Doctor Who: Watchers in the Fourth Dimension

As Doctor Who moved into its second block of recording, we do the same, as we discuss The Rescue in our latest episode, Dido by Gaslight. With this episode, we welcome a new companion and a new face behind the scenes with a new Story Editor. Along the way, Anthony gets fixated on rubber costumes, Julie objectifies Ian, Don imitates Terry Gilliam, and Reilly ponders whether Koquillion has fake soci...

The Watchers discuss the first return of everyone’s favourite fascist pepper pots, as we also say goodbye to two familiar faces on either side of the camera. Over the course of the episode, Anthony enthuses about the location shooting, Julie gets excited over Ian’s whip, Don finds himself disappointed with the lack of sex pants, and Reilly draws comparisons between the Daleks and the Nazi sketch f...

In our second bonus episode featuring content recorded live at WHOlanta 2019 , we bring you a recording of the “Quatermass and Other Early British Sci-Fi” panel that was hosted by Anthony and friend-of-the-podcast Louis Robinson. This entertaining, yet meandering conversation also found its way into TV production, and the inner workings of the BBC. There is plenty of audience participation, so you...

The Watchers kick off Season Two of Doctor Who with the discussion of Planet of Giants. Unsurprisingly, once again the team enthuse over their love for Barbara. They also discuss the concepts of sartorial elegance in the story, rave over the sets and practical effects, and the entire cast reveal that they are cat people. Of course, they also talk about that most English way of dying - Death by Sti...

In this, our first ever special Bonus Episode, Anthony went out and about at Wholanta 2019 and talked to a number of the guests and attending professionals about their opinions on the Hartnell era, as well as some of the projects that they’ve been working on. Details on each participant are below:   Robin Burks Robin has been the author of four books, so far – one standalone (Madame Vampire), and...

The Watchers wrap up the very first Season of Doctor Who, discussing The Reign of Terror. Along time way, Julie enthuses over the music (unsurprisingly), Don gets annoyed by units of distance, Anthony gets pedantic about Napoleon's height, and Reilly continues to defend The Sensorites against occasional barbs from everyone else. Finally, hear our thoughts on the season as a whole, as we do our end...

At last, we are back from a six-week hiatus, in which Don moved house, Reilly and Julie both got new jobs, and Anthony sat on the couch (trying to shake off the general malaise from watching The Sensorites). On our return, we collectively (except Reilly) give an exasperated sigh as we cover The Sensorites! For those who want to watch along with us, you can find this story on DVD from either Amazon...

This episode, the Watchers discuss The Aztecs, in which the titular people are the first on the show to notice how amazing Barbara is, proclaiming her to be a Goddess as a result. Along the way, Julie wonders where the rest of the Aztecs are hiding, Reilly delights over Ian’s costumes, Don considers how the story could be more like Blazing Saddles, and Anthony treats everyone to his Richard III vo...

Do the TARDIS crew have what it takes to save the Planet Marinus? They’ll have to think fast and move even faster to complete this quest! The Keys of Marinus are being hunted by the evil Voord tribe of fetishists. It’s up to the Doctor and friends to gather them before they fall into the clutches of Yartek, leader of the Voord, before time runs out. But it won’t be easy. To get to the keys, they’l...

In this episode, the Watchers discuss Marco Polo, in which almost every character spends seven episodes blissfully ignoring who the villain actually is. Along the way, Julie brings the Bechdel test into play, Reilly throws shade on Marco Polo’s character, Don enthuses over “drunk” Ian, and Anthony admits his love for Barbara. The team wraps up the episode by discussing the missing episodes – how t...

In this episode, the Watchers discuss The Edge of Destruction, the only Doctor Who story that directly contradicts your mother’s instructions not to run with scissors (with hilarious consequences). Along the way, Julie indulges her inner musician, Reilly ponders whether the show could’ve continued without Barbara, while Don and Anthony compare the Doctor to Carl Sagan and William Shatner, respecti...

The Watchers continue their quest to watch their way through all of Doctor Who, moving onto the second serial – The Daleks (which, unsurprisingly, introduces us to The Daleks). Along the way, Julie decides to no longer hold back on her commentary around Susan, Don gets confused (and a little excited) about Thal fashion, Reilly muses on Dalek art and architecture, and Anthony brings up Ian’s simmer...

Anthony, Don, Julie, and Reilly kick off their quest to watch their way through all of Doctor Who with, unsurprisingly, the very first serial – An Unearthly Child (or possibly The Tribe of Gum, or possibly 100,000 B.C., depending on your persuasion). For those who want to watch along with us, you can find this story on DVD from either Amazon US ( https://amzn.to/3p9V4vC ), or Amazon UK ( https://a...