Doctor Who: Mutter's Spiral Podcast

It's a double shot of DOCTOR WHO discussion this week on the MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast!  We have our great friends Kim Rogers & Sage Young of HeadOverFeels.com back with us to discuss their thoughts on Series 10 of DOCTOR WHO - they liked a lot (Sarah Dollard, Rona Munro, Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Michelle Gomez), but they were also really disappointed with how the character of Bill was handled and treated.  They pull no punches in their critique, which is great - their love for the show and for Bill is evident in their high expectations and honest appraisal of how it all went.   BUT, before the series 10 recap, we jump FORWARD in time to discuss the naming of JODIE WHITTAKER as the 13th Doctor with KIM (flying solo this time) - we get her reactions and thoughts on how Jodie will do, plus Kim gives a great and impassioned exhortation about the need for more women of color in the Whoniverse as well as her dream for DOCTOR WHO to be an incubator of new and diverse talent, both on screen and off. SO - it's

JODIE WHITTAKER is the 13th DOCTOR!  This exciting news was announced this past Sunday by the BBC, and we're back on this episode of MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast to discuss, expound, and squee joyfully about it!  We talk about our reaction, including our joyous shock that the exciting choice was made - to select a staggeringly talented young FEMALE actor to take over the iconic role.  We'll talk about Jodie's CV, our experience with her work, and also how much of the Steven Moffat era led to this momentous choice.  Please have a listen!

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast is back with its review of Series 10 of DOCTOR WHO!  We'll talk all about what we loved (Capaldi, Pearl, Michelle Gomez, Sarah Dollard, Rona Munro) in Series 10 as well as what we did NOT care for (THE MONKS, the BBC publicity department who spoiled John Simm's return).  We'll dive into our favorite episodes and moments while also talking about those that left us wanting.  We'll also talk a bit about expectations for the Christmas special.  Please have a listen! NOTE: This was recorded BEFORE ep 137 that was posted on Monday.

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast is STILL talking about "The Doctor Falls", and this time we've got our friend Kathleen Schowalter joining us to offer her insights and viewpoints!   We loved talking Who with Kathleen in her first appearance on the podcast, so this seemed like a great time to have her back on, in the wake of the finale.  She brings up some areas of discussion that John and I didn't go over (or just missed) in our recap, and her intelligence and perspective is a great catalyst for conversation!  We really enjoyed making this episode, and it should be a fun and thought-provoking experience for you, dear listener!  So, please check it out!!

Well, that was quite a finale, wasn't it?  MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast will talk all about the epic "The Doctor Falls", written by Steven Moffat, directed by Rachel Talalay, and of course starring the glorious cast of Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Matt Lucas, Michelle Gomez, and John Simm, on this week's episode.  We'll discuss what we loved, liked and didn't care for in the story while talking about how it fit in the season as a whole as well as the entire Moffat canon.  We will gush a lot (as we do), but we'll also discuss some of the more problematic elements.  Of course, there's also trivia!   Please have a listen!

OMG!  WTF?  WHAT?  WHAT?  MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast is AGOG over the action-packed jaw-dropping penultimate episode of Series 10 (and part 1 of the series finale) "World Enough and Time", written by Steven Moffat and directed by Rachel Talalay!  We will discuss all of the amazing goings-on from this shattering episode.  John was mesmerized by the impact of the story, while the amount of pre-episode spoilage I'd suffered muted my reactions to a varying degree.  We'll go over everything - the great performances and direction, the surprises, the revelations, and where we think the finale will go from here.  Plus, there's trivia, as always! Please have a listen!  

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast this week talks all about "The Eaters of Light", episode 10 of Series 10 (or 36) of DOCTOR WHO.  This episode marks the return of classic series writer Rona Munro (Writer of "Survival", the final 7th Doctor story, which was also the final story of the first run of the series) to the WHO family.  It's a story of Picts and Romans and Crows and Locusts which we both quite enjoyed.  We'll talk about what we liked as well as what could have been a bit better for us.  We'll also talk about how things stand heading into the HUGE 2-part finale that starts next week.  Plus, there's trivia and a bit of news! Please have a listen!

