Tin Dog Podcast
- Description:
- tin-dog@hotmail.co.uk The Tin Dog welcomes you to sit back and listen to his rants and ramblings about all that is best in modern SF and Television. Via the gift of the new fangled Podcast over the tinterweb. As you can probably guess Tin Dog mostly talks about Doctor Who, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Smith but that wont stop him talking about any other subject you suggest. Hailing from a non specific part of the northeast of England, Tin Dog is male and in his mid 30s. A life long fan of almost all TV SF. His semi-autistic tendencies combined with his total lack of social skills have helped him find a place in the heart of British SF Fandom. Even as a child the Tin Dogs mother told him that she can trace his love of SF TV back to his rhythmic kicking, while still in the womb, along to the beat of the Avengers theme music. From Gabriel Chase to Totters Lane, from the Bad Wolf Satellite to the back streets of the Cardiff, Tin Dog will give you his thoughts on the wonderful Whoniverse. Daleks and Cybermen and TARDIS ES Oh My If you enjoy these Tin Dog Podcasts please remember to tell your friends and leave an email tin-dog@hotmail.co.uk
Homepage: http://tin-dog.co.uk
RSS Feed: http://www.tin-dog.co.uk/rss
- Episodes:
- 3358
- Average Episode Duration:
- 0:0:10:45
- Longest Episode Duration:
- 0:2:09:15
- Total Duration of all Episodes:
- 25 days, 1 hours, 27 minutes and 12 seconds
- Earliest Episode:
- 1 May 2007 (6:54pm GMT)
- Latest Episode:
- 14 January 2026 (4:00am GMT)
- Average Time Between Episodes:
- 2 days, 0 hours, 49 minutes and 54 seconds
Tin Dog Podcast Episodes
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TDP 1364: TV #Doctorwho review Lucky Day
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 17 minutes and 58 secondsLucky Day (Doctor Who) 3 languages Tools Appearance hide Text Small Standard Large Width Standard Wide Color (beta) Automatic Light Dark From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 316 – "Lucky Day" episode Promotional title-card Cast – – – Others Benjamin Chivers – Young Conrad Kirsty Hoiles – Moira Clark – Conrad Clark Gethin Alderman – The Shreek Kareem Alexander – Jordan Lang – Carla Sunday – Cherry Sunday – Louise Miller Madison Stock – Elsa Paddy Stafford – Sparky Blake Anderson – Jack Aoife Gaston – Michelle – Alfie Michael Woodford – Derek – Alexander Devrient – Colonel Christofer Ibrahim Tina Gray – Audrey – Shirley Bingham – – Herself – Himself – Herself Calypso Cragg – Influencer 2 James Craven – Influencer 3 Selorm Adonu – Influencer 1 Aidan Cook – The Vlinx – Voice of the Vlinx – Mrs Flood Production Directed by Written by Script editor David Cheung Produced by Vicki Delow Executive producer(s) Joel Collins Music by Series Running time 46 minutes First broadcast 3 May 2025 Chronology ← Preceded by "" Followed by → "" "Lucky Day" is the fourth episode of the of the series . It was written by , and was directed by . The episode was released on , , and on 3 May 2025. It features the return of companion (), who plays a leading role in the episode opposite Conrad Clark (), with both the () and (), the series' main leads, only appearing briefly. The episode focuses on Ruby, who begins a relationship with Conrad as she attempts to find her place in the world after leaving the Doctor. When it is revealed that Conrad wants to "expose" for their goals being "fake", Ruby and have to deal with the repercussions of Conrad's actions. The episode was devised by showrunner , with Davies enlisting McTighe to write the episode. He used the episode to explore Ruby and Kate's characters while also exploring the "the spread of online hatred" and its effects. The episode's monster, the Shreek, was based off of McTighe's childhood fears of dog-like creatures in the dark, with the creature being portrayed via costume and an animatronic head. Filming took place in November 2023 and it was with the . The episode received positive reviews from critics, who highlighted Gibson's performance, the twist regarding Conrad's true identity, and the episode's social commentary, but were more critical of underdeveloped plotlines in the episode, as well as the execution of Conrad as an antagonist. Plot [] and arrive on New Year's Day, 2007, and meet eight-year-old Conrad. Following this, Conrad investigates sightings of the Doctor and the , seeing a younger Doctor with his then-companion in 2024, where he is marked as prey by a creature called the Shreek. In 2025, after stopping travelling with the Doctor, Ruby gives Conrad about her encounters with extraterrestrial life an interview on his podcast. They start dating and she gives him an antidote to act against him being marked by the Shreek, which has been recently captured by . At a weekend away at Conrad's home village, Ruby fears she is in danger and tells Conrad she is suffering from following her experiences with the Doctor. Two Shreek appear in pursuit of Conrad, who admits he did not take the antidote. Ruby calls UNIT and their leader to the village. The Shreek are revealed to be fake, part of a setup orchestrated by Conrad, whose relationship with Ruby was a ploy, against UNIT. A scandal breaks and Conrad and his followers continue to perpetuate disinformation about the non-existence of aliens, discrediting UNIT. After Conrad publishes details of UNIT employees, Kate realises he has an insider in UNIT. The insider sneaks Conrad into the building. Alerted to his presence, Kate allows Conrad to reach the command floor, where he livestreams his intrusion. In order to expose Conrad's lies Kate releases the Shreek, which hunts Conrad. With the Shreek attacking him, Conrad admits on his livestream he has been lying about UNIT. Ruby stuns the Shreek, although it manages to injure Conrad's arm. Public sentiment turns in UNIT's favour, though Colonel Ibrahim tells Kate that she went too far by releasing the Shreek. Ruby decides to get away to overcome her trauma, and Kate offers her support when she is ready to talk. Conrad is imprisoned and the Doctor berates him for harming Ruby and his friends. Conrad asks the Doctor if he has yet met Belinda, who the Doctor has not, since that's his future. The Doctor tells Conrad that he will die in prison and be forgotten by history. However, after the Doctor leaves Conrad, Mrs Flood releases him. Production [] Development [] Showrunner wished to include an episode discussing the spread of "toxic, online hatred", and contacted writer to write the script. McTighe had previously written episodes under former showrunner . When writing the episode, he said that he wanted to take the opportunity to explore what happens to a after they leave , feeling that it had infrequently been done in the past. McTighe described the episode as a mix between , , and . He also compared one of the main settings to Devil's End from the 1971 serial and the fact that it was a Ruby-centric story to the 2024 episode "". Ruby was referred to as having following her time with the Doctor, which Davies wanted to portray in the episode. The episode also allowed McTighe to explore Kate's character further, with her willingness to go too far being something that McTighe stated would have further repercussions "beyond this episode, beyond this season, even beyond this show." McTighe developed the Shreek off the idea of a "four-legged, creeping animal", leaning into his childhood fears about dog-like creatures in the dark. He made its motivations simple, with a desire to hunt, to make a monster that could not be reasoned with and terrifying. Prior to this, the Shreek were first mentioned in Caged, a 2024 Doctor Who novel by . McTighe also included a number of to past episodes and . "Lucky Day" is a "Doctor-lite" episode, which Davies stated required them to find "inventive ways" to include the Doctor, one of which is a to a story set in the . The took place at on 7 November 2023. Casting [] The episode starred (left) and (right) as and Conrad Clark. returns as outgoing series regular and former companion . It is the first of two appearances that Gibson is set to make during the , as well as her first appearance since the 2024 Christmas special, "". In July 2024, at the Doctor Who panel, it was officially announced that had been cast in a role that would be involved in Ruby's character arc. Further details later revealed that Hauer-King would portray Conrad, a and Ruby's boyfriend. and also make brief appearances as the of and his companion, , respectively. who plays Alfie previously held the role of the Castellan in "" (1983). reprised her role as newsreader Trinity Wells. appears as herself, a Welsh presenter on interviewing Conrad. The remainder of the guest cast includes , , , , Alexander Devrient, and , as well as in a voice role. Filming and production design [] The primary Shreek costume was constructed using molds and , with the final molds eventually being injected with and painted. The Shreek uses an animatronic head. The Shreek costumes used in the episode by Conrad's friends were designed as derivative versions of the primary Shreek costume. The design team at Millenium FX had a designer look at the primary Shreek costume once and then construct the derivative version from memory to reflect the costumes' in-universe construction. The team had to make the costumes look convincing while also looking like "rubber costumes", which proved a challenge. The Shreek performers are unable to see inside the mask, requiring outside direction for the actors to know where they need to go. The inclusion of in the scene where Conrad explores the abandoned department store featuring the Shreek was a result of McTighe wanting to include a callback to the first episode of Doctor Who's revived era, "" (2005), which featured living mannequins called . Pame Downe designed Ruby's outfits with dark blue and green colors, which Gibson felt were "more mature colors". One of her outfits included a pinstripe suit and pants that Gibson said was reminiscent of one of 's previous outfits in the series. Filming occurred in the Welsh village of (pictured). "Lucky Day" is directed by . The episode was placed in the second production block of the fifteenth series with the first episode, "", and followed recording of "Joy to the World" in the block immediately preceding. The two episodes in this block were filmed concurrently by utilizing a . for the episode began on 14 November 2023. Gibson and Hauer-King were spotted filming scenes together two days later. was done in on 24 November. The production team made use of for the aforementioned abandoned department store scene, which was similarly used as a filming location in "Rose". For the scenes set in the village, the town of , was used with recording taking place from 27–29 November. Two-thirds of the budget allocated to the six-week filming block was used during those three days, three hours of which were spent shooting three takes with a helicopter. Broadcast and reception [] Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating B- 10/10 7/10 Broadcast [] "Lucky Day" was released on at 8 a.m. (BST) in the United Kingdom and on in the United States at 12 a.m. on 3 May 2025. A broadcast of the episode followed at 7:10 p.m. BST. also handled international distribution of the episode. Ratings [] The episode recorded overnight broadcast ratings of 1.5 million, a decline on the previous episodes and setting a new record low after Lux's 1.58 million. Critical reception [] Robert Anderson, writing for , praised the episode's writing, the performance of Gibson, and the usage of Conrad as an antagonist, though stated that the episode, at times could feel "hollow" and that Ruby's character arc was not as well executed as it could have been. Daniel Cooper, writing for , similarly highlighted the twist about Conrad's identity, McTighe's writing, and the episode's social commentary, but felt Conrad's backstory utilizing "the trope that survivors of abuse perpetuate that cycle of abuse" was overused. Adi Tantimedh, writing for , praised the episode, highlighting the twist involving Conrad and the episode's social commentary. Stefan Mohammed, writing for , found several of the episode's plot points underdeveloped, stating that Ruby's character arc was undermined by her strong home life and that Conrad embodying all aspects of the social issues being discussed made him feel overcomplicated with unclear motivations. Despite this, he found Gibson's performance compelling, and highlighted the episode's usage of Kate. Vicky Jessop, writing for the , positively highlighted the episode, though felt Conrad's execution as an antagonist was weak, and that the consequences of his actions were not explored well enough. Isobel Lewis, writing for , stated the episode had consistency issues not present in the rest of the series; she also found it to retread similar ground to previous series episode "", to which she negatively compared "Lucky Day". References [] ^ (Behind the scenes featurette). 3 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025 – via . Eddy, Cheryl (27 January 2025). . . Retrieved 26 April 2025. Gledhill, Lisa (24 April 2025). Quinn, Jason (ed.). "Preview - Lucky Day". . No. 616. . pp. 12–14. . BBC Mdia Centre. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025. ^ Powell, Steffan (presenter); Aiken, Jonathon (director) (3 May 2025). . . Series 15. Episode 4. . and . Retrieved 3 May 2025. Salmon, Will (3 May 2025). . . . Retrieved 4 May 2025. Tantimedh, Adi (2 April 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. Mitovich, Matt Webb (1 May 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. Rowan, Iona (30 April 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. Famurewa, Jimi (1 April 2025). . . from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025. Mitovich, Matt Webb (2 April 2025). . . Retrieved 3 March 2025. Hibbs, James (28 April 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. Petski, Denise (3 May 2025). . . Griffin, Louise (30 April 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. (writer), (director), Delow, Vicky (producer) (3 May 2025). . . Series 15. Episode 4. . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. Tantimedh, Adi (30 April 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. Griffin, Louise (3 May 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. . TVZoneUK. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025. Rowan, Iona (29 April 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. Mellor, Louisa (24 March 2025). . . from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025. ^ Quinn, Jason, ed. (November 2023). "Issue 596". . No. 596. . p. 4. Quinn, Jason, ed. (January 2024a). "Issue 598". . No. 598. . p. 12. ^ Quinn, Jason, ed. (February 2024). "Issue 601". . No. 601. . p. 10. Craig, David (16 November 2023). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. ^ Lewis, Isobel (3 May 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025. ^ Tantimedh, Adi (3 May 2025). . . from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025. ^ Jessop, Vicky (3 May 2025). . . Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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TDP 1354 : 14A. Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures Series 14: The Hellwood Inheritance
