Two-minute Time Lord

2MTL 313: A Non-white-male Doctor Would Be the Second Right Answer

That Chip Guy — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:02:35 +0000

Borrowing from Roger van Oech's books on creativity, I suggest that it's time for DOCTOR WHO to make a brave change in casting the next Doctor because it'll evolve the show in an important direction.

2MTL 312: Colin Baker, Andrew Cartmel, and The Ken Spivey Band (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 04:05:06 +0000

A jam-packed Time Dilation episode of 2MTL recorded at TimeGate 2013 in Atlanta, featuring the Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, a classic script editor, and a steampunk-Celtic-Time Lord rock band!

2MTL 311: So Long, Matt Smith, and Thanks for Jim the Fish

That Chip Guy — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 00:19:30 +0000

We celebrate the Eleventh Doctor as the BBC announces his pending departure.

2MTL 310: "The Name of the Doctor" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:12:30 +0000

After virtually blowing up my bathroom (read the instructions on compressed-gas sink plungers CAREFULLY) it took me a while to catch up and review the series finale. I try to answer the two questions that MUST be answered: how about that Clara resolution, and how about that Greatest Secret?

2MTL 309: Meet the Editors and Writers of "Queers Dig Time Lords" (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:31:59 +0000

Sigrid Ellis, Michael D. Thomas, Erik Stadnik and Mary Anne Mohanraj reveal all about Mad Norwegian Press's Queers Dig Time Lords: A Celebration of Doctor Who by the LGBTQ Fans Who Love It. Secret origins! Star Trek-related confessions! Manifestos! Fun!

2MTL 308: Does Andy Candish Really Want to Know the Doctor's Secrets?

That Chip Guy — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:55:20 +0000

Andy Candish of the delightful Ood Cast has a dilemma: on Saturday one of the greatest mysteries in Doctor Who may be undone.

2MTL 307: "Nightmare in Silver" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 12 May 2013 02:39:02 +0000

Neil Gaiman's second episode of Doctor Who isn't quite as strong as his first, but it's still darn good. Could it be that this time the writer was working in a traditional Doctor Who playground rather than "The Doctor's Wife"'s bubble universe?

Check out Ryan Britt and Chris Lough's article, "Neil Gaiman Can't Help Creating His Own Universe Inside of Yours," at Tor.com.

2MTL 306: "The Crimson Horror" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:06:24 +0000

The sixth episode of Series 7B marks a return to form for Mark Gatiss and a deliriously over-the-top Penny Dreadful approach to Doctor Who.

2MTL 305: "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:51:44 +0000

So we finally got to see more of the TARDIS, and I'm wondering if that's a good thing.

2MTL 304: "Hide" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:32:59 +0000

Sorry for the delay; life got in the way. Let's talk about Neil Cross's second aired story (first written), "Hide," and why that high-five is just so lovely.

2MTL 303: "Cold War" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:50:32 +0000

I guess it's possible that I'm simply a Bad Fan (™ Warren Frey), but I can't say that I was excited about the return of the Ice Warriors. Admit it: didn't the old ones look kind of — silly? Turns out the monster itself was mostly a triumph in "Cold War," but oddly this episode fell prey to one of "The Rings of Akhaten"'s problems.

2MTL 302: The Tennant Question (plus Kyle Anderson on fan entitlement)

That Chip Guy — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:40:51 +0000

Tenth Doctor, or Tenth Point Five? Plus some Value Added Material from Kyle Anderson (@FunctionalNerd), who is calmly warring against fan entitlement.

Hear Kyle at Doctor Who: The Writer's Room and WTF Are You Watching?

2MTL 301: "The Rings of Akhaten" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:16:36 +0000

Doctor Who as written and directed by Jack Kirby? To this comics reader this certainly LOOKED like an episode that belonged in DC Comics's world of mad gods and flying supercycles. But did "The Rings of Akhaten" belong in Doctor Who's world?

2MTL 300: "The Bells of Saint John" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:24:20 +0000

Together again for the first time, it's the Eleventh Doctor, Clara ~~Oswin~~ Oswald, and the Wire…?

2MTL 299: Less Tabloid Garbage, More Female Writers. Please.

That Chip Guy — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 02:30:12 +0000

A look at what the tabloids did with the John Nathan-Turner biography, and what Doctor Who creative leads should be doing with female writers: inviting them.

2MTL 298: In Series 7B, the Eyes Have It

That Chip Guy — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:22:00 +0000

Two things excite me about the next eight episodes of Doctor Who. It's all about the eyes.

2MTL 297: Jason Haigh-Ellery and the Big Finish Update (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 02:21:59 +0000

Jason Haigh-Ellery, managing director of Big Finish, takes a look at the year ahead and the incredibly successful year behind for the Doctor Who audio dramatists.

2MTL 296: Madame Vastra Speaks

That Chip Guy — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:17:30 +0000

Like her Paternoster cohort Dan Starkey, Neve McIntosh was a hit at Gallifrey One: on stage and among the fans. I spent a few minutes with her at the Sunday night LobbyCon, and we talked about Madame Vastra.

2MTL 295: The Nicholas Briggs of Two Worlds

That Chip Guy — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:09:57 +0000

One foot in the licensed world as executive producer at Big Finish, one foot in the televised "canonical" world as an actor on Doctor Who and Torchwood: Children of Earth; it's Nicholas Briggs! First of three mini-interviews from Gallifrey One.

2MTL 294: The Gally Preview Natter (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:49:32 +0000

OK, deep breath here. We have Chris from The Ood Cast, Erik from The Doctor Who Book Club and Doctor Who: The Writer's Room, Deb from Verity!, Nancy from The Happiness Patrol, Luke from TMDWP and Warren from Radio Free Skaro. And we're all jet-lagged.

2MTL 293: Wag the TARDIS

That Chip Guy — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:06:14 +0000

One last look at "The Snowmen" and the twisty turny perambulations of Steven Moffat's mind.

2MTL 292: One Month Later, I Still Don't Like the Console Room

That Chip Guy — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 03:20:10 +0000

Everyone loves the new TARDIS control room.

And that's the problem.

2MTL 291: Neither a Barmaid Nor a Governess Be

That Chip Guy — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 04:47:08 +0000

Clara Oswin Oswald — if that IS her REAL name — committed many and various sins against Victoriana in "The Snowmen." Shannon, spouse behind and brains of the 2MTL operation, enumerates the offenses and incongruities, suggesting that they're hints to her true nature.

2MTL 290: The "Not We," Filter Bubbles, and "The Snowmen"

That Chip Guy — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 02:23:18 +0000

"The Snowmen": high AI, laudatory fan reactions, fair-to-strong reviews from the critics. But while I was being bedazzled by Matt Smith, Jenna-Louise Coleman and the hat-tips to 50 years of history, my brother was sitting at the screen only faintly impressed. "It was better than the one you showed me with the plastic mannequins," he said….

