Impossible Podcasts
- Description:
- Lively discussion of the fiction of the fantastic on television, in books and in films, including Doctor Who fan commentaries
Homepage: http://www.impossiblepodcasts.com/
RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ImpossiblePodcasts-DoctorWhoUniverse
- Episodes:
- 194
- Average Episode Duration:
- 0:0:05:04
- Longest Episode Duration:
- 0:1:43:06
- Total Duration of all Episodes:
- 0 days, 16 hours, 23 minutes and 57 seconds
- Earliest Episode:
- 26 June 2011 (9:30pm GMT)
- Latest Episode:
- 19 May 2013 (12:03am GMT)
- Average Time Between Episodes:
- 3 days, 13 hours, 37 minutes and 17 seconds
Impossible Podcasts Episodes
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The Cape and The Cowl, Issue 1 - new comics podcast!
Episode Duration: 0 days, 1 hours, 6 minutes and 22 seconds
Welcome to The Cape and the Cowl! In the new Comic Book Podcast, James and Olivia round-up how Superman kissing Wonder Woman damages female characters, discuss Rob Liefeld vs. Scott Snyder, review Kelly Sue DeConnick’s new Captain Marvel series, rundown the comics you should pick up this week, and try to remember what happened in Civil War.Let us know what you think – are you an avid comics reader, and if so, what titles are you into? Or are you new to the world of comics, but interested in finding out more? James and Olivia will be back soon with another Cape and Cowl, so get in touch with your feedback, comments and questions!
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Doctor Who Spoiler-Free Preview - 7.02 'Dinosaurs on a Spaceship'
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 53 seconds
Caleb and Sarah preview Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, episode 2 of the new series of Doctor Who, written by Chris Chibnall. With a great guest cast including Arthur Weasley, Argus Filch, Inspector Lestrade and Mitchell & Webb (also known as Mark Williams, David Bradley, Rupert Graves and, er, Mitchell & Webb), the Doctor assembles a motley gang to investigate dinosaurs… on a spaceship!But is the entertainment factor of said prehistoric creatures be undermined by flaws in the characterisation? We give our first impressions, and a drop a few hints and teasers about what’s ahead.
If you want a few more hints, read on… (more…)
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Doctor Who Commentary - 7.01 'Asylum of the Daleks'
Episode Duration: 0 days, 1 hours, 4 minutes and 2 seconds
So Doctor Who is back on our televisions at last! Caleb Woodbridge and Sarah Burrow bring you their thoughts on episode one of series 7 along with brand new guest contributor Emma Sandrey
Are the Daleks still an effective villain? What happened to all the different Daleks we were promised? Just how did Amy and Rory get to the point of divorce? We discuss this and more in this weeks commentary and of course we consider the impact of Jenna-Louise Coleman’s early appearance – and that twist!
Souffle anyone?
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Doctor Who Review - 7.1 'Asylum of the Daleks'
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
James gives us his review of ‘Asylum of the Daleks’ as a first reaction ahead of our podcast commentary, coming later today! Does this story restore the Daleks as effective villains, or do they just rely on nostalgia value for their survival? SPOILERS ahoy!It's amazing that this episode wasn't spoiled well ahead of broadcast, and it's undoubtably better for it. There's at least two twists in there that I don't think anyone coming in blind will expect, so I'm going to save talking about those until the end so as to avoid spoiling it for you.
Let's get right down to it. The Daleks are no longer a good Doctor Who villain. They survive more on nostalgia value than anything else, and there's not really been a New Who episode that showcases them as potentially lethal threats since Dalek. The closest thing we've had to an episode in which the Daleks constitute a real threat since then is The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End, episodes which hardly stands as a high point for villainous masterplans.
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Doctor Who Review - 7.1 'Asylum of the Daleks'
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsJames gives us his review of ‘Asylum of the Daleks‘ as a first reaction ahead of our podcast commentary, coming later todayonline now! Does this story restore the Daleks as effective villains, or do they just rely on nostalgia value for their survival? SPOILERS ahoy!It's amazing that this episode wasn't spoiled well ahead of broadcast, and it's undoubtably better for it. There's at least two twists in there that I don't think anyone coming in blind will expect, so I'm going to save talking about those until the end so as to avoid spoiling it for you.
Let's get right down to it. The Daleks are no longer a good Doctor Who villain. They survive more on nostalgia value than anything else, and there's not really been a New Who episode that showcases them as potentially lethal threats since Dalek. The closest thing we've had to an episode in which the Daleks constitute a real threat since then is The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End, episodes which hardly stands as a high point for villainous masterplans.
