The Writers' Room (Doctor Who)

This here is the good stuff! This month Kyle and Erik discuss two series five episodes written by guest writers. "Amy's Choice" by Simon Nye and "Vincent and the Doctor" by Richard Curtis. An actual Oscar nominee writing for Doctor Who! Can you even believe it?!

Direct download: Amys_Choice__VIncent_and_the_Doctor.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:01am EDT

This month, Erik and Kyle go deep underground, some might even call it Hades itself, to discuss "The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood," the two-part series five story from future showrunner Chris Chibnall. It brings back the Silurians and gives us a remix of Third Doctor story elements before falling on its face trying to do something interesting but failing miserably.

Direct download: Hungry_Earth_and_Cold_Blood.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 4:35pm EDT

Happy New Year! This month, Erik and Kyle embark on the first of what they're calling "Getting Whithoused," which is looking at the stories written by Toby Whithouse in the Steven Moffat era. Up first, "The Vampires of Venice" from series 5 and "The God Complex" from series 6.

Direct download: Getting_Whithoused_Part_1.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 5:21pm EDT

Hello and happy December, friends. This month, Erik and Kyle are taking a trip to the crash of the Byzantium to discuss what is certainly in the running for best Smith-era Steven Moffat script, "The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone." The Weeping Angels, River Song, the Crack, it's all here! And no beating around the bush, we pretty much love it.

Direct download: The_Time_of_Angels_and_Flesh_and_Stone.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 5:28pm EDT

This month, Erik and Kyle continue the Moffat Years train with his second episode, and indeed the second Eleventh Doctor and Amy episode, "The Beast Below," an episode---to quote Kyle---with a better story than plot.

Direct download: The_Beast_Below_Ep.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:51pm EDT

After a few months of falderal and fiddle-dee-dee, it is finally time for Erik and Kyle to begin the proper journey into the Steven Moffat showrunner era. And boy howdy what a big one to start with. "The Eleveth Hour" may be Moffat's masterpiece, and a taste of things to come. We are EXCITED.

Direct download: The_Eleventh_Hour_Final.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:18pm EDT

Let's try this again! This month, Kyle and Erik say farewell (for now) to showrunner Russell T Davies. What did he bring to Doctor Who, what is his legacy? It's a lot, that's the short answer. 

Direct download: RTD_Wrap_Up_for_Real.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Direct download: Silence_in_the_Library_and_Forest_of_the_Dead.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:33am EDT

This month we begin a new season! The Moffat Years! As a prelude, we discuss Steven Moffat's scripts during the Russell T Davies years, specifically this time "The Girl in the Fireplace" and "Blink." Nothing too major here or anything. Timey Wimey begins here!

Direct download: Moffat_During_RTD_1.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:22pm EDT

Well, friends, sometimes you lose episodes to tech crashes. It finally happened to us. So, you aren't getting a final discussion about the Russell T Davies (1) era of Doctor Who, you instead get us doing our top 11 RTD scripts. So, a draft rather than a discush. It happens. Enjoy!

Direct download: RTD_Top_11.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 6:26pm EDT

It's here. It's finally here. Kyle and Erik's discussion of the RTD tenure (first one) comes to an end with sigh "The End of Time." Both parts. They're doing it. Here we go.

Direct download: The_End_of_Time.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 7:05pm EDT

And so begins the gap year specials in earnest. Kyle and Erik are very nearly at the end of the Tennant and RTD (1) years. This month, it's "Planet of the Dead" and "The Waters of Mars." One of these won a Hugo for being one of the best pieces of sci-fi of the modern age. The other, did not. Care to guess which one's which?

Direct download: Planet_of_the_Dead_Waters_of_Mars.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 2:05pm EDT

We are indeed approaching the end of some journey! Kyle and Erik take a look at the Series 4 finale two-parter "The Stolen Earth/Journey's End," in which Russell T Davies tried to bring back nearly everyone from his entire era, plus Davros. Lot going on, shame about the bad stuff.

Direct download: Stolen_Earth_and_Journeys_End.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:46pm EDT

This month is a big one, folks! We're in the home stretch of the RTD1 era, talking about two of the writers' best episodes. "Midnight," series 4's companion-lite episode, and "Turn Left," the Doctor-lite episode that aired the following week. Both showcase Davies' trademark cynicism and have their own kinds of terrors. Neither are feel-good, but we sure like 'em!

Direct download: Midnight__Turn_Left.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Folks! It's a b-b-b-b-b-b-BONUS-s-s-s-s-s-s episode! To celebrate 10 years, Erik and Kyle are giving you, the free listener, access to our Patreon bonus mailbag episode. Listeners wrote in questions about our opinions, hopes, hypothetical ideas, and more all pertaining to our favorite show, Doctor Who. Please enjoy!

If you'd like to join our Patreon and get more episodes like this, head to patreon.com/thewritersroom and pledge $1 or $3 to get all the goodies.

Direct download: Patreon_Bonus_Episodes_-_10th_Anniversary_Mailbag.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:13pm EDT

Can you believe it, folks? This episode marks the 10th anniversary of Doctor Who: The Writers Room. What a long strange trip as has been for Kyle and Erik. So many episodes, so many laughs, so many writers covered.

And to commemorate 10 years, the fellas are...talking about bad Doctor Who. That's right, the two episodes written by accomplished playwright Stephen Greenhorn, "The Lazarus Experiment" and "The Doctor's Daughter." They really ought to have planned this better. Oh well.

Direct download: The_Lazarus_Experiment_and_The_Doctors_Daughter.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:23am EDT

Hello and happy holidays, friends! As Erik and Kyle wrap up their TENTH YEAR of podcasting, they look at David Tennant's last two proper Christmas specials. It's "Voyage of the Damned" from 2007 and "The Next Doctor" from 2008. Both of them written by Russell T Davies, our old pal. Enjoy, be safe, and help us celebrate our 10th anniversary by sending questions for a Q&A episode to erikandkyle@gmail.com.

