Tin Dog Podcast

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tin-dog@hotmail.co.uk The Tin Dog welcomes you to sit back and listen to his rants and ramblings about all that is best in modern SF and Television. Via the gift of the new fangled Podcast over the tinterweb. As you can probably guess Tin Dog mostly talks about Doctor Who, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Smith but that wont stop him talking about any other subject you suggest. Hailing from a non specific part of the northeast of England, Tin Dog is male and in his mid 30s. A life long fan of almost all TV SF. His semi-autistic tendencies combined with his total lack of social skills have helped him find a place in the heart of British SF Fandom. Even as a child the Tin Dogs mother told him that she can trace his love of SF TV back to his rhythmic kicking, while still in the womb, along to the beat of the Avengers theme music. From Gabriel Chase to Totters Lane, from the Bad Wolf Satellite to the back streets of the Cardiff, Tin Dog will give you his thoughts on the wonderful Whoniverse. Daleks and Cybermen and TARDIS ES Oh My If you enjoy these Tin Dog Podcasts please remember to tell your friends and leave an email tin-dog@hotmail.co.uk

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Tin Dog Podcast Episodes

• TDP 1506: For Your Consideration - Sapphire And Steel

  12 October 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 45 minutes and 16 seconds

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    Sapphire & Steel         Appearance hide Text Small Standard Large Width Standard Wide Color Automatic Light Dark   From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article needs . Please help by . Unsourced material may be challenged and . Find sources:  –  ·  ·  ·  · (July 2019) () Sapphire & Steel Genre Created by Starring Composer Country of origin United Kingdom Original language English ) Production Executive producer David Reid Producer Shaun O'Riordan Running time 25 minutes Production company / Original release Network Release 10 July 1979 – 31 August 1982 Sapphire & Steel is a British television series starring and . Produced by , it ran from 1979 to 1982 on the network. The series was created by who conceived the programme under the working title The Time Menders, after a stay in an allegedly haunted castle. Hammond also wrote all the stories except for the fifth, which was co-written by and . From 2005 to 2008, Sapphire & Steel returned in a series of audio dramas produced by , starring and as the main characters. Series overview and as Sapphire and Steel (from Adventure 3) Premise The opening credits include the narration: All irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension. heavy elements may not be used where there is life. Medium atomic weights are available: Gold, Lead, Copper, Jet, Diamond, Radium, Sapphire, Silver and Steel. Sapphire and Steel have been assigned. In the sixth and final assignment, Lead was replaced with Mercury in the opening credits. The programme centres on a pair of interdimensional operatives named Sapphire and Steel. Very little is revealed about their purposes or backgrounds in the course of the series but they appear to be engaged in guarding the continuing flow of time. They are two of a number of elements that assume human form and are sent to investigate strange events; others include Lead (Val Pringle), who takes the aspect of a jovial, friendly giant, and Silver (), a technician who can melt metals in his hands. In the series, it is explained that Time is like a progressing corridor that surrounds everything, but there are weak spots where Time—implied to be a malignant force—can break into the present and take things. There are also creatures from the beginnings and ends of time that roam the corridor looking for the same weak spots to break through. These breaks are most often triggered by the presence of something old in a modern situation, for example a traditional nursery rhyme, an old photograph, or a house decorated with antiques. Holding onto something of the past opposes progress and allows 'Time' to break into the present – the more old things present, the easier it is for this to occur (such as is seen in episode 1 where the two-century-old house, in which a traditional nursery rhyme has been read hundreds of times as a bedtime story, is full of clocks and other antiques). When this breaking-in of 'Time' occurs, Investigators will be sent to assess the situation and then, if intervention is warranted, Operators are assigned to deal with the problem by a mysterious unseen authority, to be assisted by Specialists if necessary. Each adventure usually starts with Sapphire and Steel simply showing up, seemingly out of nowhere, although sometimes they are already present when the story begins. They will then investigate and mingle with various humans, although it is nearly always the location the humans are in which is of the most interest: an old house which dates back to the 18th century, an abandoned , a lost property shop, a modern-day motorway petrol station, and so on. The stories are generally quite cryptic, raising more questions than answers, and have an eerie air to them, being as much as they are science fiction. The ambiguous nature of the programme extends to its main characters. While Sapphire is portrayed as more affable and "human" than the no-nonsense, grim Steel, it is clear that their prime concern is to deal with the break in Time, sometimes over the safety of the humans caught in the incidents they investigate. The general tone of the series is however forward-looking; that old things are dangerous, and that the past should be left behind or an evil force will be able to enter through those old things. In this situation, progress and newness are portrayed as the protecting force against 'Time'. Characters ITV stated in 1980 that Sapphire and Steel are not human. Their abilities and manner are strange. Steel, for example, often has gaps in his knowledge of human culture and even Sapphire's grace is tempered with a cool detachment from the humans they interact with. In Adventure 5, Steel confirms that they were alien, "in the sense." The two also refer to being involved in the mystery of the , and in one case state they will be waiting for a ship to surface in seventy-five years. This could mean they are either exceptionally long-lived or some kind of is involved. P. J. Hammond confirmed the former hypothesis in a 1993 interview. Sapphire and Steel, who are Operators, are occasionally assisted by other beings, including Lead and Silver. Silver is stated in Adventure 6 to be a Specialist rather than an Operator. There are 127 operatives in total, including 12 , which cannot be assigned where life exists. Although they are described as , many of the code names are non-elements, such as , , and , although these could be pseudonyms for aesthetics or discretion. Sapphire also has a flirtatious relationship with Silver, contributing to an air of underlying sexual tension on the occasions that Silver is called upon to assist the duo. The relationship between Steel and Sapphire similarly exhibits occasional tension, as evidenced in Adventure 2 when Steel admits feeling love for Sapphire and, at one point, even kissing her on the cheek. In Adventure 1, Lead mentioned that Jet sent Steel her love and that Silver was having relationship troubles with Copper "again". Among Sapphire's abilities is the power to manipulate time in small ways as well as determine the age or historical details of an object by touching it (). This latter ability is referred to in Adventure 2 as "spot analysis". Her most prominent ability is to "take back time," literally rewinding it in a localised area to see or replay the past. She states in Adventure 1 that she cannot take time back twenty-four hours; in the last episode of the same adventure, at Steel's request she takes time back "half a day". In Adventure 2, she is able to "hold time for a day", when another (in this case, the creature seen as the darkness) takes time back over multiple days. Whether this is an improvement in abilities or a different skill entirely is not made clear. She also exhibits an ability to obtain information about people – their ages and backgrounds as well as psychological insights into their personality – just by being close to them. Sometimes it appears that she does not discover this information herself but is receiving the information from some external source. In Adventure 2, it is stated that the age at which a living person will die is not estimated but recorded, that it is a historical fact. Nothing else is revealed in the television series as to the extent or nature of any such records, or to what extent Sapphire uses them in relation to information obtained directly. She can also manipulate people's emotions, and project illusions. When she uses her powers, her irises will usually glow blue or, under some circumstances, turquoise. Steel, on the other hand, can freeze himself to which gives him the ability to destroy '', which are in actuality remnants of Time. He apparently possesses immense strength (in Adventure 3 he ties knots in cables to prevent the lift from being used) and a degree of invulnerability. He also exhibits abilities, being able to paralyse people with a look, weld metal with his bare hands or undo deadbolts with a gesture. Both Sapphire and Steel (as well as all Operatives) also appear to be able to teleport a great distance. The operatives can also communicate telepathically with each other, and in Adventure 5, Sapphire grants this ability to a human being, whom she dubs "Brass" for the duration. Sapphire removes this ability at the end of the story. It is also suggested in Adventure 5 that other powers can be granted. It is hinted, in the debate that ensues between Sapphire and Steel after Sapphire gives Brass his abilities, that different powers are classed at different levels, with telepathy being considered one of the most basic. It is not made clear in the series as to what boundaries exist on the skills of operatives. In Adventure 2, Steel cannot perform "spot analysis", as it is not his field, but in Adventure 4, Sapphire and Steel together are specifically able to replicate Silver's ability to transmutate by remembering what he did. Other operatives that appear also have special powers. Silver (played by ), a Specialist who is designated as a Technician, is good with electronics and gadgets, is able to transform one small object into another, and is even able to replicate small objects out of nothing. He can also create long-lasting visual images of objects too large to replicate, although the exact parameters for such images are never revealed. Lead (played by Val Pringle), on the other hand, possesses superhuman strength and can act as needed insulation for Steel when he freezes himself to extreme temperatures. Production and transmission The programme ran for four years and 34 episodes, each lasting about 25 minutes and generally included a of the preceding episode. The first and second stories were shown in the summer of 1979, the second story's transmission interrupted by at the ITV network which led to a repeat of the story in 1979. The third and fourth stories were transmitted in January 1981, and the fifth in August 1981 with a sixth story "in the can" for future transmission. The audience figures were unusually high for a science fantasy series with the first episode, gaining 11.8 million viewers and finishing as the fourth most watched programme of the week across all channels. This continued with a further seven episodes of the first year appearing in the top 20. Three more episodes in 1981 and one in 1982 also entered the top 20 ratings. By this time, production costs were increasing. The programme had been allocated a minuscule production budget, which led to the use of simple staging and minimal , ultimately contributing to the uneasy atmosphere of the show. The high profile and limited availability of the principal actors, Lumley and McCallum, meant that shooting was somewhat sporadic, and the programme's producers ATV were in the process of being reorganised into the new ; all factors which led to the series' demise. Central felt that viewers might mistake the new programmes for repeats of old ones, and broadcast the final, four-part story in late August 1982 to very little fanfare. Despite this, the first episode gained a high rating and finished in the top 20 most-watched programmes of the week. The show has never been repeated on UK terrestrial television, but some episodes were shown on the satellite and cable station in the mid-1990s. The program is available free online at ShoutFactoryTV.com and , and with a subscription at or . The UK digital channel acquired the series, showing two episodes each weekday evening from 1 June 2020. The complete series was added to in August, 2020 and is currently also available to stream free in the UK on ITVX Player. The UK digital channel Rewind TV began showing the series, again two episodes each day from October 2024. As of April 2025, episodes 1-6 of Adventure One - Escape Through A Crack In Time are available to view on the ITV Retro YouTube Channel. Television stories For more information see None of the stories had on-screen titles, or any official titles assigned by the writers. The Region 1 Complete Series DVD release gives the titles "Escape Through a Crack in Time", "The Railway Station", "The Creature's Revenge", "The Man Without a Face", "Dr McDee Must Die" and "The Trap", respectively. These titles have often been cited as having been created by science fiction magazine Time Screen. Further reading reveals that in the booklet for the series, written by Tim Worthington, and included with the most recent DVD box set, on page 7 there is this quote regarding titles from creator P. J. Hammond "I never gave titles to the stories. Neither did the production department. I think certain fanbases may have made up their own titles in order to discuss and analyse various stories." The various British home video releases title the stories as "Adventure" or "Assignment" I through VI. The booklet also says, on the same page, "some sources have claimed that these were taken from the original scripts, whereas others dismiss them as an invention on the part of a science fiction fanzine, although the editor of the fanzine in question denies that they were ever used within its pages" and furthermore that "the show's distributors have never knowingly used them." The final television story ends on a . Apparently resentful of Sapphire and Steel's independence, a higher authority sends entities known as Transient Beings (similar to the operatives but until now trapped in the past), to set a trap for them in a motorway café. The serial concludes with Silver dispatched to an unknown fate –and Sapphire and Steel being trapped in the café, floating through space, apparently for eternity. The cliffhanger has never been resolved, although Hammond has stated that vague plans existed for further adventures. This was also stated by Joanna Lumley in her autobiography, who remembered that they were told that this was merely an end-of-series cliffhanger, and that Sapphire and Steel would be freed at the start of the next series. However, in an interview with (#329, cover date: 30 April 2003), David Collings recalled that although another series was planned, Joanna Lumley and David McCallum both decided that they had had enough and did not wish to do any more. Merchandise Sapphire & Steel of the first adventure One novelisation of the series was released. The first story of the series was released by Star Books in 1979 and was written by Peter J. Hammond. A two-page coloured Sapphire & Steel picture strip, written by and drawn by , appeared in the magazine. It ran for a total of 76 issues from 1979-1981 – with a break of 13 issues between runs – and formed 14 untitled stories. It would appear that Ranson used photographs of Joanna Lumley and David McCallum from the first television adventure for reference, as Sapphire and Steel are almost always depicted wearing the outfits from this story. In the third story, Lead makes a cameo appearance and displays a further power: turning British soldiers from the Napoleonic War into miniature (and presumably lead) toy soldiers. However, the picture strip version of Lead – though depicted as a powerfully built black man – was not based upon Val Pringle who played the part on television; it can only be assumed that Ranson had very little in the way of photographic reference material in this case. In addition, a one-off Sapphire & Steel text story titled The Albatross was published in the 1981 Look-In Annual. This was illustrated in black-and-white by Arthur Ranson. Only one Sapphire & Steel Annual was published, in late 1980, by World International Publishing Ltd, and featured a number of text stories and features. The front cover used the same photograph as that on P.J. Hammond's 1979 Star Books novelisation of Adventure One. P.J. Hammond did not write the stories for Sapphire & Steel Annual 1981, but he was sent proofs to read in advance of publication. His only reservations with the stories were that Sapphire and Steel were able to move back in time, which he felt tended to contradict the premise set in the television series that Time was only allowed to break into the present day. However, this did not worry Hammond too much as, like Look-In, the Annual was aimed at younger readers. Home media The series was released twice on home video during the 1990s, with each serial available separately as a single or double-cassette set. Stories were labelled "Adventure" in the first releases (in lieu of story titles) and "Assignment" for the second release. In 2002, the series was released for the first time on DVD, in the UK. Originally, it was released as two box-sets, with the first three stories on one (20 episodes) and the final three on the other (14 episodes). Also in the UK, Network Distributing Ltd Home Entertainment released the complete series on DVD on 5 November 2007. The six-disc set features a new documentary and commentaries. On 26 May 2008, the complete series box-set was re-released with new packaging. In the US, , under license from , released the entire series on Region 1 DVD on 28 December 2004 and re-released the complete series on 27 August 2013. On 20th March 2025, the official ITV Retro YouTube page - a channel dedicated to archiving classic ITV programming - uploaded Assignment One as an edited continuous HD video, running 2hrs 10mins, with Assignments Two through Six uploaded in a similar 'movie' format over the following month (the longest running being Assignment Two at just over three hours). Audio plays For more information see In late May 2004, announced that it had secured the rights to produce a new series of Sapphire & Steel for release on CD. However, neither McCallum nor Lumley reprised their roles: McCallum was working in the and Lumley declined to play Sapphire again. The characters were recast, with and taking over the roles. The range is produced by and . The character of Gold (played by ) appears in the first adventure and returns in and . He is portrayed as impatient and inexperienced when dealing with both humans and the various manifestations of Time, even more detached and clinical in many ways than Steel, almost as if he is still in training. The character of Ruby (played by ) appears in the second series story , reappearing in and . Her character has an understanding and affinity to Time within the rhythms of music, and also comes across as rather dry and sardonic, especially when interacting with Steel. David Collings reprises his role as Silver in the third and fifth stories of the first series of audio plays and then again in the third story of the third series. During the production of each series, Nigel Fairs has had to step in at late notice to write a replacement script (writing from John Ainsworth's outline in series one, replacing 's Big Fun with Cruel Immortality in series two and replacing 's Reborn with Second Sight in series three). Big Finish originally said that the new stories would be set before the climactic final story of the television series. Still, the released plays are actually set after assignment 6. At the start of The Passenger, the characters comment that it has been a long time since they last worked together and, in , imply that they were freed in some unspecified way by Silver. At the end of , Sapphire and Steel once again find themselves trapped. The following story, sees the characters 'reborn' once more - this time in the guise of two young Australians, played by and . At the end of Second Sight, however, Ruby was able to release the previous incarnations of Sapphire and Steel from their trap - with David Warner and Susannah Harker reprising their roles for the rest of the series. The audio dramas featured some notable guest stars - including , , , , , , , , and . Planned remakes The idea of a remake of Sapphire & Steel was floated a few times, but the plans never came to fruition. Original series creator, Peter J. Hammond, said that he had discussions with ITV about a remake in 2006, but no developments followed. According to reports, "the backlash to [...] put an end to the idea". In July 2015, Luther creator Neil Cross announced to Variety that he was working on a new series of Sapphire & Steel. The following year, ITV Studios-owned independent Big Talk Productions confirmed that it was remaking Sapphire & Steel, with Cross attached to the project, and writer indicating that he was part of the team. However, in a December 2017 interview with , Cross said that the project had been cancelled, mainly due to the limited popularity of the original show. References . . Retrieved 20 July 2008. Joseph, Michael (1980). . London: Independent Television Books Ltd. p. 262.  . Retrieved 19 July 2025. Rob Stanley (1993). . Archived from on 2 May 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2006. Television's Greatest Hits, Network Books, and , 1993.   . Facebook.com. Retrieved 20 August 2020. . YouTube.com. Retrieved 2 April 2025. . Firebreathingdimetrodon.wordpress.com. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2020. Stare Back and Smile by , page 157, books, 1989.   . Network DVD. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2026. . Amazon.co.uk. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2017 – via Amazon. . Shoutfactory.com. Retrieved 20 March 2017. . youtube.com. Retrieved 22 April 2026. . Guyhaley.wordpress.com. 8 April 2013. . Headstuff.org. 11 July 2015. . Variety. 9 July 2015. . Drama Quarterly. Retrieved 20 August 2020. . Unitedagents.co.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2018. . Deadline Hollywood. 4 December 2017.

