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In this episode of Going Through Who, Samuel and Jacob begin their coverage of “The Impossible Astronaut,” the opening story of Doctor Who Series 6. They discuss the episode’s shocking cliffhanger, the mystery of the Doctor’s death, River Song’s emotional role in the story, and how the episode sets up major season-long questions while still working as a strong first half of a two-parter.

Highlights

The episode wraps up with discussion of the cliffhanger involving Amy, the astronaut suit, and the mysterious child inside.

Samuel shares behind-the-scenes facts from “The Impossible Astronaut,” including its original working title, production details, and its dedication to Elisabeth Sladen.

The hosts discuss why this episode works unusually well as both a first part and a strong standalone mystery.

Samuel and Jacob break down the shocking lakeside scene, the astronaut’s attack, and what it reveals about regeneration.

The episode explores the Doctor’s fear, secrecy, and manipulation of his companions as he tries to understand what they are hiding from him.

River Song’s chemistry with the Eleventh Doctor gets major attention, especially how their backwards relationship adds emotional weight.

The hosts talk about the Silence, the clever memory-loss mechanic, and how the audio cues help the audience follow what is happening.

Samuel and Jacob praise Canton Everett Delaware III as a smart, capable guest character who quickly adapts to the Doctor’s world.

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

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Artwork by Baniee

Theme music by ThePantychrist

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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

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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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!

Artwork by Baniee

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!

Artwork by Baniee

Theme music by ThePantychrist

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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!

Artwork by Baniee

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