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 37 secondsThis title was released in March 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 April 2025, and on general sale after this date. 14.1 The Hellwood Inheritance by Alan Barnes (4 parts) When the Doctor and Leela are chased through the countryside by a headless knight, it's only the start of their problems. Because they are in the grounds of Hellwood Manor - the first safari park for ghosts! Mistaken for parapsychical investigators, the TARDIS team are shown the mysterious 'ghost catcher' device that's made the whole scheme possible. But it can't really be catching ghosts, can it? What's really happening in Hellwood? 14.2 The Memory Thieves by Phil Mulryne (2 parts) The colony world of New Pasithea was peaceful for many years. But strange electric pulses started to be detected in its forests... and then they started to get stronger... and then people lost their memories... The Doctor and Leela land in a community in turmoil, doomed to insanity by the mysterious 'Abeyance' unless the TARDIS crew can save them. But with reports of monsters being seen in the locality, this may prove harder than expected. Can they rescue the minds of the colonists? Or will they forget what they have to do... **Please note: the collector's edition CD boxset is strictly limited to 1,500 copies**
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TDP 1354 : 14A. Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures Series 14: The Hellwood Inheritance
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 37 secondsThis title was released in March 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 April 2025, and on general sale after this date. 14.1 The Hellwood Inheritance by Alan Barnes (4 parts) When the Doctor and Leela are chased through the countryside by a headless knight, it's only the start of their problems. Because they are in the grounds of Hellwood Manor - the first safari park for ghosts! Mistaken for parapsychical investigators, the TARDIS team are shown the mysterious 'ghost catcher' device that's made the whole scheme possible. But it can't really be catching ghosts, can it? What's really happening in Hellwood? 14.2 The Memory Thieves by Phil Mulryne (2 parts) The colony world of New Pasithea was peaceful for many years. But strange electric pulses started to be detected in its forests... and then they started to get stronger... and then people lost their memories... The Doctor and Leela land in a community in turmoil, doomed to insanity by the mysterious 'Abeyance' unless the TARDIS crew can save them. But with reports of monsters being seen in the locality, this may prove harder than expected. Can they rescue the minds of the colonists? Or will they forget what they have to do... **Please note: the collector's edition CD boxset is strictly limited to 1,500 copies**
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TDP 1363: TV #DoctorWho The Well #DisneyWho Doctor Who Review
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 26 minutes and 18 secondsThe Well was the third episode of (also marketed, globally, as Season 2) of . It premiered on . It was the first episode of Series 15 to feature a new writer, , who co-wrote the script together with . The story features the second appearance and return of the , first seen 17 years prior in the , thus serving as a sequel to [+] from . Continuing directly after their encounter with in the , The Well continues one of Series 15's main story arcs of the Doctor being unable to get the TARDIS to return Belinda to the 24th May 2025, and with the two discovering that, by the 5020th century, something has caused Earth to cease existing entirely. also briefly appears at the end of the story: this time, she is seen in a videocall as a superior official to the mining crew. Her appearance here continues the enigmatic nature of the character that has been hinted and shown since her first appearance in [+], and continues the story arc of Mrs Flood somehow appearing in different eras of time that was first seen in the previous story, Lux. Contents Synopsis Far in the future, on a tough, brutal planet, a devastated mining colony has only one survivor. To discover the truth, the Doctor and Belinda must face absolute terror... Plot To be added... showed Mo a picture of a vindicator to find out if the Doctor was travelling with one. After Mo confirmed he was, Mrs. Flood described this as "exactly what I needed to know. Just as I predicted. A vindicator, in action, that's very good news." Cast - - Aliss Fenly - Shaya Costallion - Cassio Palin-Paleen - Mo Gilliben - Hanno Yeft - Callo Rence - Kai Sabba - Albie Bethick - Sal Van Hyten - Ulric Dazen - - Val Vivo - Trooper 5 - Trooper 6 - Trooper 7 - Trooper 9 - Trooper 10 - - Crew
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TDP 1363: TV #DoctorWho The Well #DisneyWho Doctor Who Review
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 26 minutes and 18 secondsThe Well was the third episode of (also marketed, globally, as Season 2) of . It premiered on . It was the first episode of Series 15 to feature a new writer, , who co-wrote the script together with . The story features the second appearance and return of the , first seen 17 years prior in the , thus serving as a sequel to [+] from . Continuing directly after their encounter with in the , The Well continues one of Series 15's main story arcs of the Doctor being unable to get the TARDIS to return Belinda to the 24th May 2025, and with the two discovering that, by the 5020th century, something has caused Earth to cease existing entirely. also briefly appears at the end of the story: this time, she is seen in a videocall as a superior official to the mining crew. Her appearance here continues the enigmatic nature of the character that has been hinted and shown since her first appearance in [+], and continues the story arc of Mrs Flood somehow appearing in different eras of time that was first seen in the previous story, Lux. Contents Synopsis Far in the future, on a tough, brutal planet, a devastated mining colony has only one survivor. To discover the truth, the Doctor and Belinda must face absolute terror... Plot To be added... showed Mo a picture of a vindicator to find out if the Doctor was travelling with one. After Mo confirmed he was, Mrs. Flood described this as "exactly what I needed to know. Just as I predicted. A vindicator, in action, that's very good news." Cast - - Aliss Fenly - Shaya Costallion - Cassio Palin-Paleen - Mo Gilliben - Hanno Yeft - Callo Rence - Kai Sabba - Albie Bethick - Sal Van Hyten - Ulric Dazen - - Val Vivo - Trooper 5 - Trooper 6 - Trooper 7 - Trooper 9 - Trooper 10 - - Crew
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TDP 1353: REVIEW 93. Torchwood: Rictus from #Bigfinish worlds of #Doctorwho
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 12 secondsThis title was released in March 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2025, and on general sale after this date. 1901. Six months after the death of Queen Victoria, her gung-ho daughter Princess Beatrice goes to visit the organisation she's inherited. What is Torchwood? Meanwhile, something has broken out of a vault deep beneath London. The Smiling Man is coming. **Please note: the collector’s edition CD is strictly limited to 1,000 copies**
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TDP 1353: REVIEW 93. Torchwood: Rictus from #Bigfinish worlds of #Doctorwho
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 12 secondsThis title was released in March 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2025, and on general sale after this date. 1901. Six months after the death of Queen Victoria, her gung-ho daughter Princess Beatrice goes to visit the organisation she's inherited. What is Torchwood? Meanwhile, something has broken out of a vault deep beneath London. The Smiling Man is coming. **Please note: the collector’s edition CD is strictly limited to 1,000 copies**
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TDP 1362: #DoctorWho #DisneyWho TV Doctor Who Review Lux
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 16 minutes and 2 secondsFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 314 – "Lux" episode Promotional title-card Cast – – Others – Newsreader Cassius Hackforth – Tommy Lee Ryan Speakman – Husband – Reginald Pye – Mr Ring-a-Ding – Sunshine Sally Lewis Cornay – Logan Cheever Lucy Thackeray – Renée Lowenstein Jane Hancock – Helen Pye William Meredith – Policeman Samir Arrian – Hassan Chowdry Bronté Barbé – Lizzie Abel Steph Lacey – Robyn Gossage – Mrs Flood Production Directed by Written by Script editor David Cheung Produced by Chris May Executive producer(s) Russell T Davies Joel Collins Music by Series Running time 43 minutes First broadcast 19 April 2025 Chronology ← Preceded by "" Followed by → "" "Lux" is the second episode of the of the series . It was written by , the Doctor Who showrunner, from a concept first developed over two decades prior, and directed by . In the episode, the () and his , , land in 1952 , while trying to make their way back to 2025. After doing so, they discover a mysterious where fifteen people have disappeared. The pair stay to investigate and ultimately confront an animated God, Lux (voiced by ), who traps them in film. "Lux" is unusual for the programme in that it features a mixed live-action and animated format. Filming for the episode took place in and at in January 2024. Some voice-over work took place internationally in in June. Animation and other work continued later into the year, with some tasks still being completed as late as September. The episode includes references to , and to its own . It was released on , , and on 19 April 2025. Reception to the episode was positive, with critics praising its use of animation in a live-action setting. A novelisation written by is set to be released in July 2025. Plot [] Unable to return to 24 May 2025, the lands in 1952 , where the Doctor and find a cinema that is chained shut. At a diner, they speak to the mother of one of fifteen people who disappeared from the cinema, which continues to play movies at night. Although is still enforced, the waiter allows them to stay. Inside the cinema, the pair discover a living cartoon, Mr Ring-a-Ding, the embodiment of Lux Imperator, God of Light, is responsible. The projectionist, Reginald Pye, plays films for Lux, who uses his power to recreate Pye's dead wife. Lux has trapped the missing people in a film reel. He similarly traps the Doctor and Belinda, and turns them into cartoon characters, until they regain their usual forms. They flee to another false reality, where a racist cop challenges them. They escape through a television watched by . Though delighted to meet the Doctor they reveal that their world is the fake one, and encourage him to return and defeat Lux, even though they will then cease to exist. Back in the cinema, the Doctor heals his injured hand using residual energy. Lux steals the energy to create a solid body. Belinda attempts to burn film reels to cause an explosion, but encouraged by his wife, Pye sacrifices himself. The explosion exposes the cinema to sunlight causing Lux to expand infinitely until he becomes one with the universe. The missing people return. As the Doctor and Belinda leave, Mrs Flood encourages the bystanders to watch the TARDIS dematerialise, claiming this "show" is a "limited run" that ends on 24 May. The Doctor's fans critique the episode, realising that they still exist. Production [] Development and production design [] "Lux" was written by . He had wanted to do an episode that included a living cartoon for a long time, but was unable to do one until now for funding reasons. He also revealed that he had considered variants of such an episode, including one two decades prior that would have featured a hologram rather than a legitimate animation as a result of the budgetary constraints. The story also contains mentions of segregation and racism in which Davies said he added to address issues in present-day society. It was also used as a subversion to the Doctor usually situating themselves as the main authority figure. While including such themes, he didn't want it to be the dominant subject. Among these are the NYPD officer saying the cinema is a space "reserved for " and prejudicely assuming that Belinda is . Other motifs present explore grief, hope, friendship, and sadness. references to and the character were included. Additionally, Davies has continued a recent trend of . Also unusual for the show, the episode featured a . Costume designer Pam Downe created the Doctor's and Belinda's outfits using the of blue and yellow. Sethu's dress was inspired by a similar one worn by Anita () and designed by in the of . Meanwhile, Gatwa's blue suit was influenced by American musical artists of the 1950s. These hues were intended to further contrast with the red interior of the cinema by ultimately using all three . Downe ultimately wanted to successfully convey movement during the episodes action scenes. As such, three different were considered for Sethu to wear and her dress had multiple . The concept of Mr. Ring-a-Ding was inspired by animations from . Ian Spendloff worked as a creative designer for the episode, and was the designer of Mr. Ring-a-Ding. Davies compared the concept of Mr. Ring-a-Ding to from the 1930s. Spendloff drafted thirty different sketches that were considered before finally settling on the one used in the episode. Each one featured variations in noses, hair, and other elements. Mr. Ring-a-Ding was ultimately given a pig-like nose and blue skin to reflect characteristics of cartoon characters from the time