Author Archives: Swithun Dobson

About Swithun Dobson

Swithun has apparently been watching Doctor Who since he was 3 years old, although his conscious fandom only began in the mid 90s with the repeats on BBC2. He is critical of most stories but at heart he's a contrarian. In his solar system Classic Who is his home planet with its two moons, Big Finish and BBC/Virgin books, all of which orbit the great light of the original Prisoner; New Who in contrast is a barren rock orbiting a dying sun. What he likes is, according to him, somewhat rare: a tightly crafted, dramatic story in which an interesting idea is made flesh.

Torchwood Discussion – Miracle Day 9 ‘The Gathering’

By and

Posted on

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

Play

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’

By , , and

Posted on

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

Play

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!

Doctor Who Commentary – 6.08 ‘Let’s Kill Hitler’

By , , and

Posted on

It’s here! Our first commentary of the new (half) series.

And what an episode it was – shock regenerations, miniature people, shape shifting robots, killer squid things, young Amelia and, of course, Adolf Hitler. Plenty to like, plenty to disagree about, so click below to find out what we all thought.

This edition’s commentators: Swithun, Peter, Gwen and Anna.

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:47 — 52.9MB)

Was this episode worth the wait? And were you playing Moffat Bingo with the rest of us? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and on our Facebook page!

Torchwood Commentary – Miracle Day 2, ‘Rendition’

By , and

Posted on

Caleb Woodbridge, P.G. Bell and Swithun Dobson give their commentary on episode 2, ‘Rendition’ (spoiler-free review here, detailed review to follow), as they discuss CIA security, DIY chemistry, zombie Ianto and much more!

The newly reunited Captain Jack and Gwen Cooper (John Barrowman and Eve Myles) find themselves separated from Rhys (Kai Owen) and baby Anwen (aaaw!) as Rex Matherson (Mekhi Phifer) extradites them to the good old U. S. of A. But with sinister CIA agent Lyn Peterfield (Dichen Lachman off of Nieghbours and Dollhouse) taking orders from above, will they even make it across the Atlantic? (Yes, since it’s only episode 2!)

Plus we discuss your feedback – thanks to Adam Purcell of Staggering Stories, A Figleaf of your Imagination (aka Aled Morgan) of Blogga the Hut and to Shuggie for their comments.

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:48 — 30.2MB)

Did you enjoy episode 2? Did the high-flying shenanigans grip you or bore you? What were your favourite scenes? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned for our spoiler-free preview of episode 3!

Torchwood Commentary – Miracle Day 1 ‘The New World’

By , and

Posted on

Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) protects her baby daughter Anwen from the forces of darkness in Torchwood: Miracle Day

As Torchwood goes trans-Atlantic in Miracle Day, co-produced by Starz and BBC, we dissect the show that just won’t die! But has it maintained the quality of Children of Earth or returned to the depths of Cyberwoman?

Join Caleb Woodbridge, P.G. Bell and Swithun Dobson in our commentary on Episode 1, ‘The New World’, as we discuss John Barrowman’s “acting”, the dangers of immortality, dodgy Welsh geography, the talents of Michael Bay and much more!

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:21 — 30.0MB)

What did you think of episode 1? Is Russell T Davies’ latest effort another classic, or has it yet to hit the mark? Is the American/Welsh combo a match made in heaven or a dog’s dinner? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forgot to read our spoiler-free review of The New World! 

Doctor Who Commentary – 6.07 ‘A Good Man Goes to War’

By , and

Posted on

River Song’s identity is finally revealed as ‘A Good Man Goes To War’! The Doctor and the Last Centurion, otherwise known as Rory Williams, husband to a kidnapped wife, father to an abducted daughter, go chasing after Amy and Melody Pond.

Find out what we thought of the latest developments in the Moffat Master Plan in our commentary!

This edition’s commentators: Caleb, Peter, and Swithun.
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:18 — 33.5MB)