content! For $3/month: Deep dives into Doctor Who prose, comics, and audio Early access to episode reviews Memory TARDIS retrospectives Live watch parties And much more! Visit patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast to explore all of time and space with us! Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Happy Holidays from The Doctor's Beard Podcast! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoBooks #DoctorWhoNovels #PatreonSample #HolidayEpisode #TheSorcerersApprentice #ChristopherBulis #MissingAdventures #VirginBooks #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #Susan #Ian #Barbara #CarolAnnFord #WilliamRussell #JacquelineHill #OriginalNovels #Prose #BookReview #Arthurian #MedievalFantasy #ScienceVsMagic #Nanites #Midichlorians #StarWars #ThePhantomMenace #GeorgeLucas #TargetBooks #Novelizations #1995 #90sWho #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #LiteraryWho #CanonTimeline #MarcoPoloToMarinus #IanSwordfighting #TheDoctorsRing #AlienLanguage #BookDiscussion #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #HolidayGift #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #PodcastSample #SupportThePodcast #ReadingWho #UsedBooks #eBay

Episode Title: "18 Word Balloons and Doctor Genocide!" - New Artist Bill Mevin Debuts & The Daleks Fight the Rust Plague - Patreon Exclusive Sample HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast unwraps another special Patreon Exclusive episode for the holiday season! Join John (as Demeter Thor) and Jim (as Emperor Dalek) as they celebrate a double feast - new creative talent on the Doctor Who strip AND the return to form for their beloved Dalek comics! OUT WITH THE OLD: Both hosts agree they're not upset to see Neville Main depart after his uninspired run. "You can tell he wasn't inspired by what he was doing. It was just a job, and we needed new blood." DOCTOR WHO STRIP: "THE ORDEALS OF DEMETER" (September 27 - October 18, 1965) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin (NEW!) New Format Alert: The strip now crosses over two pages with noticeably improved art and coloring. Mevin captures Hartnell's likeness better than Main, seemingly working from publicity stills more effectively. The Story: The TARDIS crew lands on planet Demeter during an alien attack. The Doctor pulls out a symbol of peace and they're welcomed to a feast - until bombardment interrupts. Racing to help, the Doctor and John forget Jillian entirely. THE DALEKS: "PLAGUE OF DEATH" (September 4 - October 16, 1965) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts) Artist: Richard Jennings The Story: A radiation leak merges with rust from a hole in the roof, creating a deadly plague that infiltrates Skaro's atmosphere. The Daleks - our protagonists - must fight for survival as the rust plague spreads. Patient Zero: the Black Dalek. Historic First: This story begins the next adventure at its conclusion - the first time the Dalek strip has done continued storytelling rather than standalone tales. "Very Doctor Who-ish." WHY THE DALEK STRIP WORKS BETTER: David Whitaker's involvement means they're taking cues from what works on TV. The strip feels closer to televised Daleks despite lacking the Doctor and TARDIS. The Doctor Who strip, meanwhile, struggles with basic characterization. UPCOMING CONTENT TEASED: Next Patreon Exclusive: Discussion of Missing Adventures novel The Sorcerer's Apprentice featuring Susan, Ian, and Barbara LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? This is another sample of exclusive Patreon content! For just $3/month: Early access to reviews Complete comic strip discussions Novel deep dives Live watch parties And so much more! Visit patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast - "Lips will sail this ship!" Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Happy Holidays from The Doctor's Beard Podcast! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #PatreonSample #HolidayEpisode #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #BillMevin #NewArtist #TheOrdealsOfDemeter #JohnAndGillian #JillianCount #JillianWatch #RecordBreaking #18WordBalloons #Genocide #PlagueOfDeath #Daleks #DalekChronicles #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #Skaro #EmperorDalek #BlackDalek #RustPlague #HoverBout #VillainProtagonists #RootingForDaleks #1965Comics #VintageComics #RetroComics #BritishComics #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #ComicReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #HolidayGift #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #PodcastSample #SupportThePodcast #DalekGenocide #TimeAndSpace

Episode Title: "Throwing Daleks Out the Window" - Resurrection of the Daleks Review with The Irredeemable Shag SPECIAL GUEST ALERT: The Irredeemable Shag joins from the Fire & Water Podcast Network for what he calls "The Tegan Jovanka Appreciation Podcast!" A lifelong Davison-era fan who started watching in 1982 at age 10, Shag brings 500+ Doctor Who books worth of knowledge and passionate defense of the Fifth Doctor era. THE STORY: "Resurrection of the Daleks" (February 1984) Writer: Eric Saward (script editor writing his own script) Director: Matthew Robinson Originally filmed as 4-parter, edited to two 45-minute episodes due to Winter Olympics scheduling London 1984 meets space station carnage as the Daleks attack a prison holding Davros in cryogenic suspension. With duplicates, time corridors, Commander Lytton's creepy constables, and the Movellan virus, this becomes the most violent Doctor Who story yet - estimated 70+ deaths! THE BIG QUESTIONS: Should the Doctor Have Killed Davros? The hosts debate the story's central moral dilemma when the Doctor picks up a gun to execute Davros. Jim declares it completely out of character ("That's not the Doctor"). Shag argues Eric Saward wrote declarative statements without explanation. John appreciates the Genesis of the Daleks callback but questions the execution. The Batman/Joker parallels emerge - can heroes cross that line? Terry Nation's Absence: Nation is in America (possibly producing MacGyver) but still approving everything. JNT reveals Nation insisted Davros appear in every Dalek story after Genesis. This is the fourth non-Nation Dalek script (after Whitaker's two, Lewis Marks, and now Saward). The Dalek Civil War Begins: First time Daleks mention Gallifrey! Is this the Time War's origin? The Supreme Dalek versus Davros's renegade faction sets up ongoing Classic Who Dalek continuity. SHAG'S BREAKTHROUGH THEORY: "This is not a Doctor Who story at all. This is the Daleks - which just happens to guest star the Doctor this episode. If you think of this as an ongoing series of Dalek stories where the Doctor guest stars, this whole thing makes perfect sense." The theory revolutionizes the hosts' perspective, raising ratings across the board! ICONIC MOMENTS: Daleks thrown out second-story windows (exploding unnecessarily but fantastically) "My vision is impaired! I cannot see!" Davros going "full spitting Hitler" The Doctor bloodthirstily shooting the Kaled mutant Creepy constables casually slaughtering then chitchatting Stein's stutter disappearing when programming activates That unfortunate foam party when Davros releases the Movellan virus TEGAN'S DEPARTURE - UNIVERSAL AGREEMENT: All three hosts agree: Tegan is completely justified leaving after this massacre. "It's stopped being fun, Doctor." The emotional farewell works despite Jim's overall Tegan fatigue. Janet Fielding's performance is universally praised. The "Braveheart Tegan" callback and the Doctor's "I must mend my ways" provide powerful closure. Shag's observation: JNT specifically chose an emotional departure for Janet after knowing two companions were leaving, wanting each exit to feel different. FIND THE IRREDEEMABLE SHAG: Fire & Water Podcast Network shows: JSA Presents (Justice Society 1990s-2000s) Who's Who: The Definitive Podcast of the DC Universe Marvel Star Wars: From Empire to Jedi Once Upon a Geek NEXT TIME: Planet of Fire - the penultimate Fifth Doctor story! Plus Patreon Exclusive #149 with Four Dimensional Vistas Part 5, music discussion, Memory TARDIS, and John finally reviews Sympathy for the Devil Unbound audio! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ResurrectionOfTheDaleks #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Daleks #Davros #TerryMolloy #EricSaward #TeganJovanka #JanetFieldding #BraveheartTegan #TeganDeparture #DalekCivilWar #CommanderLytton #TimeWar #Gallifrey #KaledMutant #DoctorWhoViolence #1984 #TheIrredeemableShag #FireAndWater #SpecialGuest #ClassicWho #Season21 #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #ThrowingDaleksOutWindows #DalekShow #MoralDilemma #Turlough #MarkStrickson #DoctorWhoHistory

