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Samuel and Jacob dive into Doctor Who’s “A Christmas Carol” and make the case for why it stands as one of the very best Christmas specials the series has ever done. They talk about Michael Gambon’s incredible performance, the episode’s clever use of time travel, its emotional core, and why this festive sci-fi remix of a classic holiday story still hits so hard. Along the way, they also wander into Christmas traditions, Big Finish audio dramas, and a few wonderfully chaotic side tangents.

• Why Jacob considers “A Christmas Carol” his favorite Doctor Who Christmas special
• A big discussion on Michael Gambon’s performance and what makes Kazran such a compelling character
• The hosts break down the episode’s time-travel structure and why it works so well
• Thoughts on the story’s bittersweet ending, Abigail’s role, and the emotional payoff
• Fun side conversations about Christmas traditions, Big Finish, K-pop Demon Hunters, and fandom deep cuts

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

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Samuel and Jacob dive into The Big Bang, the explosive finale of Doctor Who’s fifth modern series. They talk through the episode’s clever time-travel structure, emotional character moments, Rory’s unforgettable devotion, and the Doctor’s complex dynamic with River Song. Along the way, they also celebrate wrapping up Eleven’s first season with a live cookie taste test inspired by the seasons Jammy Dodger moment

Samuel and Jacob break down why The Big Bang is one of Doctor Who’s strongest uses of time travel. They discuss Rory’s 2,000-year wait and the emotional weight Arthur Darvill brings to the episode. River Song and the Doctor’s out-of-order relationship gets special attention. The hosts highlight both the brilliance and the convenience of the Pandorica as a plot device. The episode wraps with a fun on-air cookie review and a tease for their next discussion on A Christmas Carol.

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

To subscribe to this podcast put this link in your favorite podcatcher:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoingThroughWho

Want to support our content? Go to tscn.tv/support to find out how!

Send feedback to: goingthroughwho@gmail.com or comment in the post below!

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Theme music by ThePantychrist

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Samuel Lewis and Jacob Carpenter dive into “The Pandorica Opens,” the first half of Doctor Who’s explosive Series 5 finale. They talk through the episode’s huge returning-monster lineup, River Song’s perfectly in-character moments, the creepy effectiveness of the Cybermen, Rory’s dramatic return, and why this cliffhanger remains one of the most intense in modern Doctor Who. Along the way, they also branch into discussion about Stonehenge, Lord of the Rings, anime power creep, and what makes a great ending actually land.

Highlights:

Discussion of “The Pandorica Opens” as the beginning of the Series 5 two-part finale

Breakdown of the episode’s massive alliance of Doctor Who villains and returning enemies

Thoughts on River Song, her message to the Doctor, and how her characterization works so well here

Why the Cybermen feel especially disturbing in this story

A deep dive into Rory’s return and the emotional weight of his role in the episode

Samuel shares a personal connection to Stonehenge and why the setting resonates with him

Conversation about whether the Doctor was secretly more aware of Rory than he let on

Tangent into Lord of the Rings, memorable movie moments, and why the original trilogy still holds up

Discussion about storytelling, season finales, and how some shows struggle to stick the landing

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

To subscribe to this podcast put this link in your favorite podcatcher:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoingThroughWho

Want to support our content? Go to tscn.tv/support to find out how!

Send feedback to: goingthroughwho@gmail.com or comment in the post below!

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The Doctor gets stuck on Earth when the TARDIS can’t land, so he winds up flat-sharing with Craig — and accidentally playing matchmaker between Craig and Sophie while investigating a mysterious “upstairs” that shouldn’t exist. Samuel and Jacob dig into why this episode works so well as a lighter palate-cleanser before the season finale, highlight the comedy/character beats (and the Eleventh Doctor’s awkward social energy), and chat about behind-the-scenes notes, alternate concepts, and the episode’s bigger arc breadcrumbs.