period, with Davies wanting the character to look vaguely human but not be immediately identifiable as something else. to were also present in the episode because Davies recalled his enjoyment of cartoons while writing it, which made him consider people who loved the programme. Within the episode, the fans wore Doctor Who apparel (including a scarf, another a "Telos" sweatshirt) and declared "" (2008) as their favourite episode. One of them also mentioned the impending cancellation of the show. They then point out the "obviousness" of the episode's , and made references to . The show's BBC ident appears on the screen of their television. Although they say they are too inconsequential to be given surnames, all three characters—Hassan Chowdry, Lizzie Abel and Robyn Gossage—are fully named in the credits. The concept of Doctor Who existing within had previously been briefly explored in (1988) and other expanded media. Following this instance, such an idea was considered quasi-. This scene raised suspicion that Davies had potentially been planting online himself regarding upcoming episodes as well as rumours that the series would enter into another hiatus. When the fact that the episode was written and filmed well before the leaks began appearing was considered, it was compared to the . Casting [] The episode stars as the of and as his , . voices the antagonist, Mr. Ring-a-Ding. It marks Cumming's second appearance in the show after his role as King in the 2018 episode "". Davies said that he and the production team had considered whether it was too soon to cast Cumming again and that had it been a live action role, he likely would not have been. Mr. Ring-a-Ding is the "God of Light" and part of the "Pantheon of Gods" that Davies has been developing since "" (2023). stars as Reginald Pye, the theatre's projectionist and Lewis Cornay plays a diner worker who helps the Doctor and Belinda investigate the disappearances. also makes a brief appearance as recurring character Mrs. Flood. The trio of fans were portrayed by Samir Arrian, Bronte Barbe, and Steph Lacey. Filming and post-production [] Exterior shots for the theater were filmed at Pavilion. The wooden ramp can be seen at the bottom of the photo. The story was filmed in the series' third production block, along with the following episode, "". It was directed by and recorded in late-January 2024. took place in . The surrounding area was made up to look like an American city in the 1950s by adding vehicles and American flags. pavilion was used for exterior shots of the theatre. The production team painted the building, added a period theatre sign, and removed a modern ramp at the front of the building. Its removal led to the discovery of rotting wood that had to be replaced at the show's expense. The episode was shot during causing the cast and crew to struggle with unexpected rain and winds, requiring hot water bottles to keep warm during takes. Interior shots for the studio were filmed on 4 at . Pieces of that set were reused from "" (2024). As a result of Mr. Ring-a-Ding being an animated creation, the performers had to interact with a two-foot acrylic cutout of the character or a thin green pole on set.The scenes were then edited during the process. References for Mr. Ring-a-Ding's movement were filmed by crew, and then drawn directly into the scene by animators from . Cumming voiced his scenes in on 28 June 2024. Elements of Cumming's facial expressions during this recording for were incorporated into Mr. Ring-a-Ding. The scene where the Doctor and Belinda are turned into cartoons were first recorded on a , in which Gatwa and Sethu had to portray the characters in a rigid and cartoon-like manner. The animators used this as a reference for interaction between the two characters when redrawing them as a cartoon. Animations were done at twenty-five frames a second, requiring twenty-five drawings for each second of screen time, or fewer if characters' movement was limited. artists recorded at Bang Post Production in on 4 September 2024. The episode's soundtrack included two singles: "" by , and the rendition of "". Despite the episode taking place in 1952, the tracks were not released until 1956 and 1969, respectively. , the show's , also included the song "The Sad Man With A Box", a piece that he originally composed for . Broadcast and reception [] Professional ratings Aggregate scores Source Rating (Tomatometer) 100% (Average Score) 7.70/10 Review scores Source Rating B 10/10 9/10 Broadcast [] "Lux" was released on at 8 a.m. (BST) in the United Kingdom and on in the United States at 12 a.m. on 12 April 2025. A broadcast followed at 7:15 p.m. BST. also handled international distribution of the episode. Ratings [] The episode received overnight viewing figures of 1.58 million, the lowest broadcast ratings in Doctor Who's history. It was the fourth most-watched programme of the day on BBC One, with one show on also achieving higher numbers. Critical reception [] On the website , 100% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.70/10. Robert Anderson, writing for , praised the episode, highlighting Mr. Ring-a-Ding, several individual scenes, such as the fourth-wall-breaking scene, and the performances of Gatwa and Sethu. 's Martin Belam responded positively to the episode, praising Cumming's performance and the fourth-wall-breaking scene. Will Salmon, writing for , highlighted Mr. Ring-a-Ding and Gatwa's performance, though felt Murray Gold's musical score "drowned out" some scenes. Adi Tantimedh, writing for , found the episode to be the strongest out of the episodes headed by Davies in his second tenure as showrunner. Andrew Blair, writing for , highlighted the characterization of Mr. Ring-a-Ding, but criticized the episode's similarities to "", which he felt made the episode feel repetitive and weaker than it should have. He also felt the episode's handling of race was not effective, as while he felt the episode's inclusion of the topic was commendable, he felt the Doctor's in-universe way of handling it "can't help but scrape awkwardly against our real-world knowledge." Vicky Jessop, writing for the , criticized the inclusion of the scene featuring Doctor Who fans, stating that while it was initially entertaining, it quickly became "strained".
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TDP 1362: #DoctorWho #DisneyWho TV Doctor Who Review Lux
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 16 minutes and 2 secondsFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 314 – "Lux" episode Promotional title-card Cast – – Others – Newsreader Cassius Hackforth – Tommy Lee Ryan Speakman – Husband – Reginald Pye – Mr Ring-a-Ding – Sunshine Sally Lewis Cornay – Logan Cheever Lucy Thackeray – Renée Lowenstein Jane Hancock – Helen Pye William Meredith – Policeman Samir Arrian – Hassan Chowdry Bronté Barbé – Lizzie Abel Steph Lacey – Robyn Gossage – Mrs Flood Production Directed by Written by Script editor David Cheung Produced by Chris May Executive producer(s) Russell T Davies Joel Collins Music by Series Running time 43 minutes First broadcast 19 April 2025 Chronology ← Preceded by "" Followed by → "" "Lux" is the second episode of the of the series . It was written by , the Doctor Who showrunner, from a concept first developed over two decades prior, and directed by . In the episode, the () and his , , land in 1952 , while trying to make their way back to 2025. After doing so, they discover a mysterious where fifteen people have disappeared. The pair stay to investigate and ultimately confront an animated God, Lux (voiced by ), who traps them in film. "Lux" is unusual for the programme in that it features a mixed live-action and animated format. Filming for the episode took place in and at in January 2024. Some voice-over work took place internationally in in June. Animation and other work continued later into the year, with some tasks still being completed as late as September. The episode includes references to , and to its own . It was released on , , and on 19 April 2025. Reception to the episode was positive, with critics praising its use of animation in a live-action setting. A novelisation written by is set to be released in July 2025. Plot [] Unable to return to 24 May 2025, the lands in 1952 , where the Doctor and find a cinema that is chained shut. At a diner, they speak to the mother of one of fifteen people who disappeared from the cinema, which continues to play movies at night. Although is still enforced, the waiter allows them to stay. Inside the cinema, the pair discover a living cartoon, Mr Ring-a-Ding, the embodiment of Lux Imperator, God of Light, is responsible. The projectionist, Reginald Pye, plays films for Lux, who uses his power to recreate Pye's dead wife. Lux has trapped the missing people in a film reel. He similarly traps the Doctor and Belinda, and turns them into cartoon characters, until they regain their usual forms. They flee to another false reality, where a racist cop challenges them. They escape through a television watched by . Though delighted to meet the Doctor they reveal that their world is the fake one, and encourage him to return and defeat Lux, even though they will then cease to exist. Back in the cinema, the Doctor heals his injured hand using residual energy. Lux steals the energy to create a solid body. Belinda attempts to burn film reels to cause an explosion, but encouraged by his wife, Pye sacrifices himself. The explosion exposes the cinema to sunlight causing Lux to expand infinitely until he becomes one with the universe. The missing people return. As the Doctor and Belinda leave, Mrs Flood encourages the bystanders to watch the TARDIS dematerialise, claiming this "show" is a "limited run" that ends on 24 May. The Doctor's fans critique the episode, realising that they still exist. Production [] Development and production design [] "Lux" was written by . He had wanted to do an episode that included a living cartoon for a long time, but was unable to do one until now for funding reasons. He also revealed that he had considered variants of such an episode, including one two decades prior that would have featured a hologram rather than a legitimate animation as a result of the budgetary constraints. The story also contains mentions of segregation and racism in which Davies said he added to address issues in present-day society. It was also used as a subversion to the Doctor usually situating themselves as the main authority figure. While including such themes, he didn't want it to be the dominant subject. Among these are the NYPD officer saying the cinema is a space "reserved for " and prejudicely assuming that Belinda is . Other motifs present explore grief, hope, friendship, and sadness. references to and the character were included. Additionally, Davies has continued a recent trend of . Also unusual for the show, the episode featured a . Costume designer Pam Downe created the Doctor's and Belinda's outfits using the of blue and yellow. Sethu's dress was inspired by a similar one worn by Anita () and designed by in the of . Meanwhile, Gatwa's blue suit was influenced by American musical artists of the 1950s. These hues were intended to further contrast with the red interior of the cinema by ultimately using all three . Downe ultimately wanted to successfully convey movement during the episodes action scenes. As such, three different were considered for Sethu to wear and her dress had multiple . The concept of Mr. Ring-a-Ding was inspired by animations from . Ian Spendloff worked as a creative designer for the episode, and was the designer of Mr. Ring-a-Ding. Davies compared the concept of Mr. Ring-a-Ding to from the 1930s. Spendloff drafted thirty different sketches that were considered before finally settling on the one used in the episode. Each one featured variations in noses, hair, and other elements. Mr. Ring-a-Ding was ultimately given a pig-like nose and blue skin to reflect characteristics of cartoon characters from the time period, with Davies wanting the character to look vaguely human but not be immediately identifiable as something else. to were also present in the episode because Davies recalled his enjoyment of cartoons while writing it, which made him consider people who loved the programme. Within the episode, the fans wore Doctor Who apparel (including a scarf, another a "Telos" sweatshirt) and declared "" (2008) as their favourite episode. One of them also mentioned the impending cancellation of the show. They then point out the "obviousness" of the episode's , and made references to . The show's BBC ident appears on the screen of their television. Although they say they are too inconsequential to be given surnames, all three characters—Hassan Chowdry, Lizzie Abel and Robyn Gossage—are fully named in the credits. The concept of Doctor Who existing within had previously been briefly explored in (1988) and other expanded media. Following this instance, such an idea was considered quasi-. This scene raised suspicion that Davies had potentially been planting online himself regarding upcoming episodes as well as rumours that the series would enter into another hiatus. When the fact that the episode was written and filmed well before the leaks began appearing was considered, it was compared to the . Casting [] The episode stars as the of and as his , . voices the antagonist, Mr. Ring-a-Ding. It marks Cumming's second appearance in the show after his role as King in the 2018 episode "". Davies said that he and the production team had considered whether it was too soon to cast Cumming again and that had it been a live action role, he likely would not have been. Mr. Ring-a-Ding is the "God of Light" and part of the "Pantheon of Gods" that Davies has been developing since "" (2023). stars as Reginald Pye, the theatre's projectionist and Lewis Cornay plays a diner worker who helps the Doctor and Belinda investigate the disappearances. also makes a brief appearance as recurring character Mrs. Flood. The trio of fans were portrayed by Samir Arrian, Bronte Barbe, and Steph Lacey. Filming and post-production [] Exterior shots for the theater were filmed at Pavilion. The wooden ramp can be seen at the bottom of the photo. The story was filmed in the series' third production block, along with the following episode, "". It was directed by and recorded in late-January 2024. took place in . The surrounding area was made up to look like an American city in the 1950s by adding vehicles and American flags. pavilion was used