Episode Title: "A Whopping 12 Word Balloons!" - Summer Hiatus Comics & Roberta Tovey's Doctor Who Song - Patreon Exclusive Sample HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast is unwrapping a special Patreon Exclusive episode for all listeners this holiday season! Join John and Jim as they explore what kept young Doctor Who fans entertained during the 1965 summer break between Seasons 2 and 3. ROBERTA TOVEY'S "WHO'S WHO" (1965) Before diving into comics, the hosts examine a rare Doctor Who musical artifact: a single released by Roberta Tovey (who plays Susan in Doctor Who and the Daleks). Composed by Malcolm Lockyer (the movie's composer), this track remains mysteriously under-documented compared to other Doctor Who novelty songs like "I Want to Spend My Christmas with the Daleks." The B-side was called "Not So Old" (unrelated to Doctor Who). BONUS MUSIC DISCOVERIES: Malcolm Lockyer also released "The Eccentric Doctor Who" and "Daleks and Dolls" "Dance with the Daleks" - The hosts declare this the weakest cash grab yet, a generic instrumental with "Dalek" slapped on the title Jim's verdict: "We demand more Daleky from our Dalek music!" SUMMER HIATUS COMIC STRIPS REVIEWED: "Time in Reverse" (August 9-23, 1965) TV Comic Writer/Artist: Neville Main John appreciates the clever backward storytelling requiring reversed dialogue for all non-TARDIS crew characters, though he notes the Doctor and companions simply wait out events rather than actively participating. The story features "German soldiers" (drawn with distinctive helmets) reminiscent of pre-WWII American comics using sideways Nazis without naming them. Jillian Count: 12 word balloons (chatty Kathy, but still just Greek chorus) "Lizard World" (August 30 - September 20, 1965) TV Comic Writer/Artist: Neville Main First time John and Jillian are completely separated from the Doctor and on their own! Jim praises Neville's artwork capturing the massive scale of the lizard creatures. John questions the Doctor complaining about being "an old man" while climbing when he performed fine in earlier stories. Jillian Count: 13 word balloons (a landmark!) The episode concludes with Jim nearly suggesting they review The Avengers comics advertised in the strip instead. TV COMIC ANNUAL 1966 (Released September 1, 1965) "Prisoners of the Kleptons" Writer/Artist: Neville Main The Kleptons return! Landing on their overheated world, John shoots down a Klepton vehicle (back to using guns). The aliens want help invading Earth but settle for lowering captives into boiling oil. John saves the day with an unclear plan, leaving Jim wishing for more ambitious storytelling. Jillian Count: 3 word balloons "The Caterpillar Men" Writer/Artist: Neville Main Set in 2035, alien Caterpillar Men invade Earth and control the world's scientists from one location. The Doctor identifies himself as "Dr. Who" and doesn't correct being called an Earthman. John and Jillian visit World Pest Control, convincing officials to spray the invaders away. The entire resolution happens in half a page. Jillian Count: 3 word balloons John saves the day again! Both agree: Even bad Dalek strips surpass the Doctor Who ones. MOVIE BONUS FACT: Doctor Who and the Daleks played in scattered UK theaters into January 1966, but bombed in America when released July 1966. Jim's theory: This may have sunk Terry Nation's ABC deal for a Dalek TV series. Americans wanted Batman in '66, leading to Jim's high-concept pitch: "Batman versus the Daleks in Londinium 2050!" LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? This is just a sample of the exclusive content available to Patreon subscribers! For as little as $3/month, you get: Early access to main episode reviews Complete comic strip discussions with art analysis Memory TARDIS retrospectives Doctor Who music deep dives News coverage and behind-the-scenes content Visit patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast to unwrap year-round Doctor Who goodness! Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Happy Holidays from The Doctor's Beard Podcast! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #PatreonSample #HolidayEpisode #TVComic #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #NevilleMain #JohnAndGillian #JillianCount #JillianWatch #SummerHiatus #1965Comics #TimeInReverse #LizardWorld #PrisonersOfTheKleptons #TheCaterpillarMen #Kleptons #TVComicAnnual #RobertaTovey #DoctorWhoMusic #WhosWho #MalcolmLockyer #DaleksAndDolls #DanceWithTheDaleks #NoveltyRecords #60sMusic #VintageComics #RetroComics #BritishComics #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #ComicReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #HolidayGift #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #PodcastSample #SupportThePodcast

Episode 10: "Dinosaurs Make Anything Better" - Season 2 Wrap-Up & Classic Comics Triple Feature - Patreon Exclusive SEASON TWO RETROSPECTIVE: The Best Overall Hartnell Season John opens as "Donald Tosh, story editor" while Jim claims the mantle of "Dennis Spooner of podcasting" - fitting since Spooner wrote both the season's best (The Time Meddler) and worst (The Romans) stories. The hosts agree Season 2 represents the pinnacle of Hartnell's era, ramping up quality from Season 1's foundation. COMIC STRIP REVIEW #1: "Prisoners of the Grittog" (July 1, 1965) TV Comic Holiday Special, Four Pages (Black & White with Red Tones) Writer/Artist: Neville Main Planet Spectra forces down approaching ships and imprisons crews as spies. The Doctor uses a flute (foreshadowing Troughton's recorder!) to summon alien dinosaurs to destroy the force field. First story not starting with the TARDIS arrival! COMIC STRIP REVIEW #2: "Moon Landing" (July 19 - August 2, 1965) TV Comic, Three Parts Writer/Artist: Neville Main Set in 1970 (one year off from real 1969 landing!), British astronauts land on the moon to discover the TARDIS already there. Professor Rawlinson leads the mission with oddly specific character design. The Doctor rescues astronauts from a crevice, reminding them about moon gravity via blackboard (!). COMIC STRIP REVIEW #3: "The Penta Ray Factor" (July 10 - August 28, 1965) TV Century 21, Seven Parts Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's plot) Artist: Richard Jennings Jim's Major Disappointment: After four strips of brilliant villain-protagonist storytelling, the focus shifts to boring planet inhabitants rather than Daleks' perspective. "I wanted the Daleks to wipe them out! The Daleks are just so uninteresting in this." The Daleks employ un-Dalek tactics, approaching as "friends" to learn weaknesses - something Jim hates even when TV show does it. Complex subplots involving lazy ruler's son, cousin politics, and underutilized female character bog down the narrative. The Penta Ray device drags with repetitive theft/swap plotting. LOOKING AHEAD: Doctor Who and the Daleks movie discussion coming Hiatus comics: "Time in Reverse," "Lizard World," "Prisoner of the Kleptons" (oh no!), "The Caterpillar Men" 1965 Dalek/Doctor Who music featuring Roberta Tovey (movie Susan) Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Share your Season 2 hot takes and Dalek strip disappointment by emailing thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our Facebook and BlueSky communities. Become a Patreon member for early access, exclusive content like Episode 10's season wrap-ups and comic bundles, plus upcoming movie discussions and watch parties! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #Season2 #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #SeasonWrapUp #TimeMeddler #DalekInvasionOfEarth #TheRomans #IanChesterton #BarbaraWright #Vicki #Steven #WilliamRussell #JacquelineHill #MeddlingMonk #Animus #JulianGlover #JeanMarsh #TheCrusade #WebPlanet #DoctorWhoComics #TVComic #PrisonersOfTheGrittog #MoonLanding #NevilleMain #JohnAndGillian #JillianWatch #SpaceProgram #Apollo #NASA #1970 #Daleks #PentaRayFactor #TerryNation #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #DalekChronicles #VillainProtagonist #Disappointment #FocusShift #ClassicDoctorWho #Season2Retrospective #BestAndWorst #CompanionAnalysis #GuestStars #RetroComics #BritishComics #1965Comics #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #Episode10 #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom

"The Hamster Wheel of Science Fiction Television" - Frontios Review STORY DETAILS: "Frontios" (January 16 - February 3, 1984) Production Code: 6N Writer: Christopher H. Bidmead (former script editor, Logopolis and Castrovalva) Director: Ron Jones (Arc of Infinity, future Colin Baker stories) CAPSULE REVIEW: Jim: "Doctor Who in 1984 is the hamster wheel of science fiction television shows. It just keeps going round and round and doesn't go anywhere." PLOT SUMMARY: The TARDIS is drawn to Frontios in the far future, where Earth has been destroyed and desperate colonists survive constant meteorite bombardment. The Doctor insists they leave (invoking Time Lord non-interference), but the TARDIS appears destroyed by meteors. Captain Revere's son Plantagenet leads the failing colony while second-in-command Range and science officer Brazen navigate political tensions. NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW: Resurrection of the Daleks (two 45-minute parts) with special guest Shag Matthews (The Irredeemable Shag Podcast) - "Now it's going to be two against one!" PATREON PLUG: "Nothing says I love you like a Patreon subscription to The Doctor's Beard" - $3/month gets early access, bonus content, comic strip discussions, Memory TARDIS wheel spins, Doctor Who news coverage, and music theme variations. Current Patreon Exclusive #148 covers Part 4 of "Four Dimensional Vistas" (Meddling Monk + Ice Warrior team-up). SPECIAL APPEAL: Jim asks listeners in Marietta, Georgia area to support Dr. No's Comics after catastrophic power loss from truck taking down lines during Christmas season. Shop running on generator, needs community support through devastating loss of holiday revenue. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Support via Patreon at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #Frontios #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Season21 #Tegan #JanetFielding #Turlough #MarkStrickson #ChristopherHBidmead #RonJones #Tractators #TheGravis #ColonyShip #TARDIS #TARDISDestroyed #RecycledPlots #HamsterWheel #SheenaEaston #80sFashion #Plantagenet #TractatorPTSD #RacialMemory #GravityMotor #TimelordNonInterference #JNT #JohnNathanTurner #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #ClassicDoctorWho #1984 #BBCOne #ProductionCode6N #MonsterOfTheWeek #Woodlice #TargetBooks #AndrewSkilleter #Novelizations #BookCovers #DrNosComics #Marietta #Georgia #ComicShop #ChristmasSeason #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PodcastReview #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #VintageWho #RetroTV #80sTV #SciFiTV #BritishTV #ClassicTV

Episode 9: "My Word, Doesn't He Look Fat and Pompous!" - Classic Doctor Who Comics: The Challenge of the Piper - Patreon Exclusive COMIC STRIP REVIEW: "The Challenge of the Piper" (June 14 - July 12, 1965) TV Comic, Five Parts Writer/Artist: Neville Main The First Doctor, John, and Jillian arrive in medieval Hamelin during the legendary Pied Piper crisis. After the townspeople refuse to pay the Piper for ridding them of rats, he lures away their children. The Doctor sympathizes with the wronged musician and undertakes three trials to win the children's freedom, using 1960s technology disguised as "magic" - fire extinguisher, radar, parachute, and tape recorder. When the Mayor still refuses payment, the Doctor threatens to return the children to the Piper unless he honors the debt! The hosts mourn that both grandchildren function as mere Greek chorus, giving the Doctor someone to talk to beyond himself. Where/When Are We? - The hosts debate ontological questions: Is this the actual legendary event on Earth's past? An alien world duplicating the tale? A fantasy realm? They conclude it's meant as the origin of the Hamelin legend, but fantasy elements (dragon, invisibility, mesmerizing flute magic) blur the science-fiction/fantasy boundary. LOOKING AHEAD: Next strips: "The Moon Landing" (premiering space race before real 1969 landing!), "Prisoner of the Grittog" (Doctor Who Summer Special), and "The Penta Ray Factor" (Daleks return!) Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Share your thoughts on rude granddaughters and fantasy Doctor Who by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our passionate Facebook and BlueSky communities. Become a Patreon member today to receive early episode access to our main show reviews, plus exclusive content like Episode 9 featuring complete comic strip analysis, Jillian's terrible dialogue dissection, and genre-bending Doctor Who adventures! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #TVComic #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #ChallengeOfThePiper #PiedPiper #NevilleMain #JohnAndGillian #JillianWatch #SevenWordBalloons #Hamelin #FairyTale #FantasyDoctor #MedievalDoctor #LegendAdaptation #VintageComics #1965Comics #GreekChorus #Companions #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #PiedPiperLegend #Dragon #FantasyElements #RetroComics #BritishComics #1960sComics #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #Episode9 #ComicReview #GenreShift #ScienceFantasy #SarahJaneAdventures #MatthewWaterhouse #Adric #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #DoctorWhoCollectibles #SummerSpecial #BBCComics #DoctorWhoSummerSpecial

