Doctor Who: Radio Free Skaro

As showrunner for Doctor Who, Steven Moffat is mostly known for beginnings and endings of series, but this week the Moff brought us “Listen,” a standalone story that delves into beginnings, endings and fear itself. So, did Moffat overload the story with his personal tropes, take the show in an interesting direction, or…well, listen to the opinions of the Three Who Rule for their thoughts on the matter. There’s also tat, stats, Gallifrey One guest updates and more, including a diversion into some serious action dolly madness. Listen! Please. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Robin Hood! Robots! Shenanigans! Etc! Things took a turn for the romp-y in “Robot of Sherwood,” the latest episode of Doctor Who, but what did the usually taciturn and P-Cap-ian Three Who Rule think? Eh? Listen as the three acerbic grouchwads expound upon the story in question and also reflect on stats and what a blight they are on human society. But that’s not all, not by a long chalk! We also have an interview with director Douglas MacKinnon, whose handiwork will be seen later this series in "Time Heist", "Flatline" and, next week, in "Listen”! So…do so! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The first proper P-Cap story, where he’s out of bed and sassing off to soldiers, Daleks and everyone in between, has arrived on our TV screens, tablets, laptops and eyeballs. You’d think after years of Dalek stories the well would be dry, but in fact….well, you’ll just have to listen to the Three Who Rule’s take on “Into the Dalek” to find out. Do they enjoy Capaldi’s surly and cerebral take on the Doctor? Is there such a thing as a “good” Dalek? Most importantly, is Missy the Master? The Rani? Romana? Dodo? No, because that would be stupid. As a bonus, listen to Steven and Chris thrill (and Warren cringe) with a surfeit of stats from last week’s airing of Deep Breath. Stats, you say? Yes. Yes we do. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

After months of waiting, feverish panic, speculation, madness, leaked scripts, world tours and other such lunacy, the first episode of Doctor Who, Series 8, titled “Deep Breath”, is upon us. You know what that means? Stats! So, so many stats. And, to a lesser extent, the opinions of Steven, Warren and Chris regarding Peter Capaldi’s debut episode and right-turn portrayal of everyone’s favourite Time Lord. Of course there was other news to ruminate upon, but…who are we kidding here, you want the “Deep Breath” goodness. And you shall have it! Tally-ho! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Only one week to go until the premiere of Series 8, or as Warren (and no-one else) terms it, 8mageddon, and there’s news of trailers, radio trailers, misguided Tom Baker biopics, Doctor Who world tours and more. But more importantly, Friend of the Show, all around fine gent and writer of some renown Phil Ford returns to talk about “Into the Dalek,” his contribution to Series 8 due to grace our screens in just a couple of weeks, but also about the Deep Breath premiere in Cardiff and just how wonderful Peter Capaldi really is, both on and off camera. And if you’ve ever wanted to know what ringtones the Three Who Rule have on our phones, well….you’re welcome. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Newsmageddon continues! With only two weeks to go before the premiere of Deep Breath across the planet, the Doctor Who hype machine is in full swing, from the world tour making it’s way through the UK before heading overseas to early reviews of the premiere episode (all spoiler-free, of course.) Online content, the Moff saying stuff that may or may not be true and so….much…more. But that’s not all! We also have the final Miniscope of the year, this time profiling BBC Radiophonic Workshop composer Jonathan Gibbs with the help of eminent smart music lady Emily Kausalik from the Doctor Who: Time Signatures podcast! Huzzah! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

"Morgus! You stinking offal! Look at me!" Yes, a day long anticipated by the Three Who Rule Has finally arrived as they were privileged to tackle the all-time classic The Caves of Androzani as a commentary. While they had long feared such a task would devolve into silent slack jawed amazement, they did their damnedest to inform and entertain to the standard being played out on screen. There's also morsels of news regarding cinema screenings and other such frippery, but c'mon! Caves! Yeah! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

