Radio Free Skaro

"The Stolen Earth," the penultimate episode of Series 4, was a barnburning spectacular of fanwankian proportions, and the RFS crew did their level best to keep their geeky selves in check before effusively praising (or in the case of Chris, begrudgingly praising) a jam-packed episode full of danger, Davros, Daleks, derring-do, and other things starting with the letter "D". Delightful!

Chris absconded to Las Vegas  this week for liquor, gambling, and other licentious pursuits, so it was left to the other two pillars of RFS to hold the fort, which they barely managed. The subject at hand? "Turn Left,' which served as not only this season's "Doctor Lite" episode but also as a fantastic return to the series for Billie Piper, not to mention a sterling performance by Catherine Tate. The usual digressions and drivel-making were of course present, but without our tall co-host's derisive sneers and seething hate, it wasn't quite the same.

For once, the Three Who Rule were in total agreement that "Midnight," the psychological thriller/Donna-lite episode of this season's Doctor Who, was a fine bit of viewing. That left us with little else to do besides mock Who overseer Phil Collinson and engage in many a ridiculous digression, as per usual. Next week, Rose, dead Doctors, and atomic weaponry. Allons-y!

Dissent in the ranks this week, as the Third Guy forsakes a life of marital bliss with Who scribe Stephen Moffat and rips “Forest of the Dead” a new one. Steven and Warren, on the other hand, were charmed and entertained by the concluding episode of the two-parter that began with last week’s “Silence in the Library,” and thus did vigorous debate and pointless digression occur for about an hour and change.

Silence in the Library marks not only the return of Doctor Who to TV screens after a week's absence but also easily the best episode of the season thus far. The Three who Rule waxed lyrical on the many excellent aspects of this Moffat-penned tome, speculated madly on the mysteries and plot twists sure to be answered next week, and of course digressed and went on mind-melting tangents as per usual.

With the villainy of Eurovision erasing Doctor Who from England's screens for the week, all we were left with was a corking trailer for the second half of Season Four and the wonderful news that Steven Moffat, ace writer and life partner of the Third Guy, will take over whip cracking duties from Russell T Davies come 2010. And, as threatened last week, we actually did a commentary for "The Brain of Morbius", one of Tom Baker's more violent excursions from the classic series. This is by far the longest RFS we've ever done, so let us know by telegraph, carrier pigeon or new-fangled electronic mail if we've jumped the shark or whether you'd like to hear more of our extended ramblings on the Classic Series (which, given the semi-hiatus next year, you surely will in one form or another.)

Another week of lackluster Who, this time set in 1920's England, starring Agatha Christie...and resulting in a bit of inconsequential fluff that added up to an at best average viewing experience. The RFS crew, always ready to make lemonade out of crap, soldiered bravely on and veered so wildly off-topic that they might just have gone full circle and accidentally gone back on topic again. Digressions ahoy!

We never go into a new RFS wishing to slag the living hell out of the latest episode of what is, after all, our favorite program...but we were left with little choice after "The Doctor's Daughter," which had such potential but fuell far short of the mark. Our anger was tempered by the usual news, diversions, and a shout out to our new friends at Tachyon TV....but ouch, here's hoping for better fare from the BBC next week. Still, our balderdash is as engaging and filled with bon mots as ever.

Part two of the return of the Sontarans to the new series hits the critical eye of Steven, Warren, and Chris, and was found not quite up to snuff, though by no means a complete failure Through much banter and balderdash, your illustrious hosts addressed not only the Sontaran shenanigans in question but the upcoming episode featuring the Doctor's daughter (!) as well as some pretty sparse offerings in the way of news.

The Three Who Rule spent a mind-shattering 40-odd minutes conversing about the "Sontaran Stratagem," a fine return to form for the Doctor's beloved potato-headed enemies (unless you ask Chris, he thought the episode was a bit crap.) And good thing too, since there was very little in the news for your intrepid hosts to ponder, though that didn't stop the usual digressions, tangents and nonsense.