Podcast appearances and mentions of John S Drew

"There Should Have Been Another Way" Production 6M: "Warriors of the Deep" (January 5-13, 1984) Classic Doctor Who Season 21 Premiere Review In the year 2084, the Fifth Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough materialize at Sea Base Four, a military installation staffed with personnel on high alert due to tensions that could trigger World War III. An unknown object lurking in the waters proves to be a Silurian battlecruiser seeking to revive suspended animation Sea Devil warriors stored in underwater chambers. The reptilian cousins plan to manipulate the base's weapon systems to start a nuclear war, wiping out humanity so they can reclaim Earth as their ancestral home. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this Season 21 premiere analysis covering this notorious production, they discuss: Production Nightmare Behind the Scenes: Margaret Thatcher's election sabotage - The 1983 UK general election announcement created BBC studio space demands, costing Doctor Who two weeks of production time and forcing rushed filming with minimal rehearsal The infamous Myrka disaster - The creature costume was still being sculpted and painted an hour before shooting, with wet paint and adhesive fumes getting one operator high. The poorly-fitted suit left performers uncomfortable and unable to rehearse, resulting in slow-motion movements that destroyed any sense of menace Johnny Byrne's disappointment - The writer envisioned dark, Alien-inspired sets with the Myrka glimpsed briefly in shadows, not brightly-lit corridors showcasing every flaw. He vowed never to work for Doctor Who again Character and Story Analysis: The Doctor's uncharacteristic violence - Jim questions Byrne's characterization showing the Fifth Doctor as naive, foolish, and suddenly engaging in unnecessary hand-to-hand combat Tegan and Turlough's evolving dynamic - The companions finally bond over eye-rolling about the Doctor, though both still don't want to be traveling in the TARDIS. Tegan suffers through another story of being trapped, taken hostage, and reduced to damsel-in-distress after her previous action hero moments The moral dilemma arrives too late - Part 4's ethical debate about genocide feels rushed when it should have been developed earlier. Jim controversially argues the Doctor was wrong to hesitate using the hexachromite gas with billions of lives at stake Base Under Siege formula exhaustion - After 21 years, this well-worn plot structure offers no surprises: the paranoid commander, the likable female officer, the traitors within, the invaders, the giant creature. Viewers who've watched for two decades have seen it all before Design and Direction Problems: Moon Base Alpha aesthetic - The overly-bright, sterile sets fail to convey an underwater atmosphere despite occasional model shots of the Silurian ship Dr. No radiation suits - The guards' helmets appear identical to the 1962 Bond film's radiation gear (the wiki claims they're the actual costumes, though Jim remains skeptical) Laughable battle sequences - No muzzle flashes or laser beams, just actors pointing rifles in extreme slow motion. Quick cuts could have salvaged excitement, but Roberts' clumsy direction makes conflicts feel like rehearsals rather than life-or-death struggles Skirt Gate - The famous blooper where a falling door clearly weighs nothing as Janet Fielding's every tiny movement lifts it Ingrid Pitt's karate vs. the Myrka - The former Hammer horror star (playing Dr. Solow) deliberately aged herself up and performed unconvincing martial arts against the creature in an obvious first-take Reptilian Reunion: First team-up of Silurians and Sea Devils - Despite being "cousins," the two reptilian species look nothing alike, with Sea Devils acting as subservient warriors to Silurian scientists Redesigned Sea Devils - New helmets with Asian-influenced design reminiscent of Buck Rogers' Draconians, with illuminated third eyes solving the mouth-movement problem Jim argues this represents Doctor Who's aging fanbase problem - like 1980s comics, the show wasn't attracting new young viewers, leaving only "cranky old fans" who'd seen every trope before. The hosts debate whether the Doctor's final moment of regret will carry into the next serial, with John insisting it must affect the character going forward. Extended Listener Mail Segment: The episode features six emails discussing The Five Doctors, providing retrospective thoughts on the anniversary special, Tom Baker's absence, Richard Hurndall's performance, and various behind-the-scenes details. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Check out Jim Beard's latest creative release - a beautiful blank journal book "Snowball Strums a Story" featuring an original sketch from Jim himself, perfect for Whovians and creative writers! Available now on Amazon for only $7.99 with 200 pages of lined and blank pages: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-Strums-Story-Thinkin-Journal/dp/B0FTVDVD45 Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! 