The Doctor's Beard Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Episode Title: "Throwing Daleks Out the Window" - Resurrection of the Daleks Review with The Irredeemable Shag

SPECIAL GUEST ALERT: The Irredeemable Shag joins from the Fire & Water Podcast Network for what he calls "The Tegan Jovanka Appreciation Podcast!" A lifelong Davison-era fan who started watching in 1982 at age 10, Shag brings 500+ Doctor Who books worth of knowledge and passionate defense of the Fifth Doctor era.

THE STORY: "Resurrection of the Daleks" (February 1984)
Writer: Eric Saward (script editor writing his own script)
Director: Matthew Robinson
Originally filmed as 4-parter, edited to two 45-minute episodes due to Winter Olympics scheduling

London 1984 meets space station carnage as the Daleks attack a prison holding Davros in cryogenic suspension. With duplicates, time corridors, Commander Lytton's creepy constables, and the Movellan virus, this becomes the most violent Doctor Who story yet - estimated 70+ deaths!

THE BIG QUESTIONS:

Should the Doctor Have Killed Davros? The hosts debate the story's central moral dilemma when the Doctor picks up a gun to execute Davros. Jim declares it completely out of character ("That's not the Doctor"). Shag argues Eric Saward wrote declarative statements without explanation. John appreciates the Genesis of the Daleks callback but questions the execution. The Batman/Joker parallels emerge - can heroes cross that line?

Terry Nation's Absence: Nation is in America (possibly producing MacGyver) but still approving everything. JNT reveals Nation insisted Davros appear in every Dalek story after Genesis. This is the fourth non-Nation Dalek script (after Whitaker's two, Lewis Marks, and now Saward).

The Dalek Civil War Begins: First time Daleks mention Gallifrey! Is this the Time War's origin? The Supreme Dalek versus Davros's renegade faction sets up ongoing Classic Who Dalek continuity.

SHAG'S BREAKTHROUGH THEORY: "This is not a Doctor Who story at all. This is the Daleks - which just happens to guest star the Doctor this episode. If you think of this as an ongoing series of Dalek stories where the Doctor guest stars, this whole thing makes perfect sense."

The theory revolutionizes the hosts' perspective, raising ratings across the board!

ICONIC MOMENTS:

• Daleks thrown out second-story windows (exploding unnecessarily but fantastically)

• "My vision is impaired! I cannot see!"

• Davros going "full spitting Hitler"

• The Doctor bloodthirstily shooting the Kaled mutant

• Creepy constables casually slaughtering then chitchatting

• Stein's stutter disappearing when programming activates

• That unfortunate foam party when Davros releases the Movellan virus

TEGAN'S DEPARTURE - UNIVERSAL AGREEMENT: All three hosts agree: Tegan is completely justified leaving after this massacre. "It's stopped being fun, Doctor."

The emotional farewell works despite Jim's overall Tegan fatigue. Janet Fielding's performance is universally praised. The "Braveheart Tegan" callback and the Doctor's "I must mend my ways" provide powerful closure.

Shag's observation: JNT specifically chose an emotional departure for Janet after knowing two companions were leaving, wanting each exit to feel different.

FIND THE IRREDEEMABLE SHAG: Fire & Water Podcast Network shows:

• JSA Presents (Justice Society 1990s-2000s)

• Who's Who: The Definitive Podcast of the DC Universe

• Marvel Star Wars: From Empire to Jedi

• Once Upon a Geek

NEXT TIME: Planet of Fire - the penultimate Fifth Doctor story! Plus Patreon Exclusive #149 with Four Dimensional Vistas Part 5, music discussion, Memory TARDIS, and John finally reviews Sympathy for the Devil Unbound audio!

Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month.

Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ResurrectionOfTheDaleks #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Daleks #Davros #TerryMolloy #EricSaward #TeganJovanka #JanetFieldding #BraveheartTegan #TeganDeparture #DalekCivilWar #CommanderLytton #TimeWar #Gallifrey #KaledMutant #DoctorWhoViolence #1984 #TheIrredeemableShag #FireAndWater #SpecialGuest #ClassicWho #Season21 #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #ThrowingDaleksOutWindows #DalekShow #MoralDilemma #Turlough #MarkStrickson #DoctorWhoHistory

Episode Title: "A Whopping 12 Word Balloons!" - Summer Hiatus Comics & Roberta Tovey's Doctor Who Song - Patreon Exclusive Sample

HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast is unwrapping a special Patreon Exclusive episode for all listeners this holiday season! Join John and Jim as they explore what kept young Doctor Who fans entertained during the 1965 summer break between Seasons 2 and 3.