Episode highlights

• Pre-show improv tangent: why “the answer is never no,” plus a quick riff on boundaries and changing the terms in improv scenes.
• “Into the Matrix”: production notes and early ideas (working titles, original villain concept, and why it evolved).
• Comparing the TV episode to the comic-strip roots — and how the “flat-share” story changes with different Doctor/companion dynamics.
• The chemistry of Craig/Sophie and why the Eleventh Doctor’s vibe makes the matchmaking funnier (and sharper).
• Favorite bits of “Doctor science”: the conversation-scrambling earpiece, “data transfer via headbutt,” and TARDIS piloting quirks.
• The eerie reveal: “There is no upstairs,” plus a practical landlord/homeowner perspective on that very suspicious ceiling rot.
• The heartfelt resolution (love as the fix), the keys, and that end-of-episode crack hinting at what’s coming next.

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

To subscribe to this podcast put this link in your favorite podcatcher:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoingThroughWho

Want to support our content? Go to tscn.tv/support to find out how!

Send feedback to: goingthroughwho@gmail.com or comment in the post below!

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Theme music by ThePantychrist

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Samuel and Jacob dive into one of Doctor Who’s most emotionally powerful episodes, “Vincent and the Doctor” (original airdate: June 5, 2010). They celebrate the craft behind the story—Tony Curran’s performance, Richard Curtis’s approach to treating Vincent with empathy, and the episode’s blend of whimsy and heartbreak—while also having a candid conversation about mental health, how hard it can be to recognize when someone is struggling, and why compassion (and support resources) matter.

Episode highlights:

• A warm (and pun-filled) intro before jumping into why this episode “threads the needle” emotionally.
• Behind-the-scenes notes: the original working title idea (“Eyes That See the Darkness”), Matt Smith’s influence on the music choice (“Chances” by Athlete), and why Bill Nighy was the perfect voice for the museum scene.
• Spot-the-painting fun: a rapid-fire rundown of Van Gogh works referenced throughout the episode (for the “if you know, you know” viewers).
• A discussion of how the episode handles Vincent’s suffering with respect—without reducing him to a joke—and why that matters.
• The invisible Krafayis: why it works as a concept, how the practical effects sell its presence, and why its reveal hits harder than a typical “monster of the week.”
• The museum scene: why it devastates every time, and the extra layer of heartbreak in what the Doctor likely knows (even as Amy hopes they can change history).
• A real-world mental health segment: the reality that you can’t always “see it coming,” plus a reminder to seek help and not carry blame alone.

Content note: This episode of the podcast includes discussion of suicide / “death by suicide” and mental health stigma.

Resources (US):

• 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988) https://988lifeline.org/

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

To subscribe to this podcast put this link in your favorite podcatcher:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoingThroughWho

Want to support our content? Go to tscn.tv/support to find out how!

Send feedback to: goingthroughwho@gmail.com or comment in the post below!

Artwork by Baniee

Theme music by ThePantychrist

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In this episode of Going Through Who, Samuel and Jacob dig into Cold Blood and unpack why it’s a solid story that still feels wonky in execution. They talk pacing issues common to Modern Who two-parters, character “switch flips” that feel abrupt, and how some standout performances (especially the Rory moment) help carry the episode’s big season-arc beats.

Highlights

The season-arc stuff still hits: Rory’s death is devastating thanks to Arthur Darvill, and Amy forgetting Rory lands because Karen Gillan sells it—even if the setup feels forced and overly convenient near the crack.

The “Matrix” facts corner includes behind-the-scenes bits: a cut Nezrine/Doctor exchange about execution, “squeaky bum time,” and why Matt Smith avoided aiming the sonic like a weapon.

Pacing critique: the episode feels like ~25 minutes of plot stretched to a 40-minute runtime, with dead space and a “we need something for Amy & Mo to do” escape subplot that loops back to capture anyway.

Character consistency issues: Malohkeh’s shift into the episode’s empathy engine feels like a light switch; Restac reads as a classic one-note “military figure” that tanks nuance (and, yes, the episode fails “the test” hard).

The big moral tipping point: Ambrose goes from “terrible mistake” to “full villain mode,” escalating from a death that feels too easy (“I tase you and you’re dead”) to attempted genocide via the drill.

