Doctor Who: Toby Hadoke’s Time Travels

Happy Times and Places 12.1 - Terror of the Autons 1

To tie in with this week's Blu-Ray release of Season 8, it's time to celebrate its opening story, which was a great big relaunch for Doctor Who. The first appearance of The Master, Jo Grant and Captain Yates, it also features the return of the Autons but an altogether more colourful palette than the muted tones for gritty old Season 7. Special guest Richard Marson -who pretty much was Doctor Who Magazine back in the day, but who has also written books about key figures in the series and has been the main man at Blue Peter - chats to Toby about the story and his role in the early years of fandom in a fascinating post-episode interview. So the format changes slightly for this instalment of Happy Times and Places, which is kind of appropriate when you think about it. 

Happy Times and Places 12.2 - Terror of the Autons 2

What's the scariest thing about Terror of the Autons, the multiple deaths-by-plastic, the amount of CSO, or the rather dated approach to animal welfare on display? You decide. Your host Toby Hadoke and his special guest, TV producer Richard Marson, are on hand to bring you their thoughts - Richard was around on first broadcast and so can provide a bit of context, and Toby is learning to love a story he has hitherto been somewhat ambivalent about. But that's the point really - now watch out for those clowns....

Happy Times and Places 12.3 - Terror of the Autons 3

Killer policemen, killer daffodils and a killer doll - not-so-fantastic plastic is the cause of much mayhem in this episode of Doctor Who. But which particular manifestation of it will find favour with your host Toby Hadoke? He has to try to guess what his special guest - writer and producer Richard Marson - has chosen to eulogise about this particular episode of Doctor Who. The pair have a good old chinwag about the Terror of the Autons, and about Doctor Who's history and some of its key figures, but will it be quarries or quarrels at the end of the day...?

Happy Times and Places 12.4 - Terror of the Autons 4

We left the Doctor almost literally hangin' on the telephone, but what else in in store for him, special guest Richard Marson and host Toby Hadoke as the Master's plan nears completion. Afterwards, Toby and Richard have a chat about some of the great figures in Doctor Who history whom Richard interviewed back in the day. But will they agree on the best things about this episode and the story as a whole? there's only one way to find out...

Indefinable Magic 1.5 - Terror of the Onions

An apple a day doesn't keep the Doctor away, and yet a pear does? The Doctor's relationship with food says a lot about the character and about us, and Toby Hadoke has some pretty strident views about this - fish fingers and custard, cheese and wine, can fried gumblejack : it's all on the menu in this episode of whimsical essays about Doctor Who related trivia.

Doctor Who : Too Much Information 1.3 - The Forest of Fear

And so we get down to the nitty-gritty of the third ever episode of Doctor Who. There's more pre-filming, the Doctor proves that as well as being an old fashioned hero he is also a potential murderer, and his intended victim turns out to be an actor with a colourful and ultimately tragic personal story. Toby Hadoke is your host, with the When, What and Who of this instalment of TV's most iconic science-fiction series of all. 

Happy Times and Places Omnibus - Timelash

Riding high from her recent success with My Mum Tracy Beaker (not to mention The Worst Witch and The Demon Headmaster), writer Emma Reeves chooses one of Doctor Who's least celebrated adventures - but who cares? It's one she loved as a child and very story means something to someone, so get your tinsel out and have a serving of ham as we grab this one by the Morlocks and see if Toby can undergo a conversion on Karfel. Omnibus edition for those of you who like these all in one go. 

Happy Times and Places 13.1 - The Chase 1

Dalekmania is at its height, and Beatlemania too, and both come together in this episode, alongside Abraham Lincoln, William Shakespeare, and the terrifying revelation of a Dalek clearing its throat.  A story that divides opinion has been chosen by musician, impressionist and actor Darrell Maclaine, whose e You Tube clips are so entertaining that the TARDIS crew should train their Space Time Visualiser on them. Can he convince host Toby Hadoke that The Chase is worthy of love, and can they agree on what its best bits are?

Happy Times and Places 13.2 - The Chase 2

On the planet Aridius the only water on display is the tears wept by its lachrymose inhabitants, who include fur star Hywel Bennett and an extra with a Doctor shaped claim to fame. But this won't be a dry affair as actor and musician Darrell Maclaine is on hand to celebrate the positive aspects of this often maligned adventure. Can Toby Hadoke discern Darrell's favourite thing about this instalment, or can he not tell night from day (in which case he isn't alone)?

Happy Times and Places 13.3 - The Chase 3

The only Doctor Who episode in which the probable death of a baby is part of a semi-comedic sequence, but that's not the only thing to write home about. There's a Menoptra doing a Columbo impression, Peter Purves on the Empire State Building, and the only 360 degree classic series Dalek headspin.  Comedian, musician and actor Darrell Maclaine is in high spirits celebrating this story he loves, and he has dragged your host Toby Hadoke along for the ride.