Three Americans and a Brit attempt to watch their way through all of Doctor Who (in order), and discuss each story with a mix of whimsy and intellect.
Episodes
Sunday Feb 14, 2021
Sunday Feb 14, 2021
This episode, the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension kick off Season 6 of Doctor Who with a more of a whimper than a bang, as they tackle a story that involves two hostile turtles as they seek to dominate an entire planet of hippies and turn it into a radioactive ball of lava. It’s that rather misjudged attempt at satire, known only as The Dominators…
Over the course of our discussion, Don questions the impact of this story on the reputation of the Dominators themselves, Anthony talks about the homogeny of the Dulcians, Julie focuses in on Jamie’s kilt (as usual), and Reilly finds a way to draw a parallel between this story and horror movies! The entire crew question some of the costuming choices, and wonder what was going on with the costume designer…
For those of you who want to watch this along with us, this story is available on DVD through both Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3EabMze) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3vHgBNt). This is story is also available to stream through Britbox US (http://www.britbox.com) and Britbox UK (http://www.britbox.co.uk).
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Doctor Who comedy skit: “The Web of Caves” (YouTube: https://youtu.be/W2xJwSKyjnw)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Movie Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30IHpS3 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3nkNPOY)
- Z Cars: Complete Collection One & Two (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pdDtmF | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lV2cKn)
- David Lynch’s Dune (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pvxKIU | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3EabR6c)
- Best of Warner Bros.: Looney Tunes 50 Cartoon Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3G4IZxN | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2XscKXX)
- Mary Poppins (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ZfGyrV | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vBxrxo)
- Home Alone 1 + 2 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lSevHh | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DQngYD)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
This episode, the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension look back at seven stories of monsters, bases under siege, bad bosses, and evil doppelgangers, as they recap their journey through Season 5, picking out the best and worsts of the season!
Over the course of our discussion, Julie surprises everyone with her choice of best lead actor, Don questions the greatness of “The Great Intelligence,” Reilly gives some love to Fariah, and Anthony talks about the huge gulf in quality between the two Cybermen stories of the season. The entire team tries to think of whether the season could have worked better if the stories had been in a better order.
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Superman: The Complete Collection 1978 – 2006 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3DWFKXm | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lUd0by)
- Galaxy Quest (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3plEDMM | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3B3afci)
- The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n2F8c5 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YWcHEe)
- Charles Dickens – A Tale of Two Cities (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3nesJBM | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vHTouR)
- The Boys (Amazon Prime – US: https://amzn.to/3ndPMwI | UK: https://amzn.to/3C3G5XY)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Jan 17, 2021
Sunday Jan 17, 2021
This episode, the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension enter battle against the tropes that have come to be persistent through all of Season 5, as the TARDIS crew take on the Cybermen in their most bizarre plan yet. As you may have guessed, we spend this episode discussing the season finale of Season 5 – The Wheel in Space!
Over the course of our discussion, Anthony wonders whether the plotline for this story was put together on the back of an envelope, Don questions whether the Cyberplanner is actively working against the Cybermen, Julie praises the quality of Loose Cannon’s CGI work, and Reilly ponders whether the Doctor was actually concussed for almost the entire story. The entire team discusses the horrors of the barely-mentioned society that this story is set around, among hints of brainwashing.
For those of you who want to watch this along with us, this story is sadly missing – the existing episodes are available as part of the Lost in Time DVD boxset through Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3pea8s9) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3pmd2em). The audio of the missing episodes is available as part of The Lost Episodes: Collection Five CD boxset, available Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3jl0H6p) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3G7gq31). This is story is available to stream through Britbox US (http://www.britbox.com) and Britbox UK (http://www.britbox.co.uk), complete with reconstructions of the missing episodes. There is also a superior reconstruction out on the internet, courtesy of Loose Cannon (we don’t want to risk being told off for linking directly to those, but Google is your friend!)
