Doctor Who: Radio Free Skaro

It’s a veritable gumbo of info this week, with on outgoing showrunner praising an incoming Doctor, Big Finish and Black Archive books news, tales of Peter Capaldi and lifetime achievement awards for Russell T Davies…and a brand new Fluid Links! Your questions, our answers, and practically nothing is resolved! Will this episode thus extend into infinity? Listen….and fiiiiind oooooouutttt!! Links:  – Jodie Whittaker’s intro has been recorded – Jared Garfield is Ben Jackson – Listen script charity auction – RTD gets lifetime achievement award – In Conversation with RTD, James Goss and Christel Dee – Alex Kingston announced for Edmonton Expo – The Daleks soundtrack due September 15 – Toby Hadoke’s Who’s Round with Graeme Harper, part 1 – Toby Hadoke’s Who’s Round with Graeme Harper, part 2 – Big Finish Tales from New Earth – YANA and Sharaz Jek figurines – Upcoming Black Archive book release schedule – Tales of Terror teaser short story

Warren has returned from Worldcon, and has tales of Finland, Stockholm and international nerdery to share with Steven, Chris and all you good people before we move to the main event, an interview with author and superfan Steven Hill about Red White and Who: The Story of Doctor Who in America. Years in the making, this weighty tome is a comprehensive look at Doctor Who on North American screens, and leaves no televisual stone unturned. Tune in, why don’t you? Links: – Worldcon 75 – Matt Smith sings the Doctor Who theme to Jodie Whittaker – Anniversary of erasing Doctor Who tapes – Survival soundtrack, September 15 – The Happiness Patrol remixes, September 18 – Dominic Glynn on Start The Music! – Victor Pemberton died Interview: – Red, White and Who with Steven Hill

With Warren away at Worldcon this week (where while Doctor Who did not win a Hugo for “The Return of Doctor Mysterio”, Steven did for his work on Uncanny Magazine!), it’s left to Steven and Chris to talk about the first interviews with Jodie Whittaker since her unveiling as the new Doctor, and other sundry items that tend to fill a news list in the middle of August. But the main feature this week is an interview with friend and author Graeme Burk about his upcoming book “Sydney Newman: Head of Drama”! Links: – Jodie Whittaker on Radio 6 – Jodie Whittaker video about becoming The Doctor – Doctor Who loses the Hugo – Toronto Doctor Who event adds Richard Willis – Mr Men Jack and Rose preview – The Missy Chronicles, due in February – Earl Cameron turns 100 Interview: – Head of Drama, with Graeme Burk

It’s the dog days of August, and with no new Doctor Who on the horizon for several months, what better way to spend a couple hours of that time with the Three Who Rule as they watch and commentate on “The Android Invasion”, the 1975…er…classic from the Tom Baker era. And while Warren is away in Scandanavia in advance of Worldcon in Helsink next weekend, Chris and Steven update you all with news of a radio appearance by Jodie Whittaker, a bevy of Big Finish news, and several pieces of merchandise you won’t be able to live without! Now let’s all have a ginger beer! Links: – Jodie Whittaker on Radio 6 – Christmas was almost cancelled – Series 10 deleted scenes – Animated Shada from BBC Worldwide – Blink, 10 years on – Upcoming Big Finish releases – Tenth Doctor and Web of Fear audios – Doctor Who Audio Annual – Doctor Who Mr Men figurines – 2018 Doctor Who calendar – Yeti figurine – Christel Dee interview part 4 Commentary: – The Android Invasion

The Quiet Times have returned, with the Series 10 finale and San Diego Comic-Con receding in the distance and a long wait to December 25 ahead of us. But that doesn’t stop the dogged determination of the Three Who Rule, who won’t let a little thing like a lack of new material stop them from chattering on about one Mr. Who! And as a bonus we have an interview with Class and Doctor Who director Wayne Yip and a roll of the randomizer to determine which classic commentary will happen next week! Dare you listen? You dare indeed! Links:   – Unproduced Series 4 Script from Mark Gatiss – Nicholas Hoult was meant to be in Who – Peter Davison left twitter – Christel Dee interview part 2 – Twice Upon A Time North American home video release – Series 10 Part 2 North American home video artwork Interview: – Wayne Yip

