Surprisingly not a vehicle for a single guest star, this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special features a Time Hotel, Dinosaur shenanigans, Thanos glitter, a bootstrap paradox with a lantern firmly attached, and a stunning ten minutes where the Doctor does time at a non-time hotel. Oh, and yeah, a really famous star is introduced. Chip and Jason break it all down. Happy Christmas to all! Jason Snell and Chip Sudderth.
We wrap up this first Disney+/BBC season by accentuating the positive where we can find it, before finally giving in and explaining all the ways this episode failed. Perhaps things will be better at Christmas. We’ll see you then! Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.
It’s part one of a two-part finale, which leaves Jason and Chip struggling with how to judge it. But somehow we find a way—and it mostly leaves us feeling frustrated. Chip Sudderth and Jason Snell.
The roguish Jonathan Groff appears amid an extended riff on “Bridgerton.” Jason recommends a different Netflix series. Erika gives this episode a very high rating. Chip wonders about the metatextuality of it all. Was this episode for the cosplaying birds? Or could we not get it out of our heads? Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.
Did you enjoy the work? Afterward, did you spend time thinking about what it meant? When you start to analyze it, does it offer several interesting interpretations? Does the intent of the author inform, or is it irrelevant? We’re talking about art in general, and this week’s episode of “Doctor Who” in particular. Jason Snell and Chip Sudderth.
A spooky story told around a campfire, involving the adventures of Ruby Sunday and the mystery of the woman standing 66.66666667 meters away from her at all times. Vibes! We’re here for the vibes. Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.
Former showrunner Steven Moffat joins the new-new-series party with an episode set almost entirely in a bomb crater. The Doctor can’t move, and can’t emote too much, but he can still attempt to control the world around him. We talk about Moffat’s return, the importance of getting Ruby up to speed as a companion, and much more! Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.
Jinkx Monsoon stars in an episode where an otherworldly force beyond the Doctor’s abilities manages to steal all music and potentially set off a human apocalypse. Oh, also the Beatles are there—but they don’t really matter. And there’s a musical number at the end—but it doesn’t really matter, either. These are the problems. Erika Ensign and Jason Snell.
“Doctor Who” regnerates for a whole new first season on Disney+. Russell T Davies has a plan to welcome new audiences, but do his showrunner machinations balance out with the narrative elements of this episode? Chip and Jason consider what RTD’s up to, why he’s doing it, what works, and what doesn’t. Chip Sudderth and Jason Snell.
Merry Christmas! The Ncuti Gatwa era begins! We judge this episode as a Christmas special, as a Doctor introduction, as a jumping-on point for new viewers, and as the last new “Doctor Who” we’ll see until May. Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.
What Russell wants, Russell gets! We say goodbye to David Tennant and hello to Ncuti Gatwa and also hi-how-are-you to Neil Patrick Harris! Is the Toymaker living in an original Star Trek episode? It’s the end of the 60th anniversary celebration, but the moment has been prepared for. Special guest Annette Wierstra joins Jason and Chip to break it all down. See you in two weeks for the Christmas special with a lightly-used new Doctor! Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth with Annette Wierst...
Off we go for a discussion of rusty robots, long spaceships, creepy doubles, the merits of a U-shaped season, the two kinds of Russell T. Davies scripts, and our love of Bernard Cribbins! Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.
“Doctor Who” is back and your Doctor Who Flashcast returns too, regenerated and rejuvenated. Jason, Erika and Chip discuss Russell T. Davies return to the series, the tricky balance of creating a 60th anniversary reunion show that plays the hits, while also starting production on a whole new era of “Doctor Who.” We’re so excited that it’s back that we talked for a long time! Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.
It’s the end! We break down the end of the Jodie Whittaker/Mandip Gill/Chris Chibnall era. The plot left us mostly cold, but the emotional beats and fan service kept us very warm indeed. And who’s this new Doctor, anyway? Jason Snell with James Thomson, Annette Wierstra and Chip Sudderth.
If it feels like a regular episode, can it be called a special? In any event, the 2022 Easter Special of Doctor Who has arrived. Pirates! Sea Devils! Plot machinations! Interpersonal relationship… developments? It’s the last stop before the final episode of the Chibnall/Whitaker era, and we’ll spend a lot of time wondering (again) how today’s Doctor Who might not be like tomorrow’s Doctor Who. Jason Snell with Steven Schapansky and Chip Sudderth.
It’s a time loop with killer robots with stupid names! We give our quick reactions to this year’s festive “Doctor Who” special, which features time loops and Daleks and comic relief and a little bit of set-up for the remainder of the Chibnall era. Happy New Year, everyone! Jason Snell with Antony Johnston, James Thomson and Chip Sudderth.
The “Flux” season reaches its end. Erika Ensign enjoyed the ride, Annette Wierstra is in the middle, and Jason’s frustrated by all the loose ends. We try to break down an episode jam-packed with plot points, lore, spaceships, and cinematic wipes. Jason Snell with Erika Ensign and Annette Wierstra.
