The Doctor's Beard Podcast

Join hosts John Drew and Jim Beard, along with special guest Alan J. Porter, as they tackle one of Classic Who's most controversial stories - and discover they might be more divided on it than expected! Production Overview: This 1985 two-part adventure was written by Glen McCoy (his only Doctor Who story) and directed by Pennant Roberts in his final work on the series. The production faced several challenges, including John Nathan-Turner pulling Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant out of rehearsals twice - once for a US convention and once for pantomime rehearsals. Robert Ashby's Borad makeup took three hours to apply daily and prevented him from eating, though he was given creative freedom to rewrite his own dialogue. The story originally featured the First Doctor, Susan, Ian, and Barbara, but was changed to reference the Third Doctor and Jo Grant at JNT's insistence. The Paul Darrow Factor: Guest star Paul Darrow (Blake's 7's Avon) deliberately over-acted as revenge for Colin Baker's bombastic portrayal of Bayban the Butcher on Blake's 7. When JNT asked him to play Tekker like Avon, Darrow refused and instead played him like Richard III - even asking if he could wear a hump! Eric Saward described the character as "a Roman Emperor who's been sniffing glue all day." Fan Reception vs. Host Opinions: Despite ranking 199th out of 200 in Doctor Who Magazine's 2009 poll (just above "The Twin Dilemma"), the hosts find themselves surprisingly divided. Alan defends the story as one of his favorites, particularly praising the H.G. Wells subplot and the Doctor's use of temporal mechanics. Jim finds it uneven but leans more positive than negative, enjoying Part 2 more than Part 1. John remains the dissenting voice, giving it his lowest rating and arguing it should have been condensed to a single episode. What Works: The Borad's makeup design and Robert Ashby's restrained performance The Doctor actively using time manipulation as a tool (the "time slip" device) The Third Doctor/Jo Grant backstory and photo reveal H.G. Wells as Herbert, with the reveal of his identity The Bandril aliens as an attempt at something visually different Colin Baker's performance showing the Doctor's arrogance and self-assurance Peri's relatively conservative and flattering outfit The concept of time technology used as a weapon (aging doors, etc.) References to the Doctor being President of Gallifrey What Doesn't Work: Twenty-one minutes before the TARDIS actually arrives on Karfel Excessive padding, particularly the extended TARDIS arguing scenes The "Morlocks" name being too on-the-nose from H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" Plot holes regarding mirrors, reflective surfaces, and androids The unnecessary subplot about the impending Bandril war The clone reveal feeling like a tired trope Peri's character arc diminishing from agency to damsel in distress Questions about how the Doctor knew there was a mirror behind the mural The Borad's similarity to Davros (wheelchair, arm weapon, disfigurement) Behind the Sofa Reception: Interestingly, all three Behind the Sofa pairings enjoyed the story, with Janet Fielding calling it the best of Season 22 and Peter Davison saying it was "bad enough to be good." Special Effects: The Blu-ray release is the only Colin Baker Season 22 story to receive updated special effects, particularly within the Timelash corridor itself. However, the hosts debate whether the original effects were actually any worse than typical for the era, with some defending them as perfectly acceptable for 1985. The Third Doctor Connection: The story's references to an unseen Third Doctor adventure generate discussion about whether this needs to be explored further. Some Big Finish audios and novels have addressed different aspects of this backstory, though no single story covers the complete adventure. The reveal of Jo Grant's photo in the locket creates a memorable moment, though questions remain about the logistics of the wall/mural/mirror setup. Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor: All three hosts praise Colin Baker's performance, with discussion about how he represents a return to the "classic" Doctor archetype - combining arrogance, self-assurance, and alien behavior in ways that callback to earlier incarnations. Alan notes that the Sixth Doctor has become his favorite classic Doctor, particularly in Big Finish audios where the character develops further. Jim agrees that Baker brings back an edge and arrogance that had been missing from the Fifth Doctor's portrayal. H.G. Wells Subplot: The reveal of Herbert as H.G. Wells divides the hosts. Alan loves this aspect and wishes Wells could have become a companion, noting that expanded media has hinted at further travels with the Doctor. The hosts discuss the 1979 film "Time After Time" covering similar territory. The Loch Ness Monster connection provides a subtle Easter egg at the story's conclusion. Nicola Bryant's American Accent: The discussion reveals interesting perspectives - Alan, who lived in Britain during the original broadcast, thought she was genuinely American for years. Now living in the US for 30 years, he can hear her straining with the accent. The hosts share the behind-the-scenes story of how Bryant and her agent maintained the deception for nearly a year before revealing the truth to Colin Baker. The Violence Debate: The hosts attribute Season 22's increased violence to Eric Saward's script editing philosophy and his particular vision of science fiction, suggesting he didn't fully understand the Doctor's character. They note that the 18-month hiatus may have saved the show by allowing time to reassess and tone down the violence. Production Value Discussion: The hosts debate whether Timelash deserves its reputation for poor effects and production values, with most agreeing the special effects are no worse than surrounding stories. The Timelash corridor interior set receives mixed reviews - an "A for effort" but questioned execution that might have benefited from filters or different lighting approaches. Viewership: Part 1: 6.7 million viewers Part 2: 7.4 million viewers Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): John and Jim cover all three parts of Steve Parkhouse's "Polly the Glot" comic strip, spin the Memory TARDIS, and discuss more theme music variations. The hosts express relief that only two more Parkhouse stories remain in their comic journey. Next Main Episode: The hosts continue through Colin Baker's Season 22 with "Revelation of the Daleks," featuring the return of Davros. John handles narration duties, and they're joined by special guest Felicity Kusinitz, who has recovered from her previous illness and will bring her "much better voice" to the discussion. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #Timelash #ClassicWho #SixthDoctor #ColinBaker #NicolaBryant #Peri #PaulDarrow #BlakesSeven #HGWells #ThirdDoctor #JoGrant #TheBorad #Season22 #1985 #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #Whovian #ClassicDoctorWho #TimeLords #TARDIS #TemporalMechanics #GlenMcCoy #PennantRoberts #Karfel #Bandrils #Morlocks

