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John and Jim tackle the first official Doctor Who radio drama - a six-part Eric Saward production that aired during the 18-month hiatus between Seasons 22 and 23. This marks a rare occasion where John experiences a Doctor Who story for the very first time alongside the review. Production Background: John shares fascinating details about how "Slipback" came to exist - written and produced in just four months as the BBC scrambled to placate fans during the controversial hiatus. The story aired as part of a children's summer show called "Pirate Radio 4," buried within hours of other programming. Discussion covers whether this was originally meant to be a different format, Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant's participation, and the mysterious uncredited director. The Infamous Computer Voice: The hosts immediately address the elephant in the room - Jane Carr's polarizing performance as the ship's computer. Jim shares his visceral reaction while John explores the apparent Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy influences and whether the voice was intentionally annoying or a misguided creative choice. Too Much of Everything: John and Jim examine Eric Saward's tendency to cram multiple Doctor Who tropes into one story - wandering corridors, separated companions, time travel experiments, the Big Bang, creepy aliens pursuing Peri, and more. Discussion explores whether Saward was given too little time or simply couldn't resist throwing in every idea he had. Technical Curiosities: The hosts discuss the slightly sped-up audio on YouTube versions, the quality of the production values, and how the performances hold up. They debate whether this was specifically written for children despite some mature content. Historical Significance: As the first official BBC radio drama and a true product of Colin Baker's era (alongside "A Fix with Sontarans"), the hosts examine what this means for completists and whether it deserves modern appreciation. Ratings: The hosts land on the lower end of their scale, with discussion about whether it's worth an hour of listeners' time and comparisons to the Star Wars Holiday Special as "another appearance by these actors during the original run." Listener Perspective: Jameson shares his 2022 review calling it a "historical curiosity" that doesn't stand up to Big Finish productions, sparking discussion about whether Big Finish should revisit and revise the concept. Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday - Episode 160): More theme music, Memory TARDIS, and the beginning of the Alan McKenzie era of Doctor Who comics with "War Game" and "Fun House." Patreon Exclusive (Friday): John and Jim's deep dive into the missing/planned Season 23 - examining the six stories that were scrapped when the hiatus was announced, discussing what could have worked, and where to find them in expanded media. Main Feed: Classic Patreon episodes released for non-subscribers during Jim's vacation. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #Slipback #EricSaward #ColinBaker #NicolaBryant #RadioDrama #SixthDoctor #Peri #BBCRadio4 #DoctorWhoAudio #Hiatus #1985 #ClassicWho #HistoricalCuriosity #DoctorWhoPodcast #BigBang #TimeTravel #DoctorWhoHistory
John and Jim conclude Colin Baker's tumultuous era with a two-part finale born from tragedy, scrambled rewrites, and production chaos - resulting in wildly divergent reactions from the hosts and fandom's most controversial regeneration-that-never-was. The Production Nightmare: John details Robert Holmes passing while writing Part 1, Eric Saward writing Part 2 from Holmes' notes but refusing to release it when JNT rejected his cliffhanger ending (the Doctor and Valeyard falling into an abyss), Pip and Jane Baker getting 10 days to write an entirely new Part 2 using only existing sets from Part 1, and the longest Classic Who episode clocking in at 30 minutes when the Bakers' 38-minute script had to be pared down. The Valeyard Revelation: Extensive discussion of the bombshell that the Valeyard is "an amalgamation of the Doctor's darker impulses from between his twelfth and final incarnations." The hosts debate why this huge concept has never been revisited on screen despite New Who passing that point in the timeline, compare it to Star Trek's "The Enemy Within" and Jekyll/Hyde dynamics, question how the Valeyard established himself on Gallifrey as a respected prosecutor, and marvel that this mythology-altering revelation planted seeds that never grew. The Master's Motivations: Jim questions why the Master appears at all beyond Robert Holmes liking the character. Discussion covers the Master entering the Matrix with a duplicate key, his refusal to let the Valeyard deny him the pleasure of destroying the Doctor personally, and the irony of him being frozen in the Matrix alongside Glitz by story's end. Peri's Resurrection: The hosts examine the shoehorned reveal that Peri survived to become Yrcanos' warrior queen - a retcon driven by negative audience reaction to her original death. Discussion includes Nicola Bryant's mixed feelings (initially disappointed, now embracing it in recent appearances), comparisons to Leela, and whether either ending serves the character well. Continuity Catastrophes: The Inquisitor doesn't recognize the Master then suddenly knows he's a renegade Time Lord within the same episode. The Seventh Door to the Matrix is inexplicably on the space station. The High Council gets deposed by insurrectionists in unexplained chaos. Jim gets "completely lost" by events on Gallifrey that are told but never shown. Bonnie Langford's Redemption: Both hosts praise Bonnie's performance in Part 2 when freed from Robert Holmes and Eric Saward's diminishment of Mel. Discussion covers her not being reduced to singer/dancer stereotypes, total recall ability introduced in "Terror of the Vervoids," recognizing Time Lord modems, and Jim's appreciation that she's treated as the Doctor's equal rather than damsel. The Detective Doctor: Jim dubs Colin "The Detective Doctor" for his Sherlock Holmes/Batman deductive reasoning throughout the trial, calling himself "Old 60" and piecing together clues about Matrix manipulation, fake Mel's knowledge gaps, and the list of judges in his own handwriting. The Ending That Never Was: Colin Baker's final words as the Doctor - "Carrot juice, carrot juice, carrot juice" - haunt him to this day. Discussion of newspapers announcing his firing the day Part 2 aired, his refusal to return for a regeneration story (offering one more season instead), becoming the only Doctor without an onscreen regeneration until Big Finish remedied it, and the raw deal of only 11 stories total. Production Chaos Recap: No script editor credited for Part 2. JNT forced to act as story editor while fighting to keep Doctor Who alive. The Bakers writing without access to Holmes' notes or Saward's script. Sets already built constraining Part 2's possibilities. Colin knowing this was his swan song but giving his finest courtroom performance. The 30-minute runtime requiring BBC schedule adjustments. The Final Twist: The Keeper revealed as the Valeyard in disguise, laughing menacingly as the ultimate cliffhanger - planted seeds for a new showrunner who would start from scratch with Sylvester McCoy. The hosts question why this twist exists when they already knew Colin was gone and had no next doctor or story editor lined up. Mel's Future: Discussion of older-looking Mel with Beverly Crusher-style hair arriving with Glitz, speculation about when they were plucked from (possibly her eventual departure with Glitz's carrot juice company and TV show), and total recall proving essential to exposing the fake Matrix trial. Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): Comics "Changes" and "Salad Daze," Memory TARDIS spin, more music, and a Season 23 retrospective examining the good, bad, and ugly while preparing for Sylvester McCoy's arrival. Patreon Exclusive (Friday): "Colin Baker: One Last Look" - a retrospective on the man and his 11-story tenure. Main Feed (Following Saturday - Hiatus Content): Peter Davison retrospective from Patreon archives. Season 24 Premiere: "Time and the Rani" - Sylvester McCoy's debut AND Kate O'Mara's return heralding the new Doctor's arrival. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TrialOfATimeLord #TheUltimateFoe #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #TheValeyard #TheMaster #Mel #BonnieLangford #SabalonGlitz #RobertHolmes #PipAndJaneBaker #EricSaward #Season23Finale #TheInquisitor #PeriBrown #NicolaBryant #MatrixSequences #RegenerationThatNeverWas #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #1986 #ProductionChaos #ColinBakerFarewell
