Latest Podcast Episodes

In this weeks show, Phil & Paul have been listening on their transistor radios to Hunters of Earth, the first of the Destiny of The Doctor series from Big Finish & AudioGo celebrating the Doctors 50th anniversary. Listen on your own transistor radios to find out what they thought and whether it was Paul's turn to let rip at this story after listening on his transistor radio. This also features gratuitous use of Bob Dylan, which may affect those of a nervous disposition listening on their transistor radios.

And in the news, an update on the recent Doctor Who 50th event at the BFI, news of a Big Finish multi Doctor story just in time to celebrate the 50th and the first appearance of Omegas Tat Corner for 2013 on your transistor radio!

Welcome back to a new year, this year is Doctor Who's 50th Birthday, we certainly have a lot planned! To start the year off Benjamin and Rob look at Doctor Who in the 1980s. Enjoy!

All good things come to an end, and so it must be with the series of interviews Steven conducted at Chicago TARDIS. But we end with none other than Gary Russell, someone who has done so much not only in the world of Doctor Who but also in a myriad of other creative pursuits. From his start as a child actor on the Famous Five to his work as editor of Doctor Who magazine and his years as script editor of the show itself, Russell has seen and done it all. 

And of course it wouldn't be an episode of RFS without a lot of meandering discussion, news, and a palpable excitement for Gallifrey, which is merely a month away. Hooray! 

Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

All good things come to an end, and so it must be with the series of interviews Steven conducted at Chicago TARDIS. But we end with none other than Gary Russell, someone who has done so much not only in the world of Doctor Who but also in a myriad of other creative pursuits. From his start as a child actor on the Famous Five to his work as editor of Doctor Who magazine and his years as script editor of the show itself, Russell has seen and done it all. 

And of course it wouldn't be an episode of RFS without a lot of meandering discussion, news, and a palpable excitement for Gallifrey, which is merely a month away. Hooray! 

Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

All good things come to an end, and so it must be with the series of interviews Steven conducted at Chicago TARDIS. But we end with none other than Gary Russell, someone who has done so much not only in the world of Doctor Who but also in a myriad of other creative pursuits. From his start as a child actor on the Famous Five to his work as editor of Doctor Who magazine and his years as script editor of the show itself, Russell has seen and done it all.

And of course it wouldn't be an episode of RFS without a lot of meandering discussion, news, and a palpable excitement for Gallifrey, which is merely a month away. Hooray!

Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Summary:
Adam J Purcell, Andy Simpkins and Keith Dunn sit down, snowmanned, in front of the 2012 Doctor Who story, The Snowmen, and spout our usual nonsense!

The Doctor’s put aside his bow tie, Strax is desperate for a grenade and Clara’s about to fall to Earth. But enough of their problems, please sit down with us to enjoy The Snowmen...

Vital Links:

• Staggering Stories.
• BBC: Doctor Who.
• BBC: Doctor Who – The Snowmen.
• Wikipedia: Doctor Who – The Snowmen.
• Doctor Who Podcast Alliance.
• Facebook: Staggering Stories Group.

Starting with the worst movies of 2012 and then depending on time covering 'the worst movies ever' Next week we look at the worst TV Series

markwho42's WHOniverse review last year's Christmas episode giving new insights and theories on The Snowmen and Clara herself. Join Mark Baumgarten, Trish Helm, Eduardo M. Freyre as they ring in the new year commemorating Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary year. Oh, and for next week's episode celebrating Tom Baker's 79th birthday, send an e-mail, with text or an audio file of your voice, telling us about your favorite Fourth Doctor moment to mark@markwho42.com and we will use it on the show.

markwho42's WHOniverse review last year's Christmas episode giving new insights and theories on The Snowmen and Clara herself. Join Mark Baumgarten, Trish Helm, Eduardo M. Freyre as they ring in the new year commemorating Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary year. Oh, and for next week's episode celebrating Tom Baker's 79th birthday, send an e-mail, with text or an audio file of your voice, telling us about your favorite Fourth Doctor moment to mark@markwho42.com and we will use it on the show.

markwho42's WHOniverse review last year's Christmas episode giving new insights and theories on The Snowmen and Clara herself. Join Mark Baumgarten, Trish Helm, Eduardo M. Freyre as they ring in the new year commemorating Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary year. Oh, and for next week's episode celebrating Tom Baker's 79th birthday, send an e-mail, with text or an audio file of your voice, telling us about your favorite Fourth Doctor moment to mark@markwho42.com and we will use it on the show.

markwho42's WHOniverse review last year's Christmas episode giving new insights and theories on The Snowmen and Clara herself. Join Mark Baumgarten, Trish Helm, Eduardo M. Freyre as they ring in the new year commemorating Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary year. Oh, and for next week's episode celebrating Tom Baker's 79th birthday, send an e-mail, with text or an audio file of your voice, telling us about your favorite Fourth Doctor moment to mark@markwho42.com and we will use it on the show.

markwho42's WHOniverse review last year's Christmas episode giving new insights and theories on The Snowmen and Clara herself. Join Mark Baumgarten, Trish Helm, Eduardo M. Freyre as they ring in the new year commemorating Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary year. Oh, and for next week's episode celebrating Tom Baker's 79th birthday, send an e-mail, with text or an audio file of your voice, telling us about your favorite Fourth Doctor moment to mark@markwho42.com and we will use it on the show.