Join hosts John Drew and Jim Beard, along with special guest JB Anderton (Doctor Who Gives a F*ck/The Bat 77 podcast), as they tackle one of the most controversial multi-Doctor stories in classic Who history. Production Overview: The hosts discuss the behind-the-scenes details of this 1985 three-part adventure, including how the location shifted from the originally planned New Orleans to Seville, Spain. They explore the challenging filming conditions, including extreme heat that made the production difficult, and discuss how this became Colin Baker's favorite story due to his friendship with Patrick Troughton. Creative Conflicts: The episode examines the tension between writer Robert Holmes and director Peter Moffatt, who had very different visions for the story's tone. The hosts also discuss script editor Eric Saward's influence and his preference for darker, more violent content. The Season 6B Theory: The hosts dive deep into fan theories explaining why the Second Doctor and Jamie appear older and why the Doctor seems to be working for the Time Lords, introducing listeners to the concept of "Season 6B" - the idea that the Second Doctor had adventures between his trial and regeneration. Performance Praise: All three hosts agree that Patrick Troughton delivers an excellent performance, giving the role his full commitment despite the script's issues. Colin Baker also receives praise for his dedication, though the hosts feel the material doesn't serve either Doctor well enough. Major Criticisms: The character of Shockeye and the extended focus on food/cannibalism themes Gratuitous violence including the rat-eating scene Poor pacing that stretches the story beyond its natural length Wasted potential for Jamie's character The controversial ending where the Sixth Doctor kills Shockeye Questionable makeup choices for Troughton's Androgum transformation Tall Sontarans that contradict established lore Historical Context: The hosts note that during the airing of part two, the BBC announced Doctor Who would be "rested" for 18 months, creating controversy among fans. The hosts conclude that while the story began with promise in part one, it devolved significantly by part three, with the violence and Shockeye subplot overwhelming what could have been an engaging multi-Doctor adventure. Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive: John and Jim wrap up their look at Colin Baker's Voyager comic story, spin the Memory TARDIS, and dive into the infamous "A Fix with Sontarans" special from Jim'll Fix It. Plus, Jim finally shares his thoughts on the legendary (and infamous) charity single "Doctor in Distress" by Ian Levine and company. Next Main Episode: The hosts continue their Colin Baker journey with "Timelash," joined by special guest Alan J. Porter. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicWho #TheTwoDoctors #SixthDoctor #SecondDoctor #ColinBaker #PatrickTroughton #FraserHines #DoctorWhoPodcast #Whovian #TimeLord #Sontarans #RobertHolmes #1985 #MultiDoctor #TARDIS #JamieJamie #Peri #DoctorWhoReview #ClassicDoctorWho

OPENING: THE RANI INTRODUCTION: John: "So here we are again talking The Mark of the Rani, which now for you, Timey Wimey, you've already met the Rani, but this is the Rani 1.0, played by Kate O'Mara, who American audiences might remember appeared on the television show Dynasty." JIM'S INITIAL REACTION: "It is really interesting. I'm glad you brought that up, because it had occurred to me that I had already met the character and was somewhat familiar with her. At least I knew the basic setup because we had talked when we watched her in the Ncuti story." THE OVERALL VERDICT: "Otherwise, in general, I enjoyed this story. And Kate O'Mara - good. And yet in a different way than the actress in current days." PRODUCTION DETAILS: Production Code: 6X Air Dates: February 2-9, 1985 Writers: Pip and Jane Baker (first outing for Doctor Who - they'll be back next season and Sylvester McCoy's first season with another Rani story) Director: Sarah Hellings (the last female director for Classic Doctor Who) THE MUSIC John: "One of the things - I've said this, this is one of my favorite episodes - but one thing that I love about it, the music stands out in this one compared to a lot of other productions." Jim: "Interesting that you say that, because I've said it many times before, I don't always notice music, it doesn't always hit me on a conscious level. I noticed it and made a note. It did stand out to me in this story." ANTHONY AINLEY'S DISCONTENT: John: "I mentioned the appearance of the Master. And Anthony Ainley, Colin Baker, and Nicola Bryant all say on the Blu-ray set that Ainley was not happy about sharing the limelight. RATINGS: Episode 1: 6.3 million Episode 2: 7.3 million JIM'S FORMAT REVELATION: "I'm gonna say it right now. While watching this, I finally, finally decided fully - I don't care for this setup. I don't care for the two parts at 45 minutes each." PART ONE SYNOPSIS: Doctor and Peri arrive in the early 19th-century mining village of Killingworth to investigate time distortion. They witness local miners attack a deliveryman and smash the machinery he was carrying, appearing as Luddites to locals. The Doctor notices one rampaging miner has a strange red mark on his neck. He meets Lord Ravensworth, a local landowner who saves the Doctor when attacked by three Luddites. He's deeply concerned about violent outbreaks among normally passive men. Culprit is the Rani, a Time Lord chemist posing as old woman running local bathhouse. She's been extracting neurochemicals from miners that enable sleep, which causes red marks on their necks. She needs these chemicals for her planet, Miasimia Goria, where her experiments have left inhabitants unable to rest and have now rebelled. Master arrives having visited her planet and forces an uneasy partnership by stealing some of her precious brain fluid to ensure cooperation. Doctor disguises himself as a miner and enters the bathhouse. Rani traps him, but Master convinces her to let him handle the Time Lord. He convinces Luddites to push Doctor's TARDIS down the mine shaft with the Doctor to follow. JIM'S LIGHTNING ROUND: "I want to try something different here. Bear with me. Lightning round of comments. You ready? Let's see this." THE LIST: Almost artistic opening shots plus nice music She is wearing - the Doctor says the Daleks have time machines Master Lots of handheld camera work Peri's more capable The Master changed time by eliminating a man Vulgarly colored coat The Master and Rani have a history Rani's jabs at the Master - smiley face Doctor's imitations of Peri - smiley face No birds Doctor recognizes the Rani but she didn't recognize him American War of Independence The Rani's a vegan Brains as good as anyone's - No comment, Doctor Shades of Bruce Wayne   THE OPENING SEQUENCE: Jim: "Let's go right back to the beginning - that opening series of shots to set up the village, the music lining, and then into the bathhouse. Almost artistic. It was filmed so nicely, with nothing weird going on. And then they go into the bathhouse, and it gets weird at that point. But accompanied by very nice music." The Impact: "Beautiful work. I was never so taken by opening shots. They were almost poetic in a way. And she did all that - that was a small area, and she made it look so much bigger."   PART TWO SYNOPSIS: Doctor is saved by inventor George Stephenson and returns with Peri to Lord Ravensworth's estate, where Stephenson has planned a meeting of scientific and engineering geniuses. The Doctor worries about gathering under the current circumstances, but the Master is desperate for it to proceed. He wants to enlist the finest minds of the Industrial Revolution to accelerate Earth's development and use the planet as a power base. Master uses mind control on Stephenson's assistant Luke Ward, ordering him to kill anyone who tries to prevent meeting. Master strikes a deal with Rani - she can return to Earth at any time to harvest brain fluid if she helps him achieve his goal. Doctor sneaks into Rani's TARDIS at the bathhouse, discovering jars of preserved dinosaur embryos. Rani summons her ship to the old mine workings, with the doctor still hiding inside, and he overhears their plans. Peri uses her botanical knowledge to make a sleeping draft for afflicted miners, searching for herbs amid Rani's landmines. Doctor confronts Master and Rani at the edge of the dell and witnesses Luke step on a mine that transforms him into a tree. Using Master's own tissue compression eliminator, Doctor takes them prisoner, but Rani tricks Peri and two escape. However, the Doctor has sabotaged Rani's TARDIS navigational system. The ship spins out of control, and under destabilized conditions, the jar holding the Tyrannosaurus Rex embryo falls and breaks, causing the creature to grow due to time spillage. Doctor and Peri swap a vial of brain fluid with Ravensworth, who will administer it to afflicted miners. They depart in the TARDIS before the astonished eyes of the scientist and his financier. THE LANDMINE QUESTION: Jim: "What is it about this show and landmines?" THE REMOTE CONTROL: Jim: "The thing about that - she has solved the problem of being able to remote control a TARDIS. Does that come into play going forward?" John: "Yes. There is another Time Lord in Classic Who coming up who also has the ability to do that." Jim: "That's cool." THE MORALITY DEBATE: John: "I think she's not evil. She's amoral." THE INVITATION: Jim: "So, everybody out there listening, if you want to chime in, is the Rani evil or just amoral? We'd love to hear from you." NEXT TIME: Monday (Patreon): More Voyager Part 4, some Doctor Who music, and some Memory TARDIS Friday (Patreon) then Saturday (Main Feed): THE TWO DOCTORS - a three-part story Jim: "Let's see how well things hold up there if I've got to sit through three 45-minute episodes. Oh my word. It does have Patrick Troughton though." John: "And you always seem to like Patrick Troughton better when he's tempered by the other ones." THE SIGN-OFF: "And now you know what your co-hosts do in the Doctor's Beard TARDIS - argue, mainly!" Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TheMarkOfTheRani #ArgueMainly #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Peri #NicolaBryant #KateOMara #TheRani #RaniDebut #AnthonyAinley #TheMaster #PipAndJaneBaker #SarahHellings #LastFemaleDirector #ClassicWho #Season22 #GeorgeStephenson #Killingworth #Luddites #IndustrialRevolution #Shropshire #IronbridgeGorge #HandheldCamera #FirstTime #BatmanSixty6Connections #KingTut #SomeaysYouCantGetRidOfABomb #BrucWayne #DoctorSyn #ScarecrowOfRomneyMarsh #PatrickMcGoohan #TheMusic #JonathanGibbs #JohnLewis #AIDS #Tragedy #ColinBakerTrooper #DogExcrement #DislocatedPinky #Stunts #AinleyNotHappy #SharingTheLimelight #Dynasty #RaniVsMaster #OppositeNumber #Scientist #Amoral #EvilOrAmoral #TheQueen #Hindi #Rani #TimeladyRegeneration #Romana #CanChangeHowSheLooks #TheRanisTARDIS #BestConsole #RemoteControl #TRexEmbryos #DinosaurEmbryos #ChekhovsGun #TimeSpillage #MiasimiaGoria #BrainFluid #NeurochemicalsForSleep #Landmines #TransformationIntoTree #LukeWard #BotanicalKnowledge #PeriCapable #PeriWhining #InconsistentCharacter #PipVsJane #CatsAndMiceOnGallifrey #TwoPartFormat #45Minutes #TooLong #LessIsMore #Batman66Homages #Nostalgia #FirstColinBakerStory #1987Convention #GeorgeTakei #PeterDavison #PatrickTroughton #MissedOpportunity #NotSexiestDoctor #PinkPumps #PeriOutfit #CrystalPavilion #Dowdy #TissueCompressionEliminator #Phallic #VeganLine #LambChop #NoCommentDoctor #MyBrainsAsGoodAsAnyones #13OutOf15 #JodieWhittaker #FemaleVillain #FemaleDirector #FemaleWriter #BehindTheSofa #Consensus #BestSoFar #NotSoDark #PhilipMartin #VideoNasties #BigFinish #MissionToMagnus #CreedOfTheChromon #AntidoteToOblivion #Mindwarp #BlueCoat #RealTime #FlashAnimation #PaulMcGannMovie #Homework #TheTwoDoctors #NextWeek #ThreePartStory #Felicity #GetWellSoon #JeffScott #Australia #JustinGallifrey #Jameson #JamieGirl #Shag #ColinBakerYears #WontBeWriting #SylvesterMcCoyReturn #24DayNovel #DisneyWorld #30Days #Countdown #Snowstorm #ZeroDegrees #LakeBuenaVista #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #PodcastCommunity

Episode Title: "I'm In The Minority" - Vengeance on Varos Review THE EMPTY TARDIS: The Missing Guest: Felicity Cousins from The Flop Cast was supposed to join but had to bow out about an hour before recording - her voice has been acting up again. "I don't think she ever really fully recovered from the last time she was sick when she was with us." THE SEXY DOCTOR ANNOUNCEMENT: John: "She was going to miss the announcement that we are now dealing with the sexiest Doctor to date!" Jim: "According to People Magazine? According to the newspapers?" The Daily Mirror: "In addition to having the sexiest Doctor, we also have a companion with great assets." Jim's Pun: "You're really keeping abreast of this stuff." John: "Yes, I am." THE SEXINESS DEBATE: Jim: "Honestly, sexier than Jon Pertwee? Come on." THE BIG QUESTION: John: "I told you this was one of my two favorite Colin Baker stories, and I would actually rank this up there as some of the best Doctor Who in Classic Who. What are your initial thoughts about Vengeance on Varos?" PRODUCTION DETAILS: Production Code: 6V (V for Varos!) Air Dates: January 19-26, 1985 Writer: Philip Martin (first story - will have sequel with Sil next season) Director: Ron Jones Original Titles: "Domain" and "Planet of Fear" THE PUBLIC RECEPTION: The Controversy: Episode didn't get very well received by the public. Scenes like: Acid bath deaths Attempted hangings Genetic experiments on women The Complaints: Widely criticized in Radio Times Letters page and in TV program Points of View. Unlike Before: "Unlike previous criticisms of the show's violence, this time it was raised by members of the general public. Some of the show's fans were even against this, besides people like Mary Whitehouse." PART ONE SYNOPSIS: Desolate planet Varos - citizen workers make up strange society of viewers who watch public torture and executions and vote on whether or not their Governor will be punished on camera for his actions. Official currently negotiating over price of Varos's precious Zeiton (Zeiton or Zyton?) with Sil, contentious representative of Galatron Mining Concern. Dealings going poorly for Varos. Sil has inside man - Governor's Chief Officer on his payroll advising him to oust current leader. Doctor and Peri arrive seeking Zeiton to repair ailing TARDIS, find themselves freeing rebel named Jondar from televised execution. As Governor, Sil, and everyone on planet watch, Doctor and Peri escape with Jondar and his wife Areta, only to wander into Purple Zone - tunnels haunted by fantastic illusions. Getting through them, Doctor discovers TARDIS has been captured, then loses Peri and others to guards chasing them. He himself walks into arid desert illusion. While citizenry watch, he seemingly succumbs to great heat and perishes. THE META COMMENTARY: Jim: "It's very meta what we would call meta today. It strikes you immediately that he's commenting about violence on television." The American Target: "I personally felt a little targeted because I feel like in extension they - or he was - pointing that a lot at us here in the United States." John: "I'd say that's fair." THE PENAL COLONY: Jim: "Weirdly enough, we're also going back to the old Australia thing. But as in good Doctor Who form, we get something like that dropped and then it's not picked up on again." The Discovery: "The whole thing about 'I discovered that this is a penal colony' - or it grew out of a penal colony. I said 'Oh, all right, we've kind of had that a lot recently.' But then I remembered that it wasn't brought up again." THE TIME CRAFT MYSTERY - AGAIN: Jim: "Another thing that's used here - I'm sure you noticed it, and I don't get it unless it's something we're going to be rewarded with at some point - there's another mention of another space-time craft. So why do we get two of these mentions now? Or is that just coincidence?" John's Explanation: "This particular season, without I don't know if they realize it, if it was done on purpose - we deal a lot with other alien cultures trying their hand in time travel. Including we're going to have, if I'm not mistaken, humans soon." JIM'S OPINION: "Piss or get off the pot. That's an interesting aspect, although as Homer Simpson's father said, 'I ain't for it, I'm agin it' because I think it does take the Mickey out of the Time Lords. But if you're going to go down that road, then tell us that story - what will the Time Lords do about making sure they're the only ones that get to do that?" WHAT JOHN LOVES: JOHN'S LIST: The Music: "I love the music. I think the music is very inspired for this." The Twin Dilemma Doctor: "This is more of the Doctor from Twin Dilemma - as he so callously says to Peri 'Oh well, you'll just live out the few years you got left, you'll die and that's it. But I'm stuck here forever in the...' That was actually an interesting moment. There was a little thread of Tom Baker's 'I am the walker in eternity' or whatever the hell he said in Pyramids of Mars." The Torture Scene: "I thought it interesting that right off the bat we get a torture scene as Jason Connery's character Jondar is chained up. That's one of the first things that was called out - 'Oh look at this, we just start the show and this guy's being brutalized?' I guess they wanted to hit people with it right off the bat. 