Episode 8: "The Daleks Destroyed Their First Planet" - Classic Doctor Who Comics Double Feature - Patreon Exclusive COMIC STRIP REVIEW #1: "The Gyros Injustice" (May 3 - June 7, 1965) TV Comic, Six Parts Writer/Artist: Neville Main Jim's birthday comic! Born right in the middle of this strip's run, Jim celebrates with poetry: "Through space and time, through a million nowheres, past a billion whirling unnamed starlights across the darkness that holds the mysteries of science and life, travels Doctor Who's spaceship, the TARDIS." The First Doctor, John, and Jillian encounter the Gyros (or Euros?) - robots who've taken control of their world after their organic creators fell ill. The planet's unique position leaves only the equator habitable, with one side in perpetual darkness and the other scorched by constant sunlight. Call for Listener Feedback - The hosts request Patreon subscriber opinions: Is this strip engaging or merely a curious artifact? They receive regular feedback on main episodes but silence on comics, despite releasing complete stories before recording. COMIC STRIP REVIEW #2: "The Emerald Challenge" (May 22 - July 3, 1965) TV Century 21, Seven Parts Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's plot) Artist: Richard Jennings Jim's favorite Dalek story yet! The Daleks achieve faster-than-light travel after 13 failed test flights (destroying numerous Daleks in the process), then encounter their first truly alien opponents - sentient plant creatures on an emerald world. This isn't humanoids vs. machines but mechanized beings versus nature itself, with the planet rejecting the invaders through biological warfare. Plants infest Dalek casings in gorgeously rendered sequences before the ultimate confrontation with the planetary consciousness at the world's heart. Rooting for the Bad Guys - Jim explores the fascinating psychology of villain-centric storytelling: "Who are you rooting for? Because I found myself going 'Yeah, go Daleks, conquer space!' and then stopping to question my own psyche." The strip maintains perfect tension between wanting Daleks to succeed (achieving their goals is narratively satisfying) and recoiling from their monstrous actions. Comic Daleks > TV Daleks? - Jim declares at this moment he prefers comic strip Daleks to TV Daleks, wanting the "weighty, bigger stuff" on screen. The budget-free medium allows grander concepts. John notes the TV show won't feature named individual Daleks like Zeg for a long time, which some fans lament. Humanizing Villains Debate: Jim's position: Doesn't need mustache-twirling villains humanized (cites overexplained Klingons in Next Generation) John's caution: Naming individual Daleks risks making them relatable when their core concept is absolute otherness Future preview: The Doctor eventually becomes "the Predator" in Dalek mythology - their species' natural enemy Terry Nation's Golden Ticket: The hosts explore how Nation retained Dalek rights (opposite of American work-for-hire practices). His 1963 script seemed like just another job, but lucky ownership meant the BBC must negotiate with Nation's estate for every Dalek appearance even today. "The Daleks bought me a manor" - actual British newspaper headline about Nation's wealth. The proposed 1960s Dalek TV series (with ABC showing interest) led to a five-year gap in Dalek TV appearances as Nation pursued American deals. LOOKING AHEAD: Next strip: "Challenge of the Piper" - a fantasy-oriented story that has both hosts concerned about more sameness, though Jim's interest is piqued by the format change. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Share your thoughts on Jillian's tragic marginalization and rooting for planet-destroying pepper pots by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our passionate Facebook and BlueSky communities. Become a Patreon member today to receive early episode access to our main show reviews, plus exclusive content like Episode 8 featuring complete comic strip bundles, villain protagonist philosophy, and Terry Nation ownership revelations! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #GyrosInjustice #NevilleMain #JohnAndGillian #JillianWatch #OneWordBalloon #Robots #VintageComics #1965Comics #Daleks #EmeraldChallenge #TerryNation #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #PlantCreatures #AlienLife #DalekChronicles #FirstPlanetDestroyed #VillainProtagonist #FasterThanLight #SpaceTravel #DalekEvolution #WhatWeCannotConquerWeDestroy #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #TheDestroyers #DalekTVSeries #ABCTelevision #BigFinish #AudioDrama #RetroComics #BritishComics #1960sComics #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #Episode8 #ComicReview #TerryNationEstate #DalekRights #Ownership #WorkForHire #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #DoctorWhoCollectibles #BBCComics #DalekMythology

Episode 7: "Super Dalek Origin Story" - Classic Doctor Who Comics Double Feature - Patreon Exclusive COMIC STRIP REVIEW #1: "Doctor Who on the Web Planet" (March 22 - April 26, 1965) TV Comic, Six Parts Writer/Artist: Neville Main The only Doctor Who comic strip ever given an official title! The First Doctor, John, and Jillian return to Vortis long after their adventure with Ian, Barbara, and Vicki. A legend has grown among the Menoptra about the Doctor's previous liberation of their world - but freedom was short-lived. The planet has fallen under new oppression from the Skirkons, aliens who've mastered mind control over the easily-manipulated Zarbi and built Zarbi-shaped personal flying craft armed with death rays. The Doctor must free Vortis once again while confronting the sad reality that some worlds can never maintain peace. The Zarbi Multimedia Empire - John discovers extensive Zarbi appearances across formats: Two Give-A-Show projector stories IDW comic (2000s) featuring First Doctor team fighting Zarbi invasion of 1868 Earth Doctor Who Annual prose stories: "Lair of the Zarbi" and "The Lost Ones" Patrick Troughton prose novel Twilight of the Gods Big Finish audio Return to Vortis with Fifth Doctor and Nyssa The Zarbi are revealed as "the new Pokémon - gotta catch 'em all!" Jim's OCD kicks in and he must now consume all Zarbi media. The hosts marvel at how deeply BBC tried mining these creatures despite their failure to capture Dalek-level popularity. COMIC STRIP REVIEW #2: "Duel of the Daleks" (March 6 - April 10, 1965) TV Century 21, Six Parts Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's plot) Artist: Richard Jennings Dalek Zeg survives an industrial accident that coats him in near-impervious metallic skin and transforms his casing to golden color - giving him a superhero origin story! Believing his superiority entitles him to leadership, Zeg challenges the Black Dalek Emperor for control of the Dalek race. Internal Dalek civil war erupts as some Daleks support the upstart while others remain loyal to established hierarchy. The Emperor ultimately defeats Zeg using liquid metal to freeze him solid, learning from the duel to develop stronger Dalek armor. Collected Editions Available: The Dalek Chronicles - Doctor Who Magazine Summer Special (1994, Marvel UK) - complete run The Daleks: The Ultimate Collector's Edition (Panini reprint) Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Share your Zarbi obsession and Super Dalek theories by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our passionate Facebook and BlueSky communities. Become a Patreon member today to receive early episode access to our main show reviews, plus exclusive content like Episode 7 featuring vintage comic strip analysis with TV continuity connections, villain protagonist discussions, and comprehensive Zarbi multimedia archaeology! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #WebPlanet #Vortis #Zarbi #Menoptra #NevilleMain #JohnAndGillian #Skirkons #AlienInvasion #VintageComics #1965Comics #Daleks #DuelOfTheDaleks #DalekZeg #BlackDalek #DalekEmperor #TerryNation #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #DalekChronicles #SuperheroOrigin #MarvelComics #VillainProtagonist #DalekCivilWar #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #TheChase #RetroComics #BritishComics #1960sComics #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #Episode7 #ComicReview #ContinuityNightmare #AlternateUniverse #JillianFanOne #IDWComics #BigFinish #DoctorWhoAnnual #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #DoctorWhoCollectibles #SixtyYearsOfDoctorWho #BBCComics #MarvelUK #Panini

