Series 2, Episode 6 - “My Sky Striker! My glory!”

Hold on to your time rings, faithful podcast fans, because this week we’re heading back into the Cyber-review fold on a course for Nerva Beacon and the fabled planet of gold, Voga, for a main-episode review of the… “divisive” Tom Baker serial Revenge of the Cybermen. Host Mike and co-host Companion D.K welcome back returning guests Cliff Chapman and Joshua Merkley to help untangle a messy web of intrigue, espionage, viruses, missile strikes, crash landings, and some rather uncharacteristic cyborgs. But first, we warm up with a chat about our favourite Tom Baker stories and the best seasons of classic Who. Then it’s the section as familiar as a reused set: Hit or Miss. This week we debate a somewhat maligned Matt Smith Cyber-encounter, Doctor Who’s own superhero, a classic Hartnell serial, and a very recent companion. Then things get intense as we confront mishandled viruses, civil war, fighting over gold, oddly behaved AI, and people with questionable loyalties. And no, that’s not just us reading the news from any random day over the last seven years. Camps begin to form between those who despise the story, those who passionately defend it, and those who let nostalgia triumph over logic. Along the way we explore how the script changed from genesis to final form, the spooky behind-the-scenes tales of the Wookey Hole curse, the location and studio filming, the electronic music, and how the story ultimately left each of us feeling. We round things off with critic and audience reactions, our favourite moments, and our final scores. So try not to cause any rock slides or detonate explosives, and definitely avoid any crash landings while you join us for another opinionated and entertaining episode. HARRY SULLIVAN IS AN IMBECILE — but you’re not. So press play now, and don’t disappoint the Doctor.

Links:

Cliff:

• facebook.com/cliff.chapman

• cliffchapman.bsky.social • https://ko-fi.com/clif...​

Josh:

• https://www.facebook.com/share/18EBd6kFwa/

• https://youtube.com/@infinitestudiosfl?si=xjlQUmgnhDVrOF0k

Check out the trailer for Josh's upcoming show "Solis":

https://youtu.be/tm3mMcFaMVs?is=cmSazvwU3Ustckbq

Follow Mike and the podcasts all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Hosted and written by Michael Wilson

Co-hosted and additional material by D.K

Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Will Templar "

Cybermen, that's right. Terribly bad on names."

Series 2, Episode 5 – “There was a dog pissing up against our tent, hold me Ianto.”

We’re back for the next in our Hit or Miss: Doctor Who Cyber Season, and we're heading to 2000s Cardiff and into our first Whoniverse spin-off review. Yes, we're tackling the infamous “Cyberwoman” from Torchwood — the episode that asks, “What if body horror… but make it awkward?” Host Michael is joined by returning favourites: Pasty Sheep maestro and semi-pro Matt Berry impressionist George White, plus Who mega-fan, voice actor and self-declared No.1 fan (with heavy sarcasm) of Chris Chibnall, Cliff Chapman. We kick off with a big-picture Torchwood chat — the highs, the lows, the why did they think that was a good idea? — plus favourite Cybermen stories from across all Doctor Who media. Then it’s time for “Hit or Miss,” where quick critiques fly at another Who spin-off, a Cyber sidekick, a controversial modern Doctor and a Third Doctor romp. And then… the main event. If you’ve ever accused Mike of being too generous — or too quick to defend Chibnall — this may shock you. What starts as critique slides rapidly into venting, then mutates into something resembling group therapy. We break down the episode’s wasted potential, the rare moments that shine, and a genuinely strong performance from Gareth David-Lloyd… but there’s no escaping the frustrations. From infamous costuming choices to clunky “adult” dialogue, muddled character motivations, dated direction, sloppy scripting and an astonishingly misguided climax — nothing is spared. We round out with critic and audience reactions (apologies to the fans), pick out our favourite scraps of goodness (we try), and deliver final scores. Could this be the lowest rating we’ve ever given? Don’t slather yourself in barbecue sauce and fight a pterodactyl. Tune in and find out. If you dare.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode's main review contains strong language, adult themes, and discussions of horror and sexuality. Like Torchwood, it is not intended for children. Listener discretion advised.

Links:

Cliff:

• facebook.com/cliff.chapman

• cliffchapman.bsky.social

• https://ko-fi.com/clif...​

George:

• instagram.com/georgewhite96

• instagram.com/pastysheep

• linktr.ee/pastysheep

Follow Mike and the podcasts all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Hosted and written by Michael Wilson

Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Will Templar

“Show some fucking mercy!”

Cinema Classics Number 25 - "The total potential here must be nothing less than astronomical!"

Prepare yourself, listener, for a new scale of science-fiction cinematic value. Dare you come with us and visit the Forbidden Planet? Skipper Mike & First Lieutenant D.K are joined on this amazing voyage by returning interplanetary specialist Justin Avery Smith as we head to Altair IV and arguably the birth of the sci-fi genre as we know it. Celebrating 70 years since it's initial release our intrepid trio dive deep into the genesis of this cinematic landmark, explore the groundbreaking ideas, effects, and Shakespeare-inspired plot. There's a lot of praise for the visuals, the acting (mostly) and the sheer imagination and directorial vision. There's also fair critique of the elements that don't hold up so well, from dated sexism to creepy crewmen and a view of humanity’s guardrails that feels retroactively naive. But ultimately, perhaps unsurprisingly, things devolve into a Robby the Robot love-fest, as we attempt to explain just how this mechanical marvel has charmed audiences and captured imaginations for seven decades. We conclude with the usual critical response, along with an extended look at this film's unique and lasting legacy, finishing with our highlights, critical conclusions and scores out of five interstellar stars. So have your own Robby whip you up a drink (maybe not 60 gallons of bourbon), press play and enjoy this imaginative space odyssey.

Links:

• Follow Justin on Facebook, Instagram & Threads; @Justinaverysmith

• Follow Justin on BlueSky @Justaverysmith

Get tickets for "Revenge of the Soy Boy" in person or live streaming:

• www.eventbrite.com/e/revenge-of-the-soy-boy-tickets

• https://therockwell.org/boston-fringe/

• https://tickets.frigid.nyc/event/

Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created & Hosted by Michael Wilson.

Co-hosted by D.K

Written by Michael Wilson

Additional Material by D.K

Edited by Michael Wilson.

Produced by Mike Wilson.

"Monsters, John. Monsters from the id."