The Doctor's Beard Podcast

Lucky Shot Productions
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A Whovian (John S. Drew) and a Newvian (writer/editor Jim Beard) walk into a TARDIS and retrace the journey of the Doctor and his companions from the very beginning.

  1. 14H AGO

    Carrotgate Is Not How We End This - The Trial of a Time Lord - "The Ultimate Foe"

    John and Jim conclude Colin Baker's tumultuous era with a two-part finale born from tragedy, scrambled rewrites, and production chaos - resulting in wildly divergent reactions from the hosts and fandom's most controversial regeneration-that-never-was. The Production Nightmare: John details Robert Holmes passing while writing Part 1, Eric Saward writing Part 2 from Holmes' notes but refusing to release it when JNT rejected his cliffhanger ending (the Doctor and Valeyard falling into an abyss), Pip and Jane Baker getting 10 days to write an entirely new Part 2 using only existing sets from Part 1, and the longest Classic Who episode clocking in at 30 minutes when the Bakers' 38-minute script had to be pared down. The Valeyard Revelation: Extensive discussion of the bombshell that the Valeyard is "an amalgamation of the Doctor's darker impulses from between his twelfth and final incarnations." The hosts debate why this huge concept has never been revisited on screen despite New Who passing that point in the timeline, compare it to Star Trek's "The Enemy Within" and Jekyll/Hyde dynamics, question how the Valeyard established himself on Gallifrey as a respected prosecutor, and marvel that this mythology-altering revelation planted seeds that never grew. The Master's Motivations: Jim questions why the Master appears at all beyond Robert Holmes liking the character. Discussion covers the Master entering the Matrix with a duplicate key, his refusal to let the Valeyard deny him the pleasure of destroying the Doctor personally, and the irony of him being frozen in the Matrix alongside Glitz by story's end. Peri's Resurrection: The hosts examine the shoehorned reveal that Peri survived to become Yrcanos' warrior queen - a retcon driven by negative audience reaction to her original death. Discussion includes Nicola Bryant's mixed feelings (initially disappointed, now embracing it in recent appearances), comparisons to Leela, and whether either ending serves the character well. Continuity Catastrophes: The Inquisitor doesn't recognize the Master then suddenly knows he's a renegade Time Lord within the same episode. The Seventh Door to the Matrix is inexplicably on the space station. The High Council gets deposed by insurrectionists in unexplained chaos. Jim gets "completely lost" by events on Gallifrey that are told but never shown. Bonnie Langford's Redemption: Both hosts praise Bonnie's performance in Part 2 when freed from Robert Holmes and Eric Saward's diminishment of Mel. Discussion covers her not being reduced to singer/dancer stereotypes, total recall ability introduced in "Terror of the Vervoids," recognizing Time Lord modems, and Jim's appreciation that she's treated as the Doctor's equal rather than damsel. The Detective Doctor: Jim dubs Colin "The Detective Doctor" for his Sherlock Holmes/Batman deductive reasoning throughout the trial, calling himself "Old 60" and piecing together clues about Matrix manipulation, fake Mel's knowledge gaps, and the list of judges in his own handwriting. The Ending That Never Was: Colin Baker's final words as the Doctor - "Carrot juice, carrot juice, carrot juice" - haunt him to this day. Discussion of newspapers announcing his firing the day Part 2 aired, his refusal to return for a regeneration story (offering one more season instead), becoming the only Doctor without an onscreen regeneration until Big Finish remedied it, and the raw deal of only 11 stories total. Production Chaos Recap: No script editor credited for Part 2. JNT forced to act as story editor while fighting to keep Doctor Who alive. The Bakers writing without access to Holmes' notes or Saward's script. Sets already built constraining Part 2's possibilities. Colin knowing this was his swan song but giving his finest courtroom performance. The 30-minute runtime requiring BBC schedule adjustments. The Final Twist: The Keeper revealed as the Valeyard in disguise, laughing menacingly as the ultimate cliffhanger - planted seeds for a new showrunner who would start from scratch with Sylvester McCoy. The hosts question why this twist exists when they already knew Colin was gone and had no next doctor or story editor lined up. Mel's Future: Discussion of older-looking Mel with Beverly Crusher-style hair arriving with Glitz, speculation about when they were plucked from (possibly her eventual departure with Glitz's carrot juice company and TV show), and total recall proving essential to exposing the fake Matrix trial. Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): Comics "Changes" and "Salad Daze," Memory TARDIS spin, more music, and a Season 23 retrospective examining the good, bad, and ugly while preparing for Sylvester McCoy's arrival. Patreon Exclusive (Friday): "Colin Baker: One Last Look" - a retrospective on the man and his 11-story tenure. Main Feed (Following Saturday - Hiatus Content): Peter Davison retrospective from Patreon archives. Season 24 Premiere: "Time and the Rani" - Sylvester McCoy's debut AND Kate O'Mara's return heralding the new Doctor's arrival. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TrialOfATimeLord #TheUltimateFoe #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #TheValeyard #TheMaster #Mel #BonnieLangford #SabalonGlitz #RobertHolmes #PipAndJaneBaker #EricSaward #Season23Finale #TheInquisitor #PeriBrown #NicolaBryant #MatrixSequences #RegenerationThatNeverWas #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #1986 #ProductionChaos #ColinBakerFarewell