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"Orange Whip, Orange Whip, Orange Whip" - Production 6K: "The Five Doctors" (November 23/25, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who 20th Anniversary Special Review The ultimate Doctor Who celebration arrives! To commemorate two decades of time travel adventures, all five incarnations of the Doctor are mysteriously pulled out of time and transported to the Death Zone on Gallifrey - the ancient forbidden wasteland where Time Lords once staged gladiatorial games. The First Doctor (Richard Hurndall) and granddaughter Susan, the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Sarah Jane Smith, and the Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) with companions Tegan and Turlough must navigate deadly traps, face classic enemies including Daleks, Cybermen, and a Raston Warrior Robot, and ultimately reach the Dark Tower to discover who has orchestrated this temporal kidnapping. Meanwhile, the Fourth Doctor remains trapped in a time eddy. The Master receives a presidential pardon to help, Lord President Borusa harbors dark secrets about immortality, and the fate of all Gallifrey hangs in the balance in this 90-minute anniversary extravaganza. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space with an incredible lineup of special guests! From The Flopcast, the Mayor of Chickentown herself, Felicity Kusinitz returns to claim the Second Doctor. From The OSI Files podcast, artist extraordinaire Jerry Lange champions the Fourth Doctor (despite Tom Baker's controversial absence). And from the late Doctor Who Gives a Bleep podcast and current host of The Bat77 podcast, JB Anderton takes on the First Doctor role. In this comprehensive anniversary special analysis, the hosts discuss: The Tom Baker controversy - Why the Fourth Doctor was reduced to archive footage from the unfinished "Shada" serial, theories about his refusal (too soon after leaving, not wanting to share the spotlight, conflicting theatre commitments with "Educating Rita"), and whether the public knew beforehand Richard Hurndall's remarkable performance - How the replacement First Doctor exceeded expectations and created wonderful chemistry with both Carol Ann Ford's Susan and surprisingly, Tegan Robert Holmes' rejected script - The original "Six Doctors" concept featuring a robot First Doctor and Cybermen becoming "Cyber-Lords" (a concept Chris Chibnall would eventually use) Perfect companion pairings - Sarah Jane with the Third Doctor and the Brigadier with the Second Doctor as happy accidents that became highlights Production challenges - The Eye of Orion footage damage requiring Mark Strickson's emergency recall ("Strickson phone home!"), the abandoned hang glider sequence replaced by the zip line, and Elizabeth Sladen's unfortunate costume choices Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee's minimal aging - Both looking remarkably like their original incarnations despite years away from the role The balance of multiple Doctors - How the script successfully gave each incarnation meaningful moments without anyone overpowering the others American vs. British viewing experiences - PBS broadcasting it two days before the BBC on the actual anniversary during the Chicago convention Jim declares this "a lot of fun" and "almost everything I wanted" - a breath of fresh air with excellent character interactions, though Tom Baker's absence remains the only significant downbeat. The panel agrees that all actors played their roles straight without mugging or winking, creating a sincere celebration rather than a farce. This landmark special aired November 23, 1983 on American PBS stations (particularly WTTW Chicago during the massive "Visions" convention) and November 25, 1983 on BBC1 during Children in Need. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Check out Jim Beard's latest creative release - a beautiful blank journal book featuring an original sketch from Jim himself, perfect for Whovians and creative writers! Available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-Strums-Story-Thinkin-Journal/dp/B0FTVDVD45 Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! 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Production 6J: "The King's Demons" (March 15-16, 1983) - Classic Doctor Who Season 20 Finale Review The TARDIS fails to reach Turlough's promised homeworld of Trion, instead materializing in Medieval England during March 1215 - the crucial period leading to the signing of the Magna Carta, one of history's most important constitutional documents. The Fifth Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough arrive at Fitzwilliam Castle to discover King John behaving extraordinarily out of character, acting with uncharacteristic cruelty and tyranny that threatens to derail the entire timeline. The erratic monarch appears to be under the sinister influence of Sir Gilles Estram, a mysterious French nobleman whose features look disturbingly familiar to the Doctor. Investigating this temporal anomaly, the Doctor uncovers a devastating plot orchestrated by his oldest and most persistent nemesis - the Master (Anthony Ainley) has traveled back in time to prevent the Magna Carta from ever being signed, fundamentally altering Earth's democratic history and destabilizing the entire future of human civilization. At the center of this scheme is Kamelion, a shape-shifting android with extraordinary abilities who becomes a pawn in the Master's game and an unexpected addition to the TARDIS crew. Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this Season 20 finale analysis, they dissect the complicated behind-the-scenes story of Kamelion - the ambitious shape-changing robot companion whose technical malfunctions plagued production and limited future appearances, critique how writer Terence Dudley once again relegates both Tegan Jovanka and Turlough to passive bystander roles with minimal character development or meaningful participation, and argue that this two-part story desperately needed additional episodes to properly develop its ambitious historical premise and Master plot. This episode features a remarkably candid conversation about the Fifth Doctor himself. Jim comes clean about his ongoing struggle to connect with Peter Davison's interpretation - after twenty episodes, he still isn't feeling this incarnation and openly wonders if he ever will warm to the Fifth Doctor's gentle, vulnerable characterization. John empathizes completely with Jim's perspective while defending his own position: Peter Davison remains John's absolute favorite Doctor precisely because of the understated qualities Jim finds frustrating - his compassion, emotional accessibility, and fallible heroism rather than commanding authority. "The King's Demons" concludes Season 20's uneven journey toward the monumental 20th Anniversary Special that awaits in November 1983. Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or joining our active Facebook and BlueSky discussions for exclusive Doctor Who content, character analysis, and fan theories. Check out Jim Beard's latest creative release - a beautiful blank journal book featuring an original sketch from Jim himself, perfect for Whovians and creative writers! Available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-Strums-Story-Thinkin-Journal/dp/B0FTVDVD45 Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive deep-dive Doctor Who analysis, and special multimedia reviews covering comics, audio dramas, and music. Your support helps us continue our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #TheKingsDemos #Season20Finale #TheMaster #AnthonyAinley #Kamelion #ShapeShiftingRobot #RobotCompanion #Turlough #MarkStrickson #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #MagnaCarta #KingJohn #MedievalEngland #HistoricalDoctor #1215AD #TerenceDudley #DoctorWho1983 #20thAnniversary #SeasonFinale #NewCompanion #TimeTravelParadox #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #PeterDavisonDebate #FavoriteDoctor #DoctorWhoOpinions #MasterPlan #ClassicWho #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #DoctorWhoHistory #SciFiTV #ConstitutionalHistory #DoctorWhoVillains #JimBeard #CreativeJournal #ProductionIssues #BehindTheScenes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A flashback to the "wilderness years" between the end of Extreme Ghostbusters and the "Answer the Call" reboot - 2012 marked the year host of the prolific and informative pop culture podcast "The Chronic Rift" John S. Drew talked to Jay and "Mr. Sci-Fi" Marc Scott Zicree (author of some of the best episodes of The Real Ghostbusters) about the legacy of the franchise and why the animated series was so important to the enduring appeal of the original concept developed by Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis.  Zicree talks about the process of writing stories for The Real Ghostbusters back in the 1990s as one of the key writers under J. Michael Straczynski while Jay manages to hold back most of his fanboy glee talking about what the series meant to him growing up. Fortunately, no hosts or screenwriters were roasted in the depths of the Sloar that day. Thanks to John Drew for allowing RFG to use this interesting conversation.  Content of the original episode was altered slightly from the original release. This Creative Commons Licensed episode is repurposed for Radio Free Gozeria with permission from John S. Drew. Fair use is exercised in the use of illustrative clips from various Ghostbusters sources owned by Sony Pictures, DIC Entertainment, and Arista Records, used for non-commercial and transformative purposes throughout with no claim to rights or ownership of the material.  A.I. was used for parody purposes to create the episode theme song courtesy of Udio.com and will likely never be used ever again. 