2MTL 289: Chip, Scrooged.

That Chip Guy — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 01:49:29 +0000

Uncharacteristically, Chip's inner Grinch wants to come out to play. Will he take it out on TARDIS consoles? Unseen episodes? HOBBITS?

2MTL 288: Chicago TARDIS from Shannon's Perspective

That Chip Guy — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 01:57:39 +0000

While Chip's battling laryngitis, his wife makes another guest appearance: What was Chicago TARDIS like from the perspective of a Doctor Who fan whose tastes run more "Tennant" than "total"?

2MTL 287: "The Christmas Invasion" Throwback Review

That Chip Guy — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 05:29:28 +0000

So this is Christmas, or it will be in a couple of weeks, and while we have visions of killer Snowmen dancing in our heads for this year's Christmas special, why don't we look back on modern Doctor Who's first? Yep, it's time to resume our "Throwback" reviews with "The Christmas Invasion."

2MTL 286: Toby Hadoke on "My Stepson Stole My Sonic Screwdriver" (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 03:46:00 +0000

"Friend of the show" Toby Hadoke debuted his third Edinburgh Fringe one-man show on American soil at Chicago TARDIS: "My Stepson Stole My Sonic Screwdriver." Toby and I have an honest, thoughtful conversation about where Doctor Who fits into his family life, his wrestling with psoriasis, and how to make fun of yourself as a Doctor Who fan.

2MTL 285: Chicks Unravel Time (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:47:25 +0000

For the first time in ages, an extended interview! Deb Stanish! Liz Myles! Chicks Unravel Time! One of the best Doctor Who books ever! Enough said!

2MTL 284: Radio Free Skaro's Steven on Doctor Who Day

That Chip Guy — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 22:29:43 +0000

Guest presenter Steven Schapansky of Radio Free Skaro has a ritual: same time every year, "An Unearthly Child." Why, and what goes through his head? Also, a flash thought from Chip about the Christmas "prequel."

2MTL 283: All Our Regenerations

That Chip Guy — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 03:32:09 +0000

"Change, my dear. And not a moment too soon." But change, even a good change, can be difficult. Here's how DOCTOR WHO has been helping me lately.

2MTL 282: "The Angels Take Manhattan" Reviewed with Chris from Radio Free Skaro

That Chip Guy — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 12:10:24 +0000

Farewell to Amy and Rory! Chris from Radio Free Skaro reflects on departing companions and traveling alone, and I try (and somewhat fail) to separate "The Angels Take Manhattan" from the hype and show format. Plus a brief appreciation of Babylon 5's Michael O'Hare. All in successive two-minute (relatively) chunks.

2MTL 281: "The Power of Three" Unbefuddled

That Chip Guy — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 02:38:14 +0000

As we prepare to say goodbye to Amy and Rory, we get an episode that's — a love letter to Amy and Rory. Chris Chibnall's second Series 7 story works, but what's weird about it?

See also your host's turn as a podicidal maniac in The Ood Cast, Series 5, Episode 4.

2MTL 280: "A Town Called Mercy" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 03:11:44 +0000

Well, pardners, there's no song 'n dance in "A Town Called Mercy," DOCTOR WHO's first Western since "The Gunfighters." It ain't a barrel of laughs for the Doctor this time, either. This is why y'all can't have long hiatuses in this TV show anymore; the hero tends to go rogue after them!

Chip on Television Zombies 222

That Chip Guy — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 03:14:03 +0000

It was great to share a microphone with Jeff, Chris and Tina once again to talk with them about "Asylum of the Daleks." TVZ 222!

Chip on Radio Free Skaro 327

That Chip Guy — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:06:00 +0000

While Steven's away, the cats will play. Warren, Chris and I delve deeper into "Dinosaurs on a Spaeceship" in RFS #327.

2MTL 279: "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 02:30:13 +0000

"Now, despite all appearances, we Doctor Who fans have nothing against fun. Some of our favorite episodes are fun."

2MTL 278: Continuity of the Daleks

That Chip Guy — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:54:33 +0000

Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Contradictions.

2MTL 277: "Asylum of the Daleks" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 03:20:59 +0000

I had low expectations of the Series 7 debut. Boy, do I have egg on my face.

2MTL 276: The Zen Master of Time and Space?

That Chip Guy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:09:11 +0000

Having gotten into meditation and discovering the concept of "mindfulness," I inevitably wondered just how well the Doctor knows himself and keeps cool and centered. (Inevitable because I'm a sadly obsessed Doctor Who fan, of course.) The unsurprising answer is, "He doesn't." But you might be surprised at my vote for which Doctor comes closest to that ideal, and why I think it's fortunate that the Doctor is NOT a Zen Master of Time and Space.

2MTL 275: Three Things to Look Forward to in Series 7

That Chip Guy — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 02:37:36 +0000

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, of course, but my excitement over the return of Doctor Who has more to do with its anticipated content than the fact that we haven't seen an episode since Christmas.

2MTL Special: In Response to a Conversation I Saw on Twitter Today

That Chip Guy — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 23:44:48 +0000

I'm sorry. So, so sorry.

2MTL 274: Ave Romana – Toby Hadoke Remembers Mary Tamm (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 11:46:25 +0000

Comedian and (in my mind) unofficial Doctor Who ambassador Toby Hadoke reflects on the passing of Mary Tamm, who played Romana in the "Key to Time" series.

(There were some unexpected audio glitches this time; I hope you'll bear with them.)

2MTL 273: On the Cover of a Magazine

That Chip Guy — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:35:30 +0000

Doctor Who on the cover of one of the biggest pop culture magazines in America? Has it arrived at last? Or is our show still more of a curiosity than phenomenon?

2MTL 272: Whose Cyberman is it Anyway?

That Chip Guy — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:09:53 +0000

Ah, the Cybermen. Their convoluted history was neatly sidestepped by Russell T. Davies when he introduced parallel-universe counterparts in Series 2 — but have those Cybermen been quietly ushered off the stage?

2MTL 271: Is Doctor Who a "Feel Good" Show?

That Chip Guy — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 02:42:04 +0000

Cloyingly sentimental? Exuberantly uplifting? That's not what our favorite family SF/adventure/horror saga has been about, with rare exceptions, over the last almost-50 years. And yet we fans can still turn to it when things are looking a little grim. There's something that Doctor Who does to brighten our day without even trying…

(Take the Facebook poll!)

2MTL 270: Radio Rassilon on the Ninth Doctor (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 02:48:44 +0000

Another excursion into Time Dilation follows, as we tie a bow around the Ninth Doctor's era with the incomparable Harry Medium and Leeson Fischer of the returning Radio Rassilon!

