The season finale is here and gone, and with it comes some revelations abou the Doctor's past and, uh, new Cybermen fashion. Warning: spoilers ahead… Let's dive right into the real core of the episode. Not the character moments like Graham's hearttwarming talk with Yaz, or the silliness of Ryan defeating a group of Cybermen... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who 12×9 Review: “Ascension of the Cybermen”
The two-part finale kicks off with two seemingly disconnected stories: scenes from the life of a baby mysteriously left on a dirt road in Ireland in the early 20th century. We watch him be adopted and grow into a young man. This is juxtaposed against the TARDIS crew attempting to save one of the last... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who 12×8 Review: “The Haunting of Villa Diodati”
A haunted 19th century lake house, Lord Byron, and Percy Brysshe and Mary Shelley? Surely nothing could go wrong. Except when it all does. Things begin to come to a head for the 2-part finale. In a way, this episode acts as a prologue for all the insanity to come. Maxine Alderton's top-notch script is... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who 12×7 Review: “Can You Hear Me?”
"Can You Hear Me?" starts off modestly in 14th century Syria, but develops into a pretty wild journey across time and space. The script, by Charlene James and Chris Chibnall, turns out one of the more imaginative adventures in recent seasons, and manages to convey such an important message about mental health with heart and... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who 12×6 Review: “Praxeus”
"Praxeus" is another topical entry in the Who universe, somewhat along the lines of the earlier "Orphan 55". But whereas "Orphan 55" kept the moral of the story wrapped up in a late episode twist, "Praxeus" wears its message about environmental pollution and the evils of plastic proudly on its lapel. The message is a... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who 12×5 Review: “Fugitive of the Judoon”
I have to admit, I wasn't looking forward to this episode. I just don't find the Judoon to be a very interesting species, and haven't missed seeing them on screen since they were last featured in an episode from 2008. When I saw they were making a return in Series 12, I dialed my expectations... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who 12×4 Review: “Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror”
Damn, I really dig this version of the theme song, It gives me old school vibes. And Goran Višnjić - one of my favorite actors in ER - is in this? I'm already hyped and we're only 90 seconds into the episode. Ahem. Warning: spoilers ahead... Višnjić plays Tesla, the famous inventor, and the episode... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who 12×3 Review: “Orphan 55”
My wife would have been impressed with Graham's mad coupon skills. Couple that with a cheeky joke about deep space squids and mating season, and we just might have a winner. Might. Warning: Spoilers ahead. If "Spyfall" was an imaginative pastiche of James Bond, "Orphan 55" starts off as a comedy-thriller reminiscent of the work... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who 12×1 / 12×2 Review: “Spyfall Parts 1 & 2”
Doctor Who returns for its 12th season with a two-parter that pastiches James Bond with the expected Who twist. Written by current showrunner Chris Chibnall, the episode wastes no time in flaunting its inspirations. Scenes of international intrigue with the standard alien trappings and men in black gathering the TARDIS crew and shoving the plot... Continue Reading →
Podcast: A Look at Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor
Who has two thumbs and is 18 months late with this update? You guessed it. In mid-2018 John S. Drew of the Chronic Rift was kind enough to have me as a guest to discuss Sylvester McCoy's tenure on Doctor Who. Have a listen!