Episode Title: "From Carnage to Cleavage" - Planet of Fire Review

PLANET OF FIRE (February-March 1984) Writer: Peter Grimwade (his final Doctor Who work) Director: Fiona Cumming (her last story, dating back to The Highlanders) Location: Lanzarote, Canary Islands - chosen after Cumming promoted it with holiday photos!

THE SHOPPING LIST EPISODE: Peter Grimwade faces an enormous writing burden with his final Doctor Who script - a literal checklist: Introduce Perry, reintroduce Kamelion (and write him out), fill in Turlough's background, bring back the Master and kill him off, and oh yes, set it all in Lanzarote because we want a holiday!

PERI: The accent is terrible, the acting is broad, the costumes are... strategic. But she's a complete 180 from Tegan, which makes her "a refreshing change" in Jim's words. Also: Why does Fiona Cumming, a female director, go along with the obvious cheesecake shots?

THE QUESTION: Why was Turlough sent to Earth instead of being on the ship with the others?

THE DEATH: The Doctor hesitates as the Master burns in the flames. Both hosts question whether he could've saved him (echoing the Davros dilemma from Resurrection).

KAMELION'S END: The prop finally works by having Kamelion transform into Howard (Perry's stepfather) and then the Master. Jim asks the obvious: "Why didn't they just do that all along?"

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WOUND THEORY: Jim theorizes that while previous Doctors showed physical deterioration before regeneration, Davison is being psychologically and mentally wounded - all the ethical dilemmas (Davros, the Master, Kameleon) are wearing him down, setting up the regeneration.

LOCATION WORK: Both hosts praise the Lanzarote filming and volcanic landscapes doubling for Sarn. Jim wanted more of the shipwreck dive sequences. The café scene where the Doctor leaves alien money behind stands out as atypical behavior.

THE SOPHIE ALDRED ACE PODCAST UPDATE: John reports the interviews barely discuss Doctor Who - Sylvester McCoy talks about pissing off Richard Burton and friendship with Ian McKellen; Katy Manning discusses life philosophy ("Every day is a blessing"). The hosts approve: "We've heard all the Doctor Who stuff for years!"

NEXT TIME: The Caves of Androzani - "Once daily Androzani! Major and minor!" The end of Peter Davison, the introduction of Colin Baker, and the return of Robert Holmes!

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Episode Title: "Santa's 3D Printer & The Killer Snowman" - Fantasy Takes Over & The Mechanoids Attack! - Patreon Exclusive Sample

CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast delivers a festive Patreon Exclusive perfect for the holiday! Join John (as Santa Claus) and Jim (as the Evil/Demon Magician) as they unwrap a mixed Santa's bag - three Doctor Who strips from the 12-week Dalek Master Plan era, plus an emotionally satisfying Dalek comic featuring the Mechanoids' first appearance!

THE SEA CHANGE: Jim identifies a major shift in the Doctor Who strip: "The stories have really become little fantasies than science fiction." What began as simplistic but genuine sci-fi has transformed into Oz-esque fantasy adventures with frog people, ancient mariners, and yes - Santa Claus himself.

DOCTOR WHO STRIPS:

"SHARK BAIT" (November 22 - December 13, 1965) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin The Doctor helps frog people with their shark problem before the story pivots to an ancient mariner trying to claim the TARDIS as his home. Meandering plot reminiscent of Dalek Master Plan's mid-story shifts.

"A CHRISTMAS STORY" (December 20, 1965 - January 10, 1966) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin

John's bold claim: "Actually better than the TV episode [Feast of Steven]!"

Santa Claus appears as a character (Jim loves this trope from comics), falling behind on toy TARDIS production due to overwhelming demand. The Doctor saves Christmas by providing Santa with... a 3D printer! "Maybe the Doctor gave us 3D printing. Whoever thinks they invented it needs to read this story."

The B-Plot: A creepy demon magician hampers Santa's efforts. But the REAL terror? The Killer Snowman who literally tries to choke John to death!

