Time And Space: A Doctor Who Podcast

Companions as The DoctorJessica takes charge this episode by asking two questions: 1) What is the definition of a "Doctor Who" companion? and 2) Which companion would make the best Doctor?The Whovian debate about favorite Doctors and companions will last forever, but not many companions would be able to take the wheel ... er, switch? ... of the TARDIS. Jessica and Phillip take turns listing their nominations for which companion could fill the Time Lord's shoes. Do you agree with their definiton of a companion or do you have one of your own? And which companion would you nominate as the best able to be a "Doctor"?

Episode of the DaleksThey are the epitome of Doctor Who villians - the Daleks. These pepper pots have captured Whovian imaginations for over 50 years - so what makes them so timeless? Jessica and Phillip take a close (but safe) look at the aliens, using the first feature film "Dr. Who and the Daleks" (1965).In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple revisits the Seventh Doctor's encounter with the Skaro aliens in "Remembrance of the Daleks."What's your favorite Dalek moment?

"The Enemy of the World" ReviewThere is always a celebration to be had in "Doctor Who" fandom when a so-called "lost story" is found, made complete, and restored. Such was the case with the 2nd Doctor serial, "The Enemy of the World." It was recovered complete, just a few years ago, and this past year it was restored in a new release, along with some fascinating extras. Jessica and Phillip examine this interesting six-episode story that features Patrick Troughton playing two main roles - the Doctor and the evil Salamander. In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple look at Matt Smith's turn at playing both the protaganist and antagonist in the Neil Gaiman-written 11th Doctor episode "Nightmare in Silver." 

Episode of the CybermenThey are one of the Doctor's most-feared enemies: The Cybermen. From the earliest "sock monkeys" of "The Tenth Planet" and the First Doctor to the metallic cyborgs of the 12th Doctor era, these villains have evolved over the deceades. What makes them so interesting? Why do fans keep looking forward to their stories? Jessica and Phillip focus on the IDW graphic novel series "Assimilation2" which mixes up the worlds of "Doctor Who" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." They look at how the Cybermen teaming up with the Borg makes a story big enough for the 11th Doctor and the crew of the Enterprise-D.In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple revisit "The Tomb of the Cybermen," a fan favorite story of the cybernetic foes. The 2nd Doctor, Victoria, and Jamie must battle the ancient Cybermen being awoken by foolish humans.What's your favorite Cybermen moment? 

"Torchwood" OverviewThere are Whovians ... and then there are "Torchwood" fans. Which ones are more "hardcore"? Regardless of the answer, Jessica and Phillip focus on the "Doctor Who" spin-off "Torchwood" this week - along with its four series and other forms of life. They look at all things Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Tosh and Owen ... as well as Rhys and Andy. In their look into the TARDIS library, they examine the first episode of the OTHER spin-off - "The Sarah Janes Adventures." The couple talks about their first viewing of "Invasion of the Bane" and why they look forward to watching the complete series 1 of SJA.What's your favorite "Torchwood" moment?

Captain Jack Harkness OverviewThe man, the myth, the Time Agent - Captain Jack began as companion to the 9th Doctor but soon bolted to head the "Doctor Who" spin-off "Torchwood," and became a legend in the fandom. What makes this sexually-charged, dynamic, vortex manipulator-wearing leader such a Whovian star? Jessica and Phillip talk about his time with the Doctor and Torchwood, and their encounters with the man behind the character - John Barrowman.In their look into the TARDIS library, they revisit another West End star who served as a companion - Bonnie Langford's Mel in her last serial "Dragonfire." The couple look at how this Seventh Doctor adventure sorta got rid of Mel as an afterthought as it welcomed Ace (Ace!) as the new companion.What's your favorite Captain Jack moment?

Companion ExitsCompanions come and go - sometimes sad, sometimes not. However, the way they leave the TARDIS and the Doctor can be controversial at times. Jessica and Phillip look at how all of the nuWho companions have left and whether it made sense. They also connect them to "classic" companion exits to see if there are any patterns to how the TARDIS journey ends. In their look into the TARDIS library, they travel to the 5th Doctor adventure "Earthshock" for a rare companion death. Which companion's exit is the most memorable?

Twelfth Doctor's Companions OverviewChange isb't easy, but in "Doctor Who," we often have companions who help us transition to a new Doctor. The arrival of the 12th Doctor (Peter Capaldi) meant that Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) had to serve as the audience surrogate and help the transition from bow ties & fezzes to a no hugging magician. Clara's relationship with 12 is different from her interactions with 11, and after she left, audiences got to meet Nardole (Matt Lucas) and Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie). Jessica and Phillip talk about the unique aspects of these companions to the 12th Doctor and how they relate to companions past and future.In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple visit "The Power of the Daleks," as Ben and Polly must cope with the first regeneration of the Doctor ever. How do these companions help the audience with this first change in the Doctor?Who was your favorite 12th Doctor companion and why?