for exterior shots of the theatre. The production team painted the building, added a period theatre sign, and removed a modern ramp at the front of the building. Its removal led to the discovery of rotting wood that had to be replaced at the show's expense. The episode was shot during causing the cast and crew to struggle with unexpected rain and winds, requiring hot water bottles to keep warm during takes. Interior shots for the studio were filmed on 4 at . Pieces of that set were reused from "" (2024). As a result of Mr. Ring-a-Ding being an animated creation, the performers had to interact with a two-foot acrylic cutout of the character or a thin green pole on set.The scenes were then edited during the process. References for Mr. Ring-a-Ding's movement were filmed by crew, and then drawn directly into the scene by animators from . Cumming voiced his scenes in on 28 June 2024. Elements of Cumming's facial expressions during this recording for were incorporated into Mr. Ring-a-Ding. The scene where the Doctor and Belinda are turned into cartoons were first recorded on a , in which Gatwa and Sethu had to portray the characters in a rigid and cartoon-like manner. The animators used this as a reference for interaction between the two characters when redrawing them as a cartoon. Animations were done at twenty-five frames a second, requiring twenty-five drawings for each second of screen time, or fewer if characters' movement was limited. artists recorded at Bang Post Production in on 4 September 2024. The episode's soundtrack included two singles: "" by , and the rendition of "". Despite the episode taking place in 1952, the tracks were not released until 1956 and 1969, respectively. , the show's , also included the song "The Sad Man With A Box", a piece that he originally composed for . Broadcast and reception [] Professional ratings Aggregate scores Source Rating (Tomatometer) 100% (Average Score) 7.70/10 Review scores Source Rating B 10/10 9/10 Broadcast [] "Lux" was released on at 8 a.m. (BST) in the United Kingdom and on in the United States at 12 a.m. on 12 April 2025. A broadcast followed at 7:15 p.m. BST. also handled international distribution of the episode. Ratings [] The episode received overnight viewing figures of 1.58 million, the lowest broadcast ratings in Doctor Who's history. It was the fourth most-watched programme of the day on BBC One, with one show on also achieving higher numbers. Critical reception [] On the website , 100% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.70/10. Robert Anderson, writing for , praised the episode, highlighting Mr. Ring-a-Ding, several individual scenes, such as the fourth-wall-breaking scene, and the performances of Gatwa and Sethu. 's Martin Belam responded positively to the episode, praising Cumming's performance and the fourth-wall-breaking scene. Will Salmon, writing for , highlighted Mr. Ring-a-Ding and Gatwa's performance, though felt Murray Gold's musical score "drowned out" some scenes. Adi Tantimedh, writing for , found the episode to be the strongest out of the episodes headed by Davies in his second tenure as showrunner. Andrew Blair, writing for , highlighted the characterization of Mr. Ring-a-Ding, but criticized the episode's similarities to "", which he felt made the episode feel repetitive and weaker than it should have. He also felt the episode's handling of race was not effective, as while he felt the episode's inclusion of the topic was commendable, he felt the Doctor's in-universe way of handling it "can't help but scrape awkwardly against our real-world knowledge." Vicky Jessop, writing for the , criticized the inclusion of the scene featuring Doctor Who fans, stating that while it was initially entertaining, it quickly became "strained".
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TDP 1352: Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Deadly Strangers
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 41 secondsThe Doctor, Audacity and Charley visit many times and places, always with the best of intentions. But others have a different agenda... Puccini and the Doctor by Matthew Jacobs Inspired by his friends, the Doctor takes Charley and Audacity to Milan to meet Puccini and hear the music of love. But the Doctor is not the only alien entranced by humanity. The mysterious Tura is setting riddles, and for those who answer, the experience is transformative... Women's Day Off by Lisa McMullin Iceland, 1975. Charley and Audacity are thrilled to discover that the women have gone on strike. All of them. With potentially disastrous consequences for a girl called Kyla - and everyone she comes into contact with. The Gloaming by Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle The Doctor, Charley and Audacity arrive on Gloaming, a luxury sleep clinic in orbit around a dead world. Gloaming is filled with wealthy Sleepers, dreaming through the dark ages of their world in suspended animation. But something is growing here, creeping into minds and poisoning dreams. Something the Doctor fought long ago...
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TDP 1352: Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Deadly Strangers
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 41 secondsThe Doctor, Audacity and Charley visit many times and places, always with the best of intentions. But others have a different agenda... Puccini and the Doctor by Matthew Jacobs Inspired by his friends, the Doctor takes Charley and Audacity to Milan to meet Puccini and hear the music of love. But the Doctor is not the only alien entranced by humanity. The mysterious Tura is setting riddles, and for those who answer, the experience is transformative... Women's Day Off by Lisa McMullin Iceland, 1975. Charley and Audacity are thrilled to discover that the women have gone on strike. All of them. With potentially disastrous consequences for a girl called Kyla - and everyone she comes into contact with. The Gloaming by Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle The Doctor, Charley and Audacity arrive on Gloaming, a luxury sleep clinic in orbit around a dead world. Gloaming is filled with wealthy Sleepers, dreaming through the dark ages of their world in suspended animation. But something is growing here, creeping into minds and poisoning dreams. Something the Doctor fought long ago...
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TDP 1361: #DOCTORWHO review #DisneyWho The Robot Revolution
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 18 minutes and 12 seconds"The Robot Revolution" is the first episode of the of the series . The episode was written by , the Doctor Who , and directed by . In the episode, the (), rescues Belinda Chandra (), after she is kidnapped from and inadvertently gets involved in a war on another planet. Chandra becomes the Doctor's new . Production for the episode took place in in late-2023. It was released on , , and on 12 April 2025. Reception was mostly postive, with Sethu's characterization particularly praised. A novelisation written by is set to be released in July 2025. Plot [] Belinda Chandra's boyfriend, Alan Budd, gives her a certificate for her birthday. He but she rebuffs him. Seventeen years later, on 24 May 2025, Belinda is captured by robots and taken, as their queen, to Missbelindachandra One, a planet orbiting her star. The "Missbelindachandrakind" are composed of humanoids and robots, who coexisted peacefully until the latter took control and some humans began to rebel. The robots are controlled by the Great Generator, who plans to merge with Belinda. On their spaceship, Belinda blames Alan for registering the star, as it flies through a time fracture. , who had been in pursuit, is sent backward six months, and by the time Belinda arrives, he has become the historian. Exploiting a fault that prevents the robots from hearing every ninth word, the Doctor and the rebels rescue Belinda. The Doctor realises that the robots possess a certificate identical to Belinda's, and have had it for over 5000 years. He concludes that this is related to the time fracture. Belinda allows herself to be captured, asking the robots to spare the rebels. Belinda and the Doctor are taken to the Great AI Generator. They discover that it is not "AI" but "AL", short for Alan. After Belinda had blamed Alan, the robots used the time fracture to capture him ten years earlier in 2015. Seeing life on Missbelindachandra as a game, Alan merged himself with the machines and started the war. Using every ninth word, Alan communicates to them that he is in pain. Belinda touches her copy of the certificate to Alan's, causing them to experience all of time simultaneously. The Doctor rescues Belinda, while Alan reverts to a sperm and egg, which is cleaned up by a robot. Now free, the humanoids and robots rebuild their society, while the Doctor takes Belinda to his . He describes meeting her distant descendant Mundy Flynn and wants to know how the robots acquired the certificate, but Belinda, disturbed at his insistence that their encounter is "destiny" and refusing to be one of his adventures, demands to be taken home. The TARDIS is unable to return to 24 May 2025, instead bouncing off that date. The Doctor tells Belinda that they will need to take the long way around. As the TARDIS dematerialises, debris from several Earth landmarks and the certificate float in space. Production [] Development [] "The Robot Revolution" was written by . He initially conceptualized the idea as a one-off story and later reworked it into a to serve as a companion introduction. Davies said that it was a "difficult" episode to write, because he struggled with turning a joke about star naming into a full script. He also viewed it as a wider narrative about the concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in a real-world context. A for the episode included "Belinda and the Robots". Filming [] Screenshot from the film Promotional poster for The team used and as references. Set design began at in October 2023. Phil Sims said he and Davies took inspiration from and when . They were created with a appearance influenced by the . Millennium FX designed the robot costumes over the course of eight weeks. They were first created digitally and split into 34 different pieces to be . Afterwards, the pieces were assembled with glue and finished with and . The polish robot that appears in the episode was designed with a similar 1950s aesthetic, primarily being based on cars of the time period. The robot had unique wheels that allowed it to move laterally as well as straight ahead, as the designers wanted the robot to have a unique range of motion compared to other robots of similar size. The AI Generator was similarly designed to appear large and imposing, with the set and art design teams collaborating to determine where the presence of Alan would be inside of the machine. The set for the throne room, where Belinda is initially brought in the episode, is re-used for the AI Generator's room. The design team placed the "head" of the Generator's design just below the room's centerpiece in order to create the illusion that the room acted like a crown for the Generator and that the room is an extension of him. The episode was directed by . It was recorded in the second filming block of series 15 along with the fourth episode, "". occurred in November 2023 in while filming also took place at Wolf Studios. Casting [] The episode stars as the of and introduces as his , Belinda Chandra. Sethu previously played a separate but related character in the episode "" (2024). reprised her role as Mrs Flood, an enigmatic character who was first introduced in (2023) and recurred in the previous series. Alan Budd (the episode's antagonist) was portrayed by Jonny Green, who formerly voiced characters in various and . Other members of the guest cast included , Jeff Kunjumon, Evelyn Miller, and Caleb Hughes. Two of the robots were operated by Stephen Love and Robert Strange; the two worked as Wrarth Warriors in "" (2023), while Strange also handled the costume in "" (2024). Broadcast and reception [] Professional ratings Aggregate scores Source Rating (Tomatometer) 100% (Average Score) 7.10/10 Review scores Source Rating B- 6/10 Release [] "The Robot Revolution" was released on at 8 a.m. (BST) in the United Kingdom and on in the United States at 12 a.m. on 12 April 2025. A broadcast followed later in the day at 6:50 p.m. BST. also handled international distribution of the episode. Ratings [] Overnight viewing figures estimate that the episode was watched by 2 million people on its BBC One broadcast, making it the second most-watched programme on BBC One behind the finale of , as well as the fourth-most watched programme of the day. Critical reception [] On the website , 100% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.10/10. Will Salmon with highlighted the setting of the episode and its design, but criticized the episode for being "light", as well as due to confusing plot points toward the end of the episode. Writing for , Stefan Mohamed highlighted the Doctor's characterization and the episode's new visual and directorial techniques, but criticized Alan as a villain and the death of Sasha 55 as a weak narrative moment. 's Roxy Simmons found the episode enjoyable but found the episode to make very little impact on the audience, and found the commentary unsubtle. Belinda's characterization and Sethu's performance was near universally praised. author Ed Power praised the Doctor's characterization and the fun nature of the episode, though felt that elements of Alan's characterization as a "nerdy" character would receive negative reception, and that Sasha 55's death was unnecessary for the episode's plot. critic Robert Anderson criticized the episode as feeling "shallow", as well as the twist of the AI Generator being Alan. Reviewing the episode for , Jack Seale highlighted the episode's re-introduction of the Doctor's character and the inclusion of topical issues, but criticized the twists involving the AI Generator as well as the execution of the episode's message. 's Chris Taylor argued that Belinda's characterization was weak, and that she lacked a sense of purpose compared to other past companions. He also criticized the episode's social commentary, feeling that the episode moved to fast to properly critique any aspect of society. Michael Hogan, penning a review for felt some of the episode's social commentary was not well-executed, and felt jarring given the episode's time slot.