2MTL 269: WHO IS THE DOCTOR Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:34:04 +0000

Rumors of the death of the episode guidebook are greatly exaggerated! Who is the Doctor, by Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? is essential reading for the newly committed new series fan as well as old hands.

2MTL 268: Inspector Spacetime in Distress

That Chip Guy — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:24:25 +0000

Community, the NBC sitcom beloved of Doctor Who fans for its "Inspector Spacetime" parody, has parted ways with its creator, Dan Harmon. Community's cult audience is up in arms. What if the same thing ever happened to Doctor Who?

2MTL 267: "The Parting of the Ways" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:01:46 +0000

"You have the guts to do what's right when everyone else just runs away!" That's what the Doctor's taught Rose, she tells Mickey and Jackie during the most important scene in "The Parting of the Ways." But is this story about the triumph of the human spirit, or something much more bleak? And, oh yeah, isn't this someone's last episode?

2MTL 266: Google's Glasses are a Cyber-Conspiracy, I Tell You!

That Chip Guy — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:21:01 +0000

The Bluetooth earpiece gag in "Rise of the Cybermen" was kind of obvious — it was made in 2005, after all — but Google's Project Glass plans revealed last month made me think that we're much closer to our impending cyber-conversions than previously anticipated!

2MTL 265: The Steven Moffat Evaluation (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:26:18 +0000

May 2008 (not 2009, ignore your host during the podcast): Steven Moffat prepares to take the reins of Doctor Who in one of the most anticipated showrunner transitions ever.

January 2010: Matt Smith kisses his knees, spits out cinders, and shouts, "Geronimo!"

April 2012: A massive Time Dilation episode of the Two-minute Time Lord podcast assesses Steven Moffat's first two series and looks toward the future! Your principal panelists are Chicks Unravel Time editor Deb Stanish, Adventures with the Wife in Space blogger Neil Perryman, multitudinous writer Teresa Jusino and Radio Free Skaro's own Steven Schapansky.

But they're not the only ones weighing in, as we find out what fans thought about Series 5 and 6 at Gallifrey One 23 last February, and present some very special guests' two cents:

io9.com managing editor Charlie Jane Anders!
Doctor Who: Podshock co-founder Ken Deep!
Comics artist Pia Guerra!
Mythbusters co-host Grant Imahara!
Nerdist host and overlord Chris Hardwick!
Scottish comedian Charlie Ross!
Chicago Sun-Times tech columnist Andy Ihnatko!

As Series 7 commences production, what's the current state of Doctor Who? Find out now.

2MTL 264: Who Should Win the Hugo?

That Chip Guy — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:56:24 +0000

Will Who reign supreme at the 2012 Hugos? I thought I knew who I would vote for, were I a Worldcon member, but then I wavered not only over a non-Doctor Who nominee, but also questions about the nature of the awards themselves.

Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) (512 ballots)

 "The Doctor's Wife" (Doctor Who), written by Neil Gaiman; directed by Richard Clark (BBC Wales)
"The Drink Tank's Hugo Acceptance Speech," Christopher J Garcia and James Bacon (Renovation)
"The Girl Who Waited" (Doctor Who), written by Tom MacRae; directed by Nick Hurran (BBC Wales)
"A Good Man Goes to War" (Doctor Who), written by Steven Moffat; directed by Peter Hoar (BBC Wales)
"Remedial Chaos Theory" (Community), written by Dan Harmon and Chris McKenna; directed by Jeff Melman (NBC)

2MTL 263: "Bad Wolf" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:01:35 +0000

Does Doctor Who suffer when it taps into trends, rather than trying to remain timeless? Exhibit A is "Bad Wolf," wherein reality TV takes a beating. Does it hold up? And how about that epic reveal which wasn't?

2MTL 262: List of Demands

That Chip Guy — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 02:17:10 +0000

By the time Chip got around to thinking about what he'd like to see in Series Seven and the 50th anniversary, that cheeky Steven Moffat got around to making the darned thing without waiting for Chip's demands. This is not stopping the strangely assertive, possibly temporarily unhinged Chip from posting his list of demands, written on the palm of his hand.

Works cited: 2MTL 161 on McGann, Tiki Dalek, Adventures With the Wife in Space.

2MTL 261: If You Want a Really Alien Doctor, Look at Sheldon Cooper?

That Chip Guy — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:17:34 +0000

Geeks have a love-hate relationship with The Big Bang Theory, America's favorite sitcom. I'm a Johnny-come-lately to the show, but when I saw it I suddenly got, after years of resistance, that a "truly alien" Doctor could really work in the modern series. (And yes, I'm saying that Smith isn't THAT much more alien than his two predecessors.)

2MTL 260: And the Companion Played by Jenna-Louise Coleman Shall Be. . .

That Chip Guy — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 03:44:07 +0000

Everybody welcome Jenna-Louise Coleman, who will play [PROPER NAME] when she [VERB, PRESENT TENSE] the Doctor at [PLACE] next season. As soon as her character's [NOUN] was announced, I knew her [GERUND] would be confidential among the [REDACTED] Doctor Who fans!

But seriously, folks, what kind of companion is Jenna-Louise Coleman going to portray?

2MTL 259: And the Next Actor Playing the Master Should Be…

That Chip Guy — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:55:22 +0000

. . .a familiar face but not Benedict Cumberbatch.

2MTL 258: "Boom Town" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:59:29 +0000

Well, they can't all be winners. They certainly can't all be huge and epic, either, but "Boom Town" particularly suffers by being bracketed by Steven Moffat's debut and the first in a long line of budget-busting series finales. This cheap-feeling episode has a couple of things to recommend it, however, and it's actually better in 2012 than it was in 2005.

2MTL 257: After Gallifrey One, the Other Side of Doctor Who's Coin

That Chip Guy — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:33:06 +0000

In which I reflect on the possibility that Doctor Who's vaunted flexibility (hey, I vaunted it myself during Radio Free Skaro Live at Gallifrey One last weekend) can also be a bit of a trap for the show…

2MTL 256: MythBusters Co-host Grant Imahara Talks Doctor Who

That Chip Guy — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:58:47 +0000

Resplendent in his Tenth Doctor costume and brandishing a sonic screwdriver with the authority of one of television's best-known mechanical geniuses, MythBusters co-host Grant Imahara came to Los Angeles's Gallifrey One, the world's biggest Doctor Who convention. We took a few minutes to talk about how he came back to the show after its relaunch, how its star is rising in Hollywood, and what grade he'd give the last two series of Doctor Who.

The Past, Present and Future of Doctor Who Podcasting (Gally 23)

That Chip Guy — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:19:05 +0000

Why has Doctor Who podcasting caught on? How can you get started? What technology do you use? What about video? What about social media? What about everything???

Panelists: Chip from Two-minute Time Lord, Warren from Radio Free Skaro, Jason Snell from The Incomparable (and senior editor of Macworld and PCWorld), Nancy from The Happiness Patrol and Michele from The Doctor Who Podcast.