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Community – The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ZczFaG | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3C1UTpM)
- Batman: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BY7Yka | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jcz0g0)
- Spaceballs (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pkQ2fP | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3G3JKay)
- Eraserhead (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Zh0QB0 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3ni5yH0)
- Blackadder: The Ultimate Edition (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30sMUnN | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BU2WoN)
- Austin Powers Triple Feature (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3G4NQit | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vuHNyO)
- Game of Thrones: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lRgVWD | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aQhh9U)
- Chernobyl (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pt8mn0 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aV6bQR)
- Z Cars: Complete Collection One & Two (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pdDtmF | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lV2cKn)
- The Avengers: Series 5 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ja2pI2 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aMyqRK)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Jan 03, 2021
Sunday Jan 03, 2021
This episode, the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension struggle to hide their sniggers as the Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria face off against some evil weed and its calming effect on people as it tries to take over Earth! It may sound like Reefer Madness, but it’s actually the (sadly) missing story Fury from the Deep!
Over the course of our discussion, Anthony relentlessly makes weed jokes, Julie ponders the seaweed’s relationship with its foam, Reilly laments the poor characterization of Victoria across her run on the show, and Don complains repeatedly about Robson. The whole crew discuss the tropes that are repeated through the entire season – including the legendary BBC foam machine.
For those of you who want to watch this along with us, this story is sadly missing, but there is a full animation available through both Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3nfFRqr) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3C3xSmk). Sadly, this is story is not yet available to stream.
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Carry On – The Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3B4mBRL | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jg5IgF)
- The Complete Steptoe & Son (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z4J18t | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Z4WvRh)
- Z Cars: Complete Collection One & Two (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pdDtmF | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lV2cKn)
- The Beach House (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jkFNUW | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aXlLvs | Shudder: http://www.shudder.com)
- Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Complete (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ptuM83 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BSULsQ)
- Game of Thrones: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lRgVWD | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aQhh9U)
- Gavin & Stacey: The Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n6nrZ4 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lYmYc9)
- The Mighty Boosh: Series 1-3 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3G4FKqh | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lYmTVT)
- Doomwatch (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jmkouC | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3G89SBg)
- Blake’s 7 – The Complete Series 1-4 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3aMvRyT | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aMxa0L)
- The Tingler (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n6nP9Y | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3AZcSfk)
- John Carpenter’s The Fog (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BZv7Tj | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lY2WhS)
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3AOmslf | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/30FBMnR)
- The Day of the Triffids (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pmlCKq | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aYmFaZ)
- The Twilight Zone – Season 3 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n8WGmV | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BZskJv)
- Mars Attacks! (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Xvu8ez | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jg7LBm)
- Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3plslEc | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3C4fn1d)
- The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n2F8c5 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YWcHEe)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Dec 20, 2020
Sunday Dec 20, 2020
This episode, the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension face off against the villainy of the Great Intelligence, the Yeti, and the powers-that-be at the London Underground! It can only be the return of everyone’s favourite chonkers and the introduction of a Doctor Who legend in the once-lost-now-(mostly)-found story that is The Web of Fear!
Over the course of our discussion, Don underestimates the therapeutic power of making tea, Julie expresses a rare enjoyment of Private Evans (someone, somewhere had to like that character), Reilly ponders whether there might have been a better tool for the Great Intelligence than the Yeti, and Anthony talks about Welsh teeth (again). The entire crew discusses the best example to date of a Doctor Who ramping up the tension through an atmosphere of claustrophobia and paranoia.
For those of you who want to watch this along with us, this story is available on DVD (with the missing episode as a reconstruction) through both Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3G5xXs3) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3lYGGoc). There is also a newer version with the missing episode animated is available through Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3aSQbP90) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3AUnCvj). This story is also available to stream through both BritBox US (http://www.britbox.com) and BritBox UK (http://www.britbox.co.uk).