A Whovian (podcaster John S. Drew) and a Newvian (writer/editor Jim Beard) walk into a TARDIS and proceed to conquet time and space by watching and reviewing every episode of the Classic Doctor Who series from the beginning. Review episodes released every Saturday around tea time.  Plus, join the community on our Facebook and Twitter pages where we continue the conversation with artifacts from British newspapers of the time. In addition, become a Patreon member and gain access to bonus content and early episode releases. We'll see you in time and space...

Misfits Audio brings The Lone Ranger "Harvey Preston" to the Sonic Summerstock stage and our host this week is John S. Drew. Your Master of the Revels, as always, is David Ault. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Misfits Audio brings The Lone Ranger "Harvey Preston" to the Sonic Summerstock stage and our host this week is John S. Drew. Your Master of the Revels, as always, is David Ault. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast Appreciation Week continues on Comic Book Central with my Bat chum from the Batcave Podcast, John S. Drew! We're talking about his Bat-tastic show, his podcast featuring sensational 70s Saturday morning icon Shazam, and the brilliantly bionic OSI Files!Photo and images TM & copyright © John S. Drew The Chronic Rift NetworkThe Batcave PodcastThe […]

When Steve Austin's girlfriend, Jamie Sommers, was killed in an episode of "The Six Million Dollar Man," TV audiences were outraged and demanded she come back. ABC executives answered those demands with "The Bionic Woman" starring Lindsay Wagner in the title role, and this time Wagner was able to call the shots in a big way. Find out how as we celebrate Wagner's birthday on today's Sci-Fi 5! Follow Sci-Fi 5 for your daily dose of science-fiction history. Written and hosted by John S. Drew Follow The OSI Files podcast for a look at The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman.

When Steve Austin's girlfriend, Jamie Sommers, was killed in an episode of "The Six Million Dollar Man," TV audiences were outraged and demanded she come back. ABC executives answered those demands with "The Bionic Woman" starring Lindsay Wagner in the title role, and this time Wagner was able to call the shots in a big way. Find out how as we celebrate Wagner's birthday on today's Sci-Fi 5! Follow Sci-Fi 5 for your daily dose of science-fiction history. Written and hosted by John S. Drew Follow The OSI Files podcast for a look at The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman.

"Arrival" UK Airing: September 29, 1967 US Airing: June 1, 1968   Your Chronic Rift host, John S. Drew, is joined by author/editor Jim Beard to explore this cult limited series in the first of our limited series summer podcasts.  You know Jim from such podcasts as The Batcave Podcast, The Hornet's Sting Podcast, and right here on The Chronic Rift.  Together, as a pair of fans with some knowledge of the series between them, they will explore each episode and try to come up with their only answer to what it is we all want - information. In the first episode, John and Jim discuss the pilot episode, the Village, and Patrick McGoohan as an actor.  Please make sure you comment here or by writing us at chronicrift@gmail.com.

David flies solo and soars with a great double feature from WCRS Stage “The Watch” by John S. Drew and “Victoria! Empress of the Universe- Ep 1. Murder in Space Most Foul” from All Better Audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David flies solo and soars with a great double feature from WCRS Stage “The Watch” by John S. Drew and “Victoria! Empress of the Universe- Ep 1. Murder in Space Most Foul” from All Better Audio.

  On this episode, JB pays tribute to the two voice actors who portrayed Batman and Robin throughout most of the 1970s, Olan Soule and Casey Kasem. Plus our fearless podcast host does a DVD commentary for the Challenge of the Super Friends episode, "Wanted: The Super Friends". For More Super Friends talk check out The World's Greatest Super Friends Podcast hosted by John S. Drew and Dan Greenfield. 