Direct download: Voyage_of_the_Damned_and_The_Next_Doctor.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:36pm EDT

Direct download: The_Shakespeare_Code_and_The_Unicorn_and_the_Wasp.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Who had Kyle and Erik liking the season four Sontaran two-parter in their betting pool? Well surprises are part of life for Doctor Who fans. Yes, friends, our heroes beam about "The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky," so strap in. Oh, but Americans don't say "clever," so there's that.

Direct download: The_Sontaran_Strategem_and_The_Poison_Sky.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 7:04pm EDT

Our journey into the Donna Noble era of Doctor Who gets cooking with her first two proper trips in the TARDIS. First we have a favorite, "The Fires of Pompeii," written by James Moran, and then we have "Planet of the Ood" written by Keith Temple. Moral decisions and fixed points in time! Fun, fun, fun.

Direct download: Pompeii_Ood.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 8:08pm EDT

Hello, Donna! Yes, this month we're discussing the first two episodes featuring Donna Noble, "The Runaway Bride" and "Partners in Crime." How does Russell T Davies turn a one-off comedy guest star into the most beloved companion in the entire modern series? It's quite the feat!

Direct download: The_Runaway_Bride_and_Partners_in_Crime.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Faith and begorah! We're back with a new episode. Thank you all for your patience. Finally, we can discuss the two episodes that finish off Doctor Who series 3, "The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords," which weeeeeeee have thoughts about, let's say that. Next up: Donna!

Direct download: Sound_of_Drums_Last_of_the_Time_Lords.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 6:24pm EDT

Hello everyone. So sorry for the extreme delay in release. We've had what can only be described as a truly hellish month of July. Erik has all the details for you in this episode, which, until we are actually able to record our proper Series 3 finale discussion, will be a previous Patreon exclusive episode where your two intrepid hosts debate the most important writers in classic Doctor Who. More to come soon, and thanks for your patience.

Direct download: It_Came_From_Behind_the_Paywall....mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:37pm EDT

This month, in order to delay having to talk about a very bad two-parter, Kyle and Erik talk about "Utopia," an episode hailed by many as a modern masterpiece. But, 15 years later, does it still have that kind of impact? YANA! CHANTHO! JACK! MAAAAATHAAAAAAA!

Direct download: Utopia.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 7:36pm EDT

This month sees Erik and Kyle discussing a much beloved two-parter from series 3, "Human Nature/The Family of Blood," which has a lot of David Tennant, but not very much Tenth Doctor. Hmm? What what?

Direct download: Human_Nature_Family_of_Blood.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 4:27pm EDT

This month, Kyle and Erik discuss two stories by writers who'd write a lot more later on. The first is Mark Gatiss and "The Idiot's Lantern" from series 2. The second is Chris Chibnall and "42" from series 3. Which one do we like better? 

Direct download: The_Idiots_Lantern_and_42.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, we continue our series 3 talk by looking at Helen Raynor's oft-derided two-parter, "Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks," which has some interesting elements. But enough? We'll see.

Direct download: Daleks_in_Manhattan.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

And here we are at Series 3 already! The "Oh hey, the Tenth Doctor isn't very nice" train continues with two early stories with new companion Martha Jones. We have "Smith and Jones" and "Gridlock," both from showrunner Russell T Davies.
Direct download: Smith_and_Jones_and_Gridlock.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Happy New Year, dear listener! As Kyle and Erik begin their 10th year of podcasting together, they finish (pretty much) Series 2 of updated Doctor Who. It's the almost universally beloved "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday," which has a lot more to it than meets the eye. Ghosts, for one thing.

Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, including our breakdown of Flux! Go to patreon.com/thewritersroom today.

Direct download: Army_of_Ghosts_Doomsday.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 7:01pm EDT

Erik and Kyle round out their first calendar year covering the Russell T Davies era by talking about Series 2's big classic villain return: "Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel." This story had a lot of heavy lifting to do, but does it succeed? Let's find out!

Direct download: Rise_of_the_Cybermen_and_The_Age_of_Steel.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Erik and Kyle descend down into the cosmically and existentially horrific masterpiece that is "The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit," as written by Matt Jones. Is this the best story we've looked at yet? Is it the scariest? Find out!

Join our Patreon for bonus episodes every month. http://patreon.com/thewritersroom

Direct download: The_Impossible_Planet_and_The_Satan_Pit.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, with some actual news about Russell T Davies, Erik and Kyle discuss two of his scripts from series 2. First up is Tooth and Claw, the one with Queen Victoria and the werewolves. Second is Love & Monsters, the one nobody likes but that is actually pretty good.

Direct download: Tooth_and_Claw_and_Love_and_Monsters.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, Kyle and Erik dive headlong into Doctor Who series two with a look at two episodes written by showrunners of other shows. "School Reunion" written by Toby Whithouse (Being Human) is a fan-favorite, giving the new series its first real taste of the classic with the return of Sarah Jane Smith. "Fear Her" written by Matthew Graham (Life on Mars) is the oft-derided also-ran of series two, which might well be better than its reputation.

Direct download: School_Reunion_and_Fear_Her.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:42pm EDT

And so it begins! Erik and Kyle have wrapped up Series 1 of updated Doctor Who, and now they commence the saga of the Tenth Doctor. Where to start? Why with "The Christmas Invasion" and "New Earth," of course! But it's not all just fun and games. Already they can sense the darkness inherent to Doctor number 10...and Kyle's kind of not into it.

Direct download: Christmas_Invasion_and_New_Earth.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:31pm EDT

Way too fast. We're already bidding a very fond farewell to the Christopher Eccleston year of Doctor Who by discussing his swansong, "Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways." It may be his last onscreen hurrah but it was only RTD's opening salvo. How'd he do for his first season as showrunner?