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- The Thing (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pe2VZ3 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3G188JE)
- Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3FZV1bK | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vo0fcn)
- Outlander: Seasons 1-5 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lYgGJB | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lWL077)
- The IT Crowd: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jn6p7V | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3n55Q3y)
- In the Heat of the Night (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lWI8qR | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/30Ast8w)
- Iron Butterfly – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ZaJwhb | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jmgyBL)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Dec 13, 2020
Sunday Dec 13, 2020
In this bonus episode, “The War on Happy,” the entire Watchers crew convene for a Holiday special, in which they discuss two musical “classics” related to Doctor Who. Guided by our very own Don, we begin with the timeless Christmas classic “I’m Gonna Spend My Christmas with a Dalek” by the Go-Go’s. Not content with the pain that they put themselves through with that, next up is “Who’s Dr. Who?” by the our own Frazer Hines (we’re claiming him).
You can find the tracks at the following links:
- I’m Gonna Spend My Christmas with a Dalek, by the Go-Go’s (YouTube: https://youtu.be/GuBJ5H9m3Sc)
- Who’s Dr. Who?, by Frazer Hines (YouTube: https://youtu.be/W6jG7MbBguo)
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- The League of Gentlemen: Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3aT9Xu8 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jfY2Lr)
- Peter Gunn: Season 1 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3DYy1It | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3plpFGA)
- Young Frankenstein (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jkLWAx | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vvVE80)
- Mars Attacks! (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Xvu8ez | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jg7LBm)
- The Tornados - Telstar (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ZaF8Pf | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vtcvZj)
- Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3vuWbqP | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DVMmoY)
- The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3B1fGsa | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lYxEHR)
- Tom Jones – Greatest Hits (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pmae18 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vsvTFX)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Dec 06, 2020
Sunday Dec 06, 2020
This episode, the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension are travelling back to 2018 – where an egotistical and nefarious world leader is trying to stockpile power through increasingly subversive acts of tyranny. No, it’s not real life – it’s the Doctor Who serial The Enemy of the World, and the world leader in question is Salamander, the doppelganger of our own hero, The Doctor!
Over the course of the discussion, Anthony does some terrible impressions of the Doctor doing terrible impressions of Salamander, Don expresses his desire for Griffin the Chef to join the TARDIS full-time, Reilly talks about the use of rear projection to show the increased budget, and Julie heaps praise on the strong female characters. The entire team discusses the type of relationship that Jamie and Victoria may actually have.
For those of you who want to watch this along with us, this story is available on DVD through both Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3plmheQ) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3nbOgen). It is also available to stream on both BritBox US (http://www.britbox.com) and BritBox UK (http://www.britbox.co.uk).
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- San Demetrio, London (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jmsKCK | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Z52GoR)
- James Bond – The Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3FWn6kg | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DQB4lR)
- The Avengers: Series 5 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ja2pI2 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aMyqRK)
- I, Claudius (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3poHTai | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lYdvS9)
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3G6YCoH | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3m0qOSc)
- The Flintstones: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3G6YA03 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3poISY2)
- The Defenders, by Phillip K. Dick (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30DCvWp | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3C45wZh)
- Republic, by Plato (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n973qN | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Z8ANvG)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Nov 22, 2020
Sunday Nov 22, 2020
This episode, the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension ask themselves “oven mitt or lego hand?” as something is stirring in the ice… in the latest of these seemingly never ending “base under siege” stories, it’s The Ice Warriors!
Over the course of our discussion, Reilly discusses the size of the Ice Warriors’ hips and the cold-blooded nature of reptiles, Anthony criticizes the animation style for episodes 3 and 4, Julie praises the costume design in the story, and Don questions the naming of the titular aliens. The entire team discusses the experience of having to work for a bad boss (like Clent) – we’ve all been there!
For those of you who want to watch this along with us, this story is available on DVD (with the missing episodes animated) through both Amazon US (https://amzn.to/2Z5nWL9) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3jgBlXh). Sadly, this one doesn’t seem to be available for streaming at this time.
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Star Trek: The Original Series – The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2XmJNg0 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3pjzbdD)
- Monty Python’s Flying Circus: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3DQ1PqC | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3mZtYom)
- Wallace and Gromit: The Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30JrumG | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aXb6Rs)
- Blake’s 7 – The Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3aMvRyT | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aMxa0L)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Nov 08, 2020
Sunday Nov 08, 2020
Moving further into the show’s famous “base under siege” season, we discuss The Abominable Snowmen – a story in which a Lovecraftian disembodied intelligence utilizes some #THICC robot Yeti to carry out its nefarious plan for World domination!