    1h 15m
  2. You Might Also Like: The School of Greatness

    14H AGO ·  BONUS

    You Might Also Like: The School of Greatness

    Introducing How to Protect Your Brain and Live Longer | Dr. Andrew Weil from The School of Greatness. Follow the show: The School of Greatness Dr. Andrew Weil drops a counterintuitive truth right out of the gate: avoiding head trauma and quitting smoking are the two most powerful things you can do to prevent cognitive decline, yet almost no one talks about them in the brain health conversation. Most of us are chasing the latest supplement or biohack while ignoring the chronic stress quietly flooding our brains with cortisol and damaging the very region responsible for memory and emotion. Dr. Weil connects the dots between what you eat, how you breathe, who you spend time with, and how long your brain stays sharp. His 4-7-8 breathing technique alone has generated millions of views worldwide and outperforms anxiety medication in his clinical experience. More than any single protocol, though, he returns again and again to one root cause behind poor relationships, chronic illness, and unfulfilled potential: not yet learning how to genuinely love yourself. Dr. Weil’s books: Mind Over Meds Fast Food, Good Food True Food Spontaneous Happiness Why Our Health Matters Healthy Aging The Healthy Kitchen Eating Well for Optimum Health Eight Weeks to Optimum Health Spontaneous Healing Natural Health, Natural Medicine From Chocolate To Morphine Health and Healing In this episode you will: Discover the two most overlooked factors driving cognitive decline and what to cut from your life immediately to protect your brain Learn the free, 60-second breathing technique Dr. Weil calls the most powerful anti-anxiety method he has ever found Understand how your gut microbiome connects to your brain health and which fermented foods rebuild it most effectively Identify the foods and environmental toxins doing the most damage to your long-term cognitive function Explore why loving yourself is not a soft idea but the actual foundation of healthy relationships, emotional resilience, and lasting well-being For more information go to https://lewishowes.com/1913 For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960 Follow The Daily Motivation for essential highlights from The School of Greatness More SOG episodes we think you’ll love: Dr. William Li Dr. Jeremy London Dr. Will Bulsiewicz Get more from Lewis!  Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy! Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on Spotify Text Lewis AI YouTube Instagram Website Tiktok Facebook X Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. APR 4

    Future Evidence, Fried Egg Sandwiches, and Unfortunate Plant Monsters - The Trial of a Time Lord - "Terror of the Vervoids"