  
  

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• TDP 1505: NEW Doctor Who CBBC Show Image

  7 October 2026 (4:44am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 12 seconds

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    I discuss the only image from the new version of #DoctorWho

  
  

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• TDP 1503: Starcops from #Bigfinish REVIEW - Adrift

  5 October 2026 (4:05am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 43 seconds

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    When a stolen cargo shuttle drifts back into lunar orbit, seemingly deserted, Nathan and Paul investigate. They uncover a conspiracy involving hijacking, smuggling - and claims of a creature on the loose.   Script editor Andrew Smith said: "Conflict is the most epic story we've told in Star Cops, with the stakes higher than they've ever been, not just for our heroes but for all mankind. In this concluding set of three episodes, the threat of global conflict builds towards a climax. "Georgia Cook is a hugely welcome new member of the writing team. In Adrift, she's applied her expertise in the horror genre to deliver an episode where, as the Star Cops are dealing with the fallout from a tragedy, they're faced with a mystery that raises the question - could there actually be monster aliens in space? "We're now starting the final three parts of Star Cops – Conflict. Georgia's episode Adrift is kind of a standalone, though we've got the background, as we have throughout the whole of the Conflict set, of world tensions growing. " When I asked Georgia to come on board, I was aware that her particular genre is horror and I thought that would be an interesting thing to explore in a Star Cops context. So that was her brief: 'Can you give us a story with a real horror vibe?' Georgia really runs with it and puts our main characters through the mill, it’s fair to say." Writer Georgia Cook added: "It was certainly nerve-wracking to pick up from such a dramatic and impactful last episode. All the characters are still reeling from the aftermath, but aren't given much time to process before they're thrown back into work. "I love the whole crew of Star Cops. Everyone is such an interesting and well-rounded character, each dealing with the trials of space and their jobs in their own way. It's been such a delight adding to everyone's extended Big Finish canon."   (Nathan Spring) (Inspector Colin Devis) (Chief Superintendent Pal Kenzy) (Alexandra Myers) (Howard Lesser) (Inspector Alice Okoro) (Inspector Paul Bailey) (Bram Calvis) (Julia Zheng)

  
  

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• TDP 1504: Tin Dog Book Review - Starship Troopers

  1 October 2026 (4:05am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 49 seconds

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    notes from wiki   This article is about the novel. For the 1997 film, see . For other uses, see . Starship Troopers First edition hardcover Author Cover artist Language English Genre Publisher Publication date November 5, 1959 Publication place United States Media type Print (hardcover and paperback) Pages 263 (paperback edition) Award (1960) PZ7.H368 Su Starship Troopers is a novel by American writer . Written in a few weeks in reaction to the US , the story was first published as a two-part serial in as Starship Soldier, and published as a book by on November 5, 1959. The story is set in a future society ruled by a human interstellar government called the Terran Federation, dominated by a military elite. Under the Terran Federation, only veterans of a primarily military Federal Service enjoy full citizenship, including the right to vote. The follows Juan "Johnny" Rico, a young man of descent, through his military service in the Mobile Infantry. He progresses from recruit to against the backdrop of an interstellar war between humans and an alien species known as "Arachnids" or "Bugs". Interspersed with the primary plot are classroom scenes in which Rico and others discuss philosophical and moral issues, including aspects of , , , and war; these discussions have been described as expounding Heinlein's own political views. Identified with a tradition of in US science fiction, the novel draws parallels between the conflict between humans and the Bugs, and the . It is also a , which criticizes the US society of the 1950s, arguing that a lack of discipline had led to a moral decline, and advocating and . Starship Troopers brought to an end . It won the in 1960, and was praised by reviewers for its scenes of training and combat and its visualization of a future military. It also became enormously controversial because of the political views it seemed to support. Reviewers were strongly critical of the book's intentional glorification of the military, an aspect described as propaganda and likened to . The novel's militarism, and the fact that government service – most often military service – was a prerequisite to the right to vote, led to it being frequently described as . Others disagree, arguing that Heinlein was only exploring the idea of limiting the right to vote to a certain group of people. Heinlein's depiction of gender has also been questioned, while reviewers have said that the terms used to describe the aliens were akin to . Starship Troopers had wide influence both within and outside science fiction. stated that "the political strand in [science fiction] can be described as a dialogue with Heinlein". Science fiction critic wrote that it is the "ancestral text of US science fiction militarism" and that it shaped the debate about the role of the military in society for many years. The novel is credited with popularizing the idea of , which became a recurring feature in science fiction books and films, as well as an object of scientific research. Heinlein's depiction of a futuristic military was also influential. Later science fiction books, such as 's 1974 anti-war novel , have been described as reactions to Starship Troopers. The story was adapted several times, including in a directed by that satirized what the director saw as the fascist aspects of the novel. Writing and publication The cover of (November 1959), illustrating Starship Soldier Robert Heinlein was among the best-selling science fiction authors of the 1940s and 1950s, along with and ; they were known as the "big three" that dominated US science fiction. In contrast to the others, Heinlein firmly endorsed the anti-communist sentiment of the era in his writing. Heinlein served in the US Navy for five years after graduating from the in 1929. His experience in the military profoundly influenced his fiction. At some point between 1958 and 1959, Heinlein put aside the novel that would become and wrote Starship Troopers. His motivation arose partially from his anger at US President 's , and the Soviet tests that occurred soon afterward. Writing in his 1980 volume , Heinlein would say that the publication of a newspaper advertisement placed by the on April 5, 1958, calling for a unilateral suspension of by the United States sparked his desire to write Starship Troopers. Heinlein and his wife created the "" in an attempt to create support for the US nuclear testing program. Heinlein stated that he used the novel to clarify his military and political views. Like many of Heinlein's books, Starship Troopers was completed in a few weeks. It was originally written as a for New York publishing house ; Heinlein had previously had success with this format, having written several such novels published by that publisher. The manuscript was rejected, prompting Heinlein to end his association with that publisher completely, and to resume writing books with adult themes. Scholars have suggested that Scribner's rejection was based on ideological objections to the content of the novel, particularly in its treatment of military conflict. first published Starship Troopers in October and November 1959 as a two-part titled Starship Soldier. A senior editor at Putnam's, Peter Israel, purchased the manuscript and approved revisions that made it more marketable to adults. Asked whether it was aimed at children or adults, he said at a sales conference "Let's let the readers decide who likes it." The novel was eventually published by . Setting Set approximately 700 years in the future, the book depicts an Earth ruled by a run by military veterans. The society is depicted as affluent, and futuristic technology shown as coexisting with educational methods from the 20th century. The rights of a full citizen, to vote and hold public office, are not universally guaranteed, and rather must be earned through Federal Service. Those who do not perform this service (of which only military service has been described) retain the rights of free speech and assembly, but can neither vote nor hold public office. People of either sex above the age of 18 are permitted to enlist; only those who complete their service receive the right to vote. Important government jobs are reserved for federal service veterans. This structure arose ad hoc after the collapse of the "20th century Western democracies", driven in part by an inability to control crime and , particularly in North America, and a war between an alliance of the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia, against the "Chinese Hegemony". Two extraterrestrial civilizations are depicted, respectively, as the "Pseudo-Arachnids" (or "Bugs"), and the "Skinnies". The "Bugs" are described as communal beings originating from the planet of Klendathu, and consist of multiple castes; workers, warriors, brains, and queens, similar to those of and on Earth. The warriors are the only ones who fight, and are unable to surrender in battle. It also is implied that the Bugs are technologically advanced, possessing such technologies as spaceships. The "Skinnies" are depicted as less communal than the Arachnids, yet more so than humans. The events of the novel take place during an interstellar war between the Terran Federation and the Arachnids. At the opening of the story, Earth is not at war, yet such a declaration has come when Rico has completed his training. The "Skinnies" are initially allies of the Pseudo-Arachnids, but switch to alliance with humans, midway through the novel. travel exists in this future: spacecraft use the "Cherenkov drive", and can travel " to , forty-six , in under six weeks". Starship Troopers is narrated by the main protagonist Juan "Johnny" Rico, a member of the "Mobile Infantry". It is one of the few Heinlein novels which intersperses his typical linear narrative structure with a series of flashbacks. These flashbacks are frequently to Rico's "History and Moral Philosophy" course in school, in which the teacher discusses the history of the structure of their society. Rico is depicted as a man of . He is from a wealthy family, whose members had never served in the military. Rico's ancestry is depicted as inconsequential, society having finally abandoned racial and gender-based prejudice. Plot The novel opens with Rico aboard the corvette transport Rodger Young (named after real life recipient ), serving with the platoon known as "Rasczak's Roughnecks". The platoon carries out a raid against a planetary colony held by Skinnies. The raid is relatively brief: the platoon lands on the planet, destroys its targets, and retreats, suffering two casualties in the process. One of them, Dizzy Flores, is rescued by Rico but dies while returning to orbit. The narrative then flashes back to Rico's graduation from high school. Rico and his best friend Carl are considering joining the Federal Service after graduation; Rico is hesitant, partly due to his father's attitude towards the military. Rico makes his decision after discovering that his classmate Carmen Ibañez also intends to enlist. Rico's choice is taken poorly by his parents, and he leaves with a sense of estrangement. He is assigned to the Mobile Infantry, and moves to Camp Arthur Currie (named for Sir who rose through the ranks to command the in ) on the Canadian prairie for his training under Sergeant Charles Zim. The training is extremely demanding. Rico receives combat training of all types, including simulated fights in armored suits. A fellow recruit is court-martialed, flogged, and dismissed for striking a drill instructor who was also his company commander. Rico himself is given five lashes for firing a rocket during a drill with armored suits and simulated nuclear weapons without ensuring that no friendlies were within the blast zone, which in combat would have resulted in the death of a fellow soldier. Another recruit, who murdered a baby girl after deserting the army, is hanged by his battalion after his arrest by civilian police. Disheartened, Rico thinks of resigning when he receives a letter from Jean Dubois, who taught Rico . Dubois reveals that he was once a in the Mobile Infantry, which gives Rico the motivation not to resign. After further training at another camp near , Rico graduates with 187 others, of the 2,009 who had begun training in that regiment. The "Bug War" has changed from minor incidents to a full-scale war during Rico's training. An Arachnid attack that annihilates the city of alerts civilians to the situation; Rico's mother is killed in the attack. Rico participates in the Battle of Klendathu, an attack on the Arachnid's home world, which turns into a disastrous defeat for the Terran Federation. Rico's ship, the Valley Forge, is destroyed, and his unit is decimated; he is reassigned to the Roughnecks on board the Rodger Young, led by Lieutenant Rasczak and Sergeant Jelal. The unit carries out several raids, and Rico is promoted to corporal by Jelal after Rasczak dies in combat. One of his comrades in the Roughnecks suggests that Rico go to officer training school and try to become an officer. Rico ends up going to see Jelal, and finds that Jelal already had the paperwork ready. Rico enters for a second course of training, including further courses in "History and Moral Philosophy". En route from the Roughnecks to the school Rico encounters his father who has also enlisted and is now a corporal, and the two reconcile. He is also visited in school by Carmen, now an ensign and ship's pilot officer in the Navy, and the two discuss their friend Carl, who had been killed earlier in the war. Rico is commissioned a temporary third lieutenant for his final test: a posting to a combat unit. Under the tutelage of his company commander, Captain Blackstone, and with the aid of his platoon sergeant, his boot camp drill instructor Fleet Sergeant Zim, Rico commands a platoon during "Operation Royalty", a raid to capture members of the Arachnid brain caste and queens. Rico then returns to the officer school to graduate. The novel ends with him holding the rank of second lieutenant, in command of his old platoon in the Rodger Young, with his father as his platoon sergeant. The platoon has been renamed "Rico's Roughnecks", and is about to participate in an attack on Klendathu. Themes Robert Heinlein in 1976 Commentators have written that Starship Troopers is not driven by its plot, though it contains scenes of military combat. Instead, much of the novel is given over to a discussion of ideas. In particular, the discussion of political views is a recurring feature of what scholar Jeffrey Cass described as an "ideologically intense" book. A 1997 review in categorized it as a "". Critics have debated to what extent the novel promotes Heinlein's own political views. Some contend that the novel maintains a sense of irony that allows readers to draw their own conclusions; others argue that Heinlein is sermonizing throughout the book, and that its purpose is to expound Heinlein's militaristic philosophy. Militarism Starship Troopers has been identified as being a part of a tradition in American science fiction that assumes that violent conflict and the militarization of society are inevitable and necessary. Although the Mobile Infantry, the force to which Rico is assigned, is seen as a lowly post by the characters in the story, the novel itself suggests that it is the heart of the army and the most honorable unit in it. In a commentary written in 1980, Heinlein agreed that Starship Troopers "glorifies the military ... Specifically the P.B.I., the , the mudfoot who places his frail body between his loved home and the war's desolation – but is rarely appreciated ... he has the toughest job of all and should be honored." The story is based on the idea of society as a struggle for survival based on military strength. It suggests that some conflicts must be resolved by force: one of the lessons Rico is repeatedly taught is that violence can be an effective method of settling conflict. These suggestions derive in part from Heinlein's view that in the 1950s the US government was being too conciliatory in its dealings with communist China and the Soviet Union. Heinlein draws an analogy between the human society in the novel, which is well-to-do but needs to be vigilant against the imperialist threat of the Arachnids, and US society of the 1950s. Reviewers have suggested that the Arachnids are Heinlein's analogue for communists. Traits used to support this include the communal nature of the Arachnids, which makes them capable of a much higher degree of coordination than the humans. Bug society is once explicitly described as communist, and is moreover depicted as communist by nature; this has been read as implying that those with a different political ideology are analogous to alien beings. The related motifs of alien invasion, patriotism, and personal sacrifice during war, are present, as are other aspects of US popular culture of the 1950s. Commentators have argued that Heinlein's portrayal of aliens, as well as being a reference to 1950s communist countries, aims to "reinscribe the ideologies of America's mythic history". The concept of the frontier includes a social-Darwinist argument of constantly fighting for survival, even at the expense of indigenous people or, in the case of Starship Troopers, of aliens. Heinlein suggests that without territorial expansion involving violent conquest of other races, humans would be destroyed. Scholar Jamie King has stated that Heinlein does not address the question of what the military government and Federal Service would do in peacetime, and argues that Heinlein has set up a society designed to be continuously at war, and to keep expanding its territory. Coming of age Starship Troopers has been referred to as a or "" story for Rico, as he matures through his tenure in the infantry. His training, both at boot camp and at officer candidate school, involves learning the value of , thus inviting the reader to learn it as well. This is especially true of the parts of his training that involve indoctrination, such as the claim by one of his instructors that rule by military veterans is the ideal form of government, because only they understand how to put collective well-being above the individual. The story traces Rico's transformation from a boy into a soldier, while exploring issues of identity and motivation, and traces his overall moral and social development, in a manner identified by commentators as similar to many stories about German soldiers in . Rico's transformation has been likened to the common narrative within stories with military themes by scholar . This typical narrative is that of a sloppy and unfit civilian being knocked into shape by tough officers, whose training is "calculated sadism" but is depicted as fundamentally being on the right side. The letter Rico receives from Dubois, partly responsible for Rico "crossing the hump" with his training, is shown as a turning point in his development. The classroom scenes embedded in the story serve to explain Rico's adventures, and highlight his reactions to events around. A notable example is the execution Rico is forced to witness after a deserter from his unit murders a young girl; Rico is uncertain of his own reaction until he remembers a lecture by Dubois in which the latter argues that "moral sense" derives entirely from the will to survive. The concept of the American frontier is also related to the coming-of-age theme. Young protagonists across Heinlein's novels attain manhood by confronting a hostile "wilderness" in space; coming-of-age in a military, alien context is a common theme in Heinlein's earlier works as well. Rico's coming-of-age has also been described as being related to his relationship with his father; the journey "outward" through the novel also contains a search for Rico's childhood and a reunion with his estranged parent. Moral decline Starship Troopers also critiques US society of the 1950s, suggesting that it led young people to be spoiled and undisciplined. These beliefs are expressed through the classroom lectures of Dubois, Rico's teacher for History and Moral Philosophy. Dubois praises and other types of as a means of addressing juvenile crimes. It has been suggested that Heinlein endorsed this view, although the fact that Dubois also compares raising children to training a puppy has been used to argue that Heinlein was making use of . The story is strongly in favor of corporal punishment and capital punishment, as a means of correcting , part of a trend in science fiction which examines technology and outer space in an innovative manner, but is reactionary with respect to human relationships. As with other books by Heinlein, traditional schools are denigrated, while learning "on the spot" is extolled: Rico is able to master the things required of him in military training without undue difficulty. Dubois also ridicules the idea of , such as "", arguing that people have only the rights that they are willing to fight and die for to protect. The novel appeals to scientific authority to justify this position; Dubois repeatedly states that his argument is mathematically demonstrable, statements which have led scholars to label the novel "", despite its social and political themes. The "moral decline" caused by this situation is depicted as having caused a global war between an alliance of the US, Britain, and Russia against the "Chinese Hegemony" in the year 1987. Despite the alliance between the US and Russia, this war has been described as demonstrating Heinlein's anti-communist beliefs, which saw "swarming hordes" of Chinese as a bigger threat. The novel draws some comparisons between the Chinese and the Arachnids, and suggests that the lessons of one war could be applied to the other. Reception To Heinlein's surprise, Starship Troopers won the in 1960. It has been acknowledged as one of the best-known and most influential works of science fiction. The novel is considered a landmark for the genre, having been described by a 1960 review as one of the ten best genre books of 1959, in a 2009 review as a key science fiction novel of the 1950s, and as the best-known example of . The novel has been described as marking Heinlein's transition from writing juvenile fiction to a "more mature phase" as an author. Reviewing the book with others written for children, of wrote in 1960 that "Heinlein has penned a juvenile that really is not. This is a new and bitter and disillusioned Heinlein". Rating it 2.5 stars out of five for children, 4.5 stars for adults, and "?" for civilians, he believed that the novel would be "of exceptional interest to veterans with battle experience ... but youngsters will find it melancholy and verbose". Conversely, described it as Heinlein's last "straight" science fiction, before he turned to more serious writing such as Stranger in a Strange Land. By 1980, twenty years after its release, Starship Troopers had been translated into eleven languages and was still selling strongly. Heinlein nevertheless complained that, despite this success, almost all the mail he received about it was negative and he only heard about it "when someone wants to chew me out". The novel is highly contentious. Controversy surrounded its praise of the military and approval of violence, to the extent that it has frequently been described as , and its implication that militarism is superior to traditional democracy. Heinlein's peers were among those who argued over the book; a comparison between a quote in Starship Troopers that "the noblest fate that a man can endure is to place his own mortal body between his loved home and war's desolation" and the anti-war poem "" by began a two-year discussion in the Proceedings of the Institute for Twenty-First Century Studies from 1959 to 1961, with , , , , , , among those debating Starship Troopers's quality of writing, philosophy, and morality. The writing in Starship Troopers has received varied responses, with the scenes of military training and combat receiving praise. In a 2009 retrospective, science-fiction writer wrote that Starship Troopers was "military SF done extremely well". She went on to argue that "Heinlein was absolutely at his peak when he wrote this in 1959. He had so much technical stylistic mastery of the craft of writing science fiction that he could [tell the story] '' and get away with it." Others referred to it as very readable, and found the military scenes compelling. Heinlein's descriptions of training and boot camp in the novel, based on his own experiences in the military, have been described as being rendered with remarkable skill. A 1960 review in the praised the "brilliantly written" passages describing infantry combat, and also called attention to the discussion of weapons and armor, which, according to other reviewers, demonstrated Heinlein's "undiminished talent for invention". Scholar described the book in 1986 as the "ultimately convincing space-war epic", praising in particular the "precisely imagined" weapons and tactics, while a 1979 science fiction encyclopedia referred to it as the "slickest" of Heinlein's juvenile books. Criticism of the style of the book has centered on its political aspects. Heinlein's discussions of his political beliefs were criticized as "didactic", and the novel was derided for "exposition [that was] inserted in large indigestible chunks". Author 's 2003 analysis of the political nature of Starship Troopers stated that it was "a book where civics infodumps and accounts of brutal boot-camp training far outweigh the thin and tensionless combat scenes". Scientist and author Brunner compared it to a "Victorian children's book", while the Science Fiction Handbook published in 2009 said that the novel provided "compelling images of a futuristic military" and that it raised important questions, even for those who disagree with its political ideology. However, it stated that the story was weak as a tale of an alien encounter, as it did not explore alien society in any detail, but presented the Arachnids as nameless and faceless creatures that wished to destroy humanity. Boucher, founder of , remarked in 1960 that Heinlein had "forgotten to insert a story". A 1979 summary said that though Heinlein's vision might verge on fascism, his tightly controlled narrative made his ideology seem "vibrantly appealing". Criticism of militarism Starship Troopers is generally considered to promote militarism, the glorification of war and of the military. Scholar Bruce Franklin referred to it in 1980 as a "bugle-blowing, drum-beating glorification" of military service, and wrote that militarism and imperialism were the explicit message of the book. Science fiction writer called it "a book-length recruiting poster". In 1968 science fiction critic called Starship Troopers a militaristic and compared it to a recruiting film, stating that it "purports to show the life of a typical soldier, with a soundtrack commentary by earnest sincere Private Jones who interprets what we see for us." Panshin stated that there was no "sustained human conflict" in the book: instead, "All the soldiers we see are tough, smart, competent, cleancut, clean-shaven, and noble." Panshin, a veteran of the peacetime military, argued that Heinlein glossed over the reality of military life, and that the Terran Federation-Arachnid conflict existed simply because, "Starship troopers are not half so glorious sitting on their butts polishing their weapons for the tenth time for lack of anything else to do." Literature scholar George Slusser, in describing the novel as "wrong-headed and retrogressive", argued that calling its ideology militarism or imperialism was inadequate, as these descriptions suggested an economic motive. Slusser instead says that Heinlein advocates for a complete "technological subjugation of nature", of which the Arachnids are a symbol, and that this subjugation itself is depicted as a sign of human advancement. A 1997 review of the film in stated that the novel could almost be described as propaganda, and was terrifying as a result, particularly in its belief that the had to be an ingredient of any civilization. This was described as a highly unusual vision. Moorcock stated that the lessons Rico learns in boot camp: "wars are inevitable, [and] that the army is always right". In discussing the book's utility in classroom discussions of the form of government, Alan Myers stated that its depiction of the military was of an "unashamedly Earth-chauvinist nature". In the words of science fiction scholar , Starship Troopers was an "unsubtle but powerful black-and-white paean to combat life", and an example of in favor of military values. Other writers defended Heinlein. George Price argued that "[Heinlein] implies, first, that war is something endured, not enjoyed, and second, that war is so unpleasant, so desolate, that it must at all costs be kept away from one's home." Poul Anderson also defended some of the novel's positions, arguing "Heinlein has recognized the problem of selective versus nonselective franchise, and his proposed solution does merit discussion." Complaints were made against Heinlein for the lack of conscription in Starship Troopers. When he wrote the novel, the was still in effect in the US. Allegations of fascism The society within the book has frequently been described as . According to the 2009 Science Fiction Handbook, it had the effect of giving Heinlein a reputation as a "fanatical warmongering fascist". Scholar has referred to the setting of the book as "unremittingly grim fascism". He has stated that the novel made an analogy between its military conflict and those of the US after World War II, and that it justified in the name of fighting another form of imperialism. has referred to it as "". Suvin compares Heinlein's suggestion that "all wars arise from population pressure" to the Nazi concept of or "living space" for a superior society that was used to justify territorial expansion. Some reviewers have suggested that Heinlein was simply discussing the merits of a selective versus a nonselective franchise. Heinlein made a similar claim, over two decades after Starship Troopers's publication, in his and further claimed that 95 percent of "veterans" were not military personnel but members of the civil service. Heinlein's own description has been disputed, even among the book's defenders. Heinlein scholar James Gifford has argued that a number of quotes within the novel suggest that the characters within the book assume that the Federal Service is largely military. For instance, when Rico tells his father that he is interested in Federal Service, his father immediately explains his belief that Federal Service is a bad idea because there is no war in progress, indicating that he sees Federal Service as military in nature. Gifford states that although Heinlein's intentions may have been that Federal Service be 95 percent non-military, in relation to the actual contents of the book, Heinlein "is wrong on this point. Flatly so." , writing in 1975, defended Starship Troopers, stating that the society depicted in it did not contain many elements of fascism. He argues that the novel does not include outright opposition to and liberalism that would be expected in a fascist society. Others have responded by saying Showalter's argument is based on a literal reading of the novel, and that the story glorifies militarism to a large extent. argues that the book does not actually advocate fascism because anybody capable of understanding the oath of Federal Service is able to enlist and thereby obtain political power. Macleod states that Heinlein's books are consistently liberal, but cover a spectrum from democratic to elitist forms of liberalism, Starship Troopers being on the latter end of the spectrum. It has been argued that Heinlein's militarism is more than fascist, and that this trend is also present in Heinlein's other popular books of the period, such as (1961) and (1966). This period of Heinlein's writing has received more critical attention than any other, although he continued to write into the 1980s. Apparent utopianism The setting of the book is presented by Heinlein as utopian; its leaders are shown as good and wise, and the population as free and prosperous. Slusser wrote in 1987 that Starship Troopers depicts a world that is "hell for human beings", but nonetheless celebrates the ideology of its fictional society. The rulers are claimed to be the best in history, because they understand that human nature is to fight for power through the use of force. The suggestion of utopia is not explored in depth, as the lives of those outside the military are not shown in any detail. The novel suggests that the militarist philosophy espoused by many of the characters has a mathematical backing, though reviewers have commented that Heinlein does not present any basis for this. Writers such as Farmer, Robert A. W. Lowndes, and have criticized the novel for being a hypothetical utopia, in the sense that while Heinlein's ideas sound plausible, they have never been put to the test. Moorcock wrote an essay entitled "Starship Stormtroopers" in which he attacked Heinlein and other writers over similar "Utopian fiction". Lowndes accused Heinlein of using arguments, "countering ingenuous half-truths with brilliant half-truths". Lowndes further argued that the Terran Federation could never be as idealistic as Heinlein portrays it to be because he never properly addressed "whether or not [non-citizens] have at least as full a measure of civil redress against official injustice as we have today". Farmer agreed, arguing that a "world ruled by veterans would be as mismanaged, graft-ridden, and insane as one ruled by men who had never gotten near the odor of blood and guts". Race and gender Authors and commentators have stated that the manner in which the extraterrestrial beings are portrayed in Starship Troopers has aspects, arguing that the nicknames "Bugs" and "Skinnies" carry racial overtones. compared them to calling Koreans "". Slusser argued that the term "Bugs" was an "abusive and biologically inaccurate" word that justified the violence against alien beings, a tendency which, according to Slusser, the book shared with other commercially successful science fiction. Some of Heinlein's other works have also been described as racist, though Franklin argues that this was not unique to Heinlein, and that he was less racist than the US government of the time. Heinlein's early novel was called a "racist paean" to a white resistance movement against an Asian horde derived from the . In 1978, Moorcock wrote that Starship Troopers "set the pattern for Heinlein's more ambitious paternalistic, xenophobic" stories. Robert Lowndes argues that the war between the Terrans and the Arachnids is not about a quest for racial purity, but rather an extension of Heinlein's belief that man is a wild animal. According to this theory, if man lacks a beyond the will to survive, and he was confronted by another species with a similar lack of morality, then the only possible moral result would be warfare. The fact that all pilots in the novel are women (in contrast to the infantry, which is entirely male) has been cited as evidence of progressive gender politics within the story, although the idea expressed by Rico that women are the motivation for men to fight in the military is a counter-example to this. A 1996 science fiction encyclopedia said that like much of Heinlein's fiction, Starship Troopers exemplified "macho male culture". The prosthetically enhanced soldiers in the novel, all of whom are men, have been described as an example of the "hyper-masculinity" brought on by the proximity of these men to technology. The story portrays the Arachnids as so alien that the only response to them can be war. Feminist scholars have described this reaction as a "conventionally masculinist" one. Steffen Hantke has described the mechanized suits in the novel, which make the wearer resemble a "steel gorilla," as defining masculinity as "something intensely physical, based on animal power, instinct, and aggression". He calls this form of masculinity "all body, so to speak, and no brain". Thus, in Hantke's reading, Starship Troopers expresses fears of how masculinity may be preserved in an environment of high technology. This fear is exacerbated by the motifs of pregnancy and birth that Heinlein uses when describing how the soldiers in suits are dropped from spaceships piloted by women. Though Rico says he finds women "marvelous", he shows no desire for sexual activity; the war seems to have subsumed sex in this respect. A 1979 summary argued that despite the gestures towards women's equality, women in the story were still objects, to be protected, and to fight wars over. Influence A real-life concept of powered armor, an idea popularized by Starship Troopers Heinlein's books, and Starship Troopers in particular, had an enormous impact on political science fiction, to the extent that author Ken MacLeod has stated that "the political strand in [science fiction] can be described as a dialogue with Heinlein," although many participants in this dialogue disagree with Heinlein. Science fiction critic states that Starship Troopers is the "ancestral text of US " and that it shaped the debate about the role of the military in society for many years. In addition to his political views, Heinlein's ideas about a futuristic military as depicted in the novel were deeply influential among films, books, and television shows in later years. Roger Beaumont has suggested that Starship Troopers may some day be considered a manual for extraterrestrial warfare. Suvin refers to Juan Rico as the "archetypal Space Soldier". Starship Troopers included concepts in military engineering which have since been widely used in other fiction, and which have occasionally been paralleled by scientific research. The novel has been cited as the source of the idea of , which Heinlein describes in great detail. Such suits became a staple of military science fiction. Franchises that have employed this technology include , , , , , and . During the shooting of the science fiction film , director required the actors playing to read Starship Troopers to understand their parts, and also cited it as an influence for the space drop, terms like "bug hunt", and the cargo-loader exoskeleton. Starship Troopers had a direct influence on many later science fiction stories. 's 1984 novel was, according to the author, born out of frustration with the small amount of actual combat in Starship Troopers and because he wanted this aspect developed further. The "Mobile Suits" from the 1979 series were inspired by the powered armor from Starship Troopers. The 1988 series has plot elements similar to Starship Troopers, depicting humanity arrayed against an alien military. Scholars have identified elements of Heinlein's influence in , by , as well. Hantke, in particular, compares the battle room in Ender's Game to Heinlein's prosthetic suits, stating that they both regulate but also enhance human agency. Suvin suggests parallels between the plots of the two novels, with human society in both stories at war against insect-like aliens, but states that the story of takes a very different direction, as Ender regrets his genocidal actions and dedicates his efforts to protecting his erstwhile targets. Conversely, 's 1974 anti-war, - and -winning science fiction novel is popularly thought to be a direct reply to Starship Troopers, and though Haldeman has stated that it is actually a result of his personal experiences in the , he has admitted to being influenced by Starship Troopers. Haldeman said that he disagreed with Starship Troopers because it "glorifies war", but added that "it's a very well-crafted novel, and I believe Heinlein was honest with it". The Forever War contains several parallels to Starship Troopers, including its setting. Commentators have described it as a reaction to Heinlein's novel, a suggestion Haldeman denies; the two novels are very different in terms of their attitude towards the military. The Forever War does not depict war as a noble pursuit, with the sides clearly defined as good and evil; instead, the novel explores the dehumanizing effect of war, influenced by the real world context of the Vietnam War. Haldeman received a letter from Heinlein, congratulating him on his Nebula Award, which "meant more than the award itself". According to author , Heinlein approached Haldeman at the awards banquet and said the book "may be the best future war story I've ever read!" 's 1965 novel has also been described as a reaction to Starship Troopers, while 's 1961 novel has been called "an obvious rejoinder" to Starship Troopers. , written by in 1993, also depicts a war between two highly aggressive species, of which humans are one. The story deliberately inverts several aspects of Starship Troopers: the story is told from the point of view of diplomats seeking to prevent war, rather than soldiers fighting it, and the conflict is the result of the two species being extremely similar, rather than different. Adaptations 1997 film Main article: Further information: The film rights to the novel were licensed in the 1990s, several years after Heinlein's death. The project was originally entitled Bug Hunt at Outpost Nine, and had been in production before the producers bought the rights to Starship Troopers. The film was directed by (who found the book too boring to finish), and released in 1997. The screenplay, by , shared character names and some plot details with the novel. The film contained several elements that differed from the book, including a military that is completely integrated with respect to sex. It had the stated intention of treating its material in an ironic or sarcastic manner, to undermine the political ideology of the novel. The mechanized suits that featured prominently in the novel were absent from the film, due to budget constraints. The film used fascist imagery throughout, including portraying the Terran Federation's personnel wearing uniforms strongly reminiscent of those worn by the , the paramilitary. Verhoeven stated in 1997 that the first scene of the film – an advertisement for the Mobile Infantry – was adapted shot-for-shot from a scene in 's (1935), specifically an outdoor rally for the . Other references to Nazism include the -style architecture and the propagandistic dialogue ("Violence is the supreme authority!"). According to Verhoeven, the references to Nazism reflected his own experience in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II. The film reignited the debate over the nature of the Terran society in Heinlein's world, and several critics accused Verhoeven of creating a fascist universe. Others, and Verhoeven himself, have stated that the film was intended to be , and to critique fascism. The film has also been described as criticizing the of US foreign policy, the , and the society in the film, which elevates violence over sensitivity. It received several negative critical reviews, reviewers suggesting that it was unsophisticated and targeted a juvenile audience, although some scholars and critics have also supported its description as satirical. The absence of the powered armor technology drew criticism from fans. The success of the film's endeavor to critique the ideology of the novel has been disputed. Four sequels, (2004), (2008), (2012) and (2017) were released as straight-to-DVD films. In December 2011, , producer of films such as the and , announced plans for a of the film that he claims will be more faithful to the source material. In 2016 and were reported to be writing the film.[] Animated series Main article: An animated TV series was also released based both on the novel and 1997 film called Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles, it follows the exploits of the Mobile Infantry squad, "Razak's Roughnecks", during the between a newly united humanity and an race, known as the "," also sometimes referred to as Arachnids. The show focuses mainly on the Roughnecks' missions, rather than addressing the larger war. Paul Verhoeven served as an executive producer. The show ran for one season from August 1999 to April 2000. Other media From October to December 1988, Sunrise and produced a six-episode Japanese locally titled with mobile infantry power armor designs by , based on Starship Troopers. , and hold the license to produce comic books based on Starship Troopers, written by authors including , and . published in 1976, a map-and-counter featuring a number of scenarios as written in the novel. In 1998, released Starship Troopers: Battlespace. The web-based interactive game, in which players battled each other in overhead space combat, allowed players to assume either Klendathu or Federation roles, was developed alongside the film adaptation. was released by Mongoose Publishing in 2005, a which used material from the novel, film, and animated TV series. released Starship Troopers: Invasion Mobile Infantry, a game for PCs, in 2012. Offworld Industries developed and published the 2023 game , a cooperative multiplayer available for PC.