Episode 6: "Throw Your Spuds" - Classic Doctor Who Comics Double Feature - Patreon Exclusive COMIC STRIP REVIEW #1: "The Hijackers of Thrax" (March 1-15, 1965) TV Comic, Three Parts Writer/Artist: Neville Main The First Doctor, John, and Jillian investigate disappearing supply ships bound for Earth's Venus colony in 2075. Pirates operating from a hidden space station obscured by artificial clouds have been stealing shipments. The Doctor disables the cloaking device, exposing the hijackers' base and saving Earth's colonial supply line. Jim declares this his favorite of the three strips so far due to the Earth connection and clever cloud-station concept, while John finds all three equally unremarkable. The hosts remain baffled why the strip doesn't equally target boys and girls when the TV show clearly features prominent female characters like Barbara alongside the male cast.   COMIC STRIP REVIEW #2: "Power Play" (February 13 - March 5, 1965) TV Century 21, Three Parts Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's plot) Artist: Richard Jennings The Daleks face their next evolutionary step - getting off Skaro! After the radioactive devastation, two warring human factions on Skaro seek allies. The Daleks strategically align with one group against their aggressors, not out of compassion but calculated self-interest. By story's end, the Daleks possess plans for flying saucers - directly setting up their appearance in "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" TV serial. John liked this installment as much or more than "Genesis of Evil," appreciating how it serves TV continuity while telling compelling standalone stories. Jim loves the symbiosis between source material and offshoot when done correctly. LOOKING AHEAD: Next Doctor Who comic: Sequel to "The Web Planet" featuring the Zarbi! The hosts are curious whether this represents BBC pushing the Zarbi as "the next Daleks" after their expensive costume investment, or editorial response to reader demands for more TV show connections Next Dalek comic: "Duel of the Daleks" promises intrigue Jim has started reading a First Doctor prose novel for future Patreon discussion The hosts debate whether kids recognized the strips' disconnection from the TV series, and wonder about the demographics of British comics magazines in 1965. Was it primarily boys despite Doctor Who's mixed-gender appeal? Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Share your thoughts on potato weaponry and Jillian's marginalization by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our passionate Facebook and BlueSky communities. Become a Patreon member today to receive early episode access to our main show reviews, plus exclusive content like Episode 6 featuring vintage 1965 comic strip analysis, discussions of villain protagonists, and comprehensive coverage of Doctor Who's complete multimedia legacy across all formats! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #HijackersOfThrax #NevilleMain #JohnAndGillian #VintageComics #1965Comics #Daleks #PowerPlay #DalekComics #GenesisOfEvil #TerryNation #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #DalekInvasionOfEarth #Skaro #FlyingSaucers #DalekOrigin #VillainProtagonist #ComicBookVillains #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #RetroComics #BritishComics #1960sComics #SpaceOpera #ThrowYourSpuds #Potatoes #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #Episode6 #ComicReview #DoctorWhoStrips #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #TheZarbi #WebPlanet #DoctorWhoCollectibles #SixtyYearsOfDoctorWho #BBCComics #ClassicComics

Episode 5: "Wham, Bam, Thank You Dalek" - Classic Doctor Who Comics Double Feature - Patreon Exclusive COMIC STRIP REVIEW #1: "The Therovian Quest" (January 18 - February 22, 1965) TV Comic, Six Issues (Two Pages Per Week) Writer/Artist: Neville Main The First Doctor's TARDIS crashes on an alien planet where he and grandchildren John and Gillian encounter Grigg, a spaceship pilot whose vessel is also stranded. Grigg desperately seeks a cure for a plague that has incapacitated everyone on his homeworld of Theros except himself. In a shocking decision, the Doctor repairs Grigg's ship and abandons the still-damaged TARDIS on the planet to help this stranger - a moment of tension as they literally leave the time machine behind and never mention it again until the story's end! The quest takes them to the ice planet Ixon to harvest medicinal moss, where they're captured by Ixon warriors. King Ixa provides equipment including a sled to reach the dangerous caves, but secretly plans to steal the moss and sell it at exorbitant prices to the Therovians. After Grigg battles a furry cave monster (throwing it into an ice ravine), they retrieve the moss but are captured again. The Doctor sets fire to something (possibly the moss itself?) creating chaos and smoke that allows their escape back to Grigg's ship, returning to Theros to save the plague victims before finally returning to repair the mysteriously-fixed TARDIS. John and Jim's Analysis: Jillian's disappearing act continues - The female companion has maybe two word balloons throughout the entire six-issue story, to the point where the Doctor and John briefly forget she exists. The hosts lament this "all-he-man, no-girls-allowed club" mentality in a strip based on a show meant to be all-inclusive. Neville Main's artwork shines - Both hosts appreciate the visual presentation, particularly the spaceship designs and background details. Main clearly uses Hartnell photo references, though his TARDIS-in-flight depiction (a corkscrew swirly line suggesting rapid spinning) amuses the hosts. The Doctor as spaceship engineer - Jim questions when the Doctor became qualified to repair alien spacecraft faster than their actual owners. Grigg's suspicious appearance - Designed to look villainous initially, subverting expectations when King Ixa becomes the actual antagonist. John's bloodthirsty evolution - The grandson appears drawn older in close-ups, as if maturing into a violent young man over time. "Doctor Who" naming persists - The strip continues calling the protagonist "Doctor Who" rather than "the Doctor." Jim declares this "on the same level as the first storyline" - straightforward space opera that doesn't connect much to the TV series, though the art remains enjoyable. COMIC STRIP REVIEW #2: "Genesis of Evil" (January 23 - February 6, 1965) TV Century 21, Three-Part Story (One Page Per Issue) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's plot) Artist: Richard Jennings Jim's immediate reaction: "Gorgeous." This landmark Dalek origin story appeared in the back pages of TV Century 21 magazine, forcing young fans to buy multiple publications for their Doctor Who fix. Set on the planet Skaro, the strip reveals how the robotic Dalek shells came to exist following a catastrophic event that irradiated the planet (here depicted as a meteor storm hitting nuclear stockpiles, contradicting the TV series' neutron bomb). Two blue-skinned humanoid Daleks (members of the original Dals/Kaleds race) crawl from the rubble and encounter a horrifying sight - one of their own people, so mutated by radiation that he's encased himself in a mechanical pepper-pot shell. This robotic Dalek reveals he created the protective casing and now the survivors must build more shells for the remaining Daleks. The story establishes the Dalek Emperor character (gold and ruby-plated) who will feature in subsequent strips, creating a hierarchy absent from early TV stories. John and Jim's Analysis: Stunning artwork - Richard Jennings delivers detailed, beautifully colored pages that exceed the Doctor Who strip's quality. Jim calls it an "eye opener." Terry Nation's contractual power - Nation receives prominent billing despite David Whitaker doing the actual scripting, showing the Dalek creator's early leverage (eventually buying a manor with Dalek profits). Canon contradictions - The strip doesn't contradict the first TV Dalek serial and actually fleshes it out nicely, but future TV story "Genesis of the Daleks" will completely reimagine the origin. The hosts discuss how ancillary products are always subordinate to on-screen canon. Perfect pacing - The compact one-page-per-issue format keeps the story moving efficiently without lingering, unlike the sometimes padded Doctor Who strip. Thals connection - The strip references the Thal people from the TV series, maintaining continuity while expanding the mythology. The Emperor's absence - John wonders why this gold Emperor wasn't in "The Daleks" TV story, speculating future strips might explain it. Jim enthusiastically declares: "I enjoyed this way more than the Doctor Who strip" and looks forward to continuing Dalek adventures. LOOKING AHEAD The hosts preview their upcoming Friday Patreon release covering "The Web Planet" - John approaches it fresh without having started watching, hoping for better appreciation than his initial expectations. Jim looks forward to eventually finding a story where John declares "this is horrible" so he'll "feel justified." Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Share your thoughts on disappearing companions and gorgeous Dalek artwork by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our passionate Facebook and BlueSky communities. Become a Patreon member today to receive early episode access to our main show reviews, plus exclusive content like Episode 5 featuring vintage comic strip analysis from 1965, deep-dive discussions of Dalek mythology, and comprehensive coverage of Doctor Who's complete multimedia legacy across all formats and eras! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #VintageComics #1965Comics #DoctorWhoHistory #TherovianQuest #NevilleMain #JohnAndGillian #DoctorWhoGrandchildren #Daleks #GenesisOfEvil #DalekOrigin #TerryNation #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #DalekEmperor #Skaro #Thals #DalekMythology #ClassicDoctorWho #1960sComics #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #Episode5 #ComicReview #BritishComics #RetroComics #DoctorWhoCanon #DalekComics #SixtyYearsOfDoctorWho #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #DoctorWhoCollectibles #VintageSciFi #ComicHistory #DalekHistory #BBCComics #ClassicComics

"I'm Gonna Spend My Christmas with a Dalek" & "Landing of the Daleks" - Vintage Doctor Who Music Review (1964-1965) - Christmas Patreon Exclusive Dalekmania swept across the United Kingdom in 1964 with the same cultural fervor that Batmania would capture America two years later. The BBC's terrifying Dalek creatures became a merchandising phenomenon, spawning an explosion of toys, comic books, feature films, and even novelty music records capitalizing on the pepper pot-shaped villains that had captured the nation's imagination. The Go-Gos - "I'm Gonna Spend My Christmas with a Dalek" (December 1964) As "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" serial reached its dramatic conclusion in December 1964, the musical group The Go-Gos (completely unrelated to Belinda Carlisle's 1980s American new wave band) released this bizarre Christmas novelty record. The song features a 17-year-old female vocalist unconvincingly portraying a young child gleefully declaring her holiday wish to spend Christmas with a genocidal alien killing machine - a marketing decision that seems baffling by today's standards. The Earthlings - "Landing of the Daleks" (February 1965) Two months later, The Earthlings contributed to the Dalekmania craze with "Landing of the Daleks," an instrumental surf rock piece that surprisingly features zero Dalek voices and not a single iconic "Exterminate!" catchphrase throughout its entire runtime. Join podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard for this hilariously critical Patreon exclusive episode as they dissect what both songs have in common beyond the Dalek theme - they genuinely irritated Jim! Experience their entertaining analysis of 1960s Doctor Who merchandising excess, questionable musical choices, and the wild cultural phenomenon of Dalekmania at its peak. This December, enjoy exclusive Patreon episodes every weekday celebrating Doctor Who's 60th anniversary! We're exploring the complete multimedia history of Doctor Who across television, comics, music, and more. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Share your thoughts on these vintage Dalek songs by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our passionate Facebook and BlueSky communities for exclusive Doctor Who discussions. Become a Patreon member today to receive early episode access, exclusive music reviews, comic strip analysis, Big Finish audio drama coverage, and the opportunity to influence future episode topics. Your support helps us continue delivering comprehensive Doctor Who content across all eras and media! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #Daleks #Dalekmania #DoctorWhoMusic #VintageMusic #1960sMusic #NoveltyRecords #ChristmasSongs #DalekChristmas #TheGoGos #TheEarthlings #DoctorWho1964 #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #ChristmasPromotion #DoctorWho60thAnniversary #DalekInvasionOfEarth #Exterminate #DoctorWhoMerchandising #RetroMusic #BritishPopCulture #1960sPopCulture #DoctorWhoFandom #Whovian #DalekRecords #VinylCollector #DoctorWhoCollectibles #CultTV #NoveltyMusic #DoctorWhoHistory #BBCDoctorWho #DalekMania #ChristmasMusic #RetroChristmas #SixtyYearsOfDoctorWho