John and Jim examine the third Trial of a Time Lord story featuring the Doctor's bold defense strategy: presenting evidence from his own future, complete with a new companion who somehow makes Perry instantly forgettable. The Gutsy Introduction: The hosts examine the unprecedented decision to introduce Mel (Bonnie Langford) not at the beginning of her travels but as if she's already been with the Doctor for ages. Discussion covers the instant chemistry between Colin Baker and Bonnie Langford, Mel's agency and enthusiasm as a breath of fresh air, and why this pairing works despite unconventional storytelling. Evidence From the Future?: Jim questions the trial's fundamental logic - why would Time Lords accept evidence that hasn't happened yet? The hosts debate whether showing the Doctor "gets better" in the future undermines the entire prosecution while simultaneously revealing he survives the trial. Discussion includes the questionable legal framework and the Valeyard's surprisingly weak objections. The Bonnie Langford Factor: Extensive background on why casting Bonnie Langford was considered both a coup and a joke. The hosts explore her reputation as "England's Shirley Temple" (not in a good way), comparisons to Justin Bieber or Tiffany suddenly joining Star Trek, and how Pip and Jane Baker deliberately wrote against audience expectations. Coverage includes the infamous scream count, the F-key requirement matching the theme music sting, and whether Mel's voice takes getting used to. Production Crisis Mode: John details the chaos behind the scenes - Eric Saward's resignation leaving no script editor credited, JNT forced to take over script development, the Starlog interview controversy, JNT's attempted resignation (initially accepted with the caveat he fire Colin Baker), and morale at all-time lows with no pickup news. The Space Liner Mystery: Discussion of the murder mystery setup aboard Hyperion 3, Honor Blackman's casting (playing someone in her 40s while in her 60s), the Love Boat-style passenger introductions, the Mogarians and their translator issues, and Commodore Travers recognizing the Sixth Doctor from an adventure viewers never saw. The Vervoid Problem: Both hosts agree the plant-based menace suffers from unfortunate design - looked fine in studio as tulips but became laughable on screen. Jim argues the human crimes prove more interesting than the creature threat. Discussion covers Pip Baker's research into plant hormones, the effective reveal scene in shadows, Professor Lasky's Thing from Another World-inspired death, and the wilting death sequence. Red Herrings and Subplots: Examination of dropped plot threads including the Demeter seeds going nowhere (despite the Doctor eating one), Ruth the plant-infested woman's wasted potential, the Mogarian hijacking subplot as acknowledged "sideshow," and whether these diversions work or waste time. The Chemistry Question: Both hosts marvel at how Baker and Langford perform as if they'd been together for years. Coverage includes Mel not being told to "stay here," treatment as the Doctor's equal rather than damsel, her computer programmer background never materializing, and Pease Pottage references connecting to nursery rhymes. Design and Effects: Appreciation for the art deco lamp-inspired Hyperion 3 design (compared to Empire Strikes Back's Cloud City inspiration), the elaborate video game homage possibly recycled from "Nightmare Fair" development, black hole interpretation, and bodies stacked like cordwood pushing graphic boundaries. The Genocide Charge: The Valeyard's closing accusation transforms the trial as Article 7 of Gallifreyan Law makes no exceptions - destroying an entire species constitutes genocide regardless of necessity. The hosts question whether this charge sticks and what it means for the finale. Behind the Sofa Confusion: Colin, Bonnie, and Nicola on one couch with Matthew Waterhouse, Fraser Hines, and Mark Strickson on another - the three men initially think the plant-infested woman is Nicola Bryant and wonder "what happened to Peri." Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): More Doctor Who music, Memory TARDIS spin with random First Five Doctors story recall, the three-part comic "Time Bomb," and news about recent collection release controversies and RTD decisions raising hackles. Main Feed Episode (Friday for Patreon, Following Saturday for All): The two-part finale "The Ultimate Foe" wraps up Colin Baker's era. John handles narration and promises Jim will thank him for NOT handling this one. Fandom generally dislikes it - meaning Jim will probably love it. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TrialOfATimeLord #TerrorOfTheVervoids #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Mel #BonnieLangford #HonorBlackman #PipAndJaneBaker #TheVervoids #Season23 #Hyperion3 #ChrisClough #MurderMystery #SpaceLiner #ClassicWho #GenocideCharge #TheValeyard #TheInquisitor #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #1986 #CompanionIntroduction
John and Jim tackle the second story of Trial of a Time Lord - a divisive entry that Jim describes as "fair to middling" until a jaw-dropping finale that left him questioning everything. Production Challenges: John provides extensive background on Philip Martin's return after "Vengeance on Varos," Ron Jones directing his final Doctor Who story, and Eric Saward's resignation as story editor during production. Discussion covers Robert Holmes' passing during rehearsals and the courtroom set drama continuing with union issues. The Return of Sil: Jim does NOT hold back on his feelings about Sil's return to Doctor Who. The hosts debate whether bringing back the green marshmallow-eating Mentor serves any real purpose beyond annoying viewers. Discussion includes comparisons to Star Trek's Ferengi and whether Kiv (played by Christopher Ryan) proves more interesting than his obnoxious predecessor. Brian Blessed Arrives: The hosts examine Brian Blessed's appearance as King Yrcanos - a performance John considers a saving grace while Jim finds increasingly one-note. Behind-the-scenes stories include Blessed's F-bomb outtake, JNT's gentle handling of the larger-than-life actor, and revelations about Blessed nearly becoming the Second Doctor at age 25. Cultural Appropriation Concerns: Jim and John discuss troubling 1986 production choices: Kabuki-style makeup and samurai aesthetics for Yrcanos, servants and slaves portrayed by minority actors, Native American-styled costumes, and the questionable treatment of Dorf (transformed into a dog). The hosts question why these decisions felt appropriate in the mid-1980s. Colin Baker's Motivation Mystery: Extensive discussion of Colin Baker's struggle with unclear direction - was the Doctor acting under mind control, being crafty for observers, or was the Matrix testimony itself tampered with? Nobody could give him answers, leading to confusion that permeates the performance. The Claustrophobic Complex: Jim criticizes the confined, repetitive sets of Thoros Beta, noting the same corridor and computer banks appearing from different angles. Discussion covers the limited scope compared to "The Mysterious Planet" and whether the laboratory scenes provide the only visual relief. That Ending: The hosts unpack the shocking finale where Peri's brain is replaced by Kiv's, Yrcanos bursts in and shoots everyone, and the Doctor is pulled backward into the TARDIS by Time Lord intervention. John admits this originally made him consider quitting the show, while both hosts question whether companions deserved such ignoble exits. Time Lord Treachery: Discussion of the High Council ordering Peri's death, the Inquisitor's sudden inside knowledge, and why this story made John truly understand why the Doctor ran away from Gallifrey. The Doctor's proclamation about "second-rate gods" resonates as one of Colin Baker's finest courtroom moments. The Muddled Middle: Both hosts struggle with unclear storytelling - repetitive running through corridors, vague motivations, forgotten plot threads about weapons trafficking, and whether anything meaningful happens between the shocking beginning and devastating end. Listener Perspectives: Jameson weighs in on theme preferences, Inquisitor Darkel's ruthless portrayal in Gallifrey audios, and teases Jim's eventual reaction to trial revelations. Jamie Girl appreciates the pink/purple planet effects and Brian Blessed's Viking philosophy while sharing YouTube finds of cast reunions. Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): More Dominic Glynn theme music, the three-part comic "Nature of the Beast," a look back at the first five Doctors with another Memory TARDIS spin. Main Feed Episode (Friday for Patreon, Following Saturday for All): Parts 9-12 of Trial of a Time Lord - "Terror of the Vervoids." Mel arrives, and John cryptically warns the creatures' name isn't the only unfortunate thing about them. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TrialOfATimeLord #Mindwarp #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Peri #NicolaBryant #BrianBlessed #Yrcanos #Sil #TheMentors #ThorosBeta #PhilipMartin #RonJones #Season23 #Crozier #Kiv #TheValeyard #TheInquisitor #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #1986 #CompanionDeath
