Doctor Who: Gallifrey Public Radio

This week, we have a laugh at ourselves as American viewers, and wonder what we would do if trying to cast iconic Doctor Who roles with American actors who, for whatever reason, were not "the" commodity in demand at the moment. From the Ninth Doctor, to Sarah Jane Smith, to Strax, we poke a bit of good natured fun at our favourite programme -- and ourselves in the process -- and learn that sometimes, what sounds like even the most ridiculous casting choice imaginable might actually be really, really entertaining to watch. (In a parallel universe, that is.)

This week, we enjoy the action, adventure, and cat-and-mouse interplay between Doctor and Master in the Third Doctor story, "Terror of the Autons". Liz Shaw has made an abrupt off-screen departure, the effervescent Josephine Grant emerges as the new companion, and the deadly plastic menace is back once again with the manipulative evil genius of the Master to help in their efforts to overthrow Earth from England outward (as its customary). We delve into the Doctor's affinity for blowing up electronics, Jo's prowess as a Level-30 lockpick, the boyish charm of Captain Yates, and the undeniable creepy-cool that is Roger Delgado.

This week, the GPR squad each takes on the mantle of one of the Doctor Who spin-off series (Torchwood, Class, The Sarah Jane Adventures), and discusses its success as a standalone series, as well as its contributions and connections to the original programme.

This week, we slip sideways in our own realities in complete enjoyment of the Third Doctor adventure, "Inferno". An action-packed, yet intellectually compelling story, we're given fantastic performances from John Pertwee, Caroline John, and Nicholas Courtney, as well as the supporting cast, who get double-duty as they play their alternate-dimension dopplegangers: a first for the Doctor Who series, addressing the idea of parallel universes. All this, and radioactive werewolves? Point us at the controls, you had us at "The Doctor's Door Handle".

This week, we complete the freshman season of Class with the tumultuous finale, "The Lost". The five are in shambles after painful truths have been brought to light; Quill is not only mysteriously pregnant, but also mad as hell and prepared to enact her long-sought revenge on Charlie; and the Shadow King is apparently free of his bonds, and out to reclaim his title -- and April in the process. Oh, and lest we forget -- the Governors have a bit of a secret behind that oddly labeled door...

As we eagerly await the premiere of Series 10, news comes to us from the BBC that hits us like the proverbial ton of bricks: Peter Capaldi will be leaving at the end of this season, exiting alongside showrunner Steven Moffat. This week, Haley and Jay spend time discussing this and other Whovian news, and then wildly speculate about what's to come in light of it all.

This week, we find the diamonds in the radioactive rough that is the Third Doctor story, "The Ambassadors of Death". Liz Shaw shines, the Doctor demonstrates his ability to merge science with magic and (a dash of secret-agent-man), and Bessie becomes the go-to transportation for more characters than ever before...possibly since. We are reminded of the perils familiar to the late 1950s serial The Quartermass Experiment, and the fact that space suits are inherently creepy-looking outfits (something that Doctor Who chooses to remind us of regularly, as in the Vashta Nerada, the Impossible Astronaut...) Bonus Segment: Keir and Haley play a bit of "This Week In Whovian History".

This week, Jay and Haley try to comprehend the alternate planes presented in the seventh Class episode, "The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did". BONUS: Sophie Aldred, live from LI Who 4!

This week, our Third Doctor dons his best spelunking gear, and gives us our first look at what might have been our reptilian overlords in "The Silurians". We discuss the emergence of this iconic villain, the unsettling relationship developments between Doctor and Brig, the continued bad-assery of Liz Shaw, and how a weird music score can drive us absolutely nuts. Oh, and Bessie. Always Bessie. Bonus Segment: Ten minutes spent with Captain Yates of UNIT, the charming Richard Franklin, in our interview from L.I. Who 4!

This week, we're eager to return to Class, for the sixth episode, "Detained". Our misfit gang of five are in detention for reasons only Quill knows (and refuses to give). BONUS: Our interview with Daphne Ashbrook, live from L.I. Who 4!

This week, we find out once again how the Doctor is coping with grief during the holidays, in "The Return of Doctor Mysterio". Bonus Segment: Our annual birthday chat with none other than the Eighth Doctor himself, Paul McGann, live from L.I. Who 4!

This week, we resolve the previous Class cliffhanger in the fifth episode of the season. Bonus: We are honored to get to know Jeremy Radick, who portrayed (the unsung hero) Gareth in the 1996 Doctor Who movie, as we interview him at L.I. Who 4.

This week, we fall headlong into the debut of the Third Doctor, in "Spearhead From Space". We discuss all the backstory components that contributed to such a monumental shift in the franchise, the "Series 6B" theory that went from fan-fiction, to 'fanon', to canon, the ideal selection of Pertwee at this pivotal moment, and our complete adoration for Liz Shaw. Bonus Segment: Another lovely sit-down with "Old Sixie" himself, COlin Baker, from the hustle and bustle of L.I. Who 4!

This week, we delve into the fourth episode of Class, and the myriad of storylines it brings to the foreground. The Shadowkin are back, relationships are being strengthened (and weakened), hard truths being told, and in the midst of it, some rather unusual plant life is making an appearance. Too much for one episode, so hey -- cliffhanger! BONUS: Our interview with 1986-1989 script editor for Doctor Who, Andrew Cartmel, live from L.I. Who 4!

Closing the Troughton chapter of our Classic Who rewatch, we enjoy the ten-episode marathon that is 'The War Games'. BONUS: Our interview with Peter Davison, live from #LIWho 4!