'This isn't your typical Doctor Who.'" Jim: "It definitely isn't." THE GREEK CHORUS: John: "I was shocked - I didn't really realize it until watching it this time. We've got our two folks there sitting and watching. They represent us, the audience, the rest of Varos. How casual they talk about those being tortured as though they were fictional. You'd sit there go 'Oh no, that was the guy who got killed last week' - say that casually because it's all fiction. But these are real people and they're saying it the same way." Jim: "I mean, I think that's part of the message - violence on television is numbing us to the fact that there is real violence in the world." THE APPRECIATION: Jim: "I'll admit that part is kind of interesting because those two are totally in that room the entire time. They're kind of like a Greek chorus. They're off to one side, commenting on everything going on. Then they themselves have a little struggle between them." The Uniqueness: "That was an interesting thing to do because I don't really remember anything else like that - two characters who don't have any interaction whatsoever with all the other characters. And they're in one set the entire time." GUEST STARS: The Governor - Martin Jarvis: One of those rare people to have appeared in all three decades of Doctor Who: 1965's The Web Planet as one of the Menoptera Invasion of the Dinosaurs in 1974 Jim: "We wouldn't recognize him from that. But that's cool." John: "See, point to me - I recognize that you recognize him. I went 'This dude has totally been in Doctor Who before.'" Areta - Stephen Yardley: Previously played Severin in Genesis of the Daleks (1975) Owen Teale (Maldak): Going to appear later in Torchwood episode "Countrycide" Etta - Sheila Reid: "I was today years old when I discovered that Etta is Clara Oswald's grandmother in Doctor Who, appearing in both a Peter Capaldi and a Matt Smith story. And she's wonderful as the grandmother." John: "She's adorable as Clara's grandmother. Still with us. Still acting. Last credit was just last year." SIL - NABIL SHABAN: The Condition: Born with osteogenesis imperfecta which left his bones brittle. Recent Passing: "Only passed away this past October at the age of 72. We'll see him again next season in Trial of a Time Lord, one of the stories there." Jim's Memory: "I did look him up because I couldn't shake the feeling he was in Time Bandits, but he wasn't. He really seemed like one of the - and pardon the term - dwarves, the little people. But he's not. He's not one of them. Kenny Baker is from Star Wars." The Background: "He's Jordanian British."   PART TWO SYNOPSIS: Doctor revives on gurney just before being put into acid bath and escapes. Governor tries to wring answers out of Peri but her truth falls on deaf ears. When Doctor is recaptured, Governor stages old-fashioned hanging to trick Doctor into talking, but instead makes Sil reveal his treachery against Varos. Peri and Areta put into transmogrifier and begin to change into animals. Doctor pulls the plug and together with Jondar they escape further into dome. There they come across more illusions and near death, while Chief Officer makes his own play to oust Governor with another public vote. Peri and Governor escape with help of guard and meet up with Doctor and others. Quillam and Chief Officer perish by poison vines. Back at Governor's chambers, Sil discovers his invasion has been stopped and he is ordered by his own people to negotiate for Zeiton at any price at all. A win for people of Varos, especially when Governor ceases all public tortures and executions. HOT TAKE: Jim: "What the heck? Well, where's the vengeance? Where's the vengeance? Why? I mean, just because it's a cool alliteration? The Doctor's never met any of the bad guys before. There's no vengeance that I'm aware of, so I didn't get that." PART TWO FALLS APART: Jim: "Part two - for me, it falls apart. I think it's kind of sort of everything but the kitchen sink." The Purple Zone: "Especially at the end when they get further into dome and they've dropped the term 'the Purple Zone' - which is unfortunate because I kind of liked that. When we get to the point where all of a sudden there's like this flora and it's poison vines..." Quillam and the Chief Officer: "And that's how they get rid of Quillam and the Chief Officer who doesn't ever have a name in this - he's just the Chief Officer. But he looks like a bad guy at least." John: "All the guys, right?" PART TWO WEAKNESSES: Jim: "Part two is definitely weaker than part one. Then we go back to Sil, and everything's been taken care of for some reason. His company, his people, whatever - they just sort of change their mind and he's out on his tail." The Other Source: "There was something to the effect that they found another source, so there was no point in... just abandon these people, we don't need them." Jim's Problem: "I wasn't really buying it. I think it just really whimpers out at the end. We needed like an explosion. I really didn't care for the ending, especially since the Doctor is not the instrument of vengeance." ANOTHER AVENUE TO NOWHERE: Jim: "It is interesting, I'm with you. That said, it is another avenue that this story goes down with little to no reason for it to be there. You have the old trope of the valuable mineral - it's being mined, it's the MacGuffin, whatever, everybody wants it. But then you throw in this Quillam character and the transmogrifier and the thing about the animals and all of that, and then they're cured almost immediately." The Missed Opportunity: "Would it have been interesting to let them stay like that for rest of story and then get cured at the end? I think yes, if you're going to go down that road." The Empty Feeling: "This is another symptom of that 'feeling a little empty' at the beginning. There's a lot of stuff thrown into this part two that are just bridges to nowhere in a way. Sorry. I agreed and then quickly had to throw in a caveat there. But I am who I am." NEXT TIME: Monday (Patreon #155): Music, Voyager Part 3, Memory TARDIS spin ("hopefully not Terror of the Zygons, although I think that's gone") Sophie Aldred's Podcast: "I want to talk briefly about Sophie Aldred's podcast again. I finally caught up with most of the episodes including their little Christmas episode they did that has basically ties up a lot of the plot points they've been doing throughout their show. Remember I told you it's part interview, part story? Well, they did like a 20-minute audio drama with Russell T. Davies and Forde Colin Baker and Nicholas Briggs." John's Assessment: "We'll talk briefly about it - what worked and what didn't work. Because there were some things that I was kind of like 'Yeah, this is just too weird for me.'" Next Friday (Patreon) then Saturday (Main Feed): The Mark of the Rani! Another two-parter. Jim: "Uh-oh, are we up to that point?" John: "Yeah, we're up to that point." Jim: "Rah-rah Rani!" "The Doctor's Beard Podcast - a novel way to spend your day, somewhere in time and space!" Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #VengeanceOnVaros #ImInTheMinority #Season22 #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #SexiestDoctor #JonPertwee #TheBickersons #PhilipMartin #RonJones #MetaCommentary #ViolenceOnTelevision #Varos #Sil #NabilShaban #RIP #JasonConnery #SeanConnerySon #Quillam #MaskedVillain #TheGloveSlap #NicolaBryant #Peri #GreekChorus #EttaAndAreta #SheilaReid #ClaraOswaldGrandmother #MartinJarvis #ThreeDecadesOfWho #AcidBath #TheHanging #Transmogrifier #AnimalConversion #PurpleZone #PoisonVines #ChiefOfficer #Tigerman #BuckRogers #BillGirard #RIP #TheGovernor #Zeiton #GalatronMining #ThePenalColony #TimeTravel #WebOfTime #VictorianReligion #ThePriests #HughMartin #TerrorOfTheZygons #Zygons #TheDoctorKills #BondQuips #WhereAreTheTimeLords #6OutOf15 #13OutOf15 #9point5Average #RegeneratingEcclestonToTennant #FantasticAndSoWasI #NewTeeth #Barcelona #Shane #Jameson #JamieGirl #ListenerMail #ILoveTheCoat #TheBlueCoat #BigFinish #CybermanContinuity #TheKryons #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #TheMarkOfTheRani #SophieAldredPodcast #RussellTDavies #21DayWritingStreak #DocJones #NovelaProgress