    John and Jim examine the third Trial of a Time Lord story featuring the Doctor's bold defense strategy: presenting evidence from his own future, complete with a new companion who somehow makes Perry instantly forgettable. The Gutsy Introduction: The hosts examine the unprecedented decision to introduce Mel (Bonnie Langford) not at the beginning of her travels but as if she's already been with the Doctor for ages. Discussion covers the instant chemistry between Colin Baker and Bonnie Langford, Mel's agency and enthusiasm as a breath of fresh air, and why this pairing works despite unconventional storytelling. Evidence From the Future?: Jim questions the trial's fundamental logic - why would Time Lords accept evidence that hasn't happened yet? The hosts debate whether showing the Doctor "gets better" in the future undermines the entire prosecution while simultaneously revealing he survives the trial. Discussion includes the questionable legal framework and the Valeyard's surprisingly weak objections. The Bonnie Langford Factor: Extensive background on why casting Bonnie Langford was considered both a coup and a joke. The hosts explore her reputation as "England's Shirley Temple" (not in a good way), comparisons to Justin Bieber or Tiffany suddenly joining Star Trek, and how Pip and Jane Baker deliberately wrote against audience expectations. Coverage includes the infamous scream count, the F-key requirement matching the theme music sting, and whether Mel's voice takes getting used to. Production Crisis Mode: John details the chaos behind the scenes - Eric Saward's resignation leaving no script editor credited, JNT forced to take over script development, the Starlog interview controversy, JNT's attempted resignation (initially accepted with the caveat he fire Colin Baker), and morale at all-time lows with no pickup news. The Space Liner Mystery: Discussion of the murder mystery setup aboard Hyperion 3, Honor Blackman's casting (playing someone in her 40s while in her 60s), the Love Boat-style passenger introductions, the Mogarians and their translator issues, and Commodore Travers recognizing the Sixth Doctor from an adventure viewers never saw. The Vervoid Problem: Both hosts agree the plant-based menace suffers from unfortunate design - looked fine in studio as tulips but became laughable on screen. Jim argues the human crimes prove more interesting than the creature threat. Discussion covers Pip Baker's research into plant hormones, the effective reveal scene in shadows, Professor Lasky's Thing from Another World-inspired death, and the wilting death sequence. Red Herrings and Subplots: Examination of dropped plot threads including the Demeter seeds going nowhere (despite the Doctor eating one), Ruth the plant-infested woman's wasted potential, the Mogarian hijacking subplot as acknowledged "sideshow," and whether these diversions work or waste time. The Chemistry Question: Both hosts marvel at how Baker and Langford perform as if they'd been together for years. Coverage includes Mel not being told to "stay here," treatment as the Doctor's equal rather than damsel, her computer programmer background never materializing, and Pease Pottage references connecting to nursery rhymes. Design and Effects: Appreciation for the art deco lamp-inspired Hyperion 3 design (compared to Empire Strikes Back's Cloud City inspiration), the elaborate video game homage possibly recycled from "Nightmare Fair" development, black hole interpretation, and bodies stacked like cordwood pushing graphic boundaries. The Genocide Charge: The Valeyard's closing accusation transforms the trial as Article 7 of Gallifreyan Law makes no exceptions - destroying an entire species constitutes genocide regardless of necessity. The hosts question whether this charge sticks and what it means for the finale. Behind the Sofa Confusion: Colin, Bonnie, and Nicola on one couch with Matthew Waterhouse, Fraser Hines, and Mark Strickson on another - the three men initially think the plant-infested woman is Nicola Bryant and wonder "what happened to Peri." Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): More Doctor Who music, Memory TARDIS spin with random First Five Doctors story recall, the three-part comic "Time Bomb," and news about recent collection release controversies and RTD decisions raising hackles. Main Feed Episode (Friday for Patreon, Following Saturday for All): The two-part finale "The Ultimate Foe" wraps up Colin Baker's era. John handles narration and promises Jim will thank him for NOT handling this one. Fandom generally dislikes it - meaning Jim will probably love it. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TrialOfATimeLord #TerrorOfTheVervoids #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Mel #BonnieLangford #HonorBlackman #PipAndJaneBaker #TheVervoids #Season23 #Hyperion3 #ChrisClough #MurderMystery #SpaceLiner #ClassicWho #GenocideCharge #TheValeyard #TheInquisitor #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #1986 #CompanionIntroduction

    1h 18m

  4. MAR 28

    Sil, Samurai Warriors, and Shocking Sacrifices - THE TRIAL OF A TIME LORD - "MIndwarp"