featuring Sandro JF & Zachary Adams RATED EG (Everybody's Guidance (Zach Made It Up)): It Contains Mild Course Language This time around, the boys take it to the park in the first ever (official) park special. In this episode, there's the first part of a new "Conversations with Cleverbot" segment, as well as a rap-off that will keep you on your feet. There's also heaps of other stuff. Enjoy! STUFF WE MENTIONED: "Game Over, Mr Slender" www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZc3jsJHahA "Say No To Skooma" www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s2OyI-ObQg "Heartbeat(Clean)" www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFVxGRekRSg "I'm On A Boat (Instrumental)" www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUQ2eGP17ZU "The Rapping Pics (They're At The Bottom Of The Page" improbablewebsite.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=14251138 IMPORTANT LINKS: "An Improbable Website" improbablewebsite.webs.com "GoReCo." gorecomc.webs.com

Starting with the worst movies of 2012 and then depending on time covering 'the worst movies ever' Next week we look at the worst TV Series

Starting with the worst movies of 2012 and then depending on time covering 'the worst movies ever' Next week we look at the worst TV Series

Starting with the worst movies of 2012 and then depending on time covering 'the worst movies ever' Next week we look at the worst TV Series

John and Lawrence, oblivious to the harsh realities of the calendar, go walking through the winter wonderland of the 2012 Christmas special The Snowmen.

Guest starring: Scott Benson, a splendid and worthwhile American from America!

There is a light smattering of swears and there are some telling moments of silence when Jenna-Louise Coleman is on screen too.

Download Enhanced Podcast

Siobhan and Security Commander Sinister start the obligatory 'one story per doctor per month', as featured in every podcast IN THE WORLD, EVER!!!!

However, they are looking at the worst story of each Doctor. There will be pain, blood and tears before November...

Also, Brian reviews The First Sontarans

Also, there is a dramatic reading from Doctor Who and the Zarbi!!!

John and Lawrence, oblivious to the harsh realities of the calendar, go walking through the winter wonderland of the 2012 Christmas special The Snowmen. Guest starring: Scott Benson, a splendid and worthwhile American from America! There is a light smattering of swears and there are some telling moments of silence when Jenna-Louise Coleman is on screen too.

John and Lawrence, oblivious to the harsh realities of the calendar, go walking through the winter wonderland of the 2012 Christmas special The Snowmen. Guest starring: Scott Benson, a splendid and worthwhile American from America! There is a light smattering of swears and there are some telling moments of silence when Jenna-Louise Coleman is on screen too.

John and Lawrence, oblivious to the harsh realities of the calendar, go walking through the winter wonderland of the 2012 Christmas special The Snowmen.

Guest starring: Scott Benson, a splendid and worthwhile American from America!

There is a light smattering of swears and there are some telling moments of silence when Jenna-Louise Coleman is on screen too.

Download Enhanced Podcast

So here is a little prologue or intro made by me describing our upcoming Doctor Who podcast.  We plan on starting it off bi-weekly for now, then weekly when the show comes on.  There will be three of us, all with different views and opinions on the show we love. Hopefully you'll enjoy listening as much as we'll enjoy making it!

The Time Lords have dirty work that needs to be done, so naturally they are going to turn to the Third Doctor to get the job done. Of course they aren't going to do anything such as ask him or Jo Grant if they want to end up on failing colony in the 25th century. Of course the Time Lords aren't that big on asking, and it turns out that among the setters, the locals and the miner, the Master is hatching his own plan to control a weapon of unimaginable power.

Feedback to: show@untemperedschism.org

Twitter: @schismpodcast
Web: http://www.untemperedschism.org/

Duration: 26:56

In this episode I'm joined by Sandro JF from An Improbable Podcast: http://improbablewebsite.webs.com (Voyagers In The TARDIS: http://tardisvoyagers.webs.com and even MEGAMIX: http://themegamixsite.webs.com) to talk about the Doctor Who season 1 finale Bad Wolf and Parting of The Ways.

I also give you a preview of the soundtrack for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, with some amazing music from Howard Shore!

If you have any thoughts, compliants or anything you want out on the internet through this show, send it to whoisthemanpodcast@hotmail.com or comment on www.whoisthemanpodcast.com/feedback

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Don your tin helmets and dive in as we take on the annoying, stupid and downright scary ascpect of Doctor Who fandom. Do we prevail? Or do we simply resort to calling Jonathan Ross childish names? Find out in this action-packed, rant-filled episode!

 

Follow us on twitter: @onlybloodydavid @clareylouwho @youwhopodcast

 

Facebook: Search for 'you who podcast'

 

E-Mail: youwhopodcast@yahoo.co.uk

 

Come at me, bro!

My mini reviews of the classic series continue this week with The Daleks, the story that was so popular it spawned a whole cultural phenomenon Dalek Mania.

You can read The oodcast's Haiku on this story here http://theoodcast.com/category/haikwho/page/4/

and the full entry of the Wife in Space blog on this story is here http://wifeinspace.com/2011/01/the-daleks/

If you want to know more about William Hartnell who played the 1st Doctor I profiled him in the first episode of Tim's Take On which you can download here http://tto.libsyn.com/tim-s-take-on-episode-1-the-first-doctor-

End theme is Dr Who Ultimate title mix (1963-2007)

If you want to send me comments or feedback you can email them to tdrury2003@yahoo.co.uk or contact me on twitter where I'm @tdrury or send me a friend request and your comments to facebook where I'm Tim Drury and look like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdrury/3711029536/in/set-72157621161239599/ in case you were wondering.

My mini reviews of the classic series continue this week with The Daleks, the story that was so popular it spawned a whole cultural phenomenon Dalek Mania.

