Through the Vortex: Classic Doctor Who

A special look back on the Daleks as villains that shaped the First Doctor's Era. The defining villain for this period in the show's history, the Daleks gave the show direction and turned the Doctor from a silly stubborn old man into a hero. This podcast will consider the serials: "The Daleks," "The Dalek Invasion of Earth," "The Chase," and "The Daleks...

Using the directional device they stole from the Monk, Team TARDIS races to Kembel to stop the Daleks from using their Time Destroyer....meanwhile Mavic Chen appears to consolidate his power but may be losing at his own game...and the Daleks prepare their Time Destroyer as the others squabble. _________ CHEN: Now do stop this masquerade! See, I know he  [the Doctor] is trying to usurp my position...

On the run from Maverick Chen, the Daleks, and an unexpected old Enemy, Team TARDIS flees with the taranium across time and space.... _______ STEVEN: You killed Bret! You just shot him down. SARA: He was a traitor. Between the three of you, you had stolen the taranium, the most valuable mineral in the universe. It was needed desperately to spread the peace which was founded in the solar system, to...

Desperate to save Steven from his poisoned wound, the Doctor lands on a jungle planet searching for medical help. Meanwhile, a secret agent named Bret tries to warn Earth about the Daleks' alliance with the Outer Galaxies and impending invasion of the solar system. Soon Team TARDIS finds itself working with Bret to discover the Daleks 'masterplan and save Earth...even from the Guardian o...

I've tried so hard to get on board with Timeless Child....I really have indeed. But unfortunately, I have some issues... In this podcast, I touch on what I think fails the Timeless Child storyline both in execution and in the fundamental ideas. I also speculate what will be done with the story going forward. NOTE: I didn't discuss this in the episode but think I do allude to it: I actual...

Vicki is the first companion to choose a trip on the TARDIS! The first "pea in the pod" with the Doctor, she departs to prove her loyalty to her lover Troilus and re-write a myth. We didn't have her along for as long as we would have liked, and the fandom has somewhat forgotten her, but Vicki is a fantastic companion who sets the stage for later characters who link with the Doctor b...

Odysseus and company are trying to invade Troy. Guess who thinks up the horse scenario? Oh, and Vicki might be Cressida....yeah, The Cressida. Hold your horses for Doctor Who's The Myth-Makers ! So, in all honesty, I recorded this one several times and also cut it down considerably. I may come back to the Myth-Makers in the future. Still not sure I did it justice. I also think that how I feel...

Pirates and sea devils and dates....oh my! Well....it tried? There are good ideas here...really good ideas. Shame it didn't really follow through.    Upcoming: The Timeless Child Rant You knew it was coming.... Monday, May 2nd Serial #20: The Myth-Makers (Episodes: "Temple of Secrets," "Small Prophet, Quick Return," "Death of a Spy," "Horse of Destruction&qu...

Vicki wondered what was happening over on that planet on the scanner....well, it isn't good. Welcome to Mission to the Unknown ! A group of humans have crash landed on a planet and one appears contaminated by the varga root which turns him into a killer fluffy thorny cactus. And the varga are not the most dangerous thing in the jungle..... CORY: All right. I suppose you've heard of the D...

A planet has two dawns before exploding and Team TARDIS landed on it, of course. Welcome to commentary and analysis of Galaxy 4 ! The Doctor, Steven, and Vicki land on a planet due to explode and must navigate a conflict between the beautiful Amazonian Drahvans led by Maaga and the monstrous Rills. But appearances can be deceiving.... MAAGA: This is a fight to the death for existence itself. DOCTO...

We've made it through the second season of Classic Who! This special episode looks at the second series overall. It's a weird one, right? We change out the entire cast, start getting comedic episodes, the Doctor is suddenly gradually becoming the star....so much to talk about! NEXT TIME: Serial #18 Galaxy 4 (Episodes: "Four Hundred Dawns," "Trap of Steel," "Air L...

The Vikings are invading! And there is a Meddling Monk....who has a TARDIS? Introducing one of the great episodes of the First Doctor.... The Time Meddler ! The Doctor, Steven, and Vicki land in 1066 in a Saxon village and quickly discover that someone appears to be trying to rewrite history. DOCTOR : So that's it! You're a time meddler! No wonder you wanted to get rid of me. And what ar...

Ian & Barbara are our first companions, our original audience surrogates, and such a large part of Doctor Who that it would have been difficult to see the production continuing without them. Their loss ushers in a new era and signals the end of Part I of Hartnell's time as the Doctor. The Doctor, and the show, is never quite the same. In a very real way, these two companions are never &qu...