With San Diego Comic Con’s annual media megashow winding down, Radio Free Skaro brought in a Special Report from Nerdist editor and all around fine fellow Kyle Anderson as our man on the scene to let us know about the Big! Who! News! almost live from the source. Well, it turns out there hasn’t been very much news to speak of Who-wise, with the BBC likely focusing their energies on launching their world tour, and….showing us a new 15 second trailer. And……showing the premiere in cinemas worldwide! Holy cats! Despite the dearth of SDCC news, rest assured our list is chockablock full of items of interest, and as if that weren’t enough, we also have the last Fluid Links for quite some time! Madness! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

With San Diego Comic Con looming, roving Radio Free Skaro reporter Warren Frey took it upon himself to interview Andrew James, the editor of the new Doctor Who range at Titan Comics. James spilled the beans on SDCC plans, a Doctor Who Day promotion across the U.S. and the U.K. and much more, but first…a massive (one could even say Titan-ic) amount of news. From the leak of Deep Breath (or a somewhat unfinished version of it, anyway) to action dolly news, Big Finish updates and more, the Three Who Rule were overwhelmed by an avalanche of information. And all this without an official Doctor Who panel at Comic Con! Madness. Pure madness. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

It was a week of great tumult in the world of Doctor Who, with the leaking of the first five scripts for Series 8 taking the internet by storm and sending Whovians into spasms of joy, guilt, fear and loathing. Though the scripts have presumably spread far and wide, Who-dom has heeded the call of #keepmespoilerfree and as of release of this episode, no major spoilage is happening in the more reputable corners of the internet. While lest you think #8gate was the only thing happening in Who this week, rest assured there was movement in the realms of comics, Classic Who (with Retro TV bringing back our old friend on August 4th, starting with “An Unearthly Child”) and shoddily made, possibly foreign but certainly amusing “versions” of Doctor Who from Japan and….well, wherever the hell Beedeer is from. All this, and an interview with 80’s music maestro Roger Limb in the Miniscope! Listen! WE COMMAND IT! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

It was an exciting week in the world of Doctor Who, with a new teaser, with news of the return of the Cybermen, the addition of the esteemed Frank Cottrell Boyce to the writers team (plus another female director, Sheree Folkson, joining the production team), and a premiere screening taking place in Cardiff. Once all the new shiny is talked about, though, the Three Who Rule dip back in time to commentate over the third part of the Key to Time season, 1978's "The Stones of Blood"! Ogri, sausage sandwiches, well tamed crows, location videotape, Megara - all sorts of things to enjoy! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The Series 8 news is slowly building as we hurtle towards August 23rd, the just-announced debut date for Peter Capaldi (aka P-Cap), the 12th (13th?) Doctor in a feature-length adventure called "Deep Breath". But mixed with excitement is disappointment for some fans, as there will be no San Diego Comic Con panel this year...which makes sense given Doctor Who is to be gallivanting around the globe shortly on a world tour of seven different cities on five continents. But all this is mere preparation for the return of Fluid Links, where we answer your questions about Doctor Who, nonsense, and Doctor Who nonsense! Which questions did we pick? Listen and find out! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