Provided by and for the Doctor Who Podcast Alliance. Recorded at Gallifrey One.

2MTL 255: That Exceptionally Likely Official Doctor Who/Star Trek Comic Crossover

That Chip Guy — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:59:43 +0000

Likely spoiling IDW Publishing's announcement at next weekend's Gallifrey One convention, Rich Johnston at Bleeding Cool scooped that there may be a Time Lord in Capt. Picard's command chair this May. For real, yes?

2MTL 254: "Boldness" is in Doctor Who's DNA

That Chip Guy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:58:14 +0000

Is Doctor Who too over-the-top these days? I'd argue that those asking for more conservative storytelling are looking for the wrong thing.

2MTL 253: The Doctor's Timey-wimey Fake Death

That Chip Guy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:35:23 +0000

Time to get the Doctor off his high horse, right? The Oncoming Storm got a little too gusty? So it's time for him to make everyone in the universe think he's dead. From the dawn of time to the end of the world? Help me. My suspension of disbelief is suspended.

2MTL 252: So MANY Hands Made Doctor Who Work!

That Chip Guy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:26:26 +0000

Star Trek and Doctor Who are polar opposites in many ways (see also Toby Hadoke's Trek takedown in Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf). But as I watched the documentary Trek Nation I was struck at the contrast between Gene Roddenberry's looming role over the franchise (even after his death!) and its much less personality-driven cousin across the Atlantic.

Hey! See me at Gallifrey One next month, including a cameo during Radio Free Skaro and the World of Tomorrow! Say "Hi"! I promise I'll say "hi" back.

2MTL 251: "The Doctor Dances" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:20:15 +0000

Let's just quickly zip past the fact that "The Doctor Dances" is one of the most excellent episodes ever, and talk about its REAL name and its true subversive impact on Doctor Who from 2005 on.

Warning: While there isn't any actual "bad language" in this episode, there's a fair bit of bleeping which itself may come as a shock after my excessively clean previous 250 episodes.

2MTL 250: The 2011 Christmas Special and a New Year's Gift

That Chip Guy — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:17:32 +0000

The annual Doctor Who Christmas spectacle caught a lot of attention — pro and con — for taking an unambiguous position on the nature and particular strength of women. Was that too much for sixty minutes?

2MTL 249: Will Amy Be Among the Great Companions?

That Chip Guy — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:16:50 +0000

This month Steven Moffat revealed that during Series 7 Amy Pond and Rory Williams (or some combination of surnames thereof) will be leaving the TARDIS for good. This raises the question — despite the undeniable talent of Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill — of whether their characters will have the lasting impact of other great Doctor Who companions. For me, the jury's still out until their departure…

2MTL 248: "The Empty Child" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:44:03 +0000

Wow, it's been a long time since I've done a Throwback Review. Let's remedy that with the debut of one Steven Moffat in an episode that evokes classic Who, the tropes of vintage 2005 RTD-era, and hints of the future Moffat era.

(OK, this runs five minutes. But, in my defense, there's audio clips and Guest Bullet Points and EVERYTHING!)

2MTL 247: The Lost Episodes Discovery of 2011

That Chip Guy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:25:37 +0000

Frabjous day indeed, as two missing episodes from the '60s have been found! This calls for a celebration! And after you've listened to this episode, read the frankly brilliant Radio Times backgrounder on how these episodes were discovered.

Oh, and check out that TMDWP guy. He's pretty cool himself.

2MTL 246: The Caregiver's Tale (and How to Help Fight Monsters)

That Chip Guy — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:50:54 +0000

RTD's interview with Laurence Watts shed a sad light on the immediate future of his writing projects, as he takes on a more important role as caregiver.

The Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust is the U.K.'s largest funder of brain tumor research. If you would like to join me in supporting them, you can donate to their Gift of Hope campaign.

2MTL 245: A Bigger-on-the-Inside Christmas Mystery

That Chip Guy — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:38:58 +0000

Two bigger-on-the-inside worlds collide this Christmas in "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe" — and the PARTICULAR collision between C.S. Lewis's worldview and Doctor Who's typical one has me wondering what the heck showrunner Steven Moffat is up to…

2MTL 244: Should a Doctor Who Movie Be a Fresh Start?

That Chip Guy — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:22:48 +0000

"Who" ought to be in pictures? If BBC Worldwide Productions and director David Yates have anything to say about it, apparently so! But what's this about casting aside 48 years of continuity and starting fresh for the silver screen?

2MTL 243: The Doctor Who Official Convention: "And There Was Much Rejoicing"

That Chip Guy — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:35:29 +0000

BBC Worldwide is throwing a couple of parties in Cardiff on March 24 and 25. So why the mixed reaction from Doctor Who fans for the first official Doctor Who convention in years?

2MTL 242: Rating the Doctor Who Encyclopedia iPad App

That Chip Guy — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:48:14 +0000

The Doctor Who Encyclopedia has come to the iPad. How does it hold up as an item of Doctor Who fan desire? It looks spiffy, but there are a few bugs and it's not for everyone….

2MTL 241: Mashing Up "Ready Player One" and Doctor Who

That Chip Guy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:16:52 +0000

Ernest Cline's recent novel Ready Player One spurs some thoughts about the limits of Doctor Who's influence on '80s nostalgia and our show's cross-genre appeal.

2MTL 240: Three Series and Out for Matt Smith?

That Chip Guy — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:47:26 +0000

Did Matt Smith slip his true intentions, or was it just a slip of the tongue when he said he had only one more year of Doctor Who? Your returning host (and thank you so much for your support while I've been gone) pretends to know what he's talking about.

Brief Hiatus

That Chip Guy — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:28:51 +0000

Due to a family concern, 2MTL is going on a bit of a break for a couple of weeks. It will return with the usual mix of wild supposition and foaming at the mouth. Take care.

2MTL 239: The All-Star Series 6.2 Roundtable (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:28:34 +0000

"After all, he wrote Coupling!"

If it's the end of Series 6 (and Series 6.2, or 6.5, or whatever…) then it's time for another gathering of writers and critics to hash it all out. Kyle Anderson makes his second appearance on the All-Star panel, joined this time by Deb Stanish and Lynne Thomas! (Frank Collins and Teresa Jusino from 2MTL #216 had unfortunate schedule conflicts.)

Why were parent-child relationships such a big deal this year? Are time travel plots getting TOO wibbly? Did Steven Moffat finally put an end to Romance in the TARDIS? (That's a pretty sizable "no" right there.) And what do we want from Series 7, whenever it surfaces?