You can read The oodcast's Haiku on this story here http://theoodcast.com/category/haikwho/page/4/

and the full entry of the Wife in Space blog on this story is here http://wifeinspace.com/2011/01/the-daleks/

If you want to know more about William Hartnell who played the 1st Doctor I profiled him in the first episode of Tim's Take On which you can download here http://tto.libsyn.com/tim-s-take-on-episode-1-the-first-doctor-

End theme is Dr Who Ultimate title mix (1963-2007)

If you want to send me comments or feedback you can email them to tdrury2003@yahoo.co.uk or contact me on twitter where I'm @tdrury or send me a friend request and your comments to facebook where I'm Tim Drury and look like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdrury/3711029536/in/set-72157621161239599/ in case you were wondering.

My mini reviews of the classic series continue this week with The Daleks, the story that was so popular it spawned a whole cultural phenomenon Dalek Mania.

You can read The oodcast's Haiku on this story here http://theoodcast.com/category/haikwho/page/4/

and the full entry of the Wife in Space blog on this story is here http://wifeinspace.com/2011/01/the-daleks/

If you want to know more about William Hartnell who played the 1st Doctor I profiled him in the first episode of Tim's Take On which you can download here http://tto.libsyn.com/tim-s-take-on-episode-1-the-first-doctor-

End theme is Dr Who Ultimate title mix (1963-2007)

If you want to send me comments or feedback you can email them to tdrury2003@yahoo.co.uk or contact me on twitter where I'm @tdrury or send me a friend request and your comments to facebook where I'm Tim Drury and look like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdrury/3711029536/in/set-72157621161239599/ in case you were wondering.

Beware the big Bad Wolf! Mike, Mike, Phantom Troublemaker, and special guest Kirby Bartlett-Sloan (20MB Doctor Who Podcast) use their tribophysical waveform macro-kinetic extrapolator to survive...

Earth Station Who is a show dedicated to the culture around the BBC icon Doctor Who. Join Mike F, Mike G and Dave as we explore the 50 year history and fandom surrounding the Doctor With reviews, interviews and just general talk you never know WHO might pop up.

Beware the big Bad Wolf! Mike, Mike, Phantom Troublemaker, and special guest Kirby Bartlett-Sloan (20MB Doctor Who Podcast) use their tribophysical waveform macro-kinetic extrapolator to survive...

Earth Station Who is a show dedicated to the culture around the BBC icon Doctor Who. Join Mike F, Mike G and Dave as we explore the 50 year history and fandom surrounding the Doctor With reviews, interviews and just general talk you never know WHO might pop up.

In this weeks episode of the 49 Up Podcast, James is joined by a New Temporary Co-Host in Ian Garbett. Warming us to Ian takes us to how we both became Fans of Dr Who. Send us your stories of how you became a fan at the49uppodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy ^^

"We're back... and it's about time!"

No? How bout,

"We're back... and not a moment too soon!"

Okay, okay... It's not like it's been 7 years or anything, but after a week's hiatus, The Oncoming Storm is back with episode 41! Your hosts, Ashley and Josh, are fully rested after the winter break, and they're diving into the Big Finish Audio Bloodtide by Jonathan Morris. And yes, those are the pesky Earth Reptiles you hear, The Silurians! Is Bloodtide full of juicy primate meat, or will it leave your hosts dripping wet? Find out, as evolution and religion are debated within seconds of talking about a pantomime horse. That, and New Year's resolutions! The Oncoming Storm... This time, we've got primate payback... and this time, it's personal!

Episode #44 of Doctor Who: The Memory Cheats! In this episode, we discuss...

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Episode #44 of Doctor Who: The Memory Cheats! In this episode, we discuss...

Visit our website at http://www.thememorycheats.libsyn.com

Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thememorycheats

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWhoTheMemoryCheats

Episode #44 of Doctor Who: The Memory Cheats! In this episode, we discuss...