  
  

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• TDP 1502: MERCY Movie review

  28 September 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 51 seconds

  Direct Podcast Download

  Mercy is a 2026 American written by Marco van Belle, directed by , and starring and . The plot involves a detective (Pratt), who is accused of murdering his wife, and must prove his innocence to an (Ferguson). The film also stars , , , and . Mercy was released in the United States by and internationally by on January 23, 2026. The film grossed $54.7 million worldwide against a $60 million budget. Plot In 2029 , the Mercy Capital Court responds to a surge in crime by using artificial intelligence (AI) judges to try defendants for violent offenses. To assemble evidence, all devices are also registered to the municipal cloud to allow the AI judge to pass judgement. The AI judge also gives the defendants all available resources to find and provide all the evidence needed to prove their innocence in 90 minutes, or be executed via a sonic blast. Detective Christopher "Chris" Raven, a strong proponent of the court, is strapped to a chair, put on trial for his wife Nicole's murder, and is given 90 minutes to persuade the AI judge of his innocence. Presiding over his case is the AI Judge Maddox. All the evidence points to Chris having killed his wife, as her blood was found on his clothing and doorbell camera footage places him at their home shortly before her murder. Chris's guilt probability is 97.5%, which qualifies him for execution unless his evidence lowers it to 92% for reasonable doubt and 80% for a Mercy Trial. Since AIs are not allowed to take a human life, the chair is set on a 90 minute timer not controlled by the AI, and it is the defendant’s responsibility to lower their score and this allows the AI to unlock the chair before the timer runs out. Via Maddox's unrestricted access and abilities, Chris learns that Nicole was seeing another man, Patrick Burke. Chris's partner Jacqueline "Jaq" Diallo finds Patrick who confides that Nicole felt unable to communicate her troubles to Chris about work. Her work email records show reports of missing chemicals. Recalling hosting a work barbecue with Nicole, Chris reviews footage to better identify her co-workers. While looking for evidence, Chris confronts his relapse in sobriety following the murder of his former partner, Ray Vale, and regrets not shooting the suspect who was later acquitted. Relapsing into alcoholism led to Chris's aggression toward Nicole, and she began to consider a divorce. Maddox shows Chris records of one co-worker, Holt Charles, who had financial issues and had discussed the chemical disappearance with Robert "Rob" Nelson, Chris's sobriety sponsor. Suspecting Holt may have killed Nicole, Chris tries to contact Rob. Holt instead answers the phone and he explains that Rob is responsible for the missing chemicals. Chris reviews his daughter Britt's social media posts, which reveal that a stranger had been hiding in their basement since the barbecue. His neighbor's security cameras display a rustling in the bushes, and Rob is seen exiting the neighbor's trunk in parking lot surveillance footage. Chris sends Jaq to Rob's house, warning her and her team that he might be armed. The team arrive at Rob's house, finding it empty, but uncover detailed plans in the shed to craft a bomb. Maddox discovers that Rob's brother, David Webb, who was separated from him after Rob was adopted and given a new name, was the first person Mercy Court executed for murder. Chris realizes that Rob is orchestrating revenge against him and the Court. Chris is officially acquitted for the murder, but refuses to end the trial to exploit Maddox's unrestricted access. He tries to contact Britt, but footage from her grandparents' front door shows Rob kidnapping her and taking her into a stolen semi-truck. A bomb goes off in the shed killing most of the SWAT team. Jaq pursues Rob, who is transporting explosives toward Mercy Court to destroy the building with Chris inside. The police divert Rob away from Mercy Court, and Jaq, assuming command, orders the task force to blow up the truck. Chris pleads with Jaq but she refuses to yield to him. The bomb fails to detonate and Jaq attempts to shoot Rob directly. Rob arrives at Mercy Court, crashing into the building and causing a network glitch that requires a system reset. Maddox reboots in time to release Chris from the chair before the trial ends with his execution. Chris confronts Rob, working with Maddox to distract Rob by having Mercy Court reopen David Webb’s case and demanding Rob to submit his new evidence immediately. Chris then disarms Rob as he speaks and wants to kill him, but is talked down by Britt. Jaq arrives and shoots Rob. Rob provides new evidence that he was on the phone with David when the murder took place, but the police would not listen. Maddox confirms the call's timing and location which placed the phone away from the crime scene. Then Maddox retrieved footage that showed Jaq retrieving that phone from David, removing it from evidence, and dumping it in the river. Jaq explains she wanted to ensure that David was found guilty in the first judgement issued by an AI court to prove the system worked. Jaq and Rob are both taken into custody while Britt reconciles with Chris, whose case is formally dismissed. Maddox and Chris admit mistakes were made by humans and AI and they must learn from their mistakes. Cast and star in the film. as Det. Christopher "Chris" Raven, an LAPD officer who is on trial for the murder of his wife as Judge Maddox, an AI who is part of the Mercy program as Jacqueline "Jaq" Diallo, Chris's police partner as Nicole Raven, Chris's late wife as Robert "Rob" Nelson, Chris's sponsor and Nicole's co-worker as Britt Raven, Chris's daughter as Ray Vale, Chris's late partner as Holt Charles, a co-worker of Nicole as Patrick Burke, a man Nicole was seeing before she died Tom Rezvan as a governor Production It was announced in January 2024 that a science fiction thriller film entitled Mercy was being made for with starring, directed by from a script by Marco Van Belle and produced by , Robert Amidon, Bekmambetov, and Majd Nassif. In March, and joined the cast in undisclosed roles. In April, , , , , and joined the cast. In May, joined the cast of the film. began on April 18, 2024, in , with Khalid Mohtaseb serving as the cinematographer. Pratt suffered an ankle injury on day four of filming, posting a photo of a swollen ankle on his Instagram page. Filming on May 23, 2024. Music was revealed to have composed the score in January 2026. Release Mercy was shown early for patrons of and on January 19, 2026, as part of their Screen Unseen and Monday Mystery Movie programs, respectively. This made it the first IMAX film to be released via the programs. Mercy was released in the United States on January 23, 2026, in and , having previously been due for release on August 15, 2025. The film was released on digital on February 17, 2026, and on , , and on April 7, 2026 by Alliance Entertainment and .  

  
  

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• TDP 1501: Doctor Who 9th Doctor Dark Tides

  24 September 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes and 26 seconds

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    A long-lost ship, the Vesterbold, has returned to normal space. And the Knights of Atlas seek her treasure. But two strangers have joined their expedition - the Doctor and Rose, who warn of danger. For the Vesterbold has drifted free of the Dark Tides at the edge of the universe. And she may have brought something back with her. Not even the bravest knights are ready for the evil which lies inside... This release will have a limited CD pressing of 1500 copies.

