Doctor Who - The Keeper of Traken Review

Doctor Who:

The Keeper of Traken

By Johnny Byrne

“A new body…at last.”

The Doctor and Adric are invited to Traken or diverted to Traken by the Keeper.   The Keeper needs The Doctor to help him to prevent evil to take over the source when he dies.  It appears that a calcified statue called Melkur that had appeared on Traken many years ago hasn’t desolved into the ground as most things that are evil do.  The Keeper is worried that when he dies that somehow Melkur would find a way to get possession of the source and threaten all the tranquility of the Traken Union.

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Details on Doctor Who - The Fourth Doctor Adventures Vol 1

Out now from Big Finish is a box set of 4th Doctor adventures.  In this box set he is joined by Leela who is once again played by Louise Jameson. You can get this set of adventures as a box set or individually from the Big Finish website. 

https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/series-07-volume-1-1607

The Sons of Kaldor by Andrew Smith

Finding themselves in a seemingly deserted spaceship on an alien world, the Doctor and Leela stumble into some familiar foes - the Voc robots from the planet Kaldor - and… something else. Something outside. Trying to get in.

Reviving the robot’s Kaldoran commander from hibernation, the travellers discover that they’ve found themselves in the middle of a civil war. The ship was hunting the Sons of Kaldor, an armed resistance group working with alien mercenaries to initiate regime change on their homeworld.

But now the Sons of Kaldor may have found them. The Doctor and Leela will have to pick a side. Or die.

The Crowmarsh Experiment by David Llewellyn

Torchwood's Original Cast Returns in Believe

Big Finish has reunited on audio the original Torchwood cast and this is the first time in ten years that they have been together for an adventure.  Ok they probably didn't record their parts together because of their busy schedules but at least the characters are together.  it will be good to hear this story which stars john Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David - Lloyd, Burn Gorman and Naoko Mori.  The new story Believe takes place in modern day and features the Church of the Outsiders.  Another perk is that Arthur Darvil will be playing the part of Frank Layton so there is a Doctor Who connection there.  You can read more about this release, out in April, and pre order Believe at the links below.
https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/torchwood-believe

https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/torchwood-believe-1814

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Dr. Who Deleted Scenes from Series 10

Watch and enjoy!

Doctor Who Star David Bradley to appear at The Great Philadelphia Comic Con

David Bradley who portrayed the First Doctor in Peter Capaldi's last story Twice Upon a Time will be a guest all three days at The Great Philadelphia Comic Con.  Ths event takes place on April 27th to the 29th at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.  For more information and to order tickets follow the link to The Greater Philadelphia Comic Con website.
http://www.philadelphiacomiccon.com/

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Details for Doctor Who - Kingdom of Lies

Out this month from Big Finish for the main range series is the beginning of a 5th Doctor, Tegan, Nyssa and Adric series of stories.  This month sees the traveling companions on the planet Cardenas where their appears to be a civil war going on.  You can order this release from the Big Finish website.
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/kingdom-of-lies-1264

On the planet Cicero Prime, the kingdom of Cardenas is divided, with the whole population forced to swear allegiance to either the effete Duke or the fiery, hard-edged Duchess. This is a situation both parties have grown tired of. What use is half a kingdom when, thanks to a carefully engineered murder, you could have it all?

Surely, neither of them would be rash enough to summon the deadly off-world assassin The Scorpion to help with their problem? And surely, this terrifying figure wouldn’t arrive wearing a long cream coat and striped trousers…?

Written By: Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky
Directed By: Barnaby Edwards

Cast
Peter Davison (The Doctor), Janet Fielding (Tegan Jovanka), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Matthew Waterhouse (Adric), Jonathan Firth (Sebastian, Duke of Cardenas), Charlotte Lucas (Duchess Miranda), Harriet Thorpe (Amelia), Tim Bentinck (Lord Crozion), Richenda Carey (Lady Crozion), Piotr Hatherer (Tomek), Patsy Kensit (Mercenary), Harry Smith (Additional Voices). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Producer David Richardson
Script Editor Guy Adams
Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs

Doctor Who writer David Fisher has died

David Fisher who wrote four Tom Baker stories died on January 10th 2018.  The four stories he wrote were for the later Tom Baker years and they are the 1978 stories The Stones of Blood and The Androids of Tara, the 1979 story The Creature from the Pit and the 1980 story The Leisure Hive.  He also had a hand in the story The City of Death which he couldn't finish due to person reasons and handed it over to Douglas Adams to finish.   You can read more at the Doctor Who news page.
http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2018/01/david-fisher-1929-2018.html

Details for Doctor Who Magazine 521

Out today is the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine and the first one to feature Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor.  Issue 521 also features Chris Chibnall taking over the Production Notes column from Steven Moffatt.  Plus the continuing comic strip featuring the 12th Doctor and Bill.  You can get this issue today in the UK.

THIRTEENTH DOCTOR JODIE WHITTAKER AND SHOWRUNNER CHRIS CHIBNALL IN DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVES!

“There is no other job in the world like this,” Jodie Whittaker tells the new issue of DWM. Jodie also

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Doctor Who Comic Book Releases for January 10th

Out today is the last issue of series three of the 11th Doctor comic book series.  This issue wraps up a year long story line and I'm sure will leave seeds for the next series for the 11th Doctor.  You can but this comic book at your local comic book store.

DOCTOR WHO: ELEVENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #13
​Writers: Alex Paknad​el & Rob Williams
Artists: JB Bastos & Luiz Campello 
Publisher: Titan Comics
FC -​ ​$3.99 - On sale: ​January 10, 2018

The third year of the Eleventh Doctor comes to a fiery conclusion!

Can the Sapling escape its destiny?

Will the Scream be remembered? Will Alice make it out alive?

