Through the Vortex: Classic Doctor Who

SEPTEMBER UPDATE: Sorry, all, moving international is difficult and I need a bit more time to get things together for the podcast. This is not an abandoned project—just a lot going on that makes recording difficult. Things should soon settle back down and a regular schedule will resume! Previous: Sorry for the unexpected disruption in the schedule. I do have some upcoming exciting changes for the podcast, but needed a little break to get everything together for you. I am moving release dates to Wednesday, and Through the Vortex will return on early November for the remainder of Season 4! We have some exciting serials to cover every other week, and I also will be doing biweekly discussions on topics related to the previous serial but that may encompass the larger era/Classic Who ideas on the off weeks. I really do appreciate everyone who has tuned in for this show, and I apologize for my periodic burnout. It is my hope that from here on out I schedule breaks to make sure this doesn't happen in the future and I can provide higher quality content. Through the Vortex is a passion project, and I adore getting to make these podcasts and the am always quietly astonished people want to listen to me talk about my favorite show:-) Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

Doctor Who does Atlantis....for the first time! The Doctor, Ben, Polly, and Jamie end up getting kidnapped by a group of people living under the ocean who want to sacrifice them to their goddess. They are saved by the scientist Zaroff, but it quickly becomes clear his plans for Atlantis will be earthshattering. A serial that has a lot of potential it never quite realizes, but still an entertaining ride with some great moments and ideas. ZAROFF: Bang! Bang! Bang, bang! That's all. DOCTOR: Yes. Just one small question. Why do you want to blow up the world? ZAROFF: Why? You, a scientist, ask me why? The achievement, my dear Doctor. The destruction of the world. The scientists' dream of supreme power! _____ DAMON: Any sign of the Doctor? ARA: No. He must have died saving us. THOUS: We'll raise a stone to him in the temple. DAMON: No. No more temples. It was temples and priests and superstition that made us follow Zaroff in the first place. When the water's found it's own level, the temple will be buried forever. We shall never return to it. But we will have enough left to build a new Atlantis, without gods and without fish people. THOUS: Yes. That shall be his memorial. Upcoming: "The Moonbase" Episodes 1 & 3 are missing, but have been animated Team TARDIS lands on the Moon, where humans control the weather, but a strange virus is making everyone sick, and something is lurking just in the shadows.... Monday, May 14th (returning to our regular weekly schedule after end-of-semester insanity) Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

After the Battle of Cullouden, the Scottish Highlanders who fought for Bonnie Prince Charlie are desperately seeking safety as the English brutally butcher the "traitors." When the Doctor, Ben, and Polly meet up with Jamie McCrimmon and his "Laird," they soon find themselves attempting to escape the English redcoats trying to hang them or sell them into indentured servitude. One of the funniest of the historicals, the Second Doctor impersonates a German doctor (with a terrible accent) and a Granny while tricking would-be slave traders. Polly blackmails a soldier. Even Ben gets to play "Houdini." Note: I do give a bit of an overview of the history that led to the Battle of Cullouden. If you are already familiar, you can skip over to 28:22 where I hop into the serial itself. Obviously this historical overview is broad strokes; there are a lot of complicated situations that led up to the Jacobite uprisings--this is a simplistic overview. POLLY: What about Jamie? We can't leave him here. DOCTOR: True. His ship's sailed. POLLY: What will you do? JAMIE: Oh, I'll be all right. They won't catch me. BEN: Did you hear that! They'll catch us all if we don't move fast. POLLY: Doctor, can we take him with us? DOCTOR: If he teaches me to play the bagpipes. Upcoming: "The Underwater Menace" Episodes 1 & 4 are missing. You can watch 2 & 3 though! Doctor Who's first venture to Atlantis (yeah...there's more than one!) Monday, April 24th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