ROBERTA TOVEY'S "WHO'S WHO" (1965) Before diving into comics, the hosts examine a rare Doctor Who musical artifact: a single released by Roberta Tovey (who plays Susan in Doctor Who and the Daleks). Composed by Malcolm Lockyer (the movie's composer), this track remains mysteriously under-documented compared to other Doctor Who novelty songs like "I Want to Spend My Christmas with the Daleks." The B-side was called "Not So Old" (unrelated to Doctor Who).

BONUS MUSIC DISCOVERIES:

• Malcolm Lockyer also released "The Eccentric Doctor Who" and "Daleks and Dolls"
• "Dance with the Daleks" - The hosts declare this the weakest cash grab yet, a generic instrumental with "Dalek" slapped on the title

Jim's verdict: "We demand more Daleky from our Dalek music!"

SUMMER HIATUS COMIC STRIPS REVIEWED:

"Time in Reverse" (August 9-23, 1965)
TV Comic
Writer/Artist: Neville Main
John appreciates the clever backward storytelling requiring reversed dialogue for all non-TARDIS crew characters, though he notes the Doctor and companions simply wait out events rather than actively participating. The story features "German soldiers" (drawn with distinctive helmets) reminiscent of pre-WWII American comics using sideways Nazis without naming them. Jillian Count: 12 word balloons (chatty Kathy, but still just Greek chorus)

"Lizard World" (August 30 - September 20, 1965)
TV Comic
Writer/Artist: Neville Main
First time John and Jillian are completely separated from the Doctor and on their own! Jim praises Neville's artwork capturing the massive scale of the lizard creatures. John questions the Doctor complaining about being "an old man" while climbing when he performed fine in earlier stories. Jillian Count: 13 word balloons (a landmark!) The episode concludes with Jim nearly suggesting they review The Avengers comics advertised in the strip instead.

TV COMIC ANNUAL 1966 (Released September 1, 1965)

"Prisoners of the Kleptons"
Writer/Artist: Neville Main The Kleptons return! Landing on their overheated world, John shoots down a Klepton vehicle (back to using guns). The aliens want help invading Earth but settle for lowering captives into boiling oil. John saves the day with an unclear plan, leaving Jim wishing for more ambitious storytelling. Jillian Count: 3 word balloons

"The Caterpillar Men"
Writer/Artist: Neville Main Set in 2035, alien Caterpillar Men invade Earth and control the world's scientists from one location. The Doctor identifies himself as "Dr. Who" and doesn't correct being called an Earthman. John and Jillian visit World Pest Control, convincing officials to spray the invaders away. The entire resolution happens in half a page. Jillian Count: 3 word balloons John saves the day again!

Both agree: Even bad Dalek strips surpass the Doctor Who ones.

MOVIE BONUS FACT: Doctor Who and the Daleks played in scattered UK theaters into January 1966, but bombed in America when released July 1966. Jim's theory: This may have sunk Terry Nation's ABC deal for a Dalek TV series. Americans wanted Batman in '66, leading to Jim's high-concept pitch: "Batman versus the Daleks in Londinium 2050!"

LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? This is just a sample of the exclusive content available to Patreon subscribers! For as little as $3/month, you get:

• Early access to main episode reviews
• Complete comic strip discussions with art analysis
• Memory TARDIS retrospectives
• Doctor Who music deep dives
• News coverage and behind-the-scenes content

Visit patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast to unwrap year-round Doctor Who goodness!

Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community.

Happy Holidays from The Doctor's Beard Podcast!

Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #PatreonSample #HolidayEpisode #TVComic #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #NevilleMain #JohnAndGillian #JillianCount #JillianWatch #SummerHiatus #1965Comics #TimeInReverse #LizardWorld #PrisonersOfTheKleptons #TheCaterpillarMen #Kleptons #TVComicAnnual #RobertaTovey #DoctorWhoMusic #WhosWho #MalcolmLockyer #DaleksAndDolls #DanceWithTheDaleks #NoveltyRecords #60sMusic #VintageComics #RetroComics #BritishComics #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #ComicReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #HolidayGift #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #PodcastSample #SupportThePodcast

"Two Is Too Few, Four Is Too Much" - Production 6M: "The Awakening" (January 19-20, 1984) - Classic Doctor Who Season 21 Review

The Fifth Doctor brings Tegan to 1984 Little Hodcombe so she can visit her grandfather, Andrew Verney. But the TARDIS materializes in an unstable church during an English Civil War reenactment organized by the local magistrate, Sir George Hutchinson. When Tegan's grandfather goes missing and they encounter Will Chandler—a genuine 17th century peasant pulled through time—the Doctor discovers something sinister beneath the village: the Malus, an alien war machine feeding on psychic energy from the staged battles.

Join podcaster John S. Drew and acclaimed writer/editor Jim Beard as they master time and space, delivering comprehensive reviews of every Classic Doctor Who serial. In this Season 21 analysis, they debate whether three episodes would be the perfect Doctor Who story length, discuss the rushed pacing versus Jim's feeling it dragged, and explore themes of companion family visits and the show's grounded Earth-based budget-cutting era.