John and Jim welcome back special guest artist Jerry Lange to discuss the Season 23 opener - a story that surprises everyone involved and showcases Colin Baker delivering what may be his finest performance in the role. The Return After 18 Months: John provides extensive background on how the show returned after the hiatus with a reduced budget, shorter episode format, and completely different vision from what was originally planned. Discussion covers the tumultuous production environment, Eric Saward's declining interest, and the challenges facing the production team. Dominic Glynn's Theme: The hosts react to the new arrangement of the Doctor Who theme - and Jim does NOT hold back his feelings. Discussion explores why this version feels cheaper than previous iterations and whether anything can redeem it. Jerry's Fresh Perspective: As someone experiencing Colin Baker's Doctor properly for the first time, Jerry shares his impressions of the "grumpy Doctor" and how this performance compares to what he expected. His observations about how each Doctor can be characterized provide interesting insights. Colin Baker's Courtroom Brilliance: All three hosts agree: Colin Baker shines brightest in the trial sequences. Jim examines how Baker balances humor and outrage, the effective "fencing" between the Doctor and the Valeyard, and why these courtroom interruptions actually enhance rather than detract from the story. The Mysterious Planet Story: The hosts discuss Robert Holmes' final full script, the Beneath the Planet of the Apesinfluences, the impressive (and expensive) model work, Drathro's excellent robot design, and whether Glitz and Dibber work as comedy relief characters. Jerry questions whether certain characters were even necessary to the narrative. Production Challenges: Discussion covers wrong studio construction, extended recaps to fill time, rating troubles despite heavy BBC promotion (blamed on the Roland Rat lead-in and The A-Team counterprogramming), and which actors stood out in guest roles. The Valeyard Factor: The hosts examine Michael Jayston's performance, the mysterious prosecutor's agenda, and why his dynamic with Colin Baker creates such compelling television despite being filmed primarily in one courtroom set. Listener Perspectives: Jamie Girl weighs in on the arrogance factor and Perry's odd reaction to Earth's fate, while Jameson provides expanded media context and praises the Baker/Jayston chemistry. Jeff from Australia offers thoughts on problematic elements and the Young Ones connections in "Revelation of the Daleks". Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): Dominic Glynn theme variations, the comics "Exodus," "Revelation," and "Genesis," plus another spin of the Memory TARDIS wheel. Main Feed Episode (Friday for Patreon, Following Saturday for All): Parts 5-8 of Trial of a Time Lord - "Mindwarp." John handles narration duties, and he cryptically promises Jim will thank him for the division of labor. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TrialOfATimeLord #TheMysteriousPlane #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Peri #NicolaBryant #TheValeyard #MichaelJayston #RobertHolmes #Season23 #Drathro #GlitzAndDibber #ClassicWho #TheInquisitor #Ravalox #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #NicholasMallett #1986
John and Jim dive deep into one of the most tumultuous periods in Doctor Who history, exploring the fan response to the show's 18-month hiatus announcement and examining two very different productions from that era. Theme Song Discussion: The hosts review Chameleon Circuit's 2026 version of Peter Howell's 1980s Doctor Who theme. The hosts find it underwhelming, noting it fails to generate the excitement that should accompany the opening of a Doctor Who episode. They express mixed feelings about Chameleon Circuit's various covers over the years. LINK : https://youtu.be/oYyc00TKtCs?si=UUH4k9dMulobMh3o The 18-Month Hiatus: During the broadcast of "The Two Doctors," the BBC announced Doctor Who would be "rested" for 18 months to fund other BBC projects. The announcement made national headlines and BBC News broadcasts, creating major controversy among fans and the general public. "Doctor in Distress" - The Charity Single: Ian Levine, the show's unofficial historian and fan liaison, organized a charity single modeled after "We Are the World" to protest the hiatus. The hosts discuss the infamous recording featuring: Cast members: Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Nicholas Courtney, Anthony Ainley, Faith Brown (from "Attack of the Cybermen") Musicians: Justin Hayward and John Lodge (The Moody Blues), Phyllis Nelson, Bobby G (Bucks Fizz) Notable absences due to scheduling issues and Ian's impatience LINK: https://youtu.be/ege9lQecazo?si=yh0ROrCIbz9hf30a "A Fix with Sontarans": In stark contrast to "Doctor in Distress," this segment from the children's show "Jim'll Fix It" proved surprisingly professional. Young fan Gareth Jenkins wished to appear in a Doctor Who story, and writer Eric Saward crafted a nearly 10-minute adventure featuring: Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor Janet Fielding returning as Tegan (not Nicola Bryant as Peri) Two Sontarans (Clinton Grain and Tim Raime from "The Two Doctors") A surprisingly serious tone rather than sketch comedy Production notes include that the two Sontarans were named Nathan and Turner (a dig by Eric Saward at producer John Nathan-Turner), and that a remastered version exists with Jimmy Savile edited out and updated special effects. Colin Baker later stated he always found Savile "creepy." LINK: https://archive.org/details/a_fix_with_sontarans Doctor Who Magazine - "Voyager" Part 5: The hosts express deep frustration with Steve Parkhouse's comic story, calling it "hogwash," "claptrap," and "balderdash." They criticize: The pretentious writing style The Doctor's complete lack of agency Frobisher the penguin's unnecessary subplot The anticlimactic appearance of the villain Voyager The waste of artist John Ridgway's talents Jim suggests Parkhouse was attempting to emulate Alan Moore but failing spectacularly, creating "whimsy disguised as something deeper." The hosts note this isn't Doctor Who and wouldn't work on television. They express relief that only two more Parkhouse stories remain. Memory TARDIS: The wheel lands on "Mawdryn Undead," which both hosts remember fondly, particularly for: Nicholas Courtney's dual role as two different time versions of the Brigadier The strong integration of the Brigadier into the plot (not just a cameo) Nyssa and Tegan's interactions with the Brigadier The creative concept of keeping the two Brigadiers apart Big Finish News: The hosts briefly discuss Big Finish's move toward digital-only releases for many products due to poor physical sales and warehouse storage issues, sparking debate about collector markets and physical media in the vinyl revival era. Coming Up Next: Main Feed Episode: John and Jim tackle "Timelash" with special guest Alan J. Porter, continuing their journey through Colin Baker's controversial Season 22. Next Patreon Episode (158): The hosts continue with more theme music discussion, spin the Memory TARDIS again, and cover Steve Parkhouse's penultimate story "Polly the Glot" - a three-part adventure from Doctor Who Magazine. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #PatreonExclusive #DoctorInDistress #IanLevine #JimllFixIt #ColinBaker #JanetFielding #Tegan #Sontarans #DoctorWhoMagazine #Voyager #SteveParkhouse #Frobisher #MawdrynUndead #TheBrigadier #NicholasCourt ney #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoComics #1985 #Hiatus #DoctorWhoHistory #DoctorWhoPodcast
John and Jim welcome back special guest Felicity Kusinitz to discuss the Colin Baker era finale - a story that generates surprising ratings diversity and sparks debate about Eric Saward's best (or most problematic) work. Production Background: Director Graham Harper returns after "Caves of Androzani" to helm this two-part adventure, the last to be shot using film for location work. John shares fascinating details about Eric Saward writing the script while vacationing in Rhodes, drawing inspiration from Evelyn Waugh's satirical novel The Loved One, and Greek locations providing character names. The story features newly constructed Daleks for the first time since "Planet of the Daleks," plus some surprising casting stories - including Sir Laurence Olivier being approached to play... the mutant. Best and Worst Guest Stars: Jim declares this story contains both the best and worst guest stars ever - a proclamation that generates immediate discussion. Eleanor Bron's appearance delights Jim (who knew her from "Help!" and "Bedazzled"), while the DJ character sparks the episode's most heated debate. The hosts and Felicity find themselves split on whether this comedic character works or derails the story's tone. The Duo Dynamic: The hosts examine Eric Saward's interesting structural choice of populating the story with paired characters - from Orsini and Bostock (the assassin and his squire) to Jobel and Tasambeker, Kara and Vogel, and more. Discussion explores whether this represents a Robert Holmes homage and how these relationships drive the narrative. Davros as Emperor Palpatine: Jim presents his case for Davros completing his transformation into Emperor Palpatine, complete with blue lightning and manipulation tactics. The hosts debate the character's evolution, Terry Molloy's performance, and the story's handling of Davros versus the "real" Daleks. The Mortuary Planet Concept: Jim shares his fascination with funeral home settings in science fiction, praising the story's dark humor and satire. Discussion covers the story's Soylent Green elements, the disturbing glass Daleks, and whether the various subplots serve or detract from the core narrative. Perry's Accent Meta-Moment: The hosts discuss the scene where DJ asks "Is that your real accent?" - exploring what the production team knew about Nicola Bryant's secret by this point. Listener Perspectives: Jameson and Jamie Girl weigh in with contrasting views on the DJ character, Herbert from "Timelash," and the season's violence levels. Final Ratings: The three hosts land across the spectrum - demonstrating this story's divisive nature even among those who generally enjoy it. Felicity's Colin Baker Era Assessment: The returning guest shares her overall thoughts on Season 22, Colin Baker's Doctor, and her relationship with Perry as a companion. Coming Up Next: Special Hiatus Content: Patreon Exclusive (Next Week): John and Jim cover "Slipback" - the BBC Radio 4 audio drama featuring Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant that aired during the 18-month hiatus. Patreon Exclusive (Week After): A deep dive into the missing Season 23 - examining what stories were planned, what could have worked, and where to find them in expanded media through Big Finish and Target novels. Main Feed: Classic Patreon episodes will be released for non-subscribers during the two-week break. Regular Patreon Episode (Monday): Episode 159 concludes the Steve Parkhouse comic run with his final story "Once Upon a Time Lord." Hashtags: #DoctorWho #RevelationOfTheDaleks #SixthDoctor #ColinBaker #NicolaBryant #Davros #Daleks #EricSaward #GrahamHarper #EleanorBron #Season22 #ClassicWho #TerryMolloy #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #Whovian #Necros #GlassDaleks #1985 #ClassicDoctorWho