Over the course of our discussion, Reilly praises the proactive role of Victoria in this story, Anthony expresses a desire for a TARDIS band, Julie declares her appreciation for the familial relationship between Jamie and Victoria, and Don talks about the complete lack of introspection on the part of the Monks. The whole crew find themselves debating the intricacies of how the relationship between the Yeti and their control spheres.
For those of you who want to watch this along with us, this story is mostly missing. The surviving episode can be found as part of the Lost in Time box set, which is available through Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3pea8s9) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3pmd2em). The soundtracks of the missing episodes can be found as part of The Lost TV Episodes Collection 4, also available through Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3DVuFWx) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3G2HeRN). For those who prefer recons, we don’t want to get in trouble by linking directly, but they can be found by searching on Dailymotion…
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Angela’s Ashes (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pm3PTl | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lWuzaV)
- Interview with the Vampire (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lY4g4p | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3G0RPg6)
- Event Horizon (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pmCf8G | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2XsjUvg)
- Dinotopia – The Complete Mini-Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z4CTwD | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jE6e8D)
- Phantasm (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30KUYk4 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3pm4wMr)
- The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n2F8c5 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YWcHEe)
- The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, by Henry Lincoln, Michael Baigent & Richard Leigh (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3phbmmA | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BUKQTv)
- The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30LbiBl | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Z4QiVT)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Oct 25, 2020
Sunday Oct 25, 2020
After a brief diversion in the shape of our Dragon Con panel, we are BACK to continue our journey through all of Doctor Who as we get started with Season 5 of the show. This episode, we discuss a story where our heroes get drawn into a remake of The Mummy starring a rag-tag group of archaeologists, some logicians, and the Cybermen… it’s The Tomb of the Cybermen!
Over the course of the episode, Julie praises Victoria’s characterisation, Anthony’s mind goes to the gutter, Reilly ponders whether the Scrubbing Bubbles brand is part of a Cyberman plot, and Don discusses the inferiority complex of the Brotherhood of Logicians. The whole team questions the archaeological method on display in this story and whether it was sensible in any way, shape, or form.
For those of you who want to watch this along with us, this story is available on DVD as a standalone release through Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3C1jdbx), or as part of the Revisitations 3 box set through Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/2ZahAtP). It’s also available for streaming on Britbox US (http://www.britbox.com) and Britbox UK (http://www.britbox.co.uk).
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Out of the Unknown (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3FUDTEn | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aHZ4LA)
- Doomwatch (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jmkouC | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3G89SBg)
- The Mummy [Hammer] (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ATsml7 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3nhtvya)
- The Mummy Trilogy [Universal] (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ne7AHQ | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BYF7fy)
- The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3DZvWMs | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3G2guRx)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z49NxL | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jl68Cn)
- Through Time: An Unauthorized and Unofficial History of Doctor Who, by Andrew Cartmel (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pkU9IQ | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3neM31K)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Oct 18, 2020
Sunday Oct 18, 2020
With many conventions forced to go virtual in 2020, we were invited to participated in a panel for DragonCon, in which we discussed Doctor Who’s Missing Episodes. The result is this special bonus episode, in which we are joined by our old friend R. Alan Siler, and the Director of Dragon Con’s British Media Track (aka the “Brittrack”), Caro McCully Tidwell. If you would prefer to watch the panel, rather than listen, it can also be found on the Brittrack’s YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBUvs6-m0WA).
As you would expect from such a discussion, the group discusses why Doctor Who has missing episodes, where any surviving episodes could possibly be hiding (and the chances of anything else showing up), as well as the various attempts over the years to bridge the gaps. And, naturally, a missing episodes discussion just isn’t complete without a discussion on most wanted stories for return.