Stanley Ralph Ross's treatment, draft, and final scripts for The Funny Feline Felonies two-parter reveal a number of surprises: inconsistent concern for not doing the same gags twice, the death of the budding Batman-Batgirl romance, Ross errors that sometimes made it to the screen, a Ross gag that was, er, stubbed out like a cigar, and much more. The Batcave Podcast's John S. Drew joins us once again in the Bat Research Lab. Plus, Adam West's Batman and Robin and conversation with our listeners about Batman, camp, and Pop! The Funny Feline Felonies - treatment The Funny Feline Felonies - draft The Funny Feline Felonies - final The Funny Feline Felonies - shooting schedule Thread on The Funny Feline Felonies scripts on the '66 Batman Message Board (We'll have more scripts in the future, but... not quite yet.) Thread on the Sasha Torres camp/Pop essay on the '66 Batman Message Board American Heritage Center travel grants BGSU Batman Conference  

What does a Lorenzo Semple Jr. Batman script look like? What does it tell us about the contributions he made to the series? His influences in setting the tone for the series? The things he tried to set up that didn’t make it to the screen? In this episode, The Batcave Podcast’s John S. Drew joins Tim and Paul to look over Semple’s Scripts for Hi Diddle Riddle/Smack in the Middle and Fine Feathered Finks/The Penguin’s a Jinx and examine the evidence regarding Semple’s huge contributions to the series. ALSO: The “Homemade” version of the Hefti “Batman” theme, and your mail! Read the scripts at Knowitalljoe.com

David flies solo and soars with a great double feature from WCRS Stage "The Watch" by John S. Drew and "Victoria! Empress of the Universe- Ep 1. Murder in Space Most Foul" from All Better Audio.

"Lady Killer," Carlton Harris is back! But this time Jaime Sommers is ready for him! Devising a plan to expose his evil deeds once and for all, she must pretend to be his loyal ally, even if it means going deep undercover and severing her OSI lifeline. It's the Bionic Woman's first solo mission in "Welcome Home, Jaime Part II." Hosts John S. Drew and Paul K. Bisson welcome back Betsy Dodd of BionicBlonde.com and James Sherrard of BionicWomanFiles.com.

Jaime Sommers is back! And this time she's comig home to rebuild her life. After a sky-diving accident dropped her into a futuristic world of Bionics, and then a brain hemmorage left her dead, she was brought back to life through a revolutionary cryogenic procedure. But her memory was gone and with it her love for Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man. But now, after one final operation, who will she wake up to be? What kind of life will she have? And will Steve be a part of it? Lifelong Bionic fans, John S. Drew and Paul K. Bisson open the Top Secret file on the Bionic Woman's debut episode, "Welcome Home, Jaime." Joining them for for this special extended podcast (over two hours!) are two powerhouses in Bionic Woman fandom: first is James Sherrard, webmaster of The Bionic Woman Files and Betsy Dodd, webmaster of Bionic Blonde. If you love Jaime Sommers, this is duo to listen to. As always, we've got lots to share as we explore this episode. Trivia, behind-the-scenes information, fashion breakdowns, and our ever popular rating system of 1 to 5 Bionic limbs. We've even got singing! So grab a phone book and some tuna salad, things are about to get wild. Thanks to the amazing Lindsay Wagner for giving us a breat send-off at the start of the show!

  SciFi Diner Podcast Ep. 215 – Is Batman a Superhero? Welcome to the Diner. Join the Conversation: (260) 577-2428 Your Hosts: Scott, Miles, Jim Arrowood, Jim Beard, and John S. Drew Support the Diner Amazon If you have listened to the show for sometime, we would love to have you leave feedback on iTunes. We […]

  SciFi Diner Podcast Ep. 215 – Is Batman a Superhero? Welcome to the Diner. Join the Conversation: (260) 577-2428 Your Hosts: Scott, Miles, Jim Arrowood, Jim Beard, and John S. Drew Support the Diner Amazon If you have listened to the show for sometime, we would love to have you leave feedback on iTunes. We […]

Podcasters: Please download, listen to, and consider this 30 second promo for Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast.  Each week, John S. Drew and Paul K. Bisson discuss an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman with one guest host.  In addition, we feature interview with the stars, the writers, the producers, the directors, and the stunt people who contributed to these iconic shows.  For more information or if you have any questions, please write abionicpodcast@gmail.com.

