Spyfall, Part Two

Chris Chibnall doubles down on the intensity for the conclusion of his Series 12 opening story, and it definitely takes its toll on us as viewers. Some things thrill, others shock, and if we’re being completely honest, some things outright offend.

The Doctor Falls

How many times have we known that we were witnessing the waning moments of the current Doctor’s term, regeneration was nigh, and that heartache was imminent, yet we were riveted to the screen? And in those moments, how much time was spent in the episode where the Doctor himself knew that time was at hand? With few exceptions, these exercises in loss (for both character and audience) have been graciously brief, relatively speaking. The quick-pull of the bandage, if you […]

Classic Rewatch: The Mind of Evil

It doesn’t take much to rattle some people. For those poor souls, their fears and concerns weigh so heavily upon them, the slightest provocation send them reeling into fits of worry and despair. Others are made of sterner stuff — but as we’ve learned from so many stories, everyone has their limits. There have been a number of science fiction series who have toyed with the idea of criminal rehabilitation via some form of mental reconditioning (Star Trek, Fringe, The […]

When Dark Eyes are Smiling

It’s no secret to anyone who has listened to GPR for any length of time that we are tremendous fans of the audio productions that emerge from the Big Finish studios. They bring the classic era to life over and over again in artistic and magical ways, expanding upon the Whovian universe and allowing established televised characters (Doctors and Companions alike) to flourish and grow beyond their time on screen. But where we feel they truly stand out (and this may […]

A Masterful Villain

It makes perfect literary sense. How do you create a villain who is legitimately threatening, an engaging and interesting match for the protagonist’s strengths, but is not over-powerful? Simple solution: You take the hero, and make them evil. If someone is so near to your intellectual and capable equal in nearly all counts, the “chess match” is all the more balanced, and victory that much harder to attain. So it makes sense that Doctor Who showrunners would nurture such a perfect foil, and […]

The Era of Ego

The Sixth Doctor walks into a building, and they have build an extension just to house his ego. If it were a tangible thing, the Sixth’s sense of self-importance could be seen from space. After his regeneration on Androzani Minor, the TARDIS had to increase her internal space by 37% just to fit his hubris. His brashness is a viable replacement for sandpaper. His bravado can infuriate a Vulcan. He’s one of the most infuriating and irascible Time Lords this side of the High […]