    John and Jim tackle the second story of Trial of a Time Lord - a divisive entry that Jim describes as "fair to middling" until a jaw-dropping finale that left him questioning everything. Production Challenges: John provides extensive background on Philip Martin's return after "Vengeance on Varos," Ron Jones directing his final Doctor Who story, and Eric Saward's resignation as story editor during production. Discussion covers Robert Holmes' passing during rehearsals and the courtroom set drama continuing with union issues. The Return of Sil: Jim does NOT hold back on his feelings about Sil's return to Doctor Who. The hosts debate whether bringing back the green marshmallow-eating Mentor serves any real purpose beyond annoying viewers. Discussion includes comparisons to Star Trek's Ferengi and whether Kiv (played by Christopher Ryan) proves more interesting than his obnoxious predecessor. Brian Blessed Arrives: The hosts examine Brian Blessed's appearance as King Yrcanos - a performance John considers a saving grace while Jim finds increasingly one-note. Behind-the-scenes stories include Blessed's F-bomb outtake, JNT's gentle handling of the larger-than-life actor, and revelations about Blessed nearly becoming the Second Doctor at age 25. Cultural Appropriation Concerns: Jim and John discuss troubling 1986 production choices: Kabuki-style makeup and samurai aesthetics for Yrcanos, servants and slaves portrayed by minority actors, Native American-styled costumes, and the questionable treatment of Dorf (transformed into a dog). The hosts question why these decisions felt appropriate in the mid-1980s. Colin Baker's Motivation Mystery: Extensive discussion of Colin Baker's struggle with unclear direction - was the Doctor acting under mind control, being crafty for observers, or was the Matrix testimony itself tampered with? Nobody could give him answers, leading to confusion that permeates the performance. The Claustrophobic Complex: Jim criticizes the confined, repetitive sets of Thoros Beta, noting the same corridor and computer banks appearing from different angles. Discussion covers the limited scope compared to "The Mysterious Planet" and whether the laboratory scenes provide the only visual relief. That Ending: The hosts unpack the shocking finale where Peri's brain is replaced by Kiv's, Yrcanos bursts in and shoots everyone, and the Doctor is pulled backward into the TARDIS by Time Lord intervention. John admits this originally made him consider quitting the show, while both hosts question whether companions deserved such ignoble exits. Time Lord Treachery: Discussion of the High Council ordering Peri's death, the Inquisitor's sudden inside knowledge, and why this story made John truly understand why the Doctor ran away from Gallifrey. The Doctor's proclamation about "second-rate gods" resonates as one of Colin Baker's finest courtroom moments. The Muddled Middle: Both hosts struggle with unclear storytelling - repetitive running through corridors, vague motivations, forgotten plot threads about weapons trafficking, and whether anything meaningful happens between the shocking beginning and devastating end. Listener Perspectives: Jameson weighs in on theme preferences, Inquisitor Darkel's ruthless portrayal in Gallifrey audios, and teases Jim's eventual reaction to trial revelations. Jamie Girl appreciates the pink/purple planet effects and Brian Blessed's Viking philosophy while sharing YouTube finds of cast reunions. Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): More Dominic Glynn theme music, the three-part comic "Nature of the Beast," a look back at the first five Doctors with another Memory TARDIS spin. Main Feed Episode (Friday for Patreon, Following Saturday for All): Parts 9-12 of Trial of a Time Lord - "Terror of the Vervoids." Mel arrives, and John cryptically warns the creatures' name isn't the only unfortunate thing about them. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TrialOfATimeLord #Mindwarp #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Peri #NicolaBryant #BrianBlessed #Yrcanos #Sil #TheMentors #ThorosBeta #PhilipMartin #RonJones #Season23 #Crozier #Kiv #TheValeyard #TheInquisitor #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #1986 #CompanionDeath

    1h 19m

  5. MAR 21

    Objection! Jim's Theme Song Trauma - The Trial of a Time Lord - "The Mysterious Planet"