Podcasters: Please download, listen to, and consider this 60 second promo for Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast.  Each week, John S. Drew and Paul K. Bisson discuss an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman with one guest host.  In addition, we feature interviews with the stars, the writers, the producers, the directors, and the stunt people who contributed to these iconic shows.  For more information or if you have any questions, please write abionicpodcast@gmail.com.

Misfits Audio brings The Lone Ranger "Harvey Preston" to the Sonic Summerstock stage and our host this week is John S. Drew. Your Master of the Revels, as always, is David Ault.

The second television movie before the series began is a radical shift from the pilot movie.  Hosts John S. Drew and Paul K. Bisson discuss the pros and cons of this second movie with Joseph Burns, major contributor to the DVD release of the Six Million Dollar Man series and webmaster of thesix1973.com. You can purchase the first season of The Six Million Dollar Man through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great DVD set with excellent extras, but you also support the Rift Network.  Thank you. Rating:   Bionic Wiki entry   The6milliondollarblogentry   Joseph Burns was born in Washington D.C., and grew up there until his family moved to California in the late 70's. A film and TV buff, he attended the Film/Video program at UC Santa Cruz, getting his bachelor's in 1996. After Film School, Joe moved to LA and worked in Post Production. He is the editor of "Skywalker: The David Thompson Story," a one hour sports documentary which aired on NBA-TV and was distributed on DVD by Image Entertainment. In addition to video editing, Joe has developed websites, interactive CD-ROMs and DVDs. He operates the SMDM fan website "The Six 1973" and is a major contributor/admin at The Bionic Wiki. In 2010, he was recruited to advise Time-Life on The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Collection, and was interviewed for the set at the Pasadena Rock N' ComiCon last Spring. Today Joe lives in San Francisco and is the owner of a very large cat named Fritz.          

It's the movie that started it all and the only recognizable element in it is Lee Majors himself.  Hosts John S. Drew and Paul K. Bisson discuss the pilot movie with Matt Hankinson, chief creative consultant for the Time Life DVD release of the Six Million Dollar Man series. You can purchase the first season of The Six Million Dollar Man through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great DVD set with excellent extras, but you also support the podcast.  Thank you.     Rating:      Bionic Wiki entry   The6milliondollarblog.com entry  Matt Hankinson writes, "Besides the Time-Life DVD release of SMDM (for which I served as "chief creative consultant"), I had previously worked with Herbie J Pilato on his long-in-development  The Bionic Book , and served as consultant and wrote the episode copy for Rittenhouse Archive's 2004 Six Million Dollar Man trading card series. I also attended both Bionicon conventions (2006 & 2007) and several of Lindsay Wagner's fan events. With the exception of Lee Majors, I've been fortunate to have met all the cast members and producer Kenneth Johnson. I've known both Paul and Joe from our years at the online forum, and have met Paul in-person at the Bionicons and Lindsay's events. "I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I've been a HUGE fan of both bionic shows since I first saw the SMDM pilot movie when I was seven years old. It's literally been a life-long fascination and dedication for me. Getting to work so extensively on the SMDM DVD release was like a dream-come-true, and being able to bring a few friends along for the ride made it extra special." 

Doctor Who: Podshock - Episode 116 Running Time: 1:48:39 Live at I-CON 27, plus John S. Drew of Doctor Who: Short Trips - The Quality of Leadership interviewed, Review of Torchwood: Lost Souls by Q-Dog. Hosted by Louis Trapani, Ken Deep, and James Naughton. Brought to you by the Gallifreyan Embassy and presented by Outpost Gallifrey. Do you want the Enhanced Podcast AAC file format? Get our Enhanced Podcast version of this episode using our feed at http://www.gallifreyanembassy.org/podshock/podshock.xml.

