Lured from his Moog Drome, pod-adjacent legend The Drum Doctor finally joins Andrew and Oli to discuss a rhythm-heavy number that should be right up his alley. His verdict? 'I didn't even realise it was Purdie on the drums.'

Strap in, folks. The NavCore's set for Mizar 5 and it's gonna be a long journey. Thankfully, First Mate Souter and Spacebilge Operative Pyper are on board. Settle in next to the Infinite Negativity Drive and let them regale you with tales of sci-fi scepticism, sandwich fillings and mid-rate Steely Dan tunes.

Agents of the law! Luckless pedestrians! Podcast devotees! We know you’re out there. Join Andrew, Oli and friend of the show Ben Jones as we pick apart “Don’t Take Me Alive”, track three from The Royal Scam. Featuring bad American accents, a misguided attempt at accessibility and five minutes of improvised musical madness.

Andrew Souter, cave expert, is joined by Oli Pyper, lumbering cretin. The question: just how likely is it that a child-sized Donald Fagen discovered a noted Spanish speleoplex? Stay tuned to the end for a shocking Countdown to Exegesis first.

Following an extended period of hibernation, our hosts emerge refreshed and ready to strut. Will The Royal Scam's disco-dipped opening track sate their legs?

[Addendum a: owing to life and other problems, we will be scrapping the weekly format and releasing this season's episodes as and when they're ready; please ignore us if we say, 'See you next week. Addendum b: find the wonderfully noisy 'relaxing piano cover' here: https://youtu.be/cbfmcOu45DQ)

In which the Dan tackle cultural appropriation, Oli unveils a fast-moving, MIDI-powered new segment and Andrew receives the greatest gift of all: a bit of time off. *Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and lots of love to those who don't.*

Join your trusty exegetes as they avoid talking about Steely Dan's saddest song (as voted in Metal Leg Fanzine's infamous 'Ladies of Dan' poll). Among the distractions are cat-borne diseases, parenthetical song titles and a shocking revelation about Andrew's true heritage.

Oli and Andrew agree about something. How will they cope?

[Donald Fagen - Concepts for Jazz/Rock Piano: https://youtu.be/rR6OsrzbHHY]

Our hosts throw another classic onto the exegetical pyre. Tune in to hear 24-carat Danchat, teenage poetry and Andrew's run-in with a mysterious podiatrist.

Our hosts are joined by SPECIAL GUESTS Ann and Rachel from STEELY ANN: the greatest female-fronted Steely Dan tribute band in the history of South Central Minnesota. United in scepticism and tenacity, they attempt to navigate one of the Dan's stinkiest lyrical swamps. [Audio is a little ropey in this one. Blame Oli.]