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
Send us a text and let us know what you think of our podcast!As the deadly DALEKS finalise their plans to assassinate the High Council of the Time Lords - presumably as part of the build up to the Time War but actually who really knows? - hosts Paul and Geoff unleash their own weapon: the very first figure set from Character Options featuring TEGAN JOVANKA!Complete with an EXPLODED DALEK, a massive gun and a Dalek canister, this new Vortex Edition set from CO launches with impeccable timing - for us anyway, given that we were watching Resurrection of the Daleks, Tegan's poignant exit epsiode.So join us as we take a closer look at the figure set, pose Tegan in a variety of ways and play around with her massive gun.In-between all that, we try and find time to talk about the story we're supposed to be watching.Geoff on James Cameron 101 Podcast - https://youtu.be/q5C5oTy-tMI?si=RshXorSuTI12xmy7 Chapters:00:00 Introduction 02:57 Unboxing Tegan and Dalek Figures05:44 Discussion on Tegan's Character and Legacy08:30 Exploring the Dalek Variants and Their Design11:18 The Elusiveness of Doctor Who Actors14:09 Actors and Their Iconic Roles16:44 Plot Developments in Resurrection of the Daleks19:48 Reflections on the Story's Themes and Characters23:41 Nostalgia for Classic Doctor Who26:58 The Evolution of Doctor Who Merchandise28:26 Dalek Mania and Cultural Impact31:34 The Complex Relationship Between Doctor and Davros35:02 The High Stakes of Resurrection44:49 Tegan's Heartbreaking Departure49:27 Reflections on Companions and Their LivesSupport the show Subscribe to Who Corner to Corner on your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode! Now available to watch on YouTube! Join the Doctor Who chat with us and other fans on Twitter and Facebook! Visit the Who Corner to Corner website and see our back catalogue of episodes! Visit the WHOC2C merch store! Enjoying what we do? Consider joining our Explorers Subscription plan for more content! Who Corner to Corner: Great guests and 100% positive Doctor Who chat!
Send us a text and let us know what you think of our podcast!It's the space year 1984 and the DALEKS are back in London! This time it's all very secret, until a gun battle erupts in the heart of the city's rundown Docklands area between some dudes in future space-wear and a bunch of very SINISTER London Police.Meanwhile, the TARDIS is being pulled through a time corridor and the Doctor, Turlough and TEGAN hang onto every piece of furniture they can as the time machine spins out of control!Why are Daleks appearing now?Who are the space dudes and why does one of them look like a very Likely Lad?Why does everyone start acting weirdly whenever they get shot by a Dalek?Who is the prisoner on the space station the Daleks seem eager to get hold of?What is the body count by the end of the episode?Why is Turlough lurking and when will Tegan get out of bed?Was Dirty Den really serving time at Her Majesty's pleasure..?And, basically, what the Davros is going on in this classic tale from Peter Davison's final season as the Fifth Doctor?Join us and watch along in real time as we try to make sense of RESURRECTION OF THE DALEKS- a fast-paced, action-packed story which sees the departure of Tegan and the Daleks returning to Doctor Who in their own adventure, the first since 1979, in explosive style!Support the show Subscribe to Who Corner to Corner on your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode! Now available to watch on YouTube! Join the Doctor Who chat with us and other fans on Twitter and Facebook! Visit the Who Corner to Corner website and see our back catalogue of episodes! Visit the WHOC2C merch store! Enjoying what we do? Consider joining our Explorers Subscription plan for more content! Who Corner to Corner: Great guests and 100% positive Doctor Who chat!
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: "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
You might think script editor Eric Saward's tenure on Doctor Who coincided with a period of calm rather than controversy, but we're here to pull back the covers and see if we can't find something to that doesn't smell quite right Presented by J.R. Southall, with Matt Barber
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 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
Send us a textBen and Mark throw open the doors of the On the Timelash bookshop for a boozy book launch with Dylan Rees, author of the fabulous book, Myths and Legends: The Reeltime Pictures Story. The lads chat about how Keith Barnfather, Nicholas Briggs, and many more have created a massive people's history of Doctor Who, courtesy of the Myth Makers interviews, deep dive documentaries and spinoff dramas. And then, in the second half, Dylan chooses a "classic" and "new" Myth Makers for the three of us to discuss; Sylvester McCoy's 1994 interview and Eric Saward's 2005 interview. How has the range changed in the intervening 11 years?You can buy Dylan's book here.You can rent or buy the whole Reeltime Pictures catalogue from here.Support the showFollow us on TwitterLike us on FacebookBuy us a pint
Send us a textRecorded in March 2025 Dylan and Liam traverse this season finale of Doctor Who and the future of the show and get it spectacularly right/wrong. They also look at two turning points in the show history first up its the TV Comic strip ‘The Night Walkers', then they look at the abandoned script for episode 14 of ‘The Trial of a Timelord' entitled ‘Time Incorporated' written by Eric Saward. And as always they answer the burning questions:Who is the bonny blue of Dr Who podcasting ? What is Dynasty on ice?Are we better off with Pip and Jane Baker? Be sure to check out Liams art work at https://www.instagram.com/artfullyliam/#
In this episode, we finally confront the great schism of the podcast: Ciarán and Jacob's respective takes on the Fifth Doctor. This cathartic outburst done, we settle into giving Eric Saward some credit for once (though not for long), lamenting the wasted potential of numerous actors and, naturally, some Black Guardian impressions. Come to find out why the Davison-era TARDIS team is “peak neoliberal,” stay for us being defeated utterly by Snakedance. [And yes, the Omega discussion was recorded well, well before ‘Wish World'/‘The Reality War;' apparently we're just very in tune with Russell The Davies, surprisingly.] The Fifth Doctor: 2:13 Tegan, Nyssa, Turlough: 22:56 Script Editor Eric Saward: 47:16 Producer John Nathan-Turner (again): 56:40 Arc of Infinity: 1:12:59 Snakedance: 1:29:33 Bluesky: @lotsplanetspod Email: lotsofplanets@gmail.com Theme Music: "Special Spotlight" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Send us a text"Blooping is fine"Mark invites Pete Lambert from the Trap One and Maximum Power podcasts to submit his five Doctor Who gripes for the very literal Tinsel Tunnel in an accidental Christmas special. Which of Pete's selections will force Mark to look back on his life choices like Ebenezer Scrooge? Is the 45 - 60 minute long episode of Doctor Who a dead medium? Why is Mrs Flood emblematic of a problem plaguing pop culture? And who trapped that bee inside a theramin? All this and more in the final In the Timelash of 2024!Support the showFollow us on TwitterLike us on FacebookBuy us a pint
Tegan wants to return to Heathrow Airport so she can actually start her new job in cabin crew and the Doctor is happy to oblige. Sadly the TARDIS lands three centuries too early and there's no sign of a Starbucks or even a duty free shop. Just trees.However, as it turns out, all it not lost! A bunch of lizard-like aliens have crashlanded in their spaceship and, spotting an opportunity for mischief, have conspired to take advantage of the plague-riddled, superstitious villagers of London's leafy suburbs and torment them with mind controlling bracelets and an android dressed up like Death.Can the Doctor and his young friends stop the Terileptils' mad scheme before history is changed forever?What even is the Terileptils' mad scheme?Why does Adric keep running into the woods?What is the nature of Nyssa's vibrating machine?Join us for a look back at Eric Saward's debut Doctor Who story, The Visitation! Send us a text and let us know what you think of our podcast!Support the show Subscribe to Who Corner to Corner on your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode! Now available to watch on YouTube! Join the Doctor Who chat with us and other fans on Twitter and Facebook! Visit the Who Corner to Corner website and see our back catalogue of episodes! Enjoying what we do? Consider joining our Explorers Subscription plan for more content! Who Corner to Corner: Great guests and 100% positive Doctor Who chat!