John recognizes similarities to Matt Smith's "The Snowman" Christmas special, theorizing Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat were subconsciously influenced by childhood comic memories. "Bill Mevin's family needs a few ducats... or grubsits."

"THE DYTUS EXPEDITION" (January 22 - February 12, 1966) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin

The long-extinct Dytus bird escapes a space zoo. The Doctor offers to recapture it, leading to jungle adventures with unfortunate native stereotypes (echoing the recent Monstrons issue).

Jim gets "a real Doctor Dolittle vibe" from the giant creature quest on an island. Both hosts confess: "I like stories about space zoos" (with John teasing an upcoming episode will satisfy this).

THE DALEKS: "EVE OF WAR" (December 11, 1965 - January 8, 1966) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts) Artists: Richard Jennings (Parts 1-5), Ron Turner (Parts 6-7)

Artist Change Alert: Ron Turner takes over for the final two installments, redesigning Daleks to resemble the movie versions. He continues as the strip's artist going forward.

The Story: After rebuilding Skaro in "just a few months" (!) with intricate surveillance to prevent future invasions, the Daleks plan to mine nearby planet Auric. That's when the Mechanoids attack.

This is the "first meeting" between Daleks and Mechanoids in strip continuity - different from TV universe. The Mechanoids are presented as equally conquering, totally machine entities (unlike the Daleks with organic components inside).

Key moment: The strip explicitly clarifies Mechanoids are "totally machine" while Daleks are not - important distinction!

True Cliffhanger: The story literally ends mid-narrative with "TO BE CONTINUED" - not just teasing the next adventure but stopping in the middle of this one!

THE BIG QUESTION: John asks Jim: "Do you find yourself enjoying reading these more than watching some of the Dalek stories on TV?"

Only one Dalek strip disappointed them across the entire run - and the end approaches! Time to buy the collection.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE DOCTOR'S BEARD PODCAST!

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Episode Title: "Help Me! - Oh No, Don't Hurt My Daleks!" - The Monstrons Defeat & Problematic Depictions - Patreon Exclusive Sample

HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast delivers another Patreon Exclusive featuring comics discussion! Join John (as Kenix of the Monstrons) and Jim (as the Golden Emperor Dalek) as they tackle Bill Mevin's Doctor Who strip and confront a troubling but emotionally powerful Dalek comic.

DOCTOR WHO STRIP: "ENTER THE GO RAY" (October 25 - November 15, 1965) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin

Jim's opening assessment: "I like the art. All right, next."

The TARDIS crew lands on a world straight out of Oz novels - inhabitants roll on single wheels instead of feet! Accused of stealing pile-cardium that powers the city, the Doctor races against time in radiation suits to provide mercury as an alternative power source while the Go Rays pound on the door.

John's highlight: "They look like gingerbread cookies on wheels in the end."

THE DALEKS: "MENACE OF THE MONSTRONS" (October 23 - December 4, 1965) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts) Artist: Richard Jennings

⚠️ Content Warning: The hosts must address the strip's deeply problematic visual depiction of the Monstrons as offensive African stereotypes. Jim expresses discomfort and surprise at such imagery appearing in 1965, creating "a weird dichotomy" - the characters are portrayed as highly intelligent and capable (defeating the Daleks), yet drawn in extremely unflattering stereotypical ways.

The Story Itself: An alien race with "Engibrain" android soldiers kicks the Daleks' "shiny metal asses" (to quote another robot from pop culture). The Monstrons arrive using the same conquest playbook as the Daleks, setting up base in a volcano, and capturing Daleks as souvenirs after believing they've destroyed the race.

Both hosts admit they were rooting for the Daleks throughout, celebrating when they finally turn the tide.

UPCOMING TEASE: The 12-part Dalek Master Plan begins next! John warns about the infamous Part Six (which "does not hold up" and could be removed without affecting the story), but promises excitement after Mission to the Unknown. Only three episodes exist: Parts 2, 5, and 10 - everything else remains missing with no BBC animation.

