Remember back in Episode 66 when Deb accidentally coined the term “comfanion” for a companion-that-never-was-but-we-wish-they-were? Join Deb, Erika, Katrina, and Lynne as we each pick seven guest stars we wish would have joined the TARDIS team. (Or in Lynne’s case, seven characters the internet picked for her!)
Which seven comfanions would be on your list? Let us know in the comments!
^E
Download or listen now (runtime 51:23)
It’s Christmas, but there’s no new Doctor Who today! To help you cope, we’re gifting you with some truly epic holiday cheer. Join Lizbeth as she shepherds Deb, Erika, Katrina, and Tansy through our very first role-playing adventure! That’s right. It’s a very special Christmas-Doctor Who RPG! (And yes, this was a surprise to everyone but Liz, so those reactions are 100% legit.)
Which companion would you play? And how did you like our Christmas adventure? Let us know in the comments!
^E
Download or listen now (runtime 52:01)
Time to wrap up our companions’ companions mini-arc. Join Deb, Erika, Katrina, and Lynne as we talk about the phenomenon of a companion collecting their own companion throughout the ages of Doctor Who.
What other examples are you find of? Let us know in the comments!
^E
Also covered:
Bonus links:
Beginner’s Puck
Big Finish’s 10th Doctor and Donna box set
Download or listen now (runtime 1:07:12)
This time we feel like we’re fully on track when it comes to companions picking up companions. Join Deb, Erika, Liz, and Tansy as we chat about the amazing Isobel Watkins and her relationship with Zoe (and the rest of the TARDIS crew) in “The Invasion”.
What do you think of Isobel? Is she subversive in her femininity? Is Zoe actually her companion? Or is she flighty and not as great as we think? Let us know in the comments!
^E
Also covered:
Bonus links:
Hammer House of Podcast
The Company of Friends – Mary’s Story (Mary Shelley in Big Finish)
The Audio Guide to Babylon 5
Lazy Doctor Who
“Dimensions in Time”
Storm Warning (Big Finish)
Head Over Feels
“Fangirl Isn’t a Dirty Word” (Deb’s essay in Apex Magazine)
Doctor Who: The Writers’ Room Episode 54 (with Deb, talking about “The Invasion”)
“There’s Nothing ‘Only’ About Being a Journalist” (Tansy’s essay about Sarah Jane Smith)
Download or listen now (runtime 1:36:16)
Have you heard the news? The BBC announced Jodie Whittaker’s co-stars for series 11 of Doctor Who! Of course, we have reactions. Join Deb, Liz, and Lynne to find out what they think!
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
^E
Download or listen now (runtime 26:20)
We start our year of love and lasts with the last (regular) appearance with one of the most underrated new Who companions, Martha! Join Deb, Erika, Katrina, and Lynne as we talk about Martha as a companion and how much we all love (or learn to love) how she said goodbye to the Doctor. We also spend a good deal of time talking about why.
How do you feel about Martha and her send-off? Let us know in the comments!
Also covered:
Download or listen now (runtime 1:25:35)
We are all over the map this week! Join Deb, Erika, Katrina, and Liz as we discuss all sorts of interesting Doctor Who goodness.
First, we dump our “happy thing” segment and break our no-news rule because the announcement of a new companion is a Big Deal! We’re excited about having a new face in the TARDIS, but the level of excitement varies wildly between Verities.
Next, we continue our run through classic season 1 with “The Edge of Destruction”. It’s a fascinating set piece that delves into the characters of our first TARDIS team in a spooky and often disturbing way. Chillingly delightful!
Finally, we touch on our first missing story, “Marco Polo”. There are oodles of ways to consume this one, and we all did it differently. We compare various methods and talk about the story itself. Opinions vary on this one even more than they do on the new companion.
Oh, and in addition to all that, we’re doing another Verity! GIVEAWAY! If you need some cool fan merch, Redbubble is the place for you, and we’re giving away a $25 gift certificate. To enter, just head over to the Giveaway Post and leave a comment before Friday, May 6th! (NOTE: If you’re one of our amazing, intelligent, attractive Patreon supporters, you’re entered automatically!)
As for the comments section here, let us know what you think of Bill, “The Edge of Destruction”, “Marco Polo”, your favorite Doctor Who comedy podcasts, and whatever else we touched on. We’re all ears!
^E
Bonus links:
“Real” video by Years and Years (ft Pearl Mackie)
“asBill Evenson”
The Audio Guide to Babylon 5
Lazy Doctor Who covers “The Edge of Destruction” and “Marco Polo”
Download or listen now (runtime 1:41:10)
We bring our year of companions to a close by returning to the very first one, Susan. (Though apparently that distinction is up for debate, as is anything and everything in Doctor Who!) Join Deb, Erika, and Liz as we talk about Susan’s tenure on the show and her place in the pantheon of companions. Does she reverberate throughout the history of the show? Or is she an outlier? It’s a fun discussion!
Then Deb interviews Carole Ann Ford herself at LI Who. Listen in as they chat about Susan from the perspective of the woman who brought her to life!
What do you think of Susan? And how do you think she fits into the history of the show? Let us know in the comments!
^E
Related links:
Lazy Doctor Who reviews “The Sensorites”
An Earthly Child from Big Finish
Companion Piece: Women Celebrate the Humans, Aliens and Tin Dogs of Doctor Who
“Dimensions in Time”
Download or listen now (runtime 39:51)
We close out our companion miniseries in fine style with Liz’s pick, “The Curse of Peladon”. Join Deb, Erika, Katrina, and Liz as we discuss Jo’s merits as a companion. They are many–especially in this story. There’s a lot of Jo love, dissension among the ranks as to which Peladon story is better, and even some soul-searching. It’s quite an episode!
What do you think about Jo? Is she as awesome as the Verities think? Or do you still see her as a useless screamer? Let us know in the comments!
^E
Also covered:
Bonus links:
Enlightenment, formerly edited by Graeme Burk
Erika’s post on “The Curse of Peladon”
TARDIS Tavern episode 61: A Pertwee Extravaganza!
Unjustly Maligned 10 – “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” with Erika Ensign
Radio Free Skaro’s commentary on “The Monster of Peladon” (part1) (part 2)
Download or listen now (runtime 1:12:01)
This week it’s Lynne’s turn to pick a companion-tastic story, and bafflingly, she chose Nyssa in “Black Orchid”. Join Deb, Erika, Liz, and Lynne as we discuss all the companions in “Black Orchid”. Lynne does have some strong reasons why Nyssa shines here. Deb thinks it’s a stronger Tegan story. And Erika discovers it’s her new favorite Adric story. It may be a short story, but with the crowded TARDIS of the fifth Doctor era, there are lots of companions to go around!
What do you think of this story? Would you have picked a different Nyssa story? Or can you think of other reasons this is a goor one for her? And do you find Adric boring? Charming? Annoying? Let us know in the comments!
And remember, you have about a week left to contribute to the Uncanny Magazine Year Two Kickstarter and make an extra difference thanks to an amazing Verity! listener!
^E
Also covered:
Bonus links:
Total Party Kill
“Doctor in Distress”
Download or listen now (runtime 1:15:06)