Subscriber-only episodeTegan wants to return to Heathrow Airport so she can actually start her new job in cabin crew and the Doctor is happy to oblige. Sadly the TARDIS lands three centuries too early and there's no sign of a Starbucks or even a duty free shop. Just trees.However, as it turns out, all it not lost! A bunch of lizard-like aliens have crashlanded in their spaceship and, spotting an opportunity for mischief, have conspired to take advantage of the plague-riddled, superstitious villagers of London's leafy suburbs and torment them with mind controlling bracelets and an android dressed up like Death.Can the Doctor and his young friends stop the Terileptils' mad scheme before history is changed forever?What even is the Terileptils' mad scheme?Why does Adric keep running into the woods?What is the nature of Nyssa's vibrating machine?Join us for a look back at Eric Saward's debut Doctor Who story, The Visitation! Send us a text and let us know what you think of our podcast! Subscribe to Who Corner to Corner on your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode! Now available to watch on YouTube! Join the Doctor Who chat with us and other fans on Twitter and Facebook! Visit the Who Corner to Corner website and see our back catalogue of episodes! Enjoying what we do? Consider joining our Explorers Subscription plan for more content! Who Corner to Corner: Great guests and 100% positive Doctor Who chat!
Time Ram crosses regenerations again as we take Peter Davison's 'The Visitation' and adapt it for his son-in-law (David Tennant in case you were wondering). Now we can talk like Eric Saward, play it like Tristan and love a Great Fire of London as much as we waaaaant! Also includes: silent building, Soliton patches, Matthew Waterhouse fight scenes and robot vibrators. You know it makes sense.* *May not make sense.
Last time Eric Saward squared off against the New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club, it didn't go so well for him. What about this time? Has Saward learned from the excesses that laid RESURRECTION so low? Has the NZDWFC provided us a better read yet again? Come listen as Tony Whitt, Dalton Hughes, and Alyson Fitch-Safreed debate whether a bunch of references to tinclavic and Terileptils actually make for a worse novelization. We are now a proud part of the Direction Point Podcast Network, including such fine shows as THE DOCTOR WHO COLLECTORS PODCAST, THE POLICE BOX IN A JUNKYARD PODCAST, and TIMESTREAMS. You can check out these and other podcasts in the network at http://www.directionpoint.org! If you like what you hear, please come visit our Patreon page! It's at https://www.patreon.com/DWTargetBC. If you decide to support us in our ongoing effort to discuss all of the DOCTOR WHO novelizations, you'll be able to choose a gift! Contributing at any level gets you our extras! Visit the site for more details! We also have a book discussion group of our very own on Goodreads! It can be found at the link below. If you want to have your question, discussion, or review of a given book read aloud by us, simply join the group, post your response to the group by the given deadline, and we will see it! Also, feel free to follow us on the social media accounts listed below, or subscribe to us via the podcast provider of your choice. You can also email us at the email address given at the end of the episode with the phrase “Target Book Club” in the subject line! Thanks as always to Ron Schiding for our podcast logo and artwork, and to Dalton Hughes for the editing! The New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club: https://doctorwho.org.nz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ DoctorWhoTargetBookClubPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorwhotargetbc/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dwtargetbc.bsky.social iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast/id1195364046?see-all=reviews SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/doctorwhotargetbc TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Fantasy--Science-Fiction-Podc/Doctor-Who-Target-Book-Club-Podcast-p957128/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/710804-doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast The DIRECTION POINT Doctor Who Podcast Network: https://directionpoint.org/
Ian and Nathan have dematerialised on the planet Necros for a visit to Tranquil ReposeRevelation of the Daleks (1985). Directed by Greame Harper. Written by Eric Saward. Starring Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Eleanor Bron and Clive Swift.
Remember when Doctor Who was put on hiatus, back in 1985? To help bridge the gap between Seasons 22 and 23, a six-part radio story was broadback on Pirate Radio 4, featuring Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant as the Doctor and Peri. We take a look at how this story came to be, in exclusive new interviews with Nicola Bryant, writer Eric Saward, and guest star Nick Revell.
Ed Stradling revels in the many deaths that Eric Saward serves up in this very gruesome but highly entertaining story. Or is it a violent aberration that is too grim for a family fantasy show? Food for thought and for chat in the second part of this feature length adventure that is actually the same length as normal but doesn't seem like it is. Please support these podcasts on Patreon, where you will get advance releases, exclusive content (including a patron-only podcast - Far Too Much Information), regular AMAs and more. Tiers start from as little as £3 per month. patreon.com/tobyhadoke Or there is Ko-fi for the occasional donation with no commitments: ko-fi.com/tobyhadoke Follow Toby on Twitter @tobyhadoke And these podcasts @HadokePodcasts And his comedy club @xsmalarkey www.tobyhadoke.com for news, blog, mailing list and more.