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TDP 1361: #DOCTORWHO review #DisneyWho The Robot Revolution
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 18 minutes and 12 seconds"The Robot Revolution" is the first episode of the of the series . The episode was written by , the Doctor Who , and directed by . In the episode, the (), rescues Belinda Chandra (), after she is kidnapped from and inadvertently gets involved in a war on another planet. Chandra becomes the Doctor's new . Production for the episode took place in in late-2023. It was released on , , and on 12 April 2025. Reception was mostly postive, with Sethu's characterization particularly praised. A novelisation written by is set to be released in July 2025. Plot [] Belinda Chandra's boyfriend, Alan Budd, gives her a certificate for her birthday. He but she rebuffs him. Seventeen years later, on 24 May 2025, Belinda is captured by robots and taken, as their queen, to Missbelindachandra One, a planet orbiting her star. The "Missbelindachandrakind" are composed of humanoids and robots, who coexisted peacefully until the latter took control and some humans began to rebel. The robots are controlled by the Great Generator, who plans to merge with Belinda. On their spaceship, Belinda blames Alan for registering the star, as it flies through a time fracture. , who had been in pursuit, is sent backward six months, and by the time Belinda arrives, he has become the historian. Exploiting a fault that prevents the robots from hearing every ninth word, the Doctor and the rebels rescue Belinda. The Doctor realises that the robots possess a certificate identical to Belinda's, and have had it for over 5000 years. He concludes that this is related to the time fracture. Belinda allows herself to be captured, asking the robots to spare the rebels. Belinda and the Doctor are taken to the Great AI Generator. They discover that it is not "AI" but "AL", short for Alan. After Belinda had blamed Alan, the robots used the time fracture to capture him ten years earlier in 2015. Seeing life on Missbelindachandra as a game, Alan merged himself with the machines and started the war. Using every ninth word, Alan communicates to them that he is in pain. Belinda touches her copy of the certificate to Alan's, causing them to experience all of time simultaneously. The Doctor rescues Belinda, while Alan reverts to a sperm and egg, which is cleaned up by a robot. Now free, the humanoids and robots rebuild their society, while the Doctor takes Belinda to his . He describes meeting her distant descendant Mundy Flynn and wants to know how the robots acquired the certificate, but Belinda, disturbed at his insistence that their encounter is "destiny" and refusing to be one of his adventures, demands to be taken home. The TARDIS is unable to return to 24 May 2025, instead bouncing off that date. The Doctor tells Belinda that they will need to take the long way around. As the TARDIS dematerialises, debris from several Earth landmarks and the certificate float in space. Production [] Development [] "The Robot Revolution" was written by . He initially conceptualized the idea as a one-off story and later reworked it into a to serve as a companion introduction. Davies said that it was a "difficult" episode to write, because he struggled with turning a joke about star naming into a full script. He also viewed it as a wider narrative about the concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in a real-world context. A for the episode included "Belinda and the Robots". Filming [] Screenshot from the film Promotional poster for The team used and as references. Set design began at in October 2023. Phil Sims said he and Davies took inspiration from and when . They were created with a appearance influenced by the . Millennium FX designed the robot costumes over the course of eight weeks. They were first created digitally and split into 34 different pieces to be . Afterwards, the pieces were assembled with glue and finished with and . The polish robot that appears in the episode was designed with a similar 1950s aesthetic, primarily being based on cars of the time period. The robot had unique wheels that allowed it to move laterally as well as straight ahead, as the designers wanted the robot to have a unique range of motion compared to other robots of similar size. The AI Generator was similarly designed to appear large and imposing, with the set and art design teams collaborating to determine where the presence of Alan would be inside of the machine. The set for the throne room, where Belinda is initially brought in the episode, is re-used for the AI Generator's room. The design team placed the "head" of the Generator's design just below the room's centerpiece in order to create the illusion that the room acted like a crown for the Generator and that the room is an extension of him. The episode was directed by . It was recorded in the second filming block of series 15 along with the fourth episode, "". occurred in November 2023 in while filming also took place at Wolf Studios. Casting [] The episode stars as the of and introduces as his , Belinda Chandra. Sethu previously played a separate but related character in the episode "" (2024). reprised her role as Mrs Flood, an enigmatic character who was first introduced in (2023) and recurred in the previous series. Alan Budd (the episode's antagonist) was portrayed by Jonny Green, who formerly voiced characters in various and . Other members of the guest cast included , Jeff Kunjumon, Evelyn Miller, and Caleb Hughes. Two of the robots were operated by Stephen Love and Robert Strange; the two worked as Wrarth Warriors in "" (2023), while Strange also handled the costume in "" (2024). Broadcast and reception [] Professional ratings Aggregate scores Source Rating (Tomatometer) 100% (Average Score) 7.10/10 Review scores Source Rating B- 6/10 Release [] "The Robot Revolution" was released on at 8 a.m. (BST) in the United Kingdom and on in the United States at 12 a.m. on 12 April 2025. A broadcast followed later in the day at 6:50 p.m. BST. also handled international distribution of the episode. Ratings [] Overnight viewing figures estimate that the episode was watched by 2 million people on its BBC One broadcast, making it the second most-watched programme on BBC One behind the finale of , as well as the fourth-most watched programme of the day. Critical reception [] On the website , 100% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.10/10. Will Salmon with highlighted the setting of the episode and its design, but criticized the episode for being "light", as well as due to confusing plot points toward the end of the episode. Writing for , Stefan Mohamed highlighted the Doctor's characterization and the episode's new visual and directorial techniques, but criticized Alan as a villain and the death of Sasha 55 as a weak narrative moment. 's Roxy Simmons found the episode enjoyable but found the episode to make very little impact on the audience, and found the commentary unsubtle. Belinda's characterization and Sethu's performance was near universally praised. author Ed Power praised the Doctor's characterization and the fun nature of the episode, though felt that elements of Alan's characterization as a "nerdy" character would receive negative reception, and that Sasha 55's death was unnecessary for the episode's plot. critic Robert Anderson criticized the episode as feeling "shallow", as well as the twist of the AI Generator being Alan. Reviewing the episode for , Jack Seale highlighted the episode's re-introduction of the Doctor's character and the inclusion of topical issues, but criticized the twists involving the AI Generator as well as the execution of the episode's message. 's Chris Taylor argued that Belinda's characterization was weak, and that she lacked a sense of purpose compared to other past companions. He also criticized the episode's social commentary, feeling that the episode moved to fast to properly critique any aspect of society. Michael Hogan, penning a review for felt some of the episode's social commentary was not well-executed, and felt jarring given the episode's time slot.
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TDP 1355: Life and Death of River Song Ace and Tegan - Worlds of #DoctorWho
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 30 seconds2. The Death and Life of River Song Series 02: Ace and Tegan This title was released in March 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2025, and on general sale after this date. Ace and Tegan have been plucked from their twenty-first century lives and stranded in 1860. But who is responsible, and why is River Song mixing in nineteenth century society too? Somebody is out to eliminate the three of them, as Ace and Tegan realise that this may not be their first meeting with River. Their lives are entangled, and to escape, somebody must pay the ultimate price... 2.1 Castaways by James Moran Adrift in the past, Ace and Tegan are looking into supposed hauntings on London's new underground railway lines. But how and why are they there? Their memories are not what they were, and they are about to encounter River Song, perhaps not for the first time. One thing is certain - River knows more than she is telling! 2.2 Driftwood by Roland Moore Back in her TARDIS travels, Ace is cut off from the Doctor, on a stricken spaceship with sixty minutes to live. Something has invaded the vessel - something that travels along wires and can control its metal structure. As time runs out, Ace's only hope may be a mysterious woman with a blaster and fantastic hair. 2.3 Dead Rising by Roland Moore With the Doctor and Turlough on ice, Tegan faces interrogation from the Pilot of Vrexel colony. Something is making the colonists drop down dead... Tegan claims she is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But when River Song arrives and the dead start rising, Tegan's problems get a whole lot worse... 2.4 The End is the Beginning is the End by James Moran River, Ace and Tegan must stop Gregor Ganley from changing their past again, and again... and again. But he's always one step ahead. And River's new friends want to convince her that assassination is not always the best option. But first, they have the matter of imminent certain death to deal with... **Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,250 copies**
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TDP 1355: Life and Death of River Song Ace and Tegan - Worlds of #DoctorWho
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 30 seconds2. The Death and Life of River Song Series 02: Ace and Tegan This title was released in March 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2025, and on general sale after this date. Ace and Tegan have been plucked from their twenty-first century lives and stranded in 1860. But who is responsible, and why is River Song mixing in nineteenth century society too? Somebody is out to eliminate the three of them, as Ace and Tegan realise that this may not be their first meeting with River. Their lives are entangled, and to escape, somebody must pay the ultimate price... 2.1 Castaways by James Moran Adrift in the past, Ace and Tegan are looking into supposed hauntings on London's new underground railway lines. But how and why are they there? Their memories are not what they were, and they are about to encounter River Song, perhaps not for the first time. One thing is certain - River knows more than she is telling! 2.2 Driftwood by Roland Moore Back in her TARDIS travels, Ace is cut off from the Doctor, on a stricken spaceship with sixty minutes to live. Something has invaded the vessel - something that travels along wires and can control its metal structure. As time runs out, Ace's only hope may be a mysterious woman with a blaster and fantastic hair. 2.3 Dead Rising by Roland Moore With the Doctor and Turlough on ice, Tegan faces interrogation from the Pilot of Vrexel colony. Something is making the colonists drop down dead... Tegan claims she is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But when River Song arrives and the dead start rising, Tegan's problems get a whole lot worse... 2.4 The End is the Beginning is the End by James Moran River, Ace and Tegan must stop Gregor Ganley from changing their past again, and again... and again. But he's always one step ahead. And River's new friends want to convince her that assassination is not always the best option. But first, they have the matter of imminent certain death to deal with... **Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,250 copies**
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TDP 1382: #DoctorWho: The Fugitive Doctor: Dead or Alive REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 29 secondsThis title was released in July 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 September 2025, and on general sale after this date. 2.1 Flying Solo by Tajinder Singh Hayer Pilot Officer Mohinder Singh Johal is an RAF pilot on a sortie during World War Two. Following a close encounter with a flying blue telephone box, his Spitfire vanishes! The Doctor, whose TARDIS is out of control following a blast from a time disruptor, should be keeping a low profile, but with Mohinder lost in time and space, she has to help bring him home. 2.2 The Junkyard Loop by Aaron Douglas The Doctor, pursued as ever by Cosmogon, crash-lands the TARDIS on an off-grid junk planet littered with the remains of time machines from a thousand civilisations. After being saved from the indigenous Time-Frost Parasites by Sodalis, an old companion long-marooned, the Doctor must come up with a plan to save them both. But a sinister Division commander has tracked our heroes, and not even Cosmogon can stand between him and his desire to unlock the Doctor's memory and obtain the secrets within. 2.3 Hereafter by Tim Foley Cosmo has finally captured the Doctor! But they're stranded together on a planet thanks to an unusual psychic forcefield grounding her ship. Tracing its source, they find a settlement that’s preparing for a festival in honour of their 'queen' in the mountain. When Cosmo is captured, the Doctor must decide whether to help her captor... especially now she's discovered, thanks to local woman Herma, that the queen and her minions are vampires! **Please note: the collector's edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,000 copies**
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TDP 1350: Doctor Who: The Fifth Doctor Adventures: The Great Beyond REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 58 secondsThe Doctor has been sent to Beyond - for the rest of his natural lives. In the years after a devastating intergalactic war, a prison facility was set up on a distant planet. To preserve the fragile peace, the most dangerous former combatants are sentenced to life in Beyond. Like the notorious Starclair sisters, whose involvement on both sides of the war is the stuff of legend - as well as a certain Time Lord with a reputation for interfering in things that don’t concern them. But there’s something else on the planet too. Something that adds an infinite variety of agony to a life sentence on Beyond, and makes the inmates wish for the relative comfort of death. Because what's coming to those who stay too long in Beyond is almost too hideous to contemplate. Alive and conscious, deprived of your senses and all movement. Just locked in, alone in a darkness that lasts forever.