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Opinion: Why the Doctor is not the core of Doctor Who
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
With Doctor Who returning to our screens shortly and the question “Doctor Who?” hanging over current storylines, Swithun Dobson considers Time Lords, TARDISes, and Time Travel to ask: what is the essence of the show?Contrary to popular conceptions, at its core it's not even about the Doctor. If we travel back to 1963 we do of course meet the TARDIS and the Doctor but we soon realise that they are the frame in which the story is hanged. Ostensibly most of the first two seasons revolve around the TARDIS team trying to get Ian and Barbara home to 1960s London after being kidnapped by the Doctor for rumbling his affairs, so why take a roundabout route visiting Kublai Khan, Robespierre and the Sensorites?
Interestingly, from the modern Who perspective, none of the early serials focus on the character of the Doctor. The earliest story is The Tenth Planet but that just establishes that he can rejuvenate; the whole mythos of regeneration comes a lot later. Even The Deadly Assassin which establishes the 12 regeneration limit really focuses on the Master trying to cheat death.
(more…)
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Opinion: Why the Doctor is not the core of Doctor Who
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsWith Doctor Who returning to our screens shortly and the question “Doctor Who?” hanging over current storylines, Swithun Dobson considers Time Lords, TARDISes, and Time Travel to ask: what is the essence of the show?Contrary to popular conceptions, at its core it's not even about the Doctor. If we travel back to 1963 we do of course meet the TARDIS and the Doctor but we soon realise that they are the frame in which the story is hanged. Ostensibly most of the first two seasons revolve around the TARDIS team trying to get Ian and Barbara home to 1960s London after being kidnapped by the Doctor for rumbling his affairs, so why take a roundabout route visiting Kublai Khan, Robespierre and the Sensorites?
Interestingly, from the modern Who perspective, none of the early serials focus on the character of the Doctor. The earliest story is The Tenth Planet but that just establishes that he can rejuvenate; the whole mythos of regeneration comes a lot later. Even The Deadly Assassin which establishes the 12 regeneration limit really focuses on the Master trying to cheat death.
(more…)
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Welcome to the new site!
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
Welcome to the brand new Impossible Podcasts website!We hope you like the changes – they’re designed to be pleasing on the eye and easy to navigate. We’ve got a glut of exciting new content coming up over the next few days, from new articles through to our Asylum of the Daleks preview. Stay tuned, and let us know what you think!
Remember, we’d love for you to get involved with the show, so if you’d like to write for us or Skype in on a discussion, get in touch!
There are loads of behind the scenes benefits to the new site. But here are some of the changes we’ve made that will directly impact you, our faithful audience… (more…)
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Interview: Philip Reeve - author of Mortal Engines, Larklight, Goblins and more!
Episode Duration: 0 days, 1 hours, 3 minutes and 43 seconds
Philip Reeve – the nicest man in sci-fi
To celebrate our makeover, we’re very pleased to bring you an interview with multiple award winning author, Philip Reeve. Philip is the author of some of the finest YA sci-fi and fantasy literature on the market, including the magnificent Mortal Engines quartet, the Larklight trilogy, Here Lies Arthur and his new comic fantasy, Goblins.We’re big fans of Philip’s work, so it was a real treat to speak to him in-depth about the books and films that insprire his stories, his writing process, and why the current trend for dystopian fiction might be leading us down the wrong path. He also had a lot to say about the subject of Steampunk and why Doctor Who needs a bit of a rethink!
Links
- Buy Philip Reeve’s books on Amazon.
- Visit Philip Reeve’s Blog.
- Visit Sarah McIntyre’s website.
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A slight delay
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsHello faithful listeners! The team has all been working really hard ahead of the launch of the new, improved Impossible Podcasts site. We're sorry to announce that we won't be launching today as originally planned, but now have a revised launch date of Saturday 25th August.
Two main reasons: one, we incorrectly guessed that Doctor Who would be back on 25th August. Since Doctor Who isn't back on our screens until later, we decided to push back the launch to be closer to the launch of the new series.
Two, we've still got more work on the redesigned website to do. Certain tasks have been more time-consuming or complicated than anticipated, and the busy world of Real Life has also intruded somewhat. We want to make sure the new site is finished and launches without a hitch.
We're very excited about what we've got in store for Impossible Podcasts - our shiny new site, Philip Reeve interview, Doctor Who series 7 coverage, new column from Simon Kurt Unsworth and much more in the pipeline. When we're back, we'll be back with a bang, so come back soon!
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Public Service Announcement
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsHello everyone. We won't be publishing a podcast this weekend as we're all busy behind the scenes, putting the finishing touches to our new website, which launches next Saturday! So check back then, when we'll be publishing an in-depth interview with acclaimed sci-fi and fantasy author, Philip Reeve.
See you then!
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Points of Who #8 - We're Regenerating!
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 23 minutes and 33 seconds
A sneak peek at what’s to come… In a special edition of our monthly news-and-views roundup (recorded before the sad death of Mary Tamm), we look forward to some of the exciting changes in store for Impossible Podcasts.