Visit our website at http://www.thememorycheats.libsyn.com

Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thememorycheats

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWhoTheMemoryCheats

"The Snowmen" is the sixth episode and a Christmas special of the seventh series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by head writer Steven Moffat and was first broadcast on Christmas Day 2012 at 5.15pm on BBC1 in the UK. It stars Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and Jenna-Louise Coleman as Clara Oswald, his new companion.[2] The episode also features a redesigned TARDIS,[3] revised opening credit and theme music, and sees major changes to the Doctor's costume.[4] The episode is set in the Victorian era and sees the Doctor brooding with the assistance of Silurian Madame Vastra, her wife Jenny Flint and Sontaran Strax, after the loss of companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams in the previous episode, "The Angels Take Manhattan." He is forced out of hiding to investigate mysterious, sentient snowmen that are building themselves and meets Clara, a governess also investigating the snowmen. It guest stars Richard E. Grant and Ian McKellen as the villains.[5][6] McKellen provides the voice of the Great Intelligence, a disembodied alien previously featured in Doctor Who in the Second Doctor serials The Abominable Snowmen and The Web of Fear. From the Great Intelligence's perspective, this episode occurs before those serials and several elements from "The Snowmen" reference and lead into them. The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics, most of whom received the introduction and character of Clara well,[7][8] but some felt that Grant and McKellen were underused as villains.[9] Contents 1 Plot 1.1 Prequels 1.2 Synopsis 1.3 Continuity 1.4 Cultural references 2 Production 2.1 Writing and design changes 2.2 Casting 2.3 Filming and effects 3 Broadcast and reception 3.1 Critical reception 4 References Plot Prequels To promote the special, two prequels were released. The first was broadcast during the 2012 Children in Need telethon on 16 November 2012, titled "The Great Detective". A trailer for the special was also broadcast during this programme.[10] In the prequel, the Silurian Madame Vastra, her human wife[11] Jenny Flint, and the Sontaran Strax (all returning from "A Good Man Goes to War", with Strax's apparently revival after being killed off in the earlier episode explained in the special) describe a number of strange phenomena to a shadowed fourth detective. The fourth detective reveals himself to be the Doctor, and tells the group that he has retired.[12] A second prequel, titled "Vastra Investigates", was released online on 17 December 2012.[13] At the end of a case, Vastra and Jenny converse with an officer from Scotland Yard, apologising for Strax's violent wishes for the culprit's punishment. Vastra explains Strax's alien origin as well as her own to the officer, much to his astonishment. She was awoken by an extension to the London Underground and initially disliked humans, though that changed when she fell in love with Jenny, which leaves the officer flabbergasted. On the carriage ride home, during a discussion about the Doctor's retirement, Jenny notices it is beginning to snow. Vastra voices that the snow is impossible due to the fact that there are no clouds in the sky.[13] Synopsis In 1840s England, a young boy builds a snowman but refuses to play with the other children. The snowman starts speaking to the boy, repeating his assertions that the other children are "silly". Fifty years later, the boy has grown up to be Dr Simeon, proprietor of "The Great Intelligence Institute". He hires men to collect samples of snow, which he places in a large snow-filled globe in his laboratory, before feeding the men to a group of animated snowmen. Meanwhile, the Doctor, still despondent after losing his former companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams, has parked his TARDIS above Victorian London among the clouds, descending to the surface via a long circular staircase, and instructed his allies - the Silurian Madame Vastra, her human wife Jenny, and the Sontaran Strax - to scout the city, through which he learns of Dr Simeon's interest in the snow. Elsewhere, Clara, a barmaid, investigates a disturbance outside her tavern to find the Doctor walking by. She accuses him of building a snowman, but the Doctor realises that the snowman is made of snow with a memory. The Doctor attempts to leave discreetly, but Clara follows him to a coach. The Doctor, hesitant about gaining a new companion, instructs Strax to bring a "memory worm", with the intent to use the creature's touch to wipe away the last hour of Clara's memory, in particular her knowledge of him. As more snowmen form and try to harm them, the Doctor tells Clara that her thoughts are creating the snowmen, and to think of them melting; after she concentrates, the snowmen melt. Clara cautions the Doctor that if he wipes her memory, she will forget how to deal with the snowmen. The Doctor relents, letting her go, and returning to the TARDIS. Clara follows; she finds it locked and knocks, but hides and flees down the staircase when the Doctor answers. Clara returns to her other job as governess for the children of Captain Latimer. She learns that Latimer's daughter has been having horrible dreams about the old governess, who had been frozen a year prior in Latimer's pond - returning from the dead and killing them all. Clara attempts to contact the Doctor but instead attracts the attention of Jenny, who takes her to see Vastra. Vastra tells Clara she gets only one word to impress the Doctor with if she wants his help; she chooses "pond", which arouses the Doctor's interest. The Doctor visits Dr Simeon's laboratory, dressed as Sherlock Holmes, and finds that the giant snow-filled globe contains the Great Intelligence, the entity that has been speaking to Dr Simeon since childhood. The Doctor learns that the Great Intelligence has been controlling the snowmen and has taken interest in Latimer's pond, deducing that it contains the DNA to create a new snow creature. The Doctor visits the pond, where an ice creature in the form of the former governess rises out of the pond and enters the mansion. Vastra, Jenny and Strax arrive and trap the creature behind a barrier. Leaving Latimer and the children with his allies, the Doctor flees with Clara to the roof of the mansion followed by the ice creature. They ascend to the TARDIS and the Doctor gives Clara a key, explaining that he now considers her a companion, though he does not understand why. However, the ice creature grabs Clara and pulls her over the edge of the clouds. The Doctor recovers Clara from the snowmen and returns to the mansion. He collects the ice fragments from the creature, ensuring they remain dormant but finding they contain ice-based DNA, the material that the Great Intelligence is looking for, and apparently places them in a souvenir London Underground biscuit tin. He travels to Dr Simeon's lab, where the Doctor reveals the Great Intelligence's plan to replace humanity with ice creatures, and holds up the tin, stating that it contains the ice DNA that is necessary for the plan. Dr Simeon grabs the tin, but opens it to find it contains the memory worm. It bites Simeon; the Doctor states that the Great Intelligence, which has been existing as a mirror of Dr Simeon's thoughts, will vanish with the erasure of Dr Simeon's memories. Instead, the Intelligence reveals that it existed long enough that it can now control Dr Simeon's body, which it uses to attack the Doctor. However, the influence of the Great Intelligence quickly wanes, and Dr Simeon falls dead. Outside, a salt-water rain has started, and the Doctor realises that some other, more powerful psychic ability has taken control of the snow from the Great Intelligence. The Doctor deduces that it must be the Latimer family, crying for Clara. Strax informs the Doctor upon his return to the Latimer mansion that Clara only has moments left, and she passes away as the Doctor returns the TARDIS key to her. At her funeral, the Doctor reads Clara's full name, Clara Oswin Oswald, on her tombstone and realises she is the woman he met in "Asylum of the Daleks" who became a Dalek. He gleefully announces that a person dying twice is an impossibility he must investigate, says his goodbyes to his allies. In contemporary times, a young woman resembling Clara walks through the graveyard. Meanwhile, the Doctor dashes around the TARDIS console, echoing Clara's dying words: "watch me run!" Continuity The Second Doctor previously encountered the Great Intelligence in the serials The Abominable Snowmen, set in the 1930s, and The Web of Fear, set in the 1960s. In these stories, the Great Intelligence uses robot Yeti as its physical presence. The events of The Web of Fear are alluded to by the Doctor in "The Snowmen" when he presents the London Underground biscuit tin to the Great Intelligence in Dr. Simeon's laboratory; the Intelligence states, "I do not understand these markings", in reference to the 1967 London Underground map design on the tin, an anachronism in 1892. The Doctor remarks that the Underground is a "key strategic weakness in metropolitan living", referring to (and possibly setting in motion) the future Yeti attack on London via the Underground.[14] In this respect, "The Snowmen" may be considered as a prequel to the Second Doctor Yeti serials, establishing an origin for the Intelligence and explaining its penchant for "Snowmen" and knowledge of the London Underground. Vastra, Jenny and Strax first appeared in "A Good Man Goes to War". Vastra and Jenny were considered popular characters from the previous episode with some fans hoping for a spinoff series,[15] but while Moffat stated then he had no time to work on such a show, he would consider reusing the characters within Doctor Who.