Episode Title: "Colin Baker Fans Unite!" - Attack of the Cybermen Review THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Recorded on January 14th, the anniversary was January 13th! Three years of The Doctor's Beard Podcast! The Early Days: "I wonder how many people were listening back then?" Only a couple dozen, mostly friends. "How many of those people are still with us?" Patreon Originals: Shout-out to Dawn, Jameson, and Jamie Girl who've been there from the beginning! THE OPENING QUESTION: John: "What did you think of the season opener for Season 22?" JIM'S RESPONSE: "I'M A HAPPY CAMPER." "This is a world of difference. A universe of difference. I'm even rolling with the stuff that's not that great." THE BIG DECLARATION: "I think this is my second favorite Cyberman story." Why Jim Loves It: Colin Baker has settled into his Doctor "He's smoothed over some of the rougher edges already" The Cybermen's scheme isn't dumb - it's BIG and makes sense Foundation is reasonable: self-preservation Connects with Tomb of the Cybermen John's Agreement: "I give you all that. Colin, his performance, and even Peri." PRODUCTION DETAILS: Production Code: 6T Air Dates: January 5-12, 1985 (not 1986 as John mistakenly said last episode!) Writer: Paula Moore (Paula Woolsey, Eric Saward's girlfriend) Director: Matthew Robinson (last directed Resurrection of the Daleks) THE WRITING CONTROVERSY: Three Claims: Paula Woolsey: Got the credit Eric Saward: Most say he wrote it; this was a workaround to BBC rules Ian Levine: Claims HE wrote the story, Saward just wrote the script Saward's Version: Levine contributed to continuity help, didn't write anything Jim's Reaction to Levine News: "You shouldn't have told me that. I'm down on it." John's Defense: "You appreciate these continuity things. That's what Levine brings to the table." Why the Strong Opening? "Hey, the Cybermen are back! It's the new season!" BBC did 4-5 different promos (unprecedented). Possibly Nicola Bryant cheesecake photos helped. NOSTALGIA CENTRAL: THE COMPANION NAME-DROPS: Peri's Line: The Doctor's called her Tegan, Zoe, Susan... and strangely, Jamie. Jim's Point: "Really dumb thing to say - as we in particular know on this podcast, Jamie can be used for both male and female. It's like Peri's never met a female named Jamie?" The List: Tegan, Zoe, Susan, and Jamie THE TERRIBLE ZODIN: Jim: "How do you remember that?" The Running Joke: Started in The Five Doctors - Patrick Troughton listing enemies fought, mentions "the terrible Zodin." Brigadier: "Who?" Peri's Confusion: She seemed to act like it was a companion or ally. "Although the 'terrible' part should have tipped her off." TOTTERS LANE: The Landing: No specific reason other than for us, the audience John's Theory: "There seems to be more of a nod to the 20th anniversary with these references. Companions, Totters Lane, we're getting The Two Doctors with Patrick Troughton, another story where Jon Pertwee's Doctor is referenced. This felt more like walking down memory lane." The Set vs. Location: Originally a set, now actual location shot. "Doesn't exactly match up, but probably thinking 'It was 20 years ago, who the heck would remember what it looked like?'" The Availability Problem: At that time, you couldn't watch An Unearthly Child if you wanted to - not available on VHS or anything. Only if you caught The Five Faces of Doctor Who a couple years earlier. Jim's Sadness: "It's sad they would have had to rely upon an outside source to help with historical things of the show. Doctor Who is still a pretty big, important part of the BBC. Odd there wouldn't be anybody around who would be the keeper of the flame." PERI'S FIRST OUTFIT: Jim's Complaint: "Horrible. Dumb. Peri, you're obviously having a lot of problems running when the Doctor starts running. Is this really the best choices you're making here? And the color!" Why It's There: "But I know why it's all there. I get it." (For the male viewers) GUEST STARS: Brian Glover (Griffiths): Former wrestler and English teacher turned actor. No relation to Julian Glover. David Banks: Cyber Leader (same as Earthshock) Michael Kilgarriff: Cyber Controller (same as Tomb of the Cybermen THE CYBER HIERARCHY: Jim's Confusion: "Is this the first time we've actually seen this Cyber Controller?" The Difference: Cyber Leader: Always in the field directing Cybermen in action Cyber Controller: The big boss they check in with PART ONE PRAISE: John: "I always love anytime we've got the Doctor in contemporary setting - going back to Pertwee, but definitely Troughton and Hartnell with War Machines. Here we have Peri and Doctor just roaming the streets tracking the signal. Loved it. I'm looking at the houses." The Date: Aired January 5-12, 1985. Set in 1985 to jive with The Tenth Planet (1986). The Realization: "Whoever came up with this idea realized 'We're coming up on the year the Cybermen first arrived. We should do something with that.'" THE TIME CRAFT MYSTERY: The Questions: Where did it come from? Whose planet is doing this? Was the Doctor sent off course to stop use of time ship? Is mission to stop Cybermen from changing history or to get time ship? The Concern: "How many times over past 20 years has there been any other race with time craft other than Time Lords? The Daleks, for one..." John's Point: "That should be of fairly great concern by Time Lords. They should know everybody everywhere in the whole universe who has time travel capability." Jim: "Why did they want the TARDIS when they already had a time craft?" THE WEB OF TIME: Jim's Note: "I always love the conversation about history of Mondas, the whole 1986 thing. I circled this - mentioned more than once, I don't think the term has been used before. The web of time." The Phrase: Used very formally as if that's what it's really called. The concept has been there, but not the phrase. PERI'S SECOND OUTFIT: Jim: "Much better outfit once Cybermen force her to change clothes." The Question: "Did they stand there as she changed to make sure?" John: "They'd do it passively. No passion. They'd just be like—" Jim: "Oh right, yeah. I can just see 'You've got to turn your back.' 'There's no significance to us having to turn our back.'" TOMB OF THE CYBERMEN LOVE: Jim: "I love all the references to the tombs, Tomb of the Cybermen. That whole thing. I love that concept. That's one of the reasons I like Tomb of the Cybermen. Really glad that was pulled back into cyber mythology." THE KRYONS: Jim's Uncertainty: "I don't know what to think about the Kryons and their design. Interesting it's all women who play the roles. Don't know if we were supposed to think anything of that - is their race entirely female, or were there males but the males perished?" John's Theory: "More my thinking - there's nothing suggesting 'we're the last women' or 'we were only women.'" The Appreciation: "Makes them more exotic. I appreciated all the actresses - really got into the hand movements thing. Right out of the 60s!" THE SENSORITES CONNECTION: Jim: "Everything about the Kryons is right out of the Sensorites playbook. They are so early 60s. The translucent pieces of plastic film cut up and pasted on them." The Head Pieces: "Weirdly, their eye holes are so big you can see the actresses' eyes. Then I saw there's an actual lens over that - some smooth, some segmented which really made it hard for actresses to see. I realized they weren't trying to say those were their organic heads but helmets they wear." Ice Warriors Comparison: "Reminded me of Ice Warriors - those aren't necessarily their heads but helmets. Made me wonder what the Kryons actually looked like." The Follow-Up: "There's no way nobody has not followed up - they've returned in a book, comic, or Big Finish and answered some questions." John: "Do you know off the top of your head?" / Jim: "I don't. They don't return in the show." SONIC LANCE VS. SONIC SCREWDRIVER: Jim's Frustration: "Why have an ersatz sonic screwdriver? Just have a sonic screwdriver! They call it a sonic lance. Why does JNT not want his cake but he's going to eat it too? You want to get rid of sonic screwdriver, yet you have a device that is everything but a sonic screwdriver except for the name." The Theory: "Possible Eric Saward himself was either