New website! New content! Whether you come to us for our Doctor Who commentaries, our discussions on sci-fi and fantasy TV, films and books, our interviews or our video game columns, we think you’ll love our new look. Fresher and easier to navigate, the new site will launch on
Saturday 18th AugustSaturday 25th August, with a raft of new content.In this week’s podcast, we outline the major changes and interview acclaimed horror writer Simon Kurt Unsworth about his new regular column for us, exploring the ups-and-downs of writing for a living. Plus, we tell you, faithful listener, about the many new ways you can get involved with the podcast, so download it now if you’d like to be a part of it!
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Points of Who #8 - We're Regenerating!
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsA sneak peak at what's to come... In a special edition of our monthly news-and-views roundup (recorded before the sad death of Mary Tamm), we look forward to some of the exciting changes in store for Impossible Podcasts.
New website! New content! Whether you come to us for our Doctor Who commentaries, our discussions on sci-fi and fantasy TV, films and books, our interviews or our video game columns, we think you'll love our new look. Fresher and easier to navigate, the new site will launch on Saturday 18th August, with a raft of new content.
In this week's podcast, we outline the major changes and interview acclaimed horror writer Simon Kurt Unsworth about his new regular column for us, exploring the ups-and-downs of writing for a living. Plus, we tell you, faithful listener, about the many new ways you can get involved with the podcast, so download it now if you'd like to be a part of it!
Length: 23 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Doctor Who Commentary - 5.13 'The Big Bang'
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 58 minutes and 40 seconds
It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for. Sarah Burrow and P.G. Bell draw our Series 5 commentaries to a close.
Where can a show turn when it’s just wiped out the whole of existence? Why, the National Museum of Wales, of course! We discuss whether the show over-uses its most regular locations and wonder when the polar bears joined the alliance against the Doctor. Plus, does the wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey runaround still hold up, or is it just lots of exposition interrupted by bouts of repetitive action? And can we have Matt Smith dancing in every episode, please?
All this and more, in the latest Impossible Podcast! Download us now!
That’s it for our Series 5 commentaries, but we’ll be commentating on Series 7 week by week, as it happens, so stay tuned!
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Doctor Who - 5.13 'The Big Bang' commentary
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsIt's the end, but the moment has been prepared for. Sarah Burrow and P.G. Bell draw our Series 5 commentaries to a close.
Where can a show turn when it's just wiped out the whole of existence? Why, the National Museum of Wales, of course! We discuss whether the show over-uses its most regular locations and wonder when the polar bears joined the alliance against the Doctor. Plus, does the wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey runaround still hold up, or is it just lots of exposition interrupted by bouts of repetitive action? And can we have Matt Smith dancing in every episode, please?
All this and more, in the latest Impossible Podcast! Download us now!
Length: 59 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
That's it for our Series 5 commentaries, but we'll be commentating on Series 7 week by week, as it happens, so stay tuned!
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Visual Memory #6 - 'The Black Mirror'
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
Creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky… Our resident games expert Christopher Bell salvages another classic title from the scrap heap.
After the comic fantasy of Monkey Island and Discworld, it's time to look at the darker side of point-and-click adventures. The Black Mirror involves murder, a family curse and creepy English (and Welsh) manor houses. Those of you of a fragile disposition, turn back now…
The Black Mirror was developed in 2003 by Czech developer Future Games, under the title Posel Smrti (Death’s Messenger). You play a nobleman by the name of Samuel Gordon, who returns to his ancestral home of Black Mirror Manor, in the ominous-sounding Willow Creek, near Norfolk, after an absence of 12 years. Samuel’s grandfather, William, has been found dead, impaled on an iron fence. Most people believe that he went mad and threw himself from the manor’s tower, but Samuel suspects a more sinister cause. Then the visions, nightmares and unexplained headaches begin. Samuel’s sanity will be stretched to its limits over the game’s six chapters…
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Visual Memory #6 - 'The Black Mirror'
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsCreepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky... Our resident games expert Christopher Bell salvages another classic title from the scrap heap.
After the comic fantasy of Monkey Island and Discworld, itas time to look at the darker side of point-and-click adventures. The Black Mirror involves murder, a family curse and creepy English (and Welsh) manor houses. Those of you of a fragile disposition, turn back now...
The Black Mirror was developed in 2003 by Czech developer Future Games, under the title Posel Smrti (Death's Messenger). You play a nobleman by the name of Samuel Gordon, who returns to his ancestral home of Black Mirror Manor, in the ominous-sounding Willow Creek, near Norfolk, after an absence of 12 years.A Samuel's grandfather, William, has been found dead, impaled on an iron fence.A Most people believe that he went mad and threw himself from the manor's tower, but Samuel suspects a more sinister cause. Then the visions, nightmares and unexplained headaches begin. Samuel's sanity will be stretched to its limits over the game's six chapters...
