THIS WEEK IN DOCTOR WHO - Fri, 14 Jul 2000
(posted Fri, 14 Jul 2000, via the Doctor Who Alliance)

by Benjamin F. Elliott
Email: bfelliott@gallifreyone.com

This Week In Doctor Who turned two years old on the 13th (has it been that long?). To mark the event, over twenty fans of the series have provided their own story descriptions for the episodes being shown. Without the fans, the show would not be on anywhere anymore, and this column would not exist. Everyone involved in this special edition has been very helpful to either the series in general or This Week in particular. A big round of applause to everyone involved, please.

I would also like to congratulate the Doctor Who Alliance of North America Newsletter on its 2nd anniversary, which is on the 17th. Shaun Lyon and the Alliance have supported This Week since the very earliest days. I look forward to many more years working together.

Additions and corrections are welcome at bfelliott@gallifeyone.com or bfelliott@earthlink.net . And now, the listings:

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Radio/Real Audio:

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BBC Radio 4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/
Realplayer Stream http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/realplayer/index_fm.html
Dead Ringers ep 205
Fri 6:30PM BST (1:30PM EDT, 10:30AM PDT), Sat 12:30PM BST (7:30AM
EDT, 4:30AM PDT)
"This week on Radio Four we finally admit to bringing Doctor Who back without telling anyone. From the dark recesses of the minds of Radio Four, comes the second season of the Dead Ringers story. So far the fourth Doctor has phoned and annoyed some people before joining the First Doctor by going back in time to help the Prince of Denmark... probably to get away from those pesky Changing Rooms folks. Will Rolf Harris really see to K9? Will the Ground Force team deal with the Krynoids and will the Fourth Doctor finally get the telephone number for the Master?"... - Roger Clark

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Television:

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UK/IRELAND:

TG4/TnaG
http://www.tg4.ie/tg4.htm
http://www.sceneone.co.uk/s1/tv/listings
Sat-Sun 5:05PM BST The Dæmons eps 2 - 3 of 5
2. - The Doctor is frozen solid by the strange forces unleashed from the barrow and is presumed dead, but is later discovered to be in a deep coma. Benton and Yates rush to Devil's End in the Brigadier's helicopter, where Benton gets to play the hero and rescue a damsel in distress. The Brigadier follows them to the village, only to find the road blocked by a barrier of intense heat. 3. - The Doctor and Miss Hawthorne disagree over whether science or magic is behind the events occurring in Devil's End. Reverend Magister, alias The Master, delivers a sermon to his parishioners that they'll never forget. The Doctor approaches the heat barrier and instructs Sgt. Osgood in how to build a machine which will allow the Brigadier's convoy to pass through unharmed. - Gavin Winters

UK Gold
http://www.sceneone.co.uk/s1/tv/listings
Sun 8:50-10:55AM BST The Greatest Show in the Galaxy movie
< ring > Programme resources here..... What's that....? Asbestos in the ceilings of the TV Centre..... Ah..... How long will it take to clear it...? Right..... I'll see what have we got scheduled in the studios for the next few days. Top of the Pops, OK, they can go out to some nightclub. Blue Peter, the weather's nice, they can go outside to the garden. 'Newsnight, they can struggle at Lime Grove for a few days. Doctor Who.... Ah.... Something about clowns and a circus, and a woman turning into a werewolf - yes, that impressions woman. No, not Janet Brown.... Let me think... Could we cancel it...? No...? Not until next year.... Ah... Well all it needs is a big tent.... Is Billy Smart's Circus anywhere near London? Oh, Aberdeen....What about Cyril Smith, has he got a shirt you could use? Oh, you've tried him, he's on holiday and taken his shirt with him. What do you suggest? A tent in the 'Grange Hill' carpark at Elstree? Would that work? Mmm, don't suppose it matters, it's only Doctor Who. UK Gold: The Greatest Show in the Carpark. Sunday 16 July. 8:50 - 10:55 am. - David Brunt

UK Gold 2
http://www.sceneone.co.uk/s1/tv/listings
Sun 6-8:05PM BST The Greatest Show in the Galaxy movie
"Do you like clowns? No? But do they scare you? They scare Ace. So what does the Doctor do? He takes her to an intergalactic circus full of robotic ones. And that's not all - The Psychic Circus has a dangerous secret; the audience never leave. Faced with murderous bus conductors, killer clowns, and fanatical fanboys, the Doctor must enlist the help of the most boring explorer in the galaxy and his werewolf companion. Can the Doctor polish up his juggling act in time to please the gods? And can Ace restrain herself from clobbering Captain Cook?" - Mark Phippen

EUROPE/AFRICA/ASIA:

BBC Prime
http://www.bbcprime.com/
Late Fri 1AM*, Sat 5PM CET State of Decay ep 3 of 4
Sun+Mon 11:30AM CET State of Decay ep 4 of 4
*Not seen in all regions.
The TARDIS crew are trapped in E-Space but have now found themselves at the gateway between the universes. Tied to a chair and being used as a time sensitive to guide a ship through time and space, Romana finally meets an escaped Tharil slave... but are they as friendly as they seem? One of the most complex and visually stunning stories concludes with a tearful farewell to Romana and K9. The history of the Tharils is finally explained and the gateway is opened... but not without the usual danger for all concerned. - Roger Clark

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND:

UKTV Australia
http://www.varos.com/drwho/uktv/
Sun 7AM, Late Sun 1AM AEST The Ambassadors of Death all 7 eps
Announcer's voice: Next time on Doctor Who:
Ralph Cornish: Well something took off from Mars.
Announcer: An exciting adventure, featuring UNIT.
The Doctor: Someone's threatening to kill Miss Shaw!
Announcer: A manned mission to Mars returns, with a mystery!
The Doctor: I don't know what came down in Recovery 7, but it certainly wasn't human!
Announcer: Alien ambassadors, but are they good, or evil?
Reegan: With these three you can do anything. Walk into Fort Knox and help yourself.
Announcer: Doctor Who - The Ambassadors of Death.
General Carrington: I'm surprised to see you, Doctor. My instructions were that you should be killed.
Announcer: Coming to UKTV July 16 at 7AM.
General Carrington: I shall have to attend to the matter myself.
[Carrington raises the automatic to the Doctor's head.]
General Carrington: I'm sorry, Doctor, its my moral duty.
Announcer: Don't miss it - Cameron Mason
Mon-Wed 11:30PM AEST Inferno eps 5 - 7 of 7
Thu-Fri 11:30PM AEST Terror of the Autons eps 1 - 2 of 4
"Two other Time Lords come looking for the Doctor: One with a warning, the other with a Nestene sphere, a plastics factory and an invasion plan..." - Jason Fraser

Prime TV New Zealand
http://www.tetrap.com/drwho/nzdwfc/
http://www.primetv.co.nz/
Sun-Tue 6:25PM The Space Museum eps 2 - 4 of 4 (The Dimensions Of Time, The Search, The Final Phase)
Following a promising opening episode, the Doctor resists the Mind Probe whilst the rest of the crew indulge in some unremarkable corridor running with stereotypical rebel Xerons and Morok oppressors. The story introduces the Time Space Visualiser (which later gave its name to the New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club's magazine). First New Zealand screening since 1969. - Paul Scoones
Wed-Fri 6:25PM The Chase eps 1 - 3 of 6 (The Executioners, The Death Of Time, Flight Through Eternity)
Never before televised in New Zealand. The TARDIS crew are holidaying on Aridius when the call comes in - the Daleks have a time machine, and they're coming, ready or not! Soon the chase is on! - Alden Bates

USA:

BBC America
http://www.bbcamerica.com/
Weekdays 5AM EDT - 2 episodes daily
Mon Pyramids of Mars eps 3 - 4 of 4
Sutekh forces the Doctor into submission, and the TARDIS, after never going to the right place with Doctor, decides to work perfectly for Sutekh. The Doctor breaks free, and being so preoccupied with the TARDIS's betrayal of him, while trying to foil Sutekh, he burns down Mick Jagger's house (ironically previously owned by Lord Caernarvon who's death created the myth of the Curse of King Tutenkhamen). Tom Baker decides that for the next 10 stories, he'll give the TARDIS console no screen time. - Mustafa Hirji
Tue-Wed The Android Invasion eps 1 - 4 of 4
"Could you be very kind and tell us where we are?" Dr. Who and Sarah stumble across another harebrained scheme to take over the world. Sure, it's a poor man's Terror of the Zygons. But you miss this timeless four-parter at your peril--it features the classic scene when Sarah's face falls off! - Matt Chayt
Thu-Fri The Brain of Morbius eps 1 - 4 of 4
SWM. Early forties. Driven professional with an artistic streak. Owns castle and Condo. Seeks same for candle-lit dinner followed by experimentation. You must have a good head on your shoulders, a central nervous system (I cannot emphasize this last part enough!), and be willing to make a serious commitment. Compatibility with any of the known Gallifreyan blood-types an asset. Curious? Ad#: 6354 - Tom Robinson (Sloth)