The Daleks are mobile and they are getting their power....at any cost. Enter a scheming would-be dictator, kidnapping, blackmail, false imprisonment, a mad scientist, and some very annoying recorder music. The newly-regenerated Doctor must think quickly to save the people of Vulcan. In short, David Whittaker (the writer) is a genius. DALEK: Why do human beings kill human beings? BRAGEN: Get on with your work. DALEK: Yes, master. I obey. BRAGEN: Yes, obey me! From now on, I'll have complete obedience from everyone! LESTERSON: Ah, I tried to turn the power off, but they were miles ahead of me. Marvelous creatures. You have to admire them. BEN: But we've got to stop them! LESTERSON: Oh, it's too late for that. They're the new species, you see, taking over from homo sapiens. Man's had his day. Finished now....All we can do is marvel at the creatures who are taking our place. NOTE: There are six episodes in "The Power of the Daleks." Not sure why I continually referred to it as a 4-parter! The general pacing comments still all stand:-) Upcoming: "The Highlanders" Team TARDIS lands in the middle of the Jacobite uprising and quickly befriend a group of Scotsman loyal to "the Young Pretender." But the Redcoats are ruthless in punishing those who rebel.... 4 episodes, all missing:-( Monday, April 10th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

A newly regenerated Doctor, Ben, and Polly land on the planet Vulcan and witness a murder. Now they must investigate a colony on the verge of Civil War where a scientist has discovered a capsule buried thousands of years with a familiar foe trapped inside.... In Part I, we are examining Episodes 1-3 and focusing primarily on the introduction of the Second Doctor. Next Time: Serial #30: The Power of the Daleks, Part II Closing out the serial with episodes 4-6, we will discuss the Daleks themselves, the incredible cast of characters on the planet Vulcan, and the philosophical implications of this intricate story. Monday, April 3rd Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

Today, we are taking time to look back at Doctor Who's first three producers, their teams, their visions , and their contributions to the show. Enter Verity Lambert, John Wiles, and Innes Llyod! NOTE: The pollen is really bad here in Georgia right now, and I've really been struggling with congestion, which has made recording a bit difficult. Hoping to return to the regular weekly schedule going forward however! UPCOMING: The Power of the Daleks 6 episodes, all missing:-( A newly-regenerated Doctor, Ben, and Polly land on Vulcan, immediately witness a murder, and begin to investigate a mystery in the nearby colony.... Monday, March 20th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

Taking a moment to celebrate our First Doctor! I will be discussing the Doctor's character arc in this period of the show, Hartnell's wonderful performance, the Companions that define the Doctor, and some of the later appearances of the First Doctor in Classic and New Who. This one is extra long as an apology for missing last week! UPCOMING: Behind the Scenes: The First Doctor We are going to close out this era by discussing An Adventure in Space and Time and the producers, directors, writers, and others who helped define this era of the show. Monday, February 27th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

The end of an era. The TARDIS lands at the South Pole. The Doctor is ill. And Ben & Polly must contend with an invading group of aliens from the planet Mondas…better known as the planet of the Cybermen! KRAIL [CYBERMAN): Care? No, why should I care? POLLY: Because they're people and they're going to die! KRAIL (CYBERMAN): I do not understand you. There are people dying all over your world yet you do not care about them. _______________ DOCTOR: What did you say, my boy? It's all over. It's all over. That's what you said. No, but it isn't all over. It's far from being all over. Upcoming: William Hartnell: Our First Doctor Let us take a moment to mourn (and celebrate) the first version of a character who has given us joy for nearly 60 years. Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

We are going to celebrate the great one-off villains of the First Doctor's era by counting down some of the best! No monsters or faceless hordes (so leaving off the Daleks--they got their own episode:-) but rather we are looking at the megalomaniacs, the schemers, and the scoundrels. Some are funny, some are scary, some are down-right devious, but all are unforgettable. In Part III we will look at my pick for the #1 Best Non-Monster Villain of the First Doctor Era!! Part I looked at my picks from #10-6 and Part II looked at my picks for #5-2. Please check them out. The First Doctor and the Daleks for an in-depth discussion of the Daleks and how they define this era. This is a different sort of list. Upcoming: Serial #29: The Tenth Planet 4 episodes, 1-3 exist, 4 is missing:-( Team TARDIS lands at the South Pole where a team of scientists are monitoring a spaceship from the planet Mondas... Monday, January 30th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