Read more A>>
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Doctor Who Commentary - 5.12 'The Pandorica Opens'
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 55 minutes and 9 seconds
Join Sarah and Peter as they plough headlong into the first part of Doctor Who’s Series 5 finale!
It’s been a long journey since ‘The Eleventh Hour‘ and, as Moffat moves his pieces into position for the final confrontation, we chart his progress through the series so far. Did he deliver on his early promises? Has he beaten Russell T Davies at his own game? And, more importantly, has the production team found a way to lessen the embarrassment of those awful new-look Daleks? All this plus: zombie Cybermen, rubbish Romans, horror movie homages and the speech to end all speeches. Oh, and Rory’s back! Yay!
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Doctor Who - 5.12 'The Pandorica Opens' commentary
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsJoin Sarah Burrow and P.G. Bell as they plough headlong into the first part of Doctor Who's Series 5 finale!
It's been a long journey since 'The Eleventh Hour' and, as Moffat moves his pieces into position for the final confrontation, we chart his progress through the series so far. Did he deliver on his early promises? Has he beaten Russell T Davies at his own game? And, more importantly, has the production team found a way to lessen the embarrassment of those awful new-look Daleks? All this plus: zombie Cybermen, rubbish Romans, horror movie homages and the speech to end all speeches. Oh, and Rory's back! Yay!
Length: 55 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Five Comics You Should Read
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
It’s all fun and games until someone calls the Homicide Crabs As the nation goes Dark Knight crazy once again, regular columnist Olivia Cottrell offers up some tantalising alternatives for those of you looking for more than just men in tights…
So, you like comic books, do you? Or maybe you've seen the big Marvel movies, or the Nolan Batman, and you want to get into the genre proper but don't know where to start. Well, here are my top five comic books of all time: each one perfectly acceptable as a series on its own, but each, I hope, a great example of what the medium can offer in superheroes and beyond. There's dinosaurs, cowboys, explosions and crime, serious comics and comics that will make you laugh your head off. They also probably say far more about me and my tastes than I intended.
Well, never mind. Onwards!
(more…)
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Five Comics You Should Read
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsIt's all fun and games until some calls the Homicide Crabs As the nation goes Dark Knight crazy once again, regular columnist Olivia Cottrell offers up some tantalising alternatives for those of you looking for more than just men in tights...
So, you like comic books, do you? Or maybe youave seen the big Marvel movies, or the Nolan Batman, and you want to get into the genre proper but donat know where to start. Well, here are my top five comic books of all time: each one perfectly acceptable as a series on its own, but each, I hope, a great example of what the medium can offer in superheroes and beyond. Thereas dinosaurs, cowboys, explosions and crime, serious comics and comics that will make you laugh your head off. They also probably say far more about me and my tastes than I intended.
Well, never mind. Onwards!
Read more A>>
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Doctor Who Commentary - 5.11 'The Lodger'
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 49 minutes and 11 seconds
A little later than usual, Caleb and Sarah continue our run of Series 5 commentaries.
Comedy masterpiece or a joke too far? We take a long hard look at Gareth Roberts’ light-hearted fish-out-of-water tale and ask some serious questions. Did this story forever change the tone of Matt Smith’s portrayal of the Doctor? Could the show ever work with a permanent male companion? And would James Corden be the one for the role? Let us know what you think, in the comments below or via Facebook and Twitter!
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Doctor Who - 5.11 'The Lodger' commentary
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsA little later than usual, Caleb Woodbridge and Sarah Burrow we continue our run of Series 5 commentaries.
Comedy masterpiece or a joke too far? We take a long hard look at Gareth Roberts' light-hearted fish-out-of-water tale and ask some serious questions. Did this story forever change the tone of Matt Smith's portrayal of the Doctor? Could the show ever work with a permanent male companion? And would James Corden be the one for the role? Let us know what you think, in the comments below or via Facebook and Twitter!
Length: 49 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Doctor Who Commentary - 5.10 'Vincent and the Doctor'
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 55 minutes and 15 seconds
Caleb and Sarah discuss Scottish accents, art and death, rom-coms and more in our fan commentary on series 5 Doctor Who episode, ‘Vincent and the Doctor’!
The Doctor and Amy meet famous painter Vincent van Gogh in this episode penned by none other than Richard Curtis. But is Saturday teatime sci-fi the right slot for exploring themes of depression and suicide? Or is this episode proof that Doctor Who can be broader and deeper on the small screen than weekly alien invasions and unlikely raising of the stakes to imperil all of reality itself? Let us know what you think, in the comments or via Twitter and Facebook!