Cybermen, Cryons, and cops – oh my! Add to all of that enough fanwank that the story should come with its own box of Kleenex, and you've got a recipe for a bad novelization. So how is it so good – and how did it come from Eric Saward? Again?! Come join Tony Whitt, Alyson Fitch-Safreed, and Dalton Hughes as we discuss Saward's novelization of a Colin Baker story written by…somebody. We are now a proud part of the Direction Point Podcast Network, including such fine shows as THE DOCTOR WHO COLLECTORS PODCAST, THE POLICE BOX IN A JUNKYARD PODCAST, and TIMESTREAMS. You can check out these and other podcasts in the network at http://www.directionpoint.org! If you like what you hear, please come visit our Patreon page! It's at https://www.patreon.com/DWTargetBC. If you decide to support us in our ongoing effort to discuss all of the DOCTOR WHO novelizations, you'll be able to choose a gift! Contributing at any level gets you our extras! Visit the site for more details! We also have a book discussion group of our very own on Goodreads! It can be found at the link below. If you want to have your question, discussion, or review of a given book read aloud by us, simply join the group, post your response to the group by the given deadline, and we will see it! If you really like us or feel the exact opposite, feel free to comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter (we're @DWTARGETBC), or subscribe to us via the podcast provider of your choice (we can be found on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and TuneIn, amongst many others)! You can also email us at the email address given at the end of the episode with the phrase “Target Book Club” in the subject line! Thanks as always to Ron Schiding for our podcast logo and artwork, and to Dalton Hughes for the editing! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWhoTargetBookClubPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorwhotargetbc/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dwtargetbc.bsky.social iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast/id1195364046?see-all=reviews SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/doctorwhotargetbc TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Fantasy--Science-Fiction-Podc/Doctor-Who-Target-Book-Club-Podcast-p957128/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/710804-doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast The DIRECTION POINT Doctor Who Podcast Network: https://directionpoint.org/
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Eric Saward's books are a bit…much. So what is a band of jaded reviewers to do when Saward takes a turd like THE TWIN DILEMMA and polishes it until it's…well, less of a turd? Come join Tony Whitt, Alyson Fitch-Safreed, Dalton Hughes, and our special guest Larry VanMersbergen of the DOCTOR WHO COLLECTORS PODCAST as they ask that question and many more about the novelization of Colin Baker's first story! We are now a proud part of the Direction Point Podcast Network, including such fine shows as THE DOCTOR WHO COLLECTORS PODCAST, THE POLICE BOX IN A JUNKYARD PODCAST, and TIMESTREAMS. You can check out these and other podcasts in the network at http://www.directionpoint.org! If you like what you hear, please come visit our Patreon page! It's at https://www.patreon.com/DWTargetBC. If you decide to support us in our ongoing effort to discuss all of the DOCTOR WHO novelizations, you'll be able to choose a gift! Contributing at any level gets you our extras! Visit the site for more details! We also have a book discussion group of our very own on Goodreads! It can be found at the link below. If you want to have your question, discussion, or review of a given book read aloud by us, simply join the group, post your response to the group by the given deadline, and we will see it! If you really like us or feel the exact opposite, feel free to comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter (we're @DWTARGETBC), or subscribe to us via the podcast provider of your choice (we can be found on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and TuneIn, amongst many others)! You can also email us at the email address given at the end of the episode with the phrase “Target Book Club” in the subject line! Thanks as always to Ron Schiding for our podcast logo and artwork, and to Dalton Hughes for the editing! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWhoTargetBookClubPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorwhotargetbc/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dwtargetbc.bsky.social iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast/id1195364046?see-all=reviews SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/doctorwhotargetbc TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Fantasy--Science-Fiction-Podc/Doctor-Who-Target-Book-Club-Podcast-p957128/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/710804-doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast The DIRECTION POINT Doctor Who Podcast Network: https://directionpoint.org/
Eric Saward's novelization of his 1984 was almost 40 years in the making. Was it worth the wait? …Seriously, we're asking. Oh, and we read a much better version by Paul Scoones, too. Come join Tony Whitt, Dalton Hughes, and Danny Celedon for a special 150th episode as they discuss both the fan and official novelizations of RESURRECTION OF THE DALEKS. We are now a proud part of the Direction Point Podcast Network, including such fine shows as THE DOCTOR WHO COLLECTORS PODCAST, THE POLICE BOX IN A JUNKYARD PODCAST, and TIMESTREAMS. You can check out these and other podcasts in the network at http://www.directionpoint.org! If you like what you hear, please come visit our Patreon page! It's at https://www.patreon.com/DWTargetBC. If you decide to support us in our ongoing effort to discuss all of the DOCTOR WHO novelizations, you'll be able to choose a gift! Contributing at any level gets you our extras! Visit the site for more details! We also have a book discussion group of our very own on Goodreads! It can be found at the link below. If you want to have your question, discussion, or review of a given book read aloud by us, simply join the group, post your response to the group by the given deadline, and we will see it! If you really like us or feel the exact opposite, feel free to comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter (we're @DWTARGETBC), or subscribe to us via the podcast provider of your choice (we can be found on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and TuneIn, amongst many others)! You can also email us at the email address given at the end of the episode with the phrase “Target Book Club” in the subject line! Thanks as always to Ron Schiding for our podcast logo and artwork, and to Dalton Hughes for the editing! THE NEW ZEALAND DOCTOR WHO FAN CLUB: https://doctorwho.org.nz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWhoTargetBookClubPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorwhotargetbc/ iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast/id1195364046?see-all=reviews SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/doctorwhotargetbc TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Fantasy--Science-Fiction-Podc/Doctor-Who-Target-Book-Club-Podcast-p957128/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/710804-doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast The DIRECTION POINT Doctor Who Podcast Network: https://directionpoint.org/
Ian and Nathan encounter the Cybermen in this classic Fifth Doctor story. Earthshock (1982). Directed by Peter Grimwade. Written by Eric Saward. Produced by John Nathan Turner. Starring Peter Davison, Matthew Waterhouse, Janet Feilding, Sarah Sutton and Beryl Reid.
What if Eric Saward had done this, what if Eric Saward had done that - and what if Eric Saward had done the other? We just couldn't help ourselves This episode presented by: J.R. Southall With: Jon Arnold Matt Barber Mark Donaldson Iain Martin
In the final part of On the Time Lash's Get Tae Flux miniseries, Ben and Mark discuss the tonal tightrope that Dennis Spooner walks while bringing The Daleks' Masterplan to its conclusion. Is Sara Kingdom's death justified? Is Donald Tosh a precursor to Eric Saward? Would you give someone £100 for some painted telesnaps?All this and a creepy Tom Baker mask, serialised Doctor Who v.s. episodic Doctor Who, who should have played the Meddling Monk opposite Peter Cushing, and a showdown in the letters pages of DWM.Support the showFollow us on TwitterLike us on FacebookBuy us a pint
A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Joe & David; ‘to earn his favour…I have to kill you!' The perfect new series episode? Eric Saward's redemption? The best deaths? The boldest themes? The sickest lines? Oh yes!
Nous achevons aujourd'hui notre visionnage de la saison 22 avec "Revelation of the Daleks", une bonne occasion de parler d'Eric Saward.