  
  

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• TDP 1499: Project Hail Mary REVIEW

  21 September 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 41 seconds

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    Project Hail Mary is a 2026 produced and directed by and written by , based on the 2021 by . It stars , who also produced the film, as Ryland Grace, and , , and play supporting roles. The story follows Ryland Grace, a middle school teacher who awakens aboard an interstellar spacecraft with no memory of how he got there. Pre-production began in 2020, before Weir's novel was published. Filming took place throughout 2024 in the United Kingdom, both on location and on sets. All scenes aboard the spacecraft Hail Mary were filmed on a practical set that was constructed for the film. Project Hail Mary premiered in London on March 9, 2026, and was released in the United States by on March 20, with releasing in other territories. It received positive reviews, with praise for Lord and Miller's direction, Gosling's performance, the character of Rocky, as well as the humor, themes and visuals. It was a commercial success, grossing over $685 million worldwide and becoming the . Plot In the near future, middle school teacher and former Ryland Grace wakes up from an on the Hail Mary, suffering from amnesia. Grace learns that he is the sole survivor of a three-person crew that was traveling towards the system, 11.9 from Earth. In a series of flashbacks, Grace recalls that scientists discovered a "Petrova line" of stretching from the to ; an alien microbe in the line, dubbed "astrophage", was proliferating on the Sun's surface, dimming the Sun at a rate that would cause catastrophic within thirty years. The head of the Petrova Taskforce, Eva Stratt, recruited Grace to study it due to his background in speculative . Grace experimented on a sample and discovered that astrophage was composed of that absorb from the Sun and expel it for . Grace joined Stratt's Project , an international "long-shot" mission to send a crewed spacecraft to Tau Ceti, the only star in Earth's not occluded by astrophage. The flight to Tau Ceti would be a , as the ship could only carry enough fuel for a one-way trip; any findings would have to return to Earth in smaller . In the present, Grace encounters an alien spacecraft that docks with the Hail Mary. It is made of a solid form of , which Grace dubs "xenonite". The ship's occupant is a rock-like, five-legged alien from Erid, a planet in the system. Grace names the alien "Rocky", deduces that Eridians "see" via , and creates a system to interpret Rocky's language into English. Rocky is a and the sole survivor of the Eridians' mission to save their own star from astrophage infection. Grace and Rocky agree to work together, and become close friends. As neither can survive in the other's atmosphere, Rocky works aboard the Hail Mary inside a pressurized ball of xenonite. Grace and Rocky study the Petrova line of the planet , which Grace names "Adrian", and discovers that the line hosts an entire . Rocky theorizes that microbial organisms in Adrian's atmosphere are consuming the astrophage, keeping the population in check. Learning that Grace cannot return home, Rocky offers to share some of his own ship's astrophage fuel with the Hail Mary. Grace remembers that an astrophage explosion killed the original crew's science officers. With no time to train replacements, Stratt asked Grace to join the mission. During a risky maneuver to gather the astrophage predator from Adrian's atmosphere, a fuel leak causes the Hail Mary to , rendering Grace unconscious. Rocky breaks out of his ball to save Grace but is severely injured. While Rocky recovers, Grace studies the captured astrophage predator, dubbing it "taumoeba" and it to survive the in Venus's atmosphere. Rocky revives, and the two celebrate their success; Grace recalls that he fearfully refused to join the Hail Mary crew, but Stratt had him anyway, believing he was the only one capable of completing the mission. Rocky and Grace say their goodbyes and begin their journeys back home. Shortly thereafter, Grace discovers that the taumoeba has evolved to escape its xenonite breeding tanks and is starting to consume Hail Mary's astrophage fuel. Grace stops the taumoeba leak, but realizes that Rocky's ship, being entirely made of xenonite, will have no way to contain the taumoeba; it will eat all of Rocky's fuel, stranding him and dooming Erid. Grace decides to use his remaining fuel to rescue Rocky and the Eridians rather than return home, and sends his video logs and taumoeba samples to Earth via the probes. Stratt and her team receive the probes and use the taumoeba to cure the Sun's astrophage infection. Meanwhile, on Erid, Grace lives in an Earth-like the Eridians have constructed for him. Rocky informs him that Eridian scientists can prepare the Hail Mary for the return voyage to Earth. Grace ponders the news before beginning another day of teaching science to eager Eridian children. Cast , who portrays Dr. Ryland Grace, also served as a producer on the film as Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher and former on a mission to save humanity as Eva Stratt, the head of the international task force behind Project Hail Mary as Rocky, an alien Grace encounters on his journey. The character was effected through a puppet controlled by a team of five led by Ortiz, dubbed the "Rockyteers", with Ortiz also providing the artificial voice assigned to him Ortiz also has an uncredited role as a television presenter as Carl, a member of security personnel as Yao Li-Jie, the Chinese commander of the Hail Mary spacecraft as Olesya Ilyukhina, a Russian engineer on board the Hail Mary as the voice of Mary, the Hail Mary's onboard computer as Martin Dubois, the original scientist of the Hail Mary as Annie Shapiro, a backup scientist of the Hail Mary as Dr. Browne as Dr. Li as Chimamanda Additionally, (the film's ), Damien de Froberville (co-president of ), (the narrator), and provided the rejected alternative voices for Rocky. Production Development In March 2020, was nearing a deal to acquire adaptation rights to the then-upcoming novel (2021), with set to star in and produce the film. The rights for the novel were acquired for $3 million. In May 2020, were hired to direct and produce the film. Due to Lord and Miller being unable to work on the screenplay because of commitments to (2023), (who previously adapted Weir's 2011 novel into a ) was hired the following month to write the screenplay. In April 2024, , which acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2022, revealed a possible 2026 release window for the film. In May 2024, joined the cast, with hired as . joined the cast the following month. Filming The film's crew, actors and , writer , author/producer , and directors visiting 's on February 25, 2026 began on June 3, 2024, in the United Kingdom and on October 26, 2024. Filming took place at . Location filming occurred at , the in , the in , and and in . The film was "filmed for " by using large-sensor cameras, which provide (20 ) of resolution, with an of 2.1:1, utilizing the whole sensor with rotated by 90 degrees to achieve the IMAX standard aspect ratio. For regular presentations, the common 2:1 format () was derived by the top and bottom of the IMAX image. The film switches between taller and wider aspect ratios. When a scene takes place in the present, a taller aspect ratio is used—1.43:1 for or , for or , and for non-IMAX presentations. For scenes in the past, an aspect ratio of , a standard ratio for anamorphic process cinematography, was achieved with the regular use of anamorphic lenses. In an interview with , Miller mentioned that no was used in the film, with the entire set being shot practically. Fraser had previously collaborated with supervisor on the ; their disdain for green and blue screens, which impacts lighting and visuals through , led them to use and grey screens on the film instead. Miller had previously stated that VFX was used to depict the spaceship from the outside, while shots of Gosling in space were shot against a black or varying color backdrop. provided support through both the input of scientific experts and astronaut visiting Gosling during filming to share insights on . Post-production The visual effects were developed by (which also collaborated on the film adaptation of The Martian), (ILM), , and Wylie Co. VFX, with Mags Sarnowska serving as visual effects supervisor alongside Lambert. While puppeteer Ortiz voiced Rocky during filming with Gosling, it was initially thought that a more high-profile actor would replace him. However, Lord and Miller felt that Ortiz's performance could not be improved upon during screenings of the film. Lord praised the collaboration between practical and visual effects in the creation of the character Rocky's performance: Rocky was built and designed by the legendary and his creature shop and is performed by puppeteering legend James Ortiz and his team, who were on set with Ryan in every scene. Rocky's performance is a beautiful collaboration between James and the other Rockyteers on set and the wonderful animators at Framestore led by the funny soulful Arslan Elver. Miller noted that by the end of the film shots with Rocky were about 50% VFX animation and 50% puppetry. The digitally shot and produced film was transferred to and then to achieve the "warmth" of . The initial of the film was 3 hours and 45 minutes long, and was cut down to the final length due to feedback from the screenings. Joel Negron served as film editor. Music Main article: It was announced at that would score the film. Pemberton worked with Lord and Miller on (2018) and its , which they produced. This is the first film directed by Lord and Miller to not be scored by . The score, consisting of 38 tracks, was released digitally on March 20, 2026. The film also includes fourteen other songs, including "" by , "" by , "" by and "" sung by . Marketing The film's title on the marquee of in in March 2026 The first trailer was released on June 30, 2025. It was the most-viewed trailer for any original film in the first week of its release, accumulating 400 million views globally. released a model of the Hail Mary spacecraft on March 1, 2026, as part of the series. Release Theatrical Project Hail Mary was released on March 20, 2026, in 4,007 theaters by in the United States and Canada, and in all other territories. It was also released in select theaters, with a 1.43:1 . Home media The film was released on platforms on May 12, 2026. It began streaming on the and on June 18 and July 3, respectively. It was also released on , , and on August 11, 2026, by Alliance Entertainment. Following the standard disc release will be an Amazon exclusive three-disc gift set, scheduled for October 13. It will include a third disc with the film in its full 1.43:1 IMAX ratio, plus additional bonus material and a collectible booklet.[] Reception Box office As of September 11, 2026 Project Hail Mary has grossed $344.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $341.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $685.3 million. In the United States and Canada, Project Hail Mary was released on March 20, 2026, and was projected to gross $63–65 million in North America from 4,007 theaters in its opening weekend. Initially, publications estimated that the film would gross $45–55 million. After grossing $31 million on opening day, including $12 million in previews, the film debuted to $80.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $60.4 million overseas for a worldwide total of $141 million, becoming Amazon MGM Studios' biggest debut to date. In its second weekend, the film made $54.1 million (a drop of 32.8%), remaining in first. It was surpassed by in its third weekend, grossing $31.7 million. In Japan, the film became the highest-grossing foreign film of 2026 in terms of box office revenue attendance on its first day of release. Critical response The performances of , , and were praised by critics On the website , 95% of 430 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The website's consensus reads: "A visually dazzling space odyssey that's carried along effortlessly by the gravitational pull of Ryan Gosling at his most winning, Project Hail Mary is a near-miraculous fusion of smarts and heart." , which uses a , assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 60 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. Audiences polled by gave the film an "A" on an A+ to F scale. The film received an average rating of 8 out of 10 from . G. Allen Johnson of the deemed it "a masterpiece of a family popcorn movie, with eye-popping hand-crafted production design and outstanding creature design and puppetry work." Randy Myers of gave the film a 3.5/4 rating, writing: "While you can't help but marvel at the visuals and applaud the commitment of Gosling's endearing performance, what also makes Project Hail Mary so gosh darn lovable is that it imbues us with child-like wonder from scenes that pay homage to such classics as , and, yes, ." of Ryland Grace with a fan-created Rocky prop at 2026 of concluded in his review: "Does it have many original ideas of its own? Perhaps not. But its greatest hits mixtape of other people's has been compiled with such flair – as well as a sound comprehension of why they worked so well the first time – that it's hard not to be swept up regardless." Barry Hertz of shared a similar opinion, writing: "At almost every turn, Project Hail Mary attempts to convince you that it is groundbreaking, innovative filmmaking. But in actuality, the movie lands as a grand act of cinematic recycling – the fusing together of familiar, comforting bits and pieces into something determined to please crowds and warm hearts." of the wrote: "While 's unsentimental inspired the iPad, Lord and Miller want to inspire a better version of us." Brian Truitt of gave the film a four out of four rating, writing that "Project Hail Mary is one of those old-school popcorn movies with big ideas, the kind of film that and would have made back in the day and kids of all ages would have obsessed over and bought the toys." Ryan Cooper of wrote that the film portrayed a "shockingly realistic view of heroism" and was "one of the rare films that is quite a bit better than the book". of wrote: "Gosling is an effortlessly charming screen player, and he keeps it watchable, though the film itself has moments of dullness and a sort of puppyish silliness [...] Perhaps refreshingly, the film doesn't aim for the stunned awe and rapture of, say, 's or even ' underrated , but it does have the classic sci-fi spacecraft tropes: the huge, mysterious architecture with its vertiginous tunnels in which legacy pop music is played to soothe the inhabitants." anthropology professor praised Grace's intellectual humility in the film. Nicholas Barber of the declared it one of the best films of 2026, writing: Project Hail Mary is an unusual science-fiction blockbuster in that it's mostly about people using their brains to solve problems [...] Does that approach sound a bit dry and academic? If so, rest assured that Project Hail Mary is touching and inspiring – and surprisingly fun [...] it's directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who take a complicated, potentially bleak narrative and make it as fast-paced and cheerful as their animated hit . Meanwhile, Ryan Gosling brings all of his goofball charm to the role of an amnesiac biologist who is trying to save the world. Conversely, of called it "not a very good movie", adding that "it's baggy and incredibly derivative of movies you've seen before [...] More crucially, everything to do with the onboard alien is far too cute and formulaic".

  
  

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• TDP 1498: Please send me your questions for show 1500

  16 September 2026 (2:15pm GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 1 second

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    or @tindogpodcast  

  
  

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• TDP 1491: Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: Fixers - fixed

  4 September 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 55 seconds

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      Late in his life, the Seventh Doctor has reunited with an old friend. Someone to help him fix the problems of the universe - if he can avoid repeating mistakes of the past. Ray is capable, clever and seems the perfect foil for the Doctor - but she will still be put to the test... The Executor by Chris Chapman (2 parts) In a muddy field stands an old stone dovecot. Only it’s a TARDIS - with a recently deceased owner. The Doctor is named Executor of the Last Will and Testament of an old friend - Pegroninagall, 'Peg'. He has a monumental task: clearing her TARDIS of keepsakes and mementos. But this Ship may also contain whatever killed Peg... Oil and Water by James McDermott (2 parts) Visiting the Norfolk coast, the Doctor and Ray discover something very wrong with Blakeney's seals: they're bloated, mutated, and killing people! With grieving boater Anne, they investigate the cause... Is there something in the water? What does it want with the sea life? And what are its plans for humanity? Much Ado About Racing by Fio Tretheway (2 parts) When the TARDIS arrives at the start of the Intergalactic Championship Rally, the Doctor and Ray are caught between two rival racers. And for Ray, long-buried feelings resurface. Something is at work here: something feeding on heartache and regret. And love among the race-crafts isn’t all that’s at stake...    

  
  

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• TDP 1497: A day out to NASA

  31 August 2026 (2:55pm GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 46 minutes and 19 seconds

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  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Villain-Venice-Steampunk-Adventure-Expanded/dp/B0GYVW1ZM3?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

  
  

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• TDP 1492: #DoctorWho Circuit Breaker Deadliest Weapon

  28 August 2026 (4:45am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 13 seconds

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    o Martin reads a thrilling original Circuit Breaker story featuring the Fugitive Doctor. Masquerading as a resident in a luxurious space hotel, the Doctor is in fact on a dangerous mission to eliminate Kashan Akravar, a rogue weapons dealer who’s attempting to auction blueprints for the deadliest weapon ever invented. The Division - that shadowy Time Lord organisation - have briefed the Doctor to prevent the blueprints’ sale at all costs. But they’re not the only ones who realise the weapon’s potential. When the hotel is attacked by Cybermen, intent on seizing the blueprints, the Doctor must use every ounce of her courage and ingenuity to hold them off. Working with husband and wife Kel and Jinni, the Doctor finds puzzles and obstacles in her way. Whose disembodied voice is calling out to her? What is its connection with UNIT’s Black Archive? And can anything prevent a cruel stroke of fate that will have unimaginable consequences for them all…? Jo Martin - the Fugitive Doctor in the BBC TV series – reads this gripping adventure by Steve Lyons, the fourth instalment in the Circuit Breaker story arc, with David Banks as the Cyber-Leader. Reading produced by Morrison Ellis. Sound design by Oliver Denman. Project editors: John Ainsworth & Michael Stevens. Circuit Breaker project lead: James Page. Circuit Breaker editorial leads: Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson and James Page. Executive Producer: Michael Stevens. Cover image by Lee Johnson. © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd  

  
  

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• TDP 1495: #DoctorWho The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures The Hallamshire Incident

  24 August 2026 (4:55am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 27 seconds

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    A huge UFO has crashed in Hallamshire Forest. Are there survivors? Is the site safe? There are a lot of questions to answer. With UNIT and Torchwood gone, the police must step up, while keeping the incident under wraps... Fortunately, they have officers with extensive experience of otherworldly threats... Patricia Menzies is on her way. Yasmin Khan is being recalled. But Yaz's sister, Sonya, believes the world has the right to know the truth about aliens... This release will have a limited CD pressing of 1500 copies.    

  
  

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• TDP 1491: Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: Fixers

  21 August 2026 (4:55am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 2 minutes and 44 seconds

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    Late in his life, the Seventh Doctor has reunited with an old friend. Someone to help him fix the problems of the universe - if he can avoid repeating mistakes of the past. Ray is capable, clever and seems the perfect foil for the Doctor - but she will still be put to the test... The Executor by Chris Chapman (2 parts) In a muddy field stands an old stone dovecot. Only it’s a TARDIS - with a recently deceased owner. The Doctor is named Executor of the Last Will and Testament of an old friend - Pegroninagall, 'Peg'. He has a monumental task: clearing her TARDIS of keepsakes and mementos. But this Ship may also contain whatever killed Peg... Oil and Water by James McDermott (2 parts) Visiting the Norfolk coast, the Doctor and Ray discover something very wrong with Blakeney's seals: they're bloated, mutated, and killing people! With grieving boater Anne, they investigate the cause... Is there something in the water? What does it want with the sea life? And what are its plans for humanity? Much Ado About Racing by Fio Tretheway (2 parts) When the TARDIS arrives at the start of the Intergalactic Championship Rally, the Doctor and Ray are caught between two rival racers. And for Ray, long-buried feelings resurface. Something is at work here: something feeding on heartache and regret. And love among the race-crafts isn’t all that’s at stake... This release will have a limited CD pressing of 1500 copies.

  
  

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• TDP 1494: Good Omens Three REVIEW

  17 August 2026 (4:55am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 0 seconds

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    Series 3 of  premiered on May 13, 2026 on . It comprises one singe episode titled "". Contents Synopsis Good Omens 3 picks up where the ineffable story left off in  as the beloved and unlikely duo -   and   return to face their most epic and personal adventure yet. Their millennia-long friendship has been fractured ever since Aziraphale () accepted the offer to return to , leaving Crowley () behind. Now, as the newly appointed Supreme Archangel, Aziraphale is tasked with overseeing the Second Coming, a monumental responsibility that weighs heavily on him, and is made worse when his plans cause some consternation among the other angels. Meanwhile, heartbroken Crowley finds himself at rock bottom, wandering the streets of Soho. As the fate of the universe hangs in the balance, Aziraphale and Crowley must confront their relationship, heal old wounds and rediscover their bond. From navigating London's gangsters to thwarting Hellish threats, they face personal betrayals and the complexities of their own emotions in this timeless expedition. Together, they must decide whether their friendship - and the world itself - is worth saving. Advertisement Cast  as   as  Bilal Hasna as   as   as  Sean Pertwee as Brian Cameron  as  Toby Jones as 

  
  

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• TDP 1490: Sky: Into the Chaos (2)

  14 August 2026 (4:55am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 43 seconds

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    review   In 1975, the alien Sky arrived on Earth and befriended a group of children. In 2025, he returned. And now, in 2026, the planet is in dire trouble. As a result of Sky’s presence, the Earth has been covered in a calyx, a deadly web of foliage which blocks out the sun. It's up to the unearthly traveller and his friends to save the planet - but they might need the help of Sky’s own people. The Confluence Arby and Jack are lost in the Juganet. Bex and Kyle take Sky to meet an old friend. Jane Briggs and her grief counsellor go through many weeks of sessions about Roy’s death until the Juganet reunites them with the others but six months in Jane’s future. But is everything, and everyone, quite what they seem? The Place of Darkness Another trip through the Juganet sees the Briggs family forced to confront their past while Arby and Cerys confront a twisted future. Who or what is the Skygod, and why does it demand tribune? And what is Kyle Brannock wearing on his head? This Far and No Further The Calyx has almost destroyed Earth and Sky is forced to do the one thing he dreads - he brings his own people to the planet to ask for help. But the Travellers have helped Earth in the past and are not very inclined to give this failed world yet another chance.    

  
  

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• TDP 1496: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION 26 Jeeves and Wooster

  10 August 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 58 minutes and 14 seconds

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    Luke takes us back to the 1920s via the 1990s. Will you be laughing along with us as we revisit Jeeves and Wooster.   T-shirts can be found here –  Email the show –     

  
  

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• TDP 1489: Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Thirteen O'Clock

  7 August 2026 (4:45am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes and 1 second

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      The Doctor and Rose return once more to the Powell Estate, but now the Doctor has a dreadful suspicion about the malevolent power that keeps pulling them back. The estate is shrouded in a strange fog, most of the residents have vanished, and the sinister Mrs Crook guards the ominous Flat 13. What's more, Saffron Windrose has arrived in search of the Doctor, because once he helped her face a nightmarish entity at a railway station called Underbridge... and it's happening again. This release will have a limited CD pressing of 1500 copies.

  
  

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• TDP 1493: #DoctorWho Rutans vs Sontarans 4: Peace at Last

  3 August 2026 (4:55am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 46 seconds

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    On the precipice of peace it stands... After the destruction of a major stronghold, the Sontarans propose something extraordinary. More extraordinary still, the Rutans say yes. The Doctor, Charley and C'rizz are on hand to watch history being made. Yet history has other ideas. A plan that has taken centuries is about to come to fruition. The Melmoth is returning. This release will have a limited CD pressing of 1500 copies.    

  
  

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• TDP 1488: #DoctorWho Zygon Century: Transformation REVIEW

  31 July 2026 (4:01am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds

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      The Zygons have come to claim the Earth, and this time they're playing the long game. For the Black Cadre have a plan, a plan that will take exactly one hundred years to come to fruition. From the streets of St Petersburg to the plains of Death Valley, the Zygon Century continues... 1922: The Black Cadre by Jonathan Barnes From Munich to Dublin to an asylum in Dartmoor, the Zygons have agents everywhere, and their plans are growing in scope and ambition. Can Herbert Scott, that long incarcerated investigator of the occult, do anything to stop them? Is his rescuer - the German heiress, Ilse Lange - all that she seems? And why are the Black Cadre so interested in a mysterious carnival, travelling the wilder reaches of the Cornish coast? 1968: An Incident in Death Valley by Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle Fleeing her brutal human captors, and in hiding from the Black Cadre, the Zygon Vorvoren arrives at a run-down diner in the bowels of Death Valley. There, she finds a friend in Junie, a young waitress, and a town terrorised by a ruthless cult. But just who is their mysterious leader, 'The Arkon'? And could he really hold the key to Vorvoren's liberation and revenge? 1974: The Caldwell Restitution by Ken Bentley Agent Caldwell has been posted to the British Embassy in Moscow and ordered to investigate a rising star of the Communist Party. But Caldwell is a shadow of his former self, plagued by nightmares of the past and misty visions of the future.