2MTL 238: "The Wedding of River Song"

That Chip Guy — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 04:58:09 +0000

Sometimes, Moffat episode titles are complete red herrings. Or not. Sometimes, Moffat-produced two-parters are complete red herrings. Sometimes, mysterious characters are exactly who they're implied to be. Or not. Somewhere, deep within a Teselecta, hapless technicians are studying osculation. And somewhere, staying up far too late, Chip is reviewing the Series 6 finale.

(And so did the Guardian's Dan Martin.)

2MTL 237: "Closing Time" for Doctor Who Confidential

That Chip Guy — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:05:18 +0000

Two, TWO podcasts for the price of one! How did "Closing Time" measure up to last year's "The Lodger," and how are those two episodes like a Doctor Who convention? Also, some thoughts about the cancellation of Doctor Who Confidential.

2MTL 236: I Liked "The God Complex" and That's No Bull

That Chip Guy — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:58:09 +0000

"The God Complex" was inventively directed and balanced out my deepest criticism of last week's episode. I'm in my happy place again!

2MTL 235: A Discordant Note on "The Girl Who Waited"

That Chip Guy — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:44:16 +0000

On paper, "The Girl Who Waited" was brilliant. Karen Gillan? A revelation. So why did I take a 45-minute walk around the neighborhood, grinding my teeth, trying to figure out how I felt about the episode?

Thanks to Huw at thirteenfaces.com for linking me to Emily Asher-Perrin's essay at tor.com on the relationship of the Doctor, and Doctor Who, to children. It was the whack on the side of the head that helped me understand my reaction.

2MTL 234: Torchwood: Wrapping Up "The Gathering," "The Blood Line" and Miracle Day

That Chip Guy — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:16:11 +0000

It's catch-up time as we take a look at the concluding episodes of Torchwood: Miracle Day, and render a verdict for the series. And demand that one of this year's debuting characters meets the Eleventh Doctor.

2MTL 233: "Night Terrors" and the Things Parents Fear

That Chip Guy — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:44:47 +0000

Some personal thoughts about parenthood, in light of an episode that was more about a Dad's fears than the monsters in the cupboard…

2MTL 232: "Let's Kill Hitler" a Brilliant Ride; New Road Wanted

That Chip Guy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:40:42 +0000

A plea to Steven Moffat rounds out this review of the sometimes crack-tastic, sometimes out-of-left-field, wildly entertaining and frustrating resumption of Series 6.

2MTL 231: Torchwood: "End of the Road" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 05:16:19 +0000

After a couple of atypical episodes, "End of the Road" is on a more typical Miracle Day flight plan: talkier, more gradual. Matt Hills argues this is part and parcel of the show being a suspense thriller, not an SF action romp, and I agree. And yet, this slower episode gives me a chance to look at a few frustrations I have with a series I otherwise enjoy.

2MTL 230: Torchwood: "Immortal Sins" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:00:13 +0000

Whew.

So. Was it good for you, too?

Of course, curse me for not being able to single out a reason why it struck such a chord with me beyond the most obvious distinction between this and the previous episodes — besides John Barrowman finally coming off the sidelines, that is.

(My son totally wanted me to make him into a Cyberman. Thanks, Luke!)

2MTL-229: Doctor Who and CDTL Big Winners at 2011 Hugos

That Chip Guy — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:40:01 +0000

Apparently Hugo voters dig Doctor Who and essayists who dig time lords! Congratulations to 2011 Hugo winners "The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang" and Chicks Dig Time Lords.

The Hugo Awards ceremony is on the Worldcon Ustream channel. (Thanks to Steven from Radio Free Skaro for the audio.)

2MTL 228: Torchwood: "The Middle Men" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:01:01 +0000

Does the sixth episode of Miracle Day regain its footing with what is essentially Part Two of "Escape from the Overflow Camps"? Somewhat surprisingly, yes!

Co-executive producer Jane Espenson blogs about "The Middle Men" at afterelton.com.

2MTL 227: The Doctor Who Fan Orchestra (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 02:25:27 +0000

Meet Stephen Willis and Robin LaPasha, the leaders of the Doctor Who Fan Orchestra, which assembled performers around the world for an arrangement of Murray Gold's Eleventh Doctor theme. Find out what it took to create a virtual orchestra, and which music they'll adapt next in their ongoing celebration of Gold's work. (They need more performers! Follow the links above for more information!)

2MTL 226: Torchwood: "The Categories of Life" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:01:55 +0000

Aaaannnnd we're firmly in Children of Earth-level darkness territory with the fifth episode of Miracle Day. Spoilers ho, of course, as I mull over whether I'm starting to go wobbly (in not a good way) over the show's direction.

2MTL 225: Defending Torchwood's First Season and Reviewing "Escape to L.A." (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:43:49 +0000

(Torchwood being Torchwood, and Jack Harkness being Jack Harkness, this podcast is slightly more explicit than usual.)

Archivist and Chicks Dig Time Lords co-editor Lynne Thomas joins me as we discuss the merits of the frequently-derided first season of Torchwood — thus bucking the conventional wisdom that it only "got good" with Children of Earth. Lynne contributed her essay on the subject, "Camp Noir," to Graeme Burk and Robert Smith?'s anthology Time Unincorporated 3.

Also: Miracle Day Episode 4, "Escape to L.A." is reviewed.

Thanks to Radio Free Skaro for the "conventional wisdom" excerpts.

2MTL 224: Torchwood: "Dead of Night" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:07:51 +0000

In which your humble correspondent defends the pacing of Torchwood: Miracle Day thus far, whilst citing Huw Buchtmann's excellent blog, but notes that Miracle Day doesn't perfectly mesh with previous seasons…

2MTL 223: "Father's Day" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:14:09 +0000

Resuming our Throwback Reviews, we go back to the eighth episode of the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, "Father's Day" by Paul Cornell. (It's an interesting time to watch one of Christopher Eccleston's stories, after his recent remarks about his time on the show were repeated by Martyn from the Bad Wilf podcast.)

whoblr: a Little Tumblr Experiment

That Chip Guy — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:09:33 +0000

I've started whoblr, a tiny little microblog on Tumblr with itty bitty content. Look for me to toss over there small Who-related links, pictures, and other things not directly related to the 2MTL podcast. Bear in mind that, as usual, I have no idea what I'm doing.

2MTL 222: Torchwood: "Rendition" (Spoilers) and Big Finish's "Rat Trap" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 03:03:01 +0000

The Torchwood Paradox (It's heavy! It's "crackfic"!) rears its head even more vividly in the second episode of Miracle Day, "Rendition." Spoilers ho! Afterward, guest reviewer Barnaby Edwards (not the Dalek one, the New York one) tackles Tony Lee's Big Finish debut, "Rat Trap."

2MTL 221: "The New World" and Web of Lies 1 Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:27:56 +0000

Spoilers mild (for the first episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day) and not-so (for part one of Torchwood: Web of Lies for iOS) ahoy!