[16] Strax had died in that episode; the Doctor states that his death has been reversed ("He gave his life for a friend once. Another friend brought him back"), but the circumstances of how this occurred are not explained in full. Clara is given a test by Vastra to ask the Doctor why he should help in one word. She chooses "pond", which is the surname of former companion Amy Pond.[4] In order to convey the emotional effect this word has on the Doctor, during the scene in which he hears it he is wearing the reading glasses Amy left him with at the close of "The Angels Take Manhattan". Clara is played by the same actress, Coleman, as Oswin Oswald from "Asylum of the Daleks", though the connectivity of these characters is not established until the Doctor takes Clara into the TARDIS. There, the Doctor finds her to have an interest in soufflés, a trait that Oswin's character also had; the show uses scenes from "Asylum" to show the Doctor's recollection of this.[17] The final scenes at the graveyard establish that Clara shares the same name as Oswin, leading the Doctor to surmise they are the same person. As seen on her gravestone, Clara's birthdate is 23 November, the date Doctor Who was first transmitted in 1963.[4] Cultural references Doctor Simeon posits that Doctor Doyle is basing his stories in The Strand Magazine on the exploits of Vastra, a reference to Arthur Conan Doyle's stories of Sherlock Holmes. The Doctor later uses the alias 'Sherlock Holmes' to gain entrance to Simeon's house, bearing the deerstalker and magnifying glass associated with the character. Doctor Who lead writer Steven Moffat, who wrote this episode, is also the co-creator of the BBC series Sherlock, a contemporary update of Doyle's works, for which Matt Smith auditioned for the part of Doctor Watson.[18] The Doctor Who novel All-Consuming Fire features the Seventh Doctor sharing an adventure with Holmes himself.[19] Production Promotional poster for The Snowmen Writing and design changes Writer Steven Moffat stated that he wanted an "epic" quality to the Christmas special. He compared the withdrawn Doctor seen at the onset of the episode to the first appearances of the First Doctor (William Hartnell) in 1963 and the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) in 2005.[20] He also attributed the idea of a retired Doctor to a plot proposed by Douglas Adams in the 1970s, but rejected by the production team at the time.[21] As with the first half of series 7, "The Snowmen" was written like a movie. A movie poster was released in the Radio Times, showing the Doctor and Clara ascending the ladder to the TARDIS.[22] According to producer Caroline Skinner, the concept of introducing the new companion as Oswin in "Asylum of the Daleks" occurred to Moffat during casting auditions for Clara.[23] The production team requested that the press and fans who attended advanced screenings keep Coleman's appearance a secret until "Asylum" was broadcast; the effort was ultimately successful.[24] The episode saw several major design changes for the series. "The Snowmen" is the debut of a redesigned TARDIS interior,[25][26] as well as a new title sequence and variation of the theme tune (although the closing credits still use the previous version of the tune).[27] The new title sequence features a brief glimpse of the Eleventh Doctor's face, the first time since the end of the original series in 1989 that the Doctor's face has been seen in the title sequence. Moffat had noticed that the TARDIS' design was getting "progressively whimsical" and resembled more of a "magical place" rather than a machine.[1] The Doctor also wears a new costume, tying in to the purple colour scheme, which Smith described as "a bit Artful Dodger meets the Doctor".[28] Moffat described the new outfit as a "progression" as the Doctor was in "a different phase of his life now" and felt more "grown-up" and fatherlike.[29] The costume was designed by Howard Burden for this episode.[4] Casting This episode marks the return of Jenna-Louise Coleman, who previously appeared in the series 7 opener, "Asylum of the Daleks".[30] Coleman was cast because of her chemistry with Matt Smith, and especially because she was able to talk faster than him.[31] She auditioned for the role of Clara, not Oswin from "Asylum", as the concept of the two characters being the same only occurred to Moffat whilst casting for Clara.[23] Smith said that Clara was different from her predecessor Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), which allowed the audience to see a different side of the Doctor.[20] Moffat felt that the introduction of a new companion made "the show feel different" and brought the story to "a new beginning" with a different person meeting the Doctor.[32] Also returning are Neve McIntosh as Madame Vastra, Dan Starkey as Strax and Catrin Stewart as Jenny. All three previously appeared in "A Good Man Goes to War" and reprised their roles both in this episode and in the prequels. They returned due to the popularity of Vastra and Jenny; Moffat considered a spin-off featuring them, though he did not have the time to do it. Instead, he decided to bring them back in the main series.[33] Richard E. Grant had previously played the Doctor on two occasions, as an alternative Tenth Doctor in the spoof charity special Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death, which was written by Moffat and as an alternative Ninth Doctor in the animated story Scream of the Shalka which had been intended to be a continuation of the series before it was revived in 2005.[20] Smith commented that Grant was "born to be a Who villain. He pitches it on that perfect level and tone".[34] Grant's appearance in Doctor Who was teased by the BC via Twitter, announcing his appearance at midnight August 5 2012.[35][36] Tom Ward was drawn to his role because of the quality of the script, and also stated his young children were pleased that he appeared in the programme.[20] The Great Intelligence was voiced by Sir Ian McKellen.[37] The two children Clara is governess to, Digby and Francesca, were played by real-life brother and sister Joseph and Ellie Darcey-Alden.[4] Filming and effects "The Snowmen" was originally intended to be produced in the fourth production block of the series and be the first episode Coleman shot as her character;[38] however it did not begin filming until the week of 6 August 2012[39] after Coleman had worked on later episodes while Moffat was writing the Christmas special.[32] The read-through had taken place on 2 August 2012.[4] This was the first Christmas special to be filmed in BBC Wales' new Roath Lock studios.[4] Scenes featuring Coleman and several guest stars in a Victorian setting were filmed in Newport, Wales,[40] while Coleman and Smith were also spotted filming in Bristol two weeks later on 21 August.[41] Some scenes which used snow props were filmed in Portland Square, Bristol, where filming took place overnight on 21–22 August 2012.[42] Director Saul Metzstein explained that it was difficult to achieve the desired look for the snowmen; the first ones he likened to Zippy from Rainbow which was too "cute" of an appearance, and so the effects team created more menacing CGI faces.[43] Clara's introduction to the TARDIS introduced two novel effects for the show. The first was a single-shot camera tracking from Clara's point of view, from a few feet away from the TARDIS to its interior, with the implication of the TARDIS's trans-dimenional nature shown to the audience. This was a shot that has been postulated throughout Doctor Who's production history, as documented in the Doctor Who: Thirty Years in the TARDIS special, but only first to be realized in The Snowmen.[44] In the following shot, the camera does a complete circle of the TARDIS console, an effect not seen since the early days of the show. Metzstein wanted to include this shot to further emphasize the "bigger on the inside than the outside" nature of the time machine.[43] Broadcast and reception "The Snowmen" aired on BBC One on 25 December 2012 at 5:15 p.m.,[45] the same day on BBC America in the US[46] and Space in Canada[47] and the next day on ABC1 in Australia.[48] UK overnight ratings showed that the special had been watched by 7.6 million viewers, coming in sixth for the night.[49] Final consolidated figures (not including BBC iPlayer viewers) showed that the episode was watched by 9.87 million viewers, coming in fourth for the night.[50] It also received an Appreciation Index figure of 87, higher than most of the Doctor Who Christmas specials.[51] The iPlayer version had 1,467,220 views,[52] making it the most popular TV show on iPlayer over Christmas.[52] The US airing was seen by 1.43 million viewers, with a 0.6 rating in the demographic of adults aged 18–49.[53] Critical reception The episode received mostly positive reviews. Dan Martin of The Guardian called it "actually the best since 'The Christmas Invasion'" and the first to be "actually scary", with "everything we like" about Doctor Who and Christmas. He praised Coleman's introduction as Clara and the gang of Vastra, Jenny, and Strax.[7] IGN's Matt Risley gave "The Snowman" a score of 9.4 out of 10, describing it as "a rollicking, riveting masterclass in storytelling" which "refreshingly" lacked traditional Christmas references "in favour of some sparkling dialogue, gorgeous set design and fascinating characterisation". While he felt that Grant and McKellan were underused, he was very positive towards Coleman's "unpredictable" Clara.