Who's He? Podcast

In an occasional series, the Who's He? Podcast talk about those people who have travelled with the Doctor over the last 50 or so years - the companions. Those people who have stepped through the doors of the TARDIS and have seen the wonder and the dangers of travelling in time and space.

In this edition, Phil is joined by Erika Ensign from the Verity Podcast and Stephen Schapansky from Radio Free Skaro who have selected as their favourite companion, Clara Oswald. They discuss why Clara is the perfect companion, just how important a strong character such as hers is to keeping Doctor Who fresh and they both pick the moments that defined Clara for them.

In their never ending quest to get through their series 2 retrospective, Phil and Paul look at The Satan Pit. After the magnificence of The Impossible Planet, is this story a satisfying conclusion or does it fall into the same pit of mediocrity that befalls many a 2 part story? However, the discussion leads Paul to wonder why the bases Chief of Security only carries one bullet and Phil tries to figure out why announcements must be made when raising shields.

And in the news, a mini prequel to series 9 is to be shown in front of the Dark Water/Death Heaven 3D cinema showings, the New York Symphonic Spectacular has been cancelled, Welsh BAFTA and Hugo awards news and in Omega's Tat Corner, some very nice looking but expensive tat!

This week Phil and Paul tackle the Target novelisation of The Awakening, that "ahem", fondly remembered 5th Doctor story written by Eic Pringle. During their discussion, they talk about cadaverous old men, cavaliers and roundheads and Phil laments that this was a missed opportunity for Doctor Who to reference one of his favourire horror films.

And in the news, a new series 9 trailer, the air time on BBC America for The Magicians Apprentice, Strax meets Jago and Litefoot in a Big Finish story and in Omega's Tat Corner, it's a tat update!

In this edition of the Who's He? Podcast, Phil and Paul look at Minuet in Hell from Big Finish. In this tale of debauchery, lost identities and American politics, both Phil and Paul remain astounded at the bad accents on display but also the majesty of a Nicholas Courtney performance that lifts a very average Doctor Who story.

But in the news this week, rumours that series 10 will not air in 2016 which leads Paul and Phil to discuss the many theories that tag along with this rumour, Reece Shearsmith is cast in series 9 of Doctor Who and NASA prove they have nothing better to do than name craters on a moon after their favourite sci-fi characters.

Live from London, the Who's He? Podcast team of Phil & Paul who both live in London, return to their ongoing series 2 retrospective with a look at The Impossible Planet which doesn't take place in London. This is a classic of Who so do the lads both feel that this is still a classic or does the fact this story isn't set in London hurt it somewhat? They also wander off topic and start discussing Disney's The Black Hole and both marvel at the wonderful London accents used by the actors.

And in the news this week, a Doctor Who 3D film event that disgustingly won't be shown in London and BARB will take into account online viewing figures, especially those in London.

Visit London.

To kick off this weeks podcast, Phil and Paul play catch up with all the news they have missed over the last couple of weeks which means a recap on the announcement of the series 9 premiere date and the trailer! Sorry! But there is the news that series 10 has already been commissioned, some guest announcements for the Doctor Who Festival in November and some more Big Finish news!

But once the news is out of the way, they crack on with their review of the novelisation of The Power of The Daleks. This is a change for them both as this isn't strictly a Target book and they had no DVD to compare the book to! So sit back and listen to the pair of them discuss devious Daleks, characters with no redeeming qualities and a love triangle worthy of The Love Boat!

In a momentous news week for Doctor Who, Phil takes the extraordinary step of interrupting this weeks news section with the air date for series 9, a brand spanking new series 9 trailer and a trailer featuring the Doctor for Lego Dimensions! But back in the past with the lads original news item, they try to catch up on the news they have missed over the last couple of weeks and they even try to fit in a quick soujorn to Omega's Tat Corner.

But the real reason for this weeks episode is the continuation of their audio commentary for The Stones Of Blood episodes 3 and 4. So queue more facts from the day of original transmission and Tony yet again continues with his extremely libellous facts on Tom Baker!

It's that time of year where Phil and Paul get Tony back on the podcast in a sweltering July day for an audio commentary and this time it's The Stones of Blood episodes 1 and 2. And because it was so damn hot, they chose to not do any news this week and just crack on with proceedings. So queue lots of facts from the day of original episode broadcast, Tony gives an insight into Tom Bakers treatment of the working classes and this commentary also features lots of talk about sex toys.

What have the Romans ever done for us? According to Boudica not much as Phil and Paul review the 4th Doctor Big Finish story The Wrath of The Iceni. In this story of ancient Britain and the rebellion against the empire (the Roman one that is), Phil and Paul have a little disagreement of their own as both have opposing views on this story and on the Doctor! So sit back and listen to two old gits who most likely had first hand experience of the Roman occupation.

And in the news, Steven Moffat gets an OBE, a series 9 teaser trailer, San Diego Comic Con tat that didn't make it into Omega's Tat Corner and John Nathan Turner gets his own bus.

And Phil now refers to you all as fans, not listeners as his ego runs rampant.

This week Phil and Paul give their series 2 retrospective a dusting down with a look The Idiot's Lantern written by Mark Gatiss. Both of them seem to have a bit of hard time with this one, with ropey acting and the Doctor and Rose being more smug that it is humanly possible to stomach. However, Phil gets cold feet while criticising an actor with dubious connections while Paul quickly distances himself by pinching the last lifeboat.

And in the news, the Doctor Who Festival is coming to London this November, casting and writer news for series 9 and in Omega's Tat Corner, John Barrowman gets scrutinised and a new Doctor Who Plush doll for which Paul uses to plug the all new Phil Plush doll that comes with four adorable catchphrases!