    John and Jim welcome back special guest artist Jerry Lange to discuss the Season 23 opener - a story that surprises everyone involved and showcases Colin Baker delivering what may be his finest performance in the role. The Return After 18 Months: John provides extensive background on how the show returned after the hiatus with a reduced budget, shorter episode format, and completely different vision from what was originally planned. Discussion covers the tumultuous production environment, Eric Saward's declining interest, and the challenges facing the production team. Dominic Glynn's Theme: The hosts react to the new arrangement of the Doctor Who theme - and Jim does NOT hold back his feelings. Discussion explores why this version feels cheaper than previous iterations and whether anything can redeem it. Jerry's Fresh Perspective: As someone experiencing Colin Baker's Doctor properly for the first time, Jerry shares his impressions of the "grumpy Doctor" and how this performance compares to what he expected. His observations about how each Doctor can be characterized provide interesting insights. Colin Baker's Courtroom Brilliance: All three hosts agree: Colin Baker shines brightest in the trial sequences. Jim examines how Baker balances humor and outrage, the effective "fencing" between the Doctor and the Valeyard, and why these courtroom interruptions actually enhance rather than detract from the story. The Mysterious Planet Story: The hosts discuss Robert Holmes' final full script, the Beneath the Planet of the Apesinfluences, the impressive (and expensive) model work, Drathro's excellent robot design, and whether Glitz and Dibber work as comedy relief characters. Jerry questions whether certain characters were even necessary to the narrative. Production Challenges: Discussion covers wrong studio construction, extended recaps to fill time, rating troubles despite heavy BBC promotion (blamed on the Roland Rat lead-in and The A-Team counterprogramming), and which actors stood out in guest roles. The Valeyard Factor: The hosts examine Michael Jayston's performance, the mysterious prosecutor's agenda, and why his dynamic with Colin Baker creates such compelling television despite being filmed primarily in one courtroom set. Listener Perspectives: Jamie Girl weighs in on the arrogance factor and Perry's odd reaction to Earth's fate, while Jameson provides expanded media context and praises the Baker/Jayston chemistry. Jeff from Australia offers thoughts on problematic elements and the Young Ones connections in "Revelation of the Daleks". Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday): Dominic Glynn theme variations, the comics "Exodus," "Revelation," and "Genesis," plus another spin of the Memory TARDIS wheel. Main Feed Episode (Friday for Patreon, Following Saturday for All): Parts 5-8 of Trial of a Time Lord - "Mindwarp." John handles narration duties, and he cryptically promises Jim will thank him for the division of labor. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TrialOfATimeLord #TheMysteriousPlane #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Peri #NicolaBryant #TheValeyard #MichaelJayston #RobertHolmes #Season23 #Drathro #GlitzAndDibber #ClassicWho #TheInquisitor #Ravalox #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #NicholasMallett #1986