  
  

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• TDP 1487: DoctorWho Doctor Who: Rutans vs Sontarans: Grave Moon (3) Review

  24 July 2026 (4:01am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes and 27 seconds

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      The Doctor and Peri track a criminal imposter to a moon sanctuary of healing ponds, only to discover the lone Rutan the Doctor has previously met trapped in a self-made web of lies. Experiments to rejoin the Host have forged a bond with grieving pond farmer, Ooland. As their mutual obsession tightens, so Ooland's ponds grow more polluted and their farm cut off from what is really happening on the moon: a full-on Rutan invasion. As the Doctor and Peri strive to free Melmoth and Ooland from each other, another Doctor is at work close by - with far-reaching plans of his own for the lone Rutan. This release will have a limited CD pressing of 1500 copies.   Writer Lizzie Hopley said: "I chose to use the Sixth Doctor and Peri in this story, because I've always adored the energy of those two. Nicola and Colin have always had such an amazing humour, and a unique ability to slide from this humour into serious change. I thought it would be great to pitch that energy against a messed-up love story. "It's basically impossible for a Rutan to fall in love, so I thought, well, let's do that then. I wanted us to care about this lone Rutan, and I wanted to create a tragedy, because if you invest in characters and you believe they care for one another, even for selfish reasons, then you can create terrible tragedy, and I wanted to have our Eighth and Sixth Doctors and Peri really experience that." Lead actor Colin Baker added: "I was rather captivated by the Romeo and Juliet story, the two warring factions who have not exactly a romantic relationship, but a relationship of affection, love, understanding. And I think that's rather sweet and rather tragic, and it really appealed to me."    (The Doctor)  (Peri Brown)  (The Doctor)  (Yarrin / Sontarans)  (Ooland)  (Inspector) (Melmoth)   Cover Art by  Written by  Director  Producer  Executive Producer ,  Sound Design by  Music by  Product Format: 1-disc CD (jewel case) Number of Discs: 1 CD Duration: 73 minutes Download Duration: 73 minutes Physical Retail ISBN: 978-1-80240-865-2 Digital Retail ISBN: 978-1-80240-866-9 Production Code: BFPDWSPRUTVSON0103 Recorded On: 30 October 2025      

  
  

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• TDP 1486: Planet Krynoid: Survivors (Planet Krynoid 2) REVIEW

  14 July 2026 (4:01am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 20 seconds

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    Written By: , ,  Starring: , ,  Duration: 221 minutes   Colony Sunlight has been destroyed, ravaged by a ruthlessly aggressive galactic weed known only as the Krynoid. As the planet turns cold, sinister forces descend on the surface, and time runs out for the scattered survivors. Could salvation lie a hundred years ago - with a Doctor, a MedTech and a big blue box? 2.1 The Hunt by Jonathan S Powell Blackmailed by the unscrupulous Raynor Cross, Sunlight survivors Tiro Hart and Letty Hodan must battle the icy remains of the life they left behind. But they are not the only ones with their sights set on a pod. 2.2 The Harrow by Georgia Cook Nobody knows what really happened to Station One, Verdana’s first, doomed colony. But after materialising in the path of a Krynoid, the Doctor and Liv are about to find out. 2.3 The Harvest by Jonathan Morris When a band of survivors reach a mysterious settlement, they are promised food, shelter and harmony. But deliverance in Greenhaven comes at a price - and Father Nature is ready to collect. This release will have a limited CD pressing of 1000 copies.   On making her Big Finish debut, Tamsin Greig said: "This is my first audio Doctor Who - it's amazing how it's taken so long for Big Finish to ask me! Amesus Vail is on this distant planet and is pretty stressed with the isolation, the abandonment and having to keep this show on the road. If you go green on this planet, you're dying - it's a lovely inversion!" Producer, director and writer Jonathan S Powell said: "I'm thrilled to be back on the Krynoid homeworld for three more terrifying tales set soon after the events of . Our scattered survivors are running on borrowed time in the present, while the Doctor and Liv battle another Krynoid incursion a hundred years before. "I'm especially delighted with the performers we've brought into the series this time around, not least the enormously talented Tamsin Greig in her Big Finish debut as Overseer Amesus Vail. Alongside Tamsin and our returning survivors, listeners will be treated to star turns from Karl Theobald and Simon Kane as a pair of deluded monster hunters, Juliet Aubrey as a ruthless executive, and Angus Wright as a fanatical plant-loving priest, who harks back more than a little to Harrison Chase. That's not to mention Paul McGann and Nicola Walker as the always dependable Eighth Doctor and Liv. "There's so much to enjoy here, and more story yet to be told - if anyone survives, that is." Writer Georgia Cook said: "I love the myriad of different ways that the Krynoid can be a monster. There's the body horror aspect, the transformative aspect, and it can just eat you! And then, it can also control you through your mind. So it’s kind of a triple threat! With my story, I remember the producer Jon saying, minimal body horror, we're focusing on the horror of the plants as monsters in their own right. "Writing for the Eighth Doctor and Liv was great fun, because I’ve not written for those two before. Liv is such a steely personality and really can be in charge. Even with the Doctor gone, she can hold her own." Nicola Walker, who reprises her role as companion Liv Chenka from the Eighth Doctor Adventures series, said: "I like these stories when it gets very odd, with plants growing and killing us! But, you can draw real-world parallels too - it's otherworldly and imaginary, except there's something in there that has the bite of truth."    (The Doctor )  (Overseer Amesus Vail)  (Liv Chenka)  (Nurse Clarke Boyd)  (Raynor Cross)  (Phillip)  (Katarina)  (Bryn Forrester)  (Fletcher Hart)  (Wendalos)  (Saber)  (Dr Felicia Chester)  (James Hurcotte)  (Tiro Hart)  (Console)  (Letty Hodan)  (Captain Kaleb / Darius)  (Mason Latch)  (Maggie Hart)  (Pater Dowlish) (Eleena Fitzgerald)  

  
  

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• TDP 1485: 5.3 Dark Gallifrey The Meddling Monks Part 3

  7 July 2026 (4:19am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 21 seconds

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    REVIEW   This title was released in June 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 July 2026, and on general sale after this date. The Meddling Monk and the Meddling Nun are stranded on Earth with a broken TARDIS and find themselves involved in a series of odd escapades, each more onerous than expected. But the greatest challenge is still to come... Monky Puzzle An international jigsaw competition has come to town. Do the Monk and the Nun have time to compete before the arrival of a very special guest? There's only one way to find out. What could possibly go wrong? Monky About What's it all about? Well, it's a Big Finish finale so there's bound to be explosions, and chases with perhaps a starry cameo and a threat to all life on Earth. What could possibly go wrong?

  
  

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• TDP 1484: Tip Toe Review

  3 July 2026 (4:09am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes and 33 seconds

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    Tip Toe is a 2026 British television  miniseries for  written by  and starring  and . Premise Tip Toe is a miniseries starring two next-door neighbours in Manchester—Leo Struthers, the  owner of the  bar Spit and Polish, and his long-standing neighbour Clive Goss, an electrician. The show explores the effects of  on social media, leading the neighbours to gradually become deadly enemies. As events unfurl involving Clive's son George and online conspiracy theories, the series reaches a deadly conclusion. Cast  as Leo Struthers. Born in Scotland, Leo runs a bar called Spit and Polish on Manchester's . He became  in the 1990s.  as Clive Goss, Leo's next-door neighbour and an electrician. Clive is anxious and worried about the state of the world, his finances, and his family.  as Stephanie Dale  as Diane  as Marie Goss, Clive's wife. Jackson Connor as George Goss, Clive and Marie's 16-year-old son. Joseph Evans as Saul Goss, Clive and Marie's 25-year-old son.  as Zee Malone Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo as Judy Khumalo  as Mikey Driscoll Shakeel Kimotho as Hanna Ayomide  as Melba  as Curtis Baxter Jolyon Benson as Frederic Hopper Production The series was commissioned by  in February 2025. It is written by  and produced by  for Quay Street Productions with Phil Collinson as a series producer, and  as series director. Davies, Hoar and  are executive producers. Cumming also leads the cast with . The wider cast includes ,  and , amongst others. Filming began in Manchester in September 2025. Episodes 31 May 2026 TBD In a flashforward, a crowd of people gather to see Leo hanged from a streetlamp. Ten days earlier, Leo has just had a one-night stand with a man. The man steals his laptop, and Leo runs outside to chase him, but fails and also locks himself out of his house dressed only in pants and a t-shirt. This forces him to knock on his neighbour Clive's door, where he asks if he can call his best friend, Stephanie, who has a spare key. Clive agrees, but later suggests that Leo give him a key for emergencies, and Leo hires him to help at his bar. One of Leo's employees, Zee, has been sleeping at the bar since her home has become unsafe since coming out as , so Leo and the other employees help her pack and move. Leo and his friend Melba discuss the situation, with Melba frustrated at Leo's denial of the danger their community is in, in the present day. Leo discovers George, Clive's teenage son, on his dating app. 2 "Episode 2" Peter Hoar Russell T Davies 1 June 2026 TBD In a flashforward, George watches silently from his room as Leo is hanged outside. Clive shows increasing discomfort around Leo and his employees, two of whom are transgender. Leo also hires Clive's eldest son, Saul, to work at the bar. Leo and George communicate through the app, with Leo giving George advice and hiding his sexuality from Clive. 3 "Episode 3" Peter Hoar Russell T Davies 7 June 2026 TBD In a flashforward, police arrest Clive for Leo's murder. In the present, Clive has a struggling marriage with Marie and a strained relationship with his sons, especially George. Clive and Leo return home to find George hiding in Leo's flat, with Clive assaulting Leo and accusing him of luring his son over. Leo threatens to call the police, which Stephanie encourages, but Leo ultimately chooses not to out of fear for his safety. George runs away, but Saul finds him and convinces him to return home. Marie is worried George will be charged with burglary, whilst Clive accuses Leo of being a predator. Clive breaks into Leo's house and finds Saul's  account as well as the message exchanges between him and George, which he documents. Leo returns home to find him there. 4 "Episode 4" Peter Hoar Russell T Davies 8 June 2026 TBD In a flashforward, Stephanie and Zee attempt to protect Leo's house from an angry mob. Two days earlier, Leo calls the police on Clive, but tells them it was a mistake after Clive threatens to frame him for paedophilia. Clive and George attempt to have a conversation, which devolves into an argument as Clive accuses Leo of infecting George, and ends up leaving in a rage. Stephanie begs Leo to move, but he believes it will all calm down soon. Saul becomes worried about his dad after realising he has found his account. Zee contacts George and he helps her choose her new name, and the pair go to the Northern Quarter together. Clive goes to Leo's bar and ends up helping them when a man assaults a customer. Leo admits that he has been HIV positive for thirty-two years, but Clive dismisses HIV as fake. In a conversation with Stephanie, Leo expresses concern about Clive. 5 "Episode 5" Peter Hoar Russell T Davies 9 June 2026 TBD Leo and Stephanie argue about the best way to help George, with Stephanie believing Marie would be supportive. Saul sees the photo of George wearing makeup and partying with Zee and her friends, he expresses support but warns George about his friends possible reactions. The Gosses host a football livestream during which George is violently hazed. Zee is unable to delete the photo, and goes to George's house, but he rejects her help. Clive sees Zee, and Leo agrees to help her by talking to Clive. The confrontation soon devolves into violence, with the Gosses' friends exposing both Saul's account and George's photos to their parents. Upon seeing Zee with George, Clive attacks Leo and accuses him of taking advantage of George. George refutes this, stating Leo has HIV. After the video of Clive helping Leo during the fight is exposed, Clive whips the crowd into a frenzy and take Leo outside to hang him. Saul desperately attempts to prevent them, but is unsuccessful. Ultimately, Clive and his accomplices are arrested for murder, George becomes a drug-addict, Saul gets married and lives happily, Zee chooses the name Sarah and becomes a teacher, and the bar is turned into a pizzeria. Two years prior, Stephanie and Leo discuss his divorce, and the effects that coming out has had on their lives. Leo expresses a belief that something big will happen. Broadcast The first episode was broadcast on  on 31 May 2026. Episodes 1 and 2 were released on the streaming on demand service also called  on that day. Episode 2 aired on 1 June, and episodes 3, 4, and 5 aired across consecutive days on 7–9 June. The three episodes were released on streaming on 7 June. In Australia it is available on . In Israel it is available on . In New Zealand it is available on  Reception The series received a positive reception from both the public and reviewers, garnering four stars or above from publications such as , , and the . There was some criticism of its handling of , saying that it downplayed its impact on .

  
  

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• TDP 1481: 15B. Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures Series 15: Lethal Progress REVIEW

  30 June 2026 (4:22am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 16 minutes and 12 seconds

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    This title was released in June 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 July 2026, and on general sale after this date. The Doctor takes the TARDIS into the future where many great scientific leaps are taking place. But every new advance has its risks - and some of these risks are deadlier than others. 15.3 Green and Pleasant Planet by Tim Foley The Doctor and Sarah find themselves exploring an alien world alongside a British space expedition. It's never been visited before... so what's a model village doing on the surface of the planet? Finding the answer may prove deadly. 15.4 The Continuum by John Dorney The Doctor and Sarah land on the space-station Daedalus on the day it makes history. The first journey through hyperspace has just been completed. But it hasn't gone as smoothly as posterity suggests. Something terrible is happening - and the clock is ticking down. 15.5 The Audience by Lizzie Hopley A cultural festival on Gakoria should be light relief for the TARDIS crew. But when one of the cast of a play dies, Sarah has to join the troupe. And the Audience on this world are very demanding. Because on this planet... the play's the thing. **Please note: the collector's edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,500 copies**

  
  

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• TDP 1482: 1.2. #DoctorWho: Rutans vs Sontarans: Rendition

  26 June 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 25 seconds

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    review   This title was released in May 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 June 2026, and on general sale after this date. At the edge of the Sontaran-Rutan War, a large medical ship lingers in space. The Doctor and his friends find a group of strange survivors aboard planning something unusual to save their commander. What new powers do the Rutans possess? What secrets does the Lockhart hold? As the conflict creeps closer, the Doctor must work out how to rescue those no longer versed in war... **Please note: the collector’s edition CDs are strictly limited to 1,500 copies**

  
  

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• TDP 1483: #DoctorWho The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures Aegis

  23 June 2026 (4:50am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 20 seconds

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    This title was released in May 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 July 2026, and on general sale after this date. The Doctor and Yaz must infiltrate the Aegis Protectorate interplanetary defence expo in search of someone who has been dogging their travels. As the Doctor digs into the company’s main export - the sinister Trojan Program, Yaz faces a battle of her own. Will they finally uncover the truth about the Tourist? **Please note: the collector's edition CD is strictly limited to 1,500 copies**

  
  

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• TDP 1480: #Torchwood Release 100 : Fare Well (REVIEW)

  19 June 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 54 seconds

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    This title was released in May 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 July 2026, and on general sale after this date. Ianto Jones and Tommy Pierce have fought many alien invaders together. They're more than work colleagues, they're friends. But their friendship is about to be put to the test as they prepare to face a Cyberman. A Cyberman in a cellar. In the village of Wetwang. **Please note: the collector's edition CDs are strictly limited to 1,000 copies each and will not be re-pressed.**

  
  

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• TDP 1478: For Your Consideration 24 Highlander

  15 June 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 56 minutes and 21 seconds

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  Michael brings a favourite film from the 1980s. Is there only one? It’s Highlander. Below: images of the ‘Lego’ models discussed in the intro. T-shirts can be found here –  Email the show – 

  
  

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• TDP 1479: #DoctorWho: The War Doctor Rises 5 : Fear of the Light

  12 June 2026 (12:31pm GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 15 minutes and 22 seconds

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    This title was released in May 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 July 2026, and on general sale after this date. In the midst of the Time War, can the Doctor work with the Rani to change the future of the universe? 5.1 The Twilight Enclave Fleeing from the Daleks, the Doctor sends a distress call, in desperate need of rescue... ... and it’s answered by one of his oldest friends, and deadliest foes... the Rani. 5.2 The Frozen Wastes The Doctor must consider the unthinkable. Can he set their differences aside, and work with the Rani, on a project that could change the future of the universe...? 5.3 The Burning Lands The Rani stands on the brink of success. The future of the universe is about to change... **Please note: the collector's edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,000 copies**

  
  

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• TDP 1477: #DOCTORWHO Big Finish’s New Writer Competition 2026

  7 June 2026 (11:52am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 45 seconds

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  from bigfinish website   The Big Finish  Memorial Short Trip Opportunity honours the memory of our much-loved colleague and friend, a stalwart of the Big Finish production office who passed away suddenly on 8 May 2014. We're searching for an emerging talent to write a  that will be released as an audiobook at Christmas – and this year, the topic is "The First Doctor". The competition runs for five weeks, starting today and closing in the middle of June. Commemorating Paul Big Finish's Executive Producer  said: "It's always a special time to remember our dear friend Paul. It's particularly exciting for me this year as we're focussing on the First Doctor, who has been something of a passion of mine recently. Can't wait to read the story submissions for this!" The First Doctor Range producer  said: "In the ten years since we launched this memorial competition, we've never had a winning story featuring the First Doctor. This is the year we're changing that. "We want to read your proposal for a standalone  with a brand new idea that showcases him in a short story for a single reader that we'll publish at the end of this year. "Your story will be inspired by the character of the First Doctor as we saw him on TV. It's an era when each story naturally offered a new perspective on the continuing series – so we want your proposal to demonstrate that kind of originality and inventiveness. What fresh characters, adversaries, locations, concepts and perspectives can you devise for a compelling short story?" In addition to naming a winner, Big Finish will also identify a shortlist of commendations. "In recent competitions, the standard of entries has been wonderful," said . "Although we will have only one winner, we thought it appropriate this year to name and commend other strong contenders." Before you enter the competition, please carefully read the 2026 guidelines below and the accompanying on the Big Finish website. They contain important information that explains eligibility, theme, word count, deadline, and how to submit your story idea. We look forward to reading your entries. Good luck! Helpful advice from previous winners You can get a feeling for what a successful competition entry looks like by checking out the previous ten winners. Recordings of each are available on the Big Finish website as free downloads, along with the final script and the original winning submissions from each year. The Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trip Opportunity 2026 Guidelines The competition is to identify talent, enthusiasm, and ability to write to a specification – so everything you need to know is in these guidelines and the accompanying terms and conditions. Please note that no correspondence will be entered into, either during the entry period or afterwards, and the judges' decision is final. Entry into this competition requires that you have read and accepted . By entering, you indicate that you have done so. SUBMISSION PROCESS:  All entries must be submitted electronically to , either as a Word-compatible document or a PDF document, formatted as per these guidelines, and received by Big Finish before 23:59 (UK time) on Thursday 11 June 2026. YOUR EMAIL MESSAGE:  Include the entrant’s full name and a contact email address only in the body of your email.   Include your title (e.g. Attack of the Glurgs) in the Subject line.  Don’t include any details of your background or previous writing experience – your submission should speak for itself.  Attach your anonymised entry document to the email.  THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT:  The document must consist of two parts in a single document: a one page synopsis that is no more than 500 words, and a one-page excerpt from your story of a further 500 words maximum (prose, not drama script). This is to give an indication of the writer’s ability and intentions for a 4,500-word story, which can change if the full story is commissioned. These word count limits for the synopsis and extract are a strict requirement this year.  Name the attached file only with your story title (e.g. Attack of the Glurgs.PDF)  Do NOT include personally identifying details in your document (for example, name or email address), or the entry will be disqualified.  THEME AND CONTENT:  Submissions should propose a short story featuring the First Doctor and set at any time in the universe of the  television series between An Unearthly Child and The Tenth Planet. THINGS YOU MAY DO:   You may use any of the First Doctor's regular companions (or none of them) as they appeared in TV episodes: Susan, Ian, Barbara, Vicki, Steven, Katarina, Dodo, Ben and Polly. Your story should feature the character of the First Doctor as we saw him on TV. We want your proposal to wow us with its originality and inventiveness. So what fresh characters, adversaries, locations, concepts and perspectives can you devise for a compelling short story? THINGS TO AVOID:   Do NOT create a new companion for the Doctor, nor use other companions from TV or elsewhere.   Do NOT include other Doctors or Time Lords.  Do NOT include any established creatures (e.g. Voord, Sensorites, etc.) or established characters (e.g. Mavic Chen, the Toymaker, etc.) or established  organisations (e.g. Coal Hill School, Space Security Service, etc.).   Do NOT base any fictional characters on any real living person; you may include real historical people as characters, so long as they lived and died before the year 1900. EXAMPLES:   If you've never heard a  story before, we recommend that you listen to some examples, to get a sense of how they sound and what can be done in the format.   Each of the previous winning stories is available as a free download. When you add them to your Big Finish account, you also unlock bonus content that includes downloads of the original winning submissions and the final studio scripts.  2016:  by  (Seventh Doctor)  2017:  by  (Third Doctor)  2018:  by  (Second Doctor)  2019:  by  (Twelfth Doctor)  2020:  by  (Tenth Doctor)  2021:  by  (Ninth Doctor)  2022:  by  (Eleventh Doctor)  2023:  by  (Sixth Doctor)  2024:  by  (Twelfth Doctor)  2025:  by  (Thirteenth Doctor)

  
  

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• TDP 1474 5.2. Dark Gallifrey The Meddling Monks Part 2

  5 June 2026 (1:00pm GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 47 seconds

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      This title was released in May 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 June 2026, and on general sale after this date. The Meddling Monk and the Meddling Nun are stranded on Earth with a broken TARDIS and find themselves involved in a series of odd escapades, each more onerous than expected. But the greatest challenge is still to come... Monky Nuts It's time to host the neighbours for an evening soirée. But is the Monk's fish dish a winner or will their guests prefer the Nun's baby chicken? There's only one way to find out and soon culinary battle has commenced. What could possibly go wrong? Monky Magic There's a big prize to be won at the local talent show. So the Monk and the Nun are soon brushing up their best stage acts in attempt to claim victory and ensure the success of their grand plan. What could possibly go wrong?