"Two Is Too Few, Four Is Too Much" - Production 6M: "The Awakening" (January 19-20, 1984) - Classic Doctor Who Season 21 Review The Fifth Doctor brings Tegan to 1984 Little Hodcombe so she can visit her grandfather, Andrew Verney. But the TARDIS materializes in an unstable church during an English Civil War reenactment organized by the local magistrate, Sir George Hutchinson. When Tegan's grandfather goes missing and they encounter Will Chandler—a genuine 17th century peasant pulled through time—the Doctor discovers something sinister beneath the village: the Malus, an alien war machine feeding on psychic energy from the staged battles. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this Season 21 analysis, they debate whether three episodes would be the perfect Doctor Who story length, discuss the rushed pacing versus Jim's feeling it dragged, and explore themes of companion family visits and the show's grounded Earth-based budget-cutting era. Cast Fatigue: By this point, both Peter Davison and Janet Fielding had announced departures (Mark Strickson would follow soon). Jim declares: "I am totally ready for a new Doctor and new companions." The energy has drained after 20 years, with JNT himself seeking other opportunities but trapped by industry circumstances. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com, leaving voicemails at thedoctorsbeardpodcast.com, or joining our active Facebook discussions. Check out Jim Beard's creative work and visit thedoctorsbeardpodcast.com for John's new Target novelization review blog series starting with "An Unearthly Child"! Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus content, and support our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TheAwakening #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Season21 #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #Turlough #MarkStrickson #TheMalus #EnglishCivilWar #WillChandler #KeithJayne #EricPringle #TwoPartStory #BaseUnderSiege #PsychicEnergy #CompanionFamily #TeganGrandfather #LittleHodcombe #1984 #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #ProductionDesign #ChurchSet #LocationFilming #DoctorWhoHistory #ClassicWho #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #Kamelion #DeletedScenes #BehindTheScenes #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #CompanionDeparture #CastFatigue #JNT #JohnNathanTurner #TargetNovels

"The Klepton Parasites" - Doctor Who TV Comic Strip Review (November 9, 1964 - January 11, 1965) - Christmas Patreon Exclusive TV Comic Issues 674-683 Writer & Artist: Neville Main In 1964, the BBC made television history by launching the first weekly Doctor Who comic strip in the pages of TV Comic- a surprising choice given the magazine's focus on ITV programming. This groundbreaking comic adaptation took bold creative liberties, featuring the First Doctor and his TARDIS in adventures that barely resembled the television series, introducing controversial changes including the Doctor's mysterious grandchildren John and Gillian. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard for this special Christmas promotion episode as they launch their comprehensive journey through classic Doctor Who comics, celebrating the show's 60th anniversary. In this inaugural comic strip review, they analyze Neville Main's distinctive artwork style, debate the absurdly literal naming convention of the villainous Kleptons (who steal everything), examine the controversial introduction of the Doctor's grandchildren companions, and explore how these early comics diverged wildly from established TV canon during William Hartnell's era. This December, we're releasing exclusive Patreon episodes every weekday to celebrate Doctor Who's 60th anniversary and showcase the premium content available to our supporters. Experience the complete history of Doctor Who across all media formats! Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content and anniversary celebrations. Become a Patreon member today to receive early episode access, exclusive comic strip reviews, Big Finish audio drama analysis, Doctor Who music reviews, and the opportunity to request special topics you'd like us to cover on the show. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #TVComic #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #KleptonParasites #DoctorWho60thAnniversary #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #VintageComics #1960sComics #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #ChristmasPromotion #DoctorWhoStrips #JohnAndGillian #DoctorWhoGrandchildren #NevilleMain #ComicReview #DoctorWho1964 #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #BritishComics #ClassicComics #DoctorWhoAnniversary #DoctorWhoCanon #TARDIS #TimeLord #RetroComics #VintageSciFi #DoctorWhoCollectibles #ComicBookReview #DoctorWhoMedia #BBCComics #SixtyYearsOfDoctorWho

John and Jim sit down to review their time watching the first series of Doctor Who, the good and the bad. In addition, Jim shares his thoughts on what he would like to see in the second series. John plays Spoiler Cards with Jim, offering him a pick of one of three cards revealing a spoiler for the second series. Of the Doctor, Barbara and Ian, and the Daleks - which one did he choose? Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"There Should Have Been Another Way" Production 6M: "Warriors of the Deep" (January 5-13, 1984) Classic Doctor Who Season 21 Premiere Review In the year 2084, the Fifth Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough materialize at Sea Base Four, a military installation staffed with personnel on high alert due to tensions that could trigger World War III. An unknown object lurking in the waters proves to be a Silurian battlecruiser seeking to revive suspended animation Sea Devil warriors stored in underwater chambers. The reptilian cousins plan to manipulate the base's weapon systems to start a nuclear war, wiping out humanity so they can reclaim Earth as their ancestral home. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this Season 21 premiere analysis covering this notorious production, they discuss: Production Nightmare Behind the Scenes: Margaret Thatcher's election sabotage - The 1983 UK general election announcement created BBC studio space demands, costing Doctor Who two weeks of production time and forcing rushed filming with minimal rehearsal The infamous Myrka disaster - The creature costume was still being sculpted and painted an hour before shooting, with wet paint and adhesive fumes getting one operator high. The poorly-fitted suit left performers uncomfortable and unable to rehearse, resulting in slow-motion movements that destroyed any sense of menace Johnny Byrne's disappointment - The writer envisioned dark, Alien-inspired sets with the Myrka glimpsed briefly in shadows, not brightly-lit corridors showcasing every flaw. He vowed never to work for Doctor Who again Character and Story Analysis: The Doctor's uncharacteristic violence - Jim questions Byrne's characterization showing the Fifth Doctor as naive, foolish, and suddenly engaging in unnecessary hand-to-hand combat Tegan and Turlough's evolving dynamic - The companions finally bond over eye-rolling about the Doctor, though both still don't want to be traveling in the TARDIS. Tegan suffers through another story of being trapped, taken hostage, and reduced to damsel-in-distress after her previous action hero moments The moral dilemma arrives too late - Part 4's ethical debate about genocide feels rushed when it should have been developed earlier. Jim controversially argues the Doctor was wrong to hesitate using the hexachromite gas with billions of lives at stake Base Under Siege formula exhaustion - After 21 years, this well-worn plot structure offers no surprises: the paranoid commander, the likable female officer, the traitors within, the invaders, the giant creature. Viewers who've watched for two decades have seen it all before Design and Direction Problems: Moon Base Alpha aesthetic - The overly-bright, sterile sets fail to convey an underwater atmosphere despite occasional model shots of the Silurian ship Dr. No radiation suits - The guards' helmets appear identical to the 1962 Bond film's radiation gear (the wiki claims they're the actual costumes, though Jim remains skeptical) Laughable battle sequences - No muzzle flashes or laser beams, just actors pointing rifles in extreme slow motion. Quick cuts could have salvaged excitement, but Roberts' clumsy direction makes conflicts feel like rehearsals rather than life-or-death struggles Skirt Gate - The famous blooper where a falling door clearly weighs nothing as Janet Fielding's every tiny movement lifts it Ingrid Pitt's karate vs. the Myrka - The former Hammer horror star (playing Dr. Solow) deliberately aged herself up and performed unconvincing martial arts against the creature in an obvious first-take Reptilian Reunion: First team-up of Silurians and Sea Devils - Despite being "cousins," the two reptilian species look nothing alike, with Sea Devils acting as subservient warriors to Silurian scientists Redesigned Sea Devils - New helmets with Asian-influenced design reminiscent of Buck Rogers' Draconians, with illuminated third eyes solving the mouth-movement problem Jim argues this represents Doctor Who's aging fanbase problem - like 1980s comics, the show wasn't attracting new young viewers, leaving only "cranky old fans" who'd seen every trope before. The hosts debate whether the Doctor's final moment of regret will carry into the next serial, with John insisting it must affect the character going forward. Extended Listener Mail Segment: The episode features six emails discussing The Five Doctors, providing retrospective thoughts on the anniversary special, Tom Baker's absence, Richard Hurndall's performance, and various behind-the-scenes details. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Check out Jim Beard's latest creative release - a beautiful blank journal book "Snowball Strums a Story" featuring an original sketch from Jim himself, perfect for Whovians and creative writers! Available now on Amazon for only $7.99 with 200 pages of lined and blank pages: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-Strums-Story-Thinkin-Journal/dp/B0FTVDVD45 Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #WarriorsOfTheDeep #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Season21 #Silurians #SeaDevils #Myrka #ReptilianReunion #Icthar #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #Turlough #MarkStrickson #BaseUnderSiege #ProductionDisaster #TheMyrka #BehindTheScenes #MichaelGrade #JohnnyByrne #PennantRoberts #MargaretThatcher #BBCProduction #DoctorWho1984 #ProductionNightmare #DrSolow #IngridPitt #SeaBase4 #UnderwaterBase #2084 #ColdWarSciFi #MoralDilemma #Genocide #HexachromiteGas #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #DoctorWhoHistory #ClassicWho #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #ProductionProblems #SpecialEffectsDisaster #PepperPots #ReptilianAliens #DoctorWhoVillains #JonPertwee #ThirdDoctor #SkirtGate #WardrobeMalfunction #DrNo #JamesBond

