Debating Doctor Who

"Deep Breath" premieres on Saturday, so Caroline and Alasdair offer up a last-minute Season 8 preview! We collect the best quotes from the show’s cast and creators about the upcoming season and discuss the episode titles (spoiler free!). Then in part two, we look at the past two regeneration stories, “The Christmas Invasion” and “The Eleventh Hour.” They take very different approaches to introducing new Doctors and we weigh the pros and cons of each.

We return from a brief hiatus with some listener emails! Then in our brand new “Who Alumni Theater” segment we take a look at David Tennant and Catherine Tate’s stage production of Much Ado About Nothing, Christopher Eccleston in the HBO show The Leftovers, and Karen Gillan in Guardians Of The Galaxy. In the second half we finally get around to discussing time travel. Just what is a fixed point in time and what episode best explores it? Caroline looks at “The Fires Of Pompeii” and Alasdair examines “The Waters Of Mars.”

Debating Doctor Who boldly goes where no podcast has gone before with a Star Trek crossover episode! Alasdair and Caroline discuss their history with the sci-fi franchise and discuss how Who and Trek have both evolved over the years. In the second half, we compare the Doctor Who season one finale,“Bad Wolf”/”The Parting Of The Ways” to Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “The Best Of Both Worlds (Parts 1 & 2).”

There's a new winner of the Danielle Email Of The Week award, and we take a look at the official season eight trailer. In the second half, we examine the various ways the new series has reintroduced classic monsters. Alasdair looks at the Ice Warriors in "Cold War" and Caroline revisits the Cybermen in "Rise Of The Cybermen"/"The Age Of Steel."

Alasdair and Caroline welcome a special guest: Kate Kulzick of The A.V. Club and Sound on Sight! With her help we tackle a huge topic: Women, Feminism, and Doctor Who. In part one we talk about the strengths and weaknesses of each companion, look at the troubling tropes of Who mothers, explain just what’s so aggravating about Clara, and discuss whether or not the Doctor should be played by a woman. In the second half, we take a more in-depth look at Amy and River in "A Good Man Goes To War" and "Let’s Kill Hitler." Does Steven Moffat have a problem writing women?

We present a very special World War-themed discussion as we take a look at two of Doctor Who's very best two-parters. Alasdair celebrates "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances" and Caroline praises "Human Nature"/"The Family Of Blood." In part one we look at the aspects that make these stories so iconic. In the second half, we look at how these stories function as metaphors for the wars they are set in. What do these stories capture about the ethos of WWI and WWII? What historical parallels can be drawn?

We got an email! Caroline has never been more excited. Then we chat about some big news in the Doctor Who fandom: a new teaser, a premiere date, and rumors about Steven Moffat sticking around for season nine. Who should take over as showrunner when he eventually leaves? We take a look at the four main candidates! In the second half, we take a more detailed look at our two favorite potential showrunners based on their best contributions to Who.Alasdair highlights Chris Chibnall’s "The Power Of Three" and Caroline celebrates Toby Whithouse’s "The God Complex."

Doctor Who just announced a worldwide publicity tour. Is this because Peter Capaldi is a former rock star? Then we introduce a brand new segment called “What If?” What if David Tenannt had stuck around for season five? Would the show have been different? Would 10 have flirted with Amy? How would River fit in? And what does Steven Moffat have to say about all this? In the second half, we check in on two episodes that celebrate the best of humanity—in roundabout ways. Caroline defends the oft-maligned “Gridlock” while Alasdair celebrates the guest cast of “A Town Called Mercy.”

Doctor Who is coming to a movie theater near you! Alasdair and Caroline are confused. Then we finally get around to discussing Martha Jones! Does she work as a character? Is she unfairly hated by the fandom? What are her best and worst moments? In the second half, we check in on two episodes that argue that humanity can be pretty awful sometimes. Alasdair examines the corporate villians of “The Planet Of The Ood” and Caroline dissects the political complacency of “The Beast Below.”

Caroline gives her review of the 5th Doctor story “The Caves Of Androzani,” and Alasdair’s hearts break. Then, we examine the character arcs that define each of the three new Who Doctors so far. In the second half, we examine two 11th Doctor episodes that make us laugh: “The Lodger” and “The Crimson Horror.” Just what does it mean for Doctor Who to do comedy?

We share our thoughts on the brand new teaser trailer! Then we discuss the long-running history of Doctor Who. Are Classic Who and New Who actually the same show? How many eras have there been in Who history? Also Alasdair tricks Caroline into watching some Classic Who. In the second half, we debate Daleks! Alasdair argues for the expansive world of “Asylum Of The Daleks” and Caroline celebrates the simplicity of “Dalek.”

Alasdair and Caroline play “Better Know A Host!” Find out our favorite Doctor, scariest monster, which alien planet we’d take a vacation on, and much, much more. In the second half, we debate the question: What is Doctor Who's biggest tearjerker? Alasdair gets misty over “Father's Day,” and Caroline sobs through the 10th Doctor's regeneration in “The End of Time: Part Two.”

We discuss what a couple Doctor Who alums are up to, talk about the strengths and weaknesses of season seven, and share our hopes and dreams for season eight. Then, in the second half, we debate the question: What is Doctor Who's best companion showcase? Alasdair celebrates Amy Pond in "Amy's Choice," and Caroline fights for Rose Tyler in "The Impossible Planet"/"Satan Pit."

We introduce ourselves, discuss the Bechdel test, and look at Doctor Who's frustrating lack of women writers. Then, in the second half, we debate the question: What is Doctor Who's most adventurous episode? Caroline goes to the mat for “The Girl In The Fireplace,” while Alasdair champions “The Doctor’s Wife.”