Direct download: Bad_Wolf_and_Parting_of_the_Ways.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

It's the penultimate month in our look at Series 1 of rebooted Doctor Who, and we have two stories showrunner Russell T Davies wrote to fill time, but, one of them at least, has transcending its limitations to become something of a classic. And the other one is "The Long Game."

Direct download: Long_Game_Boom_Town.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Erik and Kyle dip our toes in the pool of Steven Moffat with his addition to Doctor Who series 1, "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances." You know, there's a lot to talk about in it. So, join us, won't you? Are you my mummy?

Direct download: Empty_Child_Doctor_Dances.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, Erik and Kyle are discussing the series 1 episode "Father's Day," an emotional experience for both of them. But before that, the 2003 web-exclusive animated serial "Scream of the Shalka," which was to be Doctor Who. Until it wasn't. Two Paul Cornell stories? Why yes!

Direct download: Fathers_Day_and_Scream_of_the_Shalka.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, Erik and Kyle continue their jaunt into Series 1 of rebooted Doctor Who with the first two stories not written by showrunner Russell T Davies. Those of course are Mark Gatiss' ode to Victorian ghost stories, "The Unquiet Dead," and Robert Shearman's indelible reintroduction of a classic villain, "Dalek." But do they hold up the way our heroes remember? Hmmm.

Direct download: The_Unquiet_Dead_and_Dalek.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, Kyle and Erik revisit the "farting aliens" two-parter, "Aliens of London/World War III." While the humor doesn't age well, the fellas are surprised that the story is more interesting, the character drama much deeper, than memory said. And Mickey maybe isn't as big an idiot as we thought? WHAT?!

Direct download: Aliens_of_London_World_War_III.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 6:01pm EDT

Doctor Who: The Writers' Room is back, baby! After two years away from the TARDIS, Erik and Kyle have returned to tackle Doctor Who from 2005-2017. Much different than before, the fellas are going fairly chronological and what better place to start than showrunner Russell T Davies' first two episodes, "Rose" and "The End of the World?"

Direct download: Rose__The_End_of_the_World.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 7:13pm EDT

Friends! Because we're all having a rough go of it socially distancing, we thought we'd give you a little extra treat. The commentary we normally do once a month for our Patreon patrons is free for all to hear!

And it's a good one. We talked about the Doctor Who episode "Oxygen" for our Who for Schools raffle winner, and for the commentary, Erik and Kyle are joined by podcast superstars Joy Piedmont and Shannon Dohar! Enjoy their commentary and some general Who chatter afterward.

Stay safe and stay healthy!

Direct download: TWRTOL_Patreon_Bonus_--_DW_Oxygen_Commentary.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 10:00pm EDT

What's this now?! Why yes! Erik and Kyle have given The Outer Limits a break for a month in order to talk about Doctor Who again! As part of the Who For Schools initiative, a lucky raffle winner got to decide what New Who episode we discussed. The winner has chosen "Oxygen" by Jamie Mathieson. We're talking Capaldi, Nardole, Bill, and dystopian capitalism. Yay!

Direct download: Doctor_Who_Special_-_Oxygen.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

It all comes down to this! Erik and Kyle finish up their six-year journey into the writers of classic Doctor Who with part two of their listener question answer thing.

Thank you to everyone for listening for this long (but very fun!) folly of ours. We'll continue to talk about Doctor Who going forward, but we're also jumping into new but similar shows, beginning with the original run of The Outer Limits!

Direct download: Episode_69_-_The_Big_Wrap-Up_part_2.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, friends, it's all over bar the shouting. Kyle and Erik tackle some of YOUR questions and discussion topics about their six year journey into the writers and writing of the classic series of Doctor Who. On order are things like which script editors were the best, what Doctor/companion teams were best served on screen, and what we'd recommend to new viewers.

As referenced in the episode, here's the blog of Erik's more specific recommendations for first-time classic whovians.

Direct download: DWTWR_-_November_2_Wrap_Up.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 8:28pm EDT

66 episodes down covering individual writers of classic Doctor Who, and only one to go. Crazy. Erik and Kyle finish up their revisitation of Eric Saward, six years after the initial foray, by talking about his two Dalek stories--Resurrection of the Daleks and Revelation of the Daleks. One of them is good but not a Doctor Who story, the other definitely is a Doctor Who story but is terrible. What fun.

The fellas also tell you what's coming in the new year for this podcast feed and let you know there's still time to turn in your questions/discussion topics for the two-month podcast wrap-up! 

Direct download: Episode_67_-_Saward_Revisitation_2.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:23am EDT

The end is the beginning is the end! When we started our journey through the first 26 years of Doctor Who via the writers and the stories they wrote, we tried to start big, by tackling the stories written by '80s script editor Eric Saward, and in doing so, we bit off more than we could chew.

So, to wind down The Writers Room mark 1, we're going back and doing Saward in two goes rather than just one. This month, it's "The Visitation," "Earthshock," and "Attack of the Cybermen." Do we think the same things we thought back in 2013? How would we know?

Direct download: Episode_66_-_Saward_Revisitation_1.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:01am EDT

Whoa. We did it, everyone. With this month's episode, we conclude our quest to discuss the first 26 years of Doctor Who via the writers and the stories they wrote. We're finishing the initial run with a bang, by talking about David Whitaker's two Dalek stories--"The Power of the Daleks" and "The Evil of the Daleks." Both are hailed as lost classics, and for good reason. Erik and Kyle break down all things obedience and extermination.

Direct download: Episode_65_-_Whitaker_3.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Whoa. We did it, everyone. With this month's episode, we conclude our quest to discuss the first 26 years of Doctor Who via the writers and the stories they wrote. We're finishing the initial run with a bang, by talking about David Whitaker's two Dalek stories--"The Power of the Daleks" and "The Evil of the Daleks." Both are hailed as lost classics, and for good reason. Erik and Kyle break down all things obedience and extermination.