"Orange Whip, Orange Whip, Orange Whip" - Production 6K: "The Five Doctors" (November 23/25, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who 20th Anniversary Special Review The ultimate Doctor Who celebration arrives! To commemorate two decades of time travel adventures, all five incarnations of the Doctor are mysteriously pulled out of time and transported to the Death Zone on Gallifrey - the ancient forbidden wasteland where Time Lords once staged gladiatorial games. The First Doctor (Richard Hurndall) and granddaughter Susan, the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Sarah Jane Smith, and the Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) with companions Tegan and Turlough must navigate deadly traps, face classic enemies including Daleks, Cybermen, and a Raston Warrior Robot, and ultimately reach the Dark Tower to discover who has orchestrated this temporal kidnapping. Meanwhile, the Fourth Doctor remains trapped in a time eddy. The Master receives a presidential pardon to help, Lord President Borusa harbors dark secrets about immortality, and the fate of all Gallifrey hangs in the balance in this 90-minute anniversary extravaganza. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space with an incredible lineup of special guests! From The Flopcast, the Mayor of Chickentown herself, Felicity Kusinitz returns to claim the Second Doctor. From The OSI Files podcast, artist extraordinaire Jerry Lange champions the Fourth Doctor (despite Tom Baker's controversial absence). And from the late Doctor Who Gives a Bleep podcast and current host of The Bat77 podcast, JB Anderton takes on the First Doctor role. In this comprehensive anniversary special analysis, the hosts discuss: The Tom Baker controversy - Why the Fourth Doctor was reduced to archive footage from the unfinished "Shada" serial, theories about his refusal (too soon after leaving, not wanting to share the spotlight, conflicting theatre commitments with "Educating Rita"), and whether the public knew beforehand Richard Hurndall's remarkable performance - How the replacement First Doctor exceeded expectations and created wonderful chemistry with both Carol Ann Ford's Susan and surprisingly, Tegan Robert Holmes' rejected script - The original "Six Doctors" concept featuring a robot First Doctor and Cybermen becoming "Cyber-Lords" (a concept Chris Chibnall would eventually use) Perfect companion pairings - Sarah Jane with the Third Doctor and the Brigadier with the Second Doctor as happy accidents that became highlights Production challenges - The Eye of Orion footage damage requiring Mark Strickson's emergency recall ("Strickson phone home!"), the abandoned hang glider sequence replaced by the zip line, and Elizabeth Sladen's unfortunate costume choices Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee's minimal aging - Both looking remarkably like their original incarnations despite years away from the role The balance of multiple Doctors - How the script successfully gave each incarnation meaningful moments without anyone overpowering the others American vs. British viewing experiences - PBS broadcasting it two days before the BBC on the actual anniversary during the Chicago convention Jim declares this "a lot of fun" and "almost everything I wanted" - a breath of fresh air with excellent character interactions, though Tom Baker's absence remains the only significant downbeat. The panel agrees that all actors played their roles straight without mugging or winking, creating a sincere celebration rather than a farce. This landmark special aired November 23, 1983 on American PBS stations (particularly WTTW Chicago during the massive "Visions" convention) and November 25, 1983 on BBC1 during Children in Need. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Check out Jim Beard's latest creative release - a beautiful blank journal book featuring an original sketch from Jim himself, perfect for Whovians and creative writers! Available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-Strums-Story-Thinkin-Journal/dp/B0FTVDVD45 Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TheFiveDoctors #20thAnniversary #AnniversarySpecial #ClassicDoctorWho #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #RichardHurndall #SecondDoctor #PatrickTroughton #ThirdDoctor #JonPertwee #FourthDoctor #TomBaker #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #SarahJaneSmith #ElisabethSladen #BrigadierLethbridgeStewart #NicholasCourtney #Susan #CarolAnnFord #TeganJovanka #Turlough #TheMaster #AnthonyAinley #Borusa #Gallifrey #DeathZone #DarkTower #Cybermen #Daleks #RastonWarriorRobot #Shada #TerenceDicks #PeterMoffatt #JohnNathanTurner #DoctorWho1983 #MultiDoctor #ChildrenInNeed #PBS #WTTW #ChicagoConvention #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #SpecialGuests #FelicityKusinitz #TheFlopcast #JerryLang #TheOSIFiles #JBAnderton #TARDIS #Whovian #TimeLords #DoctorWhoHistory #LandmarkEpisode #DoctorWhoFandom #MultiDoctorStory #BluesBrothers #OrangeWhip

Production 6J: "The King's Demons" (March 15-16, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who Season 20 Finale Review The TARDIS fails to reach Turlough's promised homeworld of Trion, instead materializing in Medieval England during March 1215 - the crucial period leading to the signing of the Magna Carta, one of history's most important constitutional documents. The Fifth Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough arrive at Fitzwilliam Castle to discover King John behaving extraordinarily out of character, acting with uncharacteristic cruelty and tyranny that threatens to derail the entire timeline. The erratic monarch appears to be under the sinister influence of Sir Gilles Estram, a mysterious French nobleman whose features look disturbingly familiar to the Doctor. Investigating this temporal anomaly, the Doctor uncovers a devastating plot orchestrated by his oldest and most persistent nemesis - the Master (Anthony Ainley) has traveled back in time to prevent the Magna Carta from ever being signed, fundamentally altering Earth's democratic history and destabilizing the entire future of human civilization. At the center of this scheme is Kamelion, a shape-shifting android with extraordinary abilities who becomes a pawn in the Master's game and an unexpected addition to the TARDIS crew. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this Season 20 finale analysis, they dissect the complicated behind-the-scenes story of Kamelion - the ambitious shape-changing robot companion whose technical malfunctions plagued production and limited future appearances, critique how writer Terence Dudley once again relegates both Tegan Jovanka and Turlough to passive bystander roles with minimal character development or meaningful participation, and argue that this two-part story desperately needed additional episodes to properly develop its ambitious historical premise and Master plot. This episode features a remarkably candid conversation about the Fifth Doctor himself. Jim comes clean about his ongoing struggle to connect with Peter Davison's interpretation - after twenty episodes, he still isn't feeling this incarnation and openly wonders if he ever will warm to the Fifth Doctor's gentle, vulnerable characterization. John empathizes completely with Jim's perspective while defending his own position: Peter Davison remains John's absolute favorite Doctor precisely because of the understated qualities Jim finds frustrating - his compassion, emotional accessibility, and fallible heroism rather than commanding authority. "The King's Demons" concludes Season 20's uneven journey toward the monumental 20th Anniversary Special that awaits in November 1983. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Check out Jim Beard's latest creative release - a beautiful blank journal book featuring an original sketch from Jim himself, perfect for Whovians and creative writers! Available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-Strums-Story-Thinkin-Journal/dp/B0FTVDVD45 Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #TheKingsDemos #Season20Finale #TheMaster #AnthonyAinley #Kamelion #ShapeShiftingRobot #RobotCompanion #Turlough #MarkStrickson #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #MagnaCarta #KingJohn #MedievalEngland #HistoricalDoctor #1215AD #TerenceDudley #DoctorWho1983 #20thAnniversary #SeasonFinale #NewCompanion #TimeTravelParadox #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #PeterDavisonDebate #FavoriteDoctor #DoctorWhoOpinions #MasterPlan #ClassicWho #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #DoctorWhoHistory #SciFiTV #ConstitutionalHistory #DoctorWhoVillains #JimBeard #CreativeJournal #ProductionIssues #BehindTheScenes

Production 6H: "Enlightenment" (March 1-9, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who Season 20 Review The Black Guardian Trilogy reaches its spectacular conclusion as the TARDIS materializes aboard an elegant Edwardian racing yacht - but this is no ordinary vessel. The ship sails not across Earth's oceans, but through the infinite void of space itself, crewed by the mysterious Eternals - immortal beings who exist outside normal time, observing mortal "Ephemerals" with detached fascination while desperately seeking meaning in their endless existence. These god-like entities have organized a cosmic race across the solar system, with ships styled after various historical periods competing for the ultimate prize: Enlightenment itself, a crystallized form of absolute knowledge and truth. Caught between the manipulations of both the White Guardian and Black Guardian, Vislor Turlough must finally choose his allegiance - will he murder the Doctor to save himself, or reject the Black Guardian's promised rewards? Meanwhile, Tegan Jovanka finds herself the unwilling object of affection from Captain Striker, an Eternal who cannot comprehend human emotions yet is fascinated by her temporal existence. The Fifth Doctor races to prevent catastrophe as the competition reaches its climax and the true nature of Enlightenment is revealed. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this Black Guardian Trilogy finale analysis, they explore writer Barbara Clegg's philosophical concepts behind the Eternals and their parasitic relationship with mortal consciousness, debate the story's frustratingly anticlimactic and unsatisfying resolution that undermines the trilogy's buildup, and examine the fascinating dynamic where Turlough emerges as the voice of pragmatic reason compared to the Doctor's more reckless heroism - reversing their expected character roles. This episode addresses two crucial questions: Where did John and Jim ultimately land in their numerical rating for this ambitious yet flawed conclusion to the season-spanning Black Guardian arc? And at this pivotal halfway point through Peter Davison's tenure as the Fifth Doctor, has Jim's skepticism about this incarnation softened, or does he remain unconvinced by Davison's understated performance style? Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Check out Jim Beard's latest creative release - a beautiful blank journal book featuring an original sketch from Jim himself, perfect for Whovians and creative writers! Available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-Strums-Story-Thinkin-Journal/dp/B0FTVDVD45 Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Enlightenment #Season20 #BlackGuardian #BlackGuardianTrilogy #TrilogyConclusion #WhiteGuardian #Eternals #Ephemerals #Turlough #MarkStrickson #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #BarbaraClegg #CosmicRace #SpaceYacht #CaptainStriker #PhilosophicalSciFi #ImmortalBeings #DoctorWho1983 #20thAnniversary #CharacterDevelopment #MoralDilemma #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #CompanionRedemption #GuardiansOfTime #ClassicWho #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #DoctorWhoHistory #SciFiTV #ConceptualSciFi #DoctorWhoPhilosophy #JimBeard #CreativeJournal #PeterDavisonDebate