  
  

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• TDP 1473: The Star Wars - The Mandalorian and Grogu REVIEW

  2 June 2026 (12:46pm GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 13 seconds

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  A villian in venice bu Gilroy-Sinclair avaliable on amazon world wide 

  
  

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• TDP 1472: ERA1. UNIT: Eras: Hostile Universe review

  28 May 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 25 seconds

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      UNIT. Humanity’s first and best line of defence against a hostile universe. No matter where. No matter when. 1. Rise of the Valiant by Andrew Smith 2008. The Earth has been stolen and planets fill the sky. With the Doctor otherwise engaged, it falls to UNIT's finest - Colonel Mace, Harry Sullivan, and the retired Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart - to take the fight back to the Daleks. Because deep in the Brazilian rainforest, a secret weapon with a familiar name is waiting. And it's ready to fly. Sound Design: Steve Foxon, Music: Borna Matosic, Director: Samuel Clemens 2. The Indigo Child by Ken Bentley 2017. UNIT has been shut down, its heroes targeted. After an attempt on her life, Kate Stewart fights from the shadows, doing what she can to protect the people of Great Britain. Reunited with Petronella Osgood, Kate goes undercover to save a child refugee with psychic powers. It's a race against time, and a new enemy is determined to win. Sound Design: Steve Foxon, Music: Simon Slater, Director: Ken Bentley 3. The Life and Death of Private Eddie Wise by Hannah Kennedy The dawn of UNIT. Aliens have invaded and Eddie Wise is far from ready. Plagued by nightmares and lying to his fiancé, the beleaguered Eddie becomes embroiled in a plot to bring his workplace to its knees. To make matters worse, there's a journalist on his tail. Because Sarah Jane Smith needs the scoop on UNIT, and Private Wise might just be the man she needs. Sound Design: Andy Hardwick, Music: David Roocroft, Director: Jonathan S Powell 4. Deadstar by Joshua Pruett and Jonathan S Powell 2023. The Toymaker has been vanquished and UNIT stands tall. But when a cutting-edge telescope is brought online, the UNIT skyscraper is plunged into lockdown. Besieged by an impossible foe, Melanie Bush and new recruit Dr Isla Ellis need all their wits to survive. Because the stars have woken up, and something is very wrong with the Vlinx. Sound Design: Thea Cochrane, Music: Borna Matosic, Director: Helen Goldwyn

  
  

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• TDP 1471: Review BNW4. UNIT: Brave New World: Knightfall

  25 May 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 54 seconds

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      Worlds are about to collide as Winifred Bambera faces the greatest dilemma of her life. Her lost beloved husband Ancelyn is back - and all hell is about to break loose. Facing armies of darkness and the wrath of the mighty Queen Guinevere, can the course of true love run smooth - just this once? 4.1 Deep Water by Georgia Cook Ancelyn is back! But all is not well in the other-dimensional realm of Albion. Magical assassins have been sent across the cosmic rift to do the bidding of the paranoid Queen Guinevere. Can UNIT save their intended victims in time? And just how will Savarin and Rix survive Bambera's rocky reunion with her knight errant husband? 4.2 Storm Over Albion by Felicia Barker Bambera leads UNIT forces on a dangerous mission to face Guinevere in Camelot. But Ancelyn is declared a traitor to the crown, and the mad queen sees any challenge as an act of aggression. The fates of two worlds hang in the balance... 4.3 Shining Armour by Robert Valentine Sleeping dragons wake, knights and fae clash in the streets of London, and the countdown to the end of all worlds begins!

  
  

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• TDP 1470: Doctor Who: The Fifth Doctor Adventures: Helter Skelter REVIEW

  21 May 2026 (5:20am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes and 1 second

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    This title was released in April 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2026, and on general sale after this date. Field of Miracles by Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle The Doctor, Tegan and Turlough arrive in the quaint village of Heatherington in 1951. But something strange is happening. In an England of post-war austerity, Heatherington is thriving - the shops are full of produce and everyone seems to have everything they’ve ever wanted, even if what they’ve wanted is the dead to return to them. The Doctor and his friends must stop the creeping invasion of the Asteri, wish-granting crystalline organisms of awesome destructive power, before they extract a terrible price from the villagers. Helter Skelter by James Moran When a bio-engineered planet and amusement park undergoes a critical malfunction, the entire planet tears itself apart - and the Doctor, Tegan and Turlough are thrown back to their arrival, trapped in a repeating time loop. But for some reason, only Tegan can see the loop, not the Doctor - it has been hidden from him somehow. So why can Tegan see it, and how is she going to fix it? Land of Fools by Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle The TARDIS arrives in London, 1980, but something has gone wrong with the timeline. The city is a quasi-police state, overseen by a mysterious new company, Luqos, which promises miraculous gifts to its followers. As Tegan takes off to reconnect with an old friend, and the Doctor teams up with young activist Zan, Turlough is pulled into the heart of Luqos by the shadowy 'M', where they discover an old enemy at work beneath the city. Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,500 copies   Recorded on: 15-17 October 2025 Recorded at: The Soundhouse and The Video Factory, New Zealand   Producer Sonny McGann said: "Turlough, Tegan and the Doctor are back! We're returning to Earth, where a new threat has emerged wielding immense psionic power. In an England suffering from post-war austerity, one village appears to have everything they’ve ever wanted. Some will pay any price to see a wish fulfilled - a choice which may ripple through time. "Meanwhile, when a visit to an amusement park on a bio-engineered planet traps the Doctor and his friends in a time loop, one of our companions will have to step up to prevent the planet from tearing itself apart. Three new stories full of wit, emotion, and good technobabble, according to Peter Davison!" Producer Stewart Pringle, co-writer of the first and third episodes, said: "Tegan and Turlough are just great, aren't they? It's so lovely that this set is coming out around the time of Season 21 landing on Blu-ray because it's such a glorious period of Doctor Who. Field of Miracles is our tribute to The Android Invasion with shades of The Wicker Man." The second episode's writer James Moran added: "I will always refer to this story as Tegan Jovanka's Groundhog Day, which tells you all you need to know up front. It made me endlessly amused that I'd come up with a plot almost custom designed to make Tegan as angry as possible. And that was pretty much deliberate, to see how Janet would run with it!" The box set's other writer Lauren Mooney said: "Land of Fools is the Fifth Doctor in the 1980s with shades of Resurrection of the Daleks, but also a vibe of the Sylvester McCoy years. It's a proper little dystopia in a Back to the Future Part II mould, and it leads somewhere that we hope is unexpected. It's a thrill to write for this TARDIS team – the bickering, friction and lack of bonhomie gives this era such a delicious flavour of its own."  

  
  

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• TDP 1468: Stranger Things 85 ep 1 New Kid

  17 May 2026 (6:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 8 seconds

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• TDP 1469: #Torchwood release 99 Curtain Review

  14 May 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes and 50 seconds

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    This title was released in March 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2026, and on general sale after this date. Many years ago, the Palace Theatre burnt down during a performance that accidentally summoned the devil. Now the cast have been invited back to the grand reopening by a mysterious figure. Who is Bilis Manger? Please note: the collector’s edition CDs are strictly limited to 1,000 copies each and will not be re-pressed.    (Roger Cartney)  (Mathilde Balfour)  (Dermot Lacey) (Bilis Manger) ecorded on: 11 February 2025 Recorded at: The Soundhouse   Director Scott Handcock said: "The influence of Bilis Manger stretches far and wide throughout Torchwood - and Curtain is no exception. It's a play about performances and the masks people wear, consciously and subconsciously, and it was a delight to work with such a talented band of actors on a script about acting! "We had the best of times with Murray Melvin, and I know the idea of one more story with Bilis after he'd gone always tickled him. We all miss him a very great deal." Writer and producer James Goss added: "Curtain's the release you listen to if you want a slice of horror - three people trapped in a haunted theatre with the devil playing deadly tricks on them. "It's a release that we'd have absolutely loved Murray Melvin to be around for; indeed, he suggested the notion of Bilis Manger in a theatre, as he loved lighting up a green room with theatrical anecdotes. Actors adored Murray, and it seemed irresistible to do a story in which Bilis sunk his teeth into three actors - a success, a has-been and a never-quite-was, all broken in their own ways. "Sadly, of course, Murray died before we could get a script ready, and we were left with a corking idea and the burning need to give Bilis a soaring send-off. Bilis was such a great part of the Big Finish Torchwood range, he couldn't just go out without a big bang. And so we came up with the notion of Curtain - there is a character called Bilis Manger in it, but who is he? "The recording was a blast - there's nothing actors love so much as taking the mick out of themselves and each other. Honestly, it's a great curtain call for Bilis Manger, and he truly deserves this one last ovation."  

  
  

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• TDP 1467: For Your Consideration The Fifth Element

  11 May 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 1 hours, 3 minutes and 42 seconds

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      It’s Luke’s pick this month as we talk a trip back to 1997 and Luc Besson’s divisive sci-fi blockbuster The Fifth Element. T-shirts can be found here –  Email the show –      he Fifth Element (: Le Cinquième Élément) is a 1997 English-language French  film conceived and directed by , and co-written by Besson and . It stars , , , , and . Primarily set in the 23rd century, the plot involves the survival of planet Earth, which becomes the responsibility of Korben Dallas (Willis), a taxi driver and former  major, after a young woman named Leeloo (Jovovich) falls into his cab. Dallas joins forces with her to recover four mystical stones essential for the defence of Earth against the impending attack of a malevolent cosmic entity. Besson started writing the story that was developed as The Fifth Element when he was 16 years old; he was 38 when the film opened in cinemas. Besson wanted to shoot the film in France, but suitable facilities could not be found; filming took place in  and , instead. He hired comic artists  and , whose books inspired parts of the film, for production design. Costume design was by . The Fifth Element received mainly positive reviews, although some critics were highly negative. The film won in categories at the , the , the , and the , but also received nominations at the  and . The Fifth Element was a strong financial success, earning more than US$263 million at the box office on a $90-million budget, making it the . At the time of its release, it was the most expensive European film ever made, and it remained the highest-grossing French film at the international box office until the release of  in 2011. Plot In 1914, aliens known as Mondoshawans meet their contact on Earth, a priest of a secret order, at an  temple. They take the only weapon capable of defeating a great evil that appears every 5000 years, promising to protect it and return it before the great evil's re-emergence. The weapon consists of the four , as four engraved stones, plus a  containing a "fifth element". In the 23rd century, the great evil appears in deep space as a giant living fireball. It destroys an armed Earth spaceship as it heads to Earth. The Mondoshawans' current human contact on Earth, priest Vito Cornelius, informs the president of the Federated Territories of the great evil's history and the weapon that can stop it. On their way to Earth, a Mondoshawan spacecraft carrying the weapon is ambushed and destroyed by a crew of Mangalores, alien mercenaries hired by Earth industrialist Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, who is working for the great evil. A severed hand in metal armour from the wreckage of the spacecraft is brought to . From this, the government uses biotechnology to recreate the original occupant of the sarcophagus, a humanoid woman named Leeloo, who remembers her previous life. Alarmed by the unfamiliar surroundings and high security, she escapes and jumps off a ledge, crashing into the  of Korben Dallas, a former major in Earth's . Dallas delivers Leeloo to Cornelius and his apprentice, David, who recognises her as the fifth element. As Leeloo recuperates, she tells Cornelius that the stones were not on board the Mondoshawan ship. Simultaneously, the Mondoshawans inform Earth's government that the stones were entrusted to an alien opera singer, the diva Plavalaguna. Zorg reneges on his deal with the Mangalores for failing to obtain the stones, and kills some of them. Earth's military sends Dallas to meet Plavalaguna; a rigged radio contest provides a cover, awarding Dallas a luxury vacation aboard a flying hotel on planet Fhloston, accompanied by flamboyant talk-show host Ruby Rhod. It includes a concert by Plavalaguna, and learning that Leeloo shares his mission, Dallas lets her accompany him. Cornelius instructs David to prepare the temple, then stows away on the luxury spaceship. The Mangalore crew, pursuing the stones for themselves, also illegally board the ship. During the concert, the Mangalores attack, and Plavalaguna is killed. Dallas extracts the stones from her body and kills the Mangalore leader, causing the others to surrender. Zorg arrives, shoots Leeloo, and activates a . He flees with a carrying case he presumes contains the stones, but returns when he discovers it is empty. As Zorg's bomb causes the hotel's evacuation, Dallas finds Leeloo traumatised and escapes with her, Cornelius, Rhod, and the stones in Zorg's private spaceship. Zorg deactivates his bomb, but a dying Mangalore sets off his own, destroying the hotel and killing Zorg. As the great evil approaches Earth, the four meet David at the temple. They deploy the stones, but Leeloo, having learned of humanity's history of cruelty, has given up on life. Dallas declares his love for her and kisses her. Leeloo combines the power of the stones, emitting divine light onto the great evil and defeating it. Dallas and Leeloo are hailed as heroes, and as dignitaries wait to greet them, the two passionately embrace in a recovery chamber.  

  
  

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• TDP 1466: 1.1. Doctor Who: Rutans vs Sontarans: Betrayal at the House of Sontar #DoctorWho

  7 May 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 40 seconds

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    This title was released in April 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2026, and on general sale after this date. There are many stories of the Sontaran-Rutan war. But one hidden thread has yet to be revealed. A tale told across millennia. From before the war to its possible end. As the Doctor is about to discover... On the run from the mysterious organisation called Division, the Doctor has come to the planet Sontar - home of the Kaveetch Empire and their armed forces, the Sontarans. She wants sanctuary... and she's offering the secrets of the Time Lords in exchange. But with the whole of time and space up for grabs, the stakes are high. Can everyone on Sontar be trusted? Please note: the collector’s edition CDs are strictly limited to 1,500 copies**

  
  

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• TDP 1465: 4.5. #DoctorWho: Pandemonium REVIEW The Ninth Doctor Adventures

  3 May 2026 (12:21pm GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 13 minutes and 5 seconds

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      This title was released in April 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 June 2026, and on general sale after this date. The past has broken through into the Powell Estate and not even the Doctor knows what's happening! With more and more historical figures appearing, it's a race to figure out what's behind this, before the past becomes the present and all hell breaks loose... **THIS TITLE IS NOW SOLD OUT ON CD**

  
  

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• TDP 1464: 5.1. Dark Gallifrey: The Meddling Monks Part 1 #DoctorWho REVIEW

  26 April 2026 (3:48pm GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes and 41 seconds

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    link to Villian in Venice for other editions click see all formats   review   This title was released in April 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2026, and on general sale after this date. The Meddling Monk and the Meddling Nun are stranded on Earth with a broken TARDIS and find themselves involved in a series of odd escapades. Buying a house; getting a job; having a dinner party... all of these and others prove more onerous than expected. But the greatest challenge is still to come... Monky House A Blinovitch based accident with the TARDIS has curtailed the Meddling Monk and the Meddling Nun’s travels together. Now they're trapped on Earth with no means of escape. Or are they? The Nun has a mysterious plan and the first step is for them to buy a house. What could possibly go wrong? Monky Business Our Meddlesome heroes need money to help their plan and so opt to get a job with a local business. But there’s only one role available so they soon find themselves at loggerheads competing for the position. What could possibly go wrong?  

  
  

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• TDP 1463: New Book Out May 1st - Update #Steampunk #Amazon number 1 in "Hot new childrens Steampunk"

  18 April 2026 (1:10pm GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 2 minutes and 53 seconds

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  childrens edition Adult cover edition   follow the links to edition you want  

  
  

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• TDP 1462: For Your Consideration 22 Atlantis - The Lost Empire

