Classic Rewatch: The War Machines

Technology is an amazing thing. To think that over the span of little more than 60 years, we’ve gone from “supercomputers” the size of an office building, to one that can fit in your skinny jeans’ pocket, is really incredible when you stop to think about it. Decades ago, the only really powerful processing machines were in the hands of either universities, or the military, and the first thing they thought to do was to harness their collective power by […]

Classic Rewatch: The Gunfighters

We’ve been waiting for this for some time, and not for the reasons you might think. This third season classic story, the first set in the United States, and the first of only a few attempts at a “western” theme, has had its share of maligns and put-downs. Well frankly, we think those yella-bellied nay-sayin’ so-and-sos are just doin’ it wrong. Viewed in the right light, it’s a perfectly enjoyable (and at times, outright comedic) romp, and as we discuss, […]

Classic Rewatch: The Ark

What is a person to do when confronted with the end of your planet? Build a giant spaceship, miniaturize your entire species, enslave an alien race, and begin a journey across space that will take millennia, of course. This week, we dematerialize in time to enjoy the WIlliam Hartnell-era Doctor Who story, “The Ark.” With (Spaceman) Steven Taylor and new companion Dodo along, they certainly get the attention of the Earth vessel’s crew when Dodo’s cold becomes an epidemic. But after all, there’s […]

Classic Rewatch: The Dalek Invasion of Earth

In 1963, the world was introduced to the alien horrors of the “homicidal trash bins” known as the Daleks. As terrifying as they were to the audience of the time, there may yet have been a sense of separation from this manifestation of evil, as we (through the eyes of the TARDIS team) met them millions of years in the future, on their strange planet of Skaro. When next we find them, however, the dangers of these sinister pepperpots strikes home […]

Classic Rewatch: The Time Meddler

What’s the first thing you would do if given access to a time machine? If your first answer isn’t “exploit temporal dynamics to make myself rich beyond reason” then you’re doing it wrong. Other acceptable answers are “muck about in the past to see what outcomes you can create in the future” or “steer world events to my liking because, why the hell not?” This week we explore the classic story “The Time Meddler” and ask ourselves if we’d be […]

Classic Rewatch: The Keys Of Marinus

What is one to do when one’s vehicle is locked away by a strange old keeper of an invaluable ancient technological wonder? Clearly, one must heed his demands, and go on a number of convoluted adventures to various locations, seeking the elusive McGuffin. This week, we discuss the first season’s classic story, “The Keys of Marinus.” Join us as we travel with the Doctor and company all over an alien world, looking for the titular keys in a wholly new type of storytelling for dramatic adventure tales […]

News Extra: Lost in the Timestream

Already reeling from the weekend’s news regarding Moffat’s step down, Chibnall’s succession and the delay of Series 10 until Spring of 2017, American Whovians were dealt yet another unexpected blow — the loss of Doctor Who content (both “classic” and post-2005) from the major streaming services Hulu and Netflix. Both. At once. Until further notice. In a supplemental reaction cast, Jay and Keir look at the repercussions of this change on accessibility to the program for one of the largest […]

Classic Rewatch: An Unearthly Child

Nostalgia is a wonderful thing. Looking fondly back on the vacations of our youth, remembering our first time driving without an adult in the car, thinking back to the television programs that entertained us so completely, so many years ago. Could we possibly be nostalgic for something that preceded a great majority of us? Even further, could we look to something from years past that perhaps we’ve never seen, and still feel that warmth and familiarity of our contemporary possessions? We certainly […]

Live from L.I. Who 3

“No changes are permanent / But change is.” Musician Neil Peart’s lyric from ‘Tom Sawyer’ may very well have been speaking of the Doctor Who program, a premise that, since the Troughton era, was built upon the idea of changes great and small. Recorded live from the Friday festivities at Long Island Doctor Who Con 3 (or L.I. Who 3, for short), we get a rare opportunity to chat directly with attending GPR listeners on the subject of intentional instability […]