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Doctor Who - 5.10 'Vincent and the Doctor' Commentary
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
Caleb Woodbridge and Sarah Burrow discuss Scottish accents, art and death, rom-coms and more in our fan commentary on series 5 Doctor Who episode, 'Vincent and the Doctor'!
The Doctor and Amy meet famous painter Vincent van Goch in this episode penned by none other than Richard Curtis. But is Saturday teatime sci-fi the right slot for exploring themes of depression and suicide? Or is this episode proof that Doctor Who can be broader and deeper on the small screen than weekly alien invasions and unlikely raising of the stakes to imperil all of reality itself? Let us know what you think, in the comments or via Twitter and Facebook!
Listen/Download: (Right click to save as...)
Length: 55 minutes
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Random Encounter #5 - Tropes Vs Me
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
Is there a sexual sickness at the heart of geek culture? Olivia squares up against the latest controversy, and the gloves are coming off…
Recently I've been trying to write something on this Tropes vs Women in video games debate that's being raging on the Internet. For those not in the know, Anita Sarkeesian, who runs a popular YouTube series called Tropes Versus Women, recently asked for funding to produce a series that looked specifically at video games. While Sarkeesian received the funding she needed (and then some), she also provoked a backlash of the most poisonous kind. Every aspect of her online presence – her YouTube channel, Facebook profile, Twitter account and her own website, to name but a few – was flooded with misogynistic comments, threats of death, sexual assault and violence. There were event attempts to have her YouTube channel shut down by flagging her videos as 'terrorism'.
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Random Encounter #5 - Tropes Vs Me
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsIs there a sexual sickness at the heart of geek culture? Olivia Cottrell squares up against the latest controversy, and the gloves are coming off...
Recently I've been trying to write something on this Tropes vs Women in video games debate that's being raging on the Internet. For those not in the know, Anita Sarkeesian, who runs a popular YouTube series called Tropes Versus Women, recently asked for funding to produce a series that looked specifically at video games. While Sarkeesian received the funding she needed (and then some), she also provoked a backlash of the most poisonous kind. Every aspect of her online presence - her YouTube channel, Facebook profile, Twitter account and her own website, to name but a few - was flooded with misogynistic comments, threats of death, sexual assault and violence. There were event attempts to have her YouTube channel shut down by flagging her videos as 'terrorism'.
Read more >>
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Points of Who #7 - Caroline John, Series 7 and more!
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
Welcome to our monthly round-up of Doctor Who news, views and rumours.
Caroline John, 1940 - 2012
We reflect on the sad death of Caroline John and examine her role as Dr Liz Shaw, one of the most distinctive companions of the Classic Series. Was she dropped for being too strong a character, or did the show's new Earth-bound format simply work against her?
We also look ahead to the debut of Series 7 and the return of the Daleks. Listen to our theories about what lies in store!
Plus, we make a couple of very exciting announcements about the future of the podcast, including your chance to take part!
Length: 25 mins
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Doctor Who - 5.9 'Cold Blood'
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsYour intrepid hosts, Sarah Burrow and P.G. Bell conclude their commentary on the return of the Silurians. Frankly, it could have done with a few dinosaurs...
As the humans and Silurians teeter on the brink of war, we discuss the thorny issue of gender politics in crisis situations, wonder why the new Silurians act more like Cybermen than reptiles, and ask why on earth Chris Chibnall decided to have a secondary character start narrating the action half way through the story.
And, of course, there's that ending...
Length: 54 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Visual Memory #5 - Discworld
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsIn this month's column, Christopher Bell revisits another comedy classic...
I'll start with a quick question: What do Doctor Who, Monty Python's Flying Circus and Gavin & Stacy have in common (apart from the fact that they're all well-known British TV shows)? The answer is that some of their stars (Jon Pertwee, Eric Idle and Rob Brydon) lent their voices to this point-and-click adventure based upon Terry Pratchett's best-selling series of comic fantasy novels.
The game's story is loosely based on two of the most popular books, Guards! Guards! and Moving Pictures, requiring players to fill the billowing robes of Unseen University's most inept wizard (or should that be wizzard?), Rincewind, voiced by Eric Idle. A shady sect of hooded villains has managed to summon a dragon into the streets of Ankh-Morpork, and it's running amok. The fate of the city now rests upon Rincewind's shaky shoulders (because no-one else wanted to fry), forcing him to rely on his wits and sarcasm. Oh, and a piece of luggage with feet.
Read more >>
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Doctor Who - 5.8 'The Hungry Earth'
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsThere's something amiss in the Welsh valleys (isn't there always?) but fear not - your commentators Sarah Burrow and P.G. Bell are here to talk you through it.