As usual, you can also follow us and interact with us on our social media accounts - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Oct 11, 2020
Sunday Oct 11, 2020
It’s that time again! We’ve reached the end of another season, and so we spend an episode looking back on Season 4, which was a time of enormous change for the show. What were our favourite things from the season, and how does this season stack up against what we’ve seen so far? Does the fact that the majority of this season is missing materially impact our feelings towards it?
Along the way, Julie continues to rave over Jamie, Don brings down a fellow Smith, Anthony once again takes great pleasure in doing his best Professor Zaroff impression, and Reilly makes an unexpected choice for Best Supporting Actor. The entire team take turns to take shots at that most forgettable of stories - The Smugglers.
As usual, you can also follow us and interact with us on our social media accounts - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Antiques! Alchemy! Time travel! Daleks! David Whitaker! What could possibly go wrong for The Evil of the Daleks! It’s another missing story – but is it a lost classic, or just a needlessly padded 7-parter? Listen along to hear what we decide.
Over the course of the episode, Reilly volunteers to voice Kemel in Big Finish, Julie finds herself delighted by the conflict between Jamie and the Doctor, Anthony fixates on alchemy, and Don laments how the story title completely ruins the surprise of the Daleks. The whole team ponders an alternative, much darker (but still humourous) exit for Ben and Polly.
If you want to watch along with us, this story is sadly mostly missing. The surviving episode is available as part of the Lost in Time DVD set, available through Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3pea8s9) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3pmd2em). You can listen to the soundtracks of the missing episodes as part of The Lost TV Episodes: Collection 4 CD set, also available through Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3DVuFWx) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3G2HeRN). We all watched the reconstruction for the missing episodes, but we wouldn’t want to be naughty and link to Dailymotion *cough*
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Z Cars: Complete Collection One & Two (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pdDtmF | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lV2cKn)
- The Avengers: Complete Series 2 + Surviving Series 1 Episodes (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30tIwVC | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BT6K9v)
- Monty Python’s Flying Circus: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2VNSNKA | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/37JfHoE)
- Lovejoy: The Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3p7zhF3 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vneMp2)
- It Ain’t Half Hot Mum – Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30IENUn | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3ATS6h3)
- Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n7Fn5I | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3pk4iFM)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
It’s a farewell to a couple of series regulars as we discuss a mostly-lost-but-recently-animated story in the shape of The Faceless Ones! What will the judgement be – missing classic, or are we not missing much with this one?
Over the course of the episode, Don develops a small obsession with the “airport creeper,” Reilly casually insults an entire city, Anthony ponders whether the Chameleons had watched any James Bond films, and Julie defends the United States Postal Service. The whole team find themselves pondering how the Chameleons had kidnapped 50,000 people, with only one person noticing.
If you want to watch along with us, this story is sadly missing. However, the BBC have released an animated version on DVD and Blu Ray, and you can acquire it through either Amazon UK or Amazon US.
If you want to watch along with us, this story is sadly missing. However, the BBC have released an animated version on DVD and Blu Ray, and you can acquire it through either Amazon US (https://amzn.to/30BtVYh) or Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3E1VNDz).
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Columbo: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lWoP0V | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DSXNha)
- Sherlock: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3aVptWl | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DV87Fl)
- Out of the Unknown (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3FUDTEn | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aHZ4LA)
- The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z2QG6G | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3B0nSJk)
- The Avengers: Series 5 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ja2pI2 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aMyqRK)
- Airplane (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z2hrsx | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Z2HZd9)
- Die Hard 2: Die Harder (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z76R2I | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lYxpwp)
- Shirley Valentine (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jiEfeb | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BWvs96)
- Goldfinger (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30ARosx | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lXSMh2)
- A Hard Day’s Night (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BZxhlB | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3AXlEub)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
There is no such thing as the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension! The Watchers in the Fourth Dimension do not exist! Huh? Well, it must be time for us to take an anti-authoritarian stance and discuss The Macra Terror!