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TDP 1350: Doctor Who: The Fifth Doctor Adventures: The Great Beyond REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 58 secondsThe Doctor has been sent to Beyond - for the rest of his natural lives. In the years after a devastating intergalactic war, a prison facility was set up on a distant planet. To preserve the fragile peace, the most dangerous former combatants are sentenced to life in Beyond. Like the notorious Starclair sisters, whose involvement on both sides of the war is the stuff of legend - as well as a certain Time Lord with a reputation for interfering in things that don’t concern them. But there’s something else on the planet too. Something that adds an infinite variety of agony to a life sentence on Beyond, and makes the inmates wish for the relative comfort of death. Because what's coming to those who stay too long in Beyond is almost too hideous to contemplate. Alive and conscious, deprived of your senses and all movement. Just locked in, alone in a darkness that lasts forever.
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TDP 1349: 2. VAM PD Volume 02 REVIEW #Bigfinish
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes and 46 secondsVampires live their lives by rules - but who polices them? Welcome to the Office of the Night, where vampires Catrin and Magnus keep an uneasy peace between the living and the undead. 2.1 The Last Post by Rochana Patel and David Smith Oleanna wakes up to find she's posted a photo of a breakfast she didn't have. Worse, she's locked out of all her social media accounts. And then a vampire appears at her door and tells her she's going to die today. Cleaning up after victims is an unglamorous job that the Office of the Night has long outsourced - this used to just be bills and faked suicide letters, but the group has gone rogue and is now arranging the deaths of people who aren’t even dead yet. 2.2 Sunlight and Bleach by Aaron Lamont He's been investigating a corrupt deal between the government and vampires. Can such a thing even exist? Are vampires even real? What is going on? One man sets out to expose the Office of the Night. It's time to shine a little light on this grubby deal. The problem is that vampires don't like the sunlight. 2.3 Dracula Bachelor by Ash Darby Sometimes killing is easy. Never underestimate human vanity and stupidity. People will always sign up for a reality TV show. Especially one that offers the winner immortality. Of course, there's always a catch. If this show is so successful, why has no-one ever seen it? Note: This production features scenes of vampiric feeding and blood consumption.
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TDP 1349: 2. VAM PD Volume 02 REVIEW #Bigfinish
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes and 46 secondsVampires live their lives by rules - but who polices them? Welcome to the Office of the Night, where vampires Catrin and Magnus keep an uneasy peace between the living and the undead. 2.1 The Last Post by Rochana Patel and David Smith Oleanna wakes up to find she's posted a photo of a breakfast she didn't have. Worse, she's locked out of all her social media accounts. And then a vampire appears at her door and tells her she's going to die today. Cleaning up after victims is an unglamorous job that the Office of the Night has long outsourced - this used to just be bills and faked suicide letters, but the group has gone rogue and is now arranging the deaths of people who aren’t even dead yet. 2.2 Sunlight and Bleach by Aaron Lamont He's been investigating a corrupt deal between the government and vampires. Can such a thing even exist? Are vampires even real? What is going on? One man sets out to expose the Office of the Night. It's time to shine a little light on this grubby deal. The problem is that vampires don't like the sunlight. 2.3 Dracula Bachelor by Ash Darby Sometimes killing is easy. Never underestimate human vanity and stupidity. People will always sign up for a reality TV show. Especially one that offers the winner immortality. Of course, there's always a catch. If this show is so successful, why has no-one ever seen it? Note: This production features scenes of vampiric feeding and blood consumption.
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TDP 1348: #bigfinish 92. Torchwood: Inseparable review
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes and 7 secondsThis title was released in February 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 April 2025, and on general sale after this date. Yvonne Hartman and Tommy have gone undercover at a couples' retreat. Will anyone buy their May to December romance? Torchwood came looking for a mysterious energy signal and instead found themselves caught in a web of troubled lovers becoming ever closer. Perhaps what Yvonne and Tommy really need is time apart from each other?
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TDP 1348: #bigfinish 92. Torchwood: Inseparable review
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes and 7 secondsThis title was released in February 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 April 2025, and on general sale after this date. Yvonne Hartman and Tommy have gone undercover at a couples' retreat. Will anyone buy their May to December romance? Torchwood came looking for a mysterious energy signal and instead found themselves caught in a web of troubled lovers becoming ever closer. Perhaps what Yvonne and Tommy really need is time apart from each other?
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TDP 1347: #DoctorWho 9.1. Doctor Who: Genesis of the Cybermen
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 58 secondsThis title was released in March 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 April 2025, and on general sale after this date. A King lies dying in his castle. His eldest son Prince Sylvan is an artist with no desire to inherit a kingdom, while Prince Dega toils in his laboratory, dedicated to saving their dying people from extinction. They will all burn unless he succeeds. When the TARDIS arrives, its crew believe they can help. But this planet is Mondas. And this is the Genesis of the Cybermen... Please note: the collector's edition double CD is strictly limited to 2,000 copies
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TDP 1347: #DoctorWho 9.1. Doctor Who: Genesis of the Cybermen
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 58 secondsThis title was released in March 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 April 2025, and on general sale after this date. A King lies dying in his castle. His eldest son Prince Sylvan is an artist with no desire to inherit a kingdom, while Prince Dega toils in his laboratory, dedicated to saving their dying people from extinction. They will all burn unless he succeeds. When the TARDIS arrives, its crew believe they can help. But this planet is Mondas. And this is the Genesis of the Cybermen... Please note: the collector's edition double CD is strictly limited to 2,000 copies
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TDP 1346: UFOCAST Interview with James Swallow about Shadow Play
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 37 minutes and 49 secondsTDP 1346: UFOCAST Interview with James Swallow about Shadow Play
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TDP 1346: UFOCAST Interview with James Swallow about Shadow Play
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 37 minutes and 49 secondsTDP 1346: UFOCAST Interview with James Swallow about Shadow Play
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TDP 1344: 5. Doctor Who: Classic Doctors New Monsters 5: Faithful Friends
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 14 minutes and 31 secondsThis title was released in January 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2025, and on general sale after this date. Four new adventures featuring classic Doctors encountering monsters from the new series of Doctor Who! 5.1 The Krillitane Feint by John Dorney The TARDIS brings the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe to a planet where a secure research base is conducting disturbing experiments. A group of captive Krillitane are test subjects for a military power, keen to understand the species' unique abilities. But who are the real monsters here? 5.2 The Dying Breed by Tim Foley When the Doctor, Leela and K9 land on the Lupari homeworld tracking a temporal anomaly, they find a kingdom in disarray. The Great Lord Garzan's son has been attacked, and strange beasts roam the frozen landscape. Whilst Leela spars with the new heir, the Doctor and K9 must work out how all these strange events are connected. Little do they know that their discoveries will shake the Lupari to their core... 5.3 The Krillitane Relic by John Dorney The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Ray to a space station cryogenic facility, where interplanetary VIPs are stored pending medical cures. There is a familiar face here too - someone the Doctor remembers, but who does not remember him... 5.4 Five Hundred Ways to Leave Your Lover by Tim Foley Chris is on a date. But it isn't working out. Perhaps he'll end it over dinner. Or on a cruise. Or in a lunar spa. But who are these figures in red? And why are they so invested in his relationship? All of reality might be at stake, and the Monks will pursue Chris wherever he goes - but as long as he manages to break up with his boyfriend, the Doctor, everything might be saved... **Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,250 copies and will not be repressed**
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TDP 1344: 5. Doctor Who: Classic Doctors New Monsters 5: Faithful Friends
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 14 minutes and 31 secondsThis title was released in January 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2025, and on general sale after this date. Four new adventures featuring classic Doctors encountering monsters from the new series of Doctor Who! 5.1 The Krillitane Feint by John Dorney The TARDIS brings the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe to a planet where a secure research base is conducting disturbing experiments. A group of captive Krillitane are test subjects for a military power, keen to understand the species' unique abilities. But who are the real monsters here? 5.2 The Dying Breed by Tim Foley When the Doctor, Leela and K9 land on the Lupari homeworld tracking a temporal anomaly, they find a kingdom in disarray. The Great Lord Garzan's son has been attacked, and strange beasts roam the frozen landscape. Whilst Leela spars with the new heir, the Doctor and K9 must work out how all these strange events are connected. Little do they know that their discoveries will shake the Lupari to their core... 5.3 The Krillitane Relic by John Dorney The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Ray to a space station cryogenic facility, where interplanetary VIPs are stored pending medical cures. There is a familiar face here too - someone the Doctor remembers, but who does not remember him... 5.4 Five Hundred Ways to Leave Your Lover by Tim Foley Chris is on a date. But it isn't working out. Perhaps he'll end it over dinner. Or on a cruise. Or in a lunar spa. But who are these figures in red? And why are they so invested in his relationship? All of reality might be at stake, and the Monks will pursue Chris wherever he goes - but as long as he manages to break up with his boyfriend, the Doctor, everything might be saved... **Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,250 copies and will not be repressed**
