Secrets of Doctor Who

The 13th Doctor starts her final season with the first chapter in a six-episode arc. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the many threads that are unspooled here and how this may be the best 13th Doctor episode yet. The post The Halloween Apocalypse appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor averts World War III by reasoning with a Cold Warrior. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the return of the Ice Warriors, a Companion who finally stays put, and Dom's nitpicking on how submarines work. The post Cold War appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Third Doctor gets his first encounter with Daleks. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this time-hopping adventure that jumps from Cold War brinksmanship to a future dystopia ruled by collaborators, apemen, and Daleks. The post Day of the Daleks appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Clara and the Doctor go on their first offworld adventure. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about what makes Clara different as a Companion; how the plot of the story resolves in a totally unclear way; and how right off the bat Clara is already taking on the Doctor's role. The post The Rings of Akhaten appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Patrick Troughton in two roles. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this 60s supervillain thriller in which the 2nd Doctor also plays the bad guy and shows his acting range. Plus the very cool spy-agent Astrid. The post The Enemy of the World appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Clara Oswald's first adventure with the Doctor sees the return of an old, but recent foe. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the beginning of a new era for the Doctor with the Impossible Girl and how the episode is more important for setting the stage than for its own plot. The post The Bells of St. John appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The First Doctor visits King Richard the Lionheart in the Holy Land during the Crusades. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the story of the Doctor's encounter, the nuanced portrayal of both Richard and Saladin, and dispel some myths about the crusades along the way. The post The Crusade appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Impossible Girl comes for Christmas! Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about the season arc involving Clara's curious appearances; interesting guest voice actors; the Pater Noster gang and where their name comes from; and the Great Intelligence as recurring enemy. The post The Snowmen (11) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 4th Doctor and Leela and taxes! Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this story about a company town, unreasonable taxes, a heartless bureaucracy, and a revolution. It sounds like the writer had some issues with the tax system he wanted to express. The post The Sun Makers appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Goodbye Amy and Rory! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the end of this era of Doctor Who; the problem of fixed points in time; and the watering down of the Weeping Angels as scary villains. The post The Angels Take Manhattan appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 8th Doctor has lost his mind! Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Big Finish audio story in which the 8th Doctor ends up in the US South, encounters a Satanic society, meets dastardly televangelists, and reunites with his old friend, the Brigadier. The post Minuet in Hell appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor comes to stay. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the time the 11th Doctor stayed with Amy and Rory; why they still love Rory's dad; and why there is so much filler in this story. The post The Power of Three appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The return of the Brigadier! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the Arthurian roots of this 7th Doctor story, the inclusion of the now-retired Lethbridge-Stewart, the Doctor's dark turn, nuclear brinksmanship, and more. The post Battlefield appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor in the Old West. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the balance between justice and mercy, whether the good done today compensates for evil done before, and the Doctor's own conscience about his deeds. The post A Town Called Mercy appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 6th Doctor is still on trial and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the bombastic action by guest star Brian Blessed, the hidden motivations of the Time Lords, and the sudden departure of Peri as Companion. The post Mindwarp appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What if the lone joke of an obscure Samuel L. Jackson movie were morphed into a Doctor Who episode? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss everything that's wrong with this story, including the Doctor's murder of the villain. The post Dinosaurs on a Spaceship appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The return of the Mara. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this 5th Doctor story that was partially inspired by tales of Christian snake handlers, but also uses concepts out of Asian religions and philosophies. The post Snakedance appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor, Amy, and Rory are on a mission from the Daleks to stop even worse Daleks. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the turn in the relationship between Amy and Rory and the first appearance of the "Impossible Girl". The post Asylum of the Daleks appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 4th Doctor fights a mad scientist and his horrific creation. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the classic story and its implication that the Doctor had many more than the traditional 13 (or 14) incarnations, and how that relates to the Timeless Child. The post The Brain of Morbius appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor riffs on Narnia, but misses just a bit. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this Christmas special in which pretty much nothing the Doctor does makes any difference to the main action of the plot, but at least there's sentient trees and a happy reunion. The post The Doctor, The Widow, and The Wardrobe appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 3rd Doctor deals with the Master who poses as village vicar summoning demons. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about how the BBC ordered no mention of God; the science vs. occult theme; and the occurrence of horned beings through mythology. Plus Morris dancing! We also remember in prayer Damaris Hayman, who played Miss Olive Hawthorne in this episode and just died on June 8, 2021. The post The Daemons appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 6th season of New Who wraps up with a wedding. Jimmy and Dom discuss the trick for getting out of the impossible situation set up at the beginning of the season, as well as where it leaves all our characters, including making the Doctor small again. The post The Wedding of River Song appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 2nd Doctor deals with climate change! Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this story that deals with the climate change worry of the 1960s, namely a forthcoming ice age. Plus the introduction of the Ice Warriors from Mars and more 60s-era worries about computers. The post The Ice Warriors appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 11th Doctor meets up with Craig again and now Craig's son, Stormaggedon. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Cybermen story, the way this episode bridges to the season finale, and what it does right and wrong. The post Closing Time appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The First Doctor in an ambitious science fiction story for its time. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this serial that features very alien characters and situations, some clever and witty dialogue, and trenchant social commentary. The post The Web Planet appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 11th Doctor stuck in the Labyrinth. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory examine this story that features a Minotaur-like creature that feeds on faith, as if faith was a kind of emotional energy and places it at the level of superstition. Does it do a disservice to religious faith? The post The God Complex appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 8th Doctor is in a future Venice facing a cataclysm. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about this audio story that bears remarkable resemblance to later TV episodes and how the story has a very fairy tale quality about it. The post The Stones of Venice appeared first on StarQuest Media.