With no Chris this week, Steven and Warren enlisted the help of erstwhile scribe, podcaster and gentleman japesman Kyle Anderson of the Nerdist, Doctor Who: The Writer's Room, WTF Are You Watching, and Awesomely Bad Movies fame. Much fun was had as news of comics, schedules, and action dollies (oh so many dollies) was discussed with great gusto. And as a bonus, we also have an interview with Stephen Gallagher, writer of 1980s Doctor Who stories "Warriors' Gate" and "Terminus"! Ever had questions about time-jumping lions? You bet you do, and they’re about to get answered! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Fancy a Doctor Who historical? Even those that don't exist anymore (for now)? The Three Who Rule certainly did, and so writer John Lucarotti, the scribe behind “Marco Polo,” “The Aztecs,” and “The Massacre (of St. Bartholomew’s Eve)" was the focus of this week’s Miniscope. Warren decided to go down a more textual path, and read the Target novelization of Marco Polo, while Steven and Chris braved the wild world of fan recons. How does Mr. Lucarotti fare under the glare of 2014’s wildly different pacing and tastes? Only one way to find out! But before that, our old friend Chip from Two-Minute Time Lord drops by to visit and talk about the news of the week, such as it is. Enjoy! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The randomizer, it has been noted, can be a harsh mistress. Bear that in mind when you cast an ear to our commentary to "Frontios", the somewhat maligned but still intriguing apocalyptic Fifth Doctor tale of hunger, strife, fascism and….giant snails. And if slimy Tractators aren’t your thing, tune in for news, debunking of missing episode non-rumours, and as always, talk of LEGO! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The Three Who Rule tuned their brainwaves to Doctor Who Magazine’s latest poll naming all of our favourite show’s stories from best to worst, along with favourite (and not so favourite) Doctors, companions, and other movers and shakers. Did they agree with the choices of thousands upon thousands of fans? Let’s just say there was some dissent in the ranks! Mere preamble, however, to Fluid Links, where we answer your questions, from the sublime to the silly, about Doctor Who and somewhat less Time Lord related activity. If you’ve ever wanted to know what podcasts Warren listens to, here you go! And let’s be honest, you’re dying to know. Really. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Doctor Who is coming back in August, and the internet has the brief, presumably-Capaldi-silhouette-filled trailer to prove it! But the RFS lads were equally enamoured with a recently released fan trailer of P-Cap and J-Co traipsing around in the rain, made by none other than the mysterious John Smith, who not only created the stellar Wholock trailer that consumed the internet, but also appears in Warren’s own Skaromantic Comedy as the random victim of a comely Dalek lass! But enough quasi-self-promotion, today’s Miniscope guest is none other than Michael E. Briant, director of "Colony in Space", "The Sea Devils", "The Green Death", "Death to the Daleks", "Revenge of the Cybermen", and "The Robots of Death"! Though we included our cogent analysis on said stories, we also went straight to the man himself, with an in-depth interview with Steven about his time on the show, the freedom afforded a television director in the 1970s, and even Briant’s new life as a full-fledged sailor. Avast, ye dogs! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

A shocking (O’ the Quawncing Grig) amount of news this week, including the inclusion of Tank Girl director Rachel Talalay as a Series Eight helmer for two episodes, Doctor Who returning to Lanzorate for the aforementioned Series Eight, A Doctor Who comics Humble Bundle, and more! By far the coolest news of the week, at least for production nerds such as ourselves, was the release by Restoration Team member Paul Vanezis of a behind the scenes video showing the process of cleaning up and transferring the recently discovered film print of Enemy of World. Sprockets! Gears! Troughton on a beach! And speaking of Troughton, this week’s commentary is the all-time classic Tomb of the Cybermen! Sit back, warm up a mug of your favourite beverage, and enjoy as Cyril Shaps and some other people battle the second-deadliest foe in the Whoniverse! We also announce the winner of our RFS Giveaway contest for a signed copy of Paul Cornell's "The Severed Streets"! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

In one of the slowest news weeks in recorded history, the urge for a good strong session of Fluid Links flowed through the Three Who Rule, who did their darndest to answer the questions of you, the listener, in as snappy and entertaining a manner as possible. As a special bonus, this week we also have an interview with Fairlith Harvey, the artistic director of Geekenders, a nerdlesque/theatre group in Vancouver who will soon remount their production of Don’t Blink, a tribute to every Doctor…with tassels thrown in for good measure. Fairlith discuss not only burlesque but feminism, nerd culture, and the influence of cosplay on burlesque and vice versa. Enjoy! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Will someone just rename this the “Pointless Speculation about Star Wars Episode VII Podcast” already? After listening to the opening of this week’s Radio Free Skaro, they might! The Three Who Rule did eventually bring the latest Doctor Who news to the table, along with an interview with writer, script editor and classic series producer Derrick Sherwin, but (mostly due to Warren, as usual) there were many digressions, including unrestrained bile for new Terminator films, studious avoidance of discussion of a certain naughty parody film, and the aforementioned Sturm Und Drang about a certain movie with laser swords coming Xmas 2015. Next week, the return of Fluid Links! Submit your ideas on Twitter using hashtag #FluidLinks and we may just draw it for discussion! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