Over the course of the episode, Don calls out the incompetence of middle management, Reilly discusses the usage of media indoctrination in this story (and how prescient it is), Anthony talks about the British class system and how the holiday camp setting feeds into that, and Julie gets excited over the Doctor’s use of a screwdriver. The whole team discusses the design of the Macra - whether they actually worked in the original, and if they were maybe better realized in animated form.
If you want to watch along with us, this story is sadly missing. However, the BBC have released an animated version on DVD and Blu Ray, and you can acquire it through either Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3lXCBQQ) or Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3C06pC5) .
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- That Mitchell and Webb Look – Series 1 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3vpIhXf | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3AWo10k)
- The Wizard of Oz (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ATvg9t | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3ARGSd3)
- 1984 – 1950s BBC adaptation (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pdIQ5j | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aVrG45)
- Dirty Dancing (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30ABLkR | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3AQylqM)
- They Live (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3G13v2A | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3n7qbWa)
- Parasite (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3vEYWGt | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Zauhoj)
- Society (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z213b5 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3pmgAgP)
- Futurama: The Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jfbkaQ | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aQeMUL)
- Quatermass 2 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2XsHjNl | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3pitNHq)
- Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z9Jiqz | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vrt9sg)
- The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n2F8c5 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YWcHEe)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Aug 09, 2020
Sunday Aug 09, 2020
Everyone’s second favourite Doctor Who monsters are back, as the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension once again encounter the Cybermen, along with weather control, poisoned sugar, and a rag-tag group of Europeans. It can only be The Moonbase!
Over the course of the episode, Don talks about Cybermen design, Reilly is disappointed by the absence of the Doctor wearing a hat in this story, Anthony raves over the international vibe of the moonbase, and Julie questions the obsession that fiction has with controlling the weather. The entire crew discusses the alleged misogyny in the story, with Polly being sent off to make the coffee (which actually leads to the main mystery of the first couple of episodes being solved…).
If you want to watch along with us, half of this story is sadly missing. However, the BBC have released the surviving episodes on DVD, along with animations of the two missing episodes, and you can acquire it through either Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3E0ap6l) or Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/2XuZG4c).
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- The Avengers (movie) (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ZbFpl1 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3FVIpm9)
- The Avengers – Complete Collection (tv show) (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3B828eR | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3B0ChoS)
- Sherlock: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3aVptWl | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DV87Fl)
- Daft Punk – Homework (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3aTfD7e | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aR2Jqe)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Jul 26, 2020
Sunday Jul 26, 2020
The Watchers in the Fourth Dimension discuss mad scientists, fish people, and everyone's new favourite companion (or is that favourite new companion?), as they tackle one of the most-maligned stories of the black and white era - The Underwater Menace!
Over the course of the episode, Don talks about the horror elements of the story, Reilly discusses Professor Zaroff’s worst work day ever, Anthony has some sound issues and sounds like he’s recording from the lost city of Atlantis (rather than his usual location of Atlanta!), and Julie praises the new Doctor’s ethics. Unsurprisingly, the entire crew spends some time discussing whether or not Professor Zaroff was really intelligent or really stupid (regardless of his levels of craziness).
If you want to watch along with us, half of this story is sadly missing. However, the BBC have released the surviving episodes on DVD, along with somewhat lackluster reconstructions of the two missing episodes, and you can acquire it through either Amazon US (https://amzn.to/2Z1YvKt) or Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3lTWI2s). If you want to find the superior Loose Cannon recons, we suggest that you use Google to find them – we don’t want to get into trouble for directly linking to them on Dailymotion *wink*
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3n2F8c5 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YWcHEe)
- Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30uDBnm | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YZv23O)
- Best of Warner Bros.: Looney Tunes 50 Cartoon Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3G4IZxN | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2XscKXX)
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z8yU28 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Z5Nffp)
- The Wizard of Oz (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ATvg9t | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3ARGSd3)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Jul 12, 2020
Sunday Jul 12, 2020
Moving full steam ahead with the Patrick Troughton era, the intrepid Watchers in the Fourth Dimension head to what could seems like the set of Outlander, as they discuss what is the last “pure” historical adventure for quite a long time – it’s The Highlanders!