Doctor Who: Podshock - Episode 116 Running Time: 1:48:39 Live at I-CON 27, plus John S. Drew of Doctor Who: Short Trips - The Quality of Leadership interviewed, Review of Torchwood: Lost Souls by Q-Dog. Hosted by Louis Trapani, Ken Deep, and James Naughton. Brought to you by the Gallifreyan Embassy and presented by Outpost Gallifrey. Do you need the MP3 file format? Get our MP3 version of this episode using our MP3 dedicated feed at http://www.gallifreyanembassy.org/podshock/podshockmp3.xml.

For years, mankind has been sending signals into deep space, searching for extraterrestrial life, hoping to receive a reply. Today, we finally got one. It wasn’t the kind we were expecting. The festive mood of New Orleans Mardi Gras is suddenly broken as an intergalactic spaceship blots out the sky. Their response to our message is simple: ” Peoples of the Planet Terra. I am Marin, Commander of the Androsi flagship Traka. We have received your notice of war and have come to respond. I find it odd, though. Our scans show your technological level to be quite low. You can barely escape your planet’s gravity and you’ve never travelled beyond your system. Why would you invite such as this upon yourself? Oh well, it doesn’t matter. Honour must be maintained. Prepare to die.” Mankind’s greatest disaster has come upon him as, in a matter of moments, New Orleans becomes the first victim of alien reprisal. It seems Earth’s gesture of friendship to the galaxy has been grossly misinterpreted. But who can stop the ensuing cataclysm unleashed by a race bent on vengeance? Before Earth can muster what forces it can, a second ship appears in the skies. Then a third. Androsi? No! Earth’s signals have been intercepted by other alien races as well. And now the Funari and the Stephani have come to exact their retribution as well upon a world foolish enough to challenge them. With three alien races vying for the honour of destroying mankind and the earth caught in the middle, is anyone able to stop the madness and save the world? From the pen of John S. Drew, the writer who brought you The Time Brokers, comes another story destined to be a classic: Doomsday Signal.

  For years, mankind has been sending signals into deep space, searching for extraterrestrial life, hoping to receive a reply. Today, we finally got one. It wasn’t the kind we were expecting. The festive mood of New Orleans Mardi Gras is suddenly broken as an intergalactic spaceship blots out the sky. Their response to our message is simple: ” Peoples of the Planet Terra. I am Marin, Commander of the Androsi flagship Traka. We have received your notice of war and have come to respond. I find it odd, though. Our scans show your technological level to be quite low. You can barely escape your planet’s gravity and you’ve never travelled beyond your system. Why would you invite such as this upon yourself? Oh well, it doesn’t matter. Honour must be maintained. Prepare to die.” Mankind’s greatest disaster has come upon him as, in a matter of moments, New Orleans becomes the first victim of alien reprisal. It seems Earth’s gesture of friendship to the galaxy has been grossly misinterpreted. But who can stop the ensuing cataclysm unleashed by a race bent on vengeance? Before Earth can muster what forces it can, a second ship appears in the skies. Then a third. Androsi? No! Earth’s signals have been intercepted by other alien races as well. And now the Funari and the Stephani have come to exact their retribution as well upon a world foolish enough to challenge them. With three alien races vying for the honour of destroying mankind and the earth caught in the middle, is anyone able to stop the madness and save the world? From the pen of John S. Drew, the writer who brought you The Time Brokers, comes another story destined to be a classic: Doomsday Signal.