We are going to celebrate the great one-off villains of the First Doctor's era by counting down some of the best! No monsters or faceless hordes (so leaving off the Daleks--they got their own episode:-) but rather we are looking at the megalomaniacs, the schemers, and the scoundrels. Some are funny, some are scary, some are down-right devious, but all are unforgettable. In Part II we will look at Villains #5-2. Next time, we will look at my pick for #1:-) Please see Part I for my dive into Villains #10-6. You also should see Vanquishing Villains #1: The First Doctor and the Daleks for an in-depth discussion of the Daleks and how they define this era. Obviously, they would top a list that includes monsters. Upcoming: 10 Best First Doctor Villains (Part III) We are going to continue are list with the top Villain for the First Doctor. Monday, January 23rd Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

We are going to celebrate the great one-off villains of the First Doctor's era by counting down some of the best! No monsters or faceless hordes (so leaving off the Daleks--they got their own episode:-) but rather we are looking at the megalomaniacs, the schemers, and the scoundrels. Some are funny, some are scary, some are down-right devious, but all are unforgettable. In Part I we will look at some honorable mentions and Villains #10-6. Next time, we will look at my picks for Villains #5-2. My #1 Villain is getting his own little episode in Part III. NOTE: See Vanquishing Villains #1: The First Doctor and the Daleks for an in-depth discussion of the Daleks and how they define this era. This is a different sort of list. Upcoming: 10 Best First Doctor Villains (Part II) We are going to continue are list with Villains #5-2 for the First Doctor. Monday, January 16th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

In a small coastal town in the 1600s, a priest is terrified for his life and confides a riddle to the Doctor that will reveal the secret to Pirate Avery's lost treasure. Soon, the Doctor is kidnapped, Ben and Polly are charged with murder, and smugglers, pretend-witches, and pirates all collide! AKA Doctor Who and PIRATES! _____ BEN: Oh great! The way things are going there probably won't be a navy when I get back. POLLY: Look, Ben, for the moment we're in the seventeenth century, somehow. We'll just have to like it and lump it. Here you are. ________________________ DOCTOR: Well, I'm afraid, my boy, we can't leave at the moment. POLLY: What? But why not? DOCTOR: Yes, well I know it's really difficult for both you to understand, but I'm under moral obligation. BEN: Well, about what? We've got no ties here. DOCTOR: No, but it's this village. I feel that I might be responsible for it's destruction, and therefore I must at least try and avoid this danger until Blake comes back. BEN: Yeah, but you heard what Blake said. We wouldn't stand a chance against Pike's mob. They're a right bunch of yobbos. POLLY: We wouldn't stand a chance. DOCTOR: Ah, wouldn't we, my dear? BEN: Well, what does that mean? DOCTOR: Well, you seem to forget, young man, that I've already met Pike, and I know something that he doesn't. The clue to the treasure. __________________________________________________________ Upcoming: Top Ten Non-Monster Villains of the First Doctor Era We are going to celebrate the great one-off villains of the First Doctor's era by counting down some of the best! No monsters or faceless hordes (so leaving off the Daleks--they got their own episode:-) but rather we are looking at the megalomaniacs, the schemers, and the scoundrels. Some are funny, some are scary, some are down-right devious, but all are unforgettable. Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

We've made it through Doctor Who's third season, AKA the season where the show transitioned into the form it would retain for the next 60 years. The Doctor is our wise hero accompanied by a plucky companion providing the human element. It's an uneven season--some of the best serials the show has ever done and...really no bad serials but some that are very unmemorable. We'll discuss the season overall: the behind-the-scenes chaos, its thematic threads, what it introduces into the Doctor Who formula, the good, the great, and the ugly. NOTE: In the round-up of which serials to watch, for some reason I forgot to discuss The Dalek's Masterplan. Possibly because it's hard to say whether to struggle through the reconstruction or not. It is easy to follow with the audio and stills. It genuinely is a great serial with great characters, a complicated but interesting story, a lot of commentary....but it is LONG (12 episodes), and it probably only needed to be 6 episodes. If you listen to the three-part podcast on that one, I mention you can basically watch the beginning and the end and leave out the middle strange side quest (even though that means missing the Monk, and who would want to miss the Monk?). Basically, watching still and audio for 5 hours is an investment. But if you want to make that investment, it is a rewarding story. Maybe someone has put out a condensed version somewhere? If not, at the very least check out the last episode--it is the bleakest ending the show has ever permitted. NEXT TIME: Serial #28: The Smugglers 4 episodes, all missing:-( Pirates looking for buried treasure? Count the Doctor, Ben, and Polly in! Our last first Doctor historical. Monday, January 2nd Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