It's the end of an era. Never again will we be able to make jokes about Matthew Waterhouse – at least, not any good ones, anyway. Come join Tony Whitt, Alyson Fitch-Safreed, Dalton Hughes, and special guest Jim Sangster as we discuss why we've all been unfair to Waterhouse, to Adric, and even to Ian Marter as we talk about his novelization of Eric Saward's story EARTHSHOCK. (And no, no one's been unfair to Eric Saward.) We are now a proud part of the Direction Point Podcast Network, including such fine shows as THE DOCTOR WHO COLLECTORS PODCAST, THE POLICE BOX IN A JUNKYARD PODCAST, and TIMESTREAMS. You can check out these and other podcasts in the network at http://www.directionpoint.org! If you like what you hear, please come visit our Patreon page! It's at https://www.patreon.com/DWTargetBC. If you decide to support us in our ongoing effort to discuss all of the DOCTOR WHO novelizations, you'll be able to choose a gift! Contributing at any level gets you our extras! Visit the site for more details! We also have a book discussion group of our very own on Goodreads! It can be found at the link below. If you want to have your question, discussion, or review of a given book read aloud by us, simply join the group, post your response to the group by the given deadline, and we will see it! If you really like us or feel the exact opposite, feel free to comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter (we're @DWTARGETBC), or subscribe to us via the podcast provider of your choice (we can be found on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and TuneIn, amongst many others)! You can also email us at the email address given at the end of the episode with the phrase “Target Book Club” in the subject line! Thanks as always to Ron Schiding for our podcast logo and artwork, and to Dalton Hughes for the editing! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWhoTargetBookClubPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast/id1195364046?mt=2 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/doctorwhotargetbc TuneIn: http://tunein.com/radio/Doctor-Who-Target-Book-Club-Podcast-p957128/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DWTARGETBC Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/710804-doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast The DIRECTION POINT Doctor Who Podcast Network: http://www.directionpoint.org
It's the very first Peter Davison novelization, the very first novel by Eric Saward, and the very first photo cover that doesn't suck. It's also the very first appearance on our show of special guest Jim Sangster, as he, Tony Whitt, and Dalton Hughes discuss the novelization of the story that put gaudily decorated androids and plague mice on the map, THE VISITATION! We are now a proud part of the Direction Point Podcast Network, including such fine shows as THE DOCTOR WHO COLLECTORS PODCAST, THE POLICE BOX IN A JUNKYARD PODCAST, and TIMESTREAMS. You can check out these and other podcasts in the network at http://www.directionpoint.org! If you like what you hear, please come visit our Patreon page! It's at https://www.patreon.com/DWTargetBC. If you decide to support us in our ongoing effort to discuss all of the DOCTOR WHO novelizations, you'll be able to choose a gift! Contributing at any level gets you our extras! Visit the site for more details! We also have a book discussion group of our very own on Goodreads! It can be found at the link below. If you want to have your question, discussion, or review of a given book read aloud by us, simply join the group, post your response to the group by the given deadline, and we will see it! If you really like us or feel the exact opposite, feel free to comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter (we're @DWTARGETBC), or subscribe to us via the podcast provider of your choice (we can be found on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and TuneIn, amongst many others)! You can also email us at the email address given at the end of the episode with the phrase “Target Book Club” in the subject line! Thanks as always to Ron Schiding for our podcast logo and artwork, and to Dalton Hughes for the editing! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWhoTargetBookClubPodcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast/id1195364046?mt=2 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/doctorwhotargetbc TuneIn: http://tunein.com/radio/Doctor-Who-Target-Book-Club-Podcast-p957128/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DWTARGETBC Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/710804-doctor-who-target-book-club-podcast The DIRECTION POINT Doctor Who Podcast Network: http://www.directionpoint.org
It's time to go back to the heady days of 1982 when Cybermen were cool, death was shocking and the Fifth Doctor was serving as a proxy father to three children. Yes it's Eric Saward's game-changing blockbuster Earthshock. There's no denying that it blew Andy away as a kid but how does he feel about it now? And what does Alex make of this ‘Davison classic'? As usual, many questions abound: ‘Are all of Barbara's clothes still in the TARDIS?'; ‘Why do some death screams sound like choir practice?'; And most importantly ‘Is Beryl Reid good casting as Briggs?'. All this and much more… Andy recounts going to the funeral of ‘Anne Funeral' where he met an Earthshock trooper; Alex makes the joyful discovery that she is wearing ‘thermal lance' coloured toe-nail polish; and the pair both share their knowledge of conference room stationery and chair dresses. It's quite a ride! In respectful homage to Adric we don't play any end credit music. It's not a glitch. Next Time: The Ultimate Foe [Artwork: Alister Pearson]
It's the end of September and, as promised last episode, Rob and Dave have read the Target novelisation of Eric Saward's 1985 Doctor Who radio play, Slipback. In this episode they run through the novel, blow-by-blow, then have a discussion about it. Naturally, they also discuss the radio play too, for some handy comparison. Before then, they discuss some interesting news from the past month, some short topics and, at the end of the show, talk about some non-Doctor Who content they've consumed of late. A couple of listener emails round out the episode. Hope you enjoy the show! Contact us anytime, hello@theDWshow.net
Ben and Mark discuss the Doctor Who sub-genre of the Hipster Historical by way of 'Nikola Tesla's Night Of Terror' and 'The Visitation'. How well do both stories succeed in informing and entertaining audiences about less famous historical celebrities?Ben finds a kinship with Richard Mace, Mark attempts to pin the blame on someone other than Eric Saward, and a Waltzer carriage transforms into an android.ALSO: Canine in company! The Wedding of Ben Verth! The blob in the cafetiere!Support the show
In many ways, it's all been building to this. The 12th series of On the Time Lash opens with Mark finally coming face to fist with Eric Saward and Ben getting to call people SPIES.In a packed show, Ben and Mark discuss Ben's stag, the DWAS Capitol event, Spyfall, and Frontier in Space. Not to mention bollock monsters, holding a pillow over an elderly screenwriter, and they struggle to remember what the aliens from Spyfall are actually called.ALSO: An appreciation of Sacha Dhawan and Roger Delgado's Masters, comparing Malcolm Hulke and Gene Roddenberry's respective visions of the future, and some clunky references to the current geopolitical situation.Support the show
Our podcast this week welcomes back Gareth Kavanagh for a longer chat, mainly about Cutaway Comics' latest projects, selling issues in the basement at Gallifrey One, and taking a trip to Aldbourne in honour of 1972 Doctor Who serial The Daemons. Gareth joins Christian Cawley and James McLean in a wide ranging conversation that takes in Brian Blessed, Eric Saward, retro gaming, and much more. Shownotes Useful references for this week's show: Cutaway Comics Gaming Retro UK Fusion Retro Books If you've enjoyed the show, please head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out. Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or podkasterborous@gmail.com, and you'll get a mention.
Fresh from their previous swim with the Sea Devils in Episode 15 of the WHO CORNER TO CORNER PODCAST, our intrepid hosts Paul & Geoff swap their string vests for Samurai Armour and step onto the brightly-lit command deck of Sea Base 4 in this sea-quel to the classic Pertwee stories that inspired a generation.It is the year 2084 and Earth's massive power-blocs are at war, poised to unleash a hail of deadly proton missiles that will result in the mutually assured destruction of all human life on the planet.Which is great news for Earth's previous inhabitants: the 'Silurians' and their 'Sea Devil brothers', who decide to speed things along in a decisive action to retake the world they believe is rightfully theirs.Can the Doctor, Tegan and Turlough help these warring species find an amicable solution that will allow them to live in peace? Or is the Doctor facing the prospect of committing yet another genocide...?Tune in to hear our thoughts on this cold war classic from the 1980s and join us on our Twitter and Facebook @WHOC2C to let us know what YOU think of Warriors of the Deep.
This episode: slug aliens (slaliens), Aym aspires to be an explosion in a rainbow factory, the novelisation tortures Rosie, we suggest several things that would make this story good (an outcome Eric Saward did not bother with), Big Finish saves us once again, and MJTV makes a not very triumphant return. If you're enjoying the show, then recommend it to your friends, family, and colleagues! And if you're feeling extra grateful that we endured The Twin Dilemma so you don't have to, leave us a review on iTunes. You can also share your appreciation with us on Twitter (@PolarityPod) or Tumblr (polaritypod.tumblr.com)
Join Joe as he has a fascinating conversation with fellow podcaster, Nathan Bottomley, from Flight Through Entirety. We discuss FTE, Eric Saward, Hinchcliffe, RTD, Steven Moffat, Barbara, Susan, Jo Grant, Sarah Jane, Robert Holmes...and so much more. We wander the length and breadth of Doctor Who.
In another bonus episode of Doctor Who: Too Hot For TV, Dylan talks to Gareth Kavanagh of Cutaway Comics. They discuss Gareths personal history with the show, Vworp Vworp Magazine, the brand new Lytton comic and some exciting forthcoming projects from Cutaway Comics.
In episode 5 of Doctor Who: Too Hot For TV Dylan and Jack look at two adventures for the sixth doctor. The BBC radio play 'Slipback' written by Eric Saward and the comic strip 'Voyager' written by Steve Parkhouse and drawn by John Ridgeway.
An interview with Nick Briggs and Eric Saward from Whooverville 8.
