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

The first of many Hamster Extra episodes featuring established Hamster guests talking about other shows they love. Frazer Gregory kicks us off with Red Dwarf; a brilliant, sharp, smart SF comedy that proves that you could mix the two genres skilfully.

Joe & Jason; in the one where Joe’s DVD failed to play 🤣 Lots of action and great music, with Troughton popping to Ealing for the afternoon to film some inserts. What the hell is the human factor?

Joe & Jason; off to be by ourself for a while, d’you mind? What purpose does Arthur Terrell serve? Why does Maxtible have a house full of traps? Where did Jason almost abandon Doctor Who?

Joe & Jason; ‘What are they called, these creatures?’ Things are really hotting up now. Moving pictures! Molly Dawson! Brilliant Dalek reveals! Bubbling laboratories! Jamie in danger!

Joe & Jason; on the hunt for the TARDIS! Is this the all conquering classic of repute? Is the first episode all padding? How cool is the Tricolour Coffee Bar? How does the animation hold up?

Joe & Dylan; the strangest, most beautiful duo…and we’ve barely started! A beautifully atypical episode; creepy, malleable, freaky, disquieting, emotional and uplifting. Here’s why we find it so special.

Joe & Mark; and the discussion of the companion exits. Pros - Jo, Tegan and little Victoria. Cons - Dodo, Ben, Polly & Leela. How do you get this right; a quick goodbye or a protracted farewell? You decide.

Joe & Mark; and the almost last episode of (foamy) Death! Troughton as an actor studied, character drama for Jamie, Megan Jones celebrated and how is the plot faring five episodes in?

Joe & Mark; exploring impeller shafts. What the hell is the motivation of the Weed? Is not seeing the monster scarier? Would we be able to cope as Doctor Who companions? We list the brilliant strong women from this era.

Joe & Mark; and a nice trip back to the TARDIS for some of experiments! Huge love for Megan Jones, a strong female character who pops up to sort all this nonsense out. Victoria really starts to show her doubts about this lifestyle.

Joe & Mark; heading down the impeller shaft! Why the hell did Derrick Sherwin piss so many people off? What do we think of the animation? How do the domestic scenes work in Doctor Who?

Joe & Mark; trying to figure the scariest moments in Doctor Who. Is this a beautiful send off for Victoria or a protracted story where we just want shot of her? Was it as visually stunning as we imagine? How many ways is this story unusual? 

Joe & Mark; we would make good Daleks! It’s a mixture of sitcom comedy, Honey I shrunk the kids, and pop psychology. Plus cool exploding Daleks. We really like this, and this is why.

Joe & Mark; and a huge event has taken place since we last spoke! How many ways do we love this quirky, emotional episode? Great drama, character work, chilling set pieces and one that gets you right in the heart.

Joe & Mark attack the Ham Fam’s questions and discuss everything from 7 parters, Mrs Slocombe, Hawthorne & Benton, double acts, Jeremy Brett as the Doctor and much more!

Joe & Steve; we might have a chance to use one of these! Well squeak mouse! I must free my brothers from bondage! Let me iiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnn!!!!

Joe & Steve; obsessed with all things robot! Jedikiah’s robot, Styre’s robot, the Federation security robot! None of them hold a candle to these robots! The psychology of Robophobia is considered.

Joe & Steve; uncanny valley… We discuss the psychological angle to this story, and the body horror. We can’t hope but quote this story because the dialogue (and delivery) is so exceptional.

Joe & Steve; heading to Storm Mine Four for traces of lucanol! What inspired this story? Does anyone not like it? How many varied and spectacular ways can we sing this story’s praises?

Joe, Brendan and Si; and it’s almost the end of everything! Will the space dog triumph? Will Nyssa get her clothes back? Can this troubled production pull it together for episode four?

Joe, Brendan and Si; facing Lazars, Garm, and Vanir! More talk about production disasters, but also (almost inadvertent) triumphs! Are big ideas enough? It’s the beginning of the universe…again!

Joe & Rob; trying to determine which members of the cast to date! What is the Shada-i-est Shada? Was this story being incomplete the most Douglas Adana thing could happen? Is the first half better than the second half?

Joe & Si; and special guest star James Bree! A rousing conclusion, a sibling death, evolutionary surprises, geographical prisons and much mirth! Simon Hart, you’re a hamster superstar.

Joe & Si; ‘towards the embarkation!’ Is this Lalla Ward’s finest hour scaring the bejesus out of us? Is the story still going strong? And how is best out of the adult leads?

Joe & Si; ‘we’re taking over your ship!’ Marshmen on the rampage - let’s head for the Starliner! One of the more impressively realised spaceships in Doctor Who. We’re besotted by this story.