Explore every episode of the podcast Rambling Through Eternity - Sarah and David's Doctor Who journey

Ice ice baby! The TARDIS lands at the Snowcap space tracking station in Antarctica in 1986 and shortly afterwards the Cybermen appear!

A very serious Gerry Anderson-style space mission is interrupted by Earth’s twin planet Mondas showing up uninvited to the party.

We’re excited by the global ambition and international cast, especially the cool spacemen and the important work of the (sort-of) UN, despite some hit-and-miss accents. We’re worried about the Very Angry General’s lack of curiosity - the gang show up in their loveliest winter coats and none of the soldiers seem to care. The wonderfully creepy Cybermen are Sarah’s highlight and she loves their fully-fledged backstory but gets confused by everyone's motivations by the end of the story.  Who wants to do what to which planet? And which Spice Girl would you call on in an emergency?

And suddenly, that's it. The Hartnell era is over. Sarah and David sum it all up and discuss their favorite moments, the eps they've had to reevaluate and the ones they'll be glad never to watch again! Join us in September when we'll be back to continue the ramble through the Troughton years.

Firsts: our first regeneration (only it doesn't have the name yet) and our first glimpse of Patrick Troughton, near-future base under siege, Cybermen!

The TARDIS arrives in 1966’s London and the Doctor investigates the new super computer housed in the ultra-modern Post Office Tower.

The doctor slips past security and blags himself a scientific advisor role with WOTAN, a computer that can think and never makes mistakes. Uh-oh! They've only gone and invented a techbro AI bot with his army of boxy machines. But he's got to phone you to make you his slave. Hello? It's WOTAN. Is Dodo in?

We both praise an incredibly modern, well-crafted and pacey first episode, and marvel at how the writers make us care even for the most minor characters. We agree that Dodo is done dirty but we are enamored with the new companions, especially the fabulous Polly. 

And there’s another singing warning here Ramblers, because there's an irresistible song for the war machines. Less singing when we get to Troughton? We can’t make any promises!

Firsts: proper contemporary Earth story, use of a real TV newsreader Kenneth Kendall,  first time we see the TARDIS in a proper street setting.

The gang land on a nameless idyllic plant. So that’s all good then? No! Civilized Elders maintain their advanced society by draining and transferring to themselves the life-force of the defenceless Savages and the Doctor is outraged.

The Doctor is flattered seduced by his lovely hosts who think he’s the GOAT.  He gets a fancy robe and the companions get whatever the Elders have in stock. Definitely regifted.

The Emerald City is a pretty shitty city and Dodo & co uncover the real story here. We love the Doctor’s very first overthrow of a corrupt regime - he won’t be getting cancelled by association and he refuse to become their rechargeable battery!

We’re excited about outsider art and worried this whole city are on study drugs. And, as you’d expect, we’re very sensible about the mention of the Doctor’s reacting vibrator.

Watch out for the thirsty aquarium and stay away from the lava lamps!

Firsts: individual story to be commissioned by Innes Lloyd, the individual episode titles are no more, first entirely animated story (unless we get some more missing ones back!), lowest rating!

Howdy Ramblers. In the lead-up to the famous fight at the OK Corral our Doc gets his tooth pulled by Doc Holliday in Tombstone while Dodo and Steven sing for their lives.

Consider yourself warned; there’s more singing in this podcast than ever before but I’d argue less wearing than The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon sung by Lynda Baron aka Nurse Gladys Emmanuel from Open All Hours - knowing this makes us like the song slightly more.

We are thoroughly entertained by the costumes, the attempt at accents and the saloon sing-along, less so by the story. And we are in love with Holliday’s fabulous girlfriend Miss Kate, the incredible genre direction & camerawork and the Doctor having a miserable time in the dentist’s chair.

Would you wear denim or silk in the Wild West? And if you look like Doc Holliday would you continue to do so for four full episodes? It’s time to choose!

Firsts: deliberate parody of another genre, first musical framing device, new lowest audience index so far!

The TARDIS lands in the domain of the Toymaker, who forces the Doctor, Dodo and Steven to play a series of childish games, with deadly consequences if they lose.

Do you want to play a game? No thanks! Please, pull up a chair! Absolutely no way buddy.

Sarah gets excited about a classic camp baddie and wonders why The Toymaker, The Master and The Doctor can’t be pals. And apparently it’s ok to not turn up to your own ultimate showdown? Where is the verbal sparring and general bitchiness?

David loves the companion’s outfits and, against his better nature, has nice things to say about the lovely animation details. But like Steven he’s run out of patience with Dodo. And we both love to hate Billy Bunter.

It’s pantomime meets Strictly and we can’t wait for it to be over!

