In this week’s episode, Christian Cawley and James McLean dive deep into Doctor Who's "official" 25th-anniversary silver jubilee story, Silver Nemesis. From the slightly oversized Cybermen to the curious presence of Dolores Gray, we talk all the way through the oft-derided 1988 adventure and explore what makes it fascinating -- if not somewhat polarizing.

This podcast looks at the first episode of Silver Nemesis, with the rest of the serial coming up over the next few weeks.

Patreon listeners get the full three episode commentary in one go, and you can join the Kasterborous Patreon today to enjoy it that way. Supporters get the podcast first, with extra material, ad-free, and video content, as well as access to the Kasterborous Archive.

We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.

If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.

It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop.

No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support.

Thanks!

The recent recovery of two missing episodes of Doctor Who from The Daleks' Master Plan should be a moment of celebration — but it also raises an uncomfortable question: how many more are still out there?

In this Patreon-exclusive video, Christian Cawley and James McLean dig into the latest discovery, donated via Film Is Fabulous!, and the ongoing work to restore and preserve missing television. But our conversation quickly turns to the more complicated side of the story — the long history of private collectors holding onto lost material. What the mindset keeps culturally significant footage out of public view?

Why do people keep these recordings hidden? And what would it take for them to come forward?

The discussion explores the legacy of figures like Philip Morris and Ian Levine, the often fraught relationship between fandom and preservation, and the strange ways history is shaped by those who control access to it. We also discuss the passing of well-regarded actor Tom Georgeson, who had appeared in two Doctor Who serials, and died last week at 88 years old.

We also go beyond Doctor Who to consider how classic television is restored and presented today — from controversial cropping choices to changing expectations around picture quality — and how audiences engage differently with media across generations.

Patreon listeners, meanwhile, get the bonus content: detours into The Man from UNCLE, Sapphire and Steel, Teletext nostalgia, shifting attitudes to ownership versus access (renting), and the broader question of how cultural artefacts survive in our increasingly digital world. You can join Patreon today to get the podcast first, with extra material, ad-free, and video content, as well as access to the Kasterborous Archive.

We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.

If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.

It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop.

No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support.

Thanks!

Christian Cawley and James McLean conclude their commentary discussion of the classic Doctor Who serial The Robots of Death, focusing on Episodes Three and Four of the 1977 story.

With the mystery aboard the sandminer tightening, the discussion explores how the final two episodes bring together the serial’s many strands. We've got the paranoia among the crew, growing suspicion surrounding the robots, and the increasingly complex motivations of those on board.

Remember, this was written for children!

Christian and James look at how writer Chris Boucher structures the closing chapters of the story as both a science-fiction thriller and a classic murder mystery, and why the solution still holds up decades later. They also query how much input the script editor, Robert Holmes, had.

Along the way, the conversation touches on the serial’s memorable robot designs, its distinctive world-building, and the production choices that give The Robots of Death its enduring reputation as one of the most stylish and atmospheric adventures from the classic era of Doctor Who.

Did you know that Patreon supporters are likely already listening to next week’s episode? While we love sharing the show with everyone, our subscribers get the “VIP” experience: early access, a completely ad-free stream, and an exclusive video version of every episode.

Get Kasterborous on Patreon!

We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.

If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.

It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop.

No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support.

Thanks!