    1h 58m

  6. MAR 14

    Crisis Point 1985 - Patreon Exclusive #157

    John and Jim dive deep into one of the most tumultuous periods in Doctor Who history, exploring the fan response to the show's 18-month hiatus announcement and examining two very different productions from that era. Theme Song Discussion: The hosts review Chameleon Circuit's 2026 version of Peter Howell's 1980s Doctor Who theme. The hosts find it underwhelming, noting it fails to generate the excitement that should accompany the opening of a Doctor Who episode. They express mixed feelings about Chameleon Circuit's various covers over the years. LINK : https://youtu.be/oYyc00TKtCs?si=UUH4k9dMulobMh3o The 18-Month Hiatus: During the broadcast of "The Two Doctors," the BBC announced Doctor Who would be "rested" for 18 months to fund other BBC projects. The announcement made national headlines and BBC News broadcasts, creating major controversy among fans and the general public. "Doctor in Distress" - The Charity Single: Ian Levine, the show's unofficial historian and fan liaison, organized a charity single modeled after "We Are the World" to protest the hiatus. The hosts discuss the infamous recording featuring: Cast members: Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Nicholas Courtney, Anthony Ainley, Faith Brown (from "Attack of the Cybermen") Musicians: Justin Hayward and John Lodge (The Moody Blues), Phyllis Nelson, Bobby G (Bucks Fizz) Notable absences due to scheduling issues and Ian's impatience LINK: https://youtu.be/ege9lQecazo?si=yh0ROrCIbz9hf30a "A Fix with Sontarans": In stark contrast to "Doctor in Distress," this segment from the children's show "Jim'll Fix It" proved surprisingly professional. Young fan Gareth Jenkins wished to appear in a Doctor Who story, and writer Eric Saward crafted a nearly 10-minute adventure featuring: Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor Janet Fielding returning as Tegan (not Nicola Bryant as Peri) Two Sontarans (Clinton Grain and Tim Raime from "The Two Doctors") A surprisingly serious tone rather than sketch comedy Production notes include that the two Sontarans were named Nathan and Turner (a dig by Eric Saward at producer John Nathan-Turner), and that a remastered version exists with Jimmy Savile edited out and updated special effects. Colin Baker later stated he always found Savile "creepy." LINK: https://archive.org/details/a_fix_with_sontarans Doctor Who Magazine - "Voyager" Part 5: The hosts express deep frustration with Steve Parkhouse's comic story, calling it "hogwash," "claptrap," and "balderdash." They criticize: The pretentious writing style The Doctor's complete lack of agency Frobisher the penguin's unnecessary subplot The anticlimactic appearance of the villain Voyager The waste of artist John Ridgway's talents Jim suggests Parkhouse was attempting to emulate Alan Moore but failing spectacularly, creating "whimsy disguised as something deeper." The hosts note this isn't Doctor Who and wouldn't work on television. They express relief that only two more Parkhouse stories remain. Memory TARDIS: The wheel lands on "Mawdryn Undead," which both hosts remember fondly, particularly for: Nicholas Courtney's dual role as two different time versions of the Brigadier The strong integration of the Brigadier into the plot (not just a cameo) Nyssa and Tegan's interactions with the Brigadier The creative concept of keeping the two Brigadiers apart Big Finish News: The hosts briefly discuss Big Finish's move toward digital-only releases for many products due to poor physical sales and warehouse storage issues, sparking debate about collector markets and physical media in the vinyl revival era. Coming Up Next: Main Feed Episode: John and Jim tackle "Timelash" with special guest Alan J. Porter, continuing their journey through Colin Baker's controversial Season 22. Next Patreon Episode (158): The hosts continue with more theme music discussion, spin the Memory TARDIS again, and cover Steve Parkhouse's penultimate story "Polly the Glot" - a three-part adventure from Doctor Who Magazine. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #PatreonExclusive #DoctorInDistress #IanLevine #JimllFixIt #ColinBaker #JanetFielding #Tegan #Sontarans #DoctorWhoMagazine #Voyager #SteveParkhouse #Frobisher #MawdrynUndead #TheBrigadier #NicholasCourt ney #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoComics #1985 #Hiatus #DoctorWhoHistory #DoctorWhoPodcast