Direct download: Episode_65_-_Whitaker_3.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, Erik and Kyle continue their discussion of the Doctor Who writing of David Whittaker with a story that was almost totally missing up until five years ago, and now it's fully back and available to watch in all its glory, "The Enemy of the World," one of the most atypical stories of the entire 1960s, and certainly of the Second Doctor's era. Erik had never listened to or watched this story until now; was it worth the wait?

Direct download: Episode_64_-_The_Enemy_of_the_World.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

It's nearly the end, but the moment has been prepared for. Except we're not talking about "Logopolis" in the least. It's our very final writer to cover from Doctor Who's classic series, David Whitaker, and incredibly important figure in the series' history and one that gave us many intriguing concepts.

In this first of three episodes, Kyle and Erik are talking about the three stories Whitaker wrote for the William Hartnell Doctor: "Edge of Destruction", "The Rescue", and "The Crusade." 

Direct download: Episode_63_-_Whitaker_1.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 7:05pm EDT

Can it be?! Kyle and Erik are talking about episodes of Doctor Who from after 2005?! Yes indeed! For nearly 6 years, the fellas have talked about episodes of the 1963-1989 seasons, but this month is different. Anna Lynch, the raffle winner from the #WhoAgainstGuns initiative, has chosen three new/modern Who episodes: "Partners in Crime," "The Doctor's Wife," and "Listen" and K & E get into things like fan wank, nostalgia, and companion story arcs.

Next month...it's the beginning of the end.

Direct download: Episode_62_-_New_Who.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Build high for happiness will prevail!

This month, the fellas close out the Seventh Doctor's era with three stories all about dystopian futures and seemingly nice but secretly upsetting societies. Sort of like Britain in the '80s, really.

We've got the two stories written by Stephen Wyatt ("Paradise Towers" and "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy") and the one story by Graeme Curry ("The Happiness Patrol"), all of which have a lot of ideas and themes and metaphors and allegories, but do they have stuff like plot and character and a story? We'll find out!

And next month...something very different.

Direct download: Episode_61_-_Stephen_Wyatt_and_Graeme_Curry.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

This month, 60 episodes in to their monthly journey into the writing and writers of Classic Doctor Who, Kyle and Erik are joined by and honest to good writer of Classic Doctor Who! Andrew Smith bravely sits with us to talk about his 1980 script, "Full Circle," the beginning of the E-Space trilogy and the story that introduced Adric. In addition, Andrew talks about how he was brought on board, and all the lovely Big Finish stories he's writing currently. (Dude writes a LOT.)

Also, Kyle, Erik, and Andrew have all been proud to take part in the #WhoAgainstGuns initiative which is raising money to help prevent gun violence. If you donate at least $10 before March 31, you'll get a truly fabulous 13-part, 40+ participant commentary to "The War Games." For information, click this link

Direct download: Episode_60_-_Andrew_Smith.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:54am EDT

Hi friends!

Erik and Kyle are pleased to join other Doctor Who podcasts, writers, and artists in the #WhoAgainstGuns movement to spread the message of peace and the call for ending gun violence in the U.S. and the rest of the world. We're happy to lend our voices to a special team-up commentary on a fan-favorite classic Doctor Who story, which can only be heard by donating $10.

 More information can be found here!

How to take part

Here’s what you have to do: make a donation of $10 or more to:

These organizations are U.S.-Based and focused on changing American laws and policy. They welcome international donations; however, if you live outside of the U.S. and want to make an equivalent donation to an organization in your own country here are some suggestions. (You may have others):

Once you’ve made your donation, send a copy of your receipt to gallifreystands@realitybombpodcast.com and you’ll get information on where to download your special commentary podcast later in March.

Direct download: WHO_AGAINST_GUNS_podcast_promo.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 5:26pm EDT

This month, Kyle and Erik talk about the work of script editor Anthony Read, who wrote one story under the pseudonym David Agnew (that one being season 15's "The Invasion of Time") and one under his own name (that being season 17's "The Horns of Nimon"). We find the merits (or demerits) in both of these stories, and talk about mazes both TARDIS and mythical & Greek. 

Direct download: Episode_59_-_Anthony_Read.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

This month, Erik and Kyle begin the final year of the podcast (as you know it) by closing out yet another Doctor's era, that being Sixth Doctor Colin Baker. Yes, after not talking about any of his stories since the very first one, we've wrapped him up in a little under a year, and we're ending with Philip Martin, who wrote "Vengeance on Varos" and "Mindwarp," (aka "The Trial of a Time Lord" parts 5-8). It's, uhh, it's pretty violent, we have to say.

Direct download: Episode_58_-_Philip_Martin.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

We've reached the end of another calendar year, which means it's been 5 years of Doctor Who: The Writers' Room! Can you even believe it? In honor of this, we've decided to go slightly outside of our usual parameters of the first 26 years of Doctor Who...all the way to 1996. That's right, we're talking about the TV Movie, written by Matthew Jacobs. The special has a fascinating backstory, and we get in to that along with dissecting if it works, and for whom.

Direct download: Episode_57_-_TV_Movie.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:31am EDT

Sorry for the delay this month, but we think you're in for a real treat (?) Erik, fresh off of becoming certified to teach English, and Kyle, fresh off of gallivanting and getting sick, discuss three poor old '80s stories that don't get much love. Is it because they're awful? We'll let you decide. But they talk about "The Twin Dilemma," "Timelash," and "Delta and the Bannermen." So there's that.

Direct download: Episode_56_-_80s_Crap.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 5:56pm EDT

This month, we have another pair of stories that fall into the "well, they don't really fit anywhere else" category, in this instance both being surreal and fantastical stories from the same period of time. '60s Weirdos, we're calling it, and we're talking about "The Celestial Toymaker" and "The Mind Robber." Why? Because we like you.