This month, Erik and Kyle, doing a near-complete 180 from the kind of writing done by '80s script editor Eric Saward, are discussing the work of Christopher Bailey ("Kinda" and "Snakedance") and Barbara Clegg ("Enlightenment"). Lots of philopsophy, myth, and Wikipedia Buddhism gets bandied about as the conversation proceeds. It's a pretty rich tapestry; a whole episode could be gleaned from "Kinda" alone. Plus, the first installment in what will probably be a recurring game gets played: Who's More Rapey? Also, despite Kyle's many incorrect mentions to the contrary, the next episode will be next MONTH, not next week.Please send feedback to: erikandkyle@gmail.comFollow them on Twitter: @DWTWR, @FunctionalNerd, @sjcAustenite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: , Ian Levine (born 22 June 1953, in , ) is an , , and . He is also a well-known fan of the long-running television show . Levine attended in Blackpool from 1963 to 1970. In 1996 Levine traced over 660 members of his own family on his mother's side and organised the enormous Cooklin family reunion, on 21 July in London. This has been called the biggest family reunion of all time[], and was covered on the BBC Evening News, and, extensively, in . Between 1997 and 1999 Ian Levine produced and directed the documentary film The Strange World of Northern Soul, an anthology of the underground music cult. This was a video box set, containing over 12 hours of footage with booklet and CD, and incorporating 131 performances by the legendary American soul acts who had, in most cases, never been filmed before. The event premiered at the King George's Hall in to an audience of 1300 in July 1999. The Strange World of Northern Soul was released on DVD as a six-disc box set, replete with extras, in 2003. In May 2000, Levine organised the reunion of his entire school class from the 1960s at in Blackpool. All 30 members of class 3A were found and brought together to experience lessons, in the gym, a rugby match, and an assembly with their original teachers, all in original style school uniform. The reunion was filmed and shown by the BBC. Contents Music career Levine is most noted for his work in the genres of , , , and . Earlier in his career he was a disc jockey at the , and became an avid collector of soul, , and . In the mid-1970s he also produced for disco, leading into the genre's evolution into Hi-NRG. Levine was also a resident DJ at the legendary gay disco , an important venue in 1980s gay . He and songwriting partner were among the main figures in the development of the Hi-NRG style and its moderate success in , writing and producing "So Many Men, So Little Time" by (two million sales), and "" by (seven million sales). During the 1980s and 1990s he mixed a number of hits for a variety of artists, including , , , , , , , and . He also founded his own groups: Seventh Avenue, which featured two members of ; ; and . He also wrote and produced for the successful , and for . He has written and produced several TV themes including "Discomania", "Gypsy Girl", "ITV Celebrity Awards Show", "Christmasmania" and "Abbamania". In 1987, Levine began recording some former artists from . By 1989 the project had grown in size and a reunion of 60 stars in , outside the original building, attracted attention from several media outlets. was launched as a record label, initially distributed by PRT and later Pacific, then Charly and finally . By the time the project ended in the mid 1990s, over 850 songs had been recorded by 108 artists who had all been formerly signed to . As an album range, the project continues to be released to this day, but the most successful single was by an artist who hadn't recorded for twenty three years, , with "Footsteps Following Me", co-written with Levine and Ivy Jo Hunter, the man who wrote "". In 2007, Levine formed the label Centre City Records, on which he has released four albums: , Disco 2008, Yesterday and Tomorrow (a collection of his 30 greatest hits, re-interpreted by his current roster of artists) and Northern Soul 2008. In 2010 Ian Levine formed a new boy band called "Inju5tice". The band launched their career with the song "A Long Long Way From Home" which was a commercial failure. Ian backed away from the project shortly after. Inju5tice later went on to become ELi'Prime. Doctor Who Levine is well known as a fan of the television series Doctor Who. Levine was, in part, responsible for the return of a number of missing episodes of the show to the BBC's archives, and was involved in stopping the destruction of further serials after he learnt that they were being discarded. He also retained many off-air recordings. An unofficial continuity consultant during the early 1980s, some observers have speculated that the monster played by in the Doctor Who episode "" was based on Levine and reflects his role in fandom. The Abzorbaloff design was created by "Design a Doctor Who Monster"-winner William Grantham. "Doctor in Distress" In 1985, when the BBC announced that the series would be placed on an eighteen-month hiatus, and the show's cancellation was widely rumoured, Levine gathered a group of actors from the series, together with a number of minor celebrities, to record a protest single called . The participants included the series' two lead actors, and , as well as other actors associated with the series such as and . Also involved were members of the bands , and . was one of the musicians involved in the record's production. Levine has since claimed that the song was originally the brain child of , a production manager at the BBC and partner of , the producer of the show at the time. The single was released under the name “Who Cares?”, and was universally panned. Levine himself said later, "It was an absolute balls-up fiasco. It was pathetic and bad and stupid. It tried to tell the Doctor Who history in an awful high-energy song. It almost ruined me.” Later history In recent years he has claimed that he co-wrote the story with series script editor , although the writer's credit is officially given to “Paula Moore”, a pseudonym for Saward's then girlfriend, . Levine's claim is that he wrote the story outline and that Saward wrote the script, with Woolsey contributing nothing. This version of events was flatly denied by Eric Saward in a interview, as well as by Woolsey herself when she was interviewed by , and for their series of Doctor Who reference books. Levine at one time worked in close collaboration with the on various DVD releases of classic Doctor Who serials, though he no longer produces documentaries for them. Levine's efforts to locate missing episodes of Who continue. On 20 April 2006, it was announced on the BBC children's show that Levine would purchase a life-sized for anyone who would return one of the 108 missing episodes; details were provided on Blue Peter's website. DVDs Ian Levine has also been responsible for producing a number of extras on the Doctor Who releases: the documentaries "Over the Edge" and "Inside the Spaceship" were included on the 3-disc set "The Beginning", while "Genesis of a Classic" appeared on the release for . Levine has also contributed to many other classic series DVDs, appearing as an in-vision interviewee on occasions, and by allowing the Restoration Team access to his private collection of rare studio footage and off-air recordings. K-9 and Company He also composed the theme music for , an unsuccessful pilot for a proposed Doctor Who spin-off series featuring the robotic dog and . American comic books Levine also possesses one of the world's great collections of American comic books. He claims to have the only complete set of in the world, with at least one copy of each DC comic book sold at retail (i.e., not including promotional or giveaway comics) from the 1930s to present. The last vintage comic book he obtained for his collection was a copy of New Adventure Comics #26, which he acquired at the in July 2005. Although Levine's complete DC comic book collection does not include all of the hundreds of different promotional (non-retail) and giveaway comic books that DC released over the decades (the particular identifying information for many of them has been lost due to DC not retaining decades-old licensing information), his DC promotional and giveaway collection contains the vast majority of all of the DC promotional and giveaway comic books currently known to have existed, and is perhaps the most complete DC promotional and giveaway collection currently in existence. The writer and comic book expert Paul Sassienie began cataloging, grading and certificating 'The Ian Levine' collection in May 2011. References ^ Levine, Ian (7 February 2007). . Ian Levine's MySpace blog. Retrieved 11 October 2010. Bailey, David (1 April 2009 (cover date)). "The Fact of Fiction: Logopolis". (, : ) (406): 57. Phipps, Tim (8 August 2006). . . Retrieved 25 November 2006. "I've no idea if [Russell T. Davies] was explicitly thinking of Ian Levine when he wrote the Abzorbaloff, but I can't help but suspect that Levine was bouncing somewhere around the back of his head." Petridis, Alexis (24 November 2006). (free registration required). . Retrieved 25 November 2006. McGurk, Stuart (22 October 2005). (free registration required). . Retrieved 25 November 2006. Levine, Ian (26 November 2006). (free registration required). forum. Retrieved 26 November 2006.[] . Blue Peter website. . 19 April 2006. Archived from on 31 August 2006. Retrieved 25 November 2006. Zurzolo, Vincent (9 August 2005). . Comic Zone. World Talk Radio. Retrieved 25 November 2006. Levine, Ian (15 July 2005). . Collectors Society Message Board. Retrieved 25 November 2006. External links at the