2MTL 220: Russell T. Davies on Crossovers and Torchwood's U.S. Appeal

That Chip Guy — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:53:48 +0000

Thanks to a blogger conference call hosted by Starz and BBC Worldwide Productions, I had the chance to ask Russell T. Davies why he thinks Torchwood caught fire in the United States. Earlier, Jef Burnham from filmmonthly.com raised a question I also asked in 2MTL 219: what's the future relationship between Doctor Who and Torchwood?

Special thanks to Chris Piers of Television Zombies for recording the call when I couldn't. I really wish he'd been called as well.

2MTL 219: The Summerfielding of Torchwood?

That Chip Guy — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:21:10 +0000

Torchwood: Miracle Day is coming! Just a bit more…slowly…for British viewers. Why is that, and how might Torchwood come to resemble the adventures of a time-traveling archaeologist?

2MTL 218: "The Long Game" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:54:31 +0000

Think of "The Long Game" as the mirror-universe version of "Torchwood: Children of Earth." Many of the same attitudes and philosophies Russell T. Davies portrayed in that later, much better work are present in "The Long Game." But in a cheap-sets far-future playground, it's much harder to muster finesse…

Shannon Patrick Sullivan's excellent A Brief History of Time (Travel) site breaks down the production of "The Long Game".

2MTL 217: Secretary Rumsfeld Assesses Series 7 Speculation

That Chip Guy — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:42:34 +0000

Collecting the known knowns, the known unknowns, an unknown unknown, and some speculation about the future of Series 7 of Doctor Who, known-known to air in 2012 and 2013.

Steven Manfred's (www.doctorwhodvdfaq.com) anonymously-sourced speculation on the Series 7 schedule was posted to the Gallifrey Base forums on June 18 in the Transmissions-"Doctor Who in 2012 [Mega Merged] Part 2" thread, post #972.

Stuart Ian Burns's excellent blog is at feelinglistless.blogspot.com.

2MTL 216: The All-Star Series 6.1 Roundtable (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:12:44 +0000

Three terrific writers and critics — Frank Collins (author of the Series 5 review The Pandorica Opens), Kyle Anderson (nerdist.com and battleshippretention.com) and Teresa Jusino (Tor.com and Newsarama) — look back on Series six-point-one. What worked and what didn't from "The Impossible Astronaut" to "A Good Man Goes to War"? Was Tom from The Doctor Who Podcast right about Series 6 being all about "identity"? What can we learn about "Moffat's Women"?

Tom and I Tackle Series 6 on The Doctor Who Podcast

That Chip Guy — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:37:34 +0000

Very gracious of the lads at The Doctor Who Podcast to invite me over to recap the first half of the series. It was my first time sharing a microphone with Tom and we had a blast. Check out DWP #85.

2MTL 215: "A Good Man Goes to War" Reflections

That Chip Guy — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 02:06:14 +0000

With a long-awaited revelation, Series Six goes into summer dormancy. For all of its (welcome!) spectacle and charm, "A Good Man Goes to War" didn't entirely deliver its cliffhanger the way I hoped…

2MTL 214: "The Almost People" (Smith's a Freaking Genius Edition)

That Chip Guy — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 02:24:59 +0000

Shorter short podcast: Matt Smith is absolutely fabulous as The Doctor, and "The Almost People" — Yes! "The Almost People"! — is possibly his greatest performance.

2MTL 213: On Spoilers, One Last Time (I Swear!)

That Chip Guy — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 14:07:41 +0000

Miss Manners being unavailable, I take it upon myself to pontificate about spoilers one last time, in light of the revelations about River Song yet to air outside the U.K.

2MTL 212: The Sophie Aldred Interview (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Tue, 31 May 2011 00:38:59 +0000

Sophie Aldred wowed the crowds at TimeGate 2011 in Atlanta, and con-runner Alan Siler was good enough to arrange a group interview which is provided by the Doctor Who Podcast Alliance. Your humble interviewers are me, Mike Faber and Mike Gordon from Earth Station One, and Dr. Scott Viguié from Articles of the Shadow Proclamation.

2MTL 211: TimeGate 2011 Podcaster Roundtable (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Fri, 27 May 2011 21:29:28 +0000

Joining me for a quick roundtable about Series 6 and BBC America are my friends here at TimeGate 2011: Mike from Earth Station One, Denise from Little Finish, Matt from US WhoCast, and David and Marty from Hoo on Who.

2MTL 210: "The Rebel Flesh" First Impressions

That Chip Guy — Sun, 22 May 2011 04:40:20 +0000

They're not just clones. They're YOU. And that lifts "The Rebel Flesh" above formulaic base-under-siege, at least for the first two-thirds…

2MTL 209: "A Tear, Doctor?" Quite a Lot, Actually

That Chip Guy — Wed, 18 May 2011 03:14:28 +0000

One of the most fascinating things about "The Doctor's Wife" had little to do with its star writer — it was Matt Smith's excellent performance revealing the complex, powerful emotions buried inside the Eleventh Doctor. For a supposedly "understated" Doctor, Smith's last scene opened up the floodgates…

2MTL 208: "The Doctor's Wife" First Impressions

That Chip Guy — Sun, 15 May 2011 03:30:13 +0000

So much to love about this episode — Neil Perryman's got a great rundown at Tachyon TV — but let's just focus on love itself.

2MTL 207: Your Neil Gaiman Preparedness Kit, Plus Spoilergate (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Thu, 12 May 2011 03:42:22 +0000

Fandom is so atomized: Take any two wildly popular genre figures such as "Doctor Who" and "Neil Gaiman" and you'll find many fans of one nearly unaware of the other. In this Time Dilation edition of 2MTL, Chicks Dig Time Lords co-editor Tara O'Shea and I take a walk down the the shelves full of Gaiman's prose, comics and screen work to provide a little explanation of why those of us in the middle of the Venn diagram are so excited.

But first: a traditional two-minute segment, as I tackle "Spoilergate."

2MTL 206: "The Curse of the Black Spot" First Impressions

That Chip Guy — Sun, 08 May 2011 03:03:50 +0000

Oh, look. It's a straightforward pirate romp like I asked for. "Be careful what you wish for, Mister Two-minute Time LAAAAARRRRRRD." (Thanks for the intro, Jim!)

2MTL 205: "Day of the Moon" Second Impressions

That Chip Guy — Sun, 01 May 2011 16:56:24 +0000

We may have made the leap from "Doctor Who for TV," to "Doctor Who for the box set," finally to "Doctor Who expressly for time-shifting." Because, MAN, was this hard to watch in my living room…

More Zombies, with Tony Lee In

That Chip Guy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:08:18 +0000

The Television Zombies' latest episode includes more discussion of "The Impossible Astronaut" (as well as a Game of Thrones review — hey, guys, about those screener DVDs…) and an excellent interview with Tony Lee.