    56 min

  7. MAR 7

    Bang Bang A-Boom! - Patreon Exclusive #85

    Episode Title: "Bang Bang A-Boom!" - Season 12 Retrospective & Big Finish Review - Patreon Exclusive #85 SPECIAL MAIN FEED RELEASE - PATREON SHOWCASE DOCTOR WHO THEME MONTAGE: The Tardis Elliot Video: John sent Jim a montage from Tardis Elliot (a fan who makes trailers of Doctor Who episodes) featuring title opening sequences. John's Reasoning: "This is the last, with Tom Baker, the last hurrah for the original version of the Doctor Who theme. After this, we're going to start seeing the variations. I thought, give me a little sneak peek at what's in store for you if you continue on into the new series and all." NO COMIC THIS WEEK: Jim: "What a relief that was. It's terrible for me to say that, but what a relief. It was nice having a break. It really was." SEASON 12 RETROSPECTIVE: SEASON AVERAGES: Jim: 10.2/15 John: 11/15 Overall Average: 10.6/15 Jim: "Some of that is nostalgia for you." John: "Absolutely." SEASON 13 SPOILER CARDS: The Three Cards: Ncuti Gatwa Fembots Classic Movies JIM'S CHOICE PROCESS: "How in the world could I possibly pick? I can pretty quickly eliminate Classic Movies, even though I like classic movies. I'm really intrigued by the other two." Fembots: "I'm not as big of a Bionic Woman fan as you are. I didn't watch it regularly like I did $6 Million Man. I know who the Fembots are and I liked that she had a recurring adversary, that was sort of her Daleks." THE PICK: NCUTI GATWA THE REVEAL: PYRAMIDS OF MARS BIG FINISH: BANG BANG A-BOOM! Release: December 19th, 2002 (their second Christmas episode) Writers: Gareth Roberts & Clayton Hickman Director: Nicholas Pegg Doctor: Sylvester McCoy Companion: Mel THE BASIC PLOT: "Star Trek meets Space 1999 meets Eurovision." The Setup: "The TARDIS lands on Dark Space 8 and finds themselves dealing with a whole bunch of aliens who are on the station because the Doctor is mistaken for the replacement commander for the station." The Backstory: "The TARDIS winds up on a shuttle that's transporting the new commander, but it explodes before it reaches the station. They are beamed onto the station - he and Mel - as the only survivors of it." Beamed vs. Transmitted: "They actually say 'beamed' in this case. They don't use the term transporter though. But I think that term was already being used in science fiction before. It's like blasters. I was naive enough to think that blasters came from Star Wars, but in Foundation by Isaac Asimov, the guns are called blasters." THE ELEMENTS: Space 1999: "The Space 1999 bit is the medical doctor who sounds an awful lot like Barbara Bain. She's going out of her way. She's the one doing medical logs like Bain did in Season 2 of Space 1999. Barbara Bain had a very distinctive voice. This woman seems to be placing that same emphasis on it there." Star Trek: "There's a lot of references to Star Trek. You look and you go 'Oh, now they're referencing this episode. Now they're referencing that episode.'" Eurovision: "They got someone who did a dead-on impression of the guy. For years Eurovision was hosted by a BBC presenter Wogan from Northern Ireland. So they have their version being Logan and he sounds just like him. It was cute." THE INTERGALACTIC SONG CONTEST: "On the station, while he's trying to figure out who tried to kill or not try to but successfully killed the new commander, the Doctor's also got to deal with an intergalactic song contest." JOHN'S VERDICT: Worth It? "It's worth a listen, especially if you are a Star Trek fan. And in my case, I had to laugh at the Eurovision spoofing they did." NEXT TIME: Friday (Patreon): Big Finish's "The Ark" - Jon Lucarotti's original story before it became Ark in Space Saturday (Main Feed): Reissue/release of a Patreon episode - Jon Pertwee Retrospective Monday (Patreon #86): "Primarily we're going to be focusing on the comic strips that were on during the break." The Reality: "It's going to be a mix of stuff from the strip and also a comic from the TV Comic Annual for 1976." "And that is our Big Finish for this show!" Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month - early access, exclusive episodes, and bonus content! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #PatreonExclusive #Episode85 #BangBangABoom #Season12Retrospective #TomBaker #FourthDoctor #Robot #ArkInSpace #TheWirrn #GenesisOfTheDaleks #Davros #Nyder #RevengeOfTheCybermen #TheSontaranExperiment #K1 #GiantRobot #SarahJaneSmith #HarrySullivan #HarryIsAnImbecile #BestCompanion #SarahIsntThereYet #ItHappening #Vira #Bettan #MissWinters #PeterMiles #Kettlewell #OutOutBriefCandle #HaveITheRight #JumpRopeScene #PyramidsOfMars #Sutekh #Spoilers #NcutiGatwa #Fembots #ClassicMovies #DoctorWhoTheme #TardisElliot #PeterHowell #NeonLogo #TheBrigadier #BigFinish #SylvesterMcCoy #Mel #SeventhDoctor #GarethRoberts #ClaytonHickman #NicholasPegg #StarTrek #Space1999 #Eurovision #Wogan #BarbaraBain #TheChimesOfMidnight #PaulMcGann #EighthDoctor #Jameson #ListenerMail #UNIT #Assembled #TheChurchAndTheCrown #Erimem #FifthDoctor #Pathfinder #RPG #ExternalHardDrive #TheArc #JonLucarotti #JonPertweeRetrospective #TVComicAnnual #1976 #ClassicWho #Retrospective #BestOf #FunniestMoment #BestMoment #GuestStarDebate #10Point6Average #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #PatreonShowcase