testing waters or trying to put his mark on it." The Problem: "We won't see it again. Because it had a lot of use - chameleon circuit, closeups, handed around." Modern Context: "I get it - at this moment, sonic screwdriver's not anything like today where it's indispensable. Almost too much in modern Doctor Who - almost overboard, like he couldn't live without it." LYTTON'S TORTURE: Jim: "Wow, that was pretty extreme. But I have to say, I was glad for it. Not necessarily that somebody gets tortured, but I think it's a good moment. Makes the Cybermen seem like a threat." THE DOCTOR'S HUMANITY: Jim's Appreciation: "I really liked and appreciated how much the Doctor's humanity comes through. You might've gotten the idea with earliest moments of Colin Baker's Doctor we weren't going to see anything like that. But no - he's got one hell of a streak of humanity." The Balance: "My goodness, did they balance that character in the span of one story! They somewhat softened his sarcasm and cutting remarks, but not completely. The ego is still there, but then they play up the humanity. It's a nice balance. I really like him." COLIN BAKER'S VOICE: Jim: "I haven't said this before - I like Colin Baker's accent. Every Doctor is from somewhere different in the UK. I don't know exactly where Colin Baker's from, but I liked the way he speaks. Something about his voice I like." The Comparison: Tom Baker had the most distinctive voice Davison's kind of wasn't a pleasure to listen to Loved Hartnell's accent Troughton's just kind of bland "My God, I love the way Pertwee talked" "I'm finding I really like to listen to Baker, Colin Baker, give lines" Born in London, moved to Lancaster - primarily uses posh accent. "It is high-brow. That's okay. Nice to have another Doctor like that." THE WEAK SUBPLOT: The Agreement: Bates and Stratton (semi-converted men trying to make their way through) - "Probably the weakest part of this whole thing." Jim: "A little boring. I think the show intended them to be comedy relief with bickering back and forth and sarcasm. Didn't really take much notice of them until they run into Lytton and Griffiths." The Fan Wank Accusation: John: "Some people look at it as fan wank." Jim: "No. Yeah. No. There are moments that go so quickly - maybe a little fan service. But overall, no way whatsoever. Just because Cybermen are in it? People who are against use of any classic bad guys? Assume they probably say that of every Dalek story." The Defense: "There's no reason behind using Totters Lane and I.M. Foreman other than 'hey, look at this folks, remember this from 20 years ago?' But if it was all through the whole thing doing that over and over, no. As far as Tenth Planet references, brought in for significant reason - it's the plot! They want to go back and stop that story from happening. That's a valid story idea." Jim's Challenge: "Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me I'm wrong for liking this story." The One Person: "I know one person is probably sitting there screaming... He's probably wondering what the hell is wrong with me. That dude betrayed me." THE NEXT TWO STORIES: John: "Honest to God, the next two are two favorites of mine." Story 1: "One from extremely nostalgic perspective - first one of Colin Baker's I ever saw and actually said 'You know, as ridiculous as this coat is, this has a lot of potential.'" Story 2: "One other story speaks to my love of television in many respects." JIM'S CURRENT PROJECTS: Local Author Spotlight: Tomorrow night (unfortunately very cold - "people in my area cower in their homes if drop of rain, flake of snow falls or it drops below 55 degrees"). "Really hoping I have nice little audience. Really looking forward to it. Did some prep work today. Going to do readings from my books, selling my books hopefully. Should be pretty fun." Doc Jones Novel: "14 chapters in, writing every day, averaging between 2,600-2,700 words a day. Completely insane for me, but I can't question it or think too hard about it. Got to keep going. Try to finish this. More than halfway through." NEXT TIME: Monday (Patreon #154): Part 2 of Voyager, Memory TARDIS spin (maybe another Peter Davison to annoy Jim!), and "probably one of the most unique Doctor Who-inspired songs - not a theme this time. I found this really unique song called 'I Am Chameleon' and we'll discuss the whole origin on Patreon show." Friday (Patreon) then Saturday (Main Feed): Vengeance on Varos! Jim handles narration. Joined by Felicity Cousins from The Flop Cast! Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month - early access, exclusive episodes, and bonus content! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #AttackOfTheCybermen #Season22 #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #PoorMalignedColinBaker #Cybermen #Lytton #MauriceCulbourne #Telos #Kryons #TombOfTheCybermen #TheTenthPlanet #TottersLane #IMForeman #TheChameleonCircuit #TheTerribleZodin #WebOfTime #CyberController #CyberLeader #DavidBanks #MichaelKilgarriff #SonicLance #BrianGlover #HalleysComet #Mondas #TimeTravel #SanitizedSewers #WebOfFear #TheInvasion #PaulaWoolsey #EricSaward #IanLevine #WritingControversy #MatthewRobinson #Peri #NicolaBryant #45MinuteEpisodes #ClassicWho #80sWho #JNT #JohnNathanTurner #BulkingMailbag #FanMail #ThreeYearAnniversary #SecondFavoriteCybermanStory #JimIsHappy #13OutOf15 #JodieWhittaker #TellMeImWrong #FanWank #Continuity #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #VengeanceOnVaros #FelicityCousins #TheFlop

Episode Title: "Disco Who" - A 70s Retrospective SPECIAL HIATUS EPISODE - PATREON BONUS NOW AVAILABLE TO ALL! This episode was originally produced for Patreon sponsors in July 2025 and is now being shared with main feed listeners to showcase the bonus content available through Patreon membership ($3/month gets early access, exclusive episodes, and more!). THE DECADE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING: From Jon Pertwee's January 3, 1970 debut to Tom Baker's dominance through 1979, John and Jim reflect on ten years of color, UNIT, Masters, companions, and the evolution of the Doctor. THE BIG QUESTION: WAS PERTWEE'S TIME PROPER DOCTOR WHO? John's Challenge: "When you consider what we had in the 60s, what is proper Doctor Who?" The Batman Comparison: Like Batman needing parents killed, what are the essential Doctor Who elements? The Core Elements They Identify: Rebel/Iconoclast: Always up against authority Itinerant: No fixed location (even when exiled, Pertwee chafed at it) Time and Space: Non-negotiable Companion: Someone to talk to, bounce ideas off Scientific Curiosity: Every Doctor has this Eccentric/Off-Kilter: From Hartnell to modern Doctors British: "Has to be British. I know that sounds weird - he's an alien - but yeah, has to be British." PERTWEE AS THE SUPERHERO DOCTOR: Breaking From Troughton: Far more action-oriented. Troughton actively distanced himself from violence. Pertwee waded right in - Venusian Aikido and all! The James Bond Comparison: Show runners wanted "James Bond," but Jim saw more superhero than spy. Ushering In The 70s: "Nobody could have ushered in the 70s but Jon Pertwee. Troughton just could not have done it. Hartnell, absolutely not... New decade, new everything." Adam Adamant Connection: John's been watching Verity Lambert's follow-up series with Sydney Newman - Victorian man in suspended animation recovers in 1960s. "Pertwee's Doctor was Adam Adamant - man out of time, fish out of water." THE UNIT ERA - ADDITION OR SUBTRACTION? Jim's Take: "It added to it. It's a whole new layer that very much appeals to me. A paramilitary organization led by dynamic characters you want to root for." The Brigadier Factor: "You look forward to every interaction he'd have with the Doctor because you knew it was going to come close to a throat. His frustration with the Doctor and the Doctor with him." Continuity Innovation: First time Doctor Who had ongoing character plots! Mike Yates' betrayal and redemption across seasons. Bessie > Romance: "We were more impressed with Bessie back then." TOM BAKER - THE YOUNG DOCTOR: The Big Change: First time the Doctor wasn't an older gentleman - "this young man. But still not handsome!" The Beatles Analogy: Hartnell = John Lennon (fits like a glove!) Pertwee = Paul McCartney (leader of the pack, the charming one, ladies' man) Troughton = George Harrison (the spiritual one) Tom Baker = Ringo (John: "Tom Baker and Ringo, pretty much cut from the same cloth") Product of His Time: Baker represents late 70s - the hair, floppy clothing, the scarf as his version of ladies' knitted shawls, the big coat. The 80s Problem: "More and more as we're getting into the 80s, he's not really working as an 80s Doctor... Peter Davison seems like the 80s Doctor that should be there." Following Trends: The show followed trends more than ever - Star Wars influence obvious, but also Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers. Saturday night scheduling against Buck Rogers killed ratings (lost half the audience). BAKER FATIGUE: The Unique Problem: "You never hear Hartnell, Troughton, or Pertwee fatigue, but you hear Baker fatigue." Jim's Confession: "I had a little Troughton fatigue." The Blame Game: "I blame the producers of Doctor Who. They should have moved Baker along sooner instead of leaving it to him. There was precedent - they fired Hartnell!" Jim's Prediction: "I can't imagine Davison, Baker, or McCoy topping Jon Pertwee." John's Counter: "Davison will topple Pertwee. Pertwee will stay number two for me. He's a formative Doctor." Jim's Concession: "I'm going to give Davison the benefit of the doubt that he may push Tom Baker down." THE BAKER RECKONING: Jim's Frustration: "All this time I've heard almost nothing but Tom Baker, Tom Baker, Tom Baker - as if there's nothing else, no one else in this show since 1963. It's really interesting now to have gotten almost to the end and seeing that, for me, he ain't all that." The Diagnosis: "He's not bad. It's just not my cup of tea. He's been more annoying to me than anything. That's just that kind of character I don't care for." Only Three Stories Left: Moving into the 80s in full! THE TOM BAKER CHALLENGE: Jim's Dare: "Come on, bring on the hate emails. I'm waiting for it. Bring it on. I know how special he is to a lot of people." NEXT TIME: Patreon Exclusive #126: Music, Big Finish's "Doctor Who and the Pirates," Memory TARDIS spin, catching up on email Main Feed: Warrior's Gate - The end of the E-Space Trilogy! Jim handles narration for the four-parter. "The beginning of the end... preparing for the moment." From the swinging 70s to the itchy 80s! This episode showcases the exclusive content Patreon sponsors receive! Join for just $3/month at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for early access, bonus episodes, and more! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #70sRetrospective #DiscoWho #1970s #JonPertwee #TomBaker #ThirdDoctor #FourthDoctor #UNIT #TheBrigadier #TheMaster #RogerDelgado #Leela #Romana #SarahJane #Jo #GenesisOfTheDaleks #TheThreeDoctors #DeadlyAssassin #Inferno #TheDaemons #BakerFatigue #SuperheroDoctor #ColorTV #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoHistory #DecadeReview #PatreonBonus #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #RetrospectiveEpisode #TimeAndSpace #ProperDoctorWho #BeatlesAnalogy #AdamAdamant #VerityLambert #JimShooterTribute #NewUniverse #SecretWars #ComicBooks #JackKirby #WordBalloon

Episode Title: "I Am The Doctor, Whether You Like It Or Not" - The Twin Dilemma Review THE GREAT REVERSAL: After three seasons of John defending Peter Davison against Jim's criticisms, the tables turn completely. Jim embraces Colin Baker. JIM'S SHOCKING TAKE: "I don't usually line up with Doctor Who fans because I did not like Caves of Androzani and I liked this. I liked Baker. If it's not what the show needed at this moment in time, it's definitely what I needed. I needed a Doctor who was more awake and doing things... larger." THE TWIN DILEMMA (March 22-30, 1984) Writer: Anthony Steven (first and only Doctor Who story - oldest writer at 67!) Director: Peter Moffatt (returning) The Legend: Doctor Who Magazine 2009 poll - Caves of Androzani came in #1. The Twin Dilemma came in #200... DEAD LAST. The Rift Begins: Saward wasn't happy with Baker's casting (thought he was miscast), didn't like JNT's stunt casting focus, and objected to JNT comparing Doctor Who to comedy show "Morecambe and Wise." THE DAVISON SLAM: The Shocking Lines: "I never really liked him anyway" "He had a sort of feckless charm" Definition of feckless: "Lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible" The Culprits: Either JNT (getting back at Davison for leaving?), Saward (who did the heavy rewrite), or Steven - but those lines don't get through without approval. Jim's Theory: "I can't see JNT being happy with Davison leaving after three years. This could be him being petty." STORY BREAKDOWN: Mathematical geniuses Romulus and Remus are abducted by mysterious Edgeworth and taken to Mestor on asteroid Titan Three. The newly regenerated, unstable Doctor picks a new outfit, declares himself "unregenerate," and plans to become a hermit with Peri. The twins' father alerts authorities. Police commander scrambles fighters to investigate the freighter - only survivor is pilot Hugo Lang who accuses the Doctor of the attack. The twins are forced to do calculations for Edgeworth (revealed as Azmael, a Time Lord and the Doctor's old teacher). Mestor plans to move two planets into Jaconda's orbit as "larders" to replenish the wasting planet. The Doctor realizes the calculations are off - the worlds will crash into the sun, destroying everything but scattering Mestor's gastropod eggs throughout the universe. Mestor demonstrates mind-possession on Azmael, threatening to take the Doctor's body. The Doctor destroys Mestor's slug body. Azmael dies exorcising Mestor's mind. Jacondans are freed. Lang stays to help with mop-up. The Doctor returns the twins to Earth. CHARACTER ANALYSIS: The Sixth Doctor - Every Previous Doctor Combined: Hartnell's there (not the lead initially, Peri has more agency) Troughton: "We must find this evil and destroy it!" Pertwee: Says "Eureka!" Tom Baker: The ego is BACK and turned up to 11 Davison: The violence continues, referenced regeneration fears New Affectation: Repeating words three times when incredulous or angry ("Sweet, sweet, sweet") Hugo Lang - The Space Dirty Harry: Jim's Justice League addition! "You might reach that gun before I can kill you" - classic action hero dialogue. Stays on Jaconda at the end despite having "no one to go back to." Kevin McNally plays Hugo (later Pirates of the Caribbean's Gibbs!) Azmael: Time Lord, the Doctor's favorite teacher (sorry, Borusa!). Controls Jaconda, calls them "my people" (why does a Time Lord want to rule a planet?). The Death Scene: John loved it - touched and warm between Azmael and the Doctor. "The finest teacher I ever had." Mestor: Giant slug with mind-control powers and embolism ray ("little bubbles, not good"). Finds Peri "pleasing" so doesn't kill her immediately (second ugly being attracted to Peri after Sharaz Jek). PRODUCTION DETAILS: New Title Sequence: Sparkly! Logo curved! Colin's face transitions from serious to smiling! The TARDIS: Has a chair! The Doctor calls the outside "hideous" - setup for attempting to fix chameleon circuit next story Trans-Mat Love: Jim adores that this technology persists throughout Who history. The Doctor turns it into a time travel device ("just a few little adjustments") Old Who Connections Everywhere: Braveheart Tegan reference Azmael knew Fourth Doctor Wine at the fountain (Big Finish goldmine!) Space police headquarters "straight out of Troughton's time" The Video Games: The twins face each other with what look like handheld gaming consoles - repurposed 1970s electronic games! John searched everywhere to identify them. Actor Notes: Maurice Denham returns in Pertwee BBC audio "The Paradise of Death" and appeared with Roger Delgado in "The Slide" Edwin Richfield (Mestor) was Captain Hart in "The Sea Devils" The twins' real father played a gunrunner in "Caves of Androzani"! THE ENDING - "WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT": The Lines: "Wait a bit before criticizing my new persona" "I am the Doctor, whether you like it or not" The Delivery: Spoken directly to camera, directly to the audience. Then both smile - a wink? Softening the harshness? Jim's Question: "Why put that in there? You don't just have something like that unless you already felt you were getting pushback." The Speculation: Was it in original script or added during filming? Did it start as Doctor-to-Peri dialogue that got strengthened and shifted to Doctor-to-audience? The Challenge: "People will be like 'All right, let me give it another try.' This has been the thing about doing review shows - stuff I thought was garbage as a kid is really good now, and vice versa. The Meta Moment: Lots of meta at beginning and end - the story knows it's a transition. NEXT TIME: Patreon Exclusive #152 - Music, Colin Baker's comic debut, Season 21 Retrospective (the good, bad, and ugly), spoiler card revealing something about Season 22, Memory TARDIS spin, and a longer-than-usual episode! Then: Peter Davison Retrospective (Patreon) and 1970s Doctor Who retrospective (main feed hiatus episode)! Colin Baker fans - write in! "We need to hear from more people who like Colin Baker's Doctor. Drop us a line or leave a voicemail!" Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TheTwinDilemma #SixthDoctor #ColinBaker #Regeneration #Peri #NicolaBryant #Season21Finale #NewDoctor #ExplosionInARainbowFactory #TechnicolorDreamcoat #WhetherYouLikeItOrNot #IAmTheDoctor #PeterDavison #Azmael #Mestor #Gastropods #HugoLang #Jaconda #AnthonyStevenGastropods #EricSaward #PeterMoffat #MoodCat #CatBadge #BipolarDoctor #ManicDepressive #ControversialDoctor #UnlikeableDoctor #CharacterArc #DavisonSlam #Feckless #ClassicWho #1984 #WorstDoctorWhoStory #Number200 #TablesTurned #JohnsRevenge #JimsStruggle #UnregeneratedDoctor #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #DefyingExpectations #RebelSpirit

Episode Title: "I Need My Pain" - The Caves of Androzani Review & The Fifth Doctor's Regeneration THE CAVES OF ANDROZANI (March 8-16, 1984) Writer: Robert Holmes (returning!) Director: Graeme Harper (debut - directing from studio floor, not control room) PRODUCTION NOTES: The Fake Title: JNT put "The Doctor's Wife" on the production board deliberately to catch office leaks (ironic foreshadowing of Matt Smith's episode!) Graeme Harper's Innovation: Highly innovative direction with unrestricted camera movement - energetic, personal style directing from the floor instead of control room. Peter Davison said if there had been more directors like Harper and writers like Holmes, he'd have stayed for a fourth season. The Strike: Recording interrupted, cutting two sequences including the Doctor explaining his blown glass bottle collection from different planets (why they're visiting Androzani Minor for sand) Nicola Bryant's Frostbite: Developed mild frostbite on first day filming because her lower legs were bare in actually cold conditions The Dream Casting That Never Was: Sharaz Jek was offered to Tim Curry, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger! Christopher Gable was Harper's first choice, Bowie his second. Only Bowie had a reason for declining (Serious Moonlight tour). STORY BREAKDOWN: The TARDIS lands on Androzani Minor where the Doctor and Peri investigate caves and step in raw Spectrox - the most valuable substance in the universe. They're caught between multiple factions fighting over Spectrox: business magnate Morgus, General Chellak's forces, gun-runner Stotz, and the mysterious masked Sharaz Jek controlling an android army. Both contract Spectrox toxemia - the only cure is bat's milk from the lower caves where a magma beast hunts. THE FACTIONS DEBATE: Jim struggles with the convoluted plot involving approximately four factions. John helps clarify: Morgus controls everything from Androzani Major, supplying guns to Jek through Stotz while also backing the military against Jek. Nobody to root for - they're all "nasty, nasty people." STANDOUT MOMENTS: Peri & The Doctor's Chemistry: Their banter is finally warm and funny! John notes Peri complains differently than Tegan - more innocent, not sharp-edged or world-weary. The Star Trek Connection: The military forces sport Star Trek colors (blue, red, gold) matching departments, and uniform design echoes later TNG/DS9 style! First "Droid" Usage: Doctor Who uses the term "droid" for the first time (George Lucas trademarked it, but the term originated with Mary Wolfe in 1952's "Robots of the World, Arise!") Direction Showing Off: The vid-screen conversations where Morgus walks behind the hologram and creative camera angles - "Someone's really showing off here, but in a good way" Morgus's Aside: John Normington misunderstood stage directions and spoke his inner thoughts directly to camera. Everyone loved it, so they kept it! Could've been the Deadpool of Doctor Who if used throughout. CHARACTER ANALYSIS: Sharaz Jek - A Cut Above: The most twisted, dark villain in Doctor Who history. Could give Davros a run for his money in maniacal madness. Shakespearean dialogue, obsessed with Peri's beauty in deeply cringy ways. The mask reveal? A letdown - "not worthy of the build-up at all." Morgus - Standard Bureaucrat Behaving Badly: Rat bastard who murders the President by pushing him down an empty lift shaft. His defeat is Jim's "moment of joy" - well-deserved! The Magma Beast: As awful as the Myrka from Warriors of the Deep, maybe worse. THE VIOLENCE: Brutal for Doctor Who - no comic book foundation anymore. The gun-runner scuffle was "nasty, nasty, nasty stuff." THE REGENERATION: Most Extensive Ever: The Doctor says "feels different this time" (David Tennant would echo this line in his bi-regeneration). All companion cameos newly filmed: Matthew Waterhouse (Adric) - the Doctor reacts most strongly Sarah Sutton (Nyssa) - had chicken pox! Janet Fielding (Tegan) - "Brave heart, Tegan" Mark Strickson (Turlough) Anthony Ainley (The Master) - "Die, Doctor!" The Psychology: John theorizes the hallucinations represent the Doctor's psyche - companions urging him to live vs. the Master (part of himself) wanting to die. Colin Baker's Entrance: Nervous during setup, but in command once cameras rolled. Dressed in Davison's outfit (as it should be!). Two takes - said "egotistical" in final cut, "egocentric" in first. End credits gave Colin Baker top billing immediately. JIM'S CONFLICTED FEELINGS: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: Jim admits Colin Baker's brief scene gave him hope: "He's very different from Davison... the polar opposite. He immediately insults Peri and he's large and in charge. I can almost put up with a real jerk if there's just some real agency going on in the character." The Agency Theory: Jim yearns for the days of Enemy of the World when the Doctor had real agency, was right in the middle of everything. He identifies with Pertwee's sarcasm and hopes Baker will deliver. ROBERT HOLMES APPRECIATION: Both hosts wish Holmes had been brought in sooner to establish Davison's character. His dialogue elevates everything - Jek's "I have to live among androids because they do not see like we see." FINAL THOUGHTS: Jim: "I'm somewhat encouraged by that tiny little scene with Colin Baker. It gave me some hope... I can almost put up with a real jerk if there's just some real agency." John: "I think that's fair to say there will be agency." The marshmallow Doctor era ends. The loud, arrogant era begins. One more story to round out Season 21... NEXT TIME: The Twin Dilemma - Colin Baker's full premiere! Jim handles narration for the four-parter. What could possibly go wrong with starting a new Doctor's era? Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #CavesOfAndrozani #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Regeneration #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Peri #NicolaBryant #RobertHolmes #GrahamHarper #SharazJek #Morgus #Spectrox #AndrozaniMinor #ClassicWho #Season21 #BestDoctorWhoStory #Controversy #GreatestOfAllTime #CompanionCameos #Adric #Nyssa #Tegan #Turlough #TheMaster #MagmaBeast #Androids #1984 #Regenerations #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #INeedMyPain #TablesTurned #JohnsSadness #JimsVictory #MarshmallowDoctor #TheEndOfAnEra #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #FeelsDifferentThisTime

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.