Secrets of Doctor Who

The 5th Doctor catches a Concorde flight back to the Cretaceous. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about how the inclusion of the supersonic Concorde was a nod to then-groundbreaking tech; how the show dealt with the loss of Adric; and whether this return of an old enemy works well. The post Time-Flight appeared first on StarQuest Media.

As the 11th Doctor's first season ends, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how Moffat's first season-long arc wraps up, the hints dropped throughout the season of the resolution, and the elevation of Rory from tagalong to romantic hero. The post The Big Bang appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The first season of the 11th Doctor wraps up the "crack in the universe" arc. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the universal stakes of the story, the array of the Doctor's enemies together, and a certain Roman centurion whose appearance here cements him as a fan favorite. The post The Pandorica Opens appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 2nd Doctor catches a flight! Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss another lost Doctor Who story that's been recovered through animation, this time set at London's Gatwick Airport in the 1960s. It's a cross between Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Airport 1970. The post The Faceless Ones appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's our 200th episode and Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory have a special celebration in which they discuss the Doctor Who stories--Classic and New--that they consider essential for anyone who wants to be a Whovian. The post Our Essential Doctor Who Stories appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor and Sarah Jane meet a being who once posed as an Egyptian god and is more than a match for the Doctor. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the ultimate power of Seth, a logic puzzle that is anything but devious, and Sarah Jane's amazing marksmanship. The post The Pyramids of Mars appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Before he was a late night star, James Corden was a fan favorite guest star on Doctor Who. Jimmy and Dom discuss another episode the Doctor being domestic, the sweet love story that forms the backbone of the episode, and what kind of roommate the Doctor would be. The post The Lodger appeared first on StarQuest Media.

An important thank you message and update from StarQuest's Dom Bettinelli. The post An Important Update from StarQuest’s Dom Bettinelli appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor and the Master team up to save Earth from Axos. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this 3rd Doctor story that includes a unique monster, officious government bureaucrats, and a scheming Master. The post The Claws of Axos appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor and Amy meet Vincent van Gogh. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha review a fan favorite of new Who and appreciate how it deftly handles the issues of depression and mental health while also managing to tell an entertaining story. The post Vincent and the Doctor appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Jumping between 1966 and 1866, the 2nd Doctor and Jamie destroy the Daleks once and for all. Or not. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor's guile that almost alienates Jamie and the producers' attempt to kill off the very popular villains. The post The Evil of the Daleks appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Introducing Vicki. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 1st Doctor story that includes the first new Companion to come aboard the show and the Doctor getting physical as they confront a killer's evil plan. The post The Rescue appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In this 2nd part of a 2-parter, the Doctor and Amy both win and lose. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the losses incurred, a mother's mistakes, and ultimate sacrifices. The post Cold Blood appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In part 1 of this 2-parter, Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the return of the Silurians in new Who as written by current showrunner Chris Chibnall and they appreciate the depiction of a loving dad helping a dyslexic son to read with patience. The post The Hungry Earth appeared first on StarQuest Media.

We've added the 8th Doctor's Big Finish audio plays to our rotation of Doctor reviews, starting with Storm Warning. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss how different the 8th Doctor is from the TV movie, the use of Britain's dirigible disaster in the story; and the introduction of companion Charley. The post Storm Warning appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's 2020, Amy is pregnant, Rory is a country doctor, and the Doctor is visiting. But is it real? Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the Dream Lord (is he real?) and the moment in this season when Amy has to definitively decide whether her feelings lie with Rory or the Doctor. The post Amy’s Choice appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 7th Doctor and Ace find the happiest totalitarian state ever. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about this Orwellian Candy Land where sadness is outlawed and the punishment is death by candy in what was supposed to be a parody of Thatcherism and Margaret Thatcher. The post The Happiness Patrol appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Please enjoy this special sponsored episode of Secrets of Doctor Who that introduces you to season 2 "David Tennant Does a Podcast With...", including an excerpt of David's conversation with Jim Parsons of the Big Bang Theory. The post Special: David Tennant Does a Podcast With… appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor battles vampire-like creatures in Renaissance Venice. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story's deeper connections to the season's story arc and how Rory's character arc begins to grow. The post The Vampires of Venice appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 6th Doctor and Peri bounce between the 19th century and the far future while battling the Borad. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the identity of the young man named Herbert they encounter in 1885 Scotland and this story's connection to the 3rd Doctor. The post Timelash appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 5th Doctor goes from dinosaur bones to Cybermen in space and back. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story clearly inspired by the movie "Aliens" and its at-the-time unprecedented ending. But were they celebrating or sad? The post Earthshock appeared first on StarQuest Media.

For the second part of this two-parter, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how the story advances the season-long arc about the crack in time, the revelations about Amy's role, and the beginning of River Song's increasing prominence in the Doctor's story. The post Flesh and Stone appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In the first of a two-part story featuring the Weeping Angels and River Song, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the 51st century Church that apparently has an attached military; talk about how River Song's story elevates in the Moffat era; and compare the Angels to the Alien movies. The post The Time of Angels appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Dom Bettinelli shares an important message about the future of this podcast and all the shows at StarQuest. The post An important message from StarQuest’s Dom Bettinelli appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor ends up in a Jekyll and Hyde story on the edge of the universe. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story, but the high point is when Jimmy sings the entire theme song to the 70s kids show Lidsville. The post Planet of Evil appeared first on StarQuest Media.