(Note that the guys are much more cheerfully profane on TVZ. It was ironic that the only person who needed bleeping in 2MTL 204 was…me!)

2MTL 204: American TV, Doctor Who, and Television Zombies (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:38:37 +0000

Jeff, Chris and Chuck of the popular cult TV podcast Television Zombies show up on my show, after a couple of years of having me on as a DW geek on call, to talk about how Doctor Who's going over in the States. What happens when three guys who're into more genre TV than Doctor Who encounter a monofocused host? Find out as I get their predictions for Saturday's "Day of the Moon."

2MTL 203: In Defense of BBC America

That Chip Guy — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:07:31 +0000

Some U.S. fans accustomed to waiting for iTunes or using "other means" to get their Who Fix (TM) found it hard to deal with commercials, promos and additions to the day-and-date broadcast of "The Impossible Astronaut" on BBC America. Patience, folks: not only are those changes unavoidable in the TV biz, but they're ultimately a good thing even for Doctor Who in the U.K.!

(Record ratings in the U.S. and Canada! Solid A.I.!)

2MTL 202: "The Impossible Astronaut" First Impressions

That Chip Guy — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 03:59:44 +0000

Best series opener yet? Debatable, but "The Impossible Astronaut" definitely benefited from, for the first time since 2005, not having to establish a new status quo (which even "New Earth" had to do given Tennant's comparatively brief screen time in "The Christmas Invasion," but I digress…).

Where was I? Oh, yes — a series opener that, freed from having to Explain New Things, leaped straight into a story of heft and dread that will surely catch the attention of new viewers. Tick boxes were checked, and checked well — although there is ONE thing I'm disappointed about…

2MTL 201: Farewell, Elisabeth Sladen

That Chip Guy — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:31:55 +0000

Farewell, Elisabeth Sladen.

2MTL 200: The Unbearable Brightness of Series 6, Plus Your Questions

That Chip Guy — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:09:45 +0000

Less than two weeks away, a confession: I've been overwhelmed not only by the mammoth wall of hype over the debut of Series 6, but by some of the implications of the new season itself.

Plus, listener feedback! Plus, simultaneously, an illustration of how listener feedback can go horribly wrong! (Bad influence: Ask a Ninja.)

Two-minute Technomage for April 1, 1996: "Severed Dreams"

That Chip Guy — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:51:32 +0000

We waited almost two months for PTEN to release the tenth episode of season 3, "Severed Dreams," and it was worth it! Tune in to hear my reactions to the landmark, gotta-win-an-award, science fiction classic of April 1, 1996. Babylon 5 has never been better!

2MTL 199: Taking Skirts and Skits Seriously

That Chip Guy — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:08:00 +0000

"Space."
"Time."
Two funny and cute skits during Comic Relief.
Amy Pond.
Skirt length.
Jokes.
Objectification?
Less than eight minutes. Too serious?

Also check out Teresa Jusino's take on "Space" and "Time" at tor.com (just beware the comments).

Part One: "Space"

Part Two: "Time"

(Also a hat tip to the TDP.)

2MTL 198: Enchanted Believers and Mourning Ianto Jones

That Chip Guy — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:42:33 +0000

Were you so saddened by the death of Ianto Jones in 2009's Torchwood: Children of Earth that it almost felt like you'd lost someone close to you?

Or did you see the online reaction and hear about his Memorial Wall in Cardiff and wonder, "Where the HECK is this coming from?"

Racheline Maltese, scholar and fan, wondered the same things about how people relate to stories in her paper, "Tangible Reality of Absence: Fan Communities and Mourning Fictional Characters," presented last July and now available online. I invited Racheline to talk about what it means to be an "enchanted believer" who reacts to a story as strongly as if it were a real-world event, and why Ianto was mourned by fandom but Owen and Tosh weren't.

2MTL 197: Where'd the Human Heroes Go?

That Chip Guy — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 04:20:58 +0000

As a parting shot in 2MTL 196, I mentioned that I thought the message of the first four seasons of new Doctor Who, Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures was that "it's the actions of everyday humans like you and me that make the difference in overcoming adversity." Some of you noticed that I left out Series 5. Herewith, the explanation.

2MTL 196: Looking for a Doctor in a Torchwood World

That Chip Guy — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 04:00:59 +0000

A temporarily more serious, real-world turn for 2MTL.

Be inspired by the Doctor. Do what Torchwood would do.

Support the people of Japan through the Red Cross, shelterbox.org, and other relief agencies. Support the displaced of Britain through Paul Cornell's drive on behalf of Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, at justgiving.com/paul-cornell0. Help treat terminal cancer patients with dignity through the Nicholas Courtney memorial drive for the Marie Curie Cancer Care at justgiving.com/nicholascourtney.

2MTL 195: Classical Argument

That Chip Guy — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:53:27 +0000

The term "Classic Doctor Who" came in for some criticism last week from Doctor Who personalities such as current and former editors of Doctor Who Magazine. Is it so wrong to draw a distinction between 1963-1989-plus-1996 and 2005-2011?

2MTL 194: "Dalek" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:42:43 +0000

The return of the Daleks. At the hands of Rob Shearman.

Yes, it's just as good as you remember.

2MTL 193: Delving Deeper into Gallifrey 22 (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 05:00:16 +0000

We're in full-on Time Dilation mode, all right, as I catch up on some of the reflections on last weekend's Gallifrey One 22 convention. Chicks Dig Time Lords co-editor Tara O'Shea and I talk about fandom, feminism and the digital world the next generation of Doctor Who fans inhabits. Then, I spend some time with the longtime volunteer whom I helped excavate the convention's official TARDIS: actor, comedian and Gallifrey One auctioneer and master of ceremonies Tadao Tomomatsu.

Regular two-minute podcasts will return soon!

2MTL 192: Looking Through a Time Lord's Eyes in L.A.

That Chip Guy — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 09:55:19 +0000

This podcast contains: reflections on time and space as depicted in a museum and comic books, and content recorded looooooonnnng before I was able to post it!

References: the art in question and, for the juxtaposition of time and space in comics, scottmccloud.com.

2MTL 191: Return to Gallifrey One (Time Dilation)

That Chip Guy — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:12:14 +0000

Erik, co-host of The Doctor Who Book Club and Bridging the Rift contributor, joins me for our Wednesday-night reflction on why we've made the pilgrimage to Gallifrey One, and our plans for the convention.

(Time Dilation podcasts are EXPRESSLY designed to break the two-minute format. No warranty is provided.)

2MTL 190: "You Haven't Seen The Aztecs?!"

That Chip Guy — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 02:15:43 +0000

I was publicly shamed by Rob Shearman and Toby Hadoke in The Doctor Who Podcast #53 for not having seen "The Aztecs." This week, while recovering from the Plague, I made amends.