An exciting time for Doctor Who and other genre fans in southern Alberta as they descended upon the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo in their thousands upon thousands to witness, among other events, the Matt Smith and Karen Gillan panel! Our own Steven files his report from the con, including audio from the panel itself! Later, Mark Ayres drops by to talk about the massive 11-disc box set containing music from 50 years of Doctor Who (available for pre-order now!), including shedding some light on those long lost Dudley Simpson tracks that are now available for you to buy! A jam packed episode celebrating a jam packed week in Doctor Who! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

What derails the Three Who Rule from the week's news and a gripping Miniscope about classic series director Rodney Bennett? Why, it's the #firsttargetnovel Twitter discussion from Full Circle scribe and all-around gentleman Andrew Smith! Your hosts thoroughly enjoyed drenching themselves in novelised nostalgia, and loon forward to further trips to the fannish past. Eventually, the fellas settle down and talk about the work of Mr. Bennett, who helmed three stories in the Tom Baker era - "The Ark in Space", "The Sontaran Experiment", and "The Masque of Mandragora". But what of the future? What wondrous commentaries and other aural delights are in store for you, dear listener? WHAT!? Check out the show notes at http:///www.radiofreeskaro.com

Pertwee! Jo! Troughton the younger! An incontinent skull! With a cast like that it can only be the Three Who Rule's commentary on "The Curse of Peladon"! Watch a prince in short pants fight a revolution, superstition and a questionable monster suit in this Third Doctor...classic? Also, news and discussion, including the exciting news that Matt Smith and Karen Gillan are coming to Calgary Expo! And....well, you know the drill. Listen! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Sadly, a trio of recent deaths in the Doctor Who world lead off this week's episode, as we remember the contributions of writer/actor Glyn Jones, director Derek Martinus, and the Rani herself, Kate O'Mara. But with new Doctor Who still months away, trickles of information are beginning to emerge as to the shape of Series Eight, including returning writers (Gareth Roberts), new actors (Tom Riley) and…well, that’s about it. It’s only April! One thing you won’t have to wait for is the return of Fluid Links, where the Three Who Rule once again take your questions about the show and use their tiny mind-computers to formulate opinions. Next week, it’s another classic series commentary with "The Curse of Peladon"! Whee! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

It’s the return of the Miniscope! The focus this time is on Michael Hayes, the accomplished director who at first blush wanted nothing to do with Doctor Who but learned to love the show after directing "The Androids of Tara", "The Armageddon Factor" and the rightly beloved "City of Death". What did the Three Who Rule think? Turn on your audio-visualizer and find out! But before that, news of Mark Gatiss writing more episodes of Doctor Who, and can it really be nine years since Doctor Who returned to our screens? Amazing! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Only a mere month after the celebrations of Gallifrey One 2014, the 26th iteration of the best convention in the world…sold out in 75 minutes this Friday. The Three Who Rule, poised over their keyboards intently, managed to secure their registration and will be in Los Angles in February 2015, and hope to see many of you there! Gallifrey aside, there was news this week of bespoke music collections, a trailer for upcoming BBC America series Real History of Science Fiction, and a magnificent interview by one Mr Toby Hadoke of one Russell T. Davies in one Who’s Round podcast! And as if that’s not enough, we have a classic commentary of the Krotons, featuring robots, Philip Madoc, and quite psychedelic visuals in black and white! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