This special edition of the podcast has my dear friend Hannah and I discussing "The Flux"....among other things! We're basically L.I.N.D.A. Though hopefully we shall not be absorbed by monsters.  We discuss The Flux as a season as well as the Thirteenth Doctor's  Era more generally. I was having problems with my microphone during this recording which we didn't realize unti...

Bring on the bonkers' insanity of Doctor Who's  "The Chase!" A serial that can only be fully appreciated if you just go with it. But seriously--how can you not love this one? Mostly commentary (because this one doesn't want me to analyze).  The Daleks have built a time machine that can lock on to the TARDIS. Now, the Doctor and companions are being chased through space and...

Actual Text to Hannah 10 minutes into this episode: I am f***ing loving this DW New Year's Special so far! Like I am squealing with delight. Text to Hannah 20 minutes in: Seriously, this might be the best Whittaker episode.  GROUNDHOG'S DAY with DALEKS!!! And Sarah and Nick are such wonderful side characters, right? And so much laughter! And Yaz getting called on her feelings for the Doc...

The one where Doctor Who finally asks, "can we change the future?" And there's a museum....in Space! Like a " Space Museum ?" Commentary and analysis. Team TARDIS arrives at a planet where they seem to be invisible and incapable of touching anything. Then, our Fearsome Foursome sees themselves as future exhibitions at a museum! Realizing they have skipped a time track and...

The one where everyone decided they were in a Shakespearean Historical Tragedy....and El-Alkir is hated by everyone ever. Commentary and analysis for Doctor Who partially missing serial's  "The Crusade!" The Third Crusade has wearied both Richard the Lionheart and the Sultan Saladin who both seek peace--possibly by marrying Richard's sister Joanna to Saladin's brother Saph...

Well....that was a finale?! Every character did have something to do and the Sontaran plan was pretty nifty. But this season has some serious problems with baggage and logistics. I think I still enjoyed it though...probably more than I should have? A mixed review that befits my very mixed feelings.  The immediate reactions to "The Flux, Chapter Six: The Vanquisher" as well as The Flux as...

Kate's Back!!! So many call outs to Classic Who and U.N.I.T! Bel & Vinder miss each other by moments! Yaz comes into her own and the show regains its sense of humor. And, you know, we found out a ton about Division. Lots to discuss.  My thoughts on The Flux, Chapter Five: Survivors of the Flux Upcoming: New Who Review:  The Flux, Chapter Six: The Vanquishers (early next week!) Temporarily...

Bel & Vinder are still the best! But the Weeping Angels are fun too...not too sure about the Division. My thoughts on The Flux, Chapter Four: Village of Angels Upcoming: New Who Review:  The Flux, Chapter Five: Survivors of the Flux (early next week!) Temporarily putting Classic Who serials on hold with the New Who season and end of the semester grading. Will be returning with The Crusades   o...

Bel & Vinder are the best! Also possibly the Doctor's parents? And probably Gallifreyan.....Speculation abounds! My thoughts on Season 13: The Flux, Chapter Three: Once, Upon Time Upcoming: New Who Review: Season 13: The Flux, Chapter Four: Village of Angels (this week!) Temporarily putting Classic Who serials on hold with the New Who season and end of the semester grading. Will be return...

It was fun to see the Doctor having space to be the Doctor....even if there were issues. My thoughts on Season 13: The Flux, Chapter Two: The War of the Sontarans This is not as structured as my regular episodes, just FYI. Just me talking through my reactions to the new episode. Upcoming: New Who Review: Season 13: The Flux, Chapter Three: Once, Upon Time (this week!) Temporarily putting Classic W...

GIANT INSECT-PEOPLE IN SPACE! A great theatre production coming to you soon! Commentary and analysis for Doctor Who's  "The Web Planet!" The TARDIS gets dragged down to the planet Vortis by a dark and mysterious force. Soon the captured Doctor and Vicki are trying to outsmart the terrifying Animus and her Zarbi (giant ant) minions in order to survive. Meanwhile Ian and Barbara find...

Well...I'm tentatively excited but also a bit terrified? My thoughts on Season 13: The Flux, Chapter One: The Halloween Apocalypse This is not as structured as my regular episodes, just FYI. Just me talking through my reactions to the new episode. Upcoming: For Classic Who: The Web Planet (Monday, Nov 8) For New Who Review: "War of the Sontarans" (probably Fri/Sat next week) Special...