Also, this month marks Erik's last episode...recorded in the United States. He's moved to Prague and you can find out about his new adventure and help him keep podcasting by visiting his Patreon page (right here)!

Direct download: Episode_55_-_60s_Weirdos.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Break out the feather boas and start calling everything "Jimmy" because this month, Erik and Kyle are finishing their look at the Cybermen in Classic Doctor Who with the 1968 story, "The Invasion." But, oh no, they are not taking on this eight-episode epic alone; they've got the added brilliance of Verity! Podcast's own Deb Stanish to help break down all the ins and outs, from Tobias Vaughn's arrogance to Packer's frazzledness to Isobel's perceived flightiness. Oh, and Cybermen too.

Direct download: Episode_54_-_The_Invasion.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

This month, it's the end of a couple of things: First, the final episode in our Ice Warriors two-parter, focusing on the stories "The Curse of Peladon" and "The Monster of Peladon." Second, it's the last episode in which we have Third Doctor stories to discuss, so Kyle is clearly more sad about it than Erik. Oh, and a third one -- it's the last time we'll let people tell us one of these stories is bad. Which one? Find out soon!

Direct download: Episode_53_-_Ice_Warriors_2.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Hello and good July to you, Whovian friends! This month, Erik and Kyle go Cyber-crazy. They start by talking about the Cybermen as portrayed in the recently concluded Series 10 (poor Bill) and then transition to this month's meat, the Cybermen's fourth appearance, "The Wheel in Space" from 1968 and their sixth appearance, "Revenge of the Cybermen" from 1974.

These stories raise a number of questions, like "How can beings with their emotions removed want revenge?," "Why are they allergic to gold?" and "Do the Cybermen do anything at all in 'Wheel in Space?'" These questions are important!

Direct download: Episode_52_-_Cybermen_2.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

It'sssssss June, friendsssssss, and that meanssssss Erik and Kyle are going to be talking about the firssssst two (of only four) ssssssstories having to do with the Iccccccccccce Warriorsssss.

I'm really tired of writing it like that, so I'm gonna stop. Anyway, we talk about "The Ice Warriors" and "The Seeds of Death." That's the end.

Direct download: Episode_51_-_Ice_Warriorssssss.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Friends, it's Cyber-May! Or whatever. Anyway, it's our 50th episode, and for this one Erik and Kyle dive into talking about the Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis stories concerning those shiny shysters, the Cybermen. This time 'round, it's "The Moonbase" and "The Tomb of the Cybermen," because as the theme song to The Facts of Life told us, "you take the good, you take the bad..."

Direct download: Episode_50_-_Cybermen_1.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Last month we looked at the two stories that began the 1980s, and this month we're looking at the two stories that began Season 4...but that also means they're the two stories that saw the end of the First Doctor, "The Smugglers" by Brian Hayles and "The Tenth Planet" by Kit Pedler (and Gerry Davis). These two stories couldn't be more different from each other, and it definitely doesn't feel like the same Doctor. But we also get the Cybermen, who--spoilers--we'll see a whole lot more of in the coming months on this podcast.

Direct download: Episode_49_-_End_of_Hartnell.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 8:45pm EDT

As our podcast begins to wind down (still have like a year, people, calm down a bit), we're forced to look at things that don't really have much correlation other than placement. As such, Erik and Kyle are spending this month talking about the beginning of the JNT and Christopher H. Bidmead era with our good friend David Fisher's "The Leisure Hive," and one-timers Andrew McCullough and John Flanagan's "Meglos." Hooo boy, thems sure are stories that exist.

Direct download: Episode_48_-_The_80s_Begin.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 8:43pm EDT

Episode 47 - David Fisher (in the '70s)

Hello and happy February, friends and listening public! This month, Erik and Kyle are in the same room (that's how you know it's Gallifrey One time) to discuss the three stories written in the '70s by David Fisher, who joined in season 16. His two Key to Time stories--"The Stones of Blood" and "The Androids of Tara"--are pretty roundly beloved, but his season 17 story, "The Creature from the Pit," is derided almost categorically. Is this fair? Is he to blame or laud for these stories? We get down on it!

Direct download: Episode_47_-_David_Fisher.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Episode 46 - Terry Nation, No Daleks

We haven't talked about this writer in a while, but it's almost hard to talk about Doctor Who without him -- Terry Nation, the inventor and most prolific writer of the Daleks. We've done all of those, of course, but he also wrote two stories with no Daleks in them whatsoever: from season 1, "The Keys of Marinus," and from season 13, "The Android Invasion." Nation fell into certain traps and narrative tricks when he wrote Daleks; did the same happen without the trundling war machines? Kyle and Erik find out!

Direct download: Episode_46_-_Terry_Nation_No_Daleks.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

Episode 45 - The Dalek Movies

Happy end of the year, friends! As we draw the putrid cesspool that was 2016 to a close, Erik and Kyle thought they'd give you a fun(?) treat by talking about the two Dalek movies made in the mid-60s by Amicus Productions and starring the incomparable Peter Cushing. Interesting it will be to see how the same stories from the TV show are changed/truncated for the purposes of being very swiftly made, less-than-90-minute family movies. Enjoy!

Direct download: Episode_45_-_The_Dalek_Movies.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:18am EDT

Episode 44 - Bob Baker & Dave Martin Part 3

We did it! Even as the country from which we hail goes to hell in a handbasket, we've managed to watch the final stories written by the Bristol Boys, aka Bob Baker and Dave Martin. Those three are "Underworld," "The Armageddon Factor," and the Bob Baker solo effort, "Nightmare of Eden." These writers have been a baffler thus far; how will we rate these three stories?