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Episode Title: "Midichlorians Before Midichlorians!" - The Sorcerer's Apprentice Novel Review - Patreon Exclusive Sample

HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast presents another special Patreon Exclusive - this time venturing beyond comics into the world of Doctor Who prose! Join John (the Apprentice) and Jim (the Sorcerer Supreme) as they discuss Christopher Bulis's The Sorcerer's Apprentice from the Virgin Missing Adventures line.

JIM'S BACKYARD: "I don't know from podcasting... but a good old fashioned book is my bailiwick." Jim reveals his Doctor Who origin story: reading Target novelizations in the late 70s/early 80s (American publisher reprints with Harlan Ellison introductions stating "My Hero, Doctor Who"), then driving to Windsor, Canada with his father to find British Target editions. He sold those collections years ago and now kicks himself regularly.

CHOOSING THE BOOK: Jim turned to Facebook Doctor Who groups for recommendations on First Doctor original novels. Two titles dominated suggestions:

• The Venusian Lullaby by Paul Leonard (First Doctor, Ian, Barbara - takes place between The Dalek Invasion of Earth and The Rescue)
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Christopher Bulis (First Doctor, Susan, Ian, Barbara - takes place between Marco Polo and The Keys of Marinus)

Jim chose The Sorcerer's Apprentice because it comes chronologically first and includes Susan. The cover features the Doctor, Susan, and the TARDIS being breathed upon by a fire-breathing dragon - an actual scene from the book!

THE MISSING ADVENTURES SERIES: Virgin Books received the Doctor Who license after the 1989 "rest" (not cancellation). They launched:

• New Adventures: Continuing Sylvester McCoy/Ace stories with ongoing character development
• Missing Adventures: Original novels set during the first six Doctors' eras

DOCTOR WHO THE MISSING ADVENTURES: THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE (1995) Writer: Christopher Bulis

The Setup: The TARDIS lands on an Earth-like world with a stereotypical medieval setting - knights, dragons, castles, a king and queen, princess and her fiancé. But there's also real magic. The core conflict: Science versus Magic - the Doctor representing science, the world representing magic.

The Twist: Outside this medieval world exists a solar system-spanning empire with spaceships and lasers. Legends and names derive from Arthurian mythology - the planet is called Elbyon (spelled differently from Albion, an old name for England).

CHARACTERIZATION - NAILED IT: Jim praises Bulis for capturing the actors' voices perfectly: "I'm reading this and I'm hearing William Hartnell, William Russell, Carol Ann Ford, and Jacqueline Hill. That's what really makes this come alive."

Character Rankings:

1. The Doctor - Spot on throughout
2. Ian - "Really strong... there's a particular way you have to have Ian talk"
3. Susan - Well-captured, gets meaty material
4. Barbara - Sadly underused, separated from the group early and relegated to a tangent storyline

CLEVER CONTINUITY TOUCHES:

Language Mystery: The Doctor and Susan speak to each other in an unidentifiable language Barbara has never heard before - a subtle nod to their alien origins without spelling it out.

The Ring Returns: The Doctor's ring (featured prominently in "The Web Planet") plays a significant part in the action. Jim appreciates the callback to their ongoing discussions about when the ring matters versus when it's forgotten.

Ian Learns Swordfighting: Ian explicitly states he doesn't know how to sword fight - perfectly placed between "Marco Polo" (where he wouldn't know) and "The Romans" (where he suddenly does). This novel explains where Ian learned!

Susan's Difference: Brief references to Susan being "different" from the humans, reinforcing her alien nature without heavy-handedness.

NO SMIRKING OR WINKING: Unlike some novelizations that project future Doctor knowledge backward, Bulis respects the 1964 timeline. Jim: "If you really want to be accurate, you have to write it from 'it's 1964 and that stuff hasn't happened yet.'"