Comic-Con! Yes, SDCC has come and gone once again, and with it we now have a trailer for “Twice Upon a Time,” the swan-song for one P-Cap and the glorious retconning of one D-Brad as the First Doctor, along with words and thoughts from gentleman scribe Kyle Anderson, who gives us an almost-live look from the ground as he left the BBC panel, as well as filling us in the Classic Who panel he moderated featuring Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sophie Aldred! Plus a simply staggering pile of news about dollies, the continued stir over a female Doctor, and so..much..swag. And sadly, we also have to report the passing of both Deborah Watling and Trevor Baxter, who will be sorely missed. Links: – Twice Upon A Time trailer – Comic-Con Doctor Who Panel – SDCC IMDB interview with Capaldi, Moffat and Kevin Smith – SDCC Empire interview with Capaldi, Moffat and Gatiss – SDCC Entertainment Weekly interview with Capaldi, Moffat, Mackie, Gomez and Gatiss – SDCC Classic Doctor Who panel, moderated by Kyle Anderson – SDCC SyFy

The Whoniverse was on the edge of its seat today, for the announcement of…the second instalment of Fluid Links! But of course we actually mean the historic announcement of the Thirteenth Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to take on the the role and the flag-bearer for Chris Chibnall’s new era of Doctor Who, due late next year. What do the Three Who Rule think of the announcement? Listen and find out! And also Fluid Links, we may have mentioned those earlier. Links: – Jodie Whittaker IS THE DOCTOR! – Jodie Whittaker on Wikipedia – First Jodie Whittaker interview – Chibnall said he always wanted the next Doctor to be a woman – The Doctor Falls final BBC One viewing figures – Retro TV adds more Classic Who – North American Series 10 Part 2 home video release – Brian Minchin joins Hartswood Films – Tom Spilsbury steps down as Doctor Who Magazine editor – Doctor Who marketing job opening

Series 10 may be over, but your questions have just begun! Fluid Links returns (and re-returns next week) for us to answer, dodge and blatantly lie our way through your thoughtful enquiries about the ast series of Doctor Who…and the Xmas special still to come! Links:  – World Enough and Time final BBC One viewing figures – The Doctor Falls BBC America ratings – The Doctor Falls Appreciation Index – San Diego Comic-Con Doctor Who panel details – SDCC Classic Doctor Who Panel, hosted by Kyle Anderson! – Toronto Doctor Who hosts Eric Saward – Red, White and Who preorder begins August 21

Lo, the (almost) end has come, and the Three Who Rule have thoughts, feels and comments about “The Doctor Falls,” the penultimate episode for both director Rachel Talalay and showrunner/writer Steven Moffat. What did the three scoundrels think of this stew of Masters and Mondasians? More to the point, what’s going on with the First Doctor and the upcoming Xmas special? So many questions! Next week, the return of Fluid Links, but only pertaining to Series 10, so no questions about Nimons and Axons! Links: – The Doctor Falls review – Christmas Special press release – Christmas Special promo pic – Doctor Who Fan Show interviews Moffat & Talalay – Moffat homage to RTD as mentioned in the Fan Show – Matt Lucas says goodbye – Michelle Gomez says goodbye – The Doctor Falls BBC One overnight viewing figures – The Eaters of Light final BBC One viewing figures – World Enough and Time Appreciation Index – The Thirteenth Doctor’s actor should be known soon – Gallifrey One guest announcement – Peter Capaldi and Doctor

Live from Gloucestershire, it’s Radio Free Skaro! With Steven visiting the United Kingdom, it seemed only right to watch and review this week’s Doctor Who (the show, not the character) in the nation where it was created. And so noted Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell and esteemed podcaster Dave Probert join Steven in talking about “World Enough and Time”, a dazzling writing effort from Steven Moffat, directed with chilling precision by Rachel Talalay, and acted to perfection by the main cast. Listen in to talk about the episode, about how the promotion of the series may have muted its impact, and a live stats report to the delight of all! Links: – Doctor Who S10E11 “World Enough and Time” – “World Enough and Time” overnight viewing figures – “Empress of Mars” final viewing vigures – “The Eaters of Light” AI – Bath Festival “Creating Doctor Who” panel on October 2 – Big Finish Cybermen sale – Dr. Tenth Christmas book coming October 17 – Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, and Sue Vertue creating new “Dracula” adaptation