Cast Fatigue: By this point, both Peter Davison and Janet Fielding had announced departures (Mark Strickson would follow soon). Jim declares: "I am totally ready for a new Doctor and new companions." The energy has drained after 20 years, with JNT himself seeking other opportunities but trapped by industry circumstances.

Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. Connect with our passionate Whovian community by emailing us at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com, leaving voicemails at thedoctorsbeardpodcast.com, or joining our active Facebook discussions.

Check out Jim Beard's creative work and visit thedoctorsbeardpodcast.com for John's new Target novelization review blog series starting with "An Unearthly Child"!

Become a Patreon member today for early episode access, bonus content, and support our complete journey through Classic Doctor Who!

Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TheAwakening #ClassicDoctorWho #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Season21 #TeganJovanka #JanetFielding #Turlough #MarkStrickson #TheMalus #EnglishCivilWar #WillChandler #KeithJayne #EricPringle #TwoPartStory #BaseUnderSiege #PsychicEnergy #CompanionFamily #TeganGrandfather #LittleHodcombe #1984 #DoctorWhoReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #TARDIS #Whovian #ProductionDesign #ChurchSet #LocationFilming #DoctorWhoHistory #ClassicWho #BBC #BritishSciFi #DoctorWhoFandom #Kamelion #DeletedScenes #BehindTheScenes #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #CompanionDeparture #CastFatigue #JNT #JohnNathanTurner #TargetNovels

Patrick Troughton played the Doctor for nearly three full years from 1966-1969.   Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the "mercurial" performance of Patrick Troughton, the perceptions fans have of Patrick Troughton based solely on the almost complete sixth season, and his companions.

 

Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community.

"The Daemons" Production JJJ May 22 - June 19, 1971

 

A race of alien scientists have returned to one of their first experiments - Earth - and are ready to pass judgement.

 

Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. They are joined in this episode by writer/podcaster Alan J. Porter. In this episode, they discuss how cool the Brigadier is, the comradeship of Yates and Benton, and what perfect casting in Roger Delgado.

 

Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Colony in Space"
Production HHH
April 10 - May 15, 1971

 

The Doctor's first trip in the TARDIS in over a year takes him and Jo to the planet Exarius on a mission for the Time Lords.

 

Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss a scheme worthy of the Master, Jim's disappointment in the lack of color of this episode, and Jo Grant, Girl Hostage.

 

Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community.   Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"The Claws of Axos"
Production GGG
March 13 - April 3, 1971 An alien race offers a cure all for humanity, but it comes at a terrible price. Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss freak weather conditions, Bill Filer - Man of Action, and the Doctor's selfishness. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"The Mind of Evil"
Production FFF
January 30 - March 6, 1971

 

The Master has a new plan to destroy the Earth by using an alien intelligence that feeds on the fears of humanity.

 

Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss a Benton/Yates adventure, ethnic casting, and the return of the Master.

 

Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

"Terror of the Autons"
Production EEE
January 2 - 23, 1971 A new evil arrives on Earth and he awakens an old evil that has periled the planet before.   Podcaster John S. Drew and writer/editor Jim Beard join forces once again to become the masters of time and space as they watch and review every single episode of the Classic Doctor Who series. In this episode, they discuss the introductions of the Master, Jo Grant, and Mike Yates, the updated special effects, and the return of the Autons. Please make sure you are subscribed to our podcast via any of the major popular podcasting apps. You can write and comment or ask questions of us via email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or by joining our Facebook community. Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.

Join us as we present another Patreon exclusive as a preview of all the wonderful things we do over on Patreon.  For just $3 a month, you get extra weekly content in the form of discussions on music, comics, novels, audio dramas and more.  We'll be back next week with the premiere of our look at the 8th season of Doctor Who - "Terror of the Autons".   MUSIC Doctor Who Theme on a Banjo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FphlLCQgMPw Extra: Frazer Hines sings Who's Doctor Who? - https://youtu.be/W6jG7MbBguo?si=HF10dETgtMnPdd2t   COMICS 51 - Doctor Who - Martha the Mechanical Housemaid - February 1 - March 1, 1969 Writer - Roger Noel Cook Artist - John Canning

The Doctor creates a robot which he markets to the American public. The Quarks then take advantage by taking over the robots and attack the American people. You can't make this stuff up, people.

  TARGET - "The Time Meddler" Jim shares his thoughts on the Target novelization "The Time Meddler" as chosen by our Patreon subscribers.   We hope you enjoy this discussion and as a Patreon member, we ask that if there is something you'd like to hear us cover on the podcast, do not hesitate to reach out to us by email at thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com.

Join our Patreon community where your sponsorship earns you early access to new episodes as well as exclusive content. Click on the link here to take you to the Patreon page.