  13 April 2026 (5:16am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 57 minutes and 48 seconds

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    Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 American animated  adventure film directed by  and , produced by , and written by . Produced by , it stars , , , , , , , , , , ,  and . Set in 1914, the film follows young linguist Milo Thatch, who gains possession of a sacred book, which he believes will guide him and a crew of mercenaries to the lost city of . Development of the film began after production had finished on  (1996). Instead of another , directors Trousdale and Wise, producer Hahn, and screenwriter Murphy decided to do an adventure film inspired by the works of . Atlantis: The Lost Empire was notable for adopting the distinctive visual style of  , one of the film's . The film made greater use of  (CGI) than any of Disney's previous  features and remains one of the few to have been shot in .    an  specifically for use in the film.  provided the film's musical score. The film was released at a time when audience interest in animated films was shifting away from traditional animation toward films with full CGI. Atlantis: The Lost Empire premiered at the  in , on June 3, 2001, and went into its general release on June 15. The film received mixed reviews from critics. Budgeted at around $90–120 million, Atlantis grossed over $186 million worldwide, $84 million of which was earned in North America; its lackluster box office response was identified as a result of being released in competition with , ,  and . As a result of the film's , Disney cancelled a planned  , Team Atlantis; an underwater  attraction; and a volcanic  attraction based on it. Atlantis was nominated for several awards, including seven , and won Best Sound Editing at the 2002 . The film was released on VHS and DVD on January 29, 2002, and on  on June 11, 2013. Despite its initial reception, reception in later years became favorable and has given Atlantis a  and reappraisal from critics as a mistreated classic, due in part to Mignola's unique artistic influence. A  sequel, , was released in 2003. Plot In 1914 Washington, D.C., archaeo-linguist Milo Thatch obsesses over finding the legendary lost city of , believed to have sunk thousands of years ago. His employers ridicule his theories, but he gains an unexpected ally in eccentric millionaire Preston B. Whitmore, a friend of Milo's deceased adventurer grandfather who also sought the city. Determined to honor his old friend's quest, Whitmore recruits Milo for an expedition to Atlantis, having recently uncovered the Shepherd's Journal, an ancient Atlantean manuscript that contains directions to the lost city. Aboard the submarine Ulysses, Milo meets his teammates: Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke, Lieutenant Helga Sinclair, demolitions expert Vincenzo Santorini, geologist Gaetan "Mole" Molière, medical officer Joshua Sweet, mechanic Audrey Ramirez, radio operator Wilhelmina Packard, mess cook Jebidiah "Cookie" Farnsworth, and a platoon of mercenaries. Upon reaching a cave entrance leading to the lost city, the submarine is destroyed by a massive mechanical , killing most of the crew. Milo and the survivors escape in smaller craft, navigating through the cave to emerge among ancient ruins. Milo translates the journal, guiding the team through caves beneath a dormant volcano until they reach the worn remains of Atlantis. There, they are greeted by Princess Kidagakash "Kida" Nedakh, who, despite being around 8,500 years old, has the appearance of a young woman. She leads them to her father, King Kashekim, who orders them to leave. Learning that Milo can read their language—a skill lost to the Atlanteans over millennia—Kida asks for his help in uncovering their forgotten history and highly-advanced technology, without which the city has declined and resources have dwindled. Milo learns that Atlantis is powered by the Heart of Atlantis, a massive crystal that grants longevity and health to its citizens through the smaller crystals they carry. Rourke betrays Milo and the Atlanteans, revealing his true intention to steal the Heart for profit, despite knowing the Atlanteans will perish without it. He mortally wounds the King while seizing control and uncovers the crystal's hidden location beneath the city. Sensing the danger, the crystal merges with Kida, who is then captured by Rourke. He departs with the crystallized Kida and his mercenaries, except for Vincenzo, Molière, Sweet, Audrey, Packard, and Cookie, who refuse to take part in the Atlanteans' destruction. Before dying, the King reveals that Atlantis was devastated by a  after he attempted to weaponize the crystal's vast power. To protect the city, the crystal merged with a royal family member, Kida's mother. This created a protective dome over the city's inner district, shielding it from total destruction as Atlantis sank beneath the waves, but Kida's mother never returned. To prevent the crystal from ever merging with Kida, the King hid it, inadvertently accelerating Atlantis' decline. He warns Milo that Kida will be lost forever if she is not soon separated from the crystal and pleads with him to save her. Alongside his allies, Milo rallies the Atlanteans to reactivate their long-dormant flying machines. Together, they eliminate Rourke and his mercenaries in the volcano. Milo and the others fly the crystallized Kida back to Atlantis as the volcano erupts. Kida ascends into the air and awakens Stone Guardians, who erect a barrier that shields the city from the lava flow. With Atlantis saved, the crystal separates from Kida and remains suspended in the sky. Milo chooses to stay in Atlantis with Kida, having fallen in love with her. Before returning to the surface, Vincenzo, Molière, Sweet, Audrey, Packard, and Cookie each receive a small crystal and a share of treasure. The six reunite with Preston on the surface and agree to keep their adventure a secret to protect Atlantis. Preston opens a package from Milo containing his own crystal and a note thanking him. The newly crowned Queen Kida and Milo carve a stone effigy of her father to join those of past rulers floating beside the Heart of Atlantis, as the city stands restored to its former glory. Voice cast Production layout sketch of Milo and Kida. Milo's character design was based in part on sketches of the film's language consultant, .  as Milo James Thatch, a  and  at the Smithsonian who was recruited to decipher The Shepherd's Journal while directing an expedition to Atlantis.  as Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke, the leader of the band of mercenaries for the Atlantean expedition.  as Kidagakash "Kida" Nedakh, the Princess of Atlantis and Milo's love interest. Natalie Strom provided dialogue for Kida as a young child. Summer also voiced the unnamed Queen of Atlantis, Kida's mother and Kashekim's wife who was "chosen" by the Crystal during the sinking of the city.  as Preston B. Whitmore, an eccentric millionaire who funds the expedition to Atlantis.  was originally cast and recorded as Whitmore, but he died before completing the film. Mahoney's zest and vigor led to Whitmore's personality being reworked for the film.  as Lieutenant Helga Katrina Sinclair, Rourke's -born second-in-command.  as Vincenzo "Vinny" Santorini, an  .  as Dr. Joshua Strongbear Sweet, a  of  and  descent.  as Audrey Rocio Ramirez, a   and the youngest member of the expedition.  as Gaetan "Mole" Molière, a   who acts like a .  as Jebidiah Allardyce "Cookie" Farnsworth, a Western-style  chef. Varney died in February 2000, before the production ended, and the film was dedicated to his memory.  recorded supplemental dialogue for Cookie.  as Wilhelmina Bertha Packard: an elderly, sarcastic, chain-smoking  who is also the expedition's .  as Kashekim Nedakh, the King of Atlantis and Kida's father.  as Fenton Q. Harcourt, a board member of the  who dismisses Milo's belief in the existence of Atlantis. Production Development The production team visited  to get a sense of the underground spaces depicted in the film. The idea for Atlantis: The Lost Empire was conceived in October 1996 when , , , and  lunched at a Mexican restaurant in . Having recently completed , the producer, directors and screenwriter wanted to keep the Hunchback crew together for another film with an "" setting rather than a "" setting. Drawing inspiration from 's  (1864) and  (1870), they set out to make a film which would fully explore  (compared to the brief visit depicted in Verne's novel). While primarily utilizing the Internet to research the mythology of Atlantis, the filmmakers became interested in the  readings of  and decided to incorporate some of his ideas—notably that of a mother-crystal which provides power, healing, and longevity to the Atlanteans—into the story. They also visited museums and old army installations to study the technology of the early 20th century (the film's time period), and traveled underground in  to view the subterranean trails which would serve as a model for the approach to Atlantis in the film. The filmmakers wanted to avoid the common depiction of Atlantis as "crumbled Greek columns underwater", said Wise. "From the get-go, we were committed to designing it top to bottom. Let's get the architectural style, clothing, heritage, customs, how they would sleep, and how they would speak. So we brought people on board who would help us develop those ideas." Art director David Goetz stated, "We looked at , styles of ancient, unusual architecture from around the world, and the directors really liked the look of Southeast Asian architecture." The team later took ideas from other architectural forms, including , , and  works. Hahn added, "If you take and deconstruct architecture from around the world into one architectural vocabulary, that's what our Atlantis looks like." The overall design and  layout of Atlantis were also based on the writings of , and his quote "in a single day and night of misfortune, the island of Atlantis disappeared into the depths of the sea" was influential from the beginning of production. The crew wore  which read "ATLANTIS—Fewer songs, more explosions" due to the film's plan as an  (unlike previous Disney animated features, which were ). Language The Atlantean letter A, created by artist John Emerson. Kirk Wise noted that its design was a treasure map showing the path to the crystal, "The Heart of Atlantis". Main article:  , who developed the  for the  television and theatrical productions, was hired to devise the Atlantean language for Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Guided by the directors' initial concept for it to be a "", Okrand employed an  word stock with its own . He would change the words if they began to sound too much like an actual, spoken language. John Emerson designed the written component, making hundreds of random sketches of individual letters from among which the directors chose the best to represent the Atlantean alphabet. The written language was : designed to be read left-to-right on the first line, then right-to-left on the second, continuing in a zigzag pattern to simulate the flow of water. The Atlantean [A] is a shape developed by John Emerson. It is a miniature map of the city of Atlantis (i.e., the outside of the swirl is the cave, the inside shape is the silhouette of the city, and the dot is the location of the crystal). It's a treasure map. — Kirk Wise, director Writing  was the first writer to be involved with the film but soon left to work on other Disney projects. According to him, he "had not a shred" in the movie.  completed the screenplay, stating that the time from initially discussing the story to producing a script that satisfied the film crew was "about three to four months". The initial draft was 155 pages, much longer than a typical Disney film script (which usually runs 90 pages). When the first two acts were timed at 120 minutes, the directors cut characters and sequences and focused more on Milo. Murphy said that he created the centuries-old Shepherd's Journal because he needed a map for the characters to follow throughout their journey. A revised version of the script eliminated the trials encountered by the explorers as they navigated the caves to Atlantis. This gave the film a faster pace because Atlantis is discovered earlier in the story. The directors often described the Atlanteans using  as an example. When  wandered into Egypt, the people had lost track of their once-great civilization. They were surrounded by artifacts of their former greatness but somehow unaware of what they meant. — Don Hahn, producer The character of Milo J. Thatch was originally supposed to be a descendant of Edward Teach, otherwise known as  the pirate. The directors later related him to an explorer so he would discover his inner talent for exploration. The character of Molière was originally intended to be "professorial" but Chris Ure, a story artist, changed the concept to that of a "horrible little burrowing creature with a wacky coat and strange headgear with extending eyeballs", said Wise. Don Hahn pointed out that the absence of songs presented a challenge for a team accustomed to animating musicals, as action scenes alone would have to carry the film. Kirk Wise said it gave the team an opportunity for more on-screen character development: "We had more screen time available to do a scene like where Milo and the explorers are camping out and learning about one another's histories. An entire sequence is devoted to having dinner and going to bed. That is not typically something we would have the luxury of doing." Hahn stated that the first animated sequence completed during production was the film's . The original version featured a  war party using The Shepherd's Journal to find Atlantis and being swiftly dispatched by the Leviathan. Near the end of production, story supervisor John Sanford told the directors that he felt this prologue did not give viewers enough emotional involvement with the Atlanteans. Despite knowing that the Viking prologue was finished and it would cost additional time and money to alter the scene, the directors agreed with Sanford. Trousdale went home and completed the  later that evening after visiting a strip club where he boarded the new sequence on a napkin. The opening was replaced by a sequence depicting the destruction of Atlantis, which introduced the film from the perspective of the Atlanteans and Princess Kida. The Viking prologue is included as an extra feature on the . Casting Kirk Wise, one of the directors, said that they chose  for the role of Milo because they felt he gave his characters his own personality and made them more believable on screen. Fox said that voice acting was much easier than his past experience with live action because he did not have to worry about what he looked like in front of a camera while delivering his lines. The directors mentioned that Fox was also offered a role for ; he allowed his son to choose which film he would work on, and he chose Atlantis. Viewers have noted similarities between Milo and the film's language consultant, , who developed the  used in the film. Okrand stated that Milo's supervising animator, , sketched him, claiming not to know how a linguist looked or acted. Kida's supervising animator, Randy Haycock, stated that her actress, , was very "intimidating" when he first met her; this influenced how he wanted Kida to look and act on screen when she meets Milo. Wise chose  for the role of Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke because of his previous experience with , especially  and  films, and said the role "fits him like a glove". When asked if he would be interested in the role, Garner replied: "I'd do it in a heartbeat." Producer Don Hahn was saddened that , the voice of Jebidiah Allardyce "Cookie" Farnsworth, never saw the finished film before he died of lung cancer in February 2000, but mentioned that he was shown clips of his character's performance during his site sessions and said, "He loved it." Shawn Keller, supervising animator for Cookie, stated, "It was kind of a sad fact that [Varney] knew that he was not going to be able to see this film before he passed away. He did a bang-up job doing the voice work, knowing the fact that he was never gonna see his last performance."  recorded supplemental dialogue for Cookie. , who voiced Preston Whitmore, stated that doing voice work was "freeing" and allowed him to be "big" and "outrageous" with his character. Dr. Joshua Sweet's supervising animator, , indicated that one of the challenges was animating Sweet in sync with  rapid line delivery while keeping him believable. Morris stated that this character was extreme, with "no middle ground"; he mentioned, "When he was happy, he was really happy, and when he's solemn, he's real solemn."  described her character, Lieutenant Helga Katrina Sinclair, as "sensual" and "striking", and was relieved when she finally saw what her character looked like, joking, "I'd hate to, you know, go through all this and find out my character is a toad."  said her character, Audrey Rocio Ramirez, made her "feel like a little kid again" and she always hoped her sessions would last longer.  felt that her character, Wilhelmina Bertha Packard, was very "cynical" and "secure": "She does her job, and when she is not busy, she does anything she wants."  mentioned that finding his performance as Gaetan "Mole" Molière was by allowing the character to "leap out" of him while making funny voices. To get into character during his recording sessions, he stated that he would "throw myself into the scene and feel like I'm in this make-believe world". Kirk Wise and , supervising animator for Vincenzo "Vinny" Santorini, noted Vinny's actor  unique ability to  dialogue while voicing the role. Edmonds recalled, "[Novello] would look at the sheet, and he would read the line that was written once, and he would never read it again! And we never used a written line, it was improvs, the whole movie." Michael Cedeno, supervising animator for King Kashekim Nedakh, was astounded at  voice talent in the role, stating that he had "so much rich character" in his performance. As he spoke his lines, Cedeno said the crew would sit there and watch Nimoy in astonishment. Animation For comparison, the top image (panoramic view of Atlantis) is cropped to Disney's standard aspect ratio (1.66:1); the bottom image was seen in the film (2.35:1). At the peak of its production, 350 animators, artists and technicians were working on Atlantis at all three Disney animation studios:  (),  (), and  (Paris). The film was one of the few Disney animated features produced and shot in  . The directors felt that a widescreen image was crucial, as a nostalgic reference to old action-adventure films presented in the  format (2.35:1), noting  as an inspiration. Because switching to the format would require animation desks and equipment designed for widescreen to be purchased, Disney executives were at first reluctant about the idea. The production team found a simple solution by drawing within a smaller frame on the same paper and equipment used for standard  (1.66:1) Disney-animated films. Layout supervisor Ed Ghertner wrote a guide to the widescreen format for use by the layout artists and mentioned that one advantage of widescreen was that he could keep characters in scenes longer because of additional space to walk within the frame. Wise drew further inspiration for the format from filmmakers  and . The film's visual style was strongly based upon that of , the comic book artist behind . Mignola was one of four production designers (along with Matt Codd, Jim Martin, and ) hired by the Disney studio for the film. Accordingly, he provided style guides, preliminary character, and background designs, and story ideas. "Mignola's graphic, the angular style was a key influence on the 'look' of the characters," stated Wise. Mignola was surprised when first contacted by the studio to work on Atlantis. His artistic influence on the film would later contribute to a . I remember watching a rough cut of the film and these characters have these big, square, weird hands. I said to the guy next to me, "Those are cool hands." And he says to me, "Yeah, they're your hands. We had a whole meeting about how to do your hands." It was so weird I couldn't wrap my brain around it. — Mike Mignola The final pull-out shot of the movie, immediately before the end-title card, was described by the directors as the most difficult shot in the history of Disney animation. They said that the pull-out attempt on their prior film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, "struggled" and "lacked depth"; however, after making advances in the process of , they tried the technique again in Atlantis. The shot begins with one 16-inch (40.6 cm) piece of paper showing a close-up of Milo and Kida. As the camera pulls away from them to reveal the newly restored Atlantis, it reaches the equivalent of an 18,000-inch (46,000 cm) piece of paper composed of many individual pieces of paper (24 inches [61 cm] or smaller). Each piece was carefully drawn and combined with animated vehicles simultaneously flying across the scene to make the viewer see a complete, integrated image. Scale model of Ulysses submarine by Greg Aronowitz, used by digital animators as reference during production. At the time of its release, Atlantis: The Lost Empire was notable for using more  (CGI) than any other Disney traditionally animated feature. To increase productivity, the directors had the digital artists work with the  throughout the production. Several important scenes required heavy use of digital animation: the Leviathan, the Ulysses submarine and sub-pods, the Heart of Atlantis, and the Stone Giants. During production, after Matt Codd and Jim Martin designed the Ulysses on paper, Greg Aronowitz was hired to build a scale model of the submarine, to be used as a reference for drawing the 3D Ulysses. The final film included 362 digital-effects shots, and computer programs were used to seamlessly join the 2D and 3D artwork. One scene that took advantage of this was the "sub-drop" scene, where the 3D Ulysses was dropped from its docking bay into the water. As the camera floated toward it, a 2D Milo was drawn to appear inside, tracking the camera. The crew noted that it was challenging to keep the audience from noticing the difference between the 2D and 3D drawings when they were merged. The digital production also gave the directors a unique "" for complicated shots within the film. With the ability to operate in the z-plane, this camera moved through a digital ; the background and details were later hand-drawn over the wireframes. This was used in the opening flight scene through Atlantis and the submarine chase through the undersea cavern with the Leviathan in pursuit. Music and sound Since the film would not feature any songs, the directors hired  to compose the  after they heard his music on . Approaching it as a live-action film, Howard decided to have different musical themes for the cultures of the surface world and Atlantis. In the case of Atlantis, Howard chose an  incorporating chimes, bells, and gongs. The directors told Howard that the film would have a number of key scenes without dialogue; the score would need to convey emotionally what the viewer was seeing on screen.  and his team at  were hired for the film's . Like Howard, Rydstrom employed different sounds for the two cultures. Focusing on the machine and mechanical sounds of the early industrial era for the explorers, he felt that the Atlanteans should have a "more organic" sound utilizing ceramics and pottery. The sound made by the Atlantean flying-fish vehicles posed a particular challenge. Rydstrom revealed that he was sitting at the side of a highway recording one day when a  drove by at high speed. When the recording was sped up on his computer, he felt it sounded very organic, and decided to use it in the film. Rydstrom created the  chiming of the Heart of Atlantis by rubbing his finger along the edge of a champagne flute, the sound of sub-pods moving through the water with a , while a ceramic pot from a garden store was used for the sounds of the movement of the Giant stone guardians. Release Atlantis: The Lost Empire had its world premiere at Disney's  in , on June 3, 2001 and a limited release in New York City and Los Angeles on June 8; a wider release followed on June 15. At the premiere, Destination: Atlantis was on display, featuring behind-the-scenes props from the film and information on the legend of Atlantis with video games, displays, laser tag, and other attractions. The  also loaned a variety of fish for display within the attraction. Promotion Atlantis was among Disney's first major attempts to utilize . The film was promoted through , which created a website with mini-games and a movie-based video game give-away for UPC labels from specially marked packages of Atlantis breakfast cereal. The film was one of Disney's first marketing attempts through , and allowed users to download games based on the film.  (which had an exclusive licensing agreement on all Disney releases) promoted the film with  toys, food packaging and in-store decor. The McDonald's advertising campaign involved television, radio, and print advertisements beginning on the film's release date.  offered free admission tickets for the film on specially marked snack packages. Home media  Atlantis: The Lost Empire was released on  and  on January 29, 2002. During the first month of its home release, the film led in VHS sales and was third in VHS and DVD sales combined. Sales and rentals of the VHS and DVD combined would eventually accumulate $157 million in revenue by mid-2003. Both a single-disc DVD edition and a two-disc collector's edition (with bonus features) were released. The single-disc DVD gave the viewer the option of viewing the film either in its original theatrical 2.39:1 aspect ratio or a modified 1.33:1 ratio (utilizing ). Bonus features available on the DVD version included audio and visual commentary from the film team, a virtual tour of the CGI models, an Atlantean-language tutorial, an encyclopedia on the myth of Atlantis, and the deleted Viking prologue scene. The two-disc collector's edition DVD contained all the single-disc features and a disc with supplemental material detailing all aspects of the film's production. The collector's-edition film could only be viewed in its original theatrical ratio, and also featured an optional  track. Both DVD versions, however, contained a  track and were  certified. Disney digitally remastered and released Atlantis on  on June 11, 2013, bundled with its sequel . Reception Box office Before the film's release, reporters speculated that it would have a difficult run due to competition from  and . Regarding the market's shift from traditional animation and competition with CG-animated films, Kirk Wise said, "Any traditional animator, including myself, can't help but feel a twinge. I think it always comes down to story and character, and one form won't replace the other. Just like photography didn't replace painting. But maybe I'm blind to it." Jeff Jensen of  noted that CGI films (such as Shrek) were more likely to attract the teenage demographic typically not interested in animation, and called Atlantis a "marketing and creative gamble". With a budget of $100 million, the film opened at #2 on its debut weekend, behind Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, earning $20.3 million in 3,011 theaters. During its second weekend, it would drop into fourth place behind the latter film,  and , making $13.2 million. The film's international release began September 20 in Australia and other markets followed suit. During its 25-week theatrical run, Atlantis: The Lost Empire grossed over $186 million worldwide ($84 million from the United States and Canada). Responding to its disappointing box-office performance, , then-president of Walt Disney Feature Animation, said, "It seemed like a good idea at the time to not do a sweet fairy tale, but we missed." Critical response Atlantis: The Lost Empire received mixed reviews from critics, many of whom criticized its story. The review aggregator website  reports that 48% of 144 professional critics have given Atlantis: The Lost Empire a positive review; the average rating is 5.5/10. The site's consensus is: "Atlantis provides a fast-paced spectacle, but stints on such things as character development and a coherent plot".  assigned the film a weighted average score of 52 out of 100 based on 29 reviews from critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. Audiences polled by  gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. While critics had mixed reactions to the film in general, some praised it for its visuals, action-adventure elements, and attempt to appeal to an older audience.  gave Atlantis three-and-a-half stars out of four. He praised the animation's "clean bright visual look" and the "classic energy of the comic book style", crediting this to the work of Mike Mignola. Ebert gave particular praise to the story and the final battle scene and wrote, "The story of Atlantis is rousing in an old pulp science fiction sort of way, but the climactic scene transcends the rest, and stands by itself as one of the great animated action sequences." In ,  gave high praise to the film, calling it "a monumental treat", and stated, "Atlantis is also one of the most eye-catching Disney cartoons since Uncle Walt institutionalized the four-fingered glove." Internet film critic  wrote a positive review of the film, giving it three out of four stars. He wrote, "On the whole, Atlantis offers 90 minutes of solid entertainment, once again proving that while Disney may be clueless when it comes to producing good live-action movies, they are exactly the opposite when it comes to their animated division."  of the  wrote positively of the film's approach for an older audience: "But just beneath the surface, Atlantis brims with adult possibility." Other critics felt that the film was mediocre in regards to its story and characters, and that it failed to deliver as a non-musical to Disney's traditional audience.  of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a C+ rating, writing that the film had "gee-whiz formulaic character" and was "the essence of craft without dream".  of the  said the storyline and characterizations were "old-fashioned" and the film had the retrograde look of a Saturday-morning cartoon, but these deficiencies were offset by its "brisk action" and frantic pace.  of  wrote, "Disney pushes into all-talking, no-singing, no-dancing and, in the end, no-fun animated territory." Stephanie Zacharek of  wrote of Disney's attempt to make the film for an adult audience, "The big problem with Disney's latest animated feature, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, is that it doesn't seem geared to kids at all: It's so adult that it's massively boring." Rita Kempley of  panned the film, calling it a "new-fashioned but old-fangled hash" and wrote, "Ironically Disney had hoped to update its image with this mildly diverting adventure, yet the picture hasn't really broken away from the tried-and-true format spoofed in the far superior Shrek." In 2015, Katharine Trendacosta at  reviewed the film and called it a "Beautiful Gem of a Movie That Deserved Better Than It Got" and said that the film deserves more love than it ended up getting. Lindsay Teal considers "Atlantis" to be "a lost Disney classic". Describing the film as highly entertaining, she praises the writing and characterisation – in particular, Sweet, Helga and Kida. In particular, much praise has been given to the character of Kida. Summer has regarded the character of Kida as one of her favourite roles and even considers the character among the official Disney Princess line-up. Themes and interpretations Several critics and scholars have noted that Atlantis plays strongly on themes of  and . M. Keith Booker, academic and author of studies about the implicit messages conveyed by media, views the character of Rourke as being motivated by "capitalist greed" when he pursues "his own financial gain" in spite of the knowledge that "his theft [of the crystal] will lead to the destruction of [Atlantis]". Religion journalist Mark Pinsky, in his exploration of moral and spiritual themes in popular Disney films, says that "it is impossible to read the movie ... any other way" than as "a devastating, unrelenting attack on capitalism and ". Max Messier of  observes, "Disney even manages to lambast the capitalist lifestyle of the adventurers intent on uncovering the lost city. Damn the imperialists!" According to Booker, the film also "delivers a rather  moral" by concluding with the discovery of the Atlanteans kept secret from other surface-dwellers in order to maintain a separation between the two highly divergent cultures. Others saw Atlantis as an interesting look at  philosophy of the sort found in classic works of science fiction by  and Jules Verne. Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water controversy When the film was released, some viewers noticed that Atlantis: The Lost Empire was similar to the 1990-91  , particularly in its character design, setting, and story. The similarities, as noted by viewers in both Japan and America, were strong enough for its production company  to be called to sue for . According to Gainax member , they only refrained from doing so because the decision belonged to parent companies  and . Another Gainax worker, , was quoted in an interview in 2000 as saying: "We actually tried to get NHK to pick a fight with Disney, but even the National Television Network of Japan didn't dare to mess with Disney and their lawyers. [...] We actually did say that but we wouldn't actually take them to court. We would be so terrified about what they would do to them in return that we wouldn't dare." Although Disney never responded formally to those claims, co-director Kirk Wise posted on a Disney animation  in May 2001, "Never heard of Nadia till it was mentioned in this [newsgroup]. Long after we'd finished production, I might add." He claimed both Atlantis and Nadia were inspired, in part, by the 1870 Jules Verne novel . However, speaking about the clarification, Lee Zion from  wrote, "There are too many similarities not connected with 20,000 Leagues for the whole thing to be coincidence." As such, the whole affair ultimately entered popular culture as a convincing case of plagiarism. In 2018, Reuben Baron from  added to Zion's comment stating, "Verne didn't specifically imagine magic crystal-based technology, something featured in both the Disney movie and the too similar anime. The Verne inspiration also doesn't explain the designs being suspiciously similar to Nadia's." Critics also saw parallels with the 1986 film  from  and  (which also featured magic crystals, and Atlantis directors Trousdale and Wise both acknowledged Miyazaki's works as a major influence on their own work) and with the 1994 film  as Milo's characteristics were said to resemble those of , the protagonist of Stargate and its spinoff television series  — which coincidentally launched its own spinoff, titled ; the plot of the 1994 film is also paralleled involving a group visiting an unknown world, a fictional language made for the other world's people, the main protagonist having apparent knowledge of the people's culture, falling in love with one of the female locals and electing to stay behind when the others return home. Accolades  Award Category Name Result Individual Achievement in Directing Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise Nominated Individual Achievement in Storyboarding Chris Ure Nominated Individual Achievement in Production Design David Goetz Nominated Individual Achievement in Effects Animation Marlon West Nominated Individual Achievement in Voice Acting – Female Florence Stanley Nominated Individual Achievement in Voice Acting – Male Leonard Nimoy Nominated Individual Achievement for Music Score James Newton Howard Nominated Original Retrospective Documentary Michael Pellerin Nominated Best Sound Editing – Animated Feature Film Gary Rydstrom, Michael Silvers, Mary Helen Leasman, John K. Carr, Shannon Mills, Ken Fischer, David C. Hughes, and Susan Sanford Won   Nominated 2002 Political Film Society   Nominated   Nominated   Nominated Diane Warren and James Newton Howard Nominated Best Feature Family Film – Drama Walt Disney Feature Animation Nominated Related works Main article:  Atlantis: The Lost Empire was meant to inspire an  entitled Team Atlantis, which would have presented the further adventures of its characters. The series would have been akin to an animated  version of  and feature a  with . However, because of the film's underperformance at the box office, the series was not produced. On May 20, 2003, Disney released a  sequel titled , consisting of three episodes planned for the aborted series.  planned to revive its  ride with an Atlantis: The Lost Empire theme with elements from the movie. These plans were canceled and the attraction was re-opened in 2007 as the , its theme based on the 2003  film , which was far more successful commercially and critically. In addition, after the Submarine Voyage's  counterpart, , closed down in 1994, four years before Disneyland's, there were proposals of a new attraction that would take its place, with one of them a volcano attraction inspired by that film's Vulcania location, being approved for the Magic Kingdom's  area. Around 1999, during development of Atlantis: The Lost Empire, it was decided that it would be themed to the movie, with it taking place in 1916, two years after the film's events. The ride would have focused on Preston Whitmore, a character from the film, seeking to make Atlantis existence public and offer expeditions to visitors in newly developed vehicles. However, due to mishaps, the vehicles would be forced to make a detour through the lava-filled caverns of the volcano. The attraction would have used a unique hybrid ride system, in which it would start as a standard coaster before the trains hook up to a suspended track midway through to fly through the caverns. The attraction would have been accessed by a new canyon path in between  and a re-routed  that would have led to a Whitmore Enterprises base camp at the edge of the  path, with the mountain itself being built outside the berm. However, like the previous Submarine Voyage retheme, the ride was cancelled due to the film's disappointment in the box office.