Verity! podcaster and Big Finish writer Lizbeth Myles joins Jason to discuss “Survivors of the Flux,” the penultimate episode of this short, interlinked season. This is an episode that has to do a lot of work setting up for the grand finale, and one-third of the story has to do all that heavy lifting—but with an intriguing emotional aspect to things. What worked? Did we spot all the references? What’s in store for next week? And more broadly, how are we feeling about the Chibnall Masterplan? Jas...
A lot of stuff happens in this episode. Angels in basements! Angels in tunnels! Angels in a fireplace! Angels in graveyards! If you want Weeping Angels, where else to go but the village of the angels? More broadly, Houman Sadri and Antony Johnston join Jason to discuss how the season is shaping up, where the show may be going from here, and at the end, some particularly wild fan theories—and Jason even invents one of his own. Jason Snell with Antony Johnston and Houman Sadri.
Just as time has always dreamed of destroying its age-old enemy, space, we have always wanted to podcast weekly about “Doctor Who,” so we did! This week’s episode features flashbacks! Secrets! Surprise appearances! And Tamagotchi baby? We try to break it all down and decide there is too much—so we sum up what we can. Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra and Jean MacDonald.
Popular “Lazy Doctor Who” podcasters Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky join Jason to discuss part two of “Flux,” which features both fictional aliens the Sontarans and actual historical figure Mary Seacole! Also, Yaz meets Vinder at a temple populated by floating triangles, and Dan takes a wok on the wild side. (No?) We also offer some theories about where “Flux” may be going, some of which may be somewhat too reliant on our ridiculously detailed knowledge of “Doctor Who” history. Jason Snell w...
“Doctor Who” is back and so are we, for part one of this season’s six-episode-long epic story. As is so often true for multi-part Doctor Who adventures, it’s actually hard to judge how it went from a single episode! But we try our best to identify all the dangling threads in episode one, from men in hats to a surprisingly un-chilly Arctic Circle to a tiny house that puts one in the mind of The Master even if he’s not anywhere to be found! Also, we discuss if this sort of storytelling is what “Do...
It’s New Year’s Day and there’s new “Doctor Who” on the telly. Jason is joined by an enormous pajama party of a panel as we break down a visit from Daleks, Chris Noth, John Barrowman, and the TARDIS Fam! Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jean MacDonald, Chip Sudderth and Moisés Chiullan.
“Doctor Who” wraps up a pretty successful season this week. But did the finale stick the landing? Has series canon been rewritten forever? Does the Master have a design department? Time for one final breakdown before the Flashcast goes into cold storage until the next holiday special. Host Jason Snell with Antony Johnston and James Thomson.
When this season’s available as a binge watch you’ll forget this gap ever even happened. We’re here to discuss the first half of the “Doctor Who” season finale, which is a little like reviewing the first half of a book or movie. What will happen next week? We have endless theories and no hard evidence! Are these red herrings we see before us? Why is the Lone Cyberman so effective as a villain? Ko Sharmus isn’t a planet, he’s a person! Bring on Barack Stemis. Host Jason Snell with James Thomson....
Did “Doctor Who” create “Frankenstein”, or did “Frankenstein” create “Doctor Who”? It’s worth pondering as we discuss an episode in which Mary Shelley encounters some notable time travelers, Lord Byron is really into the Doctor, and Graham eats a spooky sandwich. Recorded live in Los Angeles at the Gallifrey One convention, nearly every “Doctor Who” podcaster watched this episode in a single room—and then fled to their own individual rooms to record episodes about it. This one is ours. Host Jaso...
This week Houman Sadri joins Jason to discuss angry gods, quick resolutions, animation, nightmare fuel, the realities of being a “Doctor Who” companion, and the importance of seeking help when you are struggling, all embedded inside a discussion of this week’s episode. Plus, we dive deep into conspiracy corner to talk further about the ramifications of “Prisoner of the Judoon” and how it hangs over every dramatic moment of this episode. Host Jason Snell with Houman Sadri.
This week Jason and guest Antony Johnston form two points of a globe-spanning triangle! But rather than solving an international mystery, we’ll just discuss the latest episode of “Doctor Who,” which trades last week’s momentous canon-altering events for a fun adventure romp that works pretty well. Is that one guy hiding under a boat somewhere? Where did that text message come from? Two middle-aged men stick up for Graham! Yaz gets to use her police skills! Ryan is an impressive adventurer who wo...
The Judoon return! And that’s what everyone will be talking about when they finish this episode. Or… maybe not. Jason needs to bring in both of our Lazy Doctor Who podcasters to help him spin conspiracy theories and try to come to grips with all the surprises in this episode. Doctor’s orders: Do not listen to this podcast before watching the episode! Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.
Jason is flitting about the universe, so Erika takes over the flashcast and brings in fellow Verity! cohost Liz to discuss historical figures from a country neither of them lives in. Also scavenger aliens, electricity, and beloved actors and their accents. Host Erika Ensign with Lizbeth Myles.