    41 min

  8. FEB 28

    Davros, Duos, and DJs: The Season 22 Finale - "Revelation of the Daleks"

    John and Jim welcome back special guest Felicity Kusinitz to discuss the Colin Baker era finale - a story that generates surprising ratings diversity and sparks debate about Eric Saward's best (or most problematic) work. Production Background: Director Graham Harper returns after "Caves of Androzani" to helm this two-part adventure, the last to be shot using film for location work. John shares fascinating details about Eric Saward writing the script while vacationing in Rhodes, drawing inspiration from Evelyn Waugh's satirical novel The Loved One, and Greek locations providing character names. The story features newly constructed Daleks for the first time since "Planet of the Daleks," plus some surprising casting stories - including Sir Laurence Olivier being approached to play... the mutant. Best and Worst Guest Stars: Jim declares this story contains both the best and worst guest stars ever - a proclamation that generates immediate discussion. Eleanor Bron's appearance delights Jim (who knew her from "Help!" and "Bedazzled"), while the DJ character sparks the episode's most heated debate. The hosts and Felicity find themselves split on whether this comedic character works or derails the story's tone. The Duo Dynamic: The hosts examine Eric Saward's interesting structural choice of populating the story with paired characters - from Orsini and Bostock (the assassin and his squire) to Jobel and Tasambeker, Kara and Vogel, and more. Discussion explores whether this represents a Robert Holmes homage and how these relationships drive the narrative. Davros as Emperor Palpatine: Jim presents his case for Davros completing his transformation into Emperor Palpatine, complete with blue lightning and manipulation tactics. The hosts debate the character's evolution, Terry Molloy's performance, and the story's handling of Davros versus the "real" Daleks. The Mortuary Planet Concept: Jim shares his fascination with funeral home settings in science fiction, praising the story's dark humor and satire. Discussion covers the story's Soylent Green elements, the disturbing glass Daleks, and whether the various subplots serve or detract from the core narrative. Perry's Accent Meta-Moment: The hosts discuss the scene where DJ asks "Is that your real accent?" - exploring what the production team knew about Nicola Bryant's secret by this point. Listener Perspectives: Jameson and Jamie Girl weigh in with contrasting views on the DJ character, Herbert from "Timelash," and the season's violence levels. Final Ratings: The three hosts land across the spectrum - demonstrating this story's divisive nature even among those who generally enjoy it. Felicity's Colin Baker Era Assessment: The returning guest shares her overall thoughts on Season 22, Colin Baker's Doctor, and her relationship with Perry as a companion. Coming Up Next: Special Hiatus Content: Patreon Exclusive (Next Week): John and Jim cover "Slipback" - the BBC Radio 4 audio drama featuring Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant that aired during the 18-month hiatus. Patreon Exclusive (Week After): A deep dive into the missing Season 23 - examining what stories were planned, what could have worked, and where to find them in expanded media through Big Finish and Target novels. Main Feed: Classic Patreon episodes will be released for non-subscribers during the two-week break. Regular Patreon Episode (Monday): Episode 159 concludes the Steve Parkhouse comic run with his final story "Once Upon a Time Lord." Hashtags: #DoctorWho #RevelationOfTheDaleks #SixthDoctor #ColinBaker #NicolaBryant #Davros #Daleks #EricSaward #GrahamHarper #EleanorBron #Season22 #ClassicWho #TerryMolloy #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #Whovian #Necros #GlassDaleks #1985 #ClassicDoctorWho

    1h 30m
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A Whovian (John S. Drew) and a Newvian (writer/editor Jim Beard) walk into a TARDIS and retrace the journey of the Doctor and his companions from the very beginning.

Information

  • Creator
    Lucky Shot Productions
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    192
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Doctor's Beard Podcast

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