Fugitive of the Judoon – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The unexpected return of a fan favorite character isn’t even the biggest surprise of this episode. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the big twist that could potentially change everything and use their extensive Who knowledge to come up with credible theories for what to expect next.

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Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Doctor encounters the mysterious inventor Nikola Tesla and has to save him from aliens. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the real history of Tesla and Edison and how much the episode pulled from actual events, plus the story’s connections to classic Who.

DOCTOR WHO: “Orphan 55” review but it’s “Mambo #5.” – Sycorax Rock

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Short Treks, Season 2 – The Secrets of Star Trek

The 2nd season of Short Treks gave us the broadest range of stories yet, including two animated shorts, the origin story for Tribbles, and a revealing sneak peek at Picard. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the good, the bad, and what they say Trekkies have to look forward to.

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Orphan 55 – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Doctor takes a cut-rate vacation at a spa on a toxic planet and then lectures the audience. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss why this episode falls flat, starting with the messy plot and unrealized characters and ending with heavy-handed preaching that breaks the fourth wall.

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Ex Post Facto (Voyager) – The Secrets of Star Trek

When Tom Paris is convicted of murdering a jealous husband, Tuvok is on the case. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the film noir inspiration for the story, where it works and where it doesn’t, and how the episode puts the answer in front of the viewer from the beginning.

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Spyfall – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The new season of Doctor Who is here and Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli are excited to talk about the premiere two-part episode, especially the great writing, the James Bond theme, and the big reveal of an old “friend”. Find out why they think this is a promising start to the 13th Doctor’s second season.

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Captive Pursuit (DS9) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this first O’Brien-centric DS9 episode, which also was an early inspiration for the Jem’Hadar. They also talk about what the episode is saying about big-game hunting and the nature of free will.

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Big Finish: Mastermind – The Secrets of Doctor Who

We wrap up our Big Finish to 2019 with a story of the Master that not only brings back a classic Who actor, but also the actors from the 8th Doctor TV movie as UNIT agents. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how the sinister Master recounts a tale of being trapped in 20th century America. But what’s his plan?

Purchase The Companion Chronicles: Mastermind on BigFinish.com

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Darmok (TNG) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Darmok is one of the most beloved episodes of TNG. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha explore why this is so loved as well as the concept of a culture that communicates only in idiom and metaphor. Plus the unusual circumstance of Starfleet being more aggressive during first contact.

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Big Finish: the Chimes of Midnight – The Secrets of Doctor Who

Merry Christmas! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha are discussing this set-at-Christmas audio play featuring the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann), his Companion, and a strange Edwardian household. How does it compare to televised Christmas specials? Our Big Finish of 2019 continues.

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