This time it's Amy who waits for Rory and the Doctor. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about another story of doppelgängers and duplicates and alternate time streams; discuss the question of which Amy is the real one; whether it is moral to sacrifice one; and if the Doctor is being cruel. The post The Girl Who Waited appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 7th Doctor and Ace go to a demented circus. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss fear of clowns, hippie circuses, werewolves, and the gods of Ragnarok, plus Sylvester McCoy's real magic tricks he performs on-screen. The post The Greatest Show in the Galaxy appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 11th Doctor comes to the aid of a scared little boy whose night terrors become real. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha this fairy tale horror story about the unconditional love of a father for his unusual son. The post Night Terrors (11) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Trial of a Time Lord begins! Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about the first part of the 6th Doctor's "trial" season that brings him to an "alien" planet that turns out to be a post-apocalyptic Earth run by a domineering robot. Plus lots of Valeyard name puns. The post The Mysterious Planet appeared first on StarQuest Media.

With the Doctor tracking down Amy and Rory's missing baby, they encounter a mysterious group tampering with time. Dom, Jimmy, and Fr. Cory discuss the ethics of punishing historical criminals in the way described here as well as an element introduced here to be important later. The post Let’s Kill Hitler appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Omega in Amsterdam! Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this 5th Doctor story that includes future 6th Doctor, Colin Baker; lots of Doctor Who mythology; the Time Lords on Gallifrey; and capital punishment among the Time Lords. The post Arc of Infinity appeared first on StarQuest Media.

"Demons run when a good man goes to war." Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about this 11th Doctor story that broadens the mythology surrounding River Song, Amy and Rory, and the Doctor, plus brings together a lot of elements from throughout New Who. The post A Good Man Goes to War appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 4th Doctor lands on Earth, but is it really Westworld? Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this Tom Baker story that involves a small English town and a space defense station completely taken over by lookalike androids, except for a lone human and alien invaders. The post The Android Invasion appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Third Doctor faces off against corporate interests and the Master. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the story's allegory for North American colonization, as well as the 3rd Doctor's first off-Earth adventure in the Tardis. The post Colony in Space appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In part 2 of this story, the 11th Doctor gets a doppelgänger and then sets up the big reveal for the next two episodes. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the Doctor's deception, the two kinds of gangers, and whether they are really alive. The post The Almost People appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In the first of a two-part story, the 11th Doctor encounters the gangers. Dom, Jimmy, and Fr. Cory discuss the ethics and morality of sentient duplicates, plus the wider implications for the Who season story arcinvolving a ganger. The post The Rebel Flesh appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 2nd Doctor in the Himalayas. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this complex story involving a monastery, robots, an alien intelligence, a British explorer, a centuries-old guru, and Yeti. The post The Abominable Snowmen appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Neil Gaiman's first outing as a Doctor Who screenwriter results in this fan favorite exploration of the Doctor's relationship to the Tardis. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the revelations about the Doctor, the Tardis, other Time Lords, and more all wrapped up in clever dialogue. The post The Doctor’s Wife appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor meets Nero! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 1st Doctor story of ancient Rome that has some strong comedic elements, but also brings the Doctor into contact with persecuted early Christians. The post The Romans appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Ahoy! Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the 11th Doctor's pirate adventure that allows for a lot of pirate jokes, but lets in a lot of plot holes and loose ends as well. But there's also self-sacrifice and trust and parental and spousal relationship. The post The Curse of the Black Spot appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Eighth Doctor and Charley encounter the Cybermen in this audio story. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the origin in fan-made stories from the 80s, the fast pacing of the story, and the Doctor's handling of moral dilemmas he encounters between humans, Cybermen, and someone else. The post Sword of Orion appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 13th Doctor is back along with Graham, Ryan, Yaz, and Capt. Jack. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory agree that it was a very good episode and discuss the return of Jack Robertson, then talk about the news of next season, a new companion, and rumors of a new Doctor. The post Revolution of the Daleks appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In what could be called the first Doctor Who Christmas special, the 1st Doctor has a brief madcap adventure on the day itself. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the fun, little adventure and then wish all of our listeners a Merry Christmas! The post The Feast of Steven appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's the 25th (i.e. silver) anniversary of Doctor Who and Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory enjoy the 7th Doctor and Ace's battle against their silver enemies, the Cybermen, Nazis, an Elizabethan witch, and a weapon from the Doctor's own past. And the Queen! The post Silver Nemesis appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In the 2nd part of the season premiere, the Doctor and companions battle the Silence in 1969. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the vast scope of this story over time, the clever ways they counter the Silence's power, and the first hints at the bigger story arc involving Amy and her child. The post Day of the Moon appeared first on StarQuest Media.

StarQuest (SQPN) wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are grateful for all your support in 2020 whether by listening to our programs, sharing them with your friends, or providing financial support. Please consider supporting our media apostolate with a US tax-deductible gift and help us continue making the programs you love. The post Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from StarQuest appeared first on StarQuest Media.

With the start of Matt Smith's 2nd season, the Doctor began a new story arc by traveling to the USA in the 1970s. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about the surprisingly fair depiction of Nixon, River song's tragic relationship with the Doctor, and starting the season with a surprising death. The post The Impossible Astronaut appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Part soylent green, part Evelyn Waugh novel, this 6th Doctor story brings him up against the Daleks for the first time and leaves Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory searching for the bright spots, including some dark humor amidst the horror, an interesting side character in an assassin with a good heart, and the usual Davros machinations. The post Revelation of the Daleks appeared first on StarQuest Media.