Oh, Dodo....there was so much potential with this companion that was squandered. It often feels as if the writers just held her in contempt but didn't want to write her out of the story. And that's a shame. Dodo could have been an interesting companion if anyone had bothered figuring out her story. We are going to take a moment to celebrate the good parts and mourn what could have been. Upcoming: Doctor Who's Third Season We are going to take a look back at Doctor Who's revolutionary third season wherein the Doctor is firmly cemented as the hero of his own story and the Doctor/Companion roles are renegotiated in a lasting way. Monday, December 26th (Happy Boxing Day!!) Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

In 1966, in a tall London tower, Professor Brett has developed the computer WOTAN that can think for itself and will soon impartially run all the computers in the world to improve the human race's efficiency....WOTAN unfortunately has other ideas. AKA Doctor Who enters the swinging 60s for the first time and the Doctor begins his war against machines. _____ DOCTOR: Are you seriously telling me, sir, that you have invented a machine that can think? BRETT: Yes. DOCTOR: And never makes mistakes? BRETT: Never. ________________________ STONE: It seems to me by the way you're talking, sir, that this machine can think for itself like a human being. SUMMER: It can. Only much more accurately. STONE: But sir, I mean, isn't this kinda risky? I mean, suppose it decides it can do without people, what then? __________________________________________________________ Upcoming: Celebrating Companions: Dodo Chaplet Oh, Dodo....there was so much potential with this companion that was squandered. It often feels as if the writers just held her in contempt but didn't want to write her out of the story. And that's a shame. Dodo could have been an interesting companion if anyone had bothered figuring out her story. We are going to take a moment to celebrate the good parts and mourn what could have been. Monday, December 19th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

Taking a moment to celebrate one of Classic Who's most underrated gems: Steven Taylor! The man who escaped a Mechanoid City and nearly died for a teddy bear who goes on to become a leader uniting Elders and Savages. Noble, headstrong, a tad immature, and a more than a bit silly, Steven deserves more love y'all. Steven is arguably the Companion to the First Doctor who goes through the most--and he changes the most because of that experience! Our first companion to a "hero" Doctor, he is the first to be the "right-hand man" and friend to the Doctor, the first companion to embody the role we generally see companions play going forward. NOTE for Clarity: I mention that Steven struggles with empathy...I think a better way of putting this would be he intellectually struggles with "perspective-taking." He deeply cares about people and has great sympathy for their suffering, but he struggles to understand when others see the world differently from him (which leads to him sometimes being a bit pig-headed/stubborn). I think the First Doctor actually has almost the opposite problem wherein he struggles to emotionally feel/connect to others but learns (mostly from Ian/Barbara) to understand multiple perspectives and ways of seeing the world. In the most simplistic terms: Steven is all HEART, and the Doctor is all HEAD. Upcoming: Serial #26: The War Machines 4 episodes that all exist!!! The Doctor and Dodo arrive in "present day" London where scientists have been experimenting with a computer that can think for itself.... Monday, December 12th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