For years, mankind has been sending signals into deep space, searching for extraterrestrial life, hoping to receive a reply. Today, we finally got one. It wasn’t the kind we were expecting. The festive mood of New Orleans Mardi Gras is suddenly broken as an intergalactic spaceship blots out the sky. Their response to our message is simple: ” Peoples of the Planet Terra. I am Marin, Commander of the Androsi flagship Traka. We have received your notice of war and have come to respond. I find it odd, though. Our scans show your technological level to be quite low. You can barely escape your planet’s gravity and you’ve never travelled beyond your system. Why would you invite such as this upon yourself? Oh well, it doesn’t matter. Honour must be maintained. Prepare to die.” Mankind’s greatest disaster has come upon him as, in a matter of moments, New Orleans becomes the first victim of alien reprisal. It seems Earth’s gesture of friendship to the galaxy has been grossly misinterpreted. But who can stop the ensuing cataclysm unleashed by a race bent on vengeance? Before Earth can muster what forces it can, a second ship appears in the skies. Then a third. Androsi? No! Earth’s signals have been intercepted by other alien races as well. And now the Funari and the Stephani have come to exact their retribution as well upon a world foolish enough to challenge them. With three alien races vying for the honour of destroying mankind and the earth caught in the middle, is anyone able to stop the madness and save the world? From the pen of John S. Drew, the writer who brought you The Time Brokers, comes another story destined to be a classic: Doomsday Signal.

For years, mankind has been sending signals into deep space, searching for extraterrestrial life, hoping to receive a reply. Today, we finally got one. It wasn’t the kind we were expecting. The festive mood of New Orleans Mardi Gras is suddenly broken as an intergalactic spaceship blots out the sky. Their response to our message is simple: ” Peoples of the Planet Terra. I am Marin, Commander of the Androsi flagship Traka. We have received your notice of war and have come to respond. I find it odd, though. Our scans show your technological level to be quite low. You can barely escape your planet’s gravity and you’ve never travelled beyond your system. Why would you invite such as this upon yourself? Oh well, it doesn’t matter. Honour must be maintained. Prepare to die.” Mankind’s greatest disaster has come upon him as, in a matter of moments, New Orleans becomes the first victim of alien reprisal. It seems Earth’s gesture of friendship to the galaxy has been grossly misinterpreted. But who can stop the ensuing cataclysm unleashed by a race bent on vengeance? Before Earth can muster what forces it can, a second ship appears in the skies. Then a third. Androsi? No! Earth’s signals have been intercepted by other alien races as well. And now the Funari and the Stephani have come to exact their retribution as well upon a world foolish enough to challenge them. With three alien races vying for the honour of destroying mankind and the earth caught in the middle, is anyone able to stop the madness and save the world? From the pen of John S. Drew, the writer who brought you The Time Brokers, comes another story destined to be a classic: Doomsday Signal.

For years, mankind has been sending signals into deep space, searching for extraterrestrial life, hoping to receive a reply. Today, we finally got one. It wasn’t the kind we were expecting. The festive mood of New Orleans Mardi Gras is suddenly broken as an intergalactic spaceship blots out the sky. Their response to our message is simple: ” Peoples of the Planet Terra. I am Marin, Commander of the Androsi flagship Traka. We have received your notice of war and have come to respond. I find it odd, though. Our scans show your technological level to be quite low. You can barely escape your planet’s gravity and you’ve never travelled beyond your system. Why would you invite such as this upon yourself? Oh well, it doesn’t matter. Honour must be maintained. Prepare to die.” Mankind’s greatest disaster has come upon him as, in a matter of moments, New Orleans becomes the first victim of alien reprisal. It seems Earth’s gesture of friendship to the galaxy has been grossly misinterpreted. But who can stop the ensuing cataclysm unleashed by a race bent on vengeance? Before Earth can muster what forces it can, a second ship appears in the skies. Then a third. Androsi? No! Earth’s signals have been intercepted by other alien races as well. And now the Funari and the Stephani have come to exact their retribution as well upon a world foolish enough to challenge them. With three alien races vying for the honour of destroying mankind and the earth caught in the middle, is anyone able to stop the madness and save the world? From the pen of John S. Drew, the writer who brought you The Time Brokers, comes another story destined to be a classic: Doomsday Signal.