LISTENER COMPLAINTS ADDRESSED: Jim found limited online reviews, mostly negative:

1. Splitting Up the Crew - Complaint: Early series constantly separated characters. John's defense: You couldn't fit this anywhere in the Susan timeline without that happening
2. Stereotypical Setting - Complaint: Bulis uses standard tropes. John's defense: "We say things like that, but when somebody does something different and out of the ordinary, we criticize them for that too"

Jim on fan expectations: "Obviously writers can't kill characters, have them get pregnant, lose limbs, or murder somebody... especially when they tell us exactly where these stories take place in canon timeline."

AVAILABILITY: Out of print for nearly 30 years but readily available on eBay and used bookstores for around $10. Jim found both Sorcerer's Apprentice and Venusian Lullaby from American sellers at reasonable prices.

JIM'S READING PLAN: Will eventually read The Venusian Lullaby, then plans to read one original novel per Doctor as the podcast progresses, soliciting recommendations from fan communities for each era.

LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? This novel discussion is just one example of Patreon exclusive content! For $3/month:

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Episode Title: "18 Word Balloons and Doctor Genocide!" - New Artist Bill Mevin Debuts & The Daleks Fight the Rust Plague - Patreon Exclusive Sample

HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast unwraps another special Patreon Exclusive episode for the holiday season! Join John (as Demeter Thor) and Jim (as Emperor Dalek) as they celebrate a double feast - new creative talent on the Doctor Who strip AND the return to form for their beloved Dalek comics!

OUT WITH THE OLD: Both hosts agree they're not upset to see Neville Main depart after his uninspired run. "You can tell he wasn't inspired by what he was doing. It was just a job, and we needed new blood."

DOCTOR WHO STRIP: "THE ORDEALS OF DEMETER" (September 27 - October 18, 1965) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin (NEW!)

New Format Alert: The strip now crosses over two pages with noticeably improved art and coloring. Mevin captures Hartnell's likeness better than Main, seemingly working from publicity stills more effectively.

The Story: The TARDIS crew lands on planet Demeter during an alien attack. The Doctor pulls out a symbol of peace and they're welcomed to a feast - until bombardment interrupts. Racing to help, the Doctor and John forget Jillian entirely.

THE DALEKS: "PLAGUE OF DEATH" (September 4 - October 16, 1965) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts) Artist: Richard Jennings

The Story: A radiation leak merges with rust from a hole in the roof, creating a deadly plague that infiltrates Skaro's atmosphere. The Daleks - our protagonists - must fight for survival as the rust plague spreads. Patient Zero: the Black Dalek.

Historic First: This story begins the next adventure at its conclusion - the first time the Dalek strip has done continued storytelling rather than standalone tales. "Very Doctor Who-ish."

WHY THE DALEK STRIP WORKS BETTER: David Whitaker's involvement means they're taking cues from what works on TV. The strip feels closer to televised Daleks despite lacking the Doctor and TARDIS. The Doctor Who strip, meanwhile, struggles with basic characterization.

UPCOMING CONTENT TEASED:

• Next Patreon Exclusive: Discussion of Missing Adventures novel The Sorcerer's Apprentice featuring Susan, Ian, and Barbara

LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? This is another sample of exclusive Patreon content! For just $3/month:

• Early access to reviews
• Complete comic strip discussions
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• And so much more!

Visit patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast - "Lips will sail this ship!"

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Episode Title: "Throwing Daleks Out the Window" - Resurrection of the Daleks Review with The Irredeemable Shag

SPECIAL GUEST ALERT: The Irredeemable Shag joins from the Fire & Water Podcast Network for what he calls "The Tegan Jovanka Appreciation Podcast!" A lifelong Davison-era fan who started watching in 1982 at age 10, Shag brings 500+ Doctor Who books worth of knowledge and passionate defense of the Fifth Doctor era.

