Doctor Who: Radio Free Skaro

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

It's another cutaway episode! This time around, we devote some time in the middle of the week to the world of Big Finish and their own celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. To do so, Steven interviews Big Finish executive producer Nick Briggs, who is also the writer and director of Big Finish's own 50th anniversary story "The Light At The End", a story which features all Doctors Four through Eight in an extravaganza that will be released in November. Big Finish will be making an announcement regarding the special soon, so enjoy this interview as it whets your appetite for what's to come... Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

A trailer! A trailer! Maybe not THE trailer we've all been waiting for, but certainly a fitting tribute to 50 years of Doctor Who, with a frankly insane number of homages and visual cues stuffed into a minute of pure nostalgia. In true timey-wimey fashion, the Three Who Rule recorded the bulk of this episode BEFORE the trailer came out, but Steven and Warren were able to admonish their past selves and give their brief thoughts on the trailer, mostly consisting of "ooo," "ahhh," and "gear!" But lest you think a minute of visually splendiferous pandering was all that was covered in this episode of RFS, feast your earballs on a Miniscope featuring an interview with Liz Myles, the co-editor of Chicks Unravel Time and a member of the Verity! podcast, as she sings the praises of the Graham Williams era. Steven, Warren and Chris also cover the peaks and valleys of the Williams era, in addition to bantering about non-trailer related news. Fantasallonsonimo! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

On the way to a light week for Radio Free Skaro, the world of Doctor Who decided to explode in a shower of the awesomeness that is nine previously missing episodes from the 1960s being found, returned, and released to an adoring public via iTunes. Naturally, the Three Who Rule felt compelled to give you their thoughts on both "The Enemy of the World" and "The Web of Fear", unseen for decades, but they also bring you interviews with the esteemed Paul Cornell, who talks about "Scream of the Shalka" (now out on DVD), his upcoming comic, The Girl Who Loved Doctor Who, which will close out IDW Publishing's Doctor Who series, and an exclusive Doctor Who book-related announcement. And we all also talk to Graeme Burk and Robert Smith?, authors of the phenomenal new book Who's 50. So much for a week off! Next week: the beginning of the second half our popular Producer Miniscope series! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

FOUND! Against all hope and logic, nine episodes of Doctor Who once thought lost forever have been found and returned to the BBC Archives. Such a monumental occasion warrants a rare Radio Free Skaro cutaway episode, wherein the Three Who Rule discuss the return of five episodes of The Enemy of the World and four episodes of The Web of Fear, the extravagant efforts that Doctor Who's newest hero, Philip Morris of Television International Enterprises Archives, went to in order to uncover these lost treasures...and also reveal a little bit of the intense research that was done by the Skaro boys over the past few months to try to get to the bottom of all the rumours! Rejoice, Who fans! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

As we turn the corner into October in this 50th anniversary year of Doctor Who, the Three Who Rule reach the halfway point in their odyssey of covering the eras of each producer of the classic series in the Miniscope. This week, the Barry Letts epoch is the focus, a five year stretch of classic episodes that vaulted Doctor Who from a Saturday tea-time tradition to a British television institution. A lifelong fan of the era, Gary Russell, who has been involved with the show in many ways since the early 1980s, joins us to discuss the many strengths of Lett's time on the show. Steven, Warren, and Chris also reunite to discuss the news of the week, including details of a worldwide simulcast of The Day of the Doctor, which were announced earlier this week. Fun and exciting! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The producer Miniscope series plows onward as special guest John Williams from Tachyon TV joins in to discuss the Peter Bryant and Derrick Sherwin era. An era of selecting a new Doctor and ever-changing roles for the production team, Bryant and Sherwin were responsible for... well, you'll just have to listen and find out, won't you? With Warren unavailable, Steven and Chris tackle the news of the week including discussion on the latest (what some may call) blunder on the part of the BBC's 50th anniversary "celebrations", and yes, even talk about audio stuff! And books! And cosplay! And we announce the winner of our Twitter contest for a Region 1 Doctor Who Complete Series 7 box set! When the Warren is away, the mice will play! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The Miniscope madness continues this week with an examination of the Innes Lloyd era, with a little help from JR Southall of Starburst Magazine and the Blue Box Podcast, and Deborah Watling, AKA Victoria Waterfield. But before "regeneration and bases under siege" (and a whole lot more) fall under the hawk-like gaze of the RFS crew and their guests, news of DVD releases, theatrical showings of "The Day of the Doctor" and flagrant disregard for the term "rels" were the order of the day. Enjoy, and a quick note: all rel-related pedantry should be aimed squarely at Warren, who will dismiss said pedantry out of hand. Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Our second entry in our Producer era Miniscopes sees us tackle the John Wiles era, a controversial six months in Doctor Who's long history that ushered in great changes and foreshadowed a great many more. Joining us to discuss the finer points of this tumultuous time is Toby Hadoke, and we also bring you an interview with Peter Purves, who played Steven Taylor throughout the Wiles era. Before that, Simon Harries drops by to discuss the news of the week with Steven and Warren. A jam packed episode, to be sure! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