Time LadiesThe women of Gallifrey, no matter what regeneration, are as formidable as male Gallifreyans. With the 13th Doctor's first series on the horizon, Jessica and Phillip look back at other Time Ladies and what their legacy is for Jodi Whittaker. They discus Missy, Jenny ("The Doctor's Daughter"), Susan Foreman, and others. In their look into the TARDIS library, they revisit the introduction of Time Lady Romana (Mary Tamm) in the 4th Doctor serial "The Ribos Operation."Who is your favorite Time Lady?

Big Finish: "The Light at the End" ReviewJessica and Phillip dive into their first Big Finish (www.bigfinish.com) "Doctor Who" audio production with their 50th Anniversary celebration of the franchise - "The Light at the End." This multiple Doctor adventure begins with the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann) and his companion Charley Pollard (India Fisher) finding a big red light on the TARDIS and ends up with them encountering all the previous Doctor incarnations, along with their companions. This audio production feature the voice talents of classic Who actors Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Louise Jameson, Sarah Sutton, Nicola Bryant, Sophie Aldred, and Geoffrey Beevers as The Master.In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple visit the first multi-Doctor story with "The Three Doctors," a Third Doctor story featuring the First and Second Doctors, as they fight against the rebel Time Lord Omega.Which Big Finish "Doctor Who" audio adventure do you enjoy the most? Let us know your recomm

River Song ProfileBesides the Doctor, perhaps no other "Doctor Who" character is as "timey-whimey" as his wife - Dr. River Song (Alex Kingston). Jessica and Phillip try to make sense of her life and times by watching all her episode appearances in the order of her personal chronology and ask ... does it make sense? From baby Melody Pond to regenerated Mel to the River Song we all know (and love!), how does the trial and tribulations of this psychopath assassin become the great love of the Doctor?In their look in the TARDIS library, the couple visit the First Doctor (William Hartnell) as he falls in love and becomes engaged to Cameca (Margot Van der Burgh) in the early serial "The Aztecs."What is your favorite River Song moment? #spoilers

Fifty Plus Years Worth of IntrosThere is nothing like sitting down to watch another episode of "Doctor Who" - and each of the various intros have their own character to them. Whether it's a different theme tune arrangement, various special effects, or even a winking animated Doctor head! Phillip, Daniel, and Darren sit down in this episode during the week of April 1st to talk about their thoughts of "the black and white era," the 70s, 80s, and nuWho/Davies & Moffat era introductions to the show. What changed? What stayed the same? And what might be like to see with 13's intro?In their look into the TARDIS library, the examine the first colour episode in the franchise, the introduction of Jon Pertwee's 3rd Doctor in "Spearhead from Space."Which is your favorite intro of "Doctor Who"?

Lead Actors' Prior "Who" AppearancesIt's no surprise that, with so many actors appearing in "Doctor Who," some get "re-cast" in other Whovian roles throughout the years. However, a few of the main actors in the franchise previously appeared in other episodes. Jessica and Phillip look at Eve Myles appearing as a guest star before moving on to "Torchwood," and Freema Agyeman appearing in a Tenth Doctor story before being cast as the new Tenth Doctor companion. They then do an in-depth discussion of "The Fires of Pompeii," with guest actors Karen Gillan and Peter Capaldi before they became, respectively, a companion and a Doctor.Peter Capaldi was not the first Doctor to appear previously in the franchise as a guest role - in their look into the TARDIS library, the couple examine the Fifth Doctor story "Arc of Infinity," with a Gallifreyan security chief played by soon-to-be-Doctor Colin Baker.Do you think all actors' prior appearances in "Doctor Who" should be tied together in their characters' stories?

Charity SpecialsThere are a variety of "Doctor Who" extra episodes, usually around holidays, anniversaries or DVD/Blu-Ray releases. However, the TARDIS and Time Lord traditionally appear in specials during two annual charity telethons: Children in Need and Red Nose Day (Comic Relief). Jessica and Phillip go through all the "mini-sodes" throughout the years, including Christmas special promos and extra scenes. They also talk "The Catharine Tate Show," "Call the Midwife," and "The Sarah Jane Adventures" specials.A YouTube link to some of the charity specials: Click HereIn their look into the TARDIS library, the couple look at "Dimensions in Time," the 1993 Children in Need special featuring classic Doctors 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, as well as a variety of companions. Jessica and Phillip discuss whether this 30th Anniversary special was a random mashup of "EastEnders" or an enjoyable Doctor Who experience.What has been your favorite charity special?