When the Doctor and Amy are called London under the Blitz by Churchill, they encounter an unexpected ally. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how this episode sets up the Doctor's interactions with the Daleks throughout the Moffatt period of the show. The post The Victory of the Daleks – The Secrets of Doctor Who appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 3rd Doctor gets to play at James Bond. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about this Cold War spy-thriller-style story that also includes the Master, a dangerous alien entity, a prison riot, and a weapon of mass destruction. The post The Mind of Evil appeared first on StarQuest Media.

For Amy's first real adventure, the 11th Doctor takes her to Britain in space. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the nature of a society that agrees collectively to ignore a horrific truth in order to feel better about a decision, letting the end justify the means. The post The Beast Below appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 2nd Doctor has to free a human colony from mind-controlling intelligent crabs? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story now found only in an animated reconstruction, including how the animation makes it an even better story than the original. The post The Macra Terror appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Russell T. Davies resurrected Doctor Who in 2005 and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look back at his era and his impact on the show for the future. They also discuss the 10th Doctor's character and stories and the best and worst episodes from the RTD era. The post Russell T. Davies & 10th Doctor Retrospective appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Daleks take London! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 1st Doctor story of a post-apocalyptic world ruled by Daleks and includes the first departure of a companion, his granddaughter Susan, from the Tardis. The post The Dalek Invasion of Earth appeared first on StarQuest Media.

An animated 10th Doctor adventure in Area 51! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this little-known special featuring David Tennant's Doctor in 1950s America dealing with an alien invasion, a Doctor Strangelove-style military officer, native Americans, and a diner waitress who happens to be his real life wife. The post Dreamland appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 4th Doctor encounters an impossible million-year-old human skull with psychic powers, a witch cult, and an obsessed tech tycoon. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this creepy tale that features Benedict Cumberbatch's mom as the guest star. The post Image of the Fendahl appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Time Lord Victorious! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about this penultimate story of the 10th Doctor's arc before he regenerates and the end of the first era of modern Doctor Who. The story shows us the danger of a Doctor unchecked and unregulated by either Time Lords or Companions. The post Waters of Mars appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 7th Doctor goes back to where it all began in 1963. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that sees the Doctor turn from madcap and jolly to Machiavellian in the Daleks' last appearance in Classic Who, and we get a glimpse at the so-called Cartmel master plan. The post Remembrance of the Daleks appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor meets ... Lara Croft? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha explore this Easter encounter between the Doctor and a woman who seems a lot like the famous tomb raider as they get flung to a distant planet on a London double-decker. The post Planet of the Dead appeared first on StarQuest Media.

From all of us at StarQuest, we wish you a Happy and Blessed Easter with this brief message from our chaplain, Fr. Cory Sticha. The post Happy Easter from StarQuest appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 6th Doctor and the 2nd Doctor cross paths in Spain to save the Earth from a Sontaran plot. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story's setting in Spain, seeing the 2nd Doctor and Jamie together again for the first time in decades, and more. The post The Two Doctors appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A companionless 10th Doctor meets a Victorian Doctor. Could he be his next regeneration? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 2008 Christmas special that was a throwback to Dickens and featured a fakeout for fans expecting to see David Tennant's replacement. The post The Next Doctor appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 5th Doctor story Black Orchid was the last of the true historicals, travels in time that feature no aliens or the like. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha delve into this story of the Edwardian era that features cricket, a costume party, and mysteries of the Amazon. The post Black Orchid appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Now that the latest season has ended, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at what worked, what didn't, how the season improved over the last, give their thoughts on each character, and then look ahead to what they expect to come in the future. The post Looking Back on Series 12 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

For the season finale, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the big reveals, twists, and revelations from the Doctor's confrontation with the Master and the new cybermen, plus the roots of the new mythos in classic Who and the implications for the future. The post The Timeless Children appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 13th Doctor's 2nd season nears its end with the first half to the two-part finale. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha dig into their theories about what's really going on, who is the mysterious Brendan, who the Timeless Children are, and how it will fit into the Doctor Who canon. The post Ascension of the Cybermen appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor visits Mary Shelley on the night she had the inspiration for Frankenstein. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the modern Prometheus, the connection to a Who villain, the big setup for the season finale, and of course English country dancing. The post The Haunting of Villa Diodati appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor and friends face their nightmares and some old foes from the Classic series. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Eternals and Guardians as well as the new character developments in the Doctor's Companions. The post Can You Hear Me? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Was Praxeus a terrible mess or a perfectly good episode of Doctor Who? This time Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha have a diversity of opinion on this episode. One thing they agree on is they were expecting more about that other Doctor. The post Praxeus appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The unexpected return of a fan favorite character isn't even the biggest surprise of this episode. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the big twist that could potentially change everything and use their extensive Who knowledge to come up with credible theories for what to expect next. The post Fugitive of the Judoon appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor encounters the mysterious inventor Nikola Tesla and has to save him from aliens. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the real history of Tesla and Edison and how much the episode pulled from actual events, plus the story's connections to classic Who. The post Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Doctor takes a cut-rate vacation at a spa on a toxic planet and then lectures the audience. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss why this episode falls flat, starting with the messy plot and unrealized characters and ending with heavy-handed preaching that breaks the fourth wall. The post Orphan 55 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Father Cory Sticha couldn't join our regular panel for the discussion of the premiere of the latest season of Doctor Who, so he's recorded a brief message containing his thoughts and discoveries as special bonus extra for listeners. The post Skyfall: Father Cory Speaks appeared first on StarQuest Media.