Bigger on the Inside

The classic era of Doctor Who has come to a close, but before Dan and Mike move forward to the modern era, they take one last (and long) look at everything that's come before. Mixed in with a slew of listener e-mails are discussions of the stories they revisited, as well as plenty of lists chronicling their favorite Doctors, companions, cheesy moments, themes, quotes, and so much more! And some of the entires on these lists are guaranteed to surprise you!

In the second Bigger on the Inside Special, Dan sat down with his friend Libby to discuss "City of Death!"

Doctor Who: The Movie, an often-overlooked entry in the life of The Doctor, is indicative of its time and network, and it suffers for it. That said, both Dan and Mike agree that Paul McGann is a wonderful Doctor. Eric Roberts' portrayal of The Master, however, they're not so keen on. That may not be his fault, though. Before closing out the episode the guys also look at the comedy sketch "Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death," and the documentary More Than 30 Years in the TARDIS.

The With "The Curse of Fenric" and "Survival," the classic era of Doctor Who has come to a close, and so ends a major chapter for Bigger on the Inside. Join Dan and Mike as they discuss what Sylvester McCoy brought to the program and what he was lacking, Ace's impact on viewership and future companions, as well as Anthony Ainley's legacy as The Master and his charm. Before the episode ends, however, the guys also dig into the "Search Out Space" episode from the children's program Search Out Science, and "Dimensions in Time," the Doctor Who / EastEnders crossover.

The immortal sorceress Morgaine and her wicked son Mordred seek to claim Excalibur as their own ("Battlefield"), then The Doctor aims to better Ace by forcing her to face an evil she felt in her youth ("Ghost Light"). Also: Dan gives The Doctor a rather unassuming name, Mike calls one of these two stories his new favorite, and both Ian Wilson and Tom Deja make appearances.

The Cybermen, a woman from 1638, and a Nazi want to get their hands on an all-powerful weapon The Doctor seemingly created ages ago ("Silver Nemesis"). Then The Doctor and Ace visit a deadly circus where they become the acts ("The Greatest Show in the Galaxy"). Also, Mike doesn't understand the titles of British sitcoms, the perils of white men in their 30s writing rap, and Dan's greatest secret is revealed!

The Doctor's role as the master manipulator begins to shine through as his earliest adventure on Earth is retconned into something rather sinister in "Remembrance of the Daleks." And in "The Happiness Patrol," The Doctor and Ace are far from happy when they discover an emotionally oppressed society run by a tyrant and her candy-skinned assassin! Before starting this episode, keep the following questions in mind: what will Dan and Mike have to say about The Doctor's final act against Skaro, did Mike have a change of heart about "The Happiness Patrol," and just how awesome is the Special Weapons Dalek? (The answer to the last one is easy: freaking awesome!) Also, make sure to listen all the way to the end of the program for a special message from our friend Tom Deja.

Firstly, roving gangs, killer machines, cannibal grannies, and an undying architect plague The Doctor and Mel ("Paradise Towers"). Then genocidal mercenaries hunt an alien queen to Earth, in an effort to destroy her and her rapidly growing spawn ("Delta and the Bannermen"). And lastly, a dragon holds the key to an icy madman's freedom ("Dragonfire"). Additionally, Dan teaches Mike a new word, Mel leaves The Doctor to take up with Sabalom Glitz, Ace debuts, and Dan believes the 24th season just might be the worst ever.

In "Time and The Rani," Sylvester McCoy, the final classic-era Doctor, makes his not-so-grand debut by wearing a Colin Baker wig, pratfalling, playing the spoons, screwing up common phrases, and stopping The Rani by letting her escape. Also, Dan has feelings about the opening credits (and they're not warm or fuzzy), and an old friend returns to the show.

Colin Baker's final season of Doctor Who begins and comes to an end in this episode of Bigger on the Inside. In the 14-part "The Trial of a Time Lord," The Doctor must fight for his remaining lives against a supposedly immortal robot ("The Mysterious Planet"), a returned Sil ("Mindwarp"), vulgar-looking plant-monsters ("Terror of the Vervoids"), and his accuser: The Valeyard ("The Ultimate Foe")! As Dan and Mike say goodbye to Peri and Colin Baker, they greet Mel, have fun with the Vervoid costumes, and Mike discovers a new fetish: grannies with assault rifles.