It’s the return of Fluid Links! Yes, everyone’s favourite mercury-based connection thingy is back, and we’ve got (some) of your questions to hash over, cogitate upon, and generally discuss. Good thing too, because the news is pretty thin on the ground this week. But there is talk of intriguing Season 8 guest star Keeley Hawes, Olaf Pooley (Professor Stahlman in "Inferno") turning 100, and whimsical speculation about Fonzie LEGO minifigs jumping over LEGO sharks. Meta! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The Three Who Rule are travelling back in time this week to the wild, wooly days of 2005, when a certain program about a madman in a box first re-graced our screens after a long, long hiatus. Though we take the success of Doctor Who as a matter of course these days, in those early stories the show could have easily failed, and the fact that it didn’t is in no small part due to the work of one Joe Ahearne, gentleman director and subject of the Miniscope. Join Steven, Warren and Chris as they dissect the work of one of the most important directors of new Who…and also waste your time beforehand with news, japes and the introduction of P-Cap and J-Co to the “irritating shortened names for actors” pantheon. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The classic commentary returns to Radio Free Skaro, in the form of a brief but enticing little number known as "The Sontaran Experiment"! Despite its quick running time, the adventures of Styre and Friends packs in adventure, spills, stunts, Terry Walsh in an unconvincing wig, and a pint-sized pugilist from another world who just wanted to make friends through torture and rigorous scientific villainy. The Three Who Rule were happy to lend their bon mots to this drama, sometimes even staying on point and discussing salient matters on screen! Next week, the return of the Miniscope, with Eccleston-era director Joe Ahearne! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

With Gallifrey One 2014 behind them, the Three Who Rule rallied their weakened, battle-scarred livers and turned their attention to Matt Smith’s last hurrah, "The Time of the Doctor". Much appreciation! Such regeneration! But first, news, updates and other matters of import! And next week, the classic series commentaries return with “The Sontaran Experiment!” And a week afterwards, the Miniscope reborn! Who will be the focus of the unblinking spreadsheet-y eye of the ‘Scope? You’ll just have to listen to find out! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The year's most anticipated event on the calendar of the Three Who Rule and many thousands other Doctor Who fans has come and gone as Gallifrey One: 25 Glorious years has now concluded! Over 3700 attendees, guests, and volunteers enjoyed the event, and Radio Free Skaro was proud to be able to bring a little bit go Gally to you all each day. On this final episode from Gallifrey One, we interview Series 8 writer Phil Ford, "Closing Time" director Steve Hughes, Gallifrey One program director Shaun Lyon, and Doctor Who: The Discontinuity Guide authors Paul Cornell and Keith Topping. We also announce our plans for the next few weeks while we all wait for Series 8 to premiere! Enjoy, and thanks for listening! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Day two of Gallifrey One 2014, and the bright eye of the Three Who Rule cast its fiery, lidless wrath upon the missing episodes. Steven and Chris interview Restoration Team head and video genius Steve Roberts on his own, and missing episode experts Damian Shanahan and Jon Preddle together. But lest you think we’re all about dusty old stories of yesteryear (which, let’s be honest, we sort of are) we also have Erika Ensign of the Verity Podcast and Jason Snell, the impresario behind The Incomparable podcast. So sit back, relax and let the good feelings flow over you as we bring you the finest bits of Gally straight from our mice to your ears. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Day Two of Gallifrey One 2014! We ring in this auspicious occasion with the august personage of Dominic Glynn, musician extraordinaire and composer of what many (well...us, anyway) consider the best arrangement of the classic opening theme. And we continue with the Lovely Person Agenda with the presence of author and bon vivant Rob Shearman and comedian, actor and 60s BBC barman Toby Hadoke, who performed his one-man show "My Stepson Stole my Sonic Screwdriver" here at Gallifrey One only last night! But instead of covering that fine event, we spend 20-odd minutes berating the pair of them for not publishing Volume Two of Running Through Corridors. That's Radio Free Skaro, all class. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