As Moffatt redesigns his second classic monster of the series, we ask whether the new-look Silurians are really such a failure. There's also a brief discussion of POV Monstervision, the logistics of running the world's biggest deep-core drilling operation from a couple of laptops in a shed, and whether Chris Chibnall could have crammed any more Pertwee references into this story if he'd tried. All it's missing is the Whomobile!
Now there's an idea for the 50th anniversary...
Length: 51 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Doctor Who - 5.6 'The Vampires of Venice'
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsCaleb Woodbridge, P G Bell and Sarah Burrow face the Vampires of Venice in our latest Doctor Who commentary!
We discuss vital questions such as, what is the Doctor thinking with his matchmaking techniques? How much does this story fall prey to "time tourism" syndrome? Are alien fish creatures an acceptable substitute for real vampires? All this and much more!
Length: 55 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Doctor Who - 5.7 'Amy's Choice'
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsJoin Swithun Dobson, Sarah Burrow and Caleb Woodbridge as Doctor Who goes all wibbly-wobbly, dreamy-weamy.
As the TARDIS crew are forced to choose between two competing realities, we ask why the show doesn't do more of these "format breaker" episodes. Plus, we assess the emotional see-saw that is Amy's love life, the dark side of the Doctor and re-examine the start of a phenomenon - Rory kicking the bucket.
Join us, for all this and more!
Length: 54 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Random Encounter #4 - Why Video Game Movies Are a Stupid Idea
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
Video game movies have a terrible track record but, as the games get more cinematic, the movies should get better, right? Olivia Cottrell doesn't think so...
Cap'n Tightpants IS Nathan Drake. Almost.
As a fan of video games, I'm often asked if I've seen any of their big screen adaptations - the Tekken or Street Fighter movies, for example, or the truly, truly awful Doom movie (I did watch it but, for my own protection, my brain has blanked most of the memories out). People also tend to assume I'm excited by the prospect of a Mass Effect movie, or disappointed that the film based on the Uncharted franchise floundered and died.
The truth is, I'm glad when these movies never see the light of day. Not just because the adaptations seem to be universally bad, but because they play to the assumption that film is a higher form of entertainment. True, films are more mainstream than video games (but not, I'd argue, for much longer, thanks to Facebook-based casual gaming and the rise of the Wii as a family console) but there's no reason why a film should perceived to be a more valuable or significant cultural property than a video game.
Read more >>
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Torchwood Miracle Day - Ep 8 'End of the Road' - Discussion
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsIt's here! Our (one man) discussion of the latest episode of Miracle Day.
After the twists and revelations of last week's episode, can Torchwood maintain the standard? Will the presence of so many other sci-fi franchise actors help or hinder them? And just what has Oswald Danes been up to these past few weeks? Our reviews editor P.G. Bell takes a one man romp (maybe more of a saunter) through the latest happenings. James Willetts will be back later in the week with his written review.
Length: 10 minutes
Download: Click here
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Torchwood Miracle Day - Ep 9 'The Gathering' - Discussion
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsBatten down the hatches, lock up your daughters and wrap that precious Torchwood fandom of yours in cotton wool and bubble wrap - Swithun is back!
As the Torchwood team make their penultimate moves in the game against the Three Families, we discuss the overall sweep of the series so far, wonder at the true nature of the Blessing and take a wild guess at how things might be resolved next week. This is your last (but one) chance to join us, so click below and give us a listen!
This week's contributors: P.G. Bell and Swithun Dobson
Length: 28 minutes
Download: Click here
We're thinking of taking our arc plot disucssion further and would love to have your input. Let us know your favourite and most hated arc-heavy shows. Lost, BSG, X-Files... we want your opinions on the lot. Make yourself heard and we'll do our best to include your thoughts in a future podcast!
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Doctor Who 6.9 - 'Night Terrors' - Discussion
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsWe don't have our usual commentary for you this week, but worry not - we've got a terrificly spirited and in-depth discussion for you instead.
Location, location, location... how much influence does it have on Doctor Who, and how does Steven Moffat use it differently to Russell T. Davies? Plus, as Mark Gatiss returns to the show he helped relaunch, we examine his back catalogue and wonder whether we can forgive him for last year's Dalek fiasco. Finally, we veer into a fairly serious debate about arc plots v. standalone episodes. Has Doctor Who got the balance right? (We'll give you three guesses about Swithun's stance on this one...)
All this, and a brand new podcaster! Join us in welcoming Sarah Burrow to our scary cupboard of fandom.
This week's contributors: Anna Bell, P.G. Bell, Sarah Burrow, Swithun Dobson
Length: 38 minutes
Download: Click here
Article: Click here for Swithun's article, 'Doctor Who's Story Arc of Infinity (and Beyond?)'
We're thinking of taking our arc plot disucssion further and would love to have your input. Let us know your favourite and most hated arc-heavy shows. Lost, BSG, X-Files... we want your opinions on the lot. Make yourself heard and we'll do our best to include your thoughts in a future podcast!