NHPTV New Hampshire 11,49,52
http://nhptv.org/
Sun 3PM EDT The Brain of Morbius eps 3+4 of 4
Sarah is blinded. More problems, including awareness of Timelord interference, has forced Solon to take more drastic steps for putting Morbius's brain into a new head and body with some nasty consequences. Also, the Doctor tries to help the sisterhood to get back their elixir of life in exchange for help to stop the resurrection of Morbius. Will the Doctor finally be able to stop Solon from resurrecting the sinister Morbius? Will the Doctor even get help from the sisterhood who are willing to sacrifice any Timelord as revenge? Also, watch out for the mind-bending contest in Part 4 which has put some fan debate as to which of those other unknown faces on the screen are either incarnations of Morbius or of the Doctor (We may never know). Also, watch out for cameos from the production team playing unknown incarnations of either the Doctor or Morbius including Terrence Dicks, Robert Holmes and Philip Hinchcliffe. - DavrosDW

WQED/WQEX 13,16 Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.wqed.org/
Sat 11:31PM EDT The Talons of Weng-Chiang ep 4 of 6
The huntress finds herself the hunted until the Doctor prescribes the discharge from a "Chinese fowling piece." To make up for the dip in the sewers that delighted fans far and wide, the Doctor takes Leela to a show at the Palace where Li Hsen Chang's magic act goes awry and signals that the "gangrenous ghoul" Weng Chiang and his "pig-brained assassin" Mr. Sin are once more on the move. - Raymond Tate

WYBE 35 Philadelphia, PA
http://www.wybe.org/
Sat 11PM EDT The Leisure Hive ep 4 of 4 (actually Meglos: Part One)
Never mind how bulky lizards can disguise as humans- it's all down to collapsible bones or something, Gary Russell explained it later. Just enjoy the Angry Young Pangol's plans for the dying Argolins ("We shall begin again!") and count the remaining beads on Mena's head. Oh, and the main character has been aged into a doddering wreck. You won't see this on The Real World or Survivor. - Sean Bradshaw
Sat 11:30PM EDT Meglos ep 1 of 4 (actually Meglos: Part Two)
A chronic hysterisis throws the Doctor and Romana in for a loop. Meanwhile, K9 learns a lesson in tail-wagging. A chronic hysterisis throws the Doctor and Romana in for a loop. Meanwhile, K9 learns a lesson in tail-wagging. A chronic hysterisis throws the Doctor and Romana in for a loop. Meanwhile, K9 learns a lesson in tail-wagging. - Jefferson Eng

MPT Maryland 22,28,31,36,62,67
http://www.mpt.org/
Late Sat Mid EDT Earthshock movie
The Intergalactic Adric Celebrity Roast! Friends and Enemies gather from around the universe to celebrate the most underrated Doctor Who companion to date. Sadly Tom Baker and the Daleks were unable to attend, but fortunately the Cybermen are able to act as MCs. The big questions: episodic or movie form and what will the cyberleader be wearing! Alas, sometimes the BBC takes these things to seriously. . . - Jeffrey Jacobs

WUSF 16 Tampa, FL
http://www.wusftv.usf.edu/gateway.htm
Sat 11:30PM EDT Revelation of the Daleks 4 pt version, ep 2

WCET 48 Cincinnati, OH
http://www.wcet.org/
Sat 11:30PM EDT Pyramids of Mars ep 4 of 4
Ooh, big explosion, of a pyramid, well that's the pyramids part of the title sorted, what about the Mars? Oh, big evil bloke in mask, in a dark room, probably on Mars. Glowing green eyes, glowing green Tom, in pain. Bloke in mask has one of those really sinister voices, he also has very hi-tech L.E.D.s imbedded in the wall. Bloke wants to use the TARDIS, get's the key, oops, isomorphic controls, has to possess the Doctor then, travel through tunnel-thingy, travel in TARDIS, to Mars! Nice to see a Doctor who doesn't gurn when being throttled. traps, puzzles, extendable stick, tiles, explosive floor, something about a crystal, automatic lock-in? The old hoary (or is it hairy) chestnut of the two guards, one is lying puzzle, been there, done that. Crystal destroyed, re-animated dead fella has a heart attack or something, Sutekh is loose. Eh? EH? A bit of traditional corridor running, back to Earth, Sutekh coming down the tunnel, but ah! There's a delay between Mars and Earth! Doctor twiddles knob, stops evil Osiran bloke, saves world, but sets fire to the house. No-one alive in house so it doesn't matter, world saved, hooray! - Gordon Dempster
Sat 11:55PM EDT The Android Invasion ep 1 of 4
The Doctor and Sarah stop off in Devesham for a quick pint (of ginger beer, naturally!); but the locals aren't what you might call 'talkative'.... - Alryssa Kelly