It's a good 'un.

2MTL 189: Hoping for a (Torchwood) Miracle

That Chip Guy — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 22:26:48 +0000

"Children of Earth" was undeniably brilliant, but it ran the Torchwood concept through a Cuisinart. Is there enough left for "Miracle Day" to feel like Torchwood, or something new entirely? And is that a good thing?

2MTL 188: "World War Three" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:33:27 +0000

Yes, "World War Three" is better than "Aliens of London." Which is somewhat like saying a stab wound is better than amputation. All the same, there's some important and valuable stuff in RTD's otherwise least-successful Doctor Who story.

PLUS an announcement: there's a trivia throwdown coming at Gallifrey One between The Doctor Who Podcast and Staggering Stories. I'm moderating this cataclysmic struggle, so I need your trivia questions and answers. Send them to quiz@twominutetimelord.com by February 10!

2MTL 187: CRISIS AT THE NTAs EVERYBODY PANIC not really

That Chip Guy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:19:52 +0000

Recrimination! Rage! Retweeting! We're looking at the (non-)controversy over Doctor Who's losses at the National Television Awards yesterday, and the ritual assignations of blame.

Everything's fine, folks. Really.

2MTL 186: IDW's New Eleventh Doctor Series

That Chip Guy — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:10:25 +0000

In the first issue of the newly-relaunched Doctor Who comic series from IDW, writer Tony Lee captures the Eleventh Doctor so meticulously you're tempted to credit Matt Smith for the acting job.

(Tony was last seen in these parts reviewing The Pandorica Opens and talking about comics in 2MTL 143.)

2MTL 185: "Aliens of London" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:57:44 +0000

Michael of the excellent Tin Dog Podcast frequently observes, when he reviews an old and not-much-missed story, that "it's actually not that bad!" Would that I could say the same of an episode that brought to 2005 some of the stereotypical criticisms leveled at the classic series: bad effects, bad monsters and bad pacing.

2MTL 184: Yes, I Have a Freak Flag

That Chip Guy — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 03:59:31 +0000

Please indulge me in yet another slightly extended podcast, with a little look at the proud eccentricities and the less-proud excesses and turf wars of Doctor Who fandom.

Andy Ihnatko's tongue-in-cheek Freak Flag Compact

The Podcast Podcast

2MTL 183: The (Anti-American???) Politics of Doctor Who

That Chip Guy — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:48:21 +0000

Doctor Who is anti-American? That's not exactly what Oklahoma City University professor Mark DiPaolo said in his Journal of Popular Culture article, but his assertions about the show's politics made some interesting fodder for BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed. Does this family SF show have a political point of view worth exploring…?

Thinking Allowed for Jan. 5

The Journal of Popular Culture

2MTL 182: "The Unquiet Dead" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 05:55:33 +0000

Resuming our trek through the revived series from the beginning, we take a look at the Victorian pseudo-historical featuring Charles Dickens, whose stories provided skeleton and muscle for the 2010 Christmas special.

2MTL 181: "A Christmas Carol" Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 04:39:38 +0000

It was certainly a Christmasy Christmas special Steven Moffat provided us this year, although it DID bear a few resemblances to one from a few years ago. Here's my take on "A Christmas Carol." Many, many thanks to BBC America, Worldwide, and the mothership in Cardiff for bringing the show to the U.S. on the original trasmission date!

2MTL 180: Trying to Be Cricket About Doctor Who's Changes

That Chip Guy — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:01:09 +0000

On the eve of Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol, Paul Cornell's treatise on cricket prompts me to finally come to terms with Series 5.

Chip on The Doctor Who Podcast and, Separately, Coughing Up a Lung

That Chip Guy — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:08:54 +0000

Apologies for the reduced 2MTL output lately. Work and impending holidays have kept me very busy, and now my wife and I are both fighting off illness. I hope to have a new 2MTL up soon, but in the meantime, here's a recap of my recent appearances on The Doctor Who Podcast:

As mentioned in my review of Running Through Corridors, I interviewed authors Rob Shearman and Toby Hadoke in DWP #53. That was one of my favorite interviews ever. (I wasn't expecting to fly it solo, but last-minute work travel left Tom unable to steer the ship. Apologies for the mixed metaphor.)
James and I caught up on the news in DWP #54, which is a touch dated now. We did manage to name-check maybe five other Doctor Who podcasts during the show, and I promise you they were all in context, none gratuitous. Would I lie?
Finally, and just released, in DWP #55 James and I reviewed the first half of the "fourth season" of Eighth Doctor Big Finish adventures with his new companion. Pound for pound I still get my greatest Big Finish enjoyment from Paul McGann.

Here's hoping I talk to you soon, but for now NyQuil is my first love.

2MTL 179: Top Gear's Lessons for "Doctor Who USA"

That Chip Guy — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 04:06:08 +0000

Top Gear America's taking it on the chin, dare I say unfairly, from the purist fans of the original. And that helps me predict whether Doctor Who will follow in The Office's footsteps as another BBC property being remade for U.S. audiences.

2MTL 178: Shearman and Hadoke's Running Through Corridors, Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 11:18:23 +0000

Rob Shearman and Toby Hadoke's new book is the first in a series that takes a deep look at every Doctor Who episode from 1963 through 2009, beginning with the Hartnell and Troughton years. If you have any curiosity about the classic series at all, no matter how many stories you've actually seen, you won't regret snapping up a copy. Here's why.

(Many thanks to the Twitterfolk.)

BONUS: My full-length interview with Rob and Toby is on The Doctor Who Podcast #53.

2MTL 177: Timeless Doctor, Mortal Friends

That Chip Guy — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:00:27 +0000

Can a time traveler ever truly leave his companions and acquaintances behind? After all, the Doctor "is" friends with Winston Churchill even though Churchill's long dead! Thoughts about the mystical — except in the Doctor's own case — connections between all times and places lie within. (This one ran a little long; sorry!)

2MTL 176: "The End of the World" Two-minute Throwback

That Chip Guy — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 03:22:28 +0000

Resolved: "The End of the World" was the most important Series One episode to Doctor Who's breakout success in 2005. When you have a strong opening, the follow-up had better be a killer, and it was.

2MTL 175: "My" Doctor Is Not a "Bloke"

That Chip Guy — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 05:24:55 +0000

In which the second extra scene in the Series 5 box set, in which Amy grills the Doctor about his past companions, rings a touch false to your humble correspondent.

2MTL 174: The Series 5 Box Set Reviewed

That Chip Guy — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 21:14:38 +0000

Despite a few areas where a little extra effort would have gone a long way, Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Series is a worthy addition to your shelf-ful of Blu-rays and DVDs. Here's a review of the upcoming release (November 8 in the U.K., November 9 in North America).

Another take: Michael's Tin Dog Podcast 142.