This Week In Time Travel

Ninth Doctor, we hardly knew you! Rachel Donner rejoins the This Week in Time Travel team for a jam-packed episode celebrating Christopher Eccleston and his pivotal year in the role. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Rachel Donner.

The Eighth Doctor was truly the “Fans’ Doctor.” Not because fandom created him, but because thanks to novels and especially Big Finish, fans of Doctor Who got to know Paul McGann’s Doctor while the wider world missed out. Alyssa and Chip talk about his arc from the TV movie to “Night of the Doctor” while preparing for their live show at (Re)Generation Who with Rachel Talalay on Saturday, March 24! Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke.

The master of the Hat Trick, Sylvester McCoy’s Seventh Doctor, falls under the watchful eye of returning guest Kathleen Schowalter. There’s a bumper crop of news, too, including the outcome of the main #WhoAgainstGuns campaign push, Series 11 casting, and more! Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Rachel Donner and Kathleen Schowalter.

Our fearless leader Jason Snell joins us to discuss the brightest and brashest of the Doctors: Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor. Plus, we have an update on #WhoAgainstGuns, some details and controversy over Series 11, and a look ahead to our live show at Regeneration Who! Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Jason Snell.

It’s an interview spectacular! Writers Rona Munro and Jenny Colgan, costume designer Hayley Nebauer, and stop-motion puppeteer Alisa Stern (“Doctor Puppet”) all talked with us at Gallifrey One. PLUS: Alyssa and Chip review the new Doctor Who branding with considerable glee, and discuss the shocking surprise news of Target-style novelizations of new-series episodes. We never saw that coming. Support #whoagainstguns and get access to an epic commentary podcast featuring many of your favorite Doctor Who podcasters and special guests. Find out more at realitybombpodcast.com/whoagainstguns. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Jenny Colgan, Hayley Nebauer, Alisa Stern and Rona Munro.

Women’s voices rang powerfully and true at the end of the 29th Gallifrey One convention. Alyssa looks back on a profound #MeToo moment as Doctor Who actors, writers and other creators talked about their struggles within the entertainment industry. We take some time to honor their testimony while also celebrating the other highlights of a very successful con weekend. There was also a lot of news from the comics, visual effects, and Riverdale (???) fronts! Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke.

Graeme Burk rejoins us to rhapsodize about the beige-est of Doctors, the Fifth! Plus, loads of news and “news” as Chip and Alyssa prepare for convention season. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Graeme Burk.

None more iconic: Tom Baker strode across Doctor Who as a giant for seven years, and we have comedian Riley Silverman here to celebrate him. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Riley Silverman.

It’s time to reverse the polarity and introduce the Brig to the concept of Women’s Liberation. Bring back the opera capes and the short short skirts! It’s time to talk about the Third Doctor. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke.

We’re joined by author, editor and zombie mathematician Robert Smith? as we discuss the Second Doctor’s place in the canon. Plus: Peter Capaldi’s surprise post-tenure appearance at an upcoming East Coast con, (Re)Generation Who 4! Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Robert Smith?.

Doctor Who: The Writers’ Room co-host Erik Stadnik was the perfect guest this week. Not only does he adore the First Doctor, making him a great pick to kick off our weekly survey of the Doctors, but he was also on hand to review the career of Fourth Doctor scripter David Fisher who passed away this month. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Erik Stadnik.

New year, new Doctor, new themes for the year ahead for This Week in Time Travel! This week’s Doctor Who Magazine sets the tone with its official “Jodie Whittaker is The Doctor” cover. We squee about that, dissect the ratings of Twice Upon a Time, and go over our 2018 Masterplan as we head toward Whittaker’s fall debut. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke.

It’s almost the beginning of the Jodie Whittaker era, and the moment has been prepared for. Alyssa and Chip talk about how the Capaldi Finale also sets the stage for Whittaker and Chris Chibnall to relaunch Doctor Who. It’s a splendid final performance for Capaldi, but how did the rest of it hold together…? Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke.

Before “World Enough and Time” and “The Doctor Falls”—WAY before—there was “The Tenth Planet.” We take a look all the way back at the introduction of the Cybermen and the First Doctor’s regeneration in anticipation of some connections to next week’s Christmas special. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke.

Everything ends, and it’s always sad. But everything begins again too, and that’s always happy. Chip, Alyssa and Rachel are joined by Joy Piedmont as our Christmas Masterplan draws to a close with “The Husbands of River Song” and “The Return of Doctor Mysterio.” Plus, in the news, Alyssa takes some time to reflect on a recent Radio Times interview with Steven Moffat about whether Doctor Who could have moved faster in bringing a woman to the role. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Rachel Donner and Joy Piedmont.

Warren Frey from Radio Free Skaro helps us resume our Christmas Masterplan as we look at Matt Smith’s swan song and Santa Claus vs. the Facehuggers. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Warren Frey.

The Third Doctor may have had several friends and companions, but there was only one Jo Grant. And neither Three nor Jo would have ever made it onto our television screens if it wasn’t for the talents of Doctor Who’s first director. Alyssa Franke talks to actress Katy Manning and director Waris Hussein. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Waris Hussein and Katy Manning.

Connecting with friends, seeing the cast and diving deep into geekery: that’s what a Doctor Who convention is all about! Chip, Alyssa and Rachel compare notes about their Long Island Who experiences, and then bound into the news of Jodie Whittaker’s costume and the first look at “Twice Upon a Time.” Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Rachel Donner.

Alyssa has (supposedly) abandoned Chip. Just like Matt Smith in “The Doctor, The Widow, and The Wardrobe” and “The Snowmen,” Chip brings in some special help to fulfill the Christmas Masterplan: Deb Stanish, moderator of Verity! Plus, Toby Hadoke remembers groundbreaking classic director Paddy Russell. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Toby Hadoke and Deborah Stanish.

Don’t blink, don’t drink the water and — hey, who turned out the lights? We’re getting spooOOOoookky on this special Halloween edition of This Week in Time Travel, going over the episodes, monsters and tropes that chill and thrill us. Chip Sudderth and Alyssa Franke with Rachel Donner.