Direct download: Bristol_3.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 11:02pm EDT

Episode 43 - The Bristol Boys part 2

Oh....good. Erik and Kyle are back for the second part of their look at the so-called Bristol Boys, Bob Baker & Dave Martin. This time out, without the deft script editing hand of Terrance Dicks, we're left with off-the-wall stories "The Sontaran Experiment," "The Hand of Fear," and "The Invisible Enemy." Oh... oh gosh.

Direct download: Episode_43_-_The_Bristol_Boys_Part_2.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 8:39pm EDT

Episode 42 - Bob Baker & Dave Martin Pt 1

Another series of episodes all surrounding the same writers! We love those! This month begins Kyle and Erik's foray into the many scripts by Bob Baker and Dave Martin, affectionately referred to as "The Bristol Boys." This time it's the three they did during the Pertwee years -- "The Claws of Axos," "The Mutants," and "The Three Doctors." You won't believe which the fellas think is the best. Or maybe you will; you've probably been listening long enough to guess.

Direct download: Episode_42_-_The_Bristol_Boys_Pt_1.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Episode 41 - Pip & Jane Baker

In the annals of Doctor Who, few writers' names are met with as much derision as those of Pip & Jane Baker, the husband and wife writing team who gave us three full serials plus an episode as needed during seasons 22, 23, and 24. Are these stories bad because of the writing? Are these stories bad at all? It's something Kyle and Erik will discuss, because if there's one these those boys love, it's evaluating hated writers to see if it's fair. (spoiler answer: maybe!)

Direct download: DWTWR_Pippin_Jane.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Episode 40 - Troughton One-Offs

Hello, one and all! Kyle and Erik are back to discuss more and more Doctor Who!! This month, we're doing some bits and bobs from the Patrick Troughton years, focusing on three stories by three different writers who only wrote one story for the show. First up is Elwyn Jones (with Gerry Davis) who wrote "The Highlanders," the story that introduced Jamie McCrimmond. Next is everybody's favorite oddity, "The Underwater Menace" written by Geoffrey Orme. And finally, "Fury from the Deep" which said goodbye to Victoria Waterfield, written by Victor Pemberton. Enjoy!

Direct download: Episode_40_-_Troughton_One-Offs.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:14pm EDT

SPECIAL - Interview with Third Doctor comics writer Paul Cornell

Hello friends! We're a little late on the podcast front this month, so to tide you over, Kyle has interviewed friend of the show and writer extraordinaire Paul Cornell about his upcoming Third Doctor miniseries for Titan Comics. It's a great chat for anybody who loves the '70s Doctor Who era as much as Kyle does, but also should probably reevaluate some of the choices... because sexism. Enjoy! And we'll be back soon!

Direct download: DWTWR_-_Paul_Cornell_Titan_Comics_Interview.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 8:24pm EDT

Episode 39 - Christopher H. Bidmead

Happy May, everybody! Hope you're ready for block transfer computation and charged vacuum emboitments, because this month Erik and Kyle are going to be talking about the Doctor Who stories written by Christopher Hamilton Bidmead, a writer and script editor who ushered in a whole year of hard science mathematics (deserving a badge for excellence, maybe?), with his three stories "Logopolis," "Castrovalva," and "Frontios." How do they fare under the scrutiny of the DWTWR pair? WE'LL SEE!!

Direct download: Episode_39_-_Christopher_H._Bidmead.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 2:44pm EDT

Episode 38 - Robert Holmes Group C Part 2

Friends, we've returned! Thanks for sticking with us, and apologies in advance for the return trip being kind of a downer. Erik and Kyle discuss the last three stories written by Robert Holmes, all in the Colin Baker era, and none of them particularly...well, that would be telling. We've got "The Two Doctors" in season 22 and episodes 1-4 and 13 of "The Trial of a Time Lord" (but let's be honest, we call them "The Mysterious Planet" and "The Ultimate Foe" Part 1). There's also a nice discussion about his work as a whole, so don't get too upset.

Direct download: 38_-_Robert_Holmes_Group_C_Part_2.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 8:20pm EDT

UPDATE: March 2016

Hi everybody! You've probably noticed we haven't had an episode in a bit. Sorry, but life catches up sometimes. But we will be back to finally put the capper on Robert Holmes very soon. Thanks for your support, we'll be back before you know it!

Direct download: DWTWR_Update.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 10:51pm EDT

Gallifrey One 2016 Robert Holmes Roundtable w/ Graeme Burk, Paul Cornell, and Steven Schapansky

From Gallifrey One, Kyle has a little chat about all things Robert Holmes with luminaries in the Doctor Who world, Graeme Burk, Paul Cornell, and Steven Schapansky. Full episode about Holmes' final three scripts in the next few days.

Direct download: DWTWR_Holmes_Gallifrey_Extra.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 9:48pm EDT

Episode 36 - Ian Briggs & Rona Munro

We've reached the end of another calendar year and that, apparently, means it's time to do more Seventh Doctor writers. This month, Erik and Kyle are talking about two writers who collectively wrote three stories all about the character of Ace. Ian Briggs introduced Ace in "Dragonfire" and then dealt with her mother issues in "The Curse of Fenric," and Rona Munro's sole contribution to the Doctor Who canon just happens to be the last story of the classic series, as well as one that deals with the idea of home and refusing violence. Good stuff this month, folks.

Direct download: Episode_36_-_Ian_Briggs__Rona_Munro.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:20pm EDT

Episode 34 - Johnny Byrne

Oh, hello, the 1980s. How are you this month? Erik and Kyle have remained in the decade of JNT and are looking at the three stories written by prolific TV writer Johnny Byrne, whose contributions to Doctor Who are "The Keeper of Traken," "Arc of Infinity," and "Warriors of the Deep." These three stories don't normally have the highest approval rating, but that's not specifically fair in some of the cases. Can Byrne's writing save stories with a polystyrene statue that can walk, a chicken monster with a ray gun, and a giant pantomime lizard? We'll find out today!