Production 6G: "Terminus" (February 15-23, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who Season 20 Review The TARDIS crew faces heartbreak as beloved companion Nyssa of Traken makes her emotional departure from the Doctor's travels. After narrowly escaping the Black Guardian's schemes in the previous adventure, the Fifth Doctor, Tegan, and newly-arrived Turlough find themselves trapped aboard Terminus - a massive deteriorating space station serving as a quarantine facility and leper colony for victims of the incurable and dreaded Lazar's disease (also known as Lazars' Syndrome). This plague causes horrific decay and degeneration, with sufferers banished to Terminus where the mysterious robotic Vanir administer inadequate treatment using controlled doses of radiation from the station's unstable engines. As the Doctor investigates Terminus's terrible secret - that the station sits at the exact center of the known universe and may have caused the Big Bang itself - compassionate Nyssa witnesses the suffering of countless Lazar victims denied proper care. In a stunning character-defining moment, Sarah Sutton's Nyssa chooses to leave the TARDIS forever, dedicating her scientific knowledge and Trakenite healing abilities to finding a genuine cure for Lazar's disease and providing humane treatment to the abandoned plague victims. Her selfless sacrifice represents one of Classic Doctor Who's most noble companion exits. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this bittersweet Season 20 analysis, they discuss the poignant farewell to Nyssa after two and a half seasons of adventures, critique how writer Stephen Gallagher and script editor Eric Saward frustratingly sideline both Turlough and Tegan throughout the serial (reducing them to passive observers despite being featured cast), and highlight the desperate need for stronger script editing to tighten Steve Gallagher's ambitious but unfocused and meandering narrative that struggles to balance cosmic mythology with human drama. Jim candidly admits he will genuinely miss Nyssa's presence and Sarah Sutton's consistently excellent performances, but acknowledges her departure feels appropriately timed - her character role had been significantly diminished throughout Season 20 as the crowded TARDIS team left insufficient story material for her scientific expertise and compassionate nature to shine. The Black Guardian Trilogy continues with cosmic stakes and emotional consequences. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Check out Jim Beard's latest creative release - a beautiful blank journal book featuring an original sketch from Jim himself, perfect for Whovians and creative writers! Available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-Strums-Story-Thinkin-Journal/dp/B0FTVDVD45 Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Terminus #Season20 #Nyssa #SarahSutton #NyssaDeparture #CompanionExit #FarewellNyssa #Turlough #MarkStrickson #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #BlackGuardianTrilogy #LazarsDisease #LazarsSyndrome #SpaceStation #BigBang #UniverseOrigin #StephenGallagher #EricSaward #ScriptEditor #DoctorWho1983 #CompanionFarewell #TrakenCompanion #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #EmotionalExit #SelflessSacrifice #DoctorWhoCompanions #ClassicWho #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #DoctorWhoHistory #SciFiTV #JimBeard #CreativeJournal #OriginalArt #DoctorWhoMerchandise #20thAnniversary

Production 6F: "Mawdryn Undead" (February 1-9, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who Season 20 Review The Fifth Doctor experiences a bittersweet reunion with his dear friend Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart - but something is terribly wrong. The retired UNIT commander has completely lost all memory of the Time Lord and their adventures together defending Earth from alien threats. Investigating this troubling amnesia, the Doctor discovers the Brigadier's memory loss stems from a catastrophic temporal paradox involving two different versions of the Brigadier meeting simultaneously in 1977 and 1983. At the center of this crisis is the tragic Mawdryn, leader of a group of exiled scientists who attempted to steal the secret of Time Lord regeneration but instead became hideously mutated, unable to die yet condemned to an eternity of agonizing transformations. As the Doctor navigates this complex temporal puzzle, he must confront the limitations of his own regenerative abilities and the sacred twelve-regeneration cycle that governs all Time Lords. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this pivotal Season 20 episode analysis, they welcome special guest Felicity Kusinitz from The Flopcast podcast for an engaging three-way discussion. The trio celebrates the triumphant return of Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart after a five-year absence, analyze the mysterious introduction of new companion Vislor Turlough (Mark Strickson) - whose true allegiance remains hidden, and explore writer Peter Grimwade's expansion of Time Lord mythology cementing the canonical twelve-regeneration limit that would define Doctor Who lore for decades. In a delightful segment, Felicity and John attempt to convert the skeptical Jim - who remains unconvinced about the Fifth Doctor - by passionately defending Peter Davison's vulnerable, compassionate portrayal and explaining why this incarnation resonates so deeply with longtime fans despite his more understated heroism. "Mawdryn Undead" launches producer John Nathan-Turner's ambitious Black Guardian Trilogy, a season-spanning story arc featuring the return of Valentine Dyall's cosmic villain seeking revenge against the Doctor. This trilogy format represented innovative serialized storytelling in Classic Doctor Who's traditionally episodic structure. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #MawdrynUndead #Season20 #BrigadierLethbridgeStewart #TheBrigadier #NicholasCourtney #UNIT #Turlough #MarkStrickson #NewCompanion #BlackGuardian #BlackGuardianTrilogy #ValentineDyall #TimeLordMythology #RegenerationCycle #Twelve Regenerations #PeterGrimwade #JohnNathanTurner #DoctorWho1983 #20thAnniversary #TemporalParadox #TimeTravel #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #SpecialGuest #FelicityKusinitz #TheFlopcast #BrigadierReturns #TARDIS #Whovian #UNITFamily #CompanionIntroduction #DoctorWhoLore #TimeLord #Gallifrey #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #ClassicWho #StoryArc #DoctorWhoHistory #SciFiTV #DoctorWhoCanon

Production 6D: "Snakedance" (January 18-26, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who Season 20 Review The Fifth Doctor discovers that Tegan Jovanka has been involuntarily manipulating the TARDIS coordinates, steering them toward the peaceful planet Manusa - homeworld of the Sumaran Empire Federation and the historical site where the malevolent Mara was supposedly destroyed centuries ago. But the snake-like entity was never truly vanquished, and it once again seizes control of Tegan's mind in a terrifying possession, threatening to plunge the unsuspecting civilization of Manusa into chaos and darkness as it prepares for its prophesied return during the ceremony celebrating its ancient defeat. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this chilling sequel to Season 19's "Kinda," they analyze the Fifth Doctor's deepening concern and protectiveness for the traumatized Tegan following her previous Mara possession, celebrate Nyssa's stunning new costume that finally gives Sarah Sutton a more practical outfit, spotlight the television debut of British comedy legend Martin Clunes in his very first professional acting role as the spoiled Lon, and explore the fascinating thematic parallels between "Snakedance" and earlier Doctor Who stories involving mind control and ancient evil. Writer Christopher Bailey returns to expand his Buddhist-influenced mythology with director Fiona Cumming bringing psychological horror to life. The countdown to Doctor Who's monumental 20th anniversary continues as Season 20 follows producer John Nathan-Turner's mandate to bring back classic monsters and villains from the show's illustrious history. The Mara returns as part of the nostalgic callbacks celebrating two decades of time travel adventures! Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Snakedance #Season20 #TheMara #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #Possession #Nyssa #SarahSutton #MartinClunes #ActingDebut #ChristopherBailey #FionaCumming #Kinda #SequelStory #Manusa #SumaranEmpire #DoctorWho1983 #JohnNathanTurner #20thAnniversary #ReturningMonsters #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #BuddhistThemes #PsychologicalHorror #MindControl #AncientEvil #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #CompanionTrauma #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoVillains #DoctorWhoHistory #SciFiTV #DoctorWhoMonsters

Production 6E: "Arc of Infinity" (January 3-12, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who Season 20 Premiere Review Omega, the legendary renegade Time Lord and architect of Gallifreyan time travel, makes his shocking return with a desperate plan to escape his antimatter prison and re-enter the positive matter universe. Using the Arc of Infinity as his gateway, Omega hijacks the Fifth Doctor's biodata pattern to create a physical duplicate body - but his scheme becomes entangled with companion Tegan Jovanka's search for her missing cousin Colin Frazer in the picturesque streets of Amsterdam, leading to an explosive confrontation in the heart of the Dutch capital. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this Season 20 premiere analysis, they celebrate Nyssa's remarkable character development and maturation beyond her sheltered Trakenite origins, explore how the Fifth Doctor finally demonstrates genuine agency and authority compared to his earlier passive characterization, and Jim shares his candid disappointment with Tegan's controversial new costume design that replaced her beloved air stewardess uniform. The hosts also examine writer Johnny Byrne's ambitious return to Doctor Who mythology, producer John Nathan-Turner's bold decision to film on location in Amsterdam, and the return of Michael Gough to Doctor Who. This episode marks an exciting new chapter as Season 20 begins the countdown to Doctor Who's monumental 20th anniversary celebration later in the year! Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #ArcOfInfinity #Season20 #SeasonPremiere #Omega #TimeLords #Gallifrey #Nyssa #SarahSutton #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #Amsterdam #OnLocation #DoctorWho1983 #JohnnyByrne #JohnNathanTurner #EricSaward #RenegadeTimeLord #AntimatterUniverse #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #20thAnniversary #CompanionDevelopment #CharacterAnalysis #DoctorWhoAmsterdam #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #TimeLordMythology #GallifreyStory #ClassicWho #DoctorWho20 #DoctorWhoHistory #SciFiTV #ColinFrazer #DoctorWhoVillains

John and Jim wrap up their year long look at the Tom Baker era with a retrospective shaped with a framing letter from Patreon listener, Jamieson. We discuss Tom's three eras, his companions, and why he is considered one of the greats among the Doctors. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