It's that time of year again, everyone! Gallifrey One celebrates its 25th edition at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, and once again, the Three Who Rule were proud and honoured to kick off the convention with a live show recorded on the main stage. Radio Free Skaro: Gallifrey Stands featured guests Colin Baker, Terrance Dicks, David Banks, Stuart Milligan, and Toby Hadoke, and launched the weekend in style. Enjoy the live episode, enjoy the opening movie sequence (YouTube link will soon be available!), and enjoy another weekend of fun and frivolity at Gallifrey One! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Once again the greatest con of cons that has ever conned is here! Yes, Gallifrey One 2014 is mere days away, and the Three Who Rule reprise their official (not really official) Gally preview episode. Cosplay! Writers! Billie Piper! Arthur Darvill! Doctors Six and Eight (and David Banks)! Panels, drinks, friends, and so much more! This week, look forward to daily podcasts as always from Gallifrey One, starting with our live show from Los Angeles on Friday, "Radio Free Skaro: Gallifrey Stands"! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

In the dog days before the wondrous rapture that is the Gallifrey convention in the greater Los Angeles area, the news was sparse and the fans were restless. However, the reveal of Peter Capaldi’s 12th Doctor costume sparked not only excitement and fevered speculation across Who fandom but was also the cause of an ill-advised tangent on cosplay by Warren, Steven, and Chris, who know less than nothing about such matters and have been replaced by trained seals in 6th Doctor costumes. Next week, the semi-demi-official Gallifrey 2014 preview episode! But for now, a commentary by the Three Who Rule for "The Day of the Doctor"! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The Three Who Rule aren’t known for feedback, which is befitting of their hubristic megalomania and general dedication to evil. But in a new feature called Fluid Links, we’ve invited you, the listener, to submit topics of note for us to hash over, debate, pettily argue and break into tears over. Shocking lack of imagination or new era of transparency and openness? You be the judge. Also news, LEGO, emulated video games, funny books, Gally announcements and DVD releases! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The days are long and the news is sparse, but that didn’t stop the Three Who Rule from tackling a smattering of stats and DVD news in order to get to the important stuff, a commentary for "An Adventure in Space and Time". Chris was available for the news but wasn’t for the commentary, so in his stead TV historian and bon vivant Simon Harries lent his considerable knowledge to an analysis of Mark Gatiss’ love letter to Doctor Who’s fascinating origins. Thrill to stories of BBC Television Centre! Watch David Bradley own the screen as William Hartnell! Listen to three grown men gibber incoherently over that scene at the end! Pop Pop Pop! Check out the show notes at http://ww.radiofreeskaro.com

It’s the beginning of the next 400 episodes of Radio Free Skaro, and what better way to start off this new era than with talk of Star Wars, weather in Florida, hockey, Tim Hortons and other irrelevant meanderings! The Three Who Rule eventually focused their energies and relayed what little Doctor Who news eked out this week, including such gems as new guests for Gallifrey 2014 (and the lineup for our own live show on Friday, February 14th), the return of friend of the show Phil Ford to Doctor Who, and other assorted newsy morsels. All mere preamble to a commentary recorded this summer at Westercon for "Silver Nemesis". We’re not saying our commentary is good, but rest assured it is better than the story itself, so have a listen to it, won’t you? Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