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

To subscribe to this podcast put this link in your favorite podcatcher:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoingThroughWho

Want to support our content? Go to tscn.tv/support to find out how!

Send feedback to: goingthroughwho@gmail.com or comment in the post below!

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Samuel and Jacob kick off 2026 by returning to Going Through Who with part one of the Silurian two-parter, “The Hungry Earth.” They run the Matrix (trivia + production notes), then dig into why this first half works as a character-driven setup: competing perspectives, escalating misunderstandings, and a conflict where neither side feels purely “evil” (except maybe that one scientist).

Highlights

• Matrix facts & behind-the-scenes: original working title “The Ground Beneath Their Feet,” the story’s timeframe shifting to 2020, plus production notes on prosthetics/masks and the scrapped “armadillo dinosaur” concept.
• Silurians on-screen milestone: discussion of the episode as the first televised Silurian story featuring a female Silurian on screen.
• Themes of perspective & escalation: they love that the humans can be the aggressors without realizing it, turning the situation into a hostage-fueled feedback loop.
• Disability rep talk: Samuel praises the pragmatic depiction of dyslexia through Elliot and how competence/coping strategies are shown rather than sensationalized.
• Eleven’s “goofy + terrifying” switch: favorite lines and moments of 11’s sass, charm, and intimidation—plus the “Sonicking and entering” bit.
• Cliffhanger hype: the “half a dozen… or a whole civilization” reveal lands perfectly, setting up big expectations for “Cold Blood.”

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

To subscribe to this podcast put this link in your favorite podcatcher:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoingThroughWho

Want to support our content? Go to tscn.tv/support to find out how!

Send feedback to: goingthroughwho@gmail.com or comment in the post below!

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Theme music by ThePantychrist

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GTW is going on hiatus for the month of December to celebrate the holidays and a special time for Jacob and his wife Rebecca! We will be back at it in January. Have a happy holidays and a happy New Year!

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In this episode of Going Through Who, Sam and Jacob step into Amy’s Choice and unpack why this Eleventh Doctor story hits so hard—mixing creepy killer pensioners, dreamy cottages, and a full-on exploration of the Doctor’s darker side. They dig into how the Dream Lord forces Amy to choose between village domesticity and TARDIS adventure, what that says about her love for Rory, and how the episode mirrors real-life imposter syndrome and inner self-loathing.

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

To subscribe to this podcast put this link in your favorite podcatcher:

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Want to support our content? Go to tscn.tv/support to find out how!

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Summary
Samuel and Jacob dive into a breezy, monster-of-the-week romp that doubles as Rory’s first real outing as a companion. They unpack why the “vampires” aren’t really vampires, nerd out over Eleventh Doctor set-pieces and production trivia, and debate the morality of the villain’s survival plan—all while tracking subtle steps in the Amy–Rory–Doctor dynamic and the early drumbeats of the Silence arc.

Highlights

• Outcome: A lively historical adventure that sets the stage for Rory to stick around
• Why the episode title changed to “The Vampires of Venice,” plus working titles and trailer vs. final-cut differences.
• First time the closing titles merge into a scene via the TARDIS keyhole transition.
• Production nuggets: custom fang molds, revoiced lines, a chilly river shoot (featuring a territorial swan), and a “too scary” scene trimmed by censors.
• Library-card Easter egg: a First Doctor photo, “John Smith,” and Totter’s Lane—retroactively deepening the alias gag.
• Character beats: Rory calls out how dangerous the Doctor can be; Arthur Darvill shines with quiet physical comedy; 11’s “rage” flashes still land.
• Smart sci-fi: every “vampire” trait gets a non-supernatural explanation without feeling info-dump-y.
• Set-piece love: the mirror scene (“this is Christmas”) and that delightfully steampunky weather machine.
• Arc touchpoint: a name drop that nudges us toward the Silence.

To find previous episodes go to: tscn.tv/gtw

To subscribe to this podcast put this link in your favorite podcatcher:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoingThroughWho

Want to support our content? Go to tscn.tv/support to find out how!

Send feedback to: goingthroughwho@gmail.com or comment in the post below!

Artwork by Baniee

Theme music by ThePantychrist