First: appearance of the Toymaker, first use of flashbacks from previous episodes, first use of slurs, lowest audience index so far.

David briefly guides us through the gaps as we navigate missing episodes. Sarah is fine with missing The Massacre as it sounds terrifying.

We catch up with the gang some ten million years into the future, on board a generation starship carrying the last of humanity away from an Earth that is about to fall into the Sun. Everything is fine other than Dodo’s caught a cold. Aichoo! Nothing to worry about! Let’s make some chicken soup in the security kitchen!

We are hugely entertained by Monica the elephant, the outrageous outfits and interiors of the humans and the Monoids with their Beatles haircuts. It takes Sarah much longer than you’d think to work out why they’re called Monoids but spots Dodo’s accent immediately. David really enjoys the first two episodes, the less said about the last two the better!

Firsts: we meet Dodo our first teenage companion from contemporary Earth, huge gap created by missing episodes, first time Doctor Who drops out of the week’s top 100 TV shows

In this bonus episode David provides a map to the many missing episodes we hit at this part of our ramble.

The story lines aren't even the most dramatic part of this tale - the behind-the-scenes tension and personnel changes are remarkable.

So if you've not heard it before, get ready for David to spill the tea. And if you know how it goes, enjoy the retelling and let us know if you have any further scandalous detail!

The crew arrive on an arid planet where they meet the beautiful Drahvins and the hideous Rills and we try to get animated for yet another dead planet. 

David is confused by the title and learning to accept it’s ok to enjoy the colourised animations. He also delivers some Radio 4-worthy political satire. 

Sarah is annoyed by the silly roombas but loves the Stepford soldiers and admits to mainly watching for the novelty of colour - ooh the opening credits have been Tangoed!

Make America Great Again versus The Good Life? Don’t be so silly Jerry. Anyway, we’re off to Stockport for a curry. Byeeee!

Firsts: majority animated story, first time iPayer is actively trying to confuse us

The gang arrive in Saxon Northumbria in 1066 on the eve of the Viking and Norman invasions. A mysterious monk is at work in the nearby monastery, intending that history takes a different course.

Monk’s just want to have fun! Sarah is a bit confused as this baddie in a hoodie seems to be altruistic, wanting to make life easier for Europeans in the measly middle ages. The Doctor doesn’t want this - does that make him pro Brexit??

This funny monk makes a lovely breakfast for his prisoner, enjoys a good Gregorian chant and Sarah tries to ship him and the Doctor. Why can’t we be friends? And stowaway Steven gets an upgrade to companion, despite not believing a word the Doctor says.

We talk about how the Doctor has infinite capacity for empathy when talking about whole races of people, but individuals seem to basically annoy him. And then we laugh about beating off the vikings and their very big helmets. It’s a show of two halves!

Firsts: we see that history is changeable despite what the Doctor told Barbara, Steven Taylor is an official companion, we see another TARDIS, first appearance of the Meddling Monk, first visit to historic Britain

The Daleks are equipped with their own time machine, are on the trail of the Doctor with orders to exterminate him and the crew. They go planet-hopping in the TARDIS to escape them.

It’s the Wacky Races in space! 

Sarah was so excited for a Dalek story and is very disappointed. Ian and Barbara assume the role of parents again as the Doctor and Vicki run riot through a dead planet (classic), a jungle planet (another classic), 1960s New York, a terrifying ship, and a ridiculous Hammer Horror haunted house. 

David tried to convince Sarah this grab bag of assorted nonsense is joyful and (sometimes) intentionally funny, but his even his boundless goodwill is stretched by the appearance of the mecho-Doctor.

We’re sorry to see Barbara and Ian go, but let’s slide down this massive building and get the heck out of here!

Firsts:  all the original line-up have changed, first on screen moment for new companion Steven Taylor,  first non-TARDIS time machine, and the first confirmation that the TARDIS is blue!

The TARDIS jumps a time track and the crew arrive on the planet Xeros. There they discover their own future selves displayed as exhibits in a museum and go up against the warlike Morok invaders to save themselves and the native Xerons.

We’ve jumped a time track and we’re locked in The Space Museum by mistake!

Join us in our very own lost episode as we gaze at the strange exhibits and learn absolutely nothing. In fact, this museum may actually make you stupider. And your knitwear will be trashed!

Sarah appraises the TARDIS furniture, gets excited about a Dalek cameo, and grumbles about the passive nature of the complicated timey-wimey plot. David gets spooked by the sinister doppelgangers and funny eyebrows. We both cheer on Vicki and her rebellion. Boys will literally overthrow an evil empire just to impress a girl.

Don’t look at the Trip Advisor reviews!