In the far distant future there exists an almost perfect civilization with wealth, knowledge, and great scientific advancements. They have tracked the Doctor's progress through time and space and eagerly await his predicted arrival.... but how have they achieved such greatness? And who are the Savages who lurk beyond the City walls? AKA Doctor Who does another allegory on why capitalism is bad. _____ JANO: How can you condemn this great artistic and scientific civilization because of a few wretched barbarians? _____________________________________________________ DOCTOR: Indeed I am going to oppose you, just in the same way that I oppose the Daleks or any other menace to common humanity. JANO: I am sorry you take this attitude, Doctor. It is most unscientific. You are standing in the way of human progress. DOCTOR: Human progress, sir? How dare you call your treatment of these people progress! JANO: They are hardly people, Doctor. They are not like us. DOCTOR: I fail to see the difference. JANO: Do you not realise that all progress is based on exploitation? DOCTOR: Exploitation indeed! This, sir, is protracted murder! JANO: We have achieved a very great deal merely by the sacrifice of a few savages. DOCTOR: The sacrifice of even one soul is far too great! You must put an end to this inhuman practice. ___________ JANO: You will find what I going to say very difficult to understand. All the Elders of our city are here, and so is the source of our supremacy on this planet. No man easily gives up the means which give him power. SENTA: I don't understand you, Jano. JANO: That is what I am asking you to do. I want you to destroy all this. SENTA: What? The laboratory? The generators? JANO: All the machinery which we have used to destroy our fellows. SENTA: They are not our fellows, Jano. They are the savages. They are not capable of development like us. JANO: How do you know? ___________________________________________ DOCTOR: Just think of the challenge to be able to set up the people of this planet for a new life. You're quite ready for this task. STEVEN: You think I can do it? DOCTOR: Yes, I do. And you're the only man who can, my boy. Upcoming: Celebrating Companions: Steven Taylor Taking a moment to celebrate one of Classic Who's most underrated gems: Steven Taylor! The man who escaped a Mechanoid City and nearly died for a teddy bear who goes on to become a leader uniting Elders and Savages. Noble, headstrong, a tad immature, and a more than a bit silly, Steven deserves more love y'all. Monday, December 5th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

The Doctor, Steven, and Dodo end up in Tombstone, Arizona....right before the shootout at the O.K. Corral. AKA Doctor Who does a Western! Yes, it is as fabulous as you think it will be. One of the funniest episodes of the era. Just beware of the song...it will remain in your head for the rest of your life. _________________ DOCTOR: Oh, my dear Dodo, my dear Dodo. You know you're fast becoming a prey to every cliché-ridden convention in the American West. And it's high time we left. Now, come along. STEVEN: Thank goodness for that. ____________________ Upcoming: Serial #26: The Savages This is the first Classic Who story without individual episode titles! There are 4 episodes; all of them are missing. Monday, November 28th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

Finally, we reach the end! This is my the third and final episode examining my thoughts on Jodi Whittaker's Regeneration Special "The Power of the Doctor." In this final part, I am focusing in on our Thirteenth Doctor and her companions. In short, I think they deserved better. Still, there are some great moments. Enjoy! NOTE: All three parts of this review were recorded the day after watching "The Power of the Doctor" in pretty much one take (I know!). But the last ten minutes of this episode I felt the need to return, briefly, to the review. Given some time and space, I needed to defend Yaz a bit more. I think she's pretty brilliant in this special. Period. I even buy her and the Doctor together in the isolation of this one episode. Yeah, they do that good a job with these final moments. A big thank you to Hannah for listening to me as I fully processed this episode! For what it's worth, this special ultimately softened me considerably to the last three seasons and I am (tentatively) excited to see what they do with the 60th anniversary. As is often the case with Doctor Who, it is possible my feelings on this entire era of the show will change drastically given more time and space. I look forward to revisiting it in a few years. NEXT TIME: Serial #25: The Gunfighters "Holiday for the Doctor," "Don't Shoot the Pianist," "Johnny Ringo," "The O.K. Corral" Team TARDIS arrives at Tombstone, AZ....right before the Shooting at the O.K. Corral. One of the funniest episodes of the First Doctor's tenure. Go watch it. Beware the earworm of a song. Monday, November 28th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com

We are back again! Continuing my thoughts on "The Power of the Doctor," Jodi Whittaker's regeneration special and Doctor Who's contribution to the BBC Centennial Celebrations, this time we are focusing on our dear Master, the Master-Cybermen, and the Daleks. Some great ideas in here even if they are a bit too rushed to be fully explored. Seriously....the Master as Rasputin. Gold. NEXT TIME: New Who Review: The Power of the Doctor, Part III The finale of this review that is longer than the episode! This one will focus in on the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, and her other companions. I will also touch upon the David Tennant Reveal. Monday, November 14th Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: throughthevortexpodcast@gmail.com