As most of you might be aware, Doctor Who is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013, and the Three Who Rule are also doing their part to mark the occasion by celebrating and analyzing the era of each producer who helmed the show from 1963 through until the Fox TV movie in 1996. First up, the first producer - the original, you might say - Verity Lambert, who set in stone much of what we know and love about Doctor Who with help from her story editors David Whitaker and Dennis Spooner. And joining us for this segment is Doctor Who writer Jonny Morris to provide insight and opinion on the first two years in the programme's history. We look forward to peeling back the curtain on classic Who for the next several weeks leading up to the 50th anniversary on November 23! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Despite the Doctor Who world being split between multiple conventions this weekend (or because of it), the news was a bit thin this week, but that didn't stop the Three Who Rule from spinning their creative wheels in new and exciting directions, including the creation of Sofa-ism, a philosophy based on sitting around on your couch. Canada's national shame, otherwise known as Nickelback, was also name checked far more than necessary (ie. at all.) All this and an appearance from Sean Homrig of the Tardis Tavern podcast for our Name of the Doctor commentary! The mind reels at the riches in store for you. Next week: the producer Miniscopes begin in earnest! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The Three Who Rule welcome back our very good friend Chip from the Two-minute Time Lord podcast as we all talk over Neil Gaiman's most recent Doctor Who effort, Nightmare in Silver. Has some time and distance since the story's initial broadcast allowed our hearts to warm to it more, or was the extremely divisive reaction from fandom warranted and still valid? Will the effort satisfy 80s Hair Band pedants? News of the week, with Chip filling in for a very busy Warren, and which includes talk of what might just be the worst merchandise tie-in ever, rounds out this episode of Radio Free Skaro. Excelsior! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

"Whimsical yet terrifying" is an apt way to describe "The Crimson Horror," this week's commentary, but also an accurate portrayal of current Who news. What missive struck fear into the stalwart hearts of the Three Who Rule? Possibly the fact that CBC executives wanted to dub over Christopher Eccleston's Northern England accent with something more suitable to Canadian ears. Perhaps a Newfie accent would have made more sense. Or perhaps it was the notion that filming on Series 8 of Doctor Who won't begin until January? The horror continued with a discussion of David Lee Roth's storied career, what constitutes a bad fan (hint: probably everything) and more! And that's before the commentary, with special guest Deb Stanish of the Verity Podcast! Enjoy! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

The afterglow of the announcement of Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor has still not worn off if this week's news list, and the enthusiasm of the Three Who Rule, is anything to go by. Tons of Capaldi news from his fan battles as a teenager to the clandestine methods employed to smuggle him into the BBC for his big reveal will no doubt thrill and entertain you, along with a healthy dose of merchandise news. And to top it off, Kat from Verity! joins us for a commentary of "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS" from this past series. Exciting stuff! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

Peter Capaldi is the Twelfth Doctor! Announced during a worldwide live TV broadcast, Peter Capaldi was introduced to an Elstree TV studio full of delighted fans and an entire planet full of excited watchers, and the result is near unanimous - Steven Moffat's sole choice for the role was the right. Good thing the Three Who Rule recorded the news two days before the announcement...and got the announcement right! Amazing foresight (luck) on their part! However, Erika from Verity! not only drops by to talk with Steven about the live broadcast of Capaldi's reveal, but also joins the crew for a commentary on the Series 7 episode "Hide". All hail Peter the Great! And the new Peter, too! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com

On thisss week'sss Radio Free Ssskaro, the Ice Warriors return! Well, one of them does in the Cold War era episode called...er..."Cold War", of which there is a commentary presented. Luke from TMDWP joins us, replacing Seattle-bound Warren, to give us not only his thoughts on one of his favourite episodes from the recent series, but also to tell us about the Sylvester McCoy BFI event that occurred on July 27. Also, much news and speculation is discussed, as well as a whole host of merchandise to make sure your pockets are liberated of any spare cash. Expect more of such things as we get closer and closer to the event of the year in November! Check out the show notes at http://www.radiofreeskaro.com