Direct download: Episode_33_-_Johnny_Byrne.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:41pm EDT

Episode 33 - Peter Grimwade

We've finally made it through the lengthy (though highly enjoyable if you ask us) jaunt with Hulke and Nation and we're celebrating by heading with Doctor Who into the future! All the way to the 1980s, that is. This month, we're talking about the three stories written by Peter Grimwade, the production assitant turned director turned writer. While we certainly do talk about his stint directing stories, we obviously focus on his authorial work, which consists of "Time-Flight," "Mawdryn Undead," and "Planet of Fire," all of which during the Peter Davison years. Well, at least we START with "Time-Flight," but there's also much talk about timelines and overcrowded storylines and TARDISes used for everything under the sun. 

Direct download: Episode_33_-_Peter_Grimwade.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:19am EDT

Episode 32 - Destiny of the Dinosaurs (Hulke and Nation Finale)

After a whopping 8 months(!) of talking about the Doctor Who stories of Malcolm Hulke and the Dalek stories written by Terry Nation, Erik and Kyle are wrapping up both writers in one episode, talking about both of their final stories, and both of them seem to be good encapsulations of what their whole career on the show was like. For Hulke, we have "Invasion of the Dinosaurs" and for Nation we have "Destiny of the Daleks." Is it necessarily fair to pair these two stories up in one episode? NOPE! But we did it anyway.

Next month, we'll be back to business as usual with a writer who can be entirely covered in one episode.

Direct download: Episode_32_-_Destiny_of_the_Dinosaurs.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

Episode 31 - Genesis of the Daleks

This month is another of our single-story episode, and while it's not as long as "The War Games" or "Dalek's Master Plan," it's definitely got some gravitas to it. This is, of course, Terry Nation's 1975 Doctor Who story, "Genesis of the Daleks," his final script for a number of years and Tom Baker's first fracas with the rolling tank things. However, as Erik and Kyle discover, it's not so much about the Daleks as it is about their creator, the insane and immeasurably fascinating Davros. This script is known for having some amazing dialogue scenes, but does the rest of the story hold up as well? 

Direct download: Episode_31_-_Genesis_of_the_Daleks.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 11:54pm EDT

Episode 30 - Malcolm Hulke Part 3

After a pretty lackluster Terry Nation month, we return with a pretty impressive Malcolm Hulke month, discussing the "... in Space" Duology of Season 8's "Colony in Space" and Season 10's "Frontier in Space." One depicts the struggle of settlers against a mining corporation, the other depicts the Cold War between two great empires, and they both have the Master showing up a few episodes into it and proving what an opportunist he is. One of these stories ranks as one of Hulke's best; can you guess which?!

Direct download: Episode_30_-_Malcolm_Hulke_Part_3.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Episode 29 - Terry Nation Part 3

This month, Erik and Kyle are still in the midst of their alternating looks at two of the most prolific and influential writers in all of Doctor Who - Malcolm Hulke and Terry Nation. For this episode, it's a discussion of Nation's two stories fom the Jon Pertwee era, "Planet of the Daleks" and "Death to the Daleks." The first is almost always cited as "Terry Nation's Greatest Hits," which the second is often said to be Nation doing something slightly (but not entirely) different. Do the fellas agree with this summation?

Next month: Malcolm Hulke's "Colony in Space" and "Frontier in Space."

Direct download: Episode_29_-_Terry_Nation_Pt_3.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Episode 28 - Malcolm Hulke part 2

This month we return to looking at the work of Malcolm Hulke with his two Homo reptilia stories, "Doctor Who and the Silurians" from Season 7 and "The Sea Devils" from Season 9. Both involve a hyper-advanced reptile race that ruled the globe long before humanity, but as Kyle and Erik determine, were Hulke coming at the concept from completely different angles. They discuss military might, government bureaucracy, the Doctor's disdain for all authority even at the cost of hindering progress, and why neither Liz nor Jo had anything to do.

Thanks for listening to our Bracket Special at the beginning of the month. Winners announced herein. 

Direct download: Episode_28_-_Malcolm_Hulke_pt_2.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:34am EDT

The Doctor Who Spring Insanity Tournament of Episodes Bracket Podcast Mash-Up Special

Here it is, folks! For your listening pleasure, a special tournament special bracket special of special specialness in which Kyle and Erik of this here podcast (The Writers' Room, obvs) get together with Steven Schapansky of Radio Free Skaro and The Memory Cheats, Erika Ensign of Verity!, and Josh Zimon of The Memory Cheats and Mostly Harmless Cutaway to determine once and for all what the best Doctor Who episode/story of all time is.

Basing the discussion on the top 64 stories from the Doctor Who Magazine poll from June of 2014, the five panelists will vote based purely on personal preference in a seeded system that ranks the stories in quadrants. You'll get the idea once we get going.

Please enjoy, and let us know what you think! We'll resume regular episodes in a fortnight. 

Direct download: Doctor_Who_Bracket_Tournament_Special.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Episode 27 - The Daleks' Master Plan

Another look at a super long stoy, but this time, unlike "The War Games," it's one neither Kyle nor Erik had seen (heard) before. Yep, the gents are back in the realm of Terry Nation for part two of our look at the Dalek creator with the massive 13-episode run comprising "Mission to the Unknown" and all of "The Daleks' Master Plan," on which he split writing duties with Dennis Spooner. And you know what? It shows! Companions, both pseudo and regular, get talked about extensively, as does whether the Daleks work in the context of old timey space opera. Or, for that matter, in any context at all. There's not even any real indication they even had a master plan to begin with.