THE STORY: "Resurrection of the Daleks" (February 1984) Writer: Eric Saward (script editor writing his own script) Director: Matthew Robinson Originally filmed as 4-parter, edited to two 45-minute episodes due to Winter Olympics scheduling

London 1984 meets space station carnage as the Daleks attack a prison holding Davros in cryogenic suspension. With duplicates, time corridors, Commander Lytton's creepy constables, and the Movellan virus, this becomes the most violent Doctor Who story yet - estimated 70+ deaths!

THE BIG QUESTIONS:

Should the Doctor Have Killed Davros? The hosts debate the story's central moral dilemma when the Doctor picks up a gun to execute Davros. Jim declares it completely out of character ("That's not the Doctor"). Shag argues Eric Saward wrote declarative statements without explanation. John appreciates the Genesis of the Daleks callback but questions the execution. The Batman/Joker parallels emerge - can heroes cross that line?

Terry Nation's Absence: Nation is in America (possibly producing MacGyver) but still approving everything. JNT reveals Nation insisted Davros appear in every Dalek story after Genesis. This is the fourth non-Nation Dalek script (after Whitaker's two, Lewis Marks, and now Saward).

The Dalek Civil War Begins: First time Daleks mention Gallifrey! Is this the Time War's origin? The Supreme Dalek versus Davros's renegade faction sets up ongoing Classic Who Dalek continuity.

SHAG'S BREAKTHROUGH THEORY: "This is not a Doctor Who story at all. This is the Daleks - which just happens to guest star the Doctor this episode. If you think of this as an ongoing series of Dalek stories where the Doctor guest stars, this whole thing makes perfect sense."

The theory revolutionizes the hosts' perspective, raising ratings across the board!

ICONIC MOMENTS:

• Daleks thrown out second-story windows (exploding unnecessarily but fantastically)

• "My vision is impaired! I cannot see!"

• Davros going "full spitting Hitler"

• The Doctor bloodthirstily shooting the Kaled mutant

• Creepy constables casually slaughtering then chitchatting

• Stein's stutter disappearing when programming activates

• That unfortunate foam party when Davros releases the Movellan virus

TEGAN'S DEPARTURE - UNIVERSAL AGREEMENT: All three hosts agree: Tegan is completely justified leaving after this massacre. "It's stopped being fun, Doctor."

The emotional farewell works despite Jim's overall Tegan fatigue. Janet Fielding's performance is universally praised. The "Braveheart Tegan" callback and the Doctor's "I must mend my ways" provide powerful closure.

Shag's observation: JNT specifically chose an emotional departure for Janet after knowing two companions were leaving, wanting each exit to feel different.

FIND THE IRREDEEMABLE SHAG: Fire & Water Podcast Network shows:

• JSA Presents (Justice Society 1990s-2000s)

• Who's Who: The Definitive Podcast of the DC Universe

• Marvel Star Wars: From Empire to Jedi

• Once Upon a Geek

NEXT TIME: Planet of Fire - the penultimate Fifth Doctor story! Plus Patreon Exclusive #149 with Four Dimensional Vistas Part 5, music discussion, Memory TARDIS, and John finally reviews Sympathy for the Devil Unbound audio!

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Episode Title: "A Whopping 12 Word Balloons!" - Summer Hiatus Comics & Roberta Tovey's Doctor Who Song - Patreon Exclusive Sample

HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast is unwrapping a special Patreon Exclusive episode for all listeners this holiday season! Join John and Jim as they explore what kept young Doctor Who fans entertained during the 1965 summer break between Seasons 2 and 3.

ROBERTA TOVEY'S "WHO'S WHO" (1965) Before diving into comics, the hosts examine a rare Doctor Who musical artifact: a single released by Roberta Tovey (who plays Susan in Doctor Who and the Daleks). Composed by Malcolm Lockyer (the movie's composer), this track remains mysteriously under-documented compared to other Doctor Who novelty songs like "I Want to Spend My Christmas with the Daleks." The B-side was called "Not So Old" (unrelated to Doctor Who).