  
  

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• TDP 1461: 15A. Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures Series 15: The Ministry of Death REVIEW

  5 April 2026 (4:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 52 seconds

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    This title was released in March 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 30 April 2026, and on general sale after this date. Summoned back to Earth by the Space-Time telegraph, the Doctor and Sarah Jane find themselves assisting their old friends at UNIT not once but twice. But exactly how willing will a Time Lord be to be stuck in a single place once more? 15.1 The Ministry of Death by Robert Valentine (4 parts) When the Brigadier uses the Space-Time Telegraph to summon the Doctor and Sarah Jane from their travels, they know it'll be for something unusual. But neither could expect something quite this strange. An electronics expert has died after being struck by lightning. But how could this possibly happen in his office? And that’s only the first death they discover. A wild scheme is underway. A case of twisted science and revenge. That's about to hit closer to home than they could possibly anticipate. 15.2 The Inhuman Empire by Phil Mulryne (2 parts) Sarah is contacted by an old friend who knows her predilection for 'rum goings on', asking her to investigate unusual activities at the National Museum. Sarah agrees to look into it, with the Doctor tagging along - but they soon discover things are worse than they thought. Because the Museum is host to alien activity - very familiar aliens at that. And if they don't stop these relic hunters quickly, then humanity itself might not survive. Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart © Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence. With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,500 copies and will not be re-pressed.   Recorded on: 23 and 27 October, 3,10, 16 and 30 November, and 14 December 2020 Recorded at: The Soundhouse and Remote Recoding   Producer David Richardson said: "Now this is my era! I was 12 years old when the Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry were flying out into the universe, and those years remain some of my most treasured Doctor Who memories. "How brilliant that, at last, 15 seasons into The Fourth Doctor Adventures, we can bring those characters back together again for new stories. This season has been sitting 'in the can' for a while now - we made it at the height of lockdown, and it proved the most joyous diversion from bleak times. Imaginative, brilliant escapism - just what Doctor Who should be." The Ministry of Death writer Robert Valentine added: "There is a certain magic to these lead characters of the Fourth Doctor, Sarah, Harry and the Brig. The Fourth Doctor is a far less clubbable personality than the Third Doctor was, and he's this chaotic force who wants to leave, and the Brig is a force of order who wants him to stay. "And stuck between them are Sarah and Harry, who are a very different couple of characters, who nevertheless get on extremely well. But Harry is a throwback to an earlier time, not unlike John Steed in The Avengers, and Sarah is a thoroughly contemporary woman who's bang up to date for the 1970s. Or is it the 1980s?" Actor Christopher Naylor described The Ministry of Death: "It has a real adventure serial feel to it. It moves at a good pace and it's very reminiscent of those early stories in Tom's tenure, like Robot. You can imagine those very brightly lit sets and the jeeps zooming all over the place and lots of colour separation overlay of actors and creatures getting bigger." Sadie Miller, who plays Sarah Jane Smith, agreed: "It's a really fun adventure. It reminds me of Roger Corman movies - that sort of creature feature element, which I absolutely adore, and a gothic spooky element to the sci-fi, with a mad scientist character, which I've always really enjoyed as a viewer and as a listener."

  
  

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• TDP 1460: 5.3. Star Cops: Conflict: Prisoner and Escort REVIEW

  29 March 2026 (5:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes and 1 second

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    Alice Okoro returns to the Moon having escorted a prisoner, Mitchell Kane, from a Mars waystation. He has confessed to committing a murder on the Red Planet, but Nathan suspects he isn't telling the whole truth. Is Kane the killer? If not, who is? And why would he admit to a murder he hasn’t committed? The answer to those questions brings shocking consequences.   Recorded on: 5-7 November 2024 Recorded at: The Soundhouse   Writer Roland Moore said: "The Star Cops characters are so well drawn, originally by Chris Boucher and then from what script editor Andrew Smith and the rest of the team have done. They've been played so consistently over the years, so getting back into writing for them is quite easy. And, I had great fun with the two guest characters. Mitchell Kane is a man totally out of his depth, and it's fun to see him unravel - Homer Todiwala's portrayal of Mitchell was a joy to hear." Director Helen Goldwyn added: "Mitchell is quite a character, brilliantly played by Homer. He's a really interesting personality type, and it's great to see his evolution. Also joining us on this episode is the fabulous Hannah Bristow, who I had the pleasure of working with in a show the year before; I knew that she had such a distinctive voice and such a naturalistic style, so it was great to come across the role of Samantha and be able to offer that to Hannah."    (Nathan Spring)  (Inspector Colin Devis)  (Chief Superintendent Pal Kenzy)  (Samantha Curran)  (Inspector Alice Okoro)  (Inspector Paul Bailey) (Mitchell Kane)  

  
  

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• TDP 1459: #DoctorWho: The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: 5 The Violet Hour REVIEW

  22 March 2026 (5:47am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 29 seconds

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    This title was released in March 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2026, and on general sale after this date. The Doctor and Yaz arrive in the East End of London, 1926. There’s grief in the air: not only the years of war and sickness, but a more recent death. A strange message prompts them to investigate the murder of a medium. A young woman whose seances hide deeper secrets - and an unearthly power that threatens the entire city. Please note: the collector's edition CD is strictly limited to 1,500 copies   Cover Art by Director Executive Producer Music by Producer Script Editor Sound Design by Written by Senior Producer Product Format: 1-disc CD (jewel case) Number of Discs: 1 Duration: 71 minutes Physical Retail ISBN: 978-1-80240-627-6 Digital Retail ISBN: 978-1-80240-628-3 Production Code: BFPDW13TH05  (The Doctor)  (Yasmin Khan)  (Esther)  (Kidney / Cat-Caller)  (Nellie / Waitress)  (Miriam) (Maltravers / Ironmonger) Recorded on: 25 June 2025 Recorded at: Fitzrovia Post     Writer Rafaella Marcus said: "It’s been a thrill to take the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz to the world of music hall and seances, and bring them face to face with all the strange and murky things that occupy the underbelly of 1920s London. "Speaking to the dead is a dangerous and - quite literally - haunting business, and even more so in this era. I've loved writing Yaz and the Doctor's challenging, loyal, heartfelt dynamic as they investigate both a series of murders and their own losses - I hope listeners enjoy it as much as I did." Lead actor Jodie Whittaker said: "It's a really beautiful script, with ghostly elements explored in a very unique way, and so many different characters of different ages as well - people whose grief is through loss of a family, and young people who've lost someone instantly. And it touches on the Spanish flu, which, now we all know what it's like to live through a pandemic, feels incredibly relevant." Her co-star Mandip Gill added: "When I first read The Violet Hour, I was a bit scared because I'm actually scared of ghosts! But then I got quite excited because we've not touched on this before, and it's exciting to pop back to the East End in the 1920s." And, producer Noga Flaishon said: "Working with Rafaella Marcus was wonderful. I adore their work across theatre and audio, and they were amongst the first writers I pitched for this series. The plot is so suspenseful and spooky, and this was the first - and so far only - time I shed tears in the control room during a recording... the words ripped my heart out on this one."    

  
  

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• TDP 1457: Doctor Who: The Third Doctor Adventures: The Imposters REVIEW

  19 March 2026 (2:25am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes and 9 seconds

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    This title was released in February 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2026, and on general sale after this date. The Doctor and the Brigadier are on the trail of stolen, advanced technology. Sarah Jane Smith is convinced an informant is leading her to a top-secret space tracking station. And Dr Elizabeth Shaw is wearing a metal helmet, covered in tin foil. It's a deadly puzzle, involving a precocious schoolgirl, a Saturday night all-in wrestling star and a high-ranking military officer. There's a plot to control the Earth's weather and somewhere in all this, there's a connection to the constellation of Centaurus. To defeat an enemy with no regard for human life, the Doctor must battle on all fronts, but not before a lethal encounter with the Venusian karate Downward K-klak!
 Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart © Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence. With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar PLEASE NOTE: Due to very limited availability, this release can only be purchased on CD as part of a bundle   This title was released in February 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2026, and on general sale after this date. The Doctor and the Brigadier are on the trail of stolen, advanced technology. Sarah Jane Smith is convinced an informant is leading her to a top-secret space tracking station. And Dr Elizabeth Shaw is wearing a metal helmet, covered in tin foil. It's a deadly puzzle, involving a precocious schoolgirl, a Saturday night all-in wrestling star and a high-ranking military officer. There's a plot to control the Earth's weather and somewhere in all this, there's a connection to the constellation of Centaurus. To defeat an enemy with no regard for human life, the Doctor must battle on all fronts, but not before a lethal encounter with the Venusian karate Downward K-klak!
 Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart © Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence. With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar **PLEASE NOTE: Due to very limited availability, this release can only be purchased on CD as part of a bundle**

  
  

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• TDP 1458 Doctor Who NEWS and Chat

  15 March 2026 (9:57am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 8 minutes and 5 seconds

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• TDP 1456: REVIEW Vol 2. Irwin Allen's The Time Tunnel: The Dimensions of Time

  13 March 2026 (5:00am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 59 seconds

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    This title was released in February 2026. It will be exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 March 2026, and on general sale after this date. Captain Lewis Haworth, young hacker MB, dark web operative Cole Smith and marine biologist Clare MacGregor found themselves in a changed world, controlled by the sinister Rakervia. In a secret military base in Arizona, they reactivated the Time Tunnel and set out across history, on a mission to track down the lost scientists Tony Newman and Doug Phillips, and restore the world as it should be. 2.1 Families and Lies - June 28 1969, by Mark B Oliver Cole arrives, alone, in Greenwich Village, Manhattan on Saturday, 28th June 1969, the day before the Stonewall uprising. With Lewis and MB nowhere to be found, he forges new friendships, but they have their own troubles. Inside the Project Tic-Toc Control Room, Clare must persuade Elenya that reuniting her friends is in all their interests. 2.2 Divine Intervention - April 1429, by Lisa McMullin MB and Cole find themselves in 15th Century France, towards the end of the Hundred Years War. It's France versus England but MB and Cole will be lining up on the side of France - alongside the Maid of Orleans herself - Joan of Arc. Is she a witch, a heretic or a feminist revolutionary? 2.3 Rendezvous with Tomorrow - April 15th 1912, by Gary Hopkins MB and Cole follow in the footsteps of Doctors Newman and Phillips aboard the doomed passenger ship Titanic in the year 1912. It seems that, after all, history can be re-written. Clara MacGregor, meanwhile, discovers that the past can be read in different ways. Is it possible that the journey's end is in sight? **Please note: the collector's edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,000 copies and will not be repressed** Irwin Allen's The Time Tunnel TM & © 2026 Legendary. All rights reserved. Used under license. Based on the original television series "The Time Tunnel" © Legendary and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.   Recorded on: 17-19 July and 14-16 August 2024 Recorded at: The Soundhouse   Producer, director and script editor Gary Russell said: "The Time Tunnel is one of those great Sixties science-fiction shows that ended too soon and without resolution. Ever since I was six years old, I used to think, what happened to poor Doug and Tony? To finally have the opportunity to restart Project Tic-Toc's computer spools, flashing lights and boot up the Tunnel again - and along the way maybe finally get an answer to Doug and Tony's fate - was simply too good an opportunity to pass up on. "We've had so much support and encouragement too from Legendary and Synthesis - who look after the Irwin Allen properties with so much love and respect - and for that I'm really grateful. They gave us the chance to bring The Time Tunnel into the twenty-first century with a bang." On making her Big Finish debut, Sandra Dickinson said: "It’s a part to die for! The woman I'm playing has a rich history of being a very good human being, a loving, caring person, and is a tough cookie, so it was really fun to play, and to use the New York accent, which has been in my mind for a long time. "The 1960s was an amazing time. It's so apt at the moment to be talking about the LGBTQ rights movement. It's really nice to hear how it all started off in New York. And my dear son-in-law, David Tennant, has been standing up for them, bless him! So it's a great one to have done." The first episode’s writer Mark B Oliver said: "I did a lot of research into the Stonewall Uprising, and what I found most fascinating were the oral histories that people have recorded over the years. These are people that were there and experienced what exactly happened. And the common thread is that they agreed to disagree about the exact details!" The second episode is scripted by Lisa McMullin, who said: "I’ve had a real hankering for quite a while to tell a pure historical story, so this was such a treat. It was really enjoyable telling the story of Joan of Arc. I had loads of interest in her before, and I'm always fascinated by how religion can be a real comforter to people but is also used to justify so much horror." And, finale writer Gary Hopkins said: "At the time we were discussing what we might want to do with this episode, I was reading a fantastic book called The Darks and Bounds of a Failing World, all about the tragedy of the Titanic and the Edwardian era. So it all fell into place at just the right time. I'd grown up watching various representations of the Titanic through film and television, but I always wanted to go back to the factual origin."

  
  

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• TDP 1455: Asterix – For Your Consideration 21

  9 March 2026 (3:41am GMT)
  Episode Duration: 0 days, 0 hours, 47 minutes and 8 seconds

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    We finally kick of the year with Luke’s choice. This time we’re looking at the Asterix comic albums. T-shirts can be found here –  Follow us on twitter  Like us on  Review us on  Email the show – 

  
  

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