Firsts: (weirdly) time travel as a plot line, first screen appearance of Jemery Bulloch who goes on to play a pivotal role in Star Wars.

 The Doctor and his companions ally themselves with the Menoptra, the former inhabitants of Vortis, as they struggle to win back the planet from the Animus and her Zarbi ant slaves.

We try and make some sense of a very WTF episode where we think an ambitious production bit off more than they could chew. 

On a very alien plant the Doctor loses the TARDIS and Ian loses his pen and his tie. Sarah loses her mind over the annoying noises, irritating voices, strange dancing and so many other things, and is delighted when the Animus pipe turns up to translate. 

We love Vicki’s sass and how brave she and the Doctor are in the face of many irritating giant insects. And General Barbara plans for war, again.  

Oh bee-have! 

Firsts: Tardis grabbed by an external force, entirely non-humanoid supporting cast, giant creepy-crawlies 

Landing in Rome, A.D. 64, the travellers take a rare holiday. While Ian and Barbara are happy to relax, the Doctor and Vicki set off to pursue adventure.

Carry On with us into Ancient Rome on our little holiday as we dance around with groovy lyres and sneaky liars.  

The gang bond over their all-inclusive hotel (aka decadent squatting) but get into trouble in the marketplace and find themselves auditioning for Banged Up Abroad.

Derek Francis brings us the queeniest most threatening emperor you’ve ever seen but the Doctor turns his charm and campery up well past 11 and outwits him at every turn. And the gang get a package tour of all the bad things that might doom an average Roman citizen, including being the object of Nero’s affections. Turns out Nero plays Yakety Sax while Rome burns. 

Firsts: all-out full-on comedy, first ocean-going ship 

The Doctor, Ian and Barbara arrive on the planet Dido. They find a crashed spaceship, the only two survivors of which are terrorised by the monster Koquillion.

It's Vicki versus the man with the bejeweled spanner in a story that shares a bit of DNA with Con Air. The Doctor, in a twinkly mood, despite missing Susan, is looking to adopt an orphan in desperate need. The planet Dido can provide. But there's only space on the TARDIS for one more. No creatures with mandibles need apply.  

We’re impressed by Barbara’s continuing ability to do everything and how much story you can cram into two episodes.  

Content warning: Sarah does sing in this episode. But give her a break; she’s very emotional about Sandy’s untimely end. RIP.  

Firsts: new companion, reference to the Doctor’s qualifications, first time in the top 10 most-watched shows of the week

First broadcast from 21 November to 26 December 1964 

The best baddies are back! We're outside in the real world ready to welcome our pepper pot overlords. 

The Doctor is in a chipper mood despite the destruction of humanity. He’s in stark contrast to all the slavery and death – hey keep it light, remember this is a kid’s teatime show! 

Sarah is intimidated by a giant poster and is charmed by an unlikely Ursula Andress moment. David tries to explain unexplainable timelines and very complex Dalek lore. We worry about the toxicity of the Thames. And why would you veto an elephant? If you know, please get in touch @ramblingwhopod on Instagram  

First: kiss, companion leaving, the Doctor saves the Earth, returning baddies, “exterminate!”, attempt to pilot a planet, quarry (verification needed) 

First broadcast from 31 October to 14 November 1964 

Due to a malfunctioning TARDIS the crew return to Earth but all shrunk to one inch high. And they have to stop a murderous villain! 

Ants and worms and cats, oh my! Can you withstand the space pressure? 

The TARDIS gang goes environmental, but for real this time. Adventures in ecology, amongst the most incredible props which hands-down save a thin storyline. 

Sarah learns about strangely truncated episodes, and she admires a flawless plughole but is confused by Chekhov's gun. David wonders about the lack of curiosity in scientists and English villages, and we both worry about Barbara’s survival instincts. Sarah has a soft spot for the lovely but mysterious guest star Noakes.  

Firsts: really awesome props, credited animal 

First broadcast from 8 August to 12 September 1964 . 

The TARDIS arrives in revolutionary France! 

Allo allo Ramblers! Join us on our weekend away in Paris and get ready for some terrible accents. Le Docteur is embodying his mischievous trickster role and we love his peacock physicality and excellent headwear. 

David explains the animated episodes and wonders why despite knowing exactly where we are there’s not much of sense of place. Sarah wonders what language everyone is speaking and worries that Susan might be more keen on the guillotine than her flimsy storyline. Barbara is seduced by a special monsieur avec un wheel of cheese and we can all relate to that. 

Be our guest! 

Firsts: walk outside, TARDIS materialises silently, animated episodes, audacious forgery, gunfight 

First broadcast from 20 June to 1 August 1964.