During the discussion, Don finds himself concerned over Ben’s lack of safe firearm handling, Reilly makes what is probably the first (and also probably last) ever comparison between The Highlanders and Martin Scorsese’s Casino, Anthony talks about how crazy the new Doctor is in this story, and Julie talks Jacobite history. The entire crew, of course, discusses hats (no surprise there – we have proclaimed ourselves as the most hat-friendly Doctor Who podcast).
For those who want to watch along with us, this story is sadly missing. You can find the missing episodes on narrated audio in The Lost TV Episodes: Collection Three box set through either Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3lXuGTC) or Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3lTK5Et). If you want to watch the reconstruction, you should Google it – we don’t want to be naughty by posting a link to Dailymotion *wink*.
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Z Cars: Complete Collection One & Two (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pdDtmF | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lV2cKn)
- X The Unknown (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Zabvxl | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jgn6C7)
- Outlander: Season 2 (pre-Culloden) (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3AQrldu | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vyFRp9)
- Outlander: Season 3 (during and post-Culloden) (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lVjfMt | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vr9wk4)
- Casino (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ZbC3OX | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Z5Kf2U)
- Blackadder - The Ultimate Edition (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/30sMUnN | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BU2WoN)
- Mutiny on the Bounty (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BYdwLs | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DWPeSE)
- Ghost – Meliora (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lYa3Hf | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lVEUEn)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
After 35 episodes, The Watchers in the Fourth Dimension move onto the next chapter of Doctor Who, as they head off to the planet Vulcan (no, not that one!) to kick-off the Patrick Troughton era, as the discuss The Power of the Daleks!
During the discussion, Reilly talks about the physicality of Patrick Troughton’s acting, Don compares the Daleks to high school girls, Anthony gets metaphysical, and Julie finds herself pleasantly surprised by how Janley’s role grows through the story. The entire team talks about the new Doctor’s choices in hats (because we’re a hat-obsessed podcast).
If you want to watch along with us, the animated version of this story is available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and can be picked up on Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3pgKt25) or Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/2YZ9ZxM). A version with enhanced animation is also available through both Amazon US (https://amzn.to/3DYQ1SP) and Amazon UK (https://amzn.to/3jjscgW).
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- Arrested Development: The Complete Seasons 1-4 (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BqTDw6 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3uT21Cc)
- Alien (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3nbhOZt | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BX7I4X)
- Flash Gordon (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BVj895 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3AXEzoB)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Having made their way through the entirety of the William Hartnell era of Doctor Who, the Watchers in the Fourth Dimension are joined by a guest host for the very first time, as R Alan Siler moderates a retrospective discussion of the entirety of the era.
Over the course of the discussion, the crew touch on a wide range of topics, including which missing story would benefit the most from animation, the most challenging or radically different episodes of the time, and how the era reflected the socio-political situation of the time. Anthony and Don manage to get their final blows in against Richard Martin and John Wiles, respectively. Finally, things get rather silly when Alan surprises everyone with a few rounds of “Snog, Marry, Avoid!,” with some rather outrageous options.
Other media mentioned in this episode:
- An Adventure in Space and Time (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3AXF6an | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vtBjR6)
- Game of Thrones: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lRgVWD | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aQhh9U)
- Star Trek: Picard (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3C0ifvW | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vsR0rJ)
- Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ptuM83 | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3BSULsQ)
- The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Z2QG6G | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3B0nSJk)
- Diagnosis Murder: The Complete Collection (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3naiBKd | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Z1fmwV)
- Matlock: The Complete Series (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3phHE0L | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3nezGTE)
Alan’s work can be found at the following links:
- Children of Time: The Companions of Doctor Who (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lQ2OAW | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aJuYr5)
- Facing the Raven: Doctor Who Series Nine in Review (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3aIGpza | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DNiFWZ)
- Doctor Who’s Greatest Hits: Remastered (Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3p9T4DG | Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DSiiue)
Finally, you can also follow us and interact with us on various forms of social media - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also e-mail us at watchers4d@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or review.