[8] Radio Times reviewer Patrick Mulkern was pleased with the return of the Great Intelligence despite an inconsistency in the timeline he found, and praised the "lovely images" and direction of the special, though he felt the variation of the theme music "lacks the menace" of the original. While he was positive towards Clara, he was "unmoved by her death" as it was "plainly silly" that she did not look injured.[54] Nick Setchfield of SFX gave the special four and a half out of five stars, writing that the "the power of emotion saves the day again" was appropriate in light of the festivities and many fairytales referenced in the story. Setchfield was positive towards the "terrific" comedy with Strax, Coleman and the "surprisingly underused" Grant, as well as the new title sequence and TARDIS. While he wrote that the subtle callback of the Great Intelligence was "a tad more interesting than the usual 'So, we meet again!' schtick", he ultimately felt their threat "never quite comes into sharp relief".[9] Neela Debnath of The Independent wrote that "The Snowmen" was stronger than the previous year's "The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe" as it was connected to the overall story of the series, but "still has a way to go if it is to live up to 'A Christmas Carol'". Despite feeling that it was "enjoyable", she noted that "the story feels truncated and rushed"[7] The Mirror's Jon Cooper also praised Coleman and the new side of the Doctor that was shown, comparing it to Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) challenging the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston). However, he felt the character-heavy story was to the detriment of the plot, which was "a classic Who set-up that ultimately suffers from a lack of explanation [and] more set-pieces than a coherent whole". He felt that the episode may not have been accessible for casual viewers, but offered much for fans in time for the programme's fiftieth anniversary.[55] Dominic Cavendish of The Daily Telegraph gave "The Snowmen" three out of five stars, disappointed that it was not as scary as it had been hyped to be. While he was positive towards Smith and the TARDIS on the cloud, he criticised Strax and the "Sudoku-like complexity" of the script.[56] References ^ a b Jeffery, Morgan (19 December 2012). "'Doctor Who' Steven Moffat on new TARDIS: 'It's quite a scary place'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 December 2012. ^ "Doctor Who's latest companion is unveiled". BBC News. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012. ^ "New Look TARDIS Materialises at Christmas!". BBC. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012. ^ a b c d e f g "The Fourth Dimension: The Snowmen". BBC. Retrieved 27 December 2012. ^ Hogan, Michael (14 August 2012). "Karen Gillan 'in denial' about leaving Doctor Who". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 September 2012. ^ "Appeal Night line-up announced". BBC. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012. ^ a b c Martin, Dan (29 September 2012). "Doctor Who: The Snowmen – Christmas special 2012". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 December 2012. ^ a b Risley, Matt (25 December 2012). "Doctor Who: "The Snowmen" Review". IGN. Retrieved 26 December 2012. ^ a b Setchfield, Nick (25 December 2012). "Doctor Who "The Snowmen" Review". SFX. Retrieved 26 December 2012. ^ "Doctor Who: The Great Detective". SFX. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012. ^ Their marriage is not revealed until the main special itself. ^ "Doctor Who Mini Episode" (Video). BBC. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012. ^ a b "Vastra Investigates – A Christmas Prequel" (Video). BBC. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012. ^ Wilkins, Alasdair (25 December 2012). "The Snowmen". A.V. Club. Retrieved 25 December 2012. ^ "SFX Spurious Awards". SFX. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011. ^ Setchfield, Nick (22 July 2011). "Madame Vastra Spin-Off". SFX. Retrieved 29 December 2012. ^ Sagers, Aaron (18 December 2012). "Actress Jenna-Louise Coleman talks 'Doctor Who'". CNN. Retrieved 7 January 2013. ^ French, Dan (4 February 2010). "Matt Smith rejected for BBC's 'Sherlock'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 February 2010. ^ "All-Consuming Fire novel review". Doctor Who Reviews. Retrieved 4 January 2013. ^ a b c d "Steven Moffat and the Cast on The Snowmen". BBC. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012. ^ Moffat, Steven (December 2012). "Mr presents – Past & Future". Radio Times. ^ Goodacre, Kate (27 November 2012). "'Doctor Who' Christmas special 'The Snowmen' gets poster, new image". Digital Spy. Retrieved 31 December 2012. ^ a b "MATT SMITH & KAREN GILLAN: Doctor Who Q&A w/ Chris Hardwick - SPOILERS". YouTube. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2013. ^ Martinovic, Paul (1 September 2012). "Steven Moffat thanks press and fans for saving 'Doctor Who' surprise". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 December 2012. ^ Mulkern, Patrick (8 December 2012). "Doctor Who — The Snowmen preview". Radio Times. Retrieved 18 December 2012. ^ "New Look TARDIS Materialises at Christmas!". BBC. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012. ^ "Revamped Theme Tune and Opening Title Sequence". BBC. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012. ^ Jones, Paul (4 December 2012). "Matt Smith: the Doctor is "attracted" to "hot chick" Clara". Radio Times. Retrieved 18 December 2012. ^ Setchfield, Nick (20 December 2012). "Steven Moffat On The Doctor's New Look". SFX. Retrieved 27 December 2012. ^ Collins, Clark (28 November 2012). "'Doctor Who': Jenna-Louise Coleman talks about becoming the Doctor's new companion". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 28 December 2012. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (21 March 2012). "'Doctor Who': Jenna-Louise Coleman - The press conference in full". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 June 2012. ^ a b "New Companion Makes Doctor Who A Different Show, Says Moffat". SFX. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012. ^ Setchfield, Nick (22 July 2012). "Madame Vastra Spin-Off". SFX. Retrieved 17 November 2012. ^ Walker-Arnott, Ellie (18 December 2012). "Matt Smith: "Richard E Grant was born to be a Doctor Who villain"". Radio Times. Retrieved 18 December 2012. ^ "Casting news! An iconic star will be appearing in #DoctorWho and we’ve been granted permission to reveal who at midnight… See you at 00:00!". Twitter @bbcdoctorwho. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012. ^ "Richard E Grant and Tom Ward to Star in the Christmas Special". BBC. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012. ^ Brew, Simon. "Ian McKellen joins Doctor Who Christmas special". Den of Geek. Dennis Publishing. Retrieved 8 December 2012. ^ Doctor Who Magazine (Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent: Panini Comics) (446). 5 April 2012. ^ "Richard E Grant and Tom Ward to Star in the Christmas Special". BBC. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012. ^ Saunders, Louise (9 August 2012). "Doctor Who: Jenna-Louise Coleman gets to work filming the Doctor Who Christmas special". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 2 September 2012. ^ Edwards, Richard (21 August 2012). "Doctor Who: New Christmas Special Filming Pics". SFX. Retrieved 2 September 2012. ^ "Doctor Who film crews move to Portland Square after Corn Street". This is Bristol. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2012. ^ a b Synnot, Siobhan (23 December 2013). "Interview: Saul Metzstein on the Doctor Who Christmas special". The Scotsman. Retrieved 4 January 2013. ^ Who, Dale (28 December 2012). "Review: The Legacy Collection (Box-set) - DVD". Doctor Who Online. Retrieved 4 January 2013. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (4 December 2012). "'Doctor Who' Christmas special airdate confirmed by BBC". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 December 2012. ^ "Doctor Who: The Snowmen" (Press release). BBC America. Retrieved 27 December 2012. ^ "Doctor Who: The Snowmen". Space. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012. ^ "Doctor Who: The Snowmen". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 December 2012. ^ "Christmas Day television ratings topped by EastEnders". BBC News. 26 December 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2012. ^ "EastEnders retains Christmas Day crown for BBC One in 2012" (Press release). BBC. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013. ^ "The Snowmen scores an AI of 87". Doctor Who News Page. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2012. ^ a b Laughlin, Andrew (2 January 2013). "'Doctor Who - The Snowmen' boosts Christmas iPlayer". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 January 2013. ^ Bibel, Sara (27 December 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: NBA Basketball Wins Night, 'Doctor Who', 'Rizzoli & Isles', 'Leverage' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved 30 December 2012. ^ Mulkern, Patrick (25 December 2012). "Doctor Who - The Snowmen review". Radio Times. Retrieved 26 December 2012. ^ Cooper, Jon (25 December 2012). "Doctor Who review: The Snowmen Christmas special was full of nods to the past while also celebrating the present and also looking forward to the 50th anniversary future". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 26 December 2012. ^ Cavendish, Dominic (25 December 2012). "Doctor Who: The Snowmen, BBC One, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2012.