The gang meet humans on a spaceship who are plagued by a telepathic race of creatures, troubled by poisoned water.  

Did you know the S in ASMR stands for Sensorites? That’s a super special science certainty. We stop with the annoying sibilance as Stockholm syndrome sets in. The Doctor gets to be a hero and Susan is his Head of Communications. Sarah is sad for poor ostracised John who is maybe just a bit hungover and David unpicks Sensorite society.  

We enjoy the creepy music, Ian’s makeshift weapon and yet more poisoning, but this time the Doctor is finding a cure. Is that David or Sarah over there? I can’t tell, they've swapped their sashes!  So cunning!

This episode comes with a free pint of Brain Milk for every Rambler! 

Firsts: spaceship, TARDIS damage, humans from the future, poisoning disguised as plague, montage sequence 

First broadcast from 23 May to 13 June 1964.

Barbara becomes mistaken for the goddess Yetaxa, and accepts the identity in hope of persuading the Aztecs to give up human sacrifice, despite the Doctor's warnings about changing history.

Barbara gets her time to shine as a powerful goddess in the South American sun with a cautionary tale about stealing from tombs. Indiana Jones could never be this glam. 

With the beautiful sets and costumes, and the unlikely 90s haircuts, we’re desperate to watch this one in colour. 

David is excited to guide us through one of his all-time favourite stories and Sarah waxes lyrical about her new favourite bad guy. 

We enjoy the Doctor’s holiday romance as he tries his hand at being an evil gardener.  

First: complete historical 

First broadcast from 11 April to 16 May 1964 the gang are tasked with searching for four keys to restore the Conscience of Marinus, a computer which maintains law and order.Here come the Voord, the absolute fashionistas! We join the gang in their version of the Crystal Maze. Will you start the fans please! 

David spots some of the classic Billy Fluffs, enjoys the lovely legs on show, and teaches Sarah about film editing thanks to a pair of oversize flippers. 

Sarah has a rant about silly doors and silly hypnosis but copes a bit better with yet more screaming, this time from plants as well as people! 

We love suspicious Ian, whose affections won’t be bought, and the Doctor as the Lawyer. And we laugh about The Brains Trust and the smallest rope bridge you’ve ever seen. 

Firsts: missing story, Hartnell holiday, “Let’s split up!” and BBC2 as a competitor 

First broadcast on 8 February and 15 February 1964. The TARDIS is in meltdown and very strange things happen aboard.

Our patience is tested with two very long, extremely absurd episodes!

We get excited by TARDIS wardrobe options. Sarah wishes this story was more like RTD’s claustrophobic Midnight but loves learning about Billy Fluffs. David finds fault with the fault locator. Mind those scissors Susan! And we hope that Marco Polo eventually finds his way home. 

Firsts: (and hopefully last!) stuck in the TARDIS episode, the TARDIS as a living organism, threat of TARDIS explosion 

First broadcast from 21 December 1963 to 1 February 1964.The TARDIS lands on the planet Skaro and we meet the two indigenous races - the peaceful Thals and the warlike Daleks!

Barbara and Ian’s kidnapping continues on a new planet. The Doctor shows his cheeky side amongst the Ancient Greek gods. 

We discuss the ultimate dalek kitchen, how they dislike fairground rides and how their projects are giving HS2 vibes. We deal with themes of pacifism and how picking flowers on a dead planet is very sketchy.  And get ready for a thrilling impression from David.

Warning: this episode contains much more feet-chat than you’d expect. 

Firsts: Our favourite baddies, a MacGuffin, a countdown and mercury

The first ever episode of Doctor Who broadcast from 23 November to 14 December 1963.

A spooky girl in a scrapyard and a stone age Macbeth production. It’s quite an opener and a lot more than a couple of teachers doing a welfare check could have ever imagined.

Grandfather has some sinister vibes and enjoys a spot of light kidnapping. We worry about how dangerous TARDIS furniture is in an (inevitable) crash. We love the clever camera work and music. David loves Barbara especially her wonderful robust hairdo. Sarah enjoys the burning skulls but is already bothered by all the shrieking. Oh dear.  

Firsts: All the firsts, including “It’s bigger on the inside!” 

Classic Doctor Who fan David Evans-Powell guides Sarah Kennedy, who only knows the show from the 2005 revival, through all the episodes. Join us in 1963 and get set to relive your favourite adventures in time and space. If you’re a curious fan of the new era, like Sarah, we’ll be your companions through all the classic adventures.

Putting the stories in some cultural context, we discuss the artistry, the acting and the innovations, and highlight the incredible work done on a shoestring budget. And we find plenty to laugh about.

Let's go!