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast this week talks all about "Empress of Mars", Series 10, Episode 9 written by Mark Gatiss, a delightful homage to Classic Doctor Who.  The story has Ice Warriors, Victorian Soldiers on Mars, and even a cameo by Alpha Centauri herself!  Plus, some interesting Missy interaction to discuss and ponder what it could mean for the rest of the season.  Plus, there's trivia (including a failure on my part that still has me marinating in shame) and news. NOTE/CORRECTION on the NEWS bit - we talk about Russell T Davies giving a quote about the next Doctor.  I got the quote wrong on the podcast - I read it as "I know who HE (the next Doctor) is" instead of the correct "I know who IT is" (that has been cast as the next Doctor).  So, that's my screwup (based on my belief that the BBC will go male AGAIN, due to their hidebound stodginess), and I apologize.  My hope is that I'll be proven wrong about the BBC (and to be fair, I'm OFTEN WRONG) and can happily proclaim as much in the future. Please have a

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast this week addresses "The Lie of the Land", the finale to the Monks trilogy, written by Toby Whithouse and directed by Wayne Yip.  We were both less than enthused by this episode individually as well as in its role as the culmination of the three-part story.  We will go in depth about what didn't work at all for us (as well as some stuff we did like - Missy, Bill's Mom).  John also makes some good points about how and why the trilogy doesn't hold together for him (nor me).  I lament the loss of the early-season momentum and express my dislike of the Monks in general as foes for the Doctor.  There's also trivia, of course!  

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast 131 talks all about "The Pyramid at the End of the World", written by Peter Harness & Steven Moffat, directed by Daniel Nettheim.  It's part 2 of the "Monks" trilogy, and, candidly, it's not our favorite.  John and I discuss what worked, what didn't, and the big flaws we each found in the episode.  We will go into various theories we have, as well as real world issues that affected the creation of this episode, while holding out hope that Part 3 next week (and Toby Whithouse) can save this story. There's also discussion of the first batch of guests announced for 2018's Gallifrey One convention - classic stars, new series stars, writers, directors, and annual favorites of us all!  Gally may be 9 months away, but we are already eagerly anticipating it! Of course, there's trivia (7 questions this week), a brief news recap, and a cat named Puncher makes his podcast debut!  Please take a listen!   Music: http://www.purple-planet.com

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast is back, and we're discussing the mind-bending new DOCTOR WHO Episode "Extremis", written by Steven Moffat & directed by Daniel Nettheim (S 10 Ep 06).  We will dive into the episode and look at it from every angle we can - both the flashbacks with Missy & Nardole (proxy for River) as well as the main thread of the story with Bill, Nardole, the Pope, Cardinal Angelo, CERN, et al.  We pick at the details that tripped us up, potentially, and John gives me a great solution for one of the main troubles I had!  We puzzle over how we'd react if we were in such a situation, as well.  There's also of course trivia (and a puntastic opening). Plus... We have new theme music!  It's a track called "Ecstasy" from Purple Planet: Music: http://www.purple-planet.com Check out their site, lots of cool stuff! Have a listen, won't you! PS - Sorry for the lateness this week - a cold got John!  He's all better now. 

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast is back, and we're almost breathless while talking about "Oxygen", Jamie Mathieson's stellar new story, the 5th episode of Series 10 of DOCTOR WHO.   We both really enjoyed it, and we will discuss what excited us so.  Plus, we'll talk about where we go from here as we head into the big 3-parter (and perhaps learn who's in the vault?)!  It's easy to see there's a lot going on!  Plus, there's trivia and discussion of the latest name in the Next Doctor sweepstakes. Take a listen, won't you?

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast is back to talk about "Knock Knock", the creepy 4th episode of Series 10 of DOCTOR WHO.  The episode is particularly disturbing for one of us who has an issue with crawling bugs/monsters, so we will talk about this, as well as the magnificent performance from guest star David Suchet.  We'll also discuss the references to GRANDFATHER and talk about just who might be in the vault! There's also trivia, news, and even a quick discussion of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2!  Please take a listen!

