Author Archives: P G Bell

About P G Bell

P. G. Bell (Peter to his friends) is a writer, reviewer and life long fan of sci-fi, fantasy and horror. Born in South Wales, he began watching Doctor Who when he was still crawling and became a proper fan just in time to see the show disappear from the airwaves for 16 years. Needless to say, he was rather chuffed when it reappeared on his doorstep in 2005. Peter has been a regular contributor to The Western Mail newspaper and reviews website Beyond Fiction. He has also had several short stories published, including ‘The Trinket’, a dark fantasy tale from Morrigan Books. He is currently working on a full-length novel.

Doctor Who Commentary – 2.0 ‘The Christmas Invasion’

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Tis the season to be jolly! In the first of a series of festive treats, Swithun Dobson, P.G. Bell, Sarah Burrow and – specially flown in from the North Pole – James Willetts revisit the very first Doctor Who Christmas Special, ‘The Christmas Invasion’.

Remember when the show was still trying to prove itself? When David Tennant was the new kid on the block? When we had yet to visit an alien world? It all seems so long ago now, so how does this yuletide special hold up to scrutiny? Join us as we discuss killer Christmas trees, why the Doctor doesn’t like Christmas and try to think of some other Christmas-themed entertainment that’s actually Christmassy. (Here’s a clue… Die Hard).

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:32 — 63.7MB)

How did you like this blast from Christmas past? We want to hear from you! Head down into the comments to share your thoughts, and be sure to come back next week for our next Christmas Special commentary – ‘The Runaway Bride’.

Elisabeth Sladen tribute: The Sarah Jane Adventures Commentary – ‘The Man Who Never Was’

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Elisabeth Sladen, star of the Sarah Jane Adventures

Caleb Woodbridge, P.G. Bell and Sarah Jane devotee Brandon Michelle pay tribute to the wonderful Elisabeth Sladen, who as Sarah Jane Smith won the hearts of generations of fans.

We look back on The Sarah Jane Adventures in our commentary on the final story, ‘The Man Who Never Was‘, discussing Elisabeth Sladen’s return to our screens via Doctor Who, the show’s place in children’s television drama history, and what both she and the show mean to us.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:03 — 29.4MB)

Points of Who #1: Your feedback and our new schedule

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Welcome to our first edition of Points of Who, our new regular slot for your feedback!

Up until now, we’ve been discussing your comments, tweets, emails and the like on a fairly ad-hoc basis. But we’ve decided to have a monthly slot dedicated to your questions, views and opinions.

In this episode, we discuss your reactions to The Wedding of River Song, plus where to find Doctor Who actors in horror movies (answer: practically everywhere!). We also welcome a new guest commentator Brandon to the show, and ask for your suggestions in naming P. G. Bell’s baby boy – his wife has already vetoed Stormaggedon!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:36 — 11.3MB)

We also announce our new regular schedule for the coming months with Doctor Who off the air…

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Book Review – ‘Quiet Houses’ – Simon Kurt Unsworth

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“Do you live in a haunted house? Have you ever been to a place and had an experience that you cannot explain? Do you have a story to tell? Serious researcher wants to hear from you. Must be prepared to go on record. No timewasters. Tel:01524 500 501 ext 23 and leave a message.”

Simon Kurt Unsworth is one of the rising stars of horror and dark fantasy fiction, and we’ve got our hands on his new book, Quiet Houses – a reinvention of the classic English ghost story. Our reviews editor P.G. Bell gives us his verdict with the help of a genre-appropriate (and slightly ghostly) guest star. Click below to find out what they thought!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:45 — 11.7MB)

Title: Quiet Houses
Author: Simon Kurt Unsworth
Publisher: Dark Continents Publishing
Format: Paperback (£9.99)
ISBN: 9780983624516
Published: October 2011

Torchwood Discussion – Miracle Day 9 ‘The Gathering’

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Batten down the hatches, lock up your daughters and wrap that precious Torchwood fandom of yours in cotton wool and bubble wrap – Swithun is back!

As the Torchwood team make their penultimate moves in the game against the Three Families, we discuss the overall sweep of the series so far, wonder at the true nature of the Blessing and take a wild guess at how things might be resolved next week. This is your last (but one) chance to join us, so click below and give us a listen!

This week’s contributors: P.G. Bell and Swithun Dobson

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:14 — 25.9MB)

We’re thinking of taking our arc plot disucssion further and would love to have your input. Let us know your favourite and most hated arc-heavy shows. Lost, BSG, X-Files… we want your opinions on the lot. Make yourself heard and we’ll do our best to include your thoughts in a future podcast!

Doctor Who Discussion – 6.09 ‘Night Terrors’

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We don’t have our usual commentary for you this week, but worry not – we’ve got a terrificly spirited and in-depth discussion for you instead.

Location, location, location… how much influence does it have on Doctor Who, and how does Steven Moffat use it differently to Russell T. Davies? Plus, as Mark Gatiss returns to the show he helped relaunch, we examine his back catalogue and wonder whether we can forgive him for last year’s Dalek fiasco. Finally, we veer into a fairly serious debate about arc plots v. standalone episodes. Has Doctor Who got the balance right? (We’ll give you three guesses about Swithun’s stance on this one…)

All this, and a brand new podcaster! Join us in welcoming Sarah Burrow to our scary cupboard of fandom.

 

 

This week’s contributors: Anna Bell, P.G. Bell, Sarah Burrow, Swithun Dobson

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:56 — 34.7MB)

Article: Click here for Swithun’s article, ‘Doctor Who’s Story Arc of Infinity (and Beyond?)’

We’re thinking of taking our arc plot disucssion further and would love to have your input. Let us know your favourite and most hated arc-heavy shows. Lost, BSG, X-Files… we want your opinions on the lot. Make yourself heard and we’ll do our best to include your thoughts in a future podcast!