Welcome to another fun packed year of THE Doctor Who Podcast, the friendliest, most stylish, informative and most importantly totally FREE podcast out there! It wouldn't be a new year of THE Doctor Who Podcast without the hosts speculating on what will happen in the Doctor Who universe in 2013, the anniversary year for this [...]

featuring Sandro JF, Josh G & Rhys Parton RATED PG13+: Contains Moderate Course Language & Mild Sexual + Drug References 00:01: Opening Theme & Welcomes 01:08: Feedback 03:58: Liv's Christmas/New Year Message 04:48: Doctor Who: The Snowmen (Review) 36:06: 2013 Predictions, Fears and Hopes 59:35: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Review) 80:57: Goodbyes & Ending Theme 84:28: Bloopers! Please like the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnImprobablePodcast Please send in some feedback to feedback.aipodcast@gmail.com AIP is supported by GoReCo.MC! Please check out their brilliant Minecraft server! The IP on the website, which is listed below: "gorecomc.webs.com" Rhys and Sandro do other podcasts! Here are links to them: An Improbable Website "improbablewebsite.webs.com" Voyagers in the TARDIS "tardisvoyagers.webs.com" 'Who' - is the man "whoisthemanpodcast.com" The Doctor Who Archives "dwarchives.wordpress.com" MEGAMIX "themegamixsite.webs.com" The 20mb Doctor Who Podcast "the20mbdoctorwhopodcast.podbean.com" The Pratchett Podcast "thepratchettpodcast.wordpress.com"