Gloom, doom, and light-eating tentacle dogs are the topic du jour for the Three Who Rule, as they viewed the Rona Munro penned, Charles Palmer helmed “The Eaters of Light” and formed cogent, well reasoned analyses of the third to last episode of Series 10, and didn’t at all speculate wildly about Mondasian Cybermen, bearded former Masters, Missy’s weird turn towards mercy and more. And speaking of Masters, Big Finish just announced that Derek Jacobi will return to his “Utopia” role as the Doctor’s best enemy with a new series of “War Master” audios, which recent BF convert Warren is feverishly anticipating! Plus Moffatt and Chibnall interviews, side glances at Funk Pops, and…yes, stats. Now go eat a fried Mars Bar and stand around on a dark Scottish moor contemplating the futility of existence! Go on! Links: – The Eaters of Light Review – The Eaters of Light BBC One overnight viewing figures – World Enough and Time promo image – The Lie of the Land final BBC One viewing figures – The Empress of Mars Appreciat

A spot of tea, a biscuit, some empire-building and hostile action against upright crocodiles are the order of the day as the Three Who Rule look at “Empress of Mars,” Mark Gatiss’ latest (and last?) foray into the world of Doctor Who and Wayne Yip’s second directorial run for Series 10. Plus more news of Gatiss and Who, comics, Big Finish, stats (feh) and a Canadian wins breakfast with seven Doctors! By the moons we honour thee! Links: – Empress of Mars review – Empress of Mars BBC One overnight viewing figures – Empress of Mars was almost about Brexit – Details of the proposed Sleep No More sequel/prequel – Pyramid final BBC One viewing figures – Lie of the Land Appreciation Index – World Enough and Time synopsis – Capaldi’s regeneration to be different? – RTD says he knows who the next Doctor will be – Alan Cumming twice turned down the role of The Doctor – Moffat reflects on Blink, 10 years later – Gatiss also leaving with Moffat & Capaldi? – Rakhee Thakrar new 8th Doctor Big Finish companion – First T

It’s the end of the Monk Trilogy with the Toby Whithouse scripted and Wayne Yip directed “The Lie of the Land”…but what were the Hot Takes™ of the Three Who Rule (reunited, and it feels so good) on the curtain-draped corpses with the lightning and the brainwashing and the what not? What of Bill and Nardole and their quest to find the Doctor? And most importantly…what of Peter Capaldi’s new coat!? Plus we have news of stats, steelbooks and the Resurrection of Ruprecht! Listen..and pay no mind to that monk hovering over your shoulder! Links: – “The Lie of the Land” review – “The Lie of the Land” BBC One overnights – “Extremis” BBC One final viewing figures – “The Pyramid at the End of the World” Appreciation Index – “The Eaters of Light” synopsis – Doctor Who Magazine talks Episodes 8-11 – Patrick Ness won’t write any more Class – Ice Warrior prop head found and restored – Series 2 BluRay steelbook – Fantom Audio alternate “The Green Death” commentary – Master Car

We’ve reached the middle portion of the Trilogy of the Monks with “The Pyramid at the End of the World”, and who better to lend a hand ruminating on tractor beams, world peace, pandemics and panic than Wife in Space impresario Neil Perryman? Neil joins the Two Who Rule (in the form of Warren and Steven) to hash out what in the actual hell is going on with these mysterious robed fellows, before getting to the most important news of the week…Doctor Who branded skin care products. Stats, speculation, and the great nation of China single-handedly resurrecting Classic Who (in our minds) and more! Links: – Episode 7 – “The Pyramid at The End of the World” – Episode 7 edited due to Manchester bombing – “The Pyramid at The End of the World” overnight ratings – “Oxygen” final viewing figures – “Extremis” AI: 82 – “The Empress of Mars” synopsis – Rachel Talalay directing Christmas Special – Doctor Who renewed for five more series? – First guest announcement for Gallifrey One 2018 – Downtime Region 1 DVD release – Titan

We’re at the midway point of Series 10 (sniff) so what better time for Steven Moffat to check in on the show he runs by penning another episode himself in the form of “Extremis”, a mind-bending escapade that took viewers from England to the Vatican and all points in between. Or did it…? Once again, the inestimable Kyle Anderson steps in as a replacement for one of the Three (in place of Warren this time) to join Chris and Steven on this review. What did they think? What of the Monks? And the occupant of the Vault? In this podcast we are revealed… Links: – Episode 6 – “Extremis” – Moffat and Mulkern talk “Extremis” – “Extremis” BBC One overnight viewing figures – “Oxygen” overnight viewing figures – Oxygen Appreciation Index – Jamie Mathieson talks Gus and Oxygen – “Knock Knock” final BBC One viewing figures – “The Lie of the Land” synopsis – Michelle Gomez leaving Who along with Moffat & Capaldi – …or is she? – Michelle Gomez reddit AMA – Big Finish releasing second Tenth Doctor audio series – BBC shuttin