BONUS MUSIC DISCOVERIES:

• Malcolm Lockyer also released "The Eccentric Doctor Who" and "Daleks and Dolls"
• "Dance with the Daleks" - The hosts declare this the weakest cash grab yet, a generic instrumental with "Dalek" slapped on the title

Jim's verdict: "We demand more Daleky from our Dalek music!"

SUMMER HIATUS COMIC STRIPS REVIEWED:

"Time in Reverse" (August 9-23, 1965) TV Comic Writer/Artist: Neville Main John appreciates the clever backward storytelling requiring reversed dialogue for all non-TARDIS crew characters, though he notes the Doctor and companions simply wait out events rather than actively participating. The story features "German soldiers" (drawn with distinctive helmets) reminiscent of pre-WWII American comics using sideways Nazis without naming them. Jillian Count: 12 word balloons (chatty Kathy, but still just Greek chorus)

"Lizard World" (August 30 - September 20, 1965) TV Comic Writer/Artist: Neville Main First time John and Jillian are completely separated from the Doctor and on their own! Jim praises Neville's artwork capturing the massive scale of the lizard creatures. John questions the Doctor complaining about being "an old man" while climbing when he performed fine in earlier stories. Jillian Count: 13 word balloons (a landmark!) The episode concludes with Jim nearly suggesting they review The Avengers comics advertised in the strip instead.

TV COMIC ANNUAL 1966 (Released September 1, 1965)

"Prisoners of the Kleptons" Writer/Artist: Neville Main The Kleptons return! Landing on their overheated world, John shoots down a Klepton vehicle (back to using guns). The aliens want help invading Earth but settle for lowering captives into boiling oil. John saves the day with an unclear plan, leaving Jim wishing for more ambitious storytelling. Jillian Count: 3 word balloons

"The Caterpillar Men" Writer/Artist: Neville Main Set in 2035, alien Caterpillar Men invade Earth and control the world's scientists from one location. The Doctor identifies himself as "Dr. Who" and doesn't correct being called an Earthman. John and Jillian visit World Pest Control, convincing officials to spray the invaders away. The entire resolution happens in half a page. Jillian Count: 3 word balloons John saves the day again!

Both agree: Even bad Dalek strips surpass the Doctor Who ones.

MOVIE BONUS FACT: Doctor Who and the Daleks played in scattered UK theaters into January 1966, but bombed in America when released July 1966. Jim's theory: This may have sunk Terry Nation's ABC deal for a Dalek TV series. Americans wanted Batman in '66, leading to Jim's high-concept pitch: "Batman versus the Daleks in Londinium 2050!"

LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? This is just a sample of the exclusive content available to Patreon subscribers! For as little as $3/month, you get:

• Early access to main episode reviews
• Complete comic strip discussions with art analysis
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Visit patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast to unwrap year-round Doctor Who goodness!

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Episode 10: "Dinosaurs Make Anything Better" - Season 2 Wrap-Up & Classic Comics Triple Feature - Patreon Exclusive

SEASON TWO RETROSPECTIVE: The Best Overall Hartnell Season

John opens as "Donald Tosh, story editor" while Jim claims the mantle of "Dennis Spooner of podcasting" - fitting since Spooner wrote both the season's best (The Time Meddler) and worst (The Romans) stories. The hosts agree Season 2 represents the pinnacle of Hartnell's era, ramping up quality from Season 1's foundation.

COMIC STRIP REVIEW #1: "Prisoners of the Grittog" (July 1, 1965) TV Comic Holiday Special, Four Pages (Black & White with Red Tones) Writer/Artist: Neville Main

Planet Spectra forces down approaching ships and imprisons crews as spies. The Doctor uses a flute (foreshadowing Troughton's recorder!) to summon alien dinosaurs to destroy the force field. First story not starting with the TARDIS arrival!