MUTTER’S SPIRAL Podcast is back, and we're talking about "Thin Ice", the delightful 3rd episode of Series 10 of DOCTOR WHO, written by the amazing Sarah Dollard!  John and I will talk all about Bill's first trip into the past and the lessons she learns from her tutor, the Doctor.  This week, she sees some of the hard truths of the life she's embarked upon and has to confront death and suffering in a way she hasn't yet (i.e., as it happens directly in front of her).   While there are many great and serious lines, speeches, and thoughts in this episode, there are just as many funny moments plus the continued great chemistry between Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie.  We will rhapsodize over those, as well as giving well-deserved kudos to the costuming and the overall design of the episode, courtesy of Haley Nebauer and Michael Pickwoad, respectively. It's our favorite episode of the season, and one we both think will continue to delight us for years to come.  Quintessential Doctor Who!  Please have a listen, won't

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast returns to discuss "Smile"

DOCTOR WHO is finally back with SERIES 10!  The show returns with a crackling episode called "The Pilot", and that's what we're discussing on this episode of the MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast! "The Pilot" begins the final series for Peter Capaldi as the Doctor (*CRY*), and it introduces us to the glorious Pearl Mackie as new companion Bill Potts!  John and I will discuss Bill's initial meeting with the Doctor and the adventure that ensues.  We ponder whether "The Pilot" lives up to its name (in a tv show sense - a first episode) as a good starting point for new viewers.  We'll also note a copious amount of Easter Eggs (TIMELY) sprinkled throughout the episode as a treat for returning fans as well as potential clues to how Series 10 will develop.  We'll talk about the return of Matt Lucas as Nardole and what role he plays, both within the narrative and from a production perspective. We will of course dive in to the meat of the episode itself - The Doctor becoming Bill's "tutor" and their relationship; Bill's encount

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast is back, just in time to preview SERIES 10 of DOCTOR WHO (the final Peter Capaldi series, *heavysadness*)!  Join John and I as we delve into talking about what we can look for in Series 10 - episode by episode, storyline by storyline.  We will talk about the upcoming debut of Pearl Mackie as Bill, and how Bill will fit on the show.  We talk about the return of many old foes (including some "surprise" ones that have been revealed to the public already). We do talk in detail about each episode, so if you like to stay away from knowing too much, be forewarned.  But, if you're like us and love to speculate and anticipate, then this will be right up your trap street! We will also discuss the return of Classic Doctor Who episodes to American streaming as BritBox debuts stateside, and we will discuss the sad passing of a great actor, Tim Pigott-Smith, from the classic era (and one of John's favorite stories, "The Masque of Mandragora").  Trivia will return next week with the episode recaps! W

MUTTER'S SPIRAL Podcast returns with a fun and thought-provoking deep dive into various DOCTOR WHO topics with our good friend Kathleen Schowalter!  She's a brilliant PhD, she's a super analytical and thoughtful WHO fan, and she's a delight to talk to!  We talk about her WHO "origin story", including: her initial fear of Tom Baker and how her feelings towards him have changed since she got back into WHO fandom in adulthood.  We also talk more about how Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey" pertains to Doctor Who and the companions, building from the fascinating panel that she excelled on at Gallifrey One, as well as just which WHO story she feels is the BEST example of that in the WHO canon.  We dive into favorite episodes, both classic and new, and she turns the tables on us with some thoughtful questions to John and me about our likes and dislikes in WHO. We also discuss the news of the return of the ORIGINAL Mondassian Cybermen to Series 10 for the first time in over 50 years since "The Tenth Planet" and how

We're back to the "real world" from a DELIGHTFUL GALLIFREY ONE Doctor Who Convention (the 28th!), and we're continuing recapping the con and keeping that GALLYLOVE vibe going with our great friends Sage Young and Kim Rogers of HeadOverFeels.com !  We'll focus on their throughts on this year's shindig and specifically their participation in panels, podcasts, games, cosplay, etc!  Kim talks about her participation in Paul Cornell's "Would I Lie To You" game and her triumphant stint during "In Defense of..." PLUS her turn as the maniacally cruel BBC America executive during the live REALITY BOMB Podcast!  Sage was dropping knowledge all weekend - she did a great mini-panel during REALITY BOMB as well as excelling on the Chibnall Era Transition and Class Is Now in Session panels!  They'll tell us about the fantastic PUNK COMPANIONS cosplay that they and many of their friends did, too (it was AMAZING)! ALSO, check our main Libsyn page for the mini-podcasts from the weekend, including ones with Felicity Kusinitz an

We finally get super fan Felicity on the show. One of our longest listening fans, we're delighted to finally have her on the show.  She's been to GallifreyOne for 18 straight years. We talk about how it's changed over the years and what her weekend highlights were. Listen, won't you?