It’s that most wondrous time of the year again, Base Under Siege-mas, in the form of Jamie Mathieson’s anti-corporate not-zombie saga “Oxygen”! What did the Three Who Rule think? Listen and find out, before their oxygen credits are depleted and they’re sucked into the cold, meaningless vacuum! Links: – Episode 5 – “Oxygen” – “Thin Ice” final ratings – Knock Knock AI rating – 83 – “The Pyramid at The End of the World” synopsis – Geoffrey Bayldon (1923-2017)

It’s time for Steven, Warren and noted Nerdist Kyle Anderson to assess the timbre of “Knock Knock,” the Mike Bartlett penned ode to lumber-based horror and insectile consumption. Did the Two Who Rule and Kyle consider this story a mighty oak or a mere sapling in the forest of Series 10? Plus news of a new series of Torchwood via Big Finish starring (Lumber)Jack Harkness and the rest of the gang plus new recruits, and a thrilling dive into the prehistory of computer games. No trees were harmed in the production of this podcast. Links: – Doctor Who S10E04 “Knock Knock” – “Knock Knock” overnights – 4.32m, 24.9% share – Doctor Who: The Fan Show with David Suchet and Mike Bartlett – Stay at the house used for exteriors for “Knock Knock” – Kyle Anderson’s “Knock Knock” review on Nerdist – Smile final BBC One viewing figures 5.98M, 23rd for the week – “Thin Ice” AI: 84 – S10E06 “Extremis” synopsis – “Knock Knock” character was meant to be related to Harry Sullivan – UK DVD/BD S10 releases: Part 1, May 29; Part 2, Ju

It’s 1814, and Regency London is cold, racist, and beset by a big fish under the the Thames…but the Doctor and Bill are on the case! As are Steven, Warren and Nerdist’s own Kyle Anderson (for the second week running) with their take on Sarah Dollard’s sophomore Doctor Who effort “Thin Ice,” as well as a detailed examination of stats, new Mr. Men books, free Comic Book Day, and rampant dismissal of frenzied speculation on the occupant of The Vault! Links: – Doctor Who S10E03 “Thin Ice” – “Thin Ice” overnight viewing figures – “Smile” AI – 83 – “The Pilot” final viewing figures: 6.68m, 10th for the week – Den of Geek interviews Ep 1 and 2 director Lawrence Gough – S10E05 “Oxygen” synopsis – Class ratings on BBC America – Class DVD/BR details – Mark Gatiss “wasn’t approached” to be new showrunner – Steven Moffat to appear at the Hay Festival (May 25-June 4) – Michelle Gomez narrates “Dr. Twelfth” – New Doctor Who/Mr. Men books coming for Two, Seven, Eight, and Nine – Four Doctors crossover in Titan Comics starti

A rare occurence on this week’s Radio Free Skaro in that two thirds of the regular Three Who Rule are absent. So we present to you Two other Rulers! Erika from Verity! and Kyle from Doctor Who: The Writer’s Room join Steven (Chris and Warren are off somewhere making tea) to review the second episode of this most recent series of Doctor Who. Will they be smiling or in their appreciation of it? Or will they merely be gritting their teeth and pretending as to not get murdered by cute robots? Isn’t that everyday anyway? Links: – Doctor Who S10E02 “Smile” – “Smile” – overnight viewing figures – Memorial University prof inspires robots on new episode of Doctor Who – “The Pilot” AI – 83 – “Knock Knock” synopsis – Knock Knock to get a binaural audio edition on iPlayer for headphone users – David Bradley back as the First Doctor in the Christmas special? – David Bradley is cagey about the Christmas Special – Class North American DVD/BR release July 11 – Oxford English Dictionary adding some DW words: Sonic Screwdriver

The time has finally arrived, with new Doctor Who gracing our screens and Bill, a new companion, capturing our hearts. Puddles, Movellans and so much more danced across our eyeballs this past Saturday in “The Pilot”, and the Three Who Rule have thoughts and bon mots to share about the return of Who and the stories still to come! But like all Moffat-era Who, there are twists and turns still to come, like the fact that Capaldi says he’s filmed the regeneration before the Christmas episode was lensed. Mystery and intrigue! Links: – The Pilot! – The Pilot BBC One overnights! – Steven Moffat’s Series 10 episode guide! – Capaldi says he’s filmed his character’s death scene! – Thin Ice synopsis! – Big Finish’s The Helm of Awe! – The Pescatons and Doctor Who Sound Effects vinyl re-release!