COMIC STRIP REVIEW #2: "Moon Landing" (July 19 - August 2, 1965) TV Comic, Three Parts Writer/Artist: Neville Main

Set in 1970 (one year off from real 1969 landing!), British astronauts land on the moon to discover the TARDIS already there. Professor Rawlinson leads the mission with oddly specific character design. The Doctor rescues astronauts from a crevice, reminding them about moon gravity via blackboard (!).

COMIC STRIP REVIEW #3: "The Penta Ray Factor" (July 10 - August 28, 1965) TV Century 21, Seven Parts Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's plot) Artist: Richard Jennings

Jim's Major Disappointment: After four strips of brilliant villain-protagonist storytelling, the focus shifts to boring planet inhabitants rather than Daleks' perspective. "I wanted the Daleks to wipe them out! The Daleks are just so uninteresting in this."

The Daleks employ un-Dalek tactics, approaching as "friends" to learn weaknesses - something Jim hates even when TV show does it. Complex subplots involving lazy ruler's son, cousin politics, and underutilized female character bog down the narrative. The Penta Ray device drags with repetitive theft/swap plotting.

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Doctor Who and the Daleks movie discussion coming
• Hiatus comics: "Time in Reverse," "Lizard World," "Prisoner of the Kleptons" (oh no!), "The Caterpillar Men"
• 1965 Dalek/Doctor Who music featuring Roberta Tovey (movie Susan)

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"The Hamster Wheel of Science Fiction Television" - Frontios Review

STORY DETAILS: "Frontios" (January 16 - February 3, 1984) Production Code: 6N Writer: Christopher H. Bidmead (former script editor, Logopolis and Castrovalva) Director: Ron Jones (Arc of Infinity, future Colin Baker stories)

CAPSULE REVIEW: Jim: "Doctor Who in 1984 is the hamster wheel of science fiction television shows. It just keeps going round and round and doesn't go anywhere."

PLOT SUMMARY:

The TARDIS is drawn to Frontios in the far future, where Earth has been destroyed and desperate colonists survive constant meteorite bombardment. The Doctor insists they leave (invoking Time Lord non-interference), but the TARDIS appears destroyed by meteors. Captain Revere's son Plantagenet leads the failing colony while second-in-command Range and science officer Brazen navigate political tensions.

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW: Resurrection of the Daleks (two 45-minute parts) with special guest Shag Matthews (The Irredeemable Shag Podcast) - "Now it's going to be two against one!"

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SPECIAL APPEAL: Jim asks listeners in Marietta, Georgia area to support Dr. No's Comics after catastrophic power loss from truck taking down lines during Christmas season. Shop running on generator, needs community support through devastating loss of holiday revenue.

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Episode 9: "My Word, Doesn't He Look Fat and Pompous!" - Classic Doctor Who Comics: The Challenge of the Piper - Patreon Exclusive

COMIC STRIP REVIEW: "The Challenge of the Piper" (June 14 - July 12, 1965) TV Comic, Five Parts Writer/Artist: Neville Main

The First Doctor, John, and Jillian arrive in medieval Hamelin during the legendary Pied Piper crisis. After the townspeople refuse to pay the Piper for ridding them of rats, he lures away their children. The Doctor sympathizes with the wronged musician and undertakes three trials to win the children's freedom, using 1960s technology disguised as "magic" - fire extinguisher, radar, parachute, and tape recorder. When the Mayor still refuses payment, the Doctor threatens to return the children to the Piper unless he honors the debt!

The hosts mourn that both grandchildren function as mere Greek chorus, giving the Doctor someone to talk to beyond himself.

Where/When Are We? - The hosts debate ontological questions: Is this the actual legendary event on Earth's past? An alien world duplicating the tale? A fantasy realm? They conclude it's meant as the origin of the Hamelin legend, but fantasy elements (dragon, invisibility, mesmerizing flute magic) blur the science-fiction/fantasy boundary.

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Next strips: "The Moon Landing" (premiering space race before real 1969 landing!), "Prisoner of the Grittog" (Doctor Who Summer Special), and "The Penta Ray Factor" (Daleks return!)

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