From its origins on a humble Skype connection in 2006 to the quasi-shabby status it endures today, Radio Free Skaro has tried to entertain, inform and educate its listeners about the wonderful world of Doctor Who. And in this, its 400th episode, it may have finally succeeded. Joining us for a retrospective roundtable on the Matt Smith era were Chris and Laura Mead of the Oodcast, Luke Harrison of TMDWP, Kyle Anderson of the Doctor Who: The Writer’s Room (and Nerdist fame) and Chip, the Two Minute Time Lord. What did these luminaries, and to a much lesser extent, Steven, Warren, and Chris think of Matt Smith’s run as the Doctor? You’ll just have to listen to find out. You’ll also have to endure some blather about stats beforehand. Vegetables before you get your dessert! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The Fall of the Eleventh is at last upon us as Matt Smith took his final bow in the 2013 Doctor Who Christmas Special, "The Time of the Doctor". Crammed with all sorts of the Doctor's past enemies and a number of other surprises, the episode was topped off with a momentous performance from the outgoing Matt Smith. But what do the Three Who Rule think of this one? Did it pack enough emotional wallop after the spectacle that was the 50th anniversary? Did Matt Smith go out in a blaze of glory like Christopher Eccleston, or did he limp to the finish line like some (well, we) think David Tennant's Doctor did? Listen and find out. Oh, and Peter Capaldi is the Doctor now. We think this is a good thing, and it will make the wait for Capaldi's first proper outing as the Twelfth Doctor a very long one indeed... Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Despite the obvious dangers of the Blinovich Limitation Effect, the Three Who Rule came together in Edmonton for a pre-Xmas, pre-Time Of The Doctor powwow. Besides many and various clips, rumours and idle speculatings about ToTD, the big news was the announcement that Rose Tyler herself, Billie Piper, will be a guest at Gallifrey One, mere weeks away! Other morsels of information also teased the jingle-belled minds of the RFS crew, topped off by a final set of interviews from Chicago TARDIS with volcano enthusiast Tracey Childs and notable Davros impresario Terry Molloy. And if lava and genocidal geniuses doesn’t capture the holiday spirit, what does? Nothing, that’s what. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

As Matt Smith's time in Doctor Who approaches its end, the BBC is starting to ramp up promotion of Smith's finale episode, "The Time of the Doctor", with a new trailer and a series of very intriguing promo pics. These topics and more form some key discussion points for the Three Who Rule this week, but no stats this week in honour of Warren's birthday celebrations! (Little does he know that there are no stats to discuss this week, anyway). However, the feature items in this week's episode are two interviews from Chicago TARDIS. Dan Hall drops by again to give an update on the final two Pup Ltd related DVDs coming up in 2014, "The Moonbase" and "The Underwater Menace", and the lovely Nina Toussaint-White (Mels from "Let's Kill Hitler") speaks to Steven in an interview recorded live on stage. Enjoy! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Statspocalypse! Yes, in a moment that Warren has feared since the inception of Radio Free Skaro, the 50th Anniversary generated stats to such a degree that they may have become sentient and declared war on humanity. And despite Warren’s hatred of the Devil Numbers, Radio Free Skaro gave you, the listener, comprehensive coverage of viewing figures, iPlayer requests, and other such pointless spreadsheetery. But it wasn’t all stats (thankfully)! News of Other Doctor dollies, in-depth articles on 3D and the Radiophonic Workshop and more besides peppered the news list, leading up to the main event, the Missing Episodes panel from Chicago TARDIS, featuring Ed Stradling and Dan Hall of the DVD range and our own Steven as moderator. Note to Gallifrey Base users: Try not to divine rumour and nonsense from the facts and statements of truth in said panel. That is all. Thank you and good day! (puts on bowler hat, storms off stage left) Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