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TDP 1343: #DoctorWho: The Third Doctor Adventures: Doctor Who and the Brain Drain
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 5 secondsThis title was released in February 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2025, and on general sale after this date. A newly exiled Doctor accompanies Liz Shaw and the Brigadier to a symposium held in an imposing Scottish castle. Professor MacLeod and her son have developed a new treatment for memory loss and a possible cure for dementia. As the Doctor investigates sightings of strange mythical creatures, and ghosts are unleashed in the castle’s corridors, Liz and the Brigadier search for a connection. Just what is happening to the energy produced by the MacLeods’ revolutionary treatment? And what is the strange creature that hides in the castle grounds? Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart © Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence. With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar
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TDP 1343: #DoctorWho: The Third Doctor Adventures: Doctor Who and the Brain Drain
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 5 secondsThis title was released in February 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2025, and on general sale after this date. A newly exiled Doctor accompanies Liz Shaw and the Brigadier to a symposium held in an imposing Scottish castle. Professor MacLeod and her son have developed a new treatment for memory loss and a possible cure for dementia. As the Doctor investigates sightings of strange mythical creatures, and ghosts are unleashed in the castle’s corridors, Liz and the Brigadier search for a connection. Just what is happening to the energy produced by the MacLeods’ revolutionary treatment? And what is the strange creature that hides in the castle grounds? Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart © Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence. With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar
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TDP 1342: 2.3. The Paternoster Gang: Trespassers 3: No Place Like Home REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 18 secondsThis title was released in December 2024. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 28 February 2025, and on general sale after this date. In Victorian England, the Great Detective, Madame Vastra, her resourceful spouse, Jenny Flint, and their loyal valet, Strax, solve conundrums, fight injustice and capture criminals - but an enemy has taken up residence undetected. The secret of the shape-shifting trespassers will now be revealed... 2.7 Doppelgängers by Ken Bentley After being imprisoned by a shapeshifting foe, Jenny has escaped through the London sewers and returned to Paternoster Row. Meanwhile, her captor (now disguised as Doppel-Jenny) infiltrates Paternoster Row with murderous intent! 2.8 Jellyfish! by Neve McIntosh and Dan Starkey The Gang head to the coast for Madame Vastra to convalesce. But their holiday proves far from restful. This Cornish village is home to suspicious locals, strange storms and wreckers. Most dangerous of all, something lurks in the seas - something with a mysterious hold over Vastra... 2.9 The Houseguest by Matt Fitton Vastra, Jenny and Strax return to London to find Paternoster Row changed. Houses lie empty, a crimewave grips the neighbourhood. A new criminal mastermind rules the underworld. What's more, Number 13 has an unexpected houseguest. And he claims to be the Doctor... Recorded on: 20-22 May 2024 Recorded at: The Soundhouse
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TDP 1342: 2.3. The Paternoster Gang: Trespassers 3: No Place Like Home REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 18 secondsThis title was released in December 2024. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 28 February 2025, and on general sale after this date. In Victorian England, the Great Detective, Madame Vastra, her resourceful spouse, Jenny Flint, and their loyal valet, Strax, solve conundrums, fight injustice and capture criminals - but an enemy has taken up residence undetected. The secret of the shape-shifting trespassers will now be revealed... 2.7 Doppelgängers by Ken Bentley After being imprisoned by a shapeshifting foe, Jenny has escaped through the London sewers and returned to Paternoster Row. Meanwhile, her captor (now disguised as Doppel-Jenny) infiltrates Paternoster Row with murderous intent! 2.8 Jellyfish! by Neve McIntosh and Dan Starkey The Gang head to the coast for Madame Vastra to convalesce. But their holiday proves far from restful. This Cornish village is home to suspicious locals, strange storms and wreckers. Most dangerous of all, something lurks in the seas - something with a mysterious hold over Vastra... 2.9 The Houseguest by Matt Fitton Vastra, Jenny and Strax return to London to find Paternoster Row changed. Houses lie empty, a crimewave grips the neighbourhood. A new criminal mastermind rules the underworld. What's more, Number 13 has an unexpected houseguest. And he claims to be the Doctor... Recorded on: 20-22 May 2024 Recorded at: The Soundhouse
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TDP 1345: SP24. #DoctorWho: The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Curse of Time review
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 47 secondsAfter being dragged through a rip in the time vortex, the TARDIS returns the Doctor, Sarah and Harry to Earth. They are in medieval times, but something strange is afoot. The villagers live in fear of the sinister Brotherhood, an order of monks that upholds the sacred laws. Then there’s Faustus Black, with his troupe of travelling players. What connects them is a terrible secret hidden in the Forbidden Forest... a cave from which nobody has ever returned... **Please note: the collector's edition double CD is strictly limited to 1,500 copies**
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TDP 1345: SP24. #DoctorWho: The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Curse of Time review
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 47 secondsAfter being dragged through a rip in the time vortex, the TARDIS returns the Doctor, Sarah and Harry to Earth. They are in medieval times, but something strange is afoot. The villagers live in fear of the sinister Brotherhood, an order of monks that upholds the sacred laws. Then there’s Faustus Black, with his troupe of travelling players. What connects them is a terrible secret hidden in the Forbidden Forest... a cave from which nobody has ever returned... **Please note: the collector's edition double CD is strictly limited to 1,500 copies**
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TDP 1337: #DoctorWho The Seventh Doctor Adventures: The Doctor and Carnacki REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 21 secondsGhost finder Thomas Carnacki deals with many uncanny mysteries that defy explanation. But throughout his life, a stranger keeps appearing. Whether he is an ally or a rival remains to be seen, but one thing is certain. When the Doctor and Carnacki cross paths, death and danger are always close... The Haunter of the Shore by AK Benedict 1897. Young Carnacki investigates a case at Edgemere Manor where the skeletons of tourists are left on the shore of the lake. Carnacki must discard everything he knows when he discovers that the estate’s hermit is the Doctor, and that time is being manipulated by an unseen force. The Doctor and Carnacki must work together if the mystery of Edgemere Manor is to be solved, the house saved, and the haunted residents find peace. The House by Georgia Cook Awoken in the dead of night to assist his distraught friend Arkright, Carnacki finds himself unexpectedly thrust into a long-buried mystery from his childhood, and face-to-face with a man he hasn't seen in years: the Doctor. But what is 'The House'? Why does everything Arkright touch transform into the same rotting furnishings and wallpaper? Can a man really be haunted by a building? The Institute of Forgotten Souls by Jonathan Barnes In the heart of England in 1936 there lies a home for wounded men. It is a strange, shadowed place, full of secrets. Terrible beasts prowl the grounds, as if guarding something dreadful. Inmates are disappearing, picked off one by one, while a singular resident - a certain, now retired ghost finder - bravely staves off the darkness. Yet tonight is the night when it's all going to end. For tonight is the night when the Doctor comes to call...
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TDP 1337: #DoctorWho The Seventh Doctor Adventures: The Doctor and Carnacki REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 21 secondsGhost finder Thomas Carnacki deals with many uncanny mysteries that defy explanation. But throughout his life, a stranger keeps appearing. Whether he is an ally or a rival remains to be seen, but one thing is certain. When the Doctor and Carnacki cross paths, death and danger are always close... The Haunter of the Shore by AK Benedict 1897. Young Carnacki investigates a case at Edgemere Manor where the skeletons of tourists are left on the shore of the lake. Carnacki must discard everything he knows when he discovers that the estate’s hermit is the Doctor, and that time is being manipulated by an unseen force. The Doctor and Carnacki must work together if the mystery of Edgemere Manor is to be solved, the house saved, and the haunted residents find peace. The House by Georgia Cook Awoken in the dead of night to assist his distraught friend Arkright, Carnacki finds himself unexpectedly thrust into a long-buried mystery from his childhood, and face-to-face with a man he hasn't seen in years: the Doctor. But what is 'The House'? Why does everything Arkright touch transform into the same rotting furnishings and wallpaper? Can a man really be haunted by a building? The Institute of Forgotten Souls by Jonathan Barnes In the heart of England in 1936 there lies a home for wounded men. It is a strange, shadowed place, full of secrets. Terrible beasts prowl the grounds, as if guarding something dreadful. Inmates are disappearing, picked off one by one, while a singular resident - a certain, now retired ghost finder - bravely staves off the darkness. Yet tonight is the night when it's all going to end. For tonight is the night when the Doctor comes to call...