Production 6C: "Time-Flight" (March 22-30, 1982) - Classic Doctor Who Season 19 Finale Review The Fifth Doctor's planned visit to London's Great Exhibition takes a dramatic detour when the TARDIS becomes trapped in a mysterious time corridor alongside missing Concorde supersonic aircraft, leading to an unexpected encounter with prehistoric Earth and ancient mysteries. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering in-depth reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this compelling season finale analysis, they welcome special guest Alan J. Porter (renowned author and podcaster) to explore the emotional aftermath of Adric's shocking death, celebrate the triumphant return of the Master, and dissect the devastating season-ending cliffhanger that leaves companion Tegan Jovanka stranded at Heathrow Airport. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content and fan theories. Support our thriving Patreon community for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis from your favorite hosts. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #TimeFlight #Season19Finale #TheMaster #TeganJovanka #AdricDeath #CompanionExit #Concorde #TimeTravel #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #SciFi #BBC #DoctorWhoClassic #DoctorWho1982 #SeasonFinale #DoctorWhoAnalysis #AlanJPorter #SpecialGuest #DoctorWhoFandom #TimeLord #Gallifrey #DoctorWhoHistory #BritishSciFi #HeathrowAirport #CompanionDeparture #CliffHanger

Production 6B: "Earthshock" (March 8-16, 1982) - Classic Doctor Who Review The Doctor's TARDIS materializes on a future Earth where the Cybermen orchestrate their most devastating plan yet - bombing a galactic conference to destroy world leaders and reshape the universe's destiny. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they become masters of time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this emotional episode analysis, they dive deep into Eric Saward's masterful scriptwriting, examine the shocking departure of beloved companion Adric, and explore how this serial revolutionized the Cybermen's deadly new tactics in the Whoniverse. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with fellow Whovians by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our vibrant Facebook and BlueSky communities for exclusive Doctor Who discussions. Support our Patreon community for early episode access, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive bonus material featuring deep-dive Doctor Who analysis. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Cybermen #Earthshock #Adric #CompanionDeparture #EricSaward #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #SciFi #BBC #DoctorWhoClassic #DoctorWho1982 #CybermanStory #DoctorWhoAnalysis #DoctorWhoFandom #TimeLord #Gallifrey #DoctorWhoHistory #BritishSciFi

Production 6A March 1-2 1982 The TARDIS lands in 1922 where Cranleigh Hall is being haunted by a mysterious figure and dead servants that only the Doctor apparently sees. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they are joined by artist Jerry Lange. Together, they discuss the stopping of the bickering among the crew, the obvious mystery, and the humor of the story. In addition, we have additional commentary from our Patreon subscribers who joined us to hear the podcast recorded live. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

Production 5X February 15-23, 1982 The TARDIS lands near London in 1666, where the Doctor manages to stop an alien invasion, but burns down London in the process. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the argumentative nature of the companions, the lack of essential Doctor in Davison's portrayal, and the wonder of Richard Mace. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

Production 5Y February 1-9, 1982 As Nyssa recuperates in the TARDIS, the Doctor, Tegan and Adric explore the world of Deva Loka where an Earth exhibition have uncovered the Kinda, but do not know the deadly secret these peaceful people hide. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the sidelining of Nyssa, the performance of Janet Fielding and Jim's pinning who this Doctor is. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Four to Doomsday" Production 5W January 18-26, 1982 The TARDIS lands on a vessel bound for Earth with four different groups of humans from different times and cultures. But are they human? And what are the intentions of Monarch and his fellow Urbankans? Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the character development, the making of the episode, and the comparisons with the Hartnell era. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Castrovalva" Production 5Z January 4-21, 1982 The Doctor struggles to settle into his new incarnation, taking the TARDIS to the world of Castrovalva where the Master has set a trap. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss Peter Davison as the Doctor, the role of the Watcher, and the Tegan and Nyssa's relationship. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"K9 & Company" Production 7P December 28, 1981 Sarah Jane investigates a coven of witches with her new found friend, K9. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the pairing of two iconic companions, the concept of the show as a series, and the lack of motive for a supposed mystery. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Logopolis" Production 5V February 28 - March 21, 1981 In an attempt to fix the chameleon circuit, the Doctor finds the Master has survived and is causing chaos on the planet, Logopolis, which hold the secret to the universe's survival. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the introduction of Tegan, the connection Tom Baker and Matthew Waterhouse share onscreen, and the role call of monsters and companions. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"The Keeper of Traken" Production 5T January 31 - February 21, 1981 On the way to Gallifrey, the TARDIS is taken over by the Keeper of Traken who needs the Doctor's help with a wave of evil that is washing over the peaceful union. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the introduction of Nyssa, the rapport between the Doctor and Adric, and the introduction of the new Master. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Warriors' Gate" Production 5S January 3-24, 1981 The TARDIS winds up in the void between E-Space and N-Space, but the gateway is guarded by robots created by those rebelling against their enslavers. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the abrupt departure of Romana, the sidelining of Adric and K9, and the convoluted plot. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Doctor Who and the Pescatons" July 1976   The Doctor and Sarah Jane return to Earth to discover a metallic shark-like race is bent on taking over the planet.   Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the similarities with Fury from the Deep, the toned down performance of Tom Baker, and the lack of Sarah Jane in the story.   Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community.   Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"State of Decay" Production 5P November 22 - December 13, 1980 The TARDIS takes the Doctor, Romana and Adric to a world where the people appear backward despite indications of high technology. Moreso, a threat from the Time Lords' past is hiding in plain sight. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss sidelining of K9, the best way to get Tom Baker to play with the team, and the rushed ending of this story. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Full Circle" Production 5R October 25. - November 15, 1980 Trapped in E-Space, the Doctor and Romana encounter Adric and a mystery that has kept his people in darkness for decades. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single story of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, we discuss the premiere of Adric, the opportunity of a lifetime for Andrew Smith, and the sidelining of both Romana and K9. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Meglos" Production 5N September 27 - October 18, 1980 The Doctor comes to help the people of Tygella, but is it really him? Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, we discuss the makeup on Tom Baker, the double act of Gregger and Brotadec, and the return of Jacqueline Hill to Doctor Who. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"The Leisure Hive" Production 5N August 30 - September 20, 1980 The Doctor and Romana visit the planet of Argolis where tachyon technology is being used to restore a dying civilization. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, we discuss the new version of the theme, the removal of the Radomizer, and the agency of Romana. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

MUSIC Craig Ferguson of the Late, Late Show creates lyrics for the Doctor Who theme -              Craig Ferguson ~ Doctor Who Special Openings! Show         11th SEASON RETROSPECTIVE John and Jim discuss the good, the bad, and the funny in Pertwee's final season as the Doctor. Stay tuned for our Pertwee retrospective next week.     COMIC 97 - Doctor Who - "Size Control" - May 18 - June 29, 1974 The Doctor discovers a vessel where giant mantis-like creatures are preparing to destroy their enemies, a peaceful race of beings.   We hope you enjoy this discussion and as a Patreon member, we ask that if there is something you'd like to hear us cover on the podcast, do not hesitate to reach out to us by email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com.   Become a Patreon member today to get early access to weekly episodes as well as exclusive content.

"The Horns of Nimon" Production 5L December 22, 1979 - January 12, 1980   The Nimon threaten not only the planet Skonnos, but the Doctor and Romana as well. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, we are joined by Felicity Kusinitz of the Flopcast. Together, we discuss Felicity's entry into Doctor Who, the restrained performance of Soldeed compared to the Captain in "The Pirate Planet" and  Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Nightmare of Eden" Production 5K November 24 - December 14, 1979 The Doctor and Romana find themselves trapped on a ship that is locked with another ship while dealing with drug runners. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the look of the Empress, the performance of Tom Baker and Lalla Ward, and the cliffhangers. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"The Creature from the Pit" Production 5G October 27 - November 17, 1979 On the planet Chloris, there is a mystery behind a murderous creature that skulks about in a pit. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the phallic nature of the creature, the voice change of K9, and the villainous Lady Adrasta. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"City of Death" Production 5H September 29 - October 20, 1979 On holiday in modern day Paris, the Doctor and Romana discover time ripples that have an effect on them and the people of the City of Love. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they are joined by author/podcaster Alan J. Porter to discuss Douglas Adams' humor, Lalla Ward's innocence, and the time travel potential of the story. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Destiny of the Daleks" Production 5J September 1-22, 1979   The Randomizer takes the TARDIS to Skaro where the Movellans and the Daleks are searching for something in the ruins of the Kaled city.   Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss Jim's appreciation of Lalla Ward's portrayal of Romana, the ratcheting up of humor in the show, and the condition of the Daleks in this story.   Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community.   Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

MUSIC Hank Marvin - Doctor Who (Official Video) https://youtu.be/8xHFDTO0PHU?si=ef94GqCjEJHL3EF9   SEASON 40 RETROSPECTIVE We take one last look at Ncuti Gatwa's first season as the Doctor.   COMIC 86 - Doctor Who - The Threat from Beneath - April 7, 1973 The Daleks attempt an invasion of Earth from beneath the surface of the ocean, using psychological techniques to subvert humanity.   87 - Doctor Who - Back to the Sun - May 5-27, 1973 An alien race attempts to invade the planet via a new power station.   We hope you enjoy this discussion and as a Patreon member, we ask that if there is something you'd like to hear us cover on the podcast, do not hesitate to reach out to us by email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com.

The Key to Time "The Armageddon Factor" Production 5F January 20 - February 20, 1979   The final segment to the Key to Time may prove the most difficult to find as the Black Guardian and his henchman, the Shadow, are hot on the trail as well.   Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss John's devotion to Lalla Ward, Romana's poor exit, and the legacy of Mary Tamm.   Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community.   Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.