Direct download: Episode_27_-_The_Daleks_Master_Plan.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Episode 26 - Malcolm Hulke Pt 1 w/ Paul Cornell

Recorded LIVE (and quietly) at the LAX Marriott following Gallifrey One 2015, Erik and Kyle are joined by writer, author, scholar, and Doctor Who expert to talk about the beginnings of Malcolm Hulke's time on the series, writing "The Faceless Ones" in 1967 with David Ellis, and ghost-rewriting David Whitaker's "The Ambassadors of Death" for Terrance Dicks. These be fun conversations, and we're pleased Paul was here to help.

Direct download: 26_Malcolm_Hulke_part_1.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:46pm EDT

Episode 25 - Terry Nation Part 1

It's 2015 and Erik and Kyle have lost their minds. It was bound to happen some time, but they've decided to finally delve into the infamous Dalek-filled writings of Doctor Who's only writer ever to get filthy stinking rich from writing the show, Terry Nation. Because he wrote so much for the show, it's going to take us a while to get through it all, but we better start now. This month, we begin with his first three Dalek stories, "The Daleks," "The Dalek Invasion of Earth," and "The Chase." 

Direct download: Episode_25_-_Terry_Nation_pt_1.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Episode 24 - Ghost Light

This month, as a special Christmas present to everyone, or possibly as the coal in your stocking, Erik and Kyle are only talking about one story, and it's not even a very long one, but it IS a very complex one with lots of moving pieces and an interesting production history. It's "Ghost Light," the very final story ever filmed for Doctor Who, written by Marc Platt. Erik loves everything about it and thinks it's a misunderstood gem, while Kyle thinks it's overly complicated and underly produced. WHO IS CORRECT?!?

Thanks for listening for two whole years. We are incredibly grateful to all of you. Have a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year!

Direct download: Ep_24_-_Ghost_Light.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:28am EDT

Episode 23 - Robert Banks Stewart

This month, Erik and Kyle talk about a writer who only wrote two stories but they're two of the most beloved among Doctor Who fans. That writer is Robert Banks Stewart who penned "Terror of the Zygons" and "The Seeds of Doom," both from Season 13. It can certainly be said that these stories are quite different from the Gothic Horror pastiches much of the Hinchcliffe era gave us, and actually delve into, in "Seeds"' case anyway, a James Bond-kind of story. Whether both of your intrepid hosts enjoy that kind of story is discussed quite a bit.

 

Next month, a very special holiday episode...

Direct download: 23_-_Robert_Banks_Stewart.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

Episode 22 - Ian Stuart Black

This month, Erik and Kyle talk about a write who penned three scripts during the Innes Lloyd/Gerry Davis era of Doctor Who, the end of Season 3 and in Season 4. He is Ian Stuart Black, the writer of "The Savages," "The War Machines," and "The Macra Terror." None of them are particularly highly regarded and some are downright troubling for a number of reasons.  The fellas delve into issues such as companion departures, misguided racial subtexts, humanity versus machinery, giant alien crab things, and the Highland Fling! 

Next month, it's Robert Banks Stewart.

Direct download: Episode_22_-_Ian_Stuart_Black.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 9:44pm EDT

Episode 21 - Steve Gallagher

This month, it's into the void and to the center of the universe as Erik and Kyle discuss the two stories written by Steve Gallagher - "Warrior's Gate" and "Terminus." The later is usually written off as pantaloons, but the former is often hailed as some sort of existentialist masterpiece that never got its full due thanks to a crazed director. Do the boys think these notions hold true or are they bored out of their minds with both of them. We'll let the running time tell you the answer.

Direct download: Episode_21_-_Steve_Gallagher.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:22am EDT

Episode 20 - Douglas Adams

This month, oh boy people, it's time Erik and Kyle talk about the man, the myth, the legend that is Douglas Adams, he who wrote for Monty Python and would go on to great fame writing The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. For our purposes, of course, Adams wrote three stories for Doctor Who, only two of which were ever finished and aired: "The Pirate Planet" and "City of Death," as well as the half-completed "Shada" which has garnered a lot fo attention through the years because of Adams' involvement and because of its troubled history. There's much discussion here about whether his stuff is as good as a lot of people say it is. Which side are you on?

Direct download: Ep_20_-_Douglas_Adams.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:07am EDT

Episode 19 - Don Houghton

This month, Kyle and Erik dive into the work of Don Houghton, who only wrote two stories for Doctor Who, but two that are among the best, and best-loved, stories in all of the Jon Pertwee era. Those, of course, are "Inferno" and "The Mind of Evil," one of which tops a lot of people's best stories list and one which has the Master in. After those Hartnell one-offs last month, the boys need to sink their teeth into something good, and there's plenty of it here. Listen to the podcast scream out its rage!

Direct download: DWTWR_Don_Houghton.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Episode 18 - Hartnell One-Offs

Oh boy, this sure wasn't a good idea. This month, in an effort to deal with the issue of one-off writers, Erik and Kyle ventured into four regularly-derided stories from the Hartnell era: "The Sensorites" by Peter R. Newman, "The Web Planet" by Bill Strutton, "Galaxy 4" by William Emms, and "The Ark" by Paul Erickson (and Lesley Scott, although she did nothing). Umm, that happened. Are they as bad as people say? Not necessarily. 

But hey, next month it's Don Houghton so that's a step in the right direction, right?

Direct download: Episode_18_-_Hartnell_One-Offs.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Episode 17 - An Unearthly Child

This month, Erik and Kyle head all the way back to the very beginning to talk about the very first story ever, "An Unearthly Child" credited to writer Anthony Coburn. Is the serial just a good first episode followed by three boring cavemen episodes, or is it all a lot more connected than popular fan belief suggests? They look at the original unaired "pilot" as well to contrast where the show might have gone had the Doctor remained as unfeeling as he was initially. Character relationships and quirks get discussed too. It's a pretty hefty episode for it only being about one four-parter.

Direct download: Episode_17_An_Unearthly_Child.mp3
Category:Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00am EDT