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TDP 1340: V UK review from @Bigfinish
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 54 secondsThis title was released in January 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 28 February 2025, and on general sale after this date. London. Present Day. Earth is visited by aliens, bringing peace and prosperity. But their intentions are not benevolent, and soon the world is under occupation. While some choose to collaborate with the Visitors, others decide to fight back. Episode One Alien motherships appear above cities across the globe. The world reacts with panic and fear - until the commander of the Visitors appears and reveals that they come in need of help. Their offer seems too good to be true... Episode Two One month later, and the Visitors have become part of everyday life. But people are beginning to disappear, and scientists are being persecuted. Documentary-maker Mike Donovan sneaks on board one of the motherships and discovers the horrifying truth. Episode Three It is now Christmas. The Visitors have taken charge, imposing martial law over the UK. Scientists are forced to go into hiding - and Doctor Juliet Parrish finds herself becoming the reluctant leader of the rebellion. **Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,000 copies and will not be repressed.**
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TDP 1340: V UK review from @Bigfinish
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 54 secondsThis title was released in January 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 28 February 2025, and on general sale after this date. London. Present Day. Earth is visited by aliens, bringing peace and prosperity. But their intentions are not benevolent, and soon the world is under occupation. While some choose to collaborate with the Visitors, others decide to fight back. Episode One Alien motherships appear above cities across the globe. The world reacts with panic and fear - until the commander of the Visitors appears and reveals that they come in need of help. Their offer seems too good to be true... Episode Two One month later, and the Visitors have become part of everyday life. But people are beginning to disappear, and scientists are being persecuted. Documentary-maker Mike Donovan sneaks on board one of the motherships and discovers the horrifying truth. Episode Three It is now Christmas. The Visitors have taken charge, imposing martial law over the UK. Scientists are forced to go into hiding - and Doctor Juliet Parrish finds herself becoming the reluctant leader of the rebellion. **Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,000 copies and will not be repressed.**
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TDP 1386: 1. Sky: Before the Chaos REVIEW from @Bigfinish
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 29 secondsREVIEW First broadcast in 1975, ITV children's series Sky followed a time-travelling alien boy with solid blue eyes and psychic powers, who found himself on Earth in the wrong period of history. Fifty years later, Sky has been reborn. But why now? And what does Sky want with the old man living in the sheltered accommodation who used to fight to save planet Earth from destroying itself... Apotheose Two teenagers, the executive of Youngwell Corporation, a discredited journalist and an old man in a nursing home are brought together when a mysterious voice calls from within an ancient burial mound in the heart of Stanton Cheyney. The crows are flying, the public are chanting, and something malevolent is about to make itself known... Deitropism Sky is reunited with old friends and is now a TV superstar. A spy has infiltrated Youngwell Corporation and Jack Diver is trying to uncover secrets. Someone has a secret wrapped inside their genes and someone else is going to discover that the trees are not quite what they seem... Calyx As the survivors of mankind struggle to live beneath the biomass of plant life that literally envelops the planet, cutting off the sunlight and the air, an old enemy of Sky’s finally manifests, determined to make things worse. As the hunt for the Juganet becomes more and more desperate, Bex Briggs discovers that one should never stand still for too long in this terrifying new world order... Sky created by Bob Baker & Dave Martin © 1975 Recorded on: 15-17 January 2025 Recorded at: The Soundhouse Video: Writer, director and co-producer Gary Russell said: "There's a golden decade of kids' TV between 1972 and 1982, much of it produced by HTV and Patrick Dromgoole, often written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin. One of those gems was Sky, a show that displayed an intelligence and sophistication that many other ITV companies tried to emulate, but rarely did. "The ultimate outsider, Sky was neither good nor evil, neither a hero nor a villain. The same goes for the other characters around him: Arby, Goodchild, the Briggs family – there are marvellous moral ambiguities about all of them. "I love the original; it was a show I had grown up on and seen a thousand times, because I've got it on a nice shiny disc. Jason Haigh-Ellery turned around to me one day and said, 'Look, we've got the rights from Bob Baker to do a new version of Sky.' I think he could see the passion and fervour and begging in my eyes. He said, 'Do you want to do it?', and I said yes, because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I'd been thinking since 1975 about what you could do with this show, so I was very keen to sit down and get on with it. "Jason said to me, 'Do you want to do a remake?', and I said 'No, I want to do a sequel.' I wanted to pick the story up 50 years later, and therefore I knew that the only character I needed to bring back – other than Sky, obviously – was Arby. The idea of Arby, the hero of the original, being this broken old man sitting in a nursing home somewhere – I thought, that’s your good launch pad. It's about a redemption for him." "To be asked to find out what happened next, and the effect Sky's parting gift to Arby might have on a human, was too good an offer to say no to. I love these characters passionately and it's a joy to be able to tell these latest chapters in their lives – the first audio serial I've ever written for Big Finish." His co-producer Dominic G. Martin added: "The tale of Sky is an absolute belter of a story! I was born long after it aired, and despite growing up on a lot of classic TV, I only learned about Sky from Gary Russell. Hearing that Bob Baker and Dave Martin were the original serial's writers made me instantly excited to get involved. "It's a such a fascinating concept that you could pull off in any era with all its mysteries and dynamic characters. The whole cast was magnificent in the recordings – they were such a delight to work with, and I would love to think that the new series is not only a loving tribute to the work of Baker and Martin, but also builds on that grand story that they set up back in the 1970s, while keeping it accessible for a whole new generation to get immersed in." Lead actor Cloud Quinn takes over the role played by Marc Harrison in the original TV series. He said: "Sky definitely piqued my interest. I watched a little on YouTube and I read the novel of the original 1970 series, and I just loved the imagination of it. "It felt very challenging for children, but in a good way, opening their horizons to the big issues of the day around space flight and nuclear power and continuous industrialisation, and what that meant for the natural world – obviously that remains very, very relevant today. Edwin Flay, who plays Arby Vennor, added: "The audio revival is very well crafted in that you don’t need to have seen the original, but it grows from it, it feeds on it, and it brings all of the concerns very much up to date. The way our two characters have evolved from the original series and the journeys they’ve been on in the interim give it a lot of its meat for me, certainly. "In the original series, Arby Vennor was young, vibrant, and kind – a very straightforward, uncomplicated character – and now his experience has left him a broken shell. Exploring that, as he finds his drive and his sense of self again, has been a pleasure." (Sky) (Arby Vennor) (Gabby Evans) (Rhea Holmes) (Bex Briggs) (Krish Nadar) (Reporter) (Nurse / Brenda Simms) (Kyle Brannock) (Miss Cornell) (Jack Diver)
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TDP 1339: For Your Consideration Chariots Of Fire
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 59 minutes and 7 secondsLuke brings his favourite film this month, it’s Chariots of Fire. Apologies for the variable sound quality. T-shirts can be found here – Follow us on twitter Like us on Review us on Email the show –
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TDP 1339: For Your Consideration Chariots Of Fire
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 59 minutes and 7 secondsLuke brings his favourite film this month, it’s Chariots of Fire. Apologies for the variable sound quality. T-shirts can be found here – Follow us on twitter Like us on Review us on Email the show –
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TDP 1341: 1. Doctor Who: The Fugitive Doctor: Most Wanted REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes and 43 secondsThis title was released in January 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2025, and on general sale after this date. 1.1 Fast Times by Robert Valentine When the mysterious Division tries to arrest their equally mysterious agent, the Doctor, she evades capture and heads out in search of answers... but trouble is never far behind. Captured by bounty hunters and imprisoned in a maximum-security hulk ship, the Doctor is about to learn that there's no time to stand still when you're a fugitive. And times are about to get very fast indeed. 1.2 The Legend of Baba Yaga by Rochana Patel On the run from the Time Lords and in serious need of help, the Doctor heads for 17th-century Russia in search of the legendary witch of Slavic folklore... Baba Yaga. But while trying to gain assistance from this powerful entity, the Doctor finds herself embroiled in events from the most famous of Baba Yaga’s tales when she tries to help a beautiful young woman called Vasilisa retrieve a burning ember to save her family from the bitter Russian winter. What is real? What is fantasy? And will the Doctor be able to tell the difference in time? 1.3 The Dimension of Lost Things by Lisa McMullin Fleeing Cosmo through the Vortex, the TARDIS gets sucked down a temporal plughole, and the Doctor emerges into a weird landscape. Finding other lost souls in the form of mountaineer George Mallory and scavenger Athelia, the Doctor soon stumbles across another, more surprising denizen of this strange dimension - herself! With Cosmo still in pursuit and memory-stealing winds threatening to wipe her mind for good, the Doctor senses a complex trap in action. But whose trap is it, and how can she possibly escape? **THIS TITLE HAS NOW SOLD OUT ON CD**
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TDP 1341: 1. Doctor Who: The Fugitive Doctor: Most Wanted REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes and 43 secondsThis title was released in January 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2025, and on general sale after this date. 1.1 Fast Times by Robert Valentine When the mysterious Division tries to arrest their equally mysterious agent, the Doctor, she evades capture and heads out in search of answers... but trouble is never far behind. Captured by bounty hunters and imprisoned in a maximum-security hulk ship, the Doctor is about to learn that there's no time to stand still when you're a fugitive. And times are about to get very fast indeed. 1.2 The Legend of Baba Yaga by Rochana Patel On the run from the Time Lords and in serious need of help, the Doctor heads for 17th-century Russia in search of the legendary witch of Slavic folklore... Baba Yaga. But while trying to gain assistance from this powerful entity, the Doctor finds herself embroiled in events from the most famous of Baba Yaga’s tales when she tries to help a beautiful young woman called Vasilisa retrieve a burning ember to save her family from the bitter Russian winter. What is real? What is fantasy? And will the Doctor be able to tell the difference in time? 1.3 The Dimension of Lost Things by Lisa McMullin Fleeing Cosmo through the Vortex, the TARDIS gets sucked down a temporal plughole, and the Doctor emerges into a weird landscape. Finding other lost souls in the form of mountaineer George Mallory and scavenger Athelia, the Doctor soon stumbles across another, more surprising denizen of this strange dimension - herself! With Cosmo still in pursuit and memory-stealing winds threatening to wipe her mind for good, the Doctor senses a complex trap in action. But whose trap is it, and how can she possibly escape? **THIS TITLE HAS NOW SOLD OUT ON CD**
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TDP 1338: 91. Torchwood: Ianto's Inferno review
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 50 secondsThis title was released in January 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2025, and on general sale after this date. Tonight's the night for Anthony and Dean. No more pruning old people's gardens. No, they're about to hit the big time. They've an alien artefact, they've got a guy on the inside, and tonight they're going to break into Torchwood and steal everything. All they have to do is find their car...
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TDP 1338: 91. Torchwood: Ianto's Inferno review
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 50 secondsThis title was released in January 2025. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2025, and on general sale after this date. Tonight's the night for Anthony and Dean. No more pruning old people's gardens. No, they're about to hit the big time. They've an alien artefact, they've got a guy on the inside, and tonight they're going to break into Torchwood and steal everything. All they have to do is find their car...
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TDP 1334: Riversong1_lastWords - 1. The Death and Life of River Song Series 01: Last Words
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 10 secondsWrenched from her digital afterlife in the Library, River Song finds herself on sixty-first century Earth, resurrected in a clone body. Billionaire tech mogul Garrison Clay has a mystery to solve, and he's selected River as the person to solve it. Armed with only her sonic screwdriver and a fake ID, River heads out into a world soon to be ravaged by solar flares... where danger stalks her at every turn. Book 1 - Apokalypsis Book 2 - Fate & Fatality Book 3 - The Black Hours Book 4 - Book of the Dead
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TDP 1334: Riversong1_lastWords - 1. The Death and Life of River Song Series 01: Last Words
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 10 secondsWrenched from her digital afterlife in the Library, River Song finds herself on sixty-first century Earth, resurrected in a clone body. Billionaire tech mogul Garrison Clay has a mystery to solve, and he's selected River as the person to solve it. Armed with only her sonic screwdriver and a fake ID, River heads out into a world soon to be ravaged by solar flares... where danger stalks her at every turn. Book 1 - Apokalypsis Book 2 - Fate & Fatality Book 3 - The Black Hours Book 4 - Book of the Dead
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TDP 1336: AE1. UFO: Shadow Play Written by James Swallow REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 23 secondsThe last line of defence in a clandestine war, SHADO is all that stands between humanity and a force of alien invaders - and leading that fight is the uncompromising Ed Straker, commanding Earth's defenders around the clock. But what happens when the man at the top is pushed too far? After an experiment goes wrong, Straker awakens from a coma with missing memories and strange hallucinations that threaten his grip on reality - but is it the result of alien interference, or has the commander's iron will finally cracked? Facing danger from within and without, Straker must find the truth... even if it kills him. UFO™ and © ITC Entertainment Group 1969 and 2024. Licensed by ITV Studios Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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TDP 1336: AE1. UFO: Shadow Play Written by James Swallow REVIEW
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 23 secondsThe last line of defence in a clandestine war, SHADO is all that stands between humanity and a force of alien invaders - and leading that fight is the uncompromising Ed Straker, commanding Earth's defenders around the clock. But what happens when the man at the top is pushed too far? After an experiment goes wrong, Straker awakens from a coma with missing memories and strange hallucinations that threaten his grip on reality - but is it the result of alien interference, or has the commander's iron will finally cracked? Facing danger from within and without, Straker must find the truth... even if it kills him. UFO™ and © ITC Entertainment Group 1969 and 2024. Licensed by ITV Studios Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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TDP 1333: DoctorWho The Trials of a timelord
Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 4 secondsThe Sixth Doctor's fortieth anniversary celebrations continue, courtesy of LudoSphere Incorporated, with the greatest adventure ever streamed... Responding to a distress call from an old friend, the Doctor and Mel find themselves in 'Cyberia', a prison camp run by an even older foe. But this time, the Cyber Leader's machinations are just the tip of one very sinister iceberg, one that will test the Doctor to his very limit, and beyond... We hope you're hiding behind the sofa, because 'The Trials of a Time Lord' are about to begin! The Trials of a Time Lord Parts 1 and 2 by Rochana Patel The Trials of a Time Lord Parts 3 and 4 by Katherine Armitage The Trials of a Time Lord Parts 5 and 6 by Stewart Pringle