In this edition of Drunken Science, we look at the Artificial Intelligence and see how close we've come to creating our very own WOTAN. Links: DTT 3.10 - Drunken Science: Artificial Intelligence (alternate download mp3) Cover: Alan Turing

In this edition of Drunken Science, we look at the Artificial Intelligence and see how close we've come to creating our very own WOTAN.

Links:

DTT 3.10 - Drunken Science: Artificial Intelligence (alternate download mp3)

Cover: Alan Turing

In this edition of Drunken Science, we look at the Artificial Intelligence and see how close we've come to creating our very own WOTAN. Links: DTT 3.10 - Drunken Science: Artificial Intelligence (alternate download mp3) Cover: Alan Turing

In this edition of Drunken Science, we look at the Artificial Intelligence and see how close we've come to creating our very own WOTAN. Links: DTT 3.10 - Drunken Science: Artificial Intelligence (alternate download mp3) Cover: Alan Turing

Welcome to Episode 199 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom.

News

Dad hires online gamers to kill his son online.
Lego Super Heroes on the way
Del Toro tackles DC darker characters for the big screen

Week that was

Merlin (spoliers abound so be warned!)
Vader and Son
Spandex
Continuum
Hawaii Five 0

We also answer a few questions from the GS Mail bag

Welcome to Episode 199 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom.

News

Dad hires online gamers to kill his son online.
Lego Super Heroes on the way
Del Toro tackles DC darker characters for the big screen

Week that was

Merlin (spoliers abound so be warned!)
Vader and Son
Spandex
Continuum
Hawaii Five 0

We also answer a few questions from the GS Mail bag

In this edition of Drunken Science, we look at the Artificial Intelligence and see how close we’ve come to creating our very own WOTAN.

Links:

DTT 3.10 - Drunken Science: Artificial Intelligence (alternate download mp3)

Cover: Alan Turing

In this edition of Drunken Science, we look at the Artificial Intelligence and see how close we've come to creating our very own WOTAN.

Links:

DTT 3.10 - Drunken Science: Artificial Intelligence (alternate download mp3)

Cover: Alan Turing

This week, the ESO crew celebrates the birthday of one of the most iconic characters in literature, Sherlock Holmes. Joining Mike, Mike, and Bobby for cake, ice cream, and mystery are guests Ashley Bergner, Doctor Q, and Ron Fortier. While the World’s Greatest Detective deducts what presents we brought without opening them, we investigate his … Continue reading →

Show Notes DVD Book Webcast Audio Drama Big Finish Illogicon Gareth Roberts

Show Notes DVD Book Webcast Audio Drama Big Finish Illogicon Gareth Roberts