Gallifrey One ConventionIt's fun and thrilling to watch "Doctor Who," but there's nothing like experiecing the fandom with fellow Whovians. Gallifrey One (www.gallifreyone.com) bills itself as the longest-running, largest fan-run Doctor Who convention. It's held in Los Angeles in February annually and will celebrate its 30th year in 2019. Jessica & Phillip roll out the welcome mat for their first guest - a Gallifrey One "vet," Kat Griffiths (@xanister). She shares her experiences of going to #gally1 and what the recent 2018 con was like. She also gives tips to first time con go-ers, including how to get the best deals on "merch!"In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple look at the introduction of a Time Lady - the Rani, in the Sixth Doctor serial "The Mark of the Rani." How does this woman from Gallifrey complicate the Doctor and Peri's visit to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution?What's your favorite Doctor Who con?  

The Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston)He has many names - "The Oncoming Storm" and "The Last of The Time Lords" - but the Ninth Doctor is also "The Doctor That Re-Launched the Franchise." Jessica and Phillip look at the shortest-serving Doctor to travel in the TARDIS on television, and what his single series brought to the franchise. From accents to simple dress, from companion relationships to what might have been had he stayed, they discuss the legacy of 9,In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple re-visits "Terror of the Vervoids" (aka The Trial of a Time Lord) and the introduction of companion Melanie (Mel) Bush. Just like many Whovians were unsure of Billie Piper being cast as a companion to the Ninth Doctor in the 2005 re-launch of the series, some fans were wary about former child actor Bonnie Langford entering the franchise. How does her abrupt introduction with the Sixth Doctor work?What is your favorite Ninth Doctor moment? Le us know!

"A Christmas Carol" DiscussionNothing says Christmas Day like a "Doctor Who" Christmas special! Despite it being the "off season," Jessica and Phillip jump into the 11th Doctor's first special, "A Christmas Carol." It's a Whovian-spin on the classic Charles Dickens' tale, featuring time travel, memories changing, singing to fish, several Frank Sinatra references, and a bittersweet ending. Guest stars Sir Michael Gambon and Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins make memorable appearances, thereby marking this special a must-watch annual holiday Doctor Who tradtion.In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple travel to the Doctor's first Christmas episode airing, with "The Feast of Steven," the seventh episode of the 12-episode serial "The Daleks' Master Plan." The First Doctor, Steven (oddly enough...), and Katarina stumble their way through pratfalls and mistaken idenity in this holiday panto.What is your favorite "Doctor Who" Christmas special? 

A Look at the Eleventh Doctor's CompanionsThis week brings "breaking news" with a new 13th Doctor teaser, a new "Doctor Who" logo, and a release date (sort of!) for the new series. Jessica and Phillip then discuss the 11th Doctor's (Matt Smith) companions, focusing on Amy (Karen Gillan) and Clara (Jenna Coleman). They also examine the Paternoster trio, Rory Williams, and other miscellanous TARDIS travellers - especially how the characters evolved over time.In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple visits the Second Doctor and the introduction of Colonel (later Brigadier) Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) in "The Web of Fear" (one of the infamous "lost" serials of the Patrick Troughton era). What do you think of the new DW logo? 

Favorite AliensDaleks, Cybermen, and Sontarans -- oh my! The myriad of aliens and monsters in Doctor Who are almost too numerous to name. Jessica and Phillip go through a round-robin listing of their favorite aliens in the franchise. Adipose, Silurians, Vashta Nerada, the Ood, and more make an apperance -- which ones should be used again and which ones should be given a rest for a series or more? Let us know your favorites! Which ones should the Thirteenth Doctor meet again?In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple examines the first aliens to appear in "Doctor Who" - The Daleks. They discuss how much have these infamous villains changed since their first introduction in 1963 with the First Doctor.

"Doctor Who: The Movie" (1996) Analysis The first attempt to "revive" the Doctor Who franchise after the end of the classic era was a joint produced TV movie by 20th Century Fox and the BBC. "Doctor Who: The Movie" introduced the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann) and helped reboot interest in the series, as well as finding new fans. However, all these decades later, this TV movie adventure with The Master (Eric Roberts) and new companions is sometimes seen as controversial, due to some "twists" in the cannon. Jessica and Phillip talk about what they enjoyed, what they didn't, and what was ... "interesting."In their look into the TARDIS library, the couple revisits the last televised epiosde of classic Doctor Who, "Survival." In the Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace's final television adventure, will The Master (Anthony Ainley) and the Cheetah People transform our heroes?Did you watch the Doctor Who TV movie? Would you have liked to see it continue as a series?