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?

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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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One of Our Planets is Missing (Animated Series)

This brief animated episode both pays homage to some Original Series stories, but also prefigures The Motion Picture as well. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss planet-eating stellar clouds with digestive and nervous systems, mind melds, and saving the children.

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Big Finish: Trial of the Valeyard – The Secrets of Doctor Who

Continuing our Big Finish of 2019, Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about this Big Finish audio play featuring the Sixth Doctor and the Valeyard. The tables are now turned and it’s the Valeyard on trial for his life. And the Doctor has to defend him. But what’s really going on?

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Charlie X (TOS) – The Secrets of Star Trek

What if a petulant, immature teenager had god-like powers? That’s the premise of Charlie X, which Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss in this episode, as well as the emergence of Kirk as a 1960’s-style father-figure.

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Big Finish: Live 34 – The Secrets of Doctor Who

To start the “Big Finish to 2019,” Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this innovative 7th Doctor story told in the form of a series of radio broadcasts, a format only possible through an audio play like this. To finish out the year, SDW is doing four special episodes featuring favorite Big Finish audio plays.

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Choose Your Pain (Discovery) – The Secrets of Star Trek

This pivotal first season episode of Discovery introduced both Ash Tyler and Harry Mudd. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Rainn Wilson’s Mudd, talk about Tyler in light of what we later learn, and highlight Tilly’s prayer for the alien creature.

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