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Doctor Who - 'Let's Kill Hitler' - Commentary
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsIt's here! Our first commentary of the new (half) series.
And what an episode it was - shock regenerations, miniature people, shape shifting robots, killer squid things, young Amelia and, of course, Adolf Hitler. Plenty to like, plenty to disagree about, so click below to find out what we all thought.
This edition's commentators: Swithun, Peter, Gwen and Anna.
Length: 58 minutes
Download: Click here
Was this episode worth the wait? And were you playing Moffat Bingo with the rest of us? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and on our Facebook page!
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Harry Potter - From Page to Screen and Beyond
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsWe've been promising you this for ages, and here it is at last - an in-depth discussion of the boy wizard.
Our resident expert Sarah Burrow is joined by special guest Suzie Nockles (last heard in our Hunger Games episode) to assess the sprawling universe that is the Harry Potter phenomenon.
Just what made J.K. Rowling's books so successful and did their big screen adaptations actually improve on them? Could the Pottermore website have yet more surprises in store for fans? Hogwarts may have conquered Florida's theme parks but will it fare as well in Japan? And was Dumbledore gay just because J.K. Rowling says he was?
All this and more, in the latest Impossible Podcast!
Length: 54 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Colin Baker Q&A - SFX Weekender 2012
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds"I have been asked if I want to do a 2013 multi-Doctor special..."
The sixth Doctor speaks! One of the stars at this year's SFX Weekender convention, Colin took the opportunity to hold forth on his four decades in show business and spill the beans on his greatest televisual triumph... Come Dine With Me.
He also gives a frank assessment of Doctor Who past and present as well as sharing some really excellent advice for budding actors everywhere. It was a presidential performance and one not to be missed!
Length: 51 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Points of Who #5 - Harry Potter Set Tour
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsJoin Caleb Woodbridge, Sarah Burrow and P.G. Bell as they deliver our monthly round-up of news, rumours and feedback.
It's been another busy month. With Doctor Who filming on both sides of the Atlantic, we discuss the on-set pics and wonder how long we can avoid the major spoiler that leaked out this week. (Don't worry - we give nothing away).
JK Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, announced the title of her new adult crime novel - The Casual Vacancy. We wonder what it all means and take a detour into Pottermore, the official home of the Harry Potter e-books.
And while we're on the subject of the boy wizard, Sarah got to preview The Making of Harry Potter set tour in London recently, and gives us her expert verdict. You'll find a few pics of her adventures after the jump below, or visit our Facebook page to see the whole album.
All this and more in the latest Points of Who!
Length: 29 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
Read more >>
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Game of Thrones - From Page to Screen
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsJoin Caleb Woodbridge, Sarah Burrow and - making his debut on the podcast - Kieran Mathers as they tackle George RR Martin's epic fantasy sequence.
After an in-depth discussion of the books, including their use of history and magic, the team turns a ciritcal eye on the smash hit HBO series. Where did it succeed? Where did it fail? And how should Season 2 (and Season 3) move forward? All this, plus the burning question: do too many lesbian prostitutes spoil the broth?
PLEASE NOTE: The first 30 minutes of the podcast are spoiler free, but there are significant spoilers for the rest of the running time. You have been warned!
Length: 50 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Eve Myles Q&A - SFX Weekender 2012
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds"I didn't stab anybody in the throat..."
Eve Myles is a local girl at heart. She may have swapped Cardiff for Los Angeles, but she was thrilled to be back in Wales for an in-depth Q&A at February's SFX Weekender convention.
In a pretty candid interview, she reveales the story behind her pivotal role in The Unquiet Dead, how she unwittingly set a new trend in Hollywood and what she really thinks of Torchwood's future. All this, plus the revenge of Little Barrowman.
Length: 47 minutes
Download: Click Here (Right click and "Save Target/Link As...")
Ianto speaks! If you liked this, check out our Gareth David-Lloyd interview.
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Fantasy Doctor Who Film Draft
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsWe're four years old today! And to celebrate, we're challenging David Yates to his own game and coming up with our very own Doctor Who movie.
High concept ideas. Multi million dollar budgets. A cast of thousands. These are just some of the things we'll never be trusted with and, on the strength of this podcast, that's probably a wise move. But we let our imaginations run riot and cook up not one, but six competing movie pitches.
Who are our Doctors of choice? Which monsters will they be facing? And who will write and direct the madness? Join us to find out!
Length: 1 hour, 18 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Target/Link As...")
Once you've heard the podcast, head to our Facebook page or the comments section below to vote for whose film you'd choose to see. Find IMDB links on our choices page - contains spoilers for the podcast!
