A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast

This week Joe is joined by Jason Thompson, Ian Winterton & James Lark for a deep dive discussion about The Doomsday Weapon by Malcolm Hulke. What influences do we detect? Is this the most cynical view of the future? Who's book is this? And what do these fine gentlemen recommend?

It was The Avengers of the 90s, BUGS. Stephen Gallagher (writer of the most popular episodes) and Colin Brake (writer and script editor) are here to talk about this wonderful show.

We talk weird Doctor Who stories, Timotei commercials, how you play a guest character, children in the show, an advisory warning when not to watch Kinda and how you handle a character having a breakdown.

Joe & Mark; talk on the (time) lash! We’re dreaming dark dreams, facing strict (but fancy) direction, not entirely sure about the era but loving the story.

Joe & Si; and the butt clenching axe scrape of fear! What the hell is a bootstrap paradox? What is the Fisher King’s motive? Is the 12th Doctor having a mid life crisis?

Joe & Si; ‘Doctor, the cards…’ It’s Si’s favourite from his least favourite series but will even the most passionate fan of Doctor Who lose faith watching this season back?

Joe, Luke & Dylan; ‘shut your fucking mouth!’ Timey wimey, history, cheats, villains (plural), Mom deaths, on the run, Gallifrey burnt and loads of Jodie. Nothing to argue about, surely?

Joe, Dylan & Luke; ‘O!’ Two lovers, one hater, a Bond pastiche, set pieces and a huge reveal. Will we still be friends at the end of this conversation? Can people on Chibnall divide laugh about their differences?

Joe & Mark; saying goodbye after all these years. A touching farewell, smashing the machine, a love story bears fruit and a new planet leader. Forgettable? Get out of town!

Joe & Mark; and the plenitude of First Doctors! Who wore it best? Hartnell? Warwick? Noonan? Bradley? Hurndall? Purves? And why won’t John Cura hold his hand still?

Billy love! We explore the wonder of William Hartnell in an episode where he gets to truly show his authority and moral indignation. Also highlighted is his upcoming departure and the events that could hand led to the regeneration.

Joe & Mark; and the very first Doctor Who Confidential. If you think this is a forgettable Doctor Who story - think again! Dodo is given the spotlight, Hartnell is still on fine form and we’re watching the rich leeching off the poor!

Joe & John; ‘you put your puny will against mine!’ A rousing conclusion or a damp squib? The Doctor is tortured, puppeteered and forced to game up. Doth technobabble make a satisfying climax?

Joe & John; ‘all life is our enemy!’ Huge love for Gabriel Woolf this episode. Focus on Tom too, and just how alien his Doctor can be. Jagger & Bowie? What is the darkest thing Robert Holmes could do?

Join Joe, Mark & Chris as they head to Middleton to experience a murder count that would make Robert Holmes blush and meet a mysterious, brutal, incisive character who calls himself the Doctor...

Joe & John; ‘why don’t we dial up 1980 and, well, leave?’ Barely speaking characters that impact, terrifying murder, astonishing location work, memorable music & a dramatic divergence from the plot. All discussed and applauded.

Joe & John; ‘as long as Albert didn’t wear it.’ Is this the all conquering classic of repute? What is the magic about this story that brought that reputation forth? Are Tom & Lis unbeatable?

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!

Join Joe, David, Paul & James as we head to the future to meet Chris & Roz and kick start the last third of the New Adventures. An ambitious setting? A smooth read? Two villains? 15,000 words too long?

Joe & David; ‘you’re a very naughty man, Takis…’ David has a fabulous anecdote about every actor in this story. Who swore at a 10 year old? Who is sueing the BBC? Who is a fine Ambassador? Who has done other things apart from Doctor Who? Get the scoop!

Joe & Toby; ‘and with fifteen satellites!’ A commentary on religion, the Dobby Doctor, magnificent Martha, sexy Tom Ellis, post apocalyptic resets, and murderous Lucy Saxon. LOTS to discuss.

Joe & Toby; ‘we thought it good…’ Too many riches; a great villain, a culminating season, brilliant regulars, superb direction and music, an apocalypse, set pieces & a great cliffhanger. Oh how we gush!

Joe & Jim; confessing, confronting & confabulating. A hugely important episode dealing with huge issues and worthy of suitably weighty discussion. We really enjoyed this, but we have reservations. Huge Twitter input was very welcome.

The two Jo(e)’s; infected, infecting, and you’re coming down with us! Is this the nadir of the new series or an underrated winner? What gold can we sift out of this found footage experiment?

Joe & Matt; not for the faint hearted! Chris Barry is out of retirement, Lis Sladen is doing him a favour, Debbie Watling has knitted a few Yeti costumes, Miles Richardson has wandered into the set. Is it any good?