​Cover A: Blair Shedd
Cover B: Photo ​

Doctor Who News - The 8th Doctor Returns in Ravenous

Big Finish has announced a new box set that will start a new series for the 8th Doctor, Liv, Helen and the Eleventh.  The new box set titled Ravenous will include four stories and will be the first in a new series of four box sets with volume one being released in April, volume two in October and volume three and four will be released in 2019.  You can pre order this series or the first box set at the Big Finish website.
https://www.bigfinish.com/ranges/coming_soon_reverse/doctor-who---ravenous

For more info on Ravenous you can read the press release at this link.
https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/eighth-doctor-ravenous

Top 10 William Hartnell Doctor Who Stories

Top 10 William Hartnell Doctor Who Stories

Since 2018 brings us a new Doctor in Jodi Whittaker I thought it would be good to do a countdown of the top stories from each Doctors era.  First up is the best stories from the William Hartnell era.

10.  An Unearthly Child
Written By Anthony Coburn
Directed By Waris Hussein
Why It’s In The Top 10:
It was the one that started it all.  An Unearthly Child introduced us to The Doctor and the TARDIS.  The first part is totally a classic as it sets up the mystery of the series and the main character.  You get a sense of dubiousness about the Doctor but we end up thinking he is alright by the end of the story.  Unfortunately the next three parts are pretty dull and it is a wonder that the show makes it at all.  But we have a certain villain in the next story to thank for the success of Doctor Who. An Unearthly Child’s place in history for being the starting point for Doctor Who more than makes up for its short comings and the legion of fans should be thankful for it.

Details for Doctor Who - The Diary of River Song Series 3

Out this month is the third box set featuring Alex Kingston as River Song and this time she meets up with only one Classic Doctor the Fifth Doctor Peter Davison.  You can order this box set from the Big Finish website.
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-diary-of-river-song-series-03-1724

3.1 – The Lady in the Lake by Nev Fountain

On Terminus Prime, clients choose their own means of demise. Something exciting, meaningful, or heroic to end it all.

But when River discovers that there are repeat customers, she knows something more is going on.

She begins to uncover a cult with worrying abilities. Its members can apparently cheat death, and that’s not all they have in common with River…

3.2 – A Requiem for the Doctor by Jac Rayner

River has joined the Doctor and his friend Brooke on their travels, and they stop off in 18th century Vienna.

Brooke thinks history is dull. Until people start dying.

Mozart’s legacy is not just his music. River has more than one mystery to solve before a killer is let loose on the people of Vienna – and on the Doctor.

3.3 – My Dinner with Andrew by John Dorney

Welcome, Mesdames et Messieurs, to The Bumptious Gastropod.

The most exclusive, most discreet dining experience outside the universe. For the restaurant exists beyond spacetime itself, and the usual rules of causality do not apply. Anything could happen.

It is here that the Doctor has a date. With River Song. And with death.

3.4 – The Furies by Matt Fitton

Stories of the Furies abound across the cosmos: vengeful spirits hounding guilty souls to death. Madame Kovarian taught them to a child raised in fear, trained to kill, and placed inside a spacesuit.

Kovarian knows the universe’s greatest threat, the Doctor must be eliminated. An assassin was created for that purpose.

But if Melody Pond has failed, Kovarian will simply have to try again…

Written By: Nev Fountain, Jacqueline Rayner, John Dorney, Matt Fitton
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Cast
Alex Kingston (River Song), Frances Barber (Madame Kovarian), Peter Davison (The Doctor), Ian Conningham (Kevin / Rindle), Julia Hills (Sharon / Rindle), David Seddon (Mr Quisling / Tarn 2), Leighton Pugh (Lake 2 / Dave / Tarn), Sophia Carr-Gomm (Lily), Joanna Horton (Brooke), Issy Van Randwyck (Giulia), Rosanna Miles (Antoinette / Maid / Constanze), Teddy Kempner (Viktor / Mozart / Stefan / Apothecary), Jonathan Coote (Maitre D' / Chef / Assassin), Nina Toussaint-White (Brooke 2), Francesca Zoutewelle (H-One / H-Two / Mission Captain), Pippa Bennett-Warner (O / The Deterrent). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Producer David Richardson
Script Editors Matt Fitton, John Dorney
Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs

Details for Doctor Who - The Authentic Experience

Out this month for download only is a 6th Doctor adventure narrated by Nicola Bryant who played Peri during the Colin Baker era.  You can buy this download only release at the Big Finish website.
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-authentic-experience-1556

Tired of the old 9 to 5? The daily grind getting you down? Step this way to discover a universe of possibilities! If you're fed up with looking at screens all day, we can offer the authentic experience: whether you want to be as rich as Croesus and swim in gold, or feel the dirt and sweat of honest toil we're ready for your business. Forget the "Same Old", embrace the "New Old"!

(Terms and conditions apply.)

Producer Ian Atkins
Script Editor Ian Atkins
Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs

Written By: Dan Starkey
Directed By: Lisa Bowerman

Cast
Nicola Bryant (Narrator)

Doctor Who - The Ice Warriors Review

Doctor Who:
The Ice Warriors
By Brian Hayles

“Don't you understand? They're ruthless killers and they'll stop at nothing. Now please, listen to me. There's no time to lose.”

The TARDIS lands, more likes crashes, near Brittanicus Base.  Brittanicus Base is on an island near Great Britain and its job is to keep the glacier at bay by using the ioniser.  In the future Earth is facing a second ice age and bases using ionisers are what they have to try and keep the ice away to survive.  The Doctor Jamie and Victoria have stumbled upon the base in time to help them out with a problem with the ionizer.  By doing this The Doctor has gained the trust of Clent who is in charge of the base. 

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