Who's He? Podcast 456 | Like a fool, I'm in a cage | Horror of Fang Rock Review

·46 min·4 clips

The BBC just released official episode titles for the new Doctor Who series, and they've changed from the leaked versions.

The episode begins with news about the upcoming Doctor Who series, as the BBC has released official episode titles that differ from previously leaked versions. The hosts go through each title: Space Babies by Russell T Davies, The Devil's Chord (a musical episode featuring Jinx Monsoon), Boom by returning writer Stephen Moffat, 73 Yards, Dot and Bubble, Rogue, The Legend of Ruby Sunday, and The Empire of Death. Scott expresses his dislike for musicals, while both speculate about story arcs and returning characters. They then transition to reviewing Horror of Fang Rock, a Tom Baker story from Season 15. Phil shares a personal anecdote about hearing a real foghorn as a child, describing it as creepy. The hosts discuss the story's dark setting in a lighthouse where everyone dies except the Doctor and Leela. They examine the updated special effects on the Blu-ray release, including a new puppet for the Rutan monster and enhanced model work for the lighthouse and spaceship. Phil explains how the original monster was made from frozen Swarfega and jelly. The conversation covers character performances, particularly Tom Baker's serious portrayal and Louise Jameson's role as Leela. They mention a scene where Jameson actually slapped another actress during filming. The hosts then delve into the documentary about producer Graham Williams included in the Blu-ray set, revealing that Williams took his own life at age 45 after struggling with depression and conflicts with Tom Baker. They discuss Williams' difficult tenure on Doctor Who, including an incident where a director walked out. The episode concludes with recommendations to purchase the Blu-ray set and brief mentions of other Season 15 stories.

As heard by us

A warm Fang Rock rewatch with a sharp eye for the lighthouse craft behind the fog.

Who's He? Podcast revisits Horror of Fang Rock with clear affection, pairing the story itself with a practical look at the season 15 Blu-ray release and its updated effects.

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Why you'd press play

You get Horror of Fang Rock through its fog, its lighthouse atmosphere, and the clever short studio staircase that makes the place feel taller than it was.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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