As if the build-up to and the celebration of Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary wasn't enough, the very next week after "The Day of the Doctor" wowed and amazed countless fans worldwide, more than two thousand of those fans gathered at Chicago TARDIS to revel in the celebration. Join Steven, with special guests Graeme Burk, Ken Deep, and David and Marty Hooie as they reminisce about another successful edition of the annual Midwestern convention. But that's not all! Steven spent the weekend gathering interviews with many of the guests, both onstage and off, and the first of these is presented to you here: an onstage interview with everybody's favourite Sontaran, Dan Starkey, famous for his wonderful portrayal of Strax. Listen for more interviews in future weeks from Chicago TARDIS! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The long, long wait is over. Doctor Who celebrated 50 years of thrilling us all with the adventures of a madman with a box in high style, with not only "The Day of the Doctor", but also the stunning "An Adventure in Space and Time" and Peter Davison’s “The Five(ish) Doctors”, a whimsical treat for lovers of both the classic and new series. Let’s not forget that 94 countries and many movie theatres simulcast "The Day of the Doctor" on Saturday, and for the first time ever the Three Who Rule are able to relay what it felt like to watch a big-screen adventure with the Doctor(s) surrounded by the love of many, many fans cheering and whooping at every twist and turn. It was indeed a monumental week, but there’s still the Christmas Special and the end of Matt Smith’s run in a month, and next week a special RFS from Chicago TARDIS! Allons-Y, Geronimo, and for God’s Sake, GALLIFREY STANDS! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

With less than a week until "The Day of the Doctor", the Two Who Rule (Warren and Steven, Chris was on assignment with UNIT) were positively giddy with anticipation for the 50th anniversary adventure to hit their eye bulbs in glorious 3D. But before that momentous event, the BBC released “The Night of the Doctor,” with a shocking appearance by Paul McGann! Lest you think that was the only treat for Whovians this week, a 2-minute clip from Day of the Doctor was also released in conjunction with Children in Need (which we will not discuss here, spoilerphobes), and various idents and other fripfrap also helped to fuel the hype machine. But, let’s be honest, what you’re really here for is our final Miniscope, this time with Richard Molesworth (author of a new book called "Robert Holmes: A Life in Words") discussing the Phillip Hinchcliffe era. We’ve very much enjoyed doing these Miniscopes, and we hope you’ve enjoyed listening to them. And three lucky listeners won copies of Adventures with the Wife in Space, written by friend of the show (and last week’s guest!) Neil Perryman! Who were the winners? You’ll just have to listen to find out! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

It was truly a momentous week for Doctor Who fans everywhere as they got not one, nor two, but THREE different trailers for 'The Day of the Doctor' from the BBC (twice!), BBC America, and, inadvertently early, BBC Latin America. While everyone is busy frame advancing through those to find out clues about the 50th Anniversary Special, a metric ton of news also dropped this week which helped push this episode of Radio Free Skaro past the two hour mark. But how could you go wrong with a Philip Segal Miniscope in the form of a TV Movie commentary with guest Neil Perryman? Answer: you can't. Enjoy, and be content that we are now less than two weeks away from the anniversary weekend... Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The tsunami of news (or, if you will, newsnami) continues this week, with tales of conventions, extras, tie-ins, and so, so much about An Adventure in Space and Time. All but mere pre-amble to the second part of the John Nathan-Turner miniscope, with special guest Steve O’Brien, who spares nothing in his analysis of the somewhat shaky years comprising the tail-end of JNT’s era as producer of Doctor Who. The Three Who Rule also give their thoughts on the latter half of the JNT era, rounding out a jam-packed episode of Radio Free Skaro sure to pale in comparison to the utter madness that is the final weeks before the 50th anniversary. Prepare yourselves! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

It was one of the more exciting weeks in Doctor Who recently with global cinema screenings of "The Day of The Doctor" being announced around the world, and Big Finish's 50th anniversary story "The Light At The End" being given an early release, one month before the actual anniversary itself. The resulting chaos showed that no internet site knows the wrath of an impatient group of Doctor Who fans, but at the end of the day, thousands of fans will be watching the 50th Anniversary story in 3D together in cinemas (the Three Who Rule included!) on November 23 and 25. Once the furore of this died down on the podcast, the Skaro boys turn back the clock to delve into the first half of the John Nathan-Turner era in the Miniscope, with the wonderful Rob Shearman! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com