WYIN 56 Gary, IN
http://www.wyin.org/
Sat 10PM CDT The Talons of Weng-Chiang ep 5 of 6 (more likely episode 6)
These wonders are on offer tonight at the Palace Theatre: Weng-Chiang and Mr. Sin have stolen the time cabinet. Jago & Litefoot finally meet and in so doing become the most beloved Robert Holmes double act. Baffling origins are given for Mr. Sin, and they are porcine. Hear cruel pig- like snorting laughter! Watch opium used as an aid for severe injury from giant rodent! Learn how to navigate through locked doors and via dumb waiters! Plus: what sort of face is under Weng-Chiang's leather mask? This and more in episode five of "The Talons of Weng-Chiang". And if you're very good, I'll buy you an orange. - Sean Bradshaw

TPT 2 St. Paul, MN
http://www.tpt.org/
Sat 11:35PM, Sun 5:35AM CDT The Robots of Death ep 4 of 4
The suspenseful mystery is over. Now that there is no longer any need for secrecy, the Robots are on a killing rampage. Episode highlight: (robot having mistaken one of his shiny pals as the Doctor) "Please do not kill me." - Dan McGrath

IPTV Iowa 11,12,21,24,27,32,32,36
http://www.sffn.com/
http://www.iptv.org/
Fri 11:35PM CDT The Talons of Weng-Chiang eps 4,5,+6 of 6
Will the Doctor destroy the giant rats or will PETA protest too much? Is Professor Lightfoot humming the tune to "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" as Leela gives a rousing rendition of "Wouldn't it Loverly?" ? What about the ticket sales for Henry Gordon Jago given that his top draw ends up as a rodent repast? And most importantly, will the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle sue Robert Holmes? Regardless of these confusing conundrums and peculiar paradoxes, the Victorian epic "Talons of Weng-Chiang" wraps up with more fireworks than a Chinese news year celebration! - Dr. Siobahn Morgan

PPTV North Dakota 2,3,4,6,9,13,19
http://www.pptv.org/
Fri 10:30PM CDT (9:30PM MDT) Image of the Fendahl ep 4 of 4
Thea gets a new dress and makeover, while the Fendahleen blow tinsel from their noses. After everything implodes, everyone settles down for fruitcake and tea. All in all, It's rather like Christmas in July in a Lovecraft sort of way. - J. Garth Wilcox

KBDI/K32EO 12,32 Denver/Colorado Springs, CO
http://www.kbdi.org/
Late Fri 12:30AM MDT Underworld eps 3+4 of 4
"The Doctor and Leela fight the twin terrors of the Oracle and CSO caves as they find time repeats itself with the legend of Persephone. Can the Doctor develop a perception of depth in time to defeat the evil Seers? And remember 'The Quest is the Quest'. As if you could forget." - Mark Phippen
Sat 10PM MDT The Invasion of Time eps 1+2 of 6
The Doctor undergoes a drastic change in personality before taking the post of Gallifrey's Lord President. He then begins some shady dealings which may affect the future of the Time Lords...- Keith Brookes

KUED 7 Salt Lake City, UT
http://www.kued.org/
Sat 11PM, Late Sat 12:30AM MDT Planet of Evil ep 4 of 4
The TARDIS gets disappointed that the Doctor won't take it to the X- men premier today. So instead of watching a Brit actor playing Magneto fight Wolverine, it goes to a strange planet and watches a Brit actor playing the Doctor fight a Wolverine look-alike. - Mustafa Hirji

KBTC/KCKA/K65BU 28,15,65 Tacoma/Centralia/Gray's River, WA
http://www.kbtc.org/
Sat 7PM, Late Sat 12:30AM PDT Revenge of the Cybermen eps 3+4 of 4
As the Doctor becomes involved with the events on Voga, Sarah-Jane finds that the Cybermen have planned a horrible fate for the planet of gold... - Keith Brookes

KTEH 54 San Jose, CA
http://www.kteh.org/
Sun 11PM PDT The Caves of Androzani all 4 eps
Guns, drugs, and the phantom of the spectrox... Peter Davison ends his tenure as the Doctor with a bang, or at least a mud burst. Major fun is had on Androzani Minor, and don't forget to bring your bat's milk, because we're taking our summer holiday's in The Caves of Androzani. (First broadcast by KTEH in it's entirety on Saturday, 26 January, 1985 at 11:15pm) - Ken Patterson

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I have been asked to put just one more thing in this week's column: "Benjamin: Congratulations on two great years of 'This Week in Doctor Who'!! TWIDW is a unique service that Doctor Who fandom should be grateful for... so many people use it not only for their own cities, but when traveling too! Whenever I've received feedback on my own publication, TWIDW is always fondly mentioned. Your weekly contribution to the larger world of Who fandom is invaluable, and you have my sincerest thanks. -- Shaun Lyon, Editor, the Doctor Who Alliance of North America (a proud partner with TWIDW)"

Well, thank you Shaun. I'll try to keep it worth reading, Lord willing and public supporting.

Thanks for reading. Until next week, take care.