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Points of Who 4: Jenna-Louise Coleman, Doctor Who Convention, Top of the Pods
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
Welcome back to Points of Who, our monthly roundup of news, views and general waffle.
Your Impossible Podcast team in Eddie's Diner
And what a month it's been! The Doctor's new companion for Series 7 was confirmed, in the form of the lovely Jenna-Louise Coleman. We discuss her casting and float a tantalising (if unlikely) theory about the sort of character Steven Moffat might have in mind for her.
Then there was the official BBC Doctor Who convention right here in Cardiff and we've got a report from the front lines. Sort of. We did at least meet with the fine folk of the Who's He, Ubuntu UK and Doctor Who podcasts, and recorded some of the results.
And, for your continued listening pleasure, we give you a quick roundup of some of our favourite geek-friendly podcasts. (See the links below to visit their sites).
All this, plus your feedback and a look ahead to some of our forthcoming podcasts. So what are you waiting for? Click below and give us a listen!
Length: 34 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
Links to other podcasts...
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'The Hunger Games' - Review and Discussion
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds
Sarah Burrow and special guests Suzie Nockles, Charlotte Marchant-Jones and Alex Gatherer discuss the new film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' book The Hunger Games!Join us as we compare the book and the film, and give you our thoughts on the casting choices and how the film was shot. We also discuss our favourite characters and how they've translated to the big screen. And interestingly we see what differences arise when you put two Team Peeta and two Team Gale supporters together in front of a microphone!The first three minutes contain a quick spoiler free review while the rest of the podcast contains spoilers for the film and first book (with very minimal spoilers for the two other books in the series).Length: 56 minutesWhat did you think of the film? Are you happy with what they did with the book and the characters? Has seeing the film made you want the read the book? And are you Team Peeta or Team Gale or are you more TeamWhatAreAllTheseTeamsAbout? Head over to Facebook or Twitter and let us know what you think.
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Sylvester McCoy Q&A - SFX Weekender 2012
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 seconds"They went and cast a 12 year old as the Doctor..."
It's time for some words of wisdom from the Seventh Doctor himself, Sylvester McCoy - recorded live at last February's SFX Weekender. Sylvester was on typically lively form, swapping the safety of the stage for a roving microphone and getting up close and personal with his public.
And what a show he gave us. Not content with revealing a few secrets of his time in the TARDIS, he explained the origins of his stage name (be warned: it involves a rather naughty joke), why he used to set fire to his own head for money and what he really thinks of Matt Smith's performance as the Doctor. Even more excitingly, he revealed how he won the role of Rrrrrrrrradagast the Brrrrrrrown in Peter Jackson's forthcoming Hobbit movies. This one's not to be missed!
Length: 53 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Target/Link As...)
What was Sylvester's greatest Doctor Who moment? Head to our Facebook page and have your say!
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Mass Effect 3 Preview Discussion
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsCaleb Woodbridge, Olivia Cottrell, and special guest Aled Morgan from Blogga the Hut discuss the imminent release of Mass Effect 3! With the Reapers invading Earth and only Commander Shepard standing between them and the destruction of the galaxy, can BioWare's final installment of the science fiction epic deliver?
From favourite characters through to ethical dilemmas, we look ahead to one of my most hotly anticipated games of the year!
The first 15 minutes are spoiler-free, with the rest of the episode containing spoilers for Mass Effect 1 and 2.
Length: 53 min
Listen/Download: Click here (right click to "Save as")
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"Rayguns and Rocket Ships" - Can Books Save Space Opera?
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsWhen you think of sci-fi, the chances are you're thinking of Space Opera. But as television turns its back on tales of "shooty-death-kill in space", will the sub-genre continue to thrive on the printed page?
A stunning line-up of top sci-fi authors assembled at the recent SFX Weekender to confront this very question. Paul McAuley, Peter F. Hamilton, Alastair Reynolds, Dan Abnett, Jaine Fenn, Mike Cobley and Aaron Dembski-Bowden reviewed the current state of literary science fiction and raised some tantalising questions of their own. Have the harsh realities of modern life killed our dreams of exploration? Does it still count as Space Opera if the story's set on Earth? And just what the frack is Space Opera anyway? All this and more, in the latest Impossible Podcast!
Length: 55 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Link/Target As...")
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Merlin - Discussion
Episode Duration: 0 minutes and 0 secondsIt's time to ride to Camelot in our second podcast of the day...
Caleb Woodbridge, Sarah Burrow and Olivia Cottrell discuss the fourth series of the BBC's other big telefantasy success - Merlin. Does it pay to play fast and loose with Arthurian myth? What direction could the show take next? These and other searching questions are answered in our latest podcast. Click below and listen!
Length: 30 minutes
Download: Click here (Right click and "